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USB Sensor Reads Power To 6 GHz

April 1, 2010

Model PWR-6GHS+ from Mini-Circuits is a USB Smart Power Sensor that connects to a personal computer by means of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, using the computer's processing power to perform power measurements from 1 to 6000 MHz. The power sensor, which replaces more expensive power meter/sensor combinations, features a 50-dB measurement range, from -30 to +20 dBm, and typical measurement uncertainty of 0.15 dB from -30 to +12 dBm over the full frequency range when measuring CW signals. The power sensor doesn't require a reference signal for calibration and is temperature compensated for enhanced accuracy. The 50-Ohm measurement tool exhibits typical VSWR of 1.10:1 and typical measurement speed of 30 ms. The RoHS-compliant sensor is supplied with Windows/Linux-compatible measurement and data-analysis software and a Type-N-to-SMA-male adapter.

About the Author

Jack Browne | Technical Contributor

Jack Browne, Technical Contributor, has worked in technical publishing for over 30 years. He managed the content and production of three technical journals while at the American Institute of Physics, including Medical Physics and the Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology. He has been a Publisher and Editor for Penton Media, started the firm’s Wireless Symposium & Exhibition trade show in 1993, and currently serves as Technical Contributor for that company's Microwaves & RF magazine. Browne, who holds a BS in Mathematics from City College of New York and BA degrees in English and Philosophy from Fordham University, is a member of the IEEE.