Text preview for : The Easy Way to Make Pulse Signal Measurements with HSA and Power Sensor - Application Note 5991-144 part of
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Keysight Technologies
The Easy Way to Make
Pulse Signal Measurements
Using the Keysight N934xC Handheld
Spectrum Analyzer and U2020 X-Series
USB Peak and Average Power Sensors
Application Note
Introduction
From R&D and manufacturing, to maintenance and repair services, power
measurements are ubiquitous in the RF and microwave world. Along with their growing
presence, the need to perform peak power measurements is increasing, especially in
military and communication applications. These measurements are necessary to test
the pulsed transmissions of radar, GSM and WiMAXTM communication devices, and
TD-LTE base stations.
While traditional transmission testing in the field has typically relied on the use of
a laptop PC, Keysight Technologies' N934XC handheld spectrum analyzer (HSA)
and U2020 X-Series peak power sensors offers an alternative solution which makes
testing transmissions easier. For example, when you're working in field, the long
boot-up time for a laptop PC can be an inconvenience. Additionally, laptop PC
software typically includes capabilities, such as multiple channels, feeds, and traces
mathematics--functionality that is mainly desired by labs and production lines instead
of field applications. The N934xC HSA-based solution provides streamlined functions to
address the specific needs of the field engineer. That purpose-driven focus is another
reason the N934xC/U2020 X-series solution makes peak power measurement setup in
the field simpler.
The Keysight U2020 X-series USB peak and average power sensors enable peak
power measurements that have the same accuracy as measurements obtained using
traditional peak power meters, while providing the advantages of being a very compact
and portable form factor. The U2020 X-series is provided with free PC-based software
N1918A Power Analysis Manager. This software enables powerful measurement
capability and flexibility. With the built-in internal zeroing and calibration features,
U2020 X-series sensors do not require a calibration source. Nor do the sensors need
to be disconnected from the DUT while the sensor performs zeroing and calibration.
These features make measurement preparation easier.
This application note briefly discusses the principle of the peak power sensor and
explains how easy it is to quickly set up peak power measurements using the N934xC
HSA/U2020 X-series solution.
Principle of Peak Power Sensors
Power meters (or power sensors), are one of the simplest instruments in the RF
and microwave test and measurement world. As shown in Figure 1, in concept
the USB peak power sensor can be separated into two functional parts: