2013 was an interesting year for the Test & Measurement Industry. This article lists the products that were most popular on everything RF in 2013. One interesting trend we saw was the increased interest in T&M Equipment/Modules controlled by software. Some of the leading companies in this space are Copper Mountain Technologies, Vaunix and Telemakus. These devices are controlled via software on a computer and they do most of their processing and computation on a regular PCs/Laptops enabling the devices to be compact, portable and low cost.
Test & Measurement Products Trending on everything RF in 2013
100 kHz to 3.6 GHz, Rugged, Handy, Cable and Antenna Analyzer for Use in Field
The R&S ZVH4 is a rugged, handy cable and antenna analyzer, designed for use in the field. It operates from 100 kHz to 3.6 GHz. Its low weight and simple operation make it indispensable for anyone who needs an efficient measuring instrument outdoors for the installation and maintenance of antenna systems.
Virtual Vector Network Analyzer from 20 kHz to 4.8 GHz
The 5048 from Copper Mountain Technologies is a 4.8 GHz, 2 Port Virtual Vector Network Analyzer intended for the measurement of S11 and S21 parameters. The VNA is extremely compact and is controlled/run using a PC. It has a dynamic range of 125 dB and can measure up to 200,001 measurement points. It has an excellent solution for magnitude and phase measurements. This VNA comes in two configurations, S5048 and TR5048.
2 Port, 3.5 mm - Male, 20 GHz Vector Network Analyzer
The R&S ZNB20 from R&S is a mid range vector network analyzer with two or four test ports for the frequency range from 100 kHz to 20 GHz. It has a dynamic range of 135 dB which makes it possible to perform precise measurements on wideband DUTs or components whose behavior at low frequencies is especially important. The analyzer has a large 12.1" touch screen interface which makes it easy to control and review test results. The ports on the R&S 20 have 2.92 mm Male connectors.
70 KHz to 110 GHz, 4 port broadband Vector Network Analyzer
The MS4640B from Anritsu is a 4 port broadband vector network analyzer which operates from 70 KHz to 110 GHz. It has a 2.5 ns pulse resolution with a dynamic range of up to 142 dB and a directivity of 50 dB. The VectorStar is the only VNA platform capable of measuring noise figure from 70 kHz to 125 GHz and available with an optimized noise receiver for measurements from 30 GHz to 125 GHz.
DC to 6 GHz , N Type Connectors, Step Attenuator with a 0 dB to 139 dB Attenuation range and a 1 dB resolution
R&S RSC - Model.03 from Rohde & Schwarz is a Digital Step Attenuator that operates from DC to 6 GHz with a 0 dB to 139 dB Attenuation range and a 1 dB resolution. It has a Front Panel with N Type Connectors.
26.5 GHz Wireless Handheld Power Meter that runs on three AAA Batteries
The RS2026C Portable Power Meter features a wireless interface between the remote power unit and the handheld display, this lightweight, digital device offers an innovative solution for any power meter application. It operates at a frequency from 10 MHz to 26.5 GHz, has a power range between -30 to 10 dBm, supports up to five remote sensor pairings per handheld.
3.6, 8.4, 13.6, or 26.5 GHz Signal Analyzer with 160 MHz Analysis Bandwidth
The N9020A MXA from Agilent Technologies is a signal analyzer designed to accelerate the development of new wireless devices for quick delivery to manufacturing and the marketplace. It is available in multiple frequency options up to 26.5 GHz (10 Hz to 3.6, 8.4, 13.6, or 26.5 GHz Options are available). It has an analysis bandwidth of 25 MHz (Standard), 40, 85, 125 and 160 MHz. Real-time spectrum analyzer capability can be added as an upgrade to new and existing MXAs to help capture and understand the most elusive signals in an increasingly complex signal environment. Coupled with 160 MHz of wideband analysis bandwidth, the MXA allows accurate analysis of next-generation wireless communications and connectivity signals.
High End Handheld EMC Spectrum Analyzer up to 9.4GHz with Ultra High Sensitivity
The SPECTRAN HF-60100 V4 Analyzer is an extremely compact and high sensitivity handheld spectrum analyzer that operates up to 9.4 GHz. It can be used to detect sources of interference, find out more about their causes, determine the frequency and intensity of the signal sources, measure limits and boost the functionality by using our high-end PC software. The analyzer has a DANL of -155 dBm, Max power of 20 dBm and a resolution bandwidth from 200 Hz to 50 MHz. It is extremely compact with dimensions 250x86x27 mm and weighs only 430 grams.
USB Controlled Digital Step Attenuator up to 6 GHz
The LDA-602 Lab Brick® Digital Attenuator with sma female connectors is a 50 Ohm RF step attenuator with calibrated operation up to 6 GHz. This unit connects to a USB port for control and power and requires no additional DC supply voltage. It is easily programmable for fixed attenuation or swept attenuation ramps directly from the included GUI. Lab Brick Digital Attenuator API DLL and LabVIEW-compatible drivers are also available for custom programming applications.
The LDA-602 Lab Brick Digital Attenuator is ideal for engineering and production test laboratories as well as integration into high speed automatic-test-equipment (ATE) systems. It can also be used in development of low-cost fading simulators for Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) and Single Input Multiple Output (SIMO) communication systems such as WiMAX, 3G and LTE. It is based on GaAs monolithic-microwave-integrated-circuit (MMIC) attenuator technology for excellent repeatability of attenuation values.
Handheld Vector Network Analyzer from 5 kHz to 15 GHz for Communications, Military, Radar, Air and Space Applications
The VNA Master MS2027C is Anritsu's mid-tier VNA model of the MS202xC/3xC family, offering Vector Network Analyzer frequency coverage from 5 kHz to 15 GHz in a high-performance handheld instrument for true 2-port, 2-path measurements on the bench or in the field. The VNA Master MS2027C specifically addresses intricate cable and antenna analysis needs in the field with precise, vector corrected 2-port magnitude, phase, and Distance-To-Fault measurements. The VNA Master MS2027C covers a frequency band from 5 kHz to 15 GHz, which contains a vast array of radio frequency communications systems as well as many radar and microwave communications systems.
Also See:
Popular Passive Components, Mixers, Baluns and VCOs in 2013
Popular Amplifiers, Transistors and Front End Modules in 2013
