RF analyser

Agilent Technologies has introduced the FieldFox handheld RF analyser. The backlight display and connector bay ensure that the connections are protected.

The analyser provides the measurement functionality for radio technicians.

Key measurements include: cable and antenna test from 2 MHz to 4/6 GHz; spectrum analysis from 100 kHz to 4/6 GHz; true average power measurements; return-loss and distance-to-fault measurements at the same time; filter and TMA measurements; interference analysis; transmit signal quality measurements.

The instrument can be used to test antennas, cables, filters and amplifiers for making return loss, VSWR, insertion loss/transmission, one-port cable loss and DTF measurements.

Both return loss and DTF measurements can be made at the same time, which allows troubleshooting the entire transmission line in a single sweep.‘QuickCal’ allows the user to calibrate the cable/antenna tester without having to carry a calibration kit into the field.

This eliminates the problem of users losing or damaging mechanical calibration components in the field and performing time-consuming manual calibrations.

The built-in spectrum analyser provides a fast spectrum scan to detect interference and RF burst capture to measure intermittent signals. The dynamic range is about 100 dB with -150 dBm sensitivity.

An optional network analyser provides standard VNA measurements such as S11, magnitude and phase, S21 magnitude and Smith chart display.

This is the first time the company has incorporated VNA measurements into a handheld device for field use.

The instrument can connect with the U2000 series USB power sensor to make RF/microwave power measurements up to 24 GHz. It provides true-average power measurements with high dynamic range from -60 dBm to +20 dBm (sensor dependent).

A transmission and reflection option can be calibrated across a particular frequency band and up to 1000 resolution points made for fast and accurate 2-port filter measurements.