TEST & MEASUREMENT APPLICATION NOTES AND WHITE PAPERS

  • Speeding Up Reflection Measurements On Antenna Systems

    Reflection measurements are a common way of assessing antenna system performance. When a minimum amount of the transmitted signal is reflected, it indicates that the transmission energy can reach the intended coverage. Undesired high reflection causes the system to be inefficient and can damage components. This application note presents solutions for aiding fast and efficient reflection measurements on antenna systems to get it right the first time.

  • Ensuring Test Site Compliance for Radiated Emissions With Normalized Site Attenuation

    This application note provides a synopsis of Normalized Site Attenuation (NSA) and Reference Site Method measurements which indicate a challenging but important aspect of radiated emissions measurements on an OATS, SAC, or FAR.  

  • Design Of A Complete RF Downconverter Module For Test Equipment

     The example module and its constituent parts were designed and simulated with AWR Design Environment software using circuit- and system-level analyses. The integration of the downconverter within a mechanical outline influences the layout of the individual radio blocks.

  • Power Supply Control Loop Response Measurements (Bode Plot)

    The R&S® RTx-K36 frequency response analysis (Bode plot) option provides a low-cost alternative to low frequency network analyzers or dedicated standalone frequency analyzers. 

  • Introduction To RNVNA, A Multiport Network Analysis Solution

    In many RF applications it is necessary to make multiport measurements. The RNVNA, a multiport network analysis solution, links up to 16 1-Port analyzers together into a multiport network analysis system. Each of the 16 analyzers will make individual vector reflection measurements and scalar transmission measurements from port to port.

TEST & MEASUREMENT SOLUTIONS

The Model 6350S is a small form factor 8-channel A/D & D/A subsystem designed for a variety of applications including high-bandwidth data streaming, waveform signal generators, multimode data acquisition, and other electronic warfare systems. Designed to be integrated into larger systems with minimal design effort, the 6350S delivers the performance and high-channel density of RFSoC in a small, convenient footprint.

The A.H. Systems' line of Current Probe Calibration Fixtures are a great way to keep your broadband Current Probes, and Injection Current Probes calibrated and up to date. Their rugged design ensures long life, and faultless operation over the wide calibration frequency range of 10 kHz to 1000 MHz.

The dB-9001 from dB Control is a custom-mounted Instantaneous Frequency Measurement (IFM) unit designed to operate in the C, X, and Ku-band frequency range and provide highly accurate measurements at 100 ns to CW pulse width measurements.

Electrostatic discharge testing is utilized worldwide by electronics manufacturers to determine the ESD susceptibility of their devices. It is extremely difficult to estimate the exact cost of ESD loss annually, but it can safely be stated that ESD requires the development and testing of many hardware prototypes and contributes to a high number of warranty claims and loss of consumer confidence if failure occurs in the hands of the customer. Given the high cost in time and materials associated with ESD hardware testing, the ability to simulate the ESD testing process in XFdtd is extremely valuable, allowing engineers to pinpoint locations susceptible to ESD damage and optimize ESD mitigation during the concept and design stage of product development.

The series of GORE® VNA microwave/RF test assemblies from W.L. Gore are designed to provide the most precise VNA measurements in laboratory conditions, setting the standard for vector network analyzers (VNAs) through 70 GHz. These test assemblies deliver the highest accuracy and greatest time intervals between recalibrations for many applications, including those with vector network analyzers, critical measurements, and laboratory testing.

The SMS7630 Series comprises low-cost, surface mountable, plastic packaged silicon mixer Schottky diodes designed for RF and microwave mixers and detectors. They include low barrier diodes and zero-bias detectors that combine Skyworks advanced semiconductor technology with low-cost packaging techniques. All diodes are 100 percent DC tested and deliver tight parameter distribution, which minimizes performance variability.

The Si894x is a galvanically isolated delta-sigma modulator which outputs a digital signal proportional to the voltage level at the input. 

Microwave Systems offers the MS010620 multi-octave, high-power GaN amplifier designed to operate from 1 to 6 GHz. It is ideally suited for use in communications systems, radar systems, test instrumentation, broadband RF telemetry, point to point radio, and fiber optics applications.