Rohde & Schwarz launched the R&S ZNA, the world’s first purely touch-operated vector network analyzer. The newly introduced models cover frequency ranges of up to 50 GHz and 67 GHz. This opens up the VNA’s outstanding RF performance, unique hardware concept, and innovative touch operation to new areas of application. Signal integrity measurements, as well as A&D and 5G component and module characterization, are the main applications for the new analyzer models.
The R&S ZNA features excellent RF performance, including a wide dynamic range and extremely low trace noise, and comes with a user-friendly, purely touch-based GUI. Its unique hardware platform offers up to four internal, phase-coherent sources plus a fifth source which can be used as a second internal local oscillator or as an additional source for measurements on mixers. In combination with up to eight truly parallel measurement receivers, the R&S ZNA hardware architecture is ideal for demanding measurements on components and modules.
The R&S ZNA benefits engineers working on tasks such as high-end research and development. The new 50 GHz and 67 GHz R&S ZNA models offer opportunities for the aerospace and defense industry by enabling characterization of radar and transmitter/receiver modules as well as performing antenna measurements and supporting satellite applications such as downconverter characterization. They also offer versatile capabilities for both pulse generation and measurement, including a wide range of trigger functions. Since the analyzer’s original introduction, updates have added new features such as direct source monitor access, which enables accurate measurements even on high gain devices such as satellite downconverters.
High-end R&D signal integrity measurements on differential lines up to 67 GHz, and when combined with Rohde & Schwarz mmWave converters even beyond, are a strength of the new R&S ZNA models. In combination with integrated de-embedding solutions (ISD, SFD, DELTA-L, and EZD), the R&S ZNA provides a characterization of PCB conductor structures for high-speed signal transmission. The effects of fixtures, lead-ins, and lead-outs are removed from the measurement results.
Covering the 5G frequency bands and, in combination with Rohde & Schwarz mmWave converters, the 6G frequency bands, the R&S ZNA is a future-proof solution for research on active and passive components such as LNAs, filters, antennas, and mixers. Over-the-air tests with Rohde & Schwarz OTA test solutions benefit from the analyzer’s excellent dynamic range. The R&S ZCxxx mmWave converters extend the frequencies into the terahertz range and provide high dynamic range and output power for on-wafer device characterization and antenna measurements on 6G components and modules.
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