Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) has expanded its award-winning
PNA-X Nonlinear
Vector Network Analyzer to 67 GHz. A new 67-GHz phase-reference
calibration standard, configured to work with the 67-GHz PNA-X NVNA, is also
now available.
Using this hardware, designers can easily characterize and model
components accurately up to frequencies of 67 GHz. In addition, X-parameters
can be measured up to 67 GHz, providing an accurate model of linear and
nonlinear component behavior at very high frequencies and wide bandwidth.
Agilent's NVNA and Advanced Design System software mark the
industry's first measurement and simulation environment for designing nonlinear
components. The result is the highest level of insight into nonlinear device
behavior, making the combination especially useful for scientists researching
new RF technologies and engineers involved in designing today's
high-performance active devices. The NVNA measures X-parameters, a new category
of nonlinear network parameters for deterministic, high-frequency design that
can be used to characterize both a components' linear and nonlinear behavior.
The new 67-GHz NVNA enables engineers to make high-frequency
nonlinear measurements across a very wide frequency bandwidth. The 67-GHz
phase-reference calibration standard - an industry first - enables accurate and
traceable nonlinear measurements to 67 GHz using the NVNA. The phase reference
generates a comb of frequencies from 10 MHz to 67 GHz with a known
cross-frequency phase relationship traceable to the National Institute of
Standards and Technology. This relationship calibrates the NVNA to measure spectrum
to 67 GHz with a predictable and accurate cross-frequency phase.
With this capability, it is now possible to do characterization
and X-parameters modeling of active components like transmit and receive
modules where accurate measurement and prediction of harmonic content and
distortion to 67 GHz is required. T/R modules typically operate in the 20-GHz
fundamental frequency range and consist of power amplifiers, low-noise
amplifiers and mixers.
Characterizing the module's nonlinear behavior requires measurement
up to the third harmonic (60 GHz), with a converter down-converting a 65-GHz
signal to an intermediate frequency of 500 MHz. Using the 67-GHz NVNA,
engineers can accurately characterize the amplitude and cross-frequency phase
relationships of the down-conversion and resulting distortion across this wide
frequency range. High frequency up-down converters and low-noise amplifiers can
be measured and modeled using X-parameters within Agilent's Advanced Design
System, which provides complete system design capabilities.
"Accurately measuring and reducing a component's nonlinear
behavior at higher frequencies is crucial to creating linear system solutions
for aerospace and defense applications," said Gregg Peters, vice president
and general manager of Agilent's Component Test Division. "Our 67-GHz
phase-reference calibration standard and NVNA provide component
characterization and X-parameters to quickly, easily and, with the highest
degree of accuracy, measure and model nonlinear behavior. With its full-match
correction, accurate amplitude and cross-frequency relative phase information,
the NVNA is setting a new standard in accuracy and insight into nonlinear
component behavior."
U.S. Pricing and Availability
The new 67-GHz NVNA and phase-reference calibration standard are
available now (PNA-X also required). Pricing is as follows:
Option 510
|
Nonlinear component
characterization
|
$37,512
|
U9391G
|
67-GHz phase-reference calibration
Standard
|
$23,007
|
More information on the NVNA is available at www.agilent.com/find/NVNA.
An image of the new 67-GHz NVNA and phase reference-calibration standard is
available at www.agilent.com/find/67GHz_NVNA_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.