Anritsu announces USB power measurement device

Anritsu introduces the MA24126A Microwave USB power sensor that can make power measurements from 10MHz to 26GHz over 60dB of dynamic range.

The sensor employs a dual-path architecture that provides true RMS measurements over a broad frequency range and a dynamic range of 0.1uW to 100mW (-40dBm to +20dBm).

This is said to allow engineers and field technicians to conduct average power measurements on CW, multi-tone and digitally modulated signals used in all major cellular and microwave point-to-point (P2P) bands, as well as aerospace and defence applications.

The MA24126A has built-in internal and external triggers, so the sensor can conduct multi-slot measurements of TDD waveforms used in GSM, WiMAX and TD-SCDMA.

The triggering capability also allows the sensor to conduct burst power measurements of periodic and non-periodic waveforms.

The ability to handle +33dBm of power makes the MA24126A suitable for conducting high crest factor signal measurements.

Precise average power measurements of modulated signals are said to be assured due to the sensor design, which stores all calibration data directly in the sensor, so all necessary corrections, such as frequency and temperature, are carried out inside the microprocessor of the sensor.

The return loss of the instrument is optimised to maintain high accuracy.

All standards used to calibrate the sensor are directly traceable to NIST, making the MA24126A suitable for aerospace and defence applications.

The MA24126A can be used with Anritsu's hand-held analysers, including the E-series Site Master range, BTS Master, Spectrum Master and VNA Master.

It also is compatible with the MS271xB Economy microwave spectrum analysers.

The MA24126A can be used as a stand-alone test solution when connected to a Windows-based PC via Anritsu's Powerxpert 2.0 data and analysis software.

Powerxpert provides a front-panel display that turns a PC into an advanced power meter.

It allows users to drag gates and fences using a mouse, for interactive measurement capability.

The software also supports simultaneous display of up to eight different sensors and screen shots can be saved in popular image formats.

Field technicians can use the MA24126A with a compatible hand-held analyser to verify base station and microwave P2P transmitter output power, as well as simultaneously monitor the power of several antennas on a continuous basis.

The MA24126A is a production test alternative for microwave component and subsystem manufacturers, system integrators, plus base station and handset manufacturers.

It has a delivery of two to three weeks ARO.

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