Comprehensive VNA Solutions: Pioneering Performance and Flexibility Across Applications
Vienna, Austria – 20 August 2024 – Anritsu will attend the annual European Microwave Exhibition, which is by far the largest RF and microwave trade show in Europe, held in conjunction with the conferences (EuMC, EuMIC, EuRAD) in Paris, France on Sept 24-26. Highlights on stand 207F will include Anritsu’s cutting-edge Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) solutions, and its advanced Rubidium™ RF/Microwave Signal Generator, alongside a range of other innovations tailored to meet diverse application needs with unparalleled performance and flexibility.
World’s Widest VNA Frequency Coverage with Highest Flexibility
Building on 130 years of design experience, Anritsu today continues to expand broadband VNA coverage, breaking the mmWave barrier with the VectorStar ME7838x series. RF and microwave engineers can now analyze devices ranging from transistors in an on-wafer environment, to communication systems. VectorStar VNA is highly flexible and customizable, with a 70 GHz VNA mainframe configured for diverse test challenges, including opto-electronic testing for SiPh devices and broadband/mmWave configurations.
Configured as ME7838G and ME7838G4, VectorStar VNA provides 2- and 4-port 70 kHz to 220 GHz high-performance measurements, offering industry-best calibration and measurement stability with 0.1 dB stability over 24 hours. The compact mmWave modules MA25400A enhance broadband measurements up to 220 GHz using proprietary Nonlinear Transmission Line (NLTL) technology in a compact case. This single sweep coverage is crucial for on-wafer device characterization.
Material Measurements Made Easy and Accurate using Non-Linear-Transmission-Line™ VNA-on-chip technology
Assessing material properties is vital for applications like wireless propagation, antenna design, remote sensing, EM interference mitigation, and medical diagnostics. Anritsu’s unique VNA-based solution, using Non-Linear-Transmission-Line™ VNA-on-chip technology, addresses these needs.
The MS46131A 1-port ShockLine VNA covers up to 43.5 GHz and integrates easily with Material Test Fixtures. It tackles material test challenges in lab, manufacturing, and field environments, measuring permittivity, conductivity, and loss tangents in various states of matter.
In a demo, the VNA, with a SPEAG AG open-ended coaxial probe, swept signals from a few MHz to 43.5 GHz, offering detailed material characterization of samples like solids, liquids, and graphene. The MS46131A VNA also tests RF passive components, cables, antennas, sensors, and PCBs.
Full Vector S-Parameter Measurements using PhaseLyncTM Distributed VNA
A Revolutionary 2-Port VNA Solution ShockLine™ ME786xA system is the first distributed, fully reversing 2-port VNA solution that guarantees performance from 1 MHz to 43.5 GHz using Anritsu’s Extended-K™ components. Leveraging PhaseLync™ technology, option 12 combines two ShockLine MS46131As into a fully reversing 2-port VNA, allowing the VNA ports to be placed up to 100 meters apart.
Ideal for antenna near- and far-field characterization, shielding and long cable or waveguide runs, this solution simplifies long-distance S-parameter measurements and VNA test system integration by eliminating the need for conventional benchtop VNAs with long cable runs and keeping the calibration reference plane as close as possible to the Device Under Test (DUT).
This approach removes loss in front of the VNA directional coupler and enhances measurement stability. In typical antenna measurement applications, the ME786xA system, compared to traditional IF-LO distribution concepts, offers higher dynamic range, faster measurements, and reduced testing costs.
RIS Field Performance Evaluation in Collaboration with TMYTEK
In the evolving landscape of 5G and the approaching 6G networks, field testing must prioritize performance and energy efficiency. Anritsu’s Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) and TMYTEK’s XRIfle Dynamic Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) combine to enhance field testing by intelligently managing signal paths, reducing power consumption, and providing precise measurements for optimal network performance. TMYTEK’s XRifle Dynamic RIS minimizes interference and improves signal quality, while Anritsu’s patented PhaseLyncTM approach (ME786xA) enables detailed radio path characterization in line with absolute phase measurements to support more robust network operations.
Additionally, the solution enhances security by creating protected communication zones, which is critical for sensitive sectors. By accelerating deployment through real-time data insights and reducing costs via energy efficiency, this technology also future-proofs networks for the upcoming transition to 6G.
Advancing Analog Tx/Rx and Component Testing
Elsewhere on the stand, Anritsu will also be showcasing its testing solutions for signal generation and signal analysis. The Rubidium MG362x1A Analog Signal Generator is designed for R&D, manufacturing, and depot repair, offering top-tier signal purity, high output power, and frequency stability from 9 kHz to 70 GHz. High power and signal purity are essential for non-linearity testing, overcoming ATE system losses, and enhancing OTA or receiver blocking tests. The new Pulse Train Option 025 enables generating precise and long pulse sequences with highly flexible trigger mechanisms, ideal for Radar Warning Receiver testing. Additionally, low-phase noise and signal purity are critical for improving radar accuracy and effective electronic warfare countermeasures. The MG362x1A also supports user-defined waveform creation and onsite calibration for optimal flexibility and performance.
The Anritsu MA244XXA Real-Time Peak Power Sensor and MS2090A/MS27201A Spectrum and Signal Analysers are powerful tools for Tx testing, offering unmatched capabilities for power measurements and signal analysis. The MA244XXA Power Sensor ensures accurate multi-pulse waveform validation, measuring PEP, Crest Factor, CCDF, and RMS power with precision. The MS2090A/MS27201A Analysers, with a wide dynamic range and sensitivity up to 54 GHz, offer comprehensive pulse analysis and IQ Capture & Streaming, making them essential for radar, Satcom, and interference assessment.
The Next Generation Anritsu Site Master™
Anritsu will also be presenting the new high-performance Site Master™, MS2085A and MS2089A, which combines a Cable & Antenna Analyzer and a Spectrum Analyzer/Real Time Spectrum Analyzer in one portable unit.
MS2085A Cable & Antenna Analyzer: Measures from 5 kHz to 4 GHz/6 GHz, offering Return Loss, Cable Loss, VSWR, Distance to Fault, Transmission measurement, and Time Domain Reflectometer, with a dynamic range of 105 dB.
MS2089A Cable And Antenna Analyzer with Spectrum Analyzer: Adds advanced monitoring with a fast spectrum analyzer (sweeping 45 GHz/s, DANL of -167 dBm/Hz) and optional Real Time Spectrum Analyzer with 40 MHz IQ bandwidth for RF transient detection and LTE/5G carrier demodulation. Besides, it allows for IQ block capture or streaming enabling detailed signal post-processing up to 40 MHz bandwidth. Unique is also a secure communication option to protect remote connections, ideal for sensitive Aerospace and Defense applications.
Anritsu will be exhibiting on stand 207F.
