Anritsu VectorStar ME7838 Series broadband VNA system

Anritsu / Series · Vector Network Analyzers

VectorStar ME7838 Series Broadband Vector Network Analyzer System, 70 kHz to 220 GHz

Broadband 2-port VNA series with single-sweep coverage from 70 kHz to 110, 125, 145 or 220 GHz and banded mmWave extension to 1.1 THz.

Frequency range: 70 kHz to 125 GHz
Frequency range: 70 kHz to 110 GHz
Frequency range: 70 kHz to 145 GHz
Frequency range: 70 kHz to 220 GHz

View Models Datasheet

Overview

The VectorStar ME7838 Series is a broadband vector network analyzer system that combines a VectorStar VNA with compact millimeter-wave modules based on Anritsu Nonlinear Transmission Line (NLTL) technology. Depending on the model, a single 2-port sweep covers 70 kHz to 110, 125, 145 or 220 GHz, and all versions can be configured with banded millimeter-wave modules up to 1.1 THz.

According to Anritsu, the ME7838 Series has positive raw directivity in multiple bands, which supports calibration and measurement stability over long periods between calibrations. The series is specified at 109 dB dynamic range at 110 GHz and 102 dB at 220 GHz.

ME7838G for sub-terahertz on-wafer measurements

The ME7838G covers 70 kHz to 220 GHz in a single sweep and is optimized for on-wafer measurements with the MPI TITAN T220 probe. The 220 GHz probe connects directly to the millimeter-wave module, avoiding the limits of threaded connectors. The system consists of an MS4647B VectorStar VNA, a 3739C broadband millimeter-wave test set with interface cables, two MA25400A millimeter-wave modules and an accessory kit.

Spectrum analysis and noise figure

The Spectrum Analyzer option (Option 49) adds spectral-domain measurements such as harmonics, spurs, distortion products and spectral occupancy, with single-sweep coverage from 70 kHz to 220 GHz using the millimeter-wave modules. The noise figure option uses a cold-source technique, and with the 3744x-Rx receiver noise figure can be measured up to 125 GHz, including differential noise figure.

Upgrade path

The ME7838AX and ME7838EX can be upgraded to 145 GHz and 220 GHz. Software options include Universal Fixture Extraction, IMDView, PulseView, DifferentialView and trace-based eye diagram analysis.

Models in this series

Model	Description
ME7838AX	VectorStar ME7838AX 2-Port Broadband Vector Network Analyzer System, 70 kHz to 125 GHz 2-port VectorStar broadband VNA system with single-sweep coverage from 70 kHz to 125 GHz at a 1 mm coaxial test port.	Details →
ME7838D	VectorStar ME7838D Broadband Vector Network Analyzer System, 70 kHz to 145 GHz Broadband 2-port VNA system with single-sweep coverage from 70 kHz to 145 GHz through a 0.8 mm coaxial test port, extendable to 1.1 THz in waveguide bands.	Details →
ME7838EX	VectorStar ME7838EX 2-Port Broadband Vector Network Analyzer System, 70 kHz to 110 GHz VectorStar 2-port broadband VNA system with single-sweep coverage from 70 kHz to 110 GHz at a 1 mm coaxial test port.	Details →
ME7838G	VectorStar ME7838G Broadband 70 kHz to 220 GHz Vector Network Analyzer System Broadband VNA system with single-sweep coverage from 70 kHz to 220 GHz and millimeter-wave waveguide bands to 1.1 THz.	Details →

Key Features

Single 2-port sweep from 70 kHz to 110, 125, 145 or 220 GHz depending on model
Banded millimeter-wave modules available up to 1.1 THz on all versions
ME7838AX and ME7838EX upgradeable to 145 GHz and 220 GHz
Calibration and measurement stability of 0.1 dB over 24 hrs
3744x-Rx receiver support for noise figure measurements to 125 GHz, including differential noise figure
Compact mmWave modules weighing 0.6 lb with 1/50 the volume of traditional modules
Spectrum analyzer option from 70 kHz to 20/40/70/110/125/145 and 220 GHz, and in banded configurations to 1.1 THz
Dual SPA mode for mixer, amplifier, harmonics and spurious testing
SPA available on all ports with user-selectable SPA port
Peak, minimum, RMS and mean detection types in classical SPA mode
Min hold, max hold and user-defined math functions in SPA mode
Independently configurable sources and receivers, usable as a tracking generator
Dual drive option and phase synchronization for dual-source units
Universal Fixture Extraction (UFX) software option for test fixture de-embedding
IMDView software with internal combiner option for S-parameter and IMD measurements in a single connection
PulseView pulse measurements with 2.5 ns pulse resolution and 100 dB dynamic range
4-port single-ended or balanced measurements with DifferentialView
Internal trace-based eye diagram option alongside time domain and S-parameter analysis
Dynamic range up to 142 dB
Available power up to +14 dBm
Directivity up to 50 dB
Optoelectronic measurements at 850, 1060, 1310 and 1550 nm using the MN4765B O/E Calibration module
Real-time power leveling without calibration software correction tables (ME7838G)
Tri-axial Kelvin bias tee support for on-wafer device biasing up to 220 (226) GHz (ME7838G)

Specifications

Frequency

Frequency range ME7838AX	70 kHz to 125 GHz With guaranteed specifications; 1 mm coax output
Frequency range ME7838EX	70 kHz to 110 GHz 1 mm coax output; the page features text also mentions ME7838EX to 125 GHz
Frequency range ME7838D	70 kHz to 145 GHz 0.8 mm coax output
Frequency range ME7838G	70 kHz to 220 GHz 0.6 mm/G output
Operational frequency range ME7838G	40 kHz to 226 GHz
Millimeter waveguide configuration ME7838G	50 GHz to 1.1 THz In waveguide bands
Frequency (category summary)	70 kHz — 110 GHz; 70 kHz — 125 GHz; 70 kHz — 145 GHz; 70 kHz - 220/226 GHz; mmWave Bands 170 GHz to 1.1 THz

Dynamic Range

Dynamic range (category summary)	124 dB max; 124 dB max; 125 dB max; 120 dB max; 100 dB max Listed in the same column order as the frequency summary
Dynamic range	109 dB at 110 GHz, 102 dB at 220 GHz
Dynamic range ME7838G	120 dB at 10 MHz, 112 dB at 67 GHz, 108 dB at 110 GHz, and 100 dB at 145 GHz

Port Characteristics

Directivity (category summary)	40 dB max; 40 dB max; 40 dB max; 40 dB max; 30 dB max
Noise floor (category summary)	-114 dBm min; -114 dBm min; -114 dBm min; -119 dBm min; -100 dBm min

Measurement Speed and Stability

Sweep speed	30 μsec/point
Measurement speed ME7838G	310 ms for 401 points At 10 kHz IFBW
Calibration and measurement stability	0.1 dB over 24 hrs

Physical

mmWave module weight	0.6 lb 1/50 the volume of traditional mmWave modules

Noise Figure

Noise figure receiver ME7838G	3744A-Rx 30 GHz to 125 GHz receiver for noise figure measurements up to 125 GHz

Applications

On-wafer device characterization
Millimeter-wave and sub-terahertz device modeling
W band and F band device characterization
Noise figure and differential noise figure measurements
Spectrum analysis of harmonics, spurs and distortion products
Mixer and amplifier testing
Intermodulation distortion measurements
Pulsed measurements
Optoelectronic component measurements
Material measurements
Signal integrity and high-speed interconnect characterization
Antenna measurements

Options & Accessories

Option	Description
MS4640B-049	Spectrum Analysis — SPA options for all broadband and banded solutions
MS4642B-049	70 kHz to 20 GHz Spectrum Analyzer option
MS4644B-049	70 kHz to 40 GHz Spectrum Analyzer option
MS4647B-049	70 kHz to 70 GHz Spectrum Analyzer option
MS4640B-002	Time Domain
MS4640B-021	Universal Fixture Extraction
MS464xB-031	Dual Source Architecture
MS464xB-032	Internal RF Combiner
MS4640B-041	Noise Figure
MS4640B-043	DifferentialView
MS4640B-044	IMDView
MS4640B-046	Fast CW
MS4640B-047	Eye Diagram
MS4640B-048	Differential Noise Figure
MS464xB-051	External VNA Direct Access Loops
MS464xB-061	Active Measurement Suite, with 2 Attenuators
MS464xB-062	Active Measurement Suite, with 4 Attenuators
3744E-Rx	30 to 110 GHz mmWave Receiver for Noise Figure and mmWave Antenna Measurements
3744E-EE	56 to 95 GHz WR-12 Waveguide Module
3744E-EW	65 to 110 GHz WR-10 Waveguide Module
SC8215	Kelvin Bias Tee
SC7287	Kelvin Bias Tee