VNA tools improve signal integrity testing capability

“As data rates continue to increase, signal channel characterisation becomes increasingly challenging. The result is that VNAs are becoming more of a staple in signal integrity measurements, however, additional capabilities in processing and visualising data are beneficial. For these reasons, more tools have been added to the VectorStar and Shockline VNA families that can help signal integrity engineers be more efficient in analysing their designs,” said Dr. Jon Martens – Fellow at Anritsu.

VectorStar is Anritsu’s highest performance VNA product line and is used by SI engineers with the most challenging design requirements. For example, some designers want their test systems to be able to include up to the 5^th harmonic of their system clock.

The analysers offer 2- and 4-port broadband configurations from 70kHz to 70GHz, 110GHz and 145GHz with a single coaxial connection, supporting the latest digital data rates, including 25/28Gbps and 43Gbps.

Anritsu’s ShockLine VNA family also has excellent performance, but less capability at a lower price for less demanding SI applications. These VNAs are suited for lower data rate systems or manufacturing applications.