With NMDG extension kits for vector network analyzers, the user can characterise the nonlinear behaviour of HF components in time and frequency domain under realistic conditions, even in a non-50 Ohm environment.

NMDG released a new version of its ZVxPlus nonlinear extension kit supporting respectively the ZVA and ZVT Vectorial Network Analyzers (VNA) from Rohde & Schwarz, and extending the frequency range from 20 MHz to 24 GHz. The NM310 ZVxPlus kit is a software/hardware combination, enabling the VNA to characterise in time and frequency domain the harmonic behaviour of high-frequency components, including diodes, transistors and power amplifiers. On top of the standard measurement capabilities of the R&S ZVx models, the kit provides calibrated measurements of the time waveforms of the incident and reflected waves or voltages and currents at the ports of a component under test.

The NMDG Integrated Component Characterization Environment software (ICE 2011A) supports, in its latest version, the NM310 kit and allows, amongst others, to superimpose the dynamic load line under large-signal conditions on the DC-IV curves of the device under test, for CW and/or pulsed DC and RF stimuli, assuming the proper instrumentation is present. Using passive tuner technology or using fundamental and/or harmonic active tuning techniques, it is also possible to study the behaviour of the component in a non-50 Ohm environment. All the software runs on a desktop computer, a laptop or the R&S ZVx network analyser itself. With an easy-to-use graphical user interface, the user configures and calibrates the system to perform accurate harmonic measurements. Measurement data can be saved in different data formats and are directly usable in common CAE software.

For power applications, the versatile software and hardware allow the use of four external couplers in combination with programmable step attenuators, connected to the input of the receiver channels of the R&S ZVx.