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.

Broadband frequency range: 70 kHz to 220 GHz
Millimeter waveguide frequency range: 50 GHz to 1.1 THz
Test port: 0.6 mm/G output
VNA: MS4647B VectorStar VNA, 70 kHz to 70 GHz with Option 7, Option 70, and Option 80/81/84/85

Datasheet

Overview

The VectorStar ME7838G is a broadband vector network analyzer system that provides a continuous frequency sweep from 70 kHz to 220 GHz without concatenating multiple systems. It is operational from 40 kHz to 226 GHz through a single coaxial-mode connector, which allows devices to be characterized from near-DC through the W band and F band.

The system is aimed at on-wafer measurements that reach into the sub-terahertz region. It is optimized for use with the MPI TITAN T220 probe. The 220 GHz probe connects directly to the mmWave module, so the measurement path does not depend on threaded connectors.

System configuration

The broadband configuration combines an MS4647B VectorStar VNA (70 kHz to 70 GHz, with Options 7, 70 and 80/81), the 3739C Broadband Millimeter-Wave Test Set with interface cables, and two MA25400A Millimeter-Wave Modules. The modules use Anritsu nonlinear transmission line (NLTL) technology, weigh 0.6 lb and provide real-time leveling of power. In the millimeter-wave configuration, the system supports waveguide bands from 50 GHz to 1.1 THz with VDI frequency extension modules. This configuration can be used to extend the broadband system or on its own.

Measurement capabilities

The ME7838G supports the 3744A-Rx receiver for noise figure measurements from 30 GHz to 125 GHz, as well as differential noise figure with Option 48. Tri-axial Kelvin bias tees are supported for on-wafer device biasing up to 220 (226) GHz. Software options cover time domain, fixture extraction, IMD, eye diagram and spectrum analysis measurements.

Key Features

Single-sweep broadband coverage from 70 kHz to 220 GHz, operational from 40 kHz to 226 GHz
Millimeter-wave waveguide coverage from 50 GHz to 1.1 THz
Optimized for on-wafer measurements with the MPI TITAN T220 probe connected directly to the mmWave module
Calibration and measurement stability of 0.1 dB over 24 hrs
Measurement speed of 310 ms for 401 points at 10 kHz IFBW
Compact MA25400A mmWave modules, 0.6 lb and 1/50 the volume of traditional mmWave modules
Real-time power leveling without calibration software correction tables
Supports tri-axial Kelvin bias tee connections for on-wafer device biasing up to 220 (226) GHz
Supports the 3744A-Rx receiver for noise figure measurements from 30 GHz to 125 GHz
Differential noise figure measurements with Option 48
Spectrum analyzer option (Option 49) with single-sweep coverage from 70 kHz to 220 GHz
Universal Fixture Extraction, IMDView, DifferentialView, eye diagram and time domain software options

Specifications

System

Broadband frequency range	70 kHz to 220 GHz Single sweep; operational from 40 kHz to 226 GHz
Millimeter waveguide frequency range	50 GHz to 1.1 THz Waveguide bands
Test port	0.6 mm/G output
VNA	MS4647B VectorStar VNA, 70 kHz to 70 GHz with Option 7, Option 70, and Option 80/81/84/85 Broadband configuration
Test set	3739C Broadband Test Set and interface cables
mmWave modules	MA25400A Millimeter-Wave Module, 2 each
Measurement speed	310 ms for 401 points at 10 kHz IFBW
Calibration and measurement stability	0.1 dB over 24 hrs
Recommended calibration cycle	12 months

System Dynamic Range (Coaxial-Mode Flange Interface)

70 kHz to 300 kHz	93 Typical; 10 Hz IFBW; Option 62: 90
> 0.01 to < 2.5 GHz	120 Typical; Option 62: 116
2.5 to 24 GHz	110 Typical; Option 62: 105
> 54 to 60 GHz	112 Typical
> 105 to 110 GHz	106 Typical
> 140 to 150 GHz	100 Typical
> 200 to 220 GHz	100 Typical
> 220 to 226 GHz	85 Typical

Noise Floor (Coaxial-Mode Flange Interface)

> 0.01 to < 2.5 GHz	–110 Typical; Option 62: –109
> 24 to 54 GHz	–116 Typical
> 105 to 110 GHz	–112 Typical
> 200 to 220 GHz	–115 Typical
> 220 to 226 GHz	–103 Typical

Test Port Power (Coaxial-Mode Flange Interface)

Max power, > 0.01 to < 2.5 GHz	10 Typical; Option 62: 7
Max power, > 60 to 67 GHz	–3 Typical
Max power, > 105 to 110 GHz	–6 Typical
Max power, > 200 to 220 GHz	–15 Typical
Power range, > 54 to 60 GHz	–55 to –4 dBm; typical
Power range, > 200 to 220 GHz	–50 to –15 dBm; typical
Power accuracy, 70 kHz to 54 GHz	±1.5 Typical; defined at –10 dBm or max rated power, whichever is lower
Power accuracy, > 125 to 220 GHz	±4.0 Typical
Power resolution	0.01

Corrected System Performance (3659 0.8 mm Kit, SOLT/SSST)

Directivity, 2.5 to 20 GHz	40 Typical; Source Match 41 dB
Directivity, > 95 to 110 GHz	34 Typical; Source Match 37 dB
Directivity, > 140 to 145 GHz	26 Typical; Source Match 28 dB
Directivity and load match, WR5, > 160-200 GHz	33 Typical; SSLT calibration with OML WR05 kit on MA25400A

Frequency

Resolution	1 Hz
Accuracy	±5 x 10–7 Hz/Hz At time of calibration
Stability	< 5 x 10–9/°C over 0 °C to 50 °C temperature < 1 x 10–9/day aging, instrument on

Noise Figure Receiver (3744A-Rx)

Noise figure frequency range	30 GHz to 125 GHz With Option 41 and 3744A-Rx receiver module
Noise floor, 30 to 54 GHz	–124 Typical

Physical

MA25400A module dimensions (H x W x D)	32.5 mm x 54 mm x 83 mm
MA25400A module weight	0.27 kg (0.6 lbs)
3739C test set weight	5.75 kg (12.7 lbs)
MS4647B VNA weight	< 28 kg (< 62 lbs) Typical weight for a fully-loaded MS4647B VNA

Environmental

Operating temperature	0 ºC to +50 ºC Without error codes, except unleveled messages at the extreme edges
Operating relative humidity	5 % to 95 % at +30 ºC, Non-condensing
Altitude	4,600 m (15,000 ft)
Non-operating temperature	–40 ºC to +71 ºC
Warranty	1-year Excluding VDI modules and MPI probes

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

Applications

On-wafer device characterization
Sub-terahertz device modeling
W band and F band device characterization
Millimeter-wave noise figure measurements
Differential noise figure measurements
Spectral measurements of harmonics, spurs and distortion products
Material measurements

Included

MS4647B VectorStar VNA, 70 kHz to 70 GHz with Option 7, Option 70, and Option 80/81
3739C Broadband Millimeter-Wave Test Set and Interface Cables
MA25400A Millimeter-Wave Module, 2 each
Accessory kit (2000-1956-R) with interface thru, two 1 mm (M) to interface adapters, a 1 mm F-F adapter, extra flange screws and a torque wrench

Options & Accessories

Option	Description
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
MS4640B-049	Spectrum Analysis — SPA options for all broadband and banded solutions
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 — V-connectorized bias tee for bias from 70 kHz to the maximum frequency of the MA25400A module; max 16 VDC, 100 mA
SC7287	Kelvin Bias Tee — V-connectorized bias tee for bias from 100 MHz to the maximum frequency of the MA25400A module; max 50 VDC, 500 mA
3659	0.8 mm Calibration/Verification Kit — 12-term SOLT or Triple Offset Short calibrations for 0.8 mm devices with two verification standards
3656C	W1 (1 mm) Calibration/Verification Kit — 12-term SOLT or Triple Offset Short calibrations for W1 1 mm devices with two verification standards