|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
         
 |
|
Premiýre for premium spectrum analyser The autumn spate of product launches in the test and measurement arena continued last month, with both Agilent Technologies and Rohde and Schwarz unveiling new instruments at the Electronica show in Munich. Agilent's offering was a full-featured spectrum analyser that is positioned above the mid-range 8560, while Rohde and Schwarz has extended its network analyser range to 40GHz. Digital IF The Agilent PSA series spectrum analyser model E4440A is its new top of the range instrument, and is intended to meet both general purpose and specialist signal requirements for signal analysis. The E4440A, shown in Figure 1, features an IF section that is completely realised in digital circuitry. This means that it can offer a range of 160 resolution bandwidth settings, because the bandwidth range is not limited by the availability of physical filters.
Aimed at applications in aerospace and defence as well as in wireless communications, the E4440A covers the frequency range up to 26.5GHz. It is the first in a series that is planned to include 6.7GHz and 13.2GHz models, as well as to add on capability for multi-offset ACPR, 3GPP and EDGE demodulation within the next year. Resolution bandwidths are available in the range 1Hz to 8MHz, and the analyser can switch between FFT mode, which provides a faster sweep speed at a given bandwidth, and conventional swept mode with any bandwidth setting. Spur searching, at 134s, is more than twice as fast as with the 8560 series. Phase The analyser also features phase optimisation, with the facility to adjust the number of loops in the VCO to optimise the measurement for either minimum noise or maximum speed. Sweep speeds down to 1ms are available, and the instrument is specified with 0.3dB absolute amplitude accuracy and 0.1dB linearity over a 100dB range. A 113dB dynamic range is quoted for distortion-free operation, which can be optimised using a 2dB input step attenuator, and sensitivity is -153dBm. Connectivity As is standard in Agilent's most recent instruments, a high level of connectivity is provided, with LAN-enabled data transfer, along with screen and data capture compatible with Microsoft Office applications. Parallel port and GPIB connections are also built in. Plug-and-play drivers are provided for Agilent VEE, Lab-View and LabWindows. Active links to Agilent ADS design software are planned within the next year. Also new from Agilent is an enhanced version of its 8960 one-box wireless test platform, which now has GPRS test capability. VNA Rohde and Schwarz introduced its new network analyser at Electronica. The ZVK is a vector network analyser operating at frequencies up to 40GHz, designed for use in the development and production of 3G mobile-radio units and systems. The analyser, shown in Figure 2, is a new member of the range that includes the existing 20GHz ZVM model. It features a dynamic range of 110dB, and a measurement speed of less than 700ms per point. Sensitivity at 10MHz bandwidth is specified as better than -110dBm.
The high dynamic range is achieved by the use of fundamental mixing. The ZVK is suitable for use in the measurement of both frequency converting components, such as mixers and receivers, and sources of microwave power, as well as for S-parameter measurement. Direct access to all four test receivers is provided to allow maximum measurement flexibility. Calibration Calibration methods available include TOM, TRM, TRL, TNA and TOM-X, as well as the classic 12-term TOSM method. The ZVK has an internal PC that operates under Windows NT, for network capability and compatibility with other PC applications for post-processing. Data transfer speeds over GPIB are less than 15ms for 200 measurement points. Virtual networks can be imported in CAD-compatible file formats such as *.S2P, *.S4P and *flp. On line INFO NOW number at www.mwee.com Agilent Technologies 300
|
|
||||||||
|
||||||||||||
