8/9/2019 RF Measurement Basics

1/26

RF Measurement Basics

bsw AG

andhilpert Electronic AG

present

RF Basics

presenter: Elmar Neumann

8/9/2019 RF Measurement Basics

2/26

RF Measurement Basics

Short Introduction of the bsw AG

-Founded 1996 as a System Solution Provider for RF Measurements in R&D

also in DC Parametric Test

8/9/2019 RF Measurement Basics

3/26

RF Measurement Basics

Short Introduction of the bsw AG

-Founded 1996 as a System Solution Provider for RF Measurements in R&D

also in DC Parametric Test

-Distribution Partner of Maury Microwave for Device Characterization inSwitzerland, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden

-Distribution Partner of W.L. Gore RF Cables

8/9/2019 RF Measurement Basics

4/26

RF Measurement Basics

Short Introduction of the bsw AG

-Additional business field: Signal Integrity Measurements with a Network Analyzer(

Physical Layer Test System)

8/9/2019 RF Measurement Basics

5/26

RF Measurement Basics

Short Introduction of the bsw AG

-Since 2009 together with lxinstruments as a family member

8/9/2019 RF Measurement Basics

6/26

RF Measurement Basics

Short Introduction of the bsw AG

-Founded 1996 as a System Solution Provider for RF Measurements in R&D

also in DC Parametric Test

-Distribution Partner of Maury Microwave for Device Characterization inSwitzerland, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Denmark and Sweden

-We are Specialist in all Questions about Noise Parameter Measuremts, on WaferMeasurements and Load Pull Measurements and DC Parametric Test

-Additional business field: Signal Integrity Measurements with a Network Analyzer(Physical Layer Test System)

-Since 2009 together with lxinstruments as a family member

8/9/2019 RF Measurement Basics

7/26

RF Measurement Basics

• The Definition of RF

• 50Ohm World, Smith Chart

• Rf Bands and their Connectors

• Cables and Cable Characteristics

• RF Measurement Instruments

• Power Meter

• Spectrum Analyzer

• Network Analyzer

What we will see…

8/9/2019 RF Measurement Basics

8/26

RF Measurement BasicsRF Measurement Basics

The Definition of RF

• There is no clear Definition for RF

• RF is standing for Radio Frequency

• Typicall all above what the human can hear(all above 20kHz)

• No upper Limit, als mm-Wave Masurements are RF Measurements

• Wherever the Wavelength is shorter then the Components there is RF

8/9/2019 RF Measurement Basics

9/26

RF Measurement BasicsRF Measurement Basics

50Ohm World

To get no reflection it was necessary to create a standard for all

components, cables,lines etc.

And why 50Ohms?

8/9/2019 RF Measurement Basics

10/26

RF Measurement Basics

50Ohm World

If there is no real 50Ohm, we will get a reflection:

Gamma is the Reflection Coefficient and is defined as:

Vi

Vr =Γ 

Vr … reflected Voltage

Vi … incident Voltage

1

1

0

0

+

−

=Γ 

 Z 

 Z 

 Z 

 Z 

l

l Zl … load Impedance

Z0 …system Impedance

8/9/2019 RF Measurement Basics

11/26

RF Measurement Basics

The Smith Chart

R

+jX

-jX

0 1   8

+j

-j

+j1

-j1

1 2 3

1

1

8/9/2019 RF Measurement Basics

12/26

RF Measurement Basics

S-Parameter

They describe the electrical function of a network in linear small signal funktion

8/9/2019 RF Measurement Basics

13/26

RF Measurement Basics

Rf Bands and their Connectors

The RF Frequency Range is divided in different Bands

Often there are Connectors and Cables corresponding to one band

Some Bands have in different countries different names

Here the actual bands within europe and the corresponding US Bands:

WVK/QKKXXCSLLPI;GUSA

MLKJIHGFEDCBAEurope

0,30,50,751,5357,5153060120Wavelgth

[cm]

10060402010864321,00,50,25Freq

Up to [GHz]

8/9/2019 RF Measurement Basics

14/26

RF Measurement Basics

Rf Bands and their Connectors

Here is a list of the most common Connectors and their typical specifications:

BNC Connector

- up to 4GHz

- PTFE as Dielectricum

7/16 Connector

- up to 7,5GHz

- PTFE as Dielectricum

8/9/2019 RF Measurement Basics

15/26

RF Measurement Basics

Rf Bands and their Connectors

Here is a list of the most common Connectors and their typical specifications:

N Connector

- up to 11GHz(normal)

- up to 18GHz(precision)

- PTFE as Dielectricum

7mm or APC-7 Connector

- up to 18GHz

- sexless

- PTFE as Dielectricum

8/9/2019 RF Measurement Basics

16/26

RF Measurement Basics

Rf Bands and their Connectors

Here is a list of the most common Connectors and their typical specifications:

SMA Connector

- up to 18GHz(normal)

- PTFE as Dielectricum

3,5mm or APC-3,5 Connector

- up to 26,5GHz

- Air as Dielectricum

8/9/2019 RF Measurement Basics

17/26

RF Measurement Basics

Rf Bands and their Connectors

Here is a list of the most common Connectors and their typical specifications:

2,92mm or K Connector

- up to 40GHz(normal)

- Air as Dielectricum

2,4mm Connector

- up to 50GHz

- Air as Dielectricum

1,85mm(V) Connector

- up to 60GHz

- Air as Dielectricum

1,0mm(W) Connector

- up to 60GHz

- Air as Dielectricum

8/9/2019 RF Measurement Basics

18/26

RF Measurement Basics

Cables and Cable Characteristics

RF Cables are much more then just a cable…

Every cable is like a transmission line

There are some „key“ specifications in RF Cables…

-Frequency Range

-Loss over the cable

-Phase and Amplitude Stability

8/9/2019 RF Measurement Basics

19/26

RF Measurement Basics

Cables and Cable Characteristics

Cables….

don‘t bend

once applied, leave them

Be careful with the connectors

8/9/2019 RF Measurement Basics

20/26

RF Measurement Basics

Cables and Cable Characteristics

8/9/2019 RF Measurement Basics

21/26

RF Measurement Basics

Rf Measurement Instruments

Power Meter Measure the emited power with asensor.

Works like a Voltmeter in the DC World

Broadband There are power meters withexternal heads, or USB Power MeterHeads for use with any PC.

8/9/2019 RF Measurement Basics

22/26

RF Measurement Basics

Rf Measurement Instruments

SpectrumAnalyzer

Show the Power over the Frequency

Works like a Oscilloscop in the DC

World

The resolution bw is tunable

8/9/2019 RF Measurement Basics

23/26

RF Measurement Basics

Rf Measurement Instruments

NetworkAnalyzer

Skalar and Vektor Networkanalyzers

Measure S-Parameters

Typical 2 and 4 Port

8/9/2019 RF Measurement Basics

24/26

RF Measurement Basics

8/9/2019 RF Measurement Basics

25/26

RF Measurement Basics

RF M B i

8/9/2019 RF Measurement Basics

26/26

RF Measurement Basics