Test news from the International Microwave Symposium
-- Test & Measurement World, 6/26/2008 9:41:00 AM
Introductions at the MTT-S International Microwave Symposium (June 15-20, Atlanta, GA) included a new RF power meter family, non-linear device test technology, Mobile WiMAX test capabilities, a PXI digital RF signal generator, a WLAN test set for silicon developers, an online ultra-high-density cable configurator, and a variety of software enhancements.
Agilent Technologies (www.agilent.com) demonstrated new NVNA (nonlinear-vector-network-analyzer) capability for its PNA-X microwave-network analyzer, which operates from 10 MHz to 26.5 GHz. Requiring minimal external hardware, the Agilent NVNA software effectively converts a four-port PNA-X into a high-performance nonlinear analyzer that measures nonlinear parameters that Agilent calls X parameters.
At the Rohde & Schwarz (www.rohde-schwarz.com) booth, NMDG (www.nmdg.be) demonstrated its own approach to nonlinear device analysis with its NM300 extension kit. The kit is a hardware and software combination that enables R&S ZVA and ZVT vector network analyzers to characterize the harmonic behavior of active devices in the time and frequency domains.
Keithley Instruments (www.keithley.com) announced a set of signal creation and analysis tools—based on the company’s Model 2820 RF vector signal analyzers and Model 2920 RF vector signal generators—that extend its RF test capabilities to support 802.16e mobile WiMAX Wave 2 testing with up to 4x4 MIMO channels, without requiring expensive hardware upgrades or different instrumentation. Keithley also introduced version 2.0 of its SignalMeister waveform creation software, which features a new object-oriented graphical user interface (GUI) that uses a click-and-drag objects-based approach that allows RF engineers to intuitively create waveforms; the GUI is optimized for MIMO signals and enables the creation of signals in accordance with WiMAX and WLAN wireless connectivity standards and 3GPP and 3GPP2 cellular standards.
Aeroflex (www.aeroflex.com) introduced its 3020C PXI modular digital RF signal generator, a 1-MHz to 3-GHz instrument that supports applications in the HF, VHF, anhd UHF bands. It offers a modulation bandwidth of 90 MHz to support broadband communications standards or multicarrier test applications, and it delivers RF output power of -120 dBm to +6 dBm. In combination with the recently introduced 3030C wideband RF digitizer, the instrument supports RF component and transceiver testing.
Anritsu (www.us.anritsu.com) announced the MT8860C WLAN test set, which combines the capabilities of a power meter, spectrum analyzer, and vector signal generator to perform radio-layer measurements on WLAN chip sets. A network mode uses standard LAN protocol messaging to perform transmitter and receiver measurements on a DUT without the need for test-control software from the device manufacturer. Anritsu also introduced new phase-noise software for its MS271xB microwave analyzers, and it debuted PowerMAX software, which provides for enhanced visualization and control of the company’s ML2490A power meters via Ethernet.
WL Gore (www.gore.com) introduced an on-line builder tool for configuring Gore Ultra High Density (UHD) interconnects that can be used in bench-top test systems and automated test equipment. The UHD cables operate to 15 GHz and support 10-Gbps data rates. UHD cable assemblies can be configured as single lines or ganged into 2-, 4-, or 8-position housings; a 10-ps relative time match is standard for all ganged UHD assemblies.
Wireless Telecom Group’s (www.wtcom.com) Boonton Electronics division introduced its 4540 RF power-meter series, which are more compact and offer lower prices than the company’s flagship 4500B meter. The 4540 instruments capture, analyze, and display RF signals in time and statistical domains. A statistical CCDF (complementary cumulative distribution function) mode can collect up to 4 gigasamples of data support the analysis of CDMA, OFDM, and other signals.
In addition to highlighting its NVNA capabilities, Agilent presented a series of new analysis capabilities for its PSA high-performance spectrum analyzer and mid-range MXA signal analyzer, including the addition of up to 80-MHz analysis bandwidth to the millimeter-wave PSA spectrum analyzer and 2-channel, analog baseband analysis for the N9020A MXA signal analyzer. Agilent also highlighted new N5161A and N5162A MXG ATE analog and vector RF signal generators for the cost-sensitive automated test equipment (ATE) environment. In addition to these new models, Agilent announced a series of enhancements to the MXG RF signal generators designed to deliver up to +23 dBm output power, extend the distortion performance, and provide phase-coherency support for MIMO and beam-forming applications. The company also demonstrated the new L4600A portable radio tester that enables one-button testing of FM and SINCGARS (SINgle Channel Ground Air Radio System) radios at both the operational and intermediate military testing levels. In addition, Agilent highlighted new integrated attenuation control units operating in the DC to 6, 18 and 26.5 GHz frequency range. The instruments feature up to 121 dB of attenuation with selectable step values and a programmable attenuation sweep function that enables user-defined sweep time, attenuation values, and number of cycles.
