Why Are Boonton Test Solutions The Performance Leaders In RF And Microwave Power Measurement?

RF and microwave power measurements are fundamental for product design and production. In this post, learn essential power measurement terminology, leading peak power and average power sensor capabilities, and how state-of-the-art solutions from Boonton can solve demanding test challenges.

Key Power Measurement Terminology

Below are a few power measurements that are key in choosing the right test solution:

• Envelope power: Amplitude variations from modulation or distortion as a function of time averaged over one or a few cycles of the RF carrier signal.
• Peak envelope power (PEP): The maximum point or peak amplitude of the envelope power.
• Average power: The average power level over the pulse repetition interval (PRI), which includes the signal burst and the interval before the next pulse.
• Pulse average power: The average power level of the signal burst.
• Crest factor: Also referred to as the peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR), crest factor can be defined as the ratio of the PEP over the average power or pulse average power.