Aeroflex introduces low loss RF combiner and upgrades PXI measurement speed

The Aeroflex 3065A RF combiner addresses the need of RF test system engineers working in cellular handset or RFIC and component manufacturing when making measurements of RF transceivers.
The RF combiner module is used in conjunction with signal generator and RF digitizer modules from the Aeroflex 3000 PXI range to enable development of high performance, low cost modular test systems for testing RF transceivers and components.

In addition to providing summed signal outputs, the two-input combiner module supports various combinations of input and output switched path configurations, to enable testing of single- and multi-port RF devices without the need to alter connections.

Operating over the frequency range 250 MHz to 6 GHz, the 3065A provides a combined low loss connection for a RF signal generator and RF digitizer to a mobile phone antenna, while offering high isolation between input ports and accepting input of power levels of up to +33dBm for TDMA burst signals or +30dBm for continuous CW. The low loss between the unit under test and the digitizer increases overall test system sensitivity, reducing the measurement uncertainty due to noise, and hence enabling more accurate calibration of mobile phone transmitters for UMTS and GSM UEs.

“The 3065A has been specifically developed to meet the rigorous demands of 2G and 3G handset test,” said Tim Carey, PXI Product Manager of Aeroflex Test Solutions. “The improvement in system sensitivity is two-fold, thanks to the lower insertion loss and higher input power handling capability compared to earlier models.”

To support the 3065A a new version of Aeroflex’s PXI Studio application software v1.11 is also available to download free of charge from www.aeroflex.com. PXI Studio provides a novel easy to use user interface for controlling Aeroflex PXI modules in combination with the different measurement suites for advance digital communications standards.