Anritsu Introduces First Broadband Vector Network Analyzer System That Operates from 70 kHz to 145 GHz in Single Coax Connection

Morgan Hill, CA – April 15, 2014 – Anritsu Company establishes a new standard in broadband performance with the introduction of the VectorStar™ ME7838D broadband system that provides industry-best frequency coverage of 70 kHz to 145 GHz in a single sweep using a coaxial test port. Also boasting best-in-class dynamic range, calibration and measurement stability, and measurement speed, the VectorStar ME7838D gives design engineers greater confidence when performing on-wafer device characterization at 70 GHz and beyond, including applications such as 77 GHz car radar, E band wireless communications, 94 GHz remote sensing and airport radar, as well as emerging applications above 110 GHz.

The VectorStar ME7838D can conduct a single sweep on a device over multiple RF, microwave, and millimeter wave (mm-wave) waveguide bands, allowing engineers to more accurately characterize devices. Due to the ability of the VectorStarME7838D to perform sweeps from near-DC to 145 GHz, engineers can create more accurate models and subsequently have fewer design turns when devices are subsequently used in applications.

The key enabler for broadband operation to 145 GHz is the Anritsu-developed MA25300A Non-Linear Transmission Line (NLTL) module. The new module extends the frequency range of previous Anritsu NLTL modules and is compatible with the basic VectorStar ME7838 system. Thus, all versions of the ME7838 series, such as the ME7838E 110 GHz system and the ME7838A 110/125 GHz system, can be upgraded to ME7838D 145 GHz performance.

Anritsu has also designed an innovative 0.8 mm test port connector for use with the VectorStar ME7838D broadband system. The 0.8 mm connector creates new opportunities for advanced network analysis and system design above 110 GHz. By extending the frequency range of broadband measurements to 145 GHz, the VectorStar ME7838D serves as a multiple band system that occupies only one probe station. Not only does this create space savings, the VectorStar ME7838D eliminates the need to set up separate broadband and waveguide band systems and concatenate the data from the two configurations, saving time and increasing measurement confidence.

Dynamic range of the VectorStar ME7838D broadband system is 120 dB at 10 MHz, 110 dB at 67 GHz, 109 dB at 110 GHz and 94 dB at 145 GHz. Stability is 0.1 dB over 24 hours, resulting in fewer calibrations for increased throughput and lower cost-of-test. Throughput is further improved by the VectorStar ME7838D’s measurement speed of 110 ms for 401 points at 10 kHz IFBW.

New Test Set

Anritsu has also developed the 3739C Test Set for the VectorStar ME7838 series broadband system. The 3739C provides new options for support of antenna measurement systems. The option for antenna measurements is also ideal for other applications in which the mm-wave modules may need to be located up to 5 meters from the VectorStar VNA.