ShockLine ME7868A-010-25 Modular 2-Port PhaseLync VNA, 1 MHz to 8 GHz, 25 Meter System

Distributed 2-port ShockLine VNA system covering 1 MHz to 8 GHz with PhaseLync-synchronized MS46131A ports for 25 meter separation.

Operating frequency: 1 MHz to 8 GHz
Frequency resolution: 1 Hz
Frequency accuracy: ± 1.0 ppm
Frequency stability: ± 1.0 ppm from -10 °C to +55 °C

Datasheet

Overview

The ShockLine ME7868A-010-25 is the 8 GHz, 25 meter configuration of the Anritsu ME7868A modular 2-port vector network analyzer. The system consists of two ShockLine MS46131A 1-port VNAs synchronized with PhaseLync technology, covering 1 MHz to 8 GHz and supporting S-parameter and time domain measurements.

The two MS46131A VNAs act as the test ports and provide the source and measurement capability of the 2-port system. Because the compact ports can be placed directly at the device under test, long cable runs between a benchtop VNA and the DUT are avoided, which reduces insertion loss and improves measurement stability for vector transmission measurements over distance.

The 25 meter configuration ships with a 25 meter PhaseLync cable assembly and a PhaseLync accessory kit that includes two MN25131A multi-function extenders, a USB monitor, keyboard, mouse, headsets and extender connection cables, allowing communication and control from either side of the setup.

Software and control

The ME7868A is controlled over USB from a user-supplied external Windows PC running ShockLine software, the same software used across the ShockLine VNA family. It provides a graphical user interface for debugging and manual testing and a common command syntax for remote programming. The instrument has no on-board data storage, which simplifies use in secure areas. An optional time domain package with time gating (MS46131A-002) adds low-pass and band-pass time domain analysis.

Key Features

2-port VNA system covering 1 MHz to 8 GHz
25 meter PhaseLync configuration with long-distance accessory kit
Two MS46131A 1-port VNAs synchronized with PhaseLync technology
Small, lightweight ports connect directly to the DUT, eliminating long cable runs
PC control takes advantage of external computer processing power and functionality
No on-board data storage for use in secure applications
Common ShockLine control software with debug and test capabilities
Optional time domain with time gating (MS46131A-002)
Configurable as single 1-port, dual 1-ports or single 2-port VNA

Specifications

Frequency

Operating frequency	1 MHz to 8 GHz Applies to all PhaseLync cable lengths
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, 10 Hz IF bandwidth, High isolation mode
> 5 GHz to 8.5 GHz	97 dB (105 dB typical) The satellite unit's SDR will degrade as follows: > 5 GHz to 7 GHz: 89 (105 typical)

High Level Noise

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

Source and Receiver

Receiver compression level	+ 5 dBm Port power beyond which response may compress more than 0.1 dB; typical
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, 1 MHz to 43.5 GHz	0.02 dB/ºC, 0.3 deg/ºC Typical
2-port, 1 MHz to 8 GHz	0.015 dB/ºC, 0.3 deg/ºC Typical; ratioed transmission with short thru and 15 m PhaseLync interconnect, values approximately scale with interconnect length

Uncorrected (Raw) Port Characteristics

1 MHz to 6 GHz	Directivity > 6 dB, Port Match > 6 dB Typical; user and system correction off
> 6 GHz to 8 GHz	Directivity > 5 dB, Port Match > 6 dB Typical; user and system correction off

Error-Corrected Performance, Manual Cal Kit (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 2-port 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 Connector options MN25208A-001, -002, -003; load match and tracking are characteristic
> 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
> 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

Measurement Throughput

Measurement speed, 1-port calibrated	180 µs/point Typical; 300 kHz IFBW, 1601 points, depends on external computer
Measurement speed, 2-port calibrated	250 µs/point Typical; phase compensation ON, IF Gain ranging OFF

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

Connectors and Interfaces

Test port ME7868A-010	N(f)
Damage input levels	+23 dBm maximum, ±50 VDC maximum
10 MHz In connector	SMA(f) Signal presence is auto-sensing
External trigger input	0 to 3.3 V input (5 V tolerant) SMA(f); high impedance (> 100 k Ω); 50 ns minimum input pulse width
External trigger output	0 to 3.3 V (HCMOS logic) 12 mA maximum drive current
USB	One USB 2.0 (or higher) type A port per MS46131A used On the external PC

Recommended External PC

CPU	Intel® Core™ i5-6300U Processor
RAM	4 GB
Disk	120 GB
Operating system	Windows® 7,8, 8.1, or 10; 32 or 64 bit

Environmental

Environmental standard	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
Warranty	1 year from the date of shipment MS46131A and built-in options

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 with frequency option 010 and Option 012 PhaseLync
One 2000-2025-R (25 meter) PhaseLync Cable Assembly
One 2000-2007-R PhaseLync Accessory Kit
Two MN25131A Multifunction Extenders
USB Monitor
USB Keyboard/Mouse
Two USB Headsets
Extender Connection Cables

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
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
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
3653A	N Connector Calibration Kit, Without Sliding Loads, DC to 18 GHz, 50 Ω
3663-3	N Connector Verification Kit
15NNF50-1.0B	Test Port Cable, Flexible, Phase Stable, N(f) to N(m), 1.0 m
15NN50-1.0B	Test Port Cable, Flexible, Phase Stable, N(m) to N(m), 1.0 m
760-295-R	Transit Case (for ME7868A VNA system)
01-200	Calibrated Torque End Wrench, GPC-7 and Type N