Electronica: R&S RF power sensors reach 90GHz
Author: EIS Release Date: Nov 21, 2022
Rohde & Schwarz has announced a flurry of RF power sensors at Electronica, including a 90GHz diode power sensor.
RnS power sensor 90GHz
This is “higher than any other diode sensor currently available”, said R&S. “The diode technology enables fast and accurate power measurements with high sensitivity from a compact portable instrument. High speed power measurements are now possible for all frequencies above 67GHz in 5G, automotive radar and satellite communications applications including the entire E band”.
In detail, these specta are: 5G FR2-2 up to 71 GHz, sat comms over 71 – 76GHz and 81 – 86GHz, and 76 – 81GHz automotive radar.
The sensors are NRP90S and NRP90SN, covering 50MHz to 90GHz with a dynamic range from -70 to 20dBm at 50,000 measurement/s. “Compared to current thermal power sensors for measurements over 67GHz, the diode technology increases the power measurement dynamic range by 35dB and significantly cuts test times” according to the company.
They can be connected to an R&S NRX power meter, and some of the company’s signal generators and analyzers, or a PC with its NRPV virtual power meter installed.
Support is provided for the USBTMC protocol, and the ..SN part has an Ethernet interface for LAN operation.
nrpxxt-tn-twg- LAN thermal-power-sensors rohde-schwarzOn the subject of LAN connections, at the same time as the 90GHz models above, Rohde & Schwarz announced LAN models (photo left) of its NRP waveguide thermal power sensors for measurements in V, E and W waveguide bands.
With their RJ45 socket LAN interfaces, NRPxxTWGN models can connect with TCP/IP technologies including stand-alone PCs, remote access systems or cloud systems. It is the ‘N’ on the end that indicates network capability.
The three models, NRP75…, NRP90… and NRP110TWGN together cover 50 to 110GHz and WR-10, WR-12, or WR-15 waveguides. Measurement is over -35 to +20dBm, and an accredited calibration certificate is available.
Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) is included so that no extra power cable is needed, and “the ‘N’ models also have an 8-pole interface and dedicated cables to connect to standard USB sockets on a PC, selected Rohde & Schwarz instruments, an R&S NRX base unit, or a mobile phone that has the R&S Power viewer mobile app installed”, it said.
Applications are foreseen in the unlicensed 60GHz band (V-band radiocommunications, mobile network back-haul, WiGig, aerospace radar), plus the same sat comms and automotive radar bands as the earlier power sensors.
nrpxxp-pulse-power-sensor rohde-schwarzLastly, the company has added a 50GHz wideband power sensor with its NRPxxP family.
NRP50P measures -60 to +20dBm at 50MHz to 50GHz.
“50GHz covers the entire Q band used in satellite communications, terrestrial microwave communications, radio astronomy studies, military communications, as well as all 5G FR2 frequencies that are currently commercially relevant,” according to R&S. “The sensor is ideal for installing, maintaining and monitoring wireless communications systems.” They are “optimised to be small enough to be handheld for easy installation close to the device-under-test”.
The NRPxxP family has measurement bandwidth up to 30MHz – the other two members cover 50MHz to 18GHz or 40GHz.
The interface uses standard USB hardware and a TMC (test and measurement class) driver for remote control without a dedicated base unit.
Pulses down to 50ns can be measured, with automatic pulse analysis removing the need for marker setting.
The complimentary cumulative distribution function (CCDF) enables sensors to calculate the probability of above average power levels by sampling a million points within 25ms, and there are timed trigger measurements or burst detection triggers.
They will also connect to the R&S NRX power meter, some of the company’s signal generators and analysers, a PC with the R&S NRPV virtual power meter or a mobile phone running R&S Power Viewer mobile.