Using RAPID ‘The Digital Tuner' To Add High Speed Harmonic Capability To Existing Load Pull Test

Mesuro with support from National Instruments announces its latest advance in the utilization of PXI to improve the speed of test for today’s technical demands…At European Microwave Week in Rome, 7-9th October, the two organizations will demonstrate a load pull set up that uses a traditional passive tuner for fundamental tuning and adds the RAPID PXI digital tuner to provide a high speed harmonic tuning capability.

The demonstration and launch of this expanded capability is designed to provide additional test data for device characterization customers, whilst improving test time and maximising utilization of existing capital equipment.

The solution uses an ultra low loss diplexer to add the 2nd Harmonic signal to be presented to the device under test, maximising the gamma available at the fundamental frequency provided by the passive tuner. The demonstration will show how a simple external up/down conversion process can be employed with the RAPID concept, allowing for measurements to be performed at higher frequencies than that offered directly through the PXI hardware. This architecture offers huge potential benefits to existing device characterization test customers. The high speed nature of the PXI platform is demonstrated further with 100 second harmonic load points being measured for a single fundamental load in <5 seconds, >20 measurements per second.

With this joint demonstration National Instruments continues its support within the load pull / nonlinear community and the RF marketplace.

To see the new solution in operation, visit Mesuro & National Instruments on booth #103 at European Microwave Week, Rome, 7-9th October 2014

About Mesuro
Headquartered in Pencoed, Nr Cardiff, UK, Mesuro focuses on commercialising RF test and measurement technologies resulting from Cardiff University’s world-renowned Centre for High Frequency Engineering. Mesuro's measurement solutions overcome many of the limitations inherent in traditional design and testing processes by providing complete information and control of high frequency signals of the circuits under test. This allows for the development of an integrated development process that streamlines the development and testing cycle and reduces time to market. In addition to offering turnkey active load pull solutions, Mesuro also offers a wide range of testing services. For more information, visit www.mesuro.com.