Vector Reflectometer’s Compact Size Brings Connectivity Advantages

July 17, 2014

Copper Mountain’s Planar R54 vector reflectometer, demonstrated by MW&RF Technology Editor Jean-Jacques DeLisle at IMS 2014, measures 117 by 39 by 19 mm and weighs 8.8 oz.

Sarah Mangiola,

Jean-Jacques DeLisle

Copper Mountain’s Planar R54 vector reflectometer, demonstrated by MW&RF Technology Editor Jean-Jacques DeLisle at IMS 2014, measures 117 by 39 by 19 mm and weighs 8.8 oz. As a result, it can hook onto an antenna’s coaxial feed, probing the antenna directly. The reflectometer also features USB interconnectivity—USB 2.0 connectors can be connected from the reflectometer to any computer platform that supports the software. On top of that, the instrument can interface with a ruggedized computer and connect directly to the test device port, eschewing the need for a test cable and enabling calibration directly at the port.

Mwrf Com Sites Mwrf com Files Uploads 2014 07 R54 Vector Reflectometer

Example of R54 measurements (Courtesy of Copper Mountain Technologies)

The reflectometer is designed for S₁₁ parameter measurements. It outputs high-accuracy measurements for magnitude and phase in frequencies ranging between 85 MHz and 5.4 GHz. Measurement time per point is 200 µs, with up to 10,001 measurement points per sweep. Frequency-setting resolution is 10 Hz.

About the Author

Sarah Mangiola

Sarah Mangiola has written on many different topics within Penton's Design, Engineering, and Sourcing Group. Originally from California, she graduated from the University of California, Davis with a B.A. in political science.

About the Author

Jean-Jacques DeLisle

Jean-Jacques graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he completed his Master of Science in Electrical Engineering. In his studies, Jean-Jacques focused on Control Systems Design, Mixed-Signal IC Design, and RF Design. His research focus was in smart-sensor platform design for RF connector applications for the telecommunications industry. During his research, Jean-Jacques developed a passion for the field of RF/microwaves and expanded his knowledge by doing R&D for the telecommunications industry.