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test&measurementZONE Products for the week of June 22, 2009
Anritsu Says…
Broadband Vector Network Analyzer with Industry-Best Performance from 70 kHz to 110 GHz in Single Coax Connection
Up to 0.5 THz with Millimeter Waveguide Extensions...ME7828A Ushers in New Era in Broadband Characterization of Active and Passive Devices from dc to Daylight
Anritsu Company introduced the VectorStar Broadband ME7828A vector network analyzer system that produces industry-best dynamic range, measurement speed, and calibration and measurement stability over the broadest frequency range of 70 kHz to 110 GHz. The performance and frequency coverage provide designers and manufacturers of microwave/millimeter wave components and devices with a single system to accurately and quickly measure devices from DC to daylight.
Engineers performing device modeling and characterization must measure across the widest frequency range possible for optimum model accuracy. During the design phase, they must constantly re-verify their device models through measurement verification. Confirming DC performance at higher frequencies is equally important. Traditionally, users have been constrained by the poor performance of microwave VNAs below 500 MHz, as signal-to-noise ratio diminishes below 500 MHz due to microwave coupler roll-off. The result has been a significant weakness in device models at the low end.
Previously, the only solution was to re-measure the device on a separate low-frequency system that has resulted in large concatenation errors. Due to VectorStar's 70 kHz low-end frequency, it is possible to accurately measure devices starting at 70 kHz for DC information and up to 110 GHz for capturing all the performance of the device at multiple fundamental harmonics.
The incorporation of VectorStar produces other performance advantages, including dynamic range improvements of up to 30 dB compared to previous systems. The ME7828A also incorporates the fast switching speed of Anritsu's MG37022A sources to produce a sweep speed of 120 ms for 201 points, and up to four times faster than leading competitive instruments. Combining the broadest frequency range with 100,000 points in a single channel, the ME7828A provides the most complete time domain analysis capability presently on the market.
On-wafer environments require measurement stability because the process of re-calibration is very time consuming and expensive. The ME7828A delivers industry-best calibration and measurement stability, typically 0.1 dB over a 24-hour period.
Two configurations are available. The standard ME7828A provides basic measurement capabilities for active device testing. The ME7828A-012 delivers additional optimal performance for active device testing, time domain analysis and device characterization. Both configurations are compatible with existing SUSS and Cascade probe stations and appropriate positioners.
The ME7828A system can be configured with a full range of banded millimeter-wave modules that extend the frequency range to 500 GHz. A variable attenuator in the millimeter band modules for both configurations allows matching power of the two bands for a smooth transition when measuring active devices in the forward and reverse directions.
Kelvin bias tees are designed into the multiplexing combiner modules in both configurations. The Kelvin bias tees provide sense and force capabilities, and are positioned close to the device under test (DUT) for optimum performance and sensitivity. The result is a significant reduction in IR losses compared to bias sourcing from inside the test set. In addition, the sensing circuit continuously monitors the bias conditions at the DUT and provides feedback corrections to the Source Monitor Unit (SMU) bias supply equipment, as needed.
Target Market and Applications
Anritsu developed the ME7828A for designers and manufacturers of microwave/millimeter-wave components and devices, especially where broadband measurements are needed for accurate device modeling and circuit simulation. Broadband devices are integral to designs used in emerging 60 GHz Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPAN), optical networks operating at 40 Gbps and faster, 77 GHz automobile radar, digital radio links, and 94 GHz used for imaging millimeter-wave radar in astronomy, defense and Homeland Security applications.
EN-Genius Says…
Anritsu's innovative VectorStar announcement, debuting at the recent International Microwave Symposium (2009), comes on the heels of Agilent Technology's 50-GHz PNA-X Network Analyzer for non-linear analysis, which we recently reviewed. As mentioned in Anritsu's press release, you can order one of two configurations for the VectorStar Broadband system. A standard ME7828A is the basic unit, and a ME7828A-012 flavor includes options for active device testing and time-domain analysis.
Additionally, the ME7828A can be configured with various millimeter-wave modules to extend the frequency range out to 500 GHz. Interestingly enough, low-end coverage starts, again using options, at 70 kHz, unlike Agilent's 10 MHz.
An Assemblage Of Instruments
Note too that the ME7828A is essentially a package of other Anritsu instruments, with lots of IEEE-488/GPIB (General Purpose Interface Bus) cabling and BNC and SMA connector-equipped coaxial cabling between them (break out your connector torque wrench set).
The ME7828A comprises a Model MS4647A VectorStar VNA with options (it covers 10 MHz to 70 GHz), and a Model 3738A Broadband VNA test set with options. The overall system also uses a 2-GHz to 20-GHz Anritsu MG37022A switching signal generator, and a variety of couplers, modules, attenuators, multiplexers, bias tees, and interconnects.
 For coverage out to the 500-GHz limit, you would also use a Model ME7828 Millimeter Wave VNA. It consists of a Model MS4640A VNA, a 3738A Test Set with options, the 20-GHz MG37022A Fast Switching Signal Generator with options, and a Model 3740A-x or 3741A-x Millimeter Wave Modules (two are required). All of these elements are characterized together in an overall ME7828A system.
System Design Software
Unfortunately, there's a very significant element in this test set that's not mentioned anywhere in Anritsu's press statement. In fact, these assemblages of Anritsu's test gear can be driven by AWR Corp.'s latest Microwave Office high frequency design software.
Integrated within the ME7828A's firmware, this Windows-hosted high-frequency design package lets the data gathered by the Anritsu instruments be embedded immediately into circuit simulations. The ME7828A measurements are used directly as models, so you can almost immediately validate measured results.
AWR's software tools, running in the ME7828A environment, address design elements needed for RFIC, circuit board, and RF module development. You can do linear circuit simulation, EM (electromagnetic) analysis, and integrate schematic and layout tools.
Scripting Interactions
You can also use the Microwave Office software to control VNA functions by simulation scripts. These scripts can tailor the ME7828A to measure S parameters, for example. They can then be immediately and interactively used to adjust a device's performance as it's being developed.
You can also use the AWR toolset to craft your design from a schematic, or from simulation results, or from a given physical layout. Microwave Office can actually assist at any point from concept right through to simulation and directly to physical implementation. All told, having a suite of design tools running right on the broadband VNA is rather nifty, to say the least. Kudos to Anritsu and AWR for this significant partnership.
Pricing for an Anristu ME7828A is about $394,000. The ME7828-012 option adds about $38000 more to the bottom line.
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