TEST EQUIPMENT
Loop Test Translator
The model AS-2529 loop test translator replaces the satellite link during system tests and allows uplink equipment to be tested off line to avoid expensive satellite time and transponder interference. Signals at Ku-band (14 to 14.5 GHz) are translated to L-band (950 to 1450 MHz) using high isolation, double-balanced mixing with a fundamental frequency LO, phase locked to an internal crystal reference. Frequency stability of the LO is +/-50 kHz over a temperature range of 0° to +50°C and LO harmonics and spurious are –20 and –80 dBc, respectively. The Ku-band signal level can be attenuated by up to 30 dB with the front-panel-mounted variable attenuator. The L-band chain contains a high reverse isolation, 20 dB gain amplifier. The translator operates from a 100 to 240 V, 50/60 Hz supply and is provided in a compact, 19-inch rack-mounting chassis.
Atlantic Microwave Ltd.,
Braintree, Essex, UK 0376 550220.
Wavelength Tunable Optical Receiver
The model 330A wavelength tunable optical receiver enables signal recovery and optical eye analysis of selected wavelengths from DC to 3 GHz. The wavelength filter tunes 1530 to 1565 nm with wavelength accuracy of +/-0.25 nm, repeatable to 0.1 nm. The limiting amplifier section enables the optical-to-electrical output level to be raised to 0.5 Vpp for interfacing to high level instruments. The tunable optical filter section operates in the 1550 nm band with a bandpass narrow enough to resolve wavelengths as close as 1 nm.
Broadband Communications Products Inc. (BCP),
Melbourne, FL (407) 984-3671.
1 MHz Lab Pulse Generator Laser Diode Driver
The model AV-1011A-C general-purpose, 5 V, 1 MHz laboratory pulse generator includes IEEE-488.2 general-purpose interface bus (GPIB) control as a standard feature and will function as a 100 V (2 A) power pulser; or a 2, 4 or 8 A laser diode driver (using accessory transformers). The pulse width, delay and advance are variable up to 1 ms and the rise and fall times are fixed at less than 10 ns. The pulse generator is housed in a heavy-duty 4" x 17" x 15" metal chassis with BNC connectors and requires 110/220 V, 50-60 Hz prime power. Price: $6442. Delivery: four weeks (ARO).
Avtech Electrosystems Ltd.,
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (800) 265-6681 or (613) 226-5772.
Waveguide Input Wafer Probes
The models ACP75 and ACP110 waveguide input wafer probes designed for mm-wave measurements offer a built-in bias tee with out-of-band match, which eliminates device oscillations. The model ACP75 operates in a frequency range from 50 to 75 GHz and has a standard WR15 waveguide input. The model ACP110 operates from 75 to 110 GHz with a standard WR10 input. The probes are available in ground-signal-ground configurations with a typical return loss of 12 dB. Insertion loss is < 1.25 dB and < 1.75 dB for the ACP75 and ACP110 models, respectively. The units operate over a temperature range from –263° to +200°C. Price: $4475. Delivery: six weeks (ARO).
Cascade Microtech Inc.,
Beaverton, OR (503) 626-8245.
Circuit Board Tester
The model M14T two-port coax platform is a versatile setup for m/e measurement of materials. Using the company's MuEpCoax series software, materials properties of ferrites, dielectric, biological materials and liquids can be measured from 1 MHz to over 10 GHz. The unit is furnished with calibration standards, sample holders, test samples and other measurement aids.
Damaskos Inc.,
Concordville, PA (610) 358-0200.
Class A Transmitters
The Gator series class A transmitters are a cost-effective solution for measuring signal propagation, positioning antennas, setting power levels or validating coverage. Features include Federal Communications Commission (FCC)-type acceptance; full remote control via modem or dual-tone multiple frequency control; built-in forward and reverse power meter and SWR monitoring; and digitally controlled and regulated output that guarantees constant power to the antenna irrespective of load. The devices are available with either a 25 or 45 W class A model. Transmitter frequencies are available for most cellular and paging applications. Optional internal modulators are available for all popular time-division multiple access (TDMA) formats. Weight: 25 lb. Delivery: stock.
Berkeley Varitronics Systems,
Metuchen, NJ (732) 548-3737.
RF Peak Power Meter
The model 4400A RF peak power meter performs time domain measurements over the 1 MHz to 40 GHz frequency range and features a peak power dynamic range of > 60 dB without any range change. The RF peak power meter performs pulse measurements from –40 to +20 dB and CW measurements from –50 to +20 dB with 0.1 dB resolution. The unit uses a random repetitive sampling system to perform waveform averaging continually from 1 to 10,000 samples per data point. Price: $13,250. Delivery: three to four weeks.
Boonton Electronics Corp.,
Parsippany, NJ (201) 386-9696.
Wideband Direct Frequency Synthesizer
The model 60-560-9000-000 frequency synthesizer is designed for use in RF signal applications where low phase noise, fast switching speed and small size are critical. The unit can be used in simulators, test stations and other high speed wideband applications. The synthesizer operates from 2 to 18 GHz with a tuning resolution of 10 kHz, harmonics of –50 dBc (max) and spurious of –60 dBc (max). Additional specifications include an output power of +10 dBm (min), internal reference accuracy of +/-1 ppm, external reference of 100 MHz at +3 dBm and wideband FM from DC to 6 MHz. Size: 12.2" x 7.8" x 4.4". Weight: 9 lb.
TRAK Microwave Corp., a TRAK Communications company,
Tampa, FL (813) 884-1411.
PC-based Serial Data Analyzer
The model PCI-6810 serial data analyzer can generate, acquire and analyze data streams at rates up to 10 Mbps. The computer-based instrument combines high speed serial data pattern generation and analysis hardware with a direct interface to the PC. The unit features two channels that are independently configurable to receive or transmit serial data. The model's onboard clock circuitry provides any frequency from DC to 10 MHz to a resolution of 0.05 Hz. Price: $1695.
National Instruments,
Austin, TX (800) 258-7022.
Dual Interference Signal Generators
The BS-800/1900 series dual interference signal generators facilitate interference testing of code-division multiple access (CDMA) and TDMA base stations. These instruments include two synthesized CW signal generators and/or p/4 DQPSK signal generators to perform integrated testing of CDMA and TDMA. The CW and p/4 DQPSK signal generators are used for tone desensitization, IM distortion, co- and alternate-channel interference tests with frequencies tunable in 10 kHz steps and power levels controllable in 0.1 dB steps.
Noise Com Inc.,
Paramus, NJ (201) 261-8797.
TRL Waveguide Calibration Kits
These thru-reflect-line (TRL) waveguide calibration kits are equipped with all the components necessary to provide accurate TRL calibration of vector network analyzers in rectangular waveguide at frequencies from 1.7 to 50 GHz (WR430 through WR22). Each kit is equipped with two right-angle adapters, two precision-fixed terminations, a quarter wavelength high precision straight section, one or two (depending on the vector network analyzer used) fixed-reference plane shorts, flange hardware, calibration software, operating instructions and a wooden instrument case. The kits are configured for test sets or cables utilizing 7, 3.5 and 2.4 mm connectors.
Maury Microwave Corp.,
Ontario, CA (909) 987-4715.
Photonic Microwave Field Sensor System
The model PFS-10 optical microwave field sensor system is designed for use in antenna characterization, EMI and EMC applications for FCC and European Community certifications. The miniature sensor head is minimally perturbing, passive and connected to a remote rack-mount chassis over thin, flexible, EMI-eliminating optical fibers. The system exhibits instantaneous CW response from 0.1 to 20 GHz at tens of mV/m sensitivities and is suitable for ultra-wideband pulse measurements.
Ramar Corp.,
Northborough, MA (508) 393-4225.
EMI Emissions Test System
The model ES-Plus EMI emissions test system comprises a 150 kHz to 1 GHz test receiver, a 10 kHz to 3.5 GHz spectrum analyzer and Windows™ software. The unit's large bright display allows quick evaluation of an item under test while measurements can be made by the test receiver under the software control. The test receiver is fully preselected with auto attenuation and CISPR 16-type measurement detectors. The frequency range can be extended down to 9 kHz and up to 2.5 GHz. The spectrum analyzer features a marker and print-out function. Price: £14.995.
Rohde & Schwarz UK Ltd.,
Fleet, Hants, UK 01252 811377.
BWO-powered Sweep Signal Generators
These backward-wave oscillator (BWO)-powered sweep signal generators manufactured by ELVA-1 Ltd. in St. Petersburg, Russia operate from 26 to 180 GHz and include a precision-made BWO tube, which produces power output over full waveguide frequency bands with a typical flatness of 4 to 6 dB. The units are programmable from the front panel or a general-purpose interface bus, and contain all of the control, driver and power supply circuitry necessary to operate the BWO tube. This circuitry also fully protects the tube against misapplication of operating voltages. Frequency accuracy is 0.01 percent and typical CW output power is 40 to 60 mW at 140 GHz. Each generator is individually calibrated for output power vs. frequency and supplied with resulting test data. Price: starts at $16,153. Delivery: four to 12 weeks.
Gilland Marketing,
Felton, CA (408) 335-3884.