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ME7868A-020-5

Anritsu ShockLine ME7868A distributed modular 2-port vector network analyzer

Anritsu / ME786xA

ME7868A-020-5

ShockLine ME7868A-020-5 Modular 2-Port PhaseLync Vector Network Analyzer, 1 MHz to 20 GHz, 5 Meter System

Distributed 2-port ShockLine VNA system covering 1 MHz to 20 GHz with two PhaseLync-synchronized MS46131A ports and a 5 meter cable set.

Operating frequency: 1 MHz to 20 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-020-5 is a modular, distributed 2-port vector network analyzer configuration from Anritsu covering 1 MHz to 20 GHz. It consists of two ShockLine MS46131A 1-port VNAs that are phase synchronized with PhaseLync technology, supplied as a 5 meter system. The two MS46131A modules act as the test ports and provide the source and measurement capability of the 2-port analyzer, which supports S-parameter and time domain measurements.

Because the small, lightweight ports can be connected directly to the device under test, the system removes the long cable runs normally required between a benchtop VNA and a remote DUT. This reduces insertion loss in the measurement path, improves measurement stability and simplifies the integration of VNA test systems.

Software and control

Both MS46131A VNAs are controlled over USB from an 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 control programming. The port configuration can be set per session as a single 1-port, dual 1-port or single 2-port VNA.

The instrument has no on-board data storage, so no data purge is needed for use in secure areas. Time domain with time gating is available as option MS46131A-002, which must be enabled on both MS46131A modules.

Key Features

2-port VNA covering 1 MHz to 20 GHz
5 meter system using a PhaseLync optical and electrical cable set
Two MS46131A 1-port VNAs phase synchronized with PhaseLync technology
Small and lightweight ports allow direct connection to the DUT, eliminating long cable runs
PC control uses the processing power and functionality of an external computer
No on-board data storage, simplifying use in secure applications
Common ShockLine control software with debug and test capabilities
Configurable as single 1-port, dual 1-port or single 2-port VNA per session
Optional low-pass time domain with time gating (MS46131A-002)

Specifications

Frequency

Operating frequency	1 MHz to 20 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) Difference between High source power and RMS noise floor at 10 Hz IF bandwidth, High isolation mode
> 5 GHz to 8.5 GHz	97 dB (105 dB typical) Satellite unit SDR degrades to 89 (105 typical) from > 5 GHz to 7 GHz; may be degraded in a narrow range near 8 GHz in -020 models due to receiver residuals
> 8.5 GHz to 20 GHz	98 dB (110 dB typical)

High Level Noise — 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
> 4 GHz to 8 GHz	0.011 dB (0.003 typical), 0.41 deg (0.08 typical)
> 8 GHz to 20 GHz	0.006 dB (0.0015 typical), 0.41 deg (0.08 typical)

Source and Receiver

Receiver compression level	+ 5 dBm 1 MHz to 43.5 GHz; level 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, short thru, 15 m PhaseLync interconnect (values scale with interconnect length)
2-port, > 8 GHz to 20 GHz	0.015 dB/ºC, 0.5 deg/ºC Typical

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
> 8 GHz to 43.5 GHz	Directivity > 10 dB, Port Match > 10 dB Typical

Error-Corrected Performance (TOSLK50A-20 / TOSLKF50A-20)

1 MHz to 10 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
> 10 GHz to 20 GHz	Directivity ≥ 36 dB, Source Match ≥ 26 dB, Load Match ≥ 35 dB, Reflection Tracking ± 0.15 dB, Transmission Tracking ±0.06 dB Load match and tracking are characteristic performance

Error-Corrected Performance (MN25218A SmartCal)

1 MHz to 1 GHz	Directivity ≥ 42 dB, Source Match ≥ 33 dB, Load Match ≥ 41 dB, Reflection Tracking ± 0.15 dB, Transmission Tracking ±0.1 dB
> 1 GHz to 10 GHz	Directivity ≥ 37 dB, Source Match ≥ 33 dB, Load Match ≥ 41 dB, Reflection Tracking ± 0.15 dB, Transmission Tracking ±0.1 dB
> 10 GHz to 18 GHz	Directivity ≥ 37 dB, Source Match ≥ 33 dB, Load Match ≥ 35 dB, Reflection Tracking ± 0.15 dB, Transmission Tracking ±0.1 dB
> 18 GHz to 20 GHz	Directivity ≥ 37 dB, Source Match ≥ 33 dB, Load Match ≥ 35 dB, Reflection Tracking ± 0.20 dB, Transmission Tracking ±0.15 dB

Measurement Throughput

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

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	Ruggedized K(m)
Damage input level	+23 dBm maximum, ±50 VDC maximum
10 MHz In	SMA(f), +0 dBm typical, 50Ω nominal Signal presence is auto-sensing
External trigger input/output	SMA(f); input 0 to 3.3 V (5 V tolerant), > 100 k Ω; output 0 to 3.3 V (HCMOS logic), 12 mA maximum Input on Base MS46131A, output on Satellite MS46131A
PC interface	One USB 2.0 (or higher) type A port per MS46131A

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

Regulatory and Warranty

Safety	EN 61010-1:2010
EMC (EU)	2014/30/EU, EN 61326:2013, CISPR 11/EN 55011, IEC/EN 61000-4-2/3/4/5/6/11
Warranty	1 year from the date of shipment MS46131A and built-in options; additional warranty available
Recommended calibration cycle	12 months

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

Applications

Long distance S-parameter measurements
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 020 and Option 012 PhaseLync
One 2000-2012-R (5 meter) PhaseLync Optical Cable (PLO)
One 2000-2014-R (5 meter) PhaseLync Electrical Cable (PLE)
Two 3 meter USB extension 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
MN25218A	2-port USB SmartCal Module, 300 kHz to 20 GHz — Available with connector Option -002 K(f)
MN25418A	4-port USB SmartCal Module, 300 kHz to 20 GHz — Available with connector Option -002 K(f)
MN25208A	2-port USB SmartCal Module, 300 kHz to 8.5 GHz
36585K-2MF	K Connector Precision AutoCal Module, 70 kHz to 40 GHz, K(m) to K(f)
TOSLK50A-20	Precision K Male Through/Open/Short/Load Mechanical Calibration Tee, DC to 20 GHz, 50Ω
TOSLKF50A-20	Precision K Female Through/Open/Short/Load Mechanical Calibration Tee, DC to 20 GHz, 50Ω
3652A	K Connector Calibration Kit, Without Sliding Loads, DC to 40 GHz, 50Ω
3668-4	K Connector Verification Kit
15KK50-1.0A	Test Port Extension Cable, Armored, Phase Stable, K(m) to K(m), 1.0 m
15KKF50-1.0A	Test Port Extension Cable, Armored, Phase Stable, K(m) to K(f), 1.0 m
760-295-R	Transit Case (for ME7868A VNA system)
01-201	Torque End Wrench, 5/16 in, 0.9 N·m (8 lbf·in) — For tightening male devices, for SMA, 3.5 mm, 2.4 mm, K, and V connectors
01-203	Torque End Wrench, 13/16 in, 0.9 N.m (8 lbf.in) — For tightening ruggedized SMA, 2.4 mm, K and V test port connectors