Pasternack Blog

An Oscilloscope is an essential piece of electrical test equipment, but has a somewhat limited use with RF circuits and systems compared to digital and analog circuits. In many cases an RF engineer will default to using a spectrum analyzer for frequency domain measurements and a network analyzer to measure component behavior. An oscilloscope is ..

RF anechoic chambers are used throughout the industry for prototyping testing and conformance testing. The purpose of an anechoic chamber is to provide both electromagnetic isolation from external sources as well as from internal RF radiation generators. Other types of testing that require complete RF isolation also depend on anechoic chambers, including radar cross section ..

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 ..

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 ..

Controlling the phase of RF/microwave signals is an essential aspect of most modern communications, radar, and testing applications. Phase adjustments can be used to create a variety of effects, including combining, subtracting, and aligning signals, as well as part of phased-array antenna technology. Moreover, phase variations in a radar response can be used to distinguish important ..

RF/microwave power sensors/meters, or wattmeters, are one of the simplest and most commonly used test instruments for diagnostics and repair of radio systems. These devices essentially extract a portion of the energy from an RF device or antenna, and using calibrated and traceable standards, present a power reading. RF Power sensors/meters are often used in ..