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

Distributed modular 2-port VNA covering 1 MHz to 43.5 GHz, built from two PhaseLync-synchronized MS46131A 1-port VNAs with a 2 meter interconnect.

Operating frequency: 1 MHz to 43.5 GHz
Frequency resolution: 1 Hz
Frequency accuracy: ± 1.0 ppm
Frequency stability: ± 1.0 ppm from -10 °C to +55 °C

Datasheet

Overview

The Anritsu ShockLine ME7868A-043-2 is the 43.5 GHz, 2 meter configuration of the ME7868A modular 2-port vector network analyzer. It consists of two ShockLine MS46131A 1-port VNAs synchronized with PhaseLync technology, and it measures S-parameters and, with an option, time domain responses from 1 MHz to 43.5 GHz.

The two MS46131A units become the test ports and provide the source and measurement capabilities of the 2-port system. The MS46131A is based on ShockLine VNA on-chip technology, which simplifies the internal VNA architecture at high frequencies. In the 43.5 GHz configuration the test ports use ruggedized Extended-K connectors.

PhaseLync phase synchronization lets the two ports be placed apart and connected directly to the device under test, so vector transmission measurements over distance can be made without the long test cables of a conventional benchtop VNA. The 2 meter system ships with a 2 meter PhaseLync optical cable and a 2 meter PhaseLync electrical cable.

Software and control

Both MS46131A VNAs are controlled over USB from an external, user-supplied Windows PC. The common ShockLine software provides the graphical user interface for debugging and manual testing, along with a command syntax shared across the ShockLine VNA family for remote programming. The units have no on-board data storage, which suits secure-area applications.

Key Features

2-port VNA covering 1 MHz to 43.5 GHz
Two MS46131A 1-port VNAs phase-synchronized with PhaseLync technology
2 meter PhaseLync interconnect between the test ports
Small, lightweight ports connect directly to the DUT, eliminating long cable runs
Guaranteed performance to 43.5 GHz with Extended-K ports
PC control uses the processing power of an external computer
No on-board data storage for secure applications
Common ShockLine control software for debug and test
Optional time domain with time gating (MS46131A-002)

Specifications

Frequency

Operating frequency	1 MHz to 43.5 GHz Applies to all PhaseLync cable lengths
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 near 8 GHz in -020 and -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-020/043

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) 100 Hz IF bandwidth, High power level, RMS
> 8 GHz to 40 GHz	0.006 dB (0.001 typical), 0.1 deg (0.02 typical) 100 Hz IF bandwidth, High power level, RMS
> 40 GHz to 43.5 GHz	0.009 dB (0.002 typical), 0.12 deg (0.03 typical) 100 Hz IF bandwidth, High power level, RMS

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 Port power beyond which response may compress 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, 0.3 deg/ºC Typical
2-Port, 1 MHz to 8 GHz	0.015 dB/ºC, 0.3 deg/ºC Typical; ratioed transmission with short thru and 15 m PhaseLync interconnect
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

Measurement Throughput

Measurement speed, 1-port calibrated	180 µs/point Typical; 300 kHz IFBW, 1601 points; dependent 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 Thru update and secondary match correction available

Interfaces

Test port 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/output	SMA(f); input 0 to 3.3 V (5 V tolerant), 50 ns minimum pulse width; output 0 to 3.3 V (HCMOS logic), 12 mA maximum Input on Base MS46131A, output on Satellite MS46131A
Trigger delay	6 µs typical
PC connection	One USB 2.0 (or higher) type A port per MS46131A used

Recommended External PC Configuration

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

Standard	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

Regulatory Compliance

European Union	EMC 2014/30/EU, EN 61326:2013, CISPR 11/EN 55011, IEC/EN 61000-4-2/3/4/5/6/11; Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU; Safety EN 61010-1:2010; RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU & Amendment 2015/863
Canada	ICES-1(A)/NMB-1(A)
Australia and New Zealand	RCM AS/NZS 4417:2012
Warranty	1 year from the date of shipment MS46131A and built-in options; additional warranty available

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 MS46131A Modular 1-Port VNAs with frequency option 043 and Option 012 PhaseLync
One 2000-2011-R (2 meter) PhaseLync Optical Cable (PLO)
One 2000-2013-R (2 meter) PhaseLync Electrical Cable (PLE)

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
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
3652A	K Connector Calibration Kit, Without Sliding Loads, DC to 40 GHz, 50Ω
3668-4	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
3670K50A-1	Semi-rigid armored cable, 0.3 m (12”), DC to 43.5 GHz, K(f) to K(m), 50 Ω
3670K50A-2	Semi-rigid armored cable, 0.6 m (24”), DC to 43.5 GHz, K(f) to K(m), 50 Ω
806-425-R	Flexible phase stable cable, 100 cm (39.4 in), DC to 43.5 GHz, K(f) - K(f), 50 Ω
806-426-R	Flexible phase stable cable, 100 cm (39.4 in), DC to 43.5 GHz, K(m) - K(f), 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