Home ›
Anritsu ›
ME786xA ›
ME7868A-043-25

Anritsu ShockLine ME786xA modular 2-port PhaseLync vector network analyzer system

Anritsu / ME786xA

ME7868A-043-25

ShockLine ME7868A-043-25 Modular 2-Port PhaseLync Vector Network Analyzer, 1 MHz to 43.5 GHz, 25 Meter System

Distributed 2-port PhaseLync vector network analyzer system covering 1 MHz to 43.5 GHz with a 25 meter port separation configuration.

Operating frequency range: 1 MHz to 43.5 GHz
Port separation: 25 meter system
Frequency resolution: 1 Hz
Frequency accuracy: ± 1.0 ppm

Datasheet

Overview

The ShockLine ME7868A-043-25 is the 43.5 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 43.5 GHz and supporting S-parameter and time domain measurements on passive RF and microwave devices.

The two MS46131A units become the test ports and provide the source and measurement capability of the 2-port system. Because the ports are small and can be connected directly to the device under test, long test cable runs between a benchtop VNA and the DUT are avoided, which reduces insertion loss and improves measurement stability over distance. The 043 frequency configuration uses Extended-K test ports.

25 meter configuration

The 25 meter configuration includes a 25 meter PhaseLync cable assembly and a PhaseLync accessory kit with two MN25131A multi-function extenders, a USB monitor, keyboard/mouse, headsets and extender cabling, allowing communication and control from either side of the 25 meter setup. For distances greater than 25 meters, Anritsu asks customers to contact the factory.

Software and control

The system is controlled over USB from an external Windows PC running ShockLine software, which is common to the ShockLine VNA family and provides a graphical user interface and a common remote-control command syntax. The units have no on-board data storage, which simplifies use in secure areas. Time domain with time gating is available as option MS46131A-002 and must be enabled on both MS46131A units.

Key Features

2-port VNA system covering 1 MHz to 43.5 GHz
25 meter PhaseLync port separation configuration
Two MS46131A 1-port VNAs phase synchronized with PhaseLync technology
Small, lightweight ports connect directly to the DUT, eliminating long cable runs
Guaranteed performance to 43.5 GHz with Extended-K ports
PC control over USB uses external computer processing power
No on-board data storage for secure applications
Common ShockLine control software with debug and test capabilities
Configurable port count: single 1-port, dual 1-ports or single 2-port
Optional low-pass time domain with time gating (MS46131A-002)

Specifications

Frequency

Operating frequency range	1 MHz to 43.5 GHz Applies to all PhaseLync cable lengths
Port separation	25 meter system For distances > 25 meters, contact the factory
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 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 typical) Satellite unit SDR degrades > 5 GHz to 7 GHz: 89 (105 typical); may be degraded in a narrow range near 8 GHz on -043 models due to receiver residuals
> 8.5 GHz to 20 GHz	98 dB (110 typical)
> 20 GHz to 40 GHz	102 dB (110 typical)
> 40 GHz to 43.5 GHz	99 dB (110 typical)

High Level Noise — 1-Port (MS46131A-043)

1 MHz to 6 GHz	0.009 dB (0.003 typical); 0.12 deg (0.03 typical) 100 Hz IF bandwidth, High power level, RMS
> 6 GHz to 8 GHz	0.022 dB (0.01 typical); 0.15 deg (0.08 typical)
> 8 GHz to 40 GHz	0.006 dB (0.001 typical); 0.1 deg (0.02 typical)
> 40 GHz to 43.5 GHz	0.009 dB (0.002 typical); 0.12 deg (0.03 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)
> 20 GHz to 43.5 GHz	0.011 dB (0.0025 typical); 0.56 deg (0.25 typical)

Power

Receiver compression level, 1 MHz to 43.5 GHz	+ 5 dBm Compression > 0.1 dB beyond this level; 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 approximately scale with interconnect length)
2-port, > 8 GHz to 20 GHz	0.015 dB/ºC; 0.5 deg/ºC Typical
2-port, > 20 GHz to 43.5 GHz	0.02 dB/ºC; 0.8 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-43.5/TOSLKF50A-43.5 .s1p

1 MHz to 50 MHz	Directivity ≥ 45 dB; Source Match ≥ 45 dB; Load Match ≥ 44 dB; Reflection Tracking ± 0.15 dB; Transmission Tracking ±0.06 dB Calibration with TOSLK50A-43.5 or TOSLKF50A-43.5 kits with .s1p definitions; load match and tracking are characteristic performance
> 0.05 GHz to 10 GHz	Directivity ≥ 45 dB; Source Match ≥ 45 dB; Load Match ≥ 44 dB; Reflection Tracking ± 0.15 dB; Transmission Tracking ±0.06 dB
> 10 GHz to 20 GHz	Directivity ≥ 45 dB; Source Match ≥ 45 dB; Load Match ≥ 44 dB; Reflection Tracking ± 0.15 dB; Transmission Tracking ±0.06 dB
> 20 GHz to 30 GHz	Directivity ≥ 45 dB; Source Match ≥ 44 dB; Load Match ≥ 44 dB; Reflection Tracking ± 0.15 dB; Transmission Tracking ±0.06 dB
> 30 GHz to 40 GHz	Directivity ≥ 45 dB; Source Match ≥ 42 dB; Load Match ≥ 44 dB; Reflection Tracking ± 0.15 dB; Transmission Tracking ±0.06 dB
> 40 GHz to 43.5 GHz	Directivity ≥ 42 dB; Source Match ≥ 41 dB; Load Match ≥ 41 dB; Reflection Tracking ± 0.2 dB; Transmission Tracking ±0.16 dB

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
Calibration methods	SOLT, SSLT, SSST, SOLR, LRL/LRM, TRL/TRM, SmartCal, AutoCal

Interfaces

Test port connector ME7868A-043	Ruggedized Extended-K™(m)
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 input	SMA(f); 0 to 3.3 V input (5 V tolerant); > 100 kΩ; 50 ns minimum pulse width Applied to the Base MS46131A
External trigger output	0 to 3.3 V (HCMOS logic); 12 mA maximum; 1 µs pulse width, typical On the Satellite MS46131A
PC connection	One USB 2.0 (or higher) type A port per MS46131A used

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 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
Safety	EN 61010-1:2010

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, each with frequency option 043 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
36585K-2M	K Connector Precision AutoCal Module, 70 kHz to 40 GHz, K(m) to K(m)
36585K-2F	K Connector Precision AutoCal Module, 70 kHz to 40 GHz, K(f) to K(f)
36585K-2MF	K Connector Precision AutoCal Module, 70 kHz to 40 GHz, K(m) to K(f)
2000-1809-R	Serial to USB Adapter — Required for use with 36585 AutoCal module if control PC does not have a serial port
3652A	K Connector Calibration Kit, Without Sliding Loads, DC to 40 GHz, 50Ω
TOSLK50A-43.5	Precision K Male Through/Open/Short/Load Mechanical Calibration Tee, DC to 43.5 GHz, 50Ω — Includes .s1p files for data-based calibration support
TOSLKF50A-43.5	Precision K Female Through/Open/Short/Load Mechanical Calibration Tee, DC to 43.5 GHz, 50Ω — Includes .s1p files for data-based calibration support
3668-4	43.5 GHz K Connector Verification Kit
33KK50C	Calibration Grade Adapter, DC to 43.5 GHz, K(m) to K(m), 50 Ω
33KKF50C	Calibration Grade Adapter, DC to 43.5 GHz, K(m) to K(f), 50 Ω
33KFKF50C	Calibration Grade Adapter, DC to 43.5 GHz, K(f) to K(f), 50 Ω
806-423-R	Flexible Phase Stable Cable, DC to 43.5 GHz, K(f) - K(f)
806-424-R	Flexible Phase Stable Cable, DC to 43.5 GHz, K(m) - K(f)
806-425-R	Flexible Phase Stable Cable, DC to 43.5 GHz, 1 m (39.4 in), K(f) - K(f)
806-426-R	Flexible Phase Stable Cable, DC to 43.5 GHz, 1 m (39.4 in), K(m) - K(f)
3670K50A-1	Semi-Rigid Armored Test Port Cable, 0.3 m (12”), DC to 43.5 GHz, K(f) to K(m), 50 Ω
3670K50A-2	Semi-Rigid Armored Test Port Cable, 0.6 m (24”), DC to 43.5 GHz, K(f) to K(m), 50 Ω
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
01-204	End Wrench, 5/16 in, Universal, Circular, Open-ended — For SMA, 3.5 mm, 2.4 mm, K, and V connectors