To aid the characterization of components in defense and expanding commercial wireless systems, two VNAs provide continuous measurements from 10 MHz to 500 GHz with the help of frequency converters.
Millimeter-wave frequencies offer generous available bandwidths above 30 GHz. Applications such as vehicular collisionavoidance systems have been joined by the 60-GHz WiFi systems, cellular backhaul radios operating at up to 86 GHz, and 100-Gb/s lightwave systems. To address this expanding market, Rohde & Schwarz has added two new models in the ZVA series of vector network analyzers (VNAs) with continuous measurement ranges of 10 MHz to 80 or 110 GHz, respectively, which can be increased to 140, 170, 220, 325, or 500 GHz with frequency converters.
The 110-GHz R&S ZVA110 is based on the firm's 67-GHz, four-port model ZVA67 VNA, which was introduced in the US earlier this year (see figure). This vector network analyzer can measure differential and four-port devices without switch matrices. It has four independent signal sources and a dynamic range of 110 dB at 67 GHz. The R&S ZVA67 also provides RF output power of +6 dBm at 67 GHz, measurement speed of 3.5 s per point, and measurement bandwidths to 30 MHz. To extend this capability to 110 GHz, the R&S ZVA67 employs two frequency converters with electronic power control.
The R&S ZVA110 retains the comprehensive features of the 67-GHz instrument. By using the converters' electronic attenuator, power calibration, and power sweeps for compression, measurements can be performed on amplifiers operating above 70 GHz. The instrument's frequency converters can be connected directly to the device under test (DUT) via 1-mm connectors. It offers typical dynamic range of 89 dB at 110 GHz with maximum RF output power of -8 dBm at 110 GHz. Trace stability is better than 0.4 dB for amplitude and 4 deg. for phase.
The 80-GHz R&S ZVA80 is based on the company's R&S ZVA50 fourport VNA and includes two external test sets (composed of R&S ZVA-Z75 frequency converters and ZVA-ZD80 diplexers) to yield a two-port measurement system with continuous coverage from 10 MHz to 80 GHz. Its standard configuration uses 1-mm connectors. Specifications include 1-Hz frequency resolution, user-selectable measurement bandwidths of 1 Hz to 1 MHz, and up to 60,001 measurement points. Typical dynamic range is from 86 dB at the lowest frequencies to 90 dB or greater at 80 GHz. It provides maximum RF output power of +5 dBm at lower frequencies and -8 dBm at 80 GHz. The instrument's trace stability is better than 0.4 dB for amplitude and 4 deg. for phase.
Both vector network analyzers are LXI-compliant and have 10.4-in. displays with 800-x-600 pixel resolution, two Ethernet ports, and four Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports. Rohde & Schwarz, 8661A Robert Fulton Dr., Columbia, MD 21046-2265; (410) 910-7800, Internet: www.rohdeschwarz.com.