“As more and more functionality is integrated into single components, the number of ports on these components continues to expand and increase in complexity.” — Taku Hirato, Keysight Technologies


ease-of-use, stating, “It features a new 10” capacitive touchscreen, integrated web browser for remote control, and supports keyboard/mouse controls, but uses the same GUI as our spectrum analyzer line. Te learning curve is very short with this class of product.” Along with the VNA option, other options the SVA1015X offers include an EMI mea- surement kit for electromagnetic pre- compliance testing, a digital modula- tion analysis kit for decoding ASK/FSK signals, a distance-to-fault option for troubleshooting cables and adapters, and the advanced measurement kit for broadcast measurements. Copper Mountain Technologies has


launched its new FET1854 extenders, which have a frequency from 18 to 54 GHz. Tis product is an addition to the existing CobaltFx mmWave frequency extension system already used by many telecommunications and consumer electronics companies. Anchored by a 2- or 4-port 9 or 20 GHz USB VNA, CobaltFx includes extenders in mul- tiple frequency bands: 18 to 54 GHz, 50 to 75 GHz, 60 to 90 GHz, and 75 to 110


GHz. Frequency extension is a standard software feature, while time domain con- version, time domain gating, embedding, and de-embedding also come standard. “With the launch of the new FET1854


extenders, the CobaltFx system will al- low engineers to build a scalable and affordable 5G testing solution,” Walker said. “Our network analyzers offer me- trology-grade measurements at very af- fordable prices. Tis allows even small companies to “extend their reach” with our VNAs. We focus on VNAs only and leave computer design to the computer designers. Our equipment performs precise RF measurements which are then passed to an external computer for processing through a USB interface. Our equipment will last for many years, whi le the computer wi ll become obsolete and need to be replaced with- in a matter of months.” While Keysight plans to unveil a new


VNA solution at DesignCon and is keep- ing its details under wraps until then, its most recent offering in this field is its M9376A PXIe VNA, which has a frequen- cy range of 300 kHz to 26.5 GHz. Netherlands-based MegiQ’s VNAs are


stocked by Saelig (Fairport, NY), which is currently promoting two recent prod- ucts from the Dutch vendor. MegiQ’s VNA-0460 is a 6GHz, 2-port VNA that is USB-driven with PC software. Mean- while, the MegiQ VNA-0460e is a 6GHz 3-port VNA with built-in Bias-T and


S MegiQ’s VNA-0460e, a 3-port VNA with built-in bias-T and bias voltage/current generator.


Bias voltage/current generator. MegiQ’s Denker said his company MegiQ is the only vendor that offers calibration kits for UFL connector-based instruments and balanced instruments, adding that MegiQ VNA is out-of-the-box ready to work, including adapters and learning tools for developing IoT antennas.


Ease-of-use Vector network analyzers are typically considered difficult to use by novices, yet experts might be reluctant to see any changes in operation. We asked these vendors about their thoughts on ease-of- use issues in VNAs. Chonko, SIGLENT: “With VNAs, cali-


bration is critical. Te SVA features on- screen prompts that perform a guided calibration. This instructs the user on the proper process steps to ensure suc- cess. To help minimize the learning curve for operation, the SVA front panel and user interface are nearly identical to our popular spectrum analyzer products and the on-board web-interface is iden- tical to the front panel display. Remote control of the instrument is identical to front panel use.” Mike Resso, PLTS solutions manager


S Copper Mountain Technologies’ CobaltFX mmWave frequency extension system.


12 EVALUATION ENGINEERING JANUARY 2019


at Keysight: “Tis knowledge gap between novice and experts is exactly what Key- sight recognized 15 years ago and began to invest in the development of physical layer test system (PLTS) technology. The VNA calibration was extremely challeng- ing for digital design engineers without a microwave engineering background, so the whole industry of high- speed digital designers needed an easier way to use a VNA.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32