MWJ: Anritsu is celebrating their 120th anniversary – can you tell us about the history of the company?
WH: Anritsu was founded in 1895, the same year Marconi successfully demonstrated the world's first wireless telegraph. Our history runs in parallel with the emergence of modern communications, and the evolution of information and communication networks. The early years focused on the telephone and radio broadcasting, and Anritsu is proud to say it produced Japan’s first TV broadcast transmitter and automated public telephone.
Anritsu formed its measurement division in 1949. Since that time, Anritsu has led the market in many measurement segments. For example, we were one of the first companies to introduce ultra-high-speed error rate detectors, optical time domain reflectometers, and vector network analyzers (VNAs). Anritsu also pioneered the wireless field test market with the introduction of Site Master™ 20 years ago.
Our philosophy to work with customers and be active in emerging technology groups has been very important to the success of Anritsu through the years. It is also one reason why we are continuing to lead the market, as we are developing solutions for 5G and IoT that meet the demands of the next generation of wireless technology.
MWJ: When was the US organization started and how did Anritsu get started in this country?
WH: Anritsu America was established in 1978 and opened its first office in New Jersey the same year. The organization was formed to accommodate our growing business in United States, particularly with the large telecommunications companies based in the eastern part of the U.S. Our success in North American continued through the years and in 1990, Anritsu acquired Wiltron Company, which allowed us to broaden our product portfolio as well as our footprint in North America.
MWJ: Can you tell us about Anritsu’s 2020 Vision that they have established for future growth?
WH: Anritsu will continue to be a global market leader under our 2020 VISION, which is furthered through our forward-thinking “envision: ensure” brand statement. The initiative is to provide customers with value befitting Anritsu and build a visionary brand trusted by customers throughout the world. Our goal is to maintain operations with world-class added value. The essence of 2020 VISION is to emphasize our commitment to share our dream and vision with our customers, and to be dedicated to achieve tangible results that exceed their expectations. Going forward, with our customers as true partners, Anritsu will strive to offer solutions that solve customers’ needs, and position the company as a global leader in communications test.
MWJ: Anritsu has always been strong in the mmWave frequency range, what are some of the technologies and strengths that they have in this area (non-linear transmission line technology, etc.)?
WH: In 1965, Anritsu filed the patent that defined the first modern VNA. We are proud to carry that tradition of innovation to the present day to address the test requirements of the growing number of microwave and mmWave designs. To that end, Anritsu has developed the world’s first portfolio of VNAs that utilize Nonlinear Transmission Line (NLTL) technology on a MMIC that delivers cutting-edge performance in an efficient and reliable form factor that was previously impossible. Our Shock Line technology is used in VNA receivers for the down-conversion of microwave and mmWave signals into IF frequencies. It provides superior conversion efficiency, improved linearity, increased stability and enhanced reliability. The results are evident to the user as increased dynamic range, improved accuracy, and fewer calibrations.
NLTL has also been implemented into extension modules that greatly reduce their size and weight so that connections can be made closer to the DUT. Further, Anritsu has patented an 0.8 mm connector that creates new opportunities for advanced network analysis and system design above 110 GHz. The combination of these technological breakthroughs eliminates the need to set up separate broadband and waveguide band systems and concatenate the data from the two configurations, saving time and increasing measurement confidence in high-frequency designs.
MWJ: Anritsu is also strong in the handheld instrument area, how has that market evolved over the years?
WH: In the 20 years since Anritsu introduced its first Site Master in 1995, the handheld field analyzer market has changed as much as the wireless networks they help deploy, install, and maintain. The first generation Site Master introduced Frequency Time Domain (FTD) for Distance to Fault (DTF) measurements, which is now standard. It also conducted only cable and antenna analysis. Today’s field test solutions offer much more measurement capability, and many analyzers provide lab-grade quality in the field and cover microwave frequencies. Our S820E handheld microwave analyzer – which is our seventh generation Site Master – has frequency coverage up to 40 GHz. It also has a VNA Mode that further enhances the capabilities of the high-performance handheld instrument.
Obviously, today’s 4G networks are much more complex than those of two decades ago. That is why Anritsu has developed a broad portfolio of handheld analyzers to meet the additional test requirements. Our Spectrum Master™ family has four models that cover up to 43 GHz and offer spectrum monitoring, interference analysis, RF and microwave measurements, broadcast proofing, and Wi-Fi and wireless network measurements. Cell Master™ combines 30 instruments in one handheld tester, including a cable and antenna, spectrum analyzer, interference analyzer, signal analyzers, backhaul analyzer, and power meter. BTS Master™ has been specifically developed to support 4G, as well as installed 2G, 3G and WiMAX networks.The VNA Master™ is a viable alternative to obsolete vector voltmeters, scalar tracking generators, and laboratory-grade vector network analyzers.
New test challenges have arisen through the years, and we have designed field analyzers to address them. For example, one growing issue is Passive Intermodulation (PIM). We developed the PIM Master™ MW82119B that combines the ability to locate the source of PIM with the line sweep capability of the Site Master. A 40-Watt, battery-operated PIM analyzer, the MW82119B is a single solution to fully certify cable and antenna system performance.
MWJ: What are your major growth markets for the next couple of years?
WH: High-bandwidth and high-frequency applications will offer Anritsu growth opportunities, as our test solutions offer distinct advantages and user benefits in these areas. Our VectorStar® is particularly well-suited for radar, materials measurements, on-wafer, and signal integrity applications at microwave and mmWave frequencies. VectorStar offers the broadest coverage in a single instrument, 70 kHz to 70 GHz, and it can be extended to 145 GHz in a single coaxial test port for broadband applications. This industry best frequency support presents a significant growth opportunity for Anritsu because it helps to establish a new level of performance for device modeling engineers working on 5G designs who need to accurately and reliably characterize their devices.
The continued explosive growth of mobile Internet usage due to smartphones and tablets is another strong market for Anritsu. We have consistently led the industry in test case approvals by the GCF and PTCRB, allowing mobile operators and device makers to verify products. We also have developed test solutions used by industry leaders such as Qualcomm and Samsung, and expect these market positions to continue in the years to come.
Smartphone and cloud computing is also driving next-generation, high-speed transmission technologies to 400 Gbit/s and 1 Tbit/s used in network infrastructure. Anritsu sees this as a growth opportunity as our MP1800A BERT has the unique ability to synchronize up to four analyzers, making Anritsu the only test company to support the configuration of an ultra-high-speed transmission test system up to 1 Tbit/s with multi-channel synchronization signals.
Of course, high-bandwidth, high-speed technologies affect wireless network infrastructures, so our portfolio of handheld analyzers and optical field solutions for backhaul and fronthaul are well positioned for growth, as well.
MWJ: What regional areas do you expect the most growth in the near future?
WH: As a global company with nearly 4,000 employees worldwide, Anritsu sees potential to grow market share in all regions, both in the short- and long-term. Our strong presence in the United States means that the Americas will to be a region in which we expect to have continual development and success. Our heritage provides us with opportunities in Asia-Pacific that we expect to capitalize on, as well. Europe also has tremendous growth potential, as our solutions meet the needs of that region better than many competitive offerings.
MWJ: How do you see Anritsu contributing to the 5G and IoT growth expected?
WH: It is difficult to say with 100% certainty where the 5G and IoT markets will be in the next five to ten years. One thing is certain, however, they will include a combination of several wireless technologies, including cellular, LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee as well as others that are emerging. This requires test equipment to be flexible and adaptable to the changing requirements. Anritsu is focused on providing wideband, software-upgradable solutions that can keep pace with our customers’ fluid needs. For example, the MT8870A Universal Wireless Test Set has 160 MHz of bandwidth and covers frequencies from 10 MHz to 6 GHz. This range encompasses everything from NFC to 802.11ac wave2 in terms of frequency and bandwidth coverage. New standards such as 802.11p for automotive or 802.11ah for M2M/IoT applications can be added with a software update, protecting our customers’ investments.