Broadband VNA system covers 70kHz to 145GHz in single sweep

15th April 2014

Mick Elliott

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Datasheet

Anritsu has unveiled the VectorStar ME7838D broadband Vector Network Analyser (VNA) system that provides industry-best frequency coverage of 70 kHz to 145 GHz in a single sweep using a coaxial test port. The dynamic range, calibration and measurement stability, and measurement speed gives design engineers greater confidence when performing on-wafer device characterization at 70 GHz and beyond.

This includes including applications such as 77 GHz car radar, E band wireless communications, 94 GHz remote sensing and airport radar, as well as emerging applications above 110 GHz.

The analyser can conduct a single sweep on a device over multiple RF, microwave, and millimetre wave (mm-wave) waveguide bands, allowing engineers to more accurately characterise devices. The instrument’s ability to perform sweeps from near-DC to 145 GHz enables engineers to create more accurate models and subsequently have fewer design turns when devices are subsequently used in applications.

The key enabler for broadband operation to 145 GHz is the Anritsu-developed MA25300A Non-Linear Transmission Line (NLTL) module. The new module extends the frequency range of previous Anritsu NLTL modules and is compatible with the basic VectorStar ME7838 system. Thus, all versions of the ME7838 series, such as the ME7838E 110 GHz system and the ME7838A 110/125 GHz system, can be upgraded to ME7838D 145 GHz performance.

Anritsu has also designed an innovative 0.8 mm test port connector for use with the new broadband VNA system. The 0.8 mm connector creates new opportunities for advanced network analysis and system design above 110 GHz. By extending the frequency range of broadband measurements to 145 GHz, the VNA serves as a multiple band system that occupies only one probe station. Not only does this create space savings, it eliminates the need to set up separate broadband and waveguide band systems and concatenate the data from the two configurations, saving time and increasing measurement confidence.

Dynamic range of the broadband system is 120 dB at 10 MHz, 110 dB at 67 GHz, 109 dB at 110 GHz and 94 dB at 145 GHz. Stability is 0.1 dB over 24 hours, resulting in fewer calibrations for increased throughput and lower cost-of-test. Throughput is further improved by the measurement speed of 110 ms for 401 points at 10 kHz IFBW. Anritsu has also developed the 3739C Test Set for the VectorStar ME7838 series broadband system.

The 3739C provides new options for support of antenna measurement systems. The option for antenna measurements is also ideal for other applications in which the mm-wave modules may need to be located up to 5 meters from the VectorStar VNA.