Anritsu Company continues to redefine the vector network analyzer (VNA) marketplace with the introduction of its low-cost 4-port ShockLine RF VNA specifically designed to meet the price/performance considerations associated with testing passive multi-port and differential devices. The ShockLineMS46524A 4-port VNA series features high accuracy, fast measurement speed, and low cost, making it suitable for simple engineering and manufacturing applications.

Engineers can conduct key tests, including 16 single-ended and mixed-mode S-parameter measurements, with the ShockLine MS46524A VNAs. Additionally, time domain measurements are available as an option for simple signal integrity testing on high-speed digital boards. Designed to be flexible and cost-efficiently address engineering applications, the ShockLine MS46524A series is available in two models – one which covers the 10 MHz to 4.5 GHz frequency range and a second instrument that extends frequency coverage to 7 GHz.

Featuring wide dynamic range (>110 dB), fast sweep speed (77 us/point) and low trace noise (<6 mdB), the ShockLineMS46524A VNAoptimizes measurement setups to shorten test times and increase throughput in RF device production applications. The 4-port VNA also has corrected directivity of >42 dB for reduced measurement uncertainty and smaller guard bands. The VNA can be controlled remotely via a LAN connection for automated or monitoring applications.

Manual tests can also be conducted with the ShockLineMS46524A series. The instrument can be connected to an external monitor, keyboard and mouse via HDMI or USB to access full touchscreen operation using an intuitive graphical user interface (GUI).

The ShockLineMS46524A VNA series addresses the market need for high value and performance when making 4-port measurements. Engineers can use the VNA to test multi-band mobile handset components, such as switches and differential SAW filters, verify the performance of RF passive multi-port components,including antennas, duplexers, couplers, isolators, and circulators, and identify signal integrity issues on high-speed digital circuits.

Combining the necessary measurement capability, remote programmability, simplicity, and compactness, the ShockLineMS46524A VNA is ideal for passive multi-port and differential device test applications. It is part of Anritsu’s ShockLine VNA family that brings unprecedented value and performance to cost-sensitive engineering and production environments.

Anritsu’s ShockLine VNA family consists of the ShockLine MS46522A series, as well as the Economy ShockLine MS46322A 2-port VNA for measurements up to 40 GHz and the MS46524A 4-port VNAs for differential and multi-port device testing.

The ShockLine MS46522A series

The ShockLineMS46522AVNA is designed for testing passive devices such as cables, connectors, filters, and antennas in a wide variety of engineering, manufacturing and education applications.

Two models are featured in the ShockLine MS46522A family. One VNA has frequency coverage from 50 kHz to 4.5 GHz, while the other extends the frequency range to 8.5 GHz. A 70 us/point sweep speed, as well as >110 dB dynamic range and corrected directivity of >42 dB make it ideal for simple and cost-sensitive engineering and educational applications. In addition, full S-parameter measurements on passive devices can be made with the ShockLine MS46522A VNA series. The instruments can also conduct path loss characterization of complex systems. Faults in broadband devices can be easily and quickly identified using a time domain with time gating option that is available for the VNAs.

Optimised for manual and automated applications, the ShockLine MS46522A series is compact and has remote programmability tools. A small 2U chassis allows the VNAs to easily slide into rack configurations. The ShockLine MS46522A supports SCPI command programming and has software driver support, so the VNAs can be easily integrated into most programming environments. The series also features a powerful graphical user interface for applications in which the ShockLine MS46522A is connected to a touch screen monitor, keyboard and mouse. A LAN interface provides more robust control and faster data transmission compared to USB and GPIB, respectively.

The Shockline MS46322A series

All six models in the Economy ShockLineMS46322A series have low-end frequency of 1 MHz with high-end frequencies available at 4/8/14/20/30/40 GHz so they can fit into numerous engineering, manufacturing, and university testing environments requiring good price-performance. Each VNA features wide dynamic range, fast sweep speed, and full S-parameter and time-domain measurement capability.

The Economy ShockLine MS46322A VNAs feature 220 us/pt. sweep speed, >100 dB dynamic range to 40 GHz and wide IF bandwidth for fast test times and maximum throughput. With a corrected directivity of >/=42 dB, the Economy ShockLine MS46322A gives users reduced measurement uncertainty and small guard bands.

Understanding the environments in which the Economy ShockLine MS46322A will be used, Anritsu designed the VNAs to be compact and programmed remotely. A small and rugged 2U chassis allows the VNAs to fit into standard rack mount configurations, while support of SCPI command programming and software drivers allow the series to be compatible with the most common programming environments. In manual testing applications in which the VNA needs to be connected to a monitor, keyboard and mouse, the Economy ShockLine MS46322A features a powerful graphical user interface (GUI). The GUI also simplifies developing and troubleshooting test programs in automated test environments.

The Economy ShockLine MS46322A VNAs are part of Anritsu’s ShockLine family that brings unprecedented value and performance to applications in which accuracy, simplicity and low cost-of-test are required. Other members of the family include the ShockLine MS46522A 2-port RF VNA series and the ShockLine MS46524A 4-port VNAs.