LAN-Based Microwave Synthetic Instruments

Features:

Agilent Technologies has announced its family of six new microwave synthetic instruments.

Synthetic instrumentation is a modular hardware and software test initiative driven by the DoD as part of its NxTest vision. This concept involves linking individual hardware and software test modules together to emulate standard instruments in a new, compact form factor. The result is a morphable, common system architecture that enables the DoD's prime contractors to design scalable automated test systems (ATSs), giving them the flexibility to insert technology and transform the ATS to accommodate new measurement applications. The reusability of modules in different measurement scenarios reduces the total lifetime costs of the ATS by extending the system's longevity, and provides obsolescence protection.

The details of these modules are:

N8201A

: This 26.5 GHz performance downconverter provides three IF output frequencies of 7.5, 21.4 and 321.4 MHz to offer three different signal bandwidth capabilities. External mixing can be utilized to downconvert microwave signals up to 110 GHz. This module is leveraged from the industry's most accurate spectrum analyzer, the PSA Series.

N8221A

: This 30 MS/s IF digitizer with a 21.4 MHz IF input provides 80 dB dynamic range, 14 bits of resolution, and 8 MHz modulation bandwidth. This module is also leveraged from the PSA Series.

N8241A

: This arbitrary waveform generator features a 1.25 GS/s sampling rate and 15 bits of resolution simultaneously, and it is based on Agilent's N6030A. This instrument offers dual-channel, single-ended and differential outputs, with 500 MHz of instantaneous analog bandwidth per channel.

N8212A

: This 20 GHz performance vector upconverter functions as a microwave source with greater than 2 GHz I/Q modulation bandwidth. It features AM, FM, and pulse modulation (external or internal modulation) and multisource coherent carrier capability. This module is based on the high-performance PSG vector signal generator.

N8211A:

This 20/40 GHz performance analog upconverter generates a stimulus signal with superior AM, FM and pulse modulation capabilities (external or internal modulation). This module is based on the PSG analog signal generator's high output power, low phase noise and excellent level accuracy.