NI Introduces USB-Controlled RMS RF Power Meter

8th January 2008

NI-Emerson

ES Admin

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National Instruments has announced the company’s first USB-controlled true RMS RF power meter, which provides a highly flexible solution for automated test, measurement and monitoring applications in a small footprint. The 6 GHz NI USB-5680 power meter features high measurement accuracy and wide dynamic range packaged in a size similar to a typical power head. In automated test applications, the small size frees up valuable rack space without sacrificing performance. Powered solely from the USB cable, the new power meter is also ideal for portable applications because it consumes only 100 mA of current without an external power supply.

Traditional power meters feature a power sensor or head located close to the unit under test and connect via cable to an accurate A/D converter located in conventional instrumentation housing. Using the latest PC and A/D converter technologies, the USB-5680 combines both the sensor and the A/D converter in one package occupying less than 9.6 cubic inches – much smaller than the benchtop equivalent. The USB-5680 simply connects directly to an available USB port on any PC or PXI controller.

With a broad frequency range, high dynamic range and precise measurement accuracy, engineers can use the USB-5680 true RMS power meter for a broad range of applications. Features include:

• Small size: 8.5 by 3.0 by 5.6 cm (3.35 by 1.18 by 2.2in)
• Wide frequency range: 50 MHz to 6 GHz
• High dynamic range: 63 dB
• Amplitude accuracy: ±0.18 dB

To realise full instrumentation capabilities, the USB-5680 comes with a full-featured, executable soft front panel and intuitive, easy-to-use software libraries to help engineers quickly set up their systems. Engineers who need to measure continuous wave RF signals up to 6 GHz can use the USB-5680 in a stand-alone configuration with a VXIplug&play-compatible executable soft front panel to facilitate interactive control. To incorporate the USB-5680 in an automated test and measurement system, engineers simply use the intuitive application programming interface (API) with their programming environments of choice including NI LabVIEW, LabWindows™/CVI and the Microsoft .NET environment.