Benchtop test equipment

The major challenges design engineers face todaytrying to obtain precise performance data in less timeis being widely addressed by suppliers of benchtop instrumentation in the past month. Nowhere is this more evident than in the area of RF and wireless measurement.

RF and wireless

Over the past few months, Aeroflex, (www.aeroflex.com) has introduced several significant products. For analysis of 802.11 wireless network transmitter characteristics, the 3280 series 3-, 13.2-, and 26.5-GHz spectrum analyzers offer digital demodulation. Two demod modes are provided: full-frequency and dual-channel.

The company’s W-CDMA ACE 3G protocol analysis test system provides emulation of 800 to 2,200-MHz networks so designers can perform integration and regression testing of partial and incomplete W-CDMA mobile device designs earlier in the design cycle. It works with the 6401 AIME/CT protocol conformance system.

Aeroflex 3280 series spectrum analyzer

Agilent Technologies (www.agilent.com) introduced a microwave network analyzer covering 10 MHz to 26.5 GHz. The N5242A PNA-X network analyzer PNA-X features an integrated second source and signal combining network to provide a unique single-connection solution for two-tone and swept local-oscillator measurements. By reducing setup and test time and complexity, it can reduce component test costs .

Agilent’s 8-Gbit/s 1736 modular SAN tester/protocol analyzer combines realistic network stimulus for SAN testing with advanced protocol analysis for 8-Gbit/s Fibre Channel (FC). Its troubleshooting capabilities help speed design of next-gen storage devices.

Agilent 8-Gbit/s 1736 modular SAN tester/protocol analyzer

Covering bandwidths of 9 kHz to 7.1, 13, and 20 GHz, the MS271xB series microwave spectrum analyzers from Anritsu (www.us.anritsu.com) offer RF measurement performance and features unmatched by any other spectrum analyzers in its under-$20,000 price class. offer a 65-dB-range input step-attenuator and 20-W input protection to reduce the potential for damage due to operator error.

From 1 to 22 GHz, the SMF100A analog microwave signal generator from Rohde & Schwarz (www2.rohde-schwarz.com) has typical output power of +26 dBm and phase noise as low as -115 dBc (at a 10-kHz offset from carrier). Its normal settling time—4 ms for frequency and 3 ms for level—can be reduced to

Weighing 15..4 lb, the Rohde & Schwarz ZVL Series vector network analyzer is said to be the lightest, smallest portable vector network analyzer on the market. Available in frequency ranges from 9 kHz to 3 or 6 GHz, the ac/battery-powered unit can optionally be configured with spectrum analyzer capabilities.

Able to test radar, WiMAX, Wi-Fi, MIMO, UWB, and software-defined radio, AWG5000 series arbitrary waveform generators from Tektronix (www.tektronix.com) let users generate high-res signals for testing both analog and digital baseband and IF circuits in mixed-signal digital RF devices. Instead of multiple instruments with complex setups, the AWGs can source both analog and digital IQ signals and direct IF, which is beyond the capabilities of any other single alternative, such as RF-signal or pulse-pattern generators. The series consists of four models—two- and four-analog-channel models with sample rates variable up to either 600 Msamples/s or 1.2 Gsamples/s max—all with 14-bit vertical resolution.

Wavecrest’s (www.wavecrest.com) Signal Source Analyzer SSA-150 clock/oscillator test instrument acts as a spectrum analyzer, phase-noise analyzer, jitter analyzer, and oscilloscope to test 15-GHz devices. It provides a complete set of correlated tools for frequency-, amplitude-, and time-domain characterization of clocks used in high-frequency telecom, mil/aero, and datacom applications.

Useful for supplying wide-spectrum signals for testing or calibrating filters and RF systems, Noise Com NC1127A and NC1128A noise modules from Wireless Telecom Group (www.noisecom.com) can also serve as a random jitter source for testing high-speed-serial-data buses. The modules provide a white Gaussian frequency distribution that permits quick measurement of complete frequency response.

Oscilloscopes

Suited for testing consumer electronics (such as digital cameras and portable music players), AV systems, PC peripherals, and related ICs , the DL9710L mixed-signal oscilloscope from Yokogawa of America (www.yokogawa.com/us) features four 1-GHz-bandwidth 5-Gsample/s analog channels, along with 32 digital channels with a maximum toggle rate of 250 MHz.

Wavecrest (www.wavecrest.com) has introduced a scope extender slashes costs of serial-data-design instrumentation. The under-$36,000 ScopemaX scope add-on can expand the capabilities of existing 1 to 6-GHz scopesfrom Agilent, LeCroy, and Tektronixto more than doubles an existing scope’s capabilities, letting, say, a 6-GHz scope accurately measure 6-Gbit/s serial-data lines. The Window-based 12.5-GHz-bandwidth unit connects to two input channels of a host scope; it can be controlled directly by Windows-based scopes through its USB port or by an external PC.

Wavecrest ScopemaX scope extender

With analog bandwidths from 12.5 to 20 GHz on one, two, or four channels, the Digital Serial Analyzer DSA70000 series real-time oscilloscopes from Tektronix (www.tek.com) are said to be the fastest units of their kind. The 20-GHz models permit third- and fifth-harmonic measurements on 12- and 8-Gbit/s signals, respectively, permitting analysis of the most advanced serial data schemes.

Built to simplify embedded system design and debug, Tektronix MSO4000 series 350-MHz to 1-GHz mixed-signal oscilloscopes put a real-time scope, logic analyzer, and waveform search engine in one small (5.4-in.-deep, 11-lb) ac-powered portable instrument. The scopes let designers acquire both analog and digital signals, see them time-correlated on a single display, and interactively perform complex analyses of both types of data simultaneously.

Said to be the lowest-priced instruments of their kind in the world, DS 1000CD Series mixed signal oscilloscopes from RIGOL Technologies (www.rigolna.com) provide 2 channels for viewing analog waveforms and can simultaneously view 16 digital channels through its logic analyzer module. With prices ranging from $699 to 1,499, the series consists of four modelsthe DS 1022CD, 1042CD, 1062CD, and 1102CD with respective bandwidths of 25, 40, 60, and 100 MHzall with 400-Msample/s real-time and 25-Gsample/s equivalent-time sample rates.

To analyze and check compliance of fast interconnect schemes that use long serial-data patternsschemes such as second-generation PCI Express, Serial ATA, XAUI, and 10-Gbit Ethernetthe WaveExpert 100H 100-GHz sampling oscilloscope from LeCroy (www.lecroy.com) acquires, measures, and processes signals that can’t be physically probed by using a simulation technique called Eye Doctor. The modular scope supports up to four optical or electrical channelswith 10 to 100-GHz sampling headsas well as clock recovery and serial pattern generation up to 13.5 Gbits/s.

LeCroy WaveExpert 100H 100-GHz sampling oscilloscope

Using 1-Mpoint-deep memory, Agilent Technologies’ (www.agilent.com) 5000 Series digital storage oscilloscopes merge high resolution with lab-quality waveform acquisition and measurement capability in a lightweight (9-lb) portable frame (354 x 188 x 174 mm). Priced from about $4,000, the ac-powered portable scopes can provide benchtop performance in the field.

Power

Agilent Technologies has also introduced a new breed of instrument, the N6705A dc power analyzer , which integrates up to four dc-power-supply modules with the functions of a DMM, oscilloscope, arbitrary waveform generator, and datalogger. Yet despite its broad capabilities, it has an easy-to-use interface with all functions available from the front panel, so that it isn’t necessary to remember complex setups or rely on programing to get results.

The BPL800 eLoad 800-W benchtop electronic load from American Reliance (www.amrel.com) combines high-power and accuracy capability with full features and fast response. Housed in a 3U chassis, the dc load is available in 60-V/200-A and 600-V/30-A models.

Behlman Electronics’ (www.behlman.com) P2002 solid-state ac power source suits ATE systems, export testing, power for foreign-manufactured products, and aircraft power for avionic testing. Housed in a 5.25-in.-high benchtop chassis that converts for rack mounting, the 2-kVA unit delivers 100% of output into loads of any power factor.

Behlman Electronics P2002 ac power source

Suited for highly accurate ac power measurements, the series 66200 digital power meters from Chroma Systems Solutions (www.ChromaUSA.com) uses internal 16-bit ADCs to provide sampling at rates to 240 kHz in ranges from 1.5 W to 10 kW.

Richard Comerford Aeroflex 3280 series spectrum analyzer Agilent 8-Gbit/s 1736 modular SAN tester/protocol analyzer Anritsu MS271xB series microwave spectrum analyzers Wavecrest ScopemaX scope extender
LeCroy WaveExpert 100H 100-GHz sampling oscilloscope