Agilent Unveil World's Fastest USB Thermocouple Power Sensors

The U8480 Series provides the best accuracy in Agilent's power-meter and sensor portfolio and comes with a power linearity of less than 0.8 percent. As Agilent's first power sensor with the ability to measure down to DC, the U8480 Series covers a broader range of test applications. DC-range measurements are frequently used for source calibration, as power-measurement references, and for testing select electromagnetic compatibility.

With USB functionality, U8480 Series power sensors plug directly in to PCs or USB-enabled Agilent instruments and offer users the ability to measure power without needing an external power meter or power supply. With their built-in trigger function, Agilent's thermocouple power sensors give test engineers the ability to synchronize measurement capture without needing an external module. The internal calibration function saves time and reduces wear and tear on connectors. These power sensors also come bundled with Agilent's N1918A Power Panel software, making the U8480 Series one of the most cost-effective solutions in the company's power-meter and sensor portfolio.

Thermocouple -based power sensors are known for providing accurate power measurements but with a trade-off of slower measurement speeds, said Ee Huei Sin, vice president, Agilent's Basic Instruments Division. The U8480 Series overcomes this limitation and offers a significant improvement in measurement speed, making these sensors ideal for users who require high throughput and accuracy.

The Agilent U8480 Series USB thermocouple power sensors are now available worldwide. The U8481A-100 (10 MHz to 18 GHz) and U8485A-100 (10 MHz to 33 GHz) are priced at $2,835 and $4,028, respectively. The DC-coupled versions of the sensors, U8481A-200 (DC to 18 GHz) and U8485A-200 (DC to 33 GHz) are priced at $3,043 and $4,236, respectively.