Test & Measurement: Spectrum Analyzer Options Extend Performance To 325 GHz

Nov. 24, 2003

External mixers that extend frequency range from 50 to 325 GHz are the key to option AYZ for the E4440A/46A/48A PSA spectrum analyzers. The option includes software to maintain the PSA units' performance. It takes advantage of the company's mixers (the 110-GHz 1197 and the 75-GHz 11974) to extend coverage to 110 GHz, as well as third-party mixers for coverage up to 325 GHz. Whichever mixer is chosen, the analyzer identifies signals by either image shifting or image suppression. The option allows bias to be adjusted locally or over the IEEE-488 bus. The option and upgrade kits each cost $2000.

Agilent Technologies Inc.www.agilent.com; (800) 452-4844, ext. 7846

About the Author

Roger Allan

Roger Allan is an electronics journalism veteran, and served as Electronic Design's Executive Editor for 15 of those years. He has covered just about every technology beat from semiconductors, components, packaging and power devices, to communications, test and measurement, automotive electronics, robotics, medical electronics, military electronics, robotics, and industrial electronics. His specialties include MEMS and nanoelectronics technologies. He is a contributor to the McGraw Hill Annual Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. He is also a Life Senior Member of the IEEE and holds a BSEE from New York University's School of Engineering and Science. Roger has worked for major electronics magazines besides Electronic Design, including the IEEE Spectrum, Electronics, EDN, Electronic Products, and the British New Scientist. He also has working experience in the electronics industry as a design engineer in filters, power supplies and control systems.

After his retirement from Electronic Design Magazine, He has been extensively contributing articles for Penton’s Electronic Design, Power Electronics Technology, Energy Efficiency and Technology (EE&T) and Microwaves RF Magazine, covering all of the aforementioned electronics segments as well as energy efficiency, harvesting and related technologies. He has also contributed articles to other electronics technology magazines worldwide.

He is a “jack of all trades and a master in leading-edge technologies” like MEMS, nanolectronics, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, military electronics, biometrics, implantable medical devices, and energy harvesting and related technologies.