Product specifications

Pulsed-RF S-parameter Measurements Using PNA-X

This section discusses pulsed-RF S-parameter measurements using the PNA-X

with wideband detection and narrowband detection techniques.

PNA-X hardware overview

Figure 6 shows the PNA-X block diagram with two test ports, two internal

sources, source/receiver attenuators, internal combining network, and rear

access loops with mechanical path switches. Each source has two outputs;

Output 1 and 2 of Source 1 are routed to test port 1 and test port 2 and used for

basic S-parameter measurements. Output 1 and 2 of Source 2 are routed to two

front-panel source output ports on a 2-port configuration, and are routed to test

port 3 and test port 4 on a 4-port configuration (not shown). Output 1 (OUT 1)

of each source is filtered to reduce harmonics, and can be switched to the com-

bining network for two-tone IMD measurements. Both outputs of each source

can be routed through the rear access loop for additional signal conditioning

or switched to the thru path to the test port. All source paths and test-receiver

paths have optional step attenuators to lower the source power for high gain

devices or to reduce the signal level to avoid receiver compression. The source

attenuators are sometimes used to improve the source match for active mea-

surements. All of these features make the PNA-X the most flexible network

analyzer, enabling accurate S-parameters and active-device measurements

with the best possible configuration. The PNA-X also integrates internal pulse

generators, and a pulse modulator on OUT 1 of each internal source. Pulsed-RF

measurements with pulsed stimulus in the forward direction only requires one

internal source with a pulse modulator. Adding the second internal source and

a pulse modulator enables bi-directional pulsed-RF measurements. In this con-

figuration, pulsed stimulus from the second internal source is routed from J8

through J1 connectors of the rear panel to the port 2.

PNA-X pulse system

Figure 6. 13.5/26.5 GHz PNA-X block diagram with options 200, 219, 224, 020, 021, 022 and 025