Modular 1-Port VNAs Verify 5G Device Performance

Jan. 31, 2020

Modular USB VNAs bring cost and operational efficiencies in verifying 1-port 5G devices operating in sub-6-GHz and mmWave bands.

David Maliniak

Related To: Microwaves & RF

The ShockLine MS46131A USB vector network analyzer (VNA) from Anritsu is touted as the industry’s first modular 1-port VNA supporting measurement frequencies up to 43.5 GHz. With 8- and 20-GHz models also available in the series, the MS46131A brings cost and efficiency advantages to measuring antennas and other 1-port 5G devices at sub-6-GHz, as well as in the 28- and 39-GHz millimeter-wave (mmWave) bands.

Very lightweight and compact, the MS46131A can be directly connected to the device under test (DUT), eliminating the need for interconnect cables. The result is reduced test costs and improved measurement stability.

The MS46131A is a modular VNA that can be configured for each user session on a port-by-port basis. A single PC is able to control up to two 1-port instruments for convenient dual-site testing. Units can be easily moved between test setups, depending on the required port count. Production uptime is also enhanced—1-port VNAs are easily replaceable, if needed, to keep test stations operational.

Beyond the USB connection to the external control PC running ShockLine software, the MS46131A also requires a 12-V power supply. An advantage of the external PC is that it makes test data more secure, as all measurement results are stored on the PC rather than on the VNA. The MS46131A is well-suited for confidential testing environments due to this level of security. Analysis and documentation are simplified, too, because there’s no need to transfer data off the onboard instrument memory.

Anritsu, https://www.anritsu.com/en-us/test-measurement/products/ms46131a

About the Author

David Maliniak | Executive Editor, Microwaves & RF

I am Executive Editor of Microwaves & RF, an all-digital publication that broadly covers all aspects of wireless communications. More particularly, we're keeping a close eye on technologies in the consumer-oriented 5G, 6G, IoT, M2M, and V2X markets, in which much of the wireless market's growth will occur in this decade and beyond. I work with a great team of editors to provide engineers, developers, and technical managers with interesting and useful articles and videos on a regular basis. Check out our free newsletters to see the latest content.

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About me:

In his long career in the B2B electronics-industry media, David Maliniak has held editorial roles as both generalist and specialist. As Components Editor and, later, as Editor in Chief of EE Product News, David gained breadth of experience in covering the industry at large. In serving as EDA/Test and Measurement Technology Editor at Electronic Design, he developed deep insight into those complex areas of technology. Most recently, David worked in technical marketing communications at Teledyne LeCroy, leaving to rejoin the EOEM B2B publishing world in January 2020. David earned a B.A. in journalism at New York University.