RF network analyser claims new standard: News from Agilent Technologies Europe

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Agilent Technologies has announced the newest version of its ENA Series RF network analyser - heralding the arrival of a new industry standard in RF network analysis. Featuring the highest performance, extended lower frequency range and fastest speed in its class, the Agilent ENA is the ideal solution for manufacturing and R and D engineers evaluating RF components and circuits from 9kHz to 8.5GHz. Agilent's E5071C ENA Series is an integrated two- or four-port, high-performance RF network analyser that significantly reduces engineers' cost of test through its ability to cover such a wide frequency range with a single instrument.

The ENA provides exceptional performance with industry-leading dynamic range (123dB), trace noise (0.004dB RMS at 70kHz IFBW) and fast measurement speed (39ms at 1601 points, two-port full cal).

Such functionality allows the Agilent ENA to address a broad array of component and circuit tests including EMC-related applications and automotive, wireless communications, aerospace and defence, education, and medical applications.

The new E5071C ENA Series RF network analyser is a replacement for the legacy de facto industry standard: Agilent's 8753 RF network analyser.

The lower-end frequency is 9kHz without built-in bias tees and 100kHz with built-in bias tees.

Built-in bias tees and aux inputs for DC measurements allow the E5071C ENA Series to replace Agilent's 8753 in DC-biased measurement applications and amplifier test applications, respectively.

The built-in probe power also allows active probes to be used without an external probe power supply.

In-circuit testing can be done using the high-impedance probe.

The Agilent E5071C's extended frequency range, built-in bias tees, AUX inputs and probe power help reduce test cost.

For customers who own the 8753 RF network analyser, upgrading to E5071C - with its new calibration techniques and balanced component measurements - and using a fixture simulator is a simple process and ensures improved overall test efficiency and quality.

'Building on more than 40 years of expertise in network analysis, the E5071C ENA Series represents a new RF network analyser standard from 9kHz to 8.5GHz', said Bob McClung, Vice President and General Manager of Agilent's Component Test Division.

'Its superior performance and low frequency range, coupled with the industry's best dynamic range, trace noise and measurement speed, highlight our ongoing commitment to developing industry-leading solutions that exceed the performance and functionality requirements of new and emerging applications in the automotive, wireless communications, aerospace and defence, education, and medical industries'.

One of the specific features of Agilent's new ENA Series solution is an expanded dynamic range up to 6GHz for improving the quality of 5GHz-band wireless communications products such as WLAN and WiMAX.

The 65dB power sweep range helps simplify amplifier compression evaluation and allows the user to make continuous measurements by sweeping source power levels between two significantly different levels, both of which contribute to improved test efficiency and reliability.

Other new functionality offered by Agilent's E5071C ENA Series solution is 500kHz IFBW for a faster sweep speed.

A trigger out capability makes it possible to synchronise the external instruments, such as a DMM and DC source, with the ENA to improve amplifier test throughput.

Improved test port robustness reduces system downtime, which cuts maintenance and repair cost.

The E5071C RF network analyser runs on an open Windows XP Professional operating system.

Built-in Visual Basic for Applications helps users perform test automation and customised data analysis.

For today's R and D and manufacturing engineers, the ENA RF network analyser provides the high-performance solution needed to accurately and quickly evaluate RF components and circuits from 9kHz to 8.5GHz.

The Agilent E5071C ENA Series RF network analyser has a starting price of US $29,131.

Shipments are scheduled to begin on 15th October 2006. Request a free brochure from Agilent Technologies Europe....

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RF network analyser claims new standard

Agilent Technologies reckons the newest version of its ENA Series RF network analyser heralds the arrival of a new industry standard in RF network analysis.