Microwave power meters are among a collection of instruments, such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and vector network analyzers (VNAs), that should be on every high-frequency designer’s workbench. Over the last decade, the variety of available RF/microwave power meters has grown, to where these instruments are now available in many shapes and sizes, from rack-mount units to portable instruments and even meters that can be powered and controlled by a laptop computer using a USB connection. Along with the meters, the “other half” of the instrument, the power sensor, is also available in many varieties, providing engineers with a tremendous assortment of meters and sensors for almost any application. Understanding the different performance parameters for power meters and their sensors can help when comparing different available instruments...
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