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ME7868A-010-2

Anritsu ShockLine ME786xA modular vector network analyzer system with two MS46131A VNAs

Anritsu / ME786xA

ME7868A-010-2

ShockLine ME7868A-010-2 Modular 2-Port PhaseLync Vector Network Analyzer, 8 GHz, 2 Meter System

Distributed modular 2-port VNA covering 1 MHz to 8 GHz, built from two PhaseLync-synchronized MS46131A VNAs with a 2 meter cable set.

Frequency range: 1 MHz to 8 GHz
System length: 2 meter system
Frequency resolution: 1 Hz
Frequency accuracy: ± 1.0 ppm

Datasheet

Overview

The ShockLine ME7868A-010-2 is the 8 GHz, 2 meter configuration of the Anritsu ME7868A modular 2-port vector network analyzer. It consists of two ShockLine MS46131A 1-port VNAs synchronized with PhaseLync technology, and covers 1 MHz to 8 GHz for S-parameter and time domain measurements.

The two MS46131A VNAs act as the test ports and provide the source and measurement capabilities of the 2-port system, so they determine its performance. The MS46131A uses ShockLine VNA on-chip technology, which simplifies the internal VNA architecture at high frequencies and reduces instrument size. PhaseLync phase synchronization lets the two modules measure complex 2-port S-parameters on passive RF and microwave devices, with the VNA ports placed directly at the device under test instead of at the end of long cable runs.

Control and software

Both MS46131A VNAs are controlled over USB from an external Windows PC. The ShockLine software is common to the ShockLine VNA family and provides a graphical user interface for debugging and manual testing, plus a command syntax shared across the ShockLine lineup for remote programming. The units have no on-board data storage, which simplifies use in secure areas.

Configuration

The system can be set up as a single 2-port VNA, a single 1-port VNA or dual 1-port VNAs from session to session. Time domain with time gating (Option MS46131A-002) adds low-pass and band-pass time domain analysis. It must be enabled on both MS46131A modules to work with the 2-port system.

Key Features

2-port VNA from 1 MHz to 8 GHz built from two MS46131A 1-port VNAs
PhaseLync synchronization with a 2 meter PhaseLync cable set
Small, lightweight ports connect directly to the DUT, so long cable runs are not needed
PC control over USB uses the processing power of an external computer
No on-board data storage, for use in secure applications
Common ShockLine control software with debug and test capabilities
VNA port count configurable per session: single 1-port, dual 1-ports or single 2-port
Optional low-pass time domain with time gating for TDR-like display

Specifications

Frequency

Frequency range	1 MHz to 8 GHz Applies to all PhaseLync cable lengths
System length	2 meter system
Frequency resolution	1 Hz
Frequency accuracy	± 1.0 ppm At time of calibration
Frequency stability	± 1.0 ppm from -10 °C to +55 °C, typical
Aging	± 1.0 ppm/year, typical

System Dynamic Range

1 MHz to 5 GHz	97 dB (110 dB typical) High source power minus RMS noise floor at 10 Hz IF bandwidth, high isolation mode
> 5 GHz to 8.5 GHz	97 dB (105 dB typical) The satellite unit's SDR degrades to 89 (105 typical) from > 5 GHz to 7 GHz

High Level Noise

1-port MS46131A-010, 1 MHz to 8 GHz, magnitude	0.009 dB (0.003 dB typical) 100 Hz IF bandwidth, High power level, RMS
1-port MS46131A-010, 1 MHz to 8 GHz, phase	0.12 deg (0.03 deg typical) 100 Hz IF bandwidth, High power level, RMS
2-port, 1 MHz to 4 GHz, magnitude / phase	0.007 dB (0.0015 typical) / 0.21 deg (0.02 typical) 100 Hz IF bandwidth, High power, RMS exclusive of drift, High Isolation Mode off
2-port, > 4 GHz to 8 GHz, magnitude / phase	0.011 dB (0.003 typical) / 0.41 deg (0.08 typical) 100 Hz IF bandwidth, High power, RMS exclusive of drift, High Isolation Mode off

Source and Receiver

Receiver compression level	+ 5 dBm Typical; 0.1 dB compression, 1 MHz to 43.5 GHz
Output power, High (default)	0 dBm ±2dB Typical
Output power, Low	– 20 dBm ±2dB Typical
Output power, Off	-50 dBm Typical

Measurement Stability

1-port magnitude / phase	0.02 dB/ºC / 0.3 deg/ºC Typical
2-port, 1 MHz to 8 GHz, magnitude / phase	0.015 dB/ºC / 0.3 deg/ºC Typical; ratioed transmission with short thru and 15 m PhaseLync interconnect

Uncorrected (Raw) Port Characteristics

Directivity, 1 MHz to 6 GHz	> 6 dB Typical
Directivity, > 6 GHz to 8 GHz	> 5 dB Typical
Port match, 1 MHz to 8 GHz	> 6 dB Typical

Error-Corrected Performance (TOSLN50A-8 / TOSLNF50A-8)

1 MHz to 6 GHz	Directivity ≥ 42 dB, source match ≥ 33 dB, load match ≥ 41 dB, reflection tracking ± 0.15 dB, transmission tracking ±0.06 dB Load match and tracking are characteristic performance
> 6 GHz to 8 GHz	Directivity ≥ 37 dB, source match ≥ 33 dB, load match ≥ 36 dB, reflection tracking ± 0.15 dB, transmission tracking ±0.06 dB Load match and tracking are characteristic performance

Error-Corrected Performance (MN25208A SmartCal)

1 MHz to 1 GHz	Directivity ≥ 42 dB, source match ≥ 35 dB, load match ≥ 41 dB, reflection tracking ± 0.15 dB, transmission tracking ±0.06 dB Load match and tracking are characteristic performance
> 1 GHz to 5 GHz	Directivity ≥ 42 dB, source match ≥ 35 dB, load match ≥ 41 dB, reflection tracking ± 0.08 dB, transmission tracking ±0.08 dB Load match and tracking are characteristic performance
> 5 GHz to 8 GHz	Directivity ≥ 36 dB, source match ≥ 35 dB, load match ≥ 36 dB, reflection tracking ± 0.1 dB, transmission tracking ±0.08 dB Load match and tracking are characteristic performance

Measurement Throughput

Measurement speed, 1-port	180 µs/point 1-port calibrated data, typical; 300 kHz IFBW, 1601 points
Measurement speed, 2-port	250 µs/point 2-port calibrated data, phase compensation ON, IF Gain ranging OFF, typical

Standard Capabilities

2-port measurements	S11, S21, S22, S12, and any user-defined combination of a1, a2, b1, b2, 1
Domains	Frequency Domain, Time (Distance) Domain (Option 002)
Frequency sweep types	Linear, Log, CW, or Segmented
Maximum data points	2 to 16,001 points
IF bandwidth	10, 20, 50, 70, 100, 200, 300, 500, 700 Hz; 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 20, 30, 50, 70, 100, 200, 300 kHz
Averaging	Point-by-point, maximum 200; sweep-by-sweep, maximum 4096
Channels and traces	16 channels, each with up to 16 traces
Markers	12 markers + 1 reference marker
Calibration methods	SOLT, SSLT, SSST, SOLR, LRL/LRM, TRL/TRM, SmartCal, AutoCal

Interfaces

Test port ME7868A-010	N(f)
Damage input levels	+23 dBm maximum, ±50 VDC maximum
10 MHz In	SMA(f); +0 dBm, typical; 50Ω, nominal Signal presence is auto-sensing
External trigger	SMA(f); 0 to 3.3 V input (5 V tolerant); 50 ns minimum input pulse width Input on the Base MS46131A, output on the Satellite MS46131A
USB	One USB 2.0 (or higher) type A port per MS46131A used On the external PC

Environmental

Environmental class	MIL-PRF-28800F Class 2
Operating temperature range	-10 ºC to 55 ºC
Storage temperature range	–51 ºC to 71 ºC
Maximum relative humidity	95 % RH at 30 ºC, non-condensing
Altitude	4600 meters, operating and non-operating

Specifications are taken from the manufacturer's documentation. See the datasheet for complete and current values.

Applications

Long cable insertion loss testing
Antenna testing
Over the Air (OTA) applications
Chamber installations
Large vehicle RF shielding and propagation testing
System calibration
Path-loss characterization
General S-parameter and time domain measurements
Secure area applications

Included

Two MS46131A Modular 1-Port VNAs, each with frequency option 010 and Option 012 PhaseLync
One 2000-2011-R (2 meter) PhaseLync Optical Cable (PLO)
One 2000-2013-R (2 meter) PhaseLync Electrical Cable (PLE)

Options & Accessories

Option	Description
MS46131A-002	Time Domain with Time Gating — Required on both MS46131A VNAs for the option to be enabled in the ME7868A
MS46131A-098	Standard Calibration, ISO 17025 compliant, without data
MS46131A-099	Premium Calibration, ISO 17025 compliant, with data
MN25208A	2-port USB SmartCal Module, 300 kHz to 8.5 GHz — Available with connector options -001 N(f), -002 K(f), -003 3.5 mm(f)
MN25408A	4-port USB SmartCal Module, 300 kHz to 8.5 GHz
3653A	N Connector Calibration Kit, Without Sliding Loads, DC to 18 GHz, 50 Ω
OSLN50A-8	Precision N Male Open/Short/Load Mechanical Calibration Tee, DC to 8 GHz, 50 Ω
OSLNF50A-8	Precision N Female Open/Short/Load Mechanical Calibration Tee, DC to 8 GHz, 50 Ω
TOSLN50A-8	Precision N Male Through/Open/Short/Load Mechanical Calibration Tee, DC to 8 GHz, 50 Ω
TOSLNF50A-8	Precision N Female Through/Open/Short/Load Mechanical Calibration Tee, DC to 8 GHz, 50 Ω
3663-3	N Connector Verification Kit
1091-26-R	Adapter, SMA(m) to N(m), DC to 18 GHz, 50 Ω
1091-27-R	Adapter, SMA(f) to N(m), DC to 18 GHz, 50 Ω
1091-80-R	Adapter, SMA(m) to N(f), DC to 18 GHz, 50 Ω
1091-81-R	Adapter, SMA(f) to N(f), DC to 18 GHz, 50 Ω
15NNF50-1.0B	Test Port Cable, Flexible, Phase Stable, 1.0 m, DC to 18 GHz, N(f) to N(m), 50 Ω
15NNF50-1.5B	Test Port Cable, Flexible, Phase Stable, 1.5 m, DC to 18 GHz, N(f) to N(m), 50 Ω
15NN50-1.0B	Test Port Cable, Flexible, Phase Stable, 1.0 m, DC to 18 GHz, N(m) to N(m), 50 Ω
3670N50-1	Test Port Cable, Armored, Semi-rigid, 30.48 cm (1 ft), DC to 18 GHz, N(m) to N(f), 50 Ω
3670N50-2	Test Port Cable, Armored, Semi-rigid, 60.96 cm (2 ft), DC to 18 GHz, N(m) to N(f), 50 Ω
3670NN50-1	Test Port Cable, Armored, Semi-rigid, 30.48 cm (1 ft), DC to 18 GHz, N(m) to N(m), 50 Ω
3670NN50-2	Test Port Cable, Armored, Semi-rigid, 60.96 cm (2 ft), DC to 18 GHz, N(m) to N(m), 50 Ω
01-200	Calibrated Torque End Wrench, GPC-7 and Type N
760-295-R	Transit case for the ME7868A VNA system