A Cost-Effective New Approach for mmWave Network Analysis: BFx Frequency Extension Base
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The BFx-02 is a purpose-built backend for mmWave frequency extenders that focuses only on the functions required for extender-based measurement. It provides RF stimulus and local oscillator drive to the extenders, then receives the resulting intermediate-frequency signals corresponding to the launched, reflected, and transmitted waves. These signals are digitized and processed to extract their complex relationships, with uncalibrated S-parameters computed directly from their ratios. By eliminating internal reflectometry and broadband RF measurement paths, the BFx-02 simplifies the architecture while delivering the functionality needed for accurate mmWave vector network analysis.
The rapid expansion of mmWave applications in 5G, automotive radar, satellite communications, and advanced materials testing is pushing conventional VNA architectures to their limits—driving up cost, complexity, and system footprint. Traditional frequency extension systems require a complete VNA with integrated reflectometers and receivers, even when used primarily to support extenders.
This webinar introduces CMT’s BFx architecture, a fundamentally different approach to extender-based measurements. Rather than a traditional VNA, BFx is a coherent microwave signal source and IF processing unit that operates with frequency extenders. By relocating reflectometry and frequency conversion into the extender, BFx eliminates internal directional bridges and receivers, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining measurement integrity.
Attendees will learn how BFx enables frequency-scalable mmWave systems in combination with various third-party extenders, supports parallel test configurations, and lowers cost per channel across semiconductor, antenna, and production test environments. This webinar will also include a live demo of a WR-15 bandpass filter measurement with Eravant extenders driven by BFx before a Q&A session with attendees.
Speaker:
Prakruthi Prasanna
Applications Engineer
Copper Mountain Technologies
Prakruthi Prasanna earned a Bachelor’s degree in Electronics and Communications Engineering from Visvesvaraya Technological University in 2017, followed by a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of South Florida in 2020. She has been with Copper Mountain Technologies since 2020 and currently serves as an Applications Engineer. In this role, she acts as a technical bridge between engineering, product development, and customers—translating application requirements into product specifications, supporting product validation, and ensuring successful deployment of vector network analyzers (VNAs).
