Waveguide mixer brings precision test to car radar

15th October 2015

Mick Elliott

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Datasheet

Designated a millimeter-wave measurement option for its Spectrum Analyser/Signal Analyser MS2830A, the high performance Fundamental Mode Waveguide Mixer MA2808A has been released by Anritsu. The 60 to 90 GHz MA2808A combines ultimate sensitivity performance with a wide measurement span in an easy-to-use configuration, to enable millimeter-wave measurements that traditional harmonic-mixer and down-converter methods have been unable to achieve.

Millimeter-wave technology is currently used in a number of wideband wireless applications’ This new release will target Automobile Radar and Wireless Backhaul providers in particular. High resolution automobile collision avoidance radars are using 77/79GHz to be able to detect objects such as pedestrians, making millimeter-wave measurement capability vital.

Previous measurement methods have suffered with large conversion losses as well as the appearance of non-existent ghost signals (image responses), problems now addressed by the MA2808A.

In order to meet the need for faster, higher capacity communications, Wireless Backhaul providers are looking at connecting increasing numbers of small cell base stations with core networks, using E-band signals of 60 to 90GHZ.

The tight specifications on spectrum emissions in these bands require very high performance measurement equipment with high bandwidth and the best possible sensitivity.

Combining the newly released MA2808A with the MS2830A in the 26.5/43GHz configurations (MS2830A-044/045) will support the development and production of equipment for the E-band wireless backhaul and FMCW automotive radar industries.