When your spectrum analyzer lacks a tracking generator, you can use a low-cost noise generator to characterize RF components. Here’s how. Low-cost spectrum analyzers often lack tracking generators, preventing you from having a signal source that tracks the analyzer’s frequency sweep. Not having a tracking generator can make some measurements difficult. You can, however, use […]
vector network analyzer
RF instrument connects 12 75-Ω ports to a 2-port VNA
Copper Mountain Technologies (CMT) has released the PE0312-75, a port extender that expands the company’s product portfolio for 75 Ω test applications. The port extender enhances the flexibility of multi-port testing for broadband, telecom, cable, and RF research and production applications in 75 Ω environments. The PE0312-75 is a USB-controlled, 12-port extender, or switch, designed […]
How to compare EMI absorption materials with a cookie tin
Product enclosures have frequency resonances that can produce unwanted EMI. Absorption materials in the cavity can reduce EMI. Use a cookie tin to compare materials before inserting them into your product. As operating frequencies approach microwaves, enclosures can appear as resonant cavities and amplify EMI emissions. When I was working on space shuttle communications systems, […]
Signal analyzer combines spectrum and vector network analysis in three models
UNI-T announces the release of the UTS3000A Series Signal Analyzers, a spectrum analysis solution designed for complex RF environments. The series includes three models providing frequency coverage from 9 kHz to 8.4 GHz, offering spectrum analysis capabilities for various professional applications. The UTS3000A Series provides measurement precision suitable for contemporary signal analysis requirements. The analyzers […]
VNAs improve bandwidth and dynamic range
Copper Mountain Technologies is announcing the release of the new Value Series Vector Network Analyzers. The V Series will include three 2-Port, 2-Path measurement models: V0402 4.5 GHz VNA, V0602 6.5 GHz VNA, and V0902 9 GHz VNA. All models have a starting frequency of 100 kHz. These VNAs deliver highly accurate measurements with the ideal feature […]
Signal Hound claims first 40 GHz USB VNA
RF components such as connectors, cables, antennas, and PCB traces need characterizing so you know how they will perform. That’s where a vector network analyzer (VNA) can help. Signal Hound, well known for its USB spectrum analyzers, has introduced the VNA400, a 40 GHz VNA that connects to and gets power from its single USB-C […]
How to determine noise figure: part 4
Two incompatible definitions of noise factor can lead to confusion, which you can alleviate by understanding where the differences lie.
How to determine noise figure: part 3
Noise factor and noise figure as defined in an IEEE standard can be derived from a two-port device’s equivalent noise temperature. In part 1 and part 2 of this series we discussed several ways to indicate the noise performance of a device under test (DUT). We first introduced the concept of noise factor based on […]
How to determine noise figure: part 2
The relationship between noise and temperature prompted a precursor of the IEEE to promulgate an alternative definition of noise figure in 1959. In part 1 of this series, we described the work of the Danish-American radio engineer Harald Friis, who described noise factor F of a device or system as the ratio of the input-power […]
How to interpret a QAM display: part 1
A constellation diagram plots a quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signal’s in-phase and quadrature components. The EE World article “Should I use a spectrum, signal, or vector network analyzer?” in part 3 mentioned that vector-signal analyzers (VSAs) can display modulation-domain and frequency-domain information. Other instruments incorporating digital signal processing (DSP) capabilities, including oscilloscopes, can provide insights into […]
