Pasternack Blog

Outside of coaxial and waveguide interconnect, there are two other main methods of interacting with DUT during RF/microwave/millimeter-wave testing. These methods include surface probes that connect to component leads or microstrip pads, and antennas design for test purposes. Test probes and antennas are used for very different types of testing, but both are crucial in ..

Network parameters are mathematical tools used to describe the behavior of linear and non-linear networks, specifically electrical networks based on steady state stimulus. These parameters are heavily used with RF/microwave engineering and electronics that work with high frequency signals. At higher frequencies network parameters, such as S-parameters are often viewed as more useful methods of ..

As there is an increasingly diverse range of wireless, RF, high-speed data, research, and sensing applications that involve the transmission, reception, and manipulation of RF signals, there is also a growing diversity of coaxial cable assemblies. One of the most significant uses of coaxial cable assemblies are in test and measurement and within high precision ..

RF calibration kits are a key tool in ensuring that Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) and other RF instruments provide accurate measurements to the testing plane of the device. Due to the intrinsic addition of phase and impedance variation over RF test equipment interconnect, measurements from a VNA made without calibration will include the S-parameter and ..

Electromagnetic Compliance (EMC) and Precompliance Testing are methods of ensuring that electronic devices don’t overly emit unwanted electromagnetic (EM) radiation or electrical fields and are adequately immune to external EM radiation or electrical fields. There are specific EMC standard that Countries and regions require to be passed before products can be legally sold in those ..

An essential method of testing communications and radar equipment is the use of Over-the-air (OTA) testing. OTA testing is performed on antenna, user equipment, base station equipment, satellite communication, ground station, radios, and radar for virtually all applications. Though extensive characterization testing and quality testing can be performed in a compact and automated testing rigs ..

RF designers and engineers spend a significant amount of design and effort dealing with noise in RF systems. So, it surprises some that there is a whole branch of RF test equipment that’s sole purpose is to generate noise. Noise sources are a key piece of test equipment, as well as being integral parts of ..

Matrix Switches, or Switch Matrices, are devices that enable the routing of RF signals through selectable paths. These devices can be as simple as single-input with two selectable outputs or as complex as having tens of inputs and outputs that can all be interested as needed. Switch Matrices are often used in test equipment setups ..

An RF Signal Generator is another keystone piece of RF test and measurement equipment, alongside spectrum analyzers and network analyzers. The purpose of signal generators is to create RF signals at varying power levels, frequencies, and in the case of vector signal generators, with various phase and waveform characteristics. RF signal generators are used in ..

Network Analyzers, and Vector Network Analyzers (VNAs), are one of the cornerstone RF test instruments, and virtually every test center or lab usually employs some type of VNA. These test instruments are able to send electromagnetic energy into a component, device, antenna, assembly, etc. and accurately measure the power transmitted and reflected through the device-under-test ..