ShockLine ME7869A-010 Modular 2-port PhaseLync Vector Network Analyzer, 1 MHz to 8 GHz

Distributed 2-port PhaseLync VNA system covering 1 MHz to 8 GHz with test ports synchronized up to 100 meters apart.

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 ME7869A-010 is the 8 GHz configuration of the Anritsu ME7869A modular 2-port vector network analyzer. It operates from 1 MHz to 8 GHz and performs S-parameter and time domain measurements.

The system consists of two ShockLine MS46131A 1-port VNAs and an MN25132A 2-port PhaseLync control module. PhaseLync technology phase-synchronizes the two MS46131A units so they act as the test ports of a single 2-port VNA. Each unit provides source and measurement capability, and the two together determine the performance of the system. The MS46131A is based on ShockLine VNA on-chip technology, which simplifies the internal VNA architecture at high frequencies.

The MS46131A-025, -050 and -100 PhaseLync length options support synchronization at distances of up to 20, 50 or 100 meters. Because the small VNA ports connect directly to the device under test, long cable runs from a benchtop analyzer are not needed. This reduces insertion loss and improves measurement stability for vector transmission measurements over distance.

Control and software

The ME7869A is controlled from an external PC over USB. It runs the same ShockLine software as the rest of the ShockLine VNA family, which provides a graphical user interface for debugging and manual testing and a common command syntax for remote programming. The port count can be configured from session to session as a single 1-port, dual 1-port or single 2-port VNA. The units have no on-board data storage, which makes them easier to use in secure areas. An optional low-pass time domain mode with time gating provides a TDR-like display for characterizing discontinuities.

Key Features

2-port VNA covering 1 MHz to 8 GHz
Remote ports can be up to 100 meters apart with PhaseLync synchronization
PhaseLync length options for 20, 50 and 100 meters
Small, lightweight ports connect directly to the DUT, so long cable runs are not needed
PC control uses the processing power and functionality of an external computer
No on-board data storage, which simplifies use in secure applications
Common ShockLine control software for debug and test
PhaseLync control module MN25132A
Configurable as single 1-port, dual 1-port or single 2-port VNA from session to session
Optional time domain with time gating (MS46131A-002)

Specifications

Frequency

Operating frequency	1 MHz to 8 GHz
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) Dynamic range may degrade in the > 5 GHz to 7 GHz range to 90 dB (105 dB typical)

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	0.007 dB (0.0015 dB typical) 100 Hz IF bandwidth, High power level, RMS exclusive of drift, High Isolation Mode off
2-port, 1 MHz to 4 GHz, phase	0.21 deg (0.02 deg typical) 100 Hz IF bandwidth, High power level, RMS exclusive of drift, High Isolation Mode off
2-port, > 4 GHz to 8 GHz, magnitude	0.011 dB (0.003 dB typical) 100 Hz IF bandwidth, High power level, RMS exclusive of drift, High Isolation Mode off
2-port, > 4 GHz to 8 GHz, phase	0.51 deg (0.08 deg typical) 100 Hz IF bandwidth, High power level, RMS exclusive of drift, High Isolation Mode off

Receiver Compression and Output Power

Receiver compression level	+ 5 dBm Port power beyond which the response may be compressed 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 magnitude, 0.3 deg/ºC phase Typical
2-port, 1 MHz to 8 GHz	0.015 dB/ºC magnitude, 0.4 deg/ºC phase Typical; ratioed transmission with short thru and 20 m PhaseLync interconnect, values approximately scale with interconnect length

Uncorrected (Raw) Port Characteristics

50 kHz to 1 GHz	Directivity > 21 dB, Port Match > 17 dB Typical; user correction off, system correction on; port match is the worst of source and load match
> 1 GHz to 4 GHz	Directivity > 21 dB, Port Match > 17 dB Typical
> 4 GHz to 8.5 GHz	Directivity > 15 dB, Port Match > 15 dB Typical

Error-Corrected Performance, TOSLN50A-8 / TOSLNF50A-8 Manual Cal Kits

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

General

Warm-up time	60 minutes
Recommended calibration cycle	12 months Residual specifications also require calibration kit calibration cycle adherence
Transmission specification test condition	2-meter PhaseLync cable May be interpreted as typical values for longer PhaseLync cable lengths

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 ShockLine MS46131A 1-port VNAs with frequency option 010
MN25132A 2-port PhaseLync Control Module

Options & Accessories

Option	Description
MS46131A-025	PhaseLync synchronization to 20 meters — One required for each MS46131A VNA
MS46131A-050	PhaseLync synchronization to 50 meters — One required for each MS46131A VNA
MS46131A-100	PhaseLync synchronization to 100 meters — One required for each MS46131A VNA
2000-2123-R	PhaseLync 2 meter cable set — Two cable sets required; total length must be within the PhaseLync length option
2000-2124-R	PhaseLync 5 meter cable set
2000-2125-R	PhaseLync 10 meter cable set
2000-2126-R	PhaseLync 25 meter cable set
2000-2127-R	PhaseLync 50 meter cable set
2000-2128-R	PhaseLync 75 meter cable set
MS46131A-002	Time Domain with Time Gating — Required on each MS46131A for time domain to be enabled on the 2-port VNA
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), -004 SMA(f)
MN25408A	4-port USB SmartCal Module, 300 kHz to 8.5 GHz — Available with N(f) connectors
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
3663-3	N Connector Verification Kit — For use with ME7869A PhaseLync VNA Systems
760-299-R	Transit case for the ME7869A VNA system