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| The SMC+Phase setup is simple, since reference and calibration mixers are not required. Test system calibration is achieved using a power sensor (left), a broadband comb generator (middle), and an ECal module (right) or a mechanical calibration kit. |
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) recently introduced a
frequency converter measurement capability for its PNA and
PNA-X Series network analyzers. With this capability, engineers now
have a quicker, easier way to fully characterize mixers and frequency
converters up to 67 GHz.
Engineers performing linear characterization of mixers and
frequency converters - used in a range of aerospace/defense, satellite and
wireless communications applications - often face a daunting challenge when it
comes to conducting frequency-translation measurements. Traditionally this
task, which requires the use of both a reference and calibration mixer, can be
very cumbersome to set up.
Agilent's new frequency converter measurement solution addresses
these obstacles head on. It allows engineers to measure the magnitude-, phase-
and absolute-group-delay response of mixers and frequency converters with high
accuracy, without having to use a reference or calibration mixer. This greatly
simplifies frequency-translation measurements by eliminating the need to find
reference and calibration mixers that match the frequency conversion plan of
the device under test, which can be especially difficult above 26.5 GHz.
Measurements can be done on devices requiring external local oscillator
signals, or those with local oscillators that are not locked to the system's
10-MHz reference.
The new method eliminates the reference mixer by performing ratios
of single-receiver phase measurements at the device's input and output
frequencies. This technique relies on the inherent phase coherency of the
fractional-N-based synthesis architecture used in the PNA and PNA-X's sources.
Elimination of the calibration mixer is achieved by a new
calibration method that uses a harmonic comb generator as a broadband
phase-calibration standard. The phase-calibration data combines with
magnitude-calibration data derived from a power meter to completely calibrate
the test instrument over its full frequency range.
Agilent's PNA-X and PNA Series network analyzers cover frequencies
from 300 kHz to 1.05 THz and are capable of many measurements including
S-parameters, gain compression, intermodulation distortion and noise figure.
The PNA-X Series is Agilent's most advanced and flexible network analyzer,
providing complete linear and nonlinear component characterization in a single
instrument with a single set of connections. The PNA Series is the industry's
highest performing family of network analyzers and offers many advanced measurement
applications.
U.S. Pricing and Availability
Agilent's new frequency converter measurement solution will be
available on Dec. 31 for both the PNA-X Series (N524XA) and PNA Series (N522XA)
network analyzers. It will be a free firmware upgrade to current users of
Option 083 (vector and scalar calibrated converter measurements). New PNA-X and
PNA Series users must purchase Option 083 at a price of $11,442 to obtain the
capability.
More information on the frequency converter measurement solution
for the PNA-X and PNA Series network analyzers is available at www.agilent.com/find/fca.
A photo of the solution is available at www.agilent.com/find/MixerTest_images.
About
Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world's premier
measurement company and a technology leader in chemical analysis, life
sciences, electronics and communications. The company's 18,500 employees serve
customers in more than 100 countries. Agilent had net revenues of $5.4 billion
in fiscal 2010. Information about Agilent is available at www.agilent.com
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