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MA24218A

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MA24218A

MA24218A Microwave Universal USB Power Sensor, 10 MHz to 18 GHz True-RMS

True-RMS USB power sensor measuring average power from 10 MHz to 18 GHz over an 80 dB dynamic range (−60 dBm to +20 dBm).

Frequency Range: 10 MHz to 18 GHz

Datasheet

Overview

The Anritsu MA24218A is a Universal USB power sensor for average power measurements from 10 MHz to 18 GHz over 80 dB of dynamic range. It uses a patented triple-path architecture that provides True-RMS measurements, similar to thermal sensors, across the entire frequency and dynamic range. This allows average power measurements of CW, multi-tone and digitally modulated signals independent of modulation bandwidth.

Digital processing inside the sensor supports measurement speeds of more than 1,600 continuous readings per second and more than 11,000 buffered readings per second. A low-noise design removes the need to zero the sensor before measurement for signals above −45 dBm, and no 1 mW reference calibration is required.

Internal and external triggering supports individual slot power measurements of TDMA waveforms and burst power measurements of periodic and non-periodic signals. External trigger latching handles pulses as narrow as 20 ns.

Control and connectivity

The sensor connects to a host over USB 2.0 and is controlled from a PC with remote programming commands or with the PowerXpert software application, which is supplied free of charge. It is also compatible with most Anritsu RF and microwave handheld instruments; a high-accuracy power meter software option such as Option 19 may be required on the instrument.

Damage protection is rated at +30 dBm CW and +34 dBm peak for pulses shorter than 10 µs. A removable silicone protective covering adds field durability and is required for warranted operation. Calibrations are NIST traceable, with a recommended 12-month calibration interval.

Key Features

Frequency range: 10 MHz to 18 GHz
Power measurement range: −60 dBm to +20 dBm (80 dB dynamic range)
True RMS measurements, independent of modulation
Fast measurement speed: >1,600 readings/s continuous, >11,000 readings/s buffered
Damage protection: +30 dBm CW, +34 dBm peak < 10 µs
No zeroing required for signals > −45 dBm
Elimination of 1 mW reference calibration
Advanced trigger capabilities for time-dependent power measurements
External trigger latching for pulses as narrow as 20 ns
NIST traceable calibration
Easy to use with a PC or select Anritsu handheld instruments; no benchtop power meter needed
Removable silicone protective covering for additional field durability
Controlled with PowerXpert software or remote programming commands
Worldwide calibration and service centers

Specifications

Frequency

Frequency Range	10 MHz to 18 GHz

Power Measurement

Dynamic Range	–60 dBm to +20 dBm
Measurement Range 1	+20 dBm to +4 dBm approximate
Measurement Range 2	<+4 dBm to –16 dBm approximate
Measurement Range 3	<–16 dBm to –60 dBm approximate
Ranging	Auto and fixed ranging available
Damage Levels at RF Port	+30 dBm, ±20 V DC +34 dBm peak < 10 μs pulse and 10 % duty cycle; minimum

Response

Signal Channel Rise Time	8 μs characteristic
Sampling Rate	140 kS/s

VSWR

VSWR, max (≤150 MHz)	1.17:1
VSWR, max (>150 MHz to 2 GHz)	1.12:1
VSWR, max (>2 GHz to 12.4 GHz)	1.22:1
VSWR, max (>12.4 GHz to 18 GHz)	1.25:1

Trigger

Source	Bus, Continuous, Internal, External Bus trigger is not available in PowerXpert application
Arm Type (for Internal/External)	Auto, Single, Multiple, Standby

Internal Trigger

Dynamic Range	–35 dBm to +20 dBm
Level Accuracy	±0.5 dB characteristic
Slope	Positive or Negative
Delay Range	–5 ms to +10 s
Delay Resolution	10 μs
Hysteresis	0 to 10 dB, with 0.1 dB resolution
Trigger Hold Off	0 to 10 sec, with 0.01 ms resolution

External Trigger

External Trigger Input	MCX (female), 5.5 V maximum
Impedance	4 kΩ nominal
Type	TTL/CMOS
Slope	Positive or Negative
Delay Range	–5 ms to +10 s
Delay Resolution	10 μs
High Level Input Voltage	2.3 V min, 3.0 V max
Low Level Input Voltage	1.3 V min, 1.6 V max
Latency	7.1 μs max Latency is defined as the time delay between the defined edge of the applied trigger and the sensor switching into the triggered state
Trigger Pulse Width	20 ns min
Trigger Repetition Period	7.1 μs min
Trigger Hold Off	0 s to 10 s with 0.01 ms resolution

Measurement Uncertainty – Average Power (dB), 0 °C to 50 °C

–60 to <–16 dBm	≤0.05 GHz: 0.14; >0.05 to 2 GHz: 0.14; >2 to 12.4 GHz: 0.14; >12.4 to 18 GHz: 0.17 Two sigma confidence level, CW measurement after zero operation. Includes calibration factor and linearity over temperature uncertainties, but not mismatch, zero set and drift, or noise
–16 to <+4 dBm	≤0.05 GHz: 0.14; >0.05 to 2 GHz: 0.14; >2 to 12.4 GHz: 0.13; >12.4 to 18 GHz: 0.13 Two sigma confidence level, CW measurement after zero operation
+4 to +20 dBm	≤0.05 GHz: 0.14; >0.05 to 2 GHz: 0.15; >2 to 12.4 GHz: 0.15; >12.4 to 18 GHz: 0.14 Two sigma confidence level, CW measurement after zero operation

Measurement Uncertainty – Average Power (dB), 20 °C to 30 °C

–60 to <–16 dBm	≤0.05 GHz: 0.13; >0.05 to 2 GHz: 0.12; >2 to 12.4 GHz: 0.14; >12.4 to 18 GHz: 0.14 Two sigma confidence level, CW measurement after zero operation
–16 to <+4 dBm	≤0.05 GHz: 0.11; >0.05 to 2 GHz: 0.10; >2 to 12.4 GHz: 0.13; >12.4 to 18 GHz: 0.11 Two sigma confidence level, CW measurement after zero operation
+4 to +20 dBm	≤0.05 GHz: 0.11; >0.05 to 2 GHz: 0.10; >2 to 12.4 GHz: 0.10; >12.4 to 18 GHz: 0.11 Two sigma confidence level, CW measurement after zero operation

Zero and Noise

Zero Set, –60 to <–16 dBm	3.32E-10 W (–64.78 dBm) Three sigma confidence level. One hour warm-up followed by a Zero operation; 256 averages, 40 ms aperture, temperature within ±1 °C
Zero Set, –16 to <+4 dBm	3.87E-08 W (–44.12 dBm) Three sigma confidence level
Zero Set, +4 to +20 dBm	1.07E-06 W (–29.70 dBm) Three sigma confidence level
Zero Drift, –60 to <–16 dBm	3.44E-10 W (–64.64 dBm) Two sigma value of the reported power over one hour
Zero Drift, –16 to <+4 dBm	4.29E-08 W (–43.67 dBm) Two sigma value of the reported power over one hour
Zero Drift, +4 to +20 dBm	9.96E-07 W (–30.02 dBm) Two sigma value of the reported power over one hour
Noise, –60 to <–16 dBm	1.23E-10 W Two sigma noise at 10.2 seconds of integration time; noise uncertainty expressed with three sigma confidence level
Noise, –16 to <+4 dBm	1.01E-08 W Two sigma noise at 10.2 seconds of integration time
Noise, +4 to +20 dBm	8.56E-07 W Two sigma noise at 10.2 seconds of integration time
Effect of Digital Modulation, –60 to <–16 dBm	–0.048 to 0.080 dB Measurement error with reference to a CW signal of equal power and frequency between 20 °C to 30 °C in Normal mode and average power ≤+20 dBm
Effect of Digital Modulation, –16 to <+4 dBm	–0.038 to 0.088 dB Measurement error with reference to a CW signal of equal power and frequency between 20 °C to 30 °C
Effect of Digital Modulation, +4 to +20 dBm	–0.055 to 0.067 dB Measurement error with reference to a CW signal of equal power and frequency between 20 °C to 30 °C

System

Measurand	Average power
Measurement Resolution	0.01 dB max via PowerXpert, 0.001 dB max via remote command
Offset Correction	–100 dB to +150 dB Available only through the PowerXpert application; no remote command in the sensor firmware
Averaging	Auto, Manual
Averaging Type	Moving, Repeat
Number of Averages (Manual)	1 to 65,536 Maximum in Continuous Average and Timeslot modes is 65,536; in Scope mode the maximum equals 16,777,216 divided by the number of data points
Auto Average Resolution	1 dB, 0.1 dB, 0.01 dB Averaging resolution of 0.001 dB is not available with the PowerXpert application
Auto Average Source	Timeslot Number: 1 to 128; Scope Data Point Number: 1 to 16,384

Continuous Average Mode

Duty Cycle Correction	0.01 % to 100 %
Aperture Time	0.01 ms to 1 s
Measurement Speed, Continuous	>1,600 readings/s Minimum aperture, one average. Speed may vary depending on the speed of and load on the CPU controlling the sensor
Measurement Speed, Buffered	>11,000 readings/s Minimum aperture, one average
Buffer Size	8192

Scope Mode

Capture Time	0.01 ms to 1 s
Data Points	1 to 16,384
Resolution	0.01 ms max

Timeslot Mode

Maximum Number of Slots	128
Slot Width	0.01 ms to 100 ms
Maximum Capture Time	1000 ms slot width x number of slots
Resolution	0.01 ms max via remote command; 0.01 ms max via PowerXpert
Exclusion Periods	Start Exclusion: 0 ms to 10 ms; End Exclusion: 0 ms to 10 ms

List Mode

Number of Measurements	1 to 1000
Input Parameters	Frequency (GHz), aperture time (ms), averages

PowerXpert PC Requirements

Processor and RAM	Minimum: Equivalent to Intel Pentium III with 1 GB RAM or Intel Pentium IV with 512 MB RAM; Recommended: Equivalent to Intel Pentium IV with 1 GB RAM PowerXpert version 3.0 or greater
Operating System	Microsoft Windows 8, Windows 7, and Windows XP
Hard-Disk Free Space	100 MB minimum
Display Resolution	1024 × 768 minimum
Interface	USB 2.0 high speed

General

RF Connector	N male
Interface to Host	USB 2.0 high speed USB Micro-B port for connectivity to host (PC or Anritsu handheld instrument)
Current Consumption	410 mA to 450 mA characteristic (20 ºC to 30 ºC)
Size	110 mm x 46 mm x 25.6 mm excluding N connector and silicone protective covering
Weight	397 g (0.88 lb)
Warranty	1 year
Calibration Cycle	12 months Anritsu recommended calibration interval
Warm-Up Time	60 minutes

Environmental

Operating Temperature Range	0 ºC to 50 ºC Tests were performed per MIL-PRF-28800F (Class 3)
Storage Temperature Range	–40 ºC to +71 ºC
Relative Humidity (non-condensing)	45 % at 50 ºC; 75 % at 40 ºC; 95 % at 30 ºC
Altitude	4600 m operational max
Shock	30 g half-sine, 11 ms duration
Vibration	Sinusoidal: 5 Hz to 55 Hz, 3 g max; Random: 10 Hz to 500 Hz, 2.34 g rms; Power Spectral Density: 0.01 g²/Hz

Regulatory Compliance

European Union EMC	2014/30/EU, EN 61326:2013, CISPR 11/EN 55011, IEC/EN 61000-4-2/3/4/5/6/8/11
Low Voltage Directive	2014/35/EU
Safety	EN 61010-1:2010
RoHS Directive	2011/65/EU
Australia and New Zealand	RCM AS/NZS 4417:2012
South Korea	KCC-REM-A21-0004

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

Applications

General purpose RF and microwave power measurement
Aerospace and defense
Satellite communications
Wireless communications
Time-dependent power measurements (GSM, WiMAX, TD-SCDMA, LTE)
TDMA slot power measurement
Burst power measurement of periodic and non-periodic waveforms
CW, multi-tone and digitally modulated signal measurement
Field measurements with Anritsu handheld instruments

Included

10585-00021 Quick Start Guide
2000-1605-R 1.5 m BNC(m) to MCX(m) cable
2000-2010-R 1.83 m USB A to Micro-B cable

Options & Accessories

Option	Description
MA24218A-097	Option 97: ISO/IEC 17025 and ANSI/NCSL Z540-1 or ANSI/NCSLI Z540.3 calibration — Includes test report, uncertainty data, and accreditation symbol
MA24218A-098	Option 98: Standard calibration ISO/IEC 17025 and ANSI/NCSL Z540-1
MA24218A-099	Option 99: Premium calibration ISO/IEC 17025 and ANSI/NCSL Z540-1 — Includes test report and uncertainty data
01-200	Calibrated torque wrench for N connector
01-204	Calibrated torque wrench for K and V connectors
3-1010-123	Power attenuator, DC to 8.5 GHz, 30 dB, 50 W, 50 Ω, N(m) to N(f)
3-1010-124	Power attenuator, DC to 8.5 GHz, 40 dB, 100 W, 50 Ω, N(m) to N(f)
3-1010-122	Power attenuator, DC to 12.4 GHz, 20 dB, 5 W, 50 Ω, N(m) to N(f)
42N50-20	Power attenuator, DC to 18 GHz, 20 dB, 5 W, 50 Ω, N(m) to N(f)
42N50A-30	Power attenuator, DC to 18 GHz, 30 dB, 50 W, 50 Ω, N(m) to N(f)
41KB-3	Power attenuator, DC to 26.5 GHz, 3 dB, 50 Ω, K(m) to K(f)
41KB-6	Power attenuator, DC to 26.5 GHz, 6 dB, 50 Ω, K(m) to K(f)
41KB-10	Power attenuator, DC to 26.5 GHz, 10 dB, 50 Ω, K(m) to K(f)
41KB-20	Power attenuator, DC to 26.5 GHz, 20 dB, 50 Ω, K(m) to K(f)
43KB-3	Power attenuator, DC to 26.5 GHz, 3 dB, 50 Ω, K(m) to K(f)
43KB-6	Power attenuator, DC to 26.5 GHz, 6 dB, 50 Ω, K(m) to K(f)
43KB-10	Power attenuator, DC to 26.5 GHz, 10 dB, 50 Ω, K(m) to K(f)
43KB-20	Power attenuator, DC to 26.5 GHz, 20 dB, 50 Ω, K(m) to K(f)
510-90-R	Precision coaxial adapter, DC to 3.3 GHz, N(m) to 7/16 DIN(f)
510-91-R	Precision coaxial adapter, DC to 3.3 GHz, N(f) to 7/16 DIN(f)
510-92-R	Precision coaxial adapter, DC to 3.3 GHz, N(m) to 7/16 DIN(m)
510-93-R	Precision coaxial adapter, DC to 3.3 GHz, N(f) to 7/16 DIN(m)
33NFNF50B	Precision coaxial adapter, DC to 18 GHz, N(f) to N(f)
33NNF50B	Precision coaxial adapter, DC to 18 GHz, N(m) to N(f)
33NN50B	Precision coaxial adapter, DC to 18 GHz, N(m) to N(m)
34AN50	Precision coaxial adapter, DC to 18 GHz, GPC-7 to N(m)
34ANF50	Precision coaxial adapter, DC to 18 GHz, GPC-7 to N(f)
34NFK50	Precision coaxial adapter, DC to 18 GHz, N(f) to K(m)
34NFKF50	Precision coaxial adapter, DC to 18 GHz, N(m) to K(f)
34NK50	Precision coaxial adapter, DC to 18 GHz, N(m) to K(m)
34NKF50	Precision coaxial adapter, DC to 18 GHz, N(m) to K(f)
1091-26-R	Precision coaxial adapter, DC to 18 GHz, N(m) to SMA(m)
1091-27-R	Precision coaxial adapter, DC to 18 GHz, N(m) to SMA(f)
1091-80-R	Precision coaxial adapter, DC to 18 GHz, N(f) to SMA(m)
1091-81-R	Precision coaxial adapter, DC to 18 GHz, N(f) to SMA(f)