Giga-tronics 8542C Dual Channel Universal Power Meter

The Giga-tronics 8542C Dual Channel Universal Power Meter combines accuracy, speed, range and measurement capability.

Built-in features such as power sweep calibration and frequency calibration factors provide an unequaled degree of measurement accuracy. The 8540C Series Power Meters have the speed and range to meet the throughput demands of high-volume manufacturing. And the meters can measure the CW, peak and true average power of the complex modulated signals used in EW, radar and communication systems.

The Giga-tronics 8540C Series Universal Power Meters combine accuracy, speed, range and measurement capabilities unavailable from any other power meter. Built-in features such as power sweep calibration and frequency calibration provide an unequalled degree of measurement accuracy. Only the 8540C Series power meters have the speed and range to meet the throughput demands of high volume manufacturing. And the meters can measure the CW, peak and true average power of the complex modulated signals used in EW, radar, and communications systems.

TESTING COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS
Only the Giga-tronics 8540C Series Universal Power Meters have the extensive measurement capabilities required for today’s sophisticated communications applications.

TDMA
The 8540C can automatically measure the average power of pulse modulated signals or pulse signals that are amplitude modulated during the pulse ‘on’ period — such as TDMA (time division multiple access) signals. And the exclusive burst start exclude and burst end exclude capabilities of the 8540C allow you to exclude the beginning or end of a burst when measuring the average burst power. Masking the beginning or end of a burst signal, in order to exclude overshoot or other distortions, can be desirable or even required for certain types of measurements.

GSM, NADC AND PDC
The exclusive Time Gating feature of the 8540C lets you program a measurement start time and duration to measure the average power during a specific time slot of a burst signal. This is critical for accurately measuring the average power of GSM, NADC and other formats that must control the power trajectory during a specified portion of the burst.

PHS
PHS (as well as DECT and CT-2) systems use a variation of the TDMA format. Instead of using different frequency channels for the forward and reverse link, these systems use a Time Domain Duplex (TDD) method at the same frequency. The Time Gating feature of the 8540C can be used in all of the average power measurement modes to accurately measure the average power of the multiplexed time slots.

CDMA
The 8540C has the speed, accuracy and range to accurately measure the power level of CDMA (code division multiple access) signals for open-loop and closed-loop testing. The wide dynamic range of the 8540C is ideal for openloop tests, which can require power verification over an 80 dB range. Because the 8540C can achieve fast measurement speeds over the GPIB bus, you can quickly measure power in1dB steps over the 48 dB range required for closed-loop tests. And no power meter is as accurate as the 8540C over the wide dynamic range needed for CDMA testing.

SPEED TO BURN
Fast responding diode sensors plus innovative digital signal processing deliver highspeed measurements. Achieve 500 readings per second over GPIB. Or use our exclusive fast buffered mode to further reduce processor overhead and capture up to 4,000 readings per second in CW mode. The 8540C also responds much faster to power level changes than meters using thermocouple sensors. This adds up to a huge reduction in test time and a significant increase in manufacturing throughput.

PEAK POWER MEASUREMENT
You can also measure the instantaneous peak power level of a pulse modulated signal just by changing sensors. Use the ‘sample delay’ function of the 8540C to set the desired measurement point on the waveform. An external oscilloscope can be used to view the pulse profile and corresponding measurement point. The extensive measurement capability of the 8540C is a result of the advanced meter architecture combined with a family of interchangeable sensors. The sensors provide different power measurement functions — CW, peak and modulated — over a wide dynamic range at fast measurement speeds. 

ACCURACY OVER A 90 dB RANGE
Giga-tronics has solved the challenge that previously limited the use of diode sensors to below –20 dBm — the ‘square law’ region — by utilizing a built-in power sweep calibration system. The power sweep calibrator uses a 50 MHz amplitude controlled oscillator to step from –30 to +20 dBm in 1 dB increments. Each step is set using an internal thermistor — the standard for accuracy and traceability. You get thermistor accuracy, plus diode speed and dynamic range, for measuring signals accurately over a full 90 dB power range.

THE FASTEST CW MEASUREMENTS
Giga-tronics 80300A Series CW Power Sensors let you measure CW power from10 MHz to 40 GHz at speeds up to 500 readings per second over GPIB. Measure up to 90 dB with a single sensor, and select from a variety of high power sensors, up to 50 W.

PEAK POWER MEASUREMENTS
Attach a Giga-tronics 80350A Series Peak Power Sensor to an 8540C meter and directly measure the instantaneous peak power level of a pulse modulated signal. Use the ‘sample delay’ function to set the desired measurement point on the waveform. An external scope can be used to view the profile and see the exact measurement point on the pulse.

TRUE AVERAGE POWER MEASUREMENTS
The Giga-tronics 80400A Series Modulated Power Sensors let you measure the true average power of amplitude modulated, burst modulated and other complex modulated signals — such as TDMA signals — at modulation bandwidths up to 40 kHz. When greater bandwidth is needed — for formats such as CDMA and PHS — Giga-tronics 80600A Series Modulated Power Sensors provide bandwidth up to 1.5 MHz to measure the true average power of complex modulated signals. Giga-tronics 80400A and 80600A Series Modulated Power Sensors can accurately and directly measure signals over a dynamic range up to 87 dB and at power levels up to 50 W.

BUILT-IN FREQUENCY RESPONSE CALIBRATION
Configuring the power meter for measurements is easy with calibration factors programmed into the sensor. When the measurement frequency is entered, the meter automatically applies the correct calibration factor from the sensor EEPROM. And the meter automatically reads a new set of cal factors whenever a sensor is changed. This avoids the chance of measurement error from using invalid calibration factors when you change sensors, or from forgetting to enter new calibration factors. You not only avoid measurement errors; you also save yourself test time.

Standard Accessories Included