TEST & MEASUREMENT APPLICATION NOTES AND WHITE PAPERS

  • Directivity And VSWR Measurements: Understanding Return Loss Measurements

    The characterization of microwave networks requires discriminating between forward and backward traveling waves. Unfortunately no directional device is perfect, leading to potentially dramatic measurement errors. In this note we show that return loss and VSWR measurements are greatly complicated by the finite performance of the directional device used to measure the reflected power.

  • RF Test Setup For Measuring Power & Harmonics

    Power measurement is accomplished by using a high-power calibrated coupler or attenuator, which gets attached to the Amplifier RF output connector. Harmonics are recorded similarly by increasing the input drive from the signal source. 

  • 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.

  • Waveform Acquisition Rate And Why It Matters

    Explore key specifications of modern digital oscilloscopes, including often overlooked ones like acquisition rate and blind time, to better understand their importance in oscilloscope applications.

  • Testing For Coexistence In Crowded And Contested RF Environments

    In this paper, we review some of the key research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) challenges that arise when developing and deploying systems that need to operate in congested and/or contested RF environments.

TEST & MEASUREMENT SOLUTIONS

The dB-9004 is a custom-mounted Integrated Antenna Digital Control Unit (IADCU). It operates in the C, X and Ku-band frequency range and provides highly accurate RF output (FM, AM and pulse-shape modulated)

Model HP 4268A is a capacitance meter designed for testing high value multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) designs

dB Control’s family of traveling wave tube amplifiers (TWTAs) features a combined frequency range of 2 to 18 GHz up to 15kW output power. dB Control utilizes our proprietary transformer fabrication, encapsulation and high-voltage potting techniques developed for demanding military applications which results in superior reliability, low cost and ease of maintenance.  Products in this series are ideal for several applications, including: test and measurement, electronic warfare (EW) simulation, RFI/EMI/EMC Testing, electronic countermeasures (ECM), and antenna pattern and radar-cross section measurements.

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.

Qorvo introduces the QPC2040 single-pole, double-throw (SPDT) switch operating within the 8 – 12 GHz frequency range for commercial and military radar, communications, electronic warfare, test instrumentation, and other general purpose applications. The switch typically supports 10 W input power handling at control voltages of 0/−2 V for both CW and pulsed RF operations.

Holzworth’s multi-channel RF synthesizer architecture is a complete success story. These compact, 1U high, 19in rack mountable chassis can be configured with up to 8 independently tunable channels. All integrated channels are 100% phase coherent. Holzworth has designed the multi-channel platform for integration of our HSM Series Single Channel Synthesizers to maximize channel-to-channel stability via a conductively cooled, fan-less enclosure.

Holzworth Instrumentation was founded as a phase noise measurement company. Along the path to phase noise analysis solutions, our high performance building blocks were developed and sold in the form of RF Synthesizers, Phase Detectors, etc. The HA7401A is a Fixed Frequency Phase Noise Analyzer, and the HA7402A is a Phase Noise Measurement Engine.