Anritsu 54100A Series Installation and operating instructions

54100A Series
Network Analyzers
Application Note
Using Frequency Multipliers to 110 GHz

2
INTRODUCTION
Anritsu’s 54100A Network Analyzers operate with
precision waveguide reflectometers available to 110 GHz.
This application note describes how to operate the user-
defined scaling, external leveling, and detector offset
features of the 54100A to make multiplied and frequency
offset measurements accurately.
Basic Setup
Figure 1 shows RF connections with the 54147A.
Option 16 provides +15 Vdc bias.
The multipliers are designed to operate with any 12.5 GHz
to 18.75 GHz source providing at least +5 dBm output power
and −60 dBc harmonics.
The low input harmonics are required to meet the multi-
plier’s output spurious harmonic specification of −55 dBc
(−60 dBc typical). Higher source harmonics, such as the
−20 dBc performance common to existing millimeter fre-
quency extensions, cause significant errors. For example
a −20 dBc spurious level has a maximum error of more
than ±2.0 dB measuring devices with more than 10 dB
return loss.
Figure 2 identifies return loss error magnitude due to source
harmonics. In transmission measurements, sub-harmonics
and crossing spurs from excessive input source harmonics
can make filter tuning impossible.
The 54100A Network Analyzers ulitize broadband detectors.
Accurate device characterization requires that harmonics and
spurious signals be significantly lower than power level of
the test’s fundamental frequency.
54100A SERIES
NETWORK ANALYZER
560-10BX-2
DETECTOR CABLE
TRANSMISSION
DETECTOR
RF IN
>+5 dBm
ANRITSU
REFLECTOMETER
MILLIMETER WAVE
5400-MMXXXX
TEST
PORT
A BR
(Option 16)
+15Vdc
DUT
-4.00
-3.00
-2.00
-1.00
0.00
1.00
2.00
3.00
4.00
10 dB 20 dB 30 dB 40 dB
0 dB
Possible Error (dB)
Source Harmonic
Level
-25 dB
-30 dB
-35 dB
-40 dB
-45 dB
-50 dB
-60 dB
-60 dB
-50 dB
-45 dB
-40 dB
-35 dB
-30 dB
-25 dB
Figure 1
Basic setup for multiplying the output
frequency of the 54100A
Figure 2
Return Loss accuracy due to source harmonics
Note
The 54100A detector offset function
provides excellent absolute power
measurement capability with the
waveguide detectors.The offset level
is determined using an Anritsu
ML2438A Power Meter.

3
2: RETN LOSS (B) 10.0 dB/DIV OFFSET 0.0 dB
1: OFF
Model: 54147A
CURSOR
2: -33.87 dB
96.8064 GHz
Average: 16
START: 85.0000 GHz USER STOP: 110.000 GHz
5 GHz/DIV
401pts LEVEL: +7.0 dBm
2
2: OFF
1: TRANSMSSN (A) 10.0 dB/DIV OFFSET 0.0 dB
Model: 54147A
CURSOR
2: -60.87 dB
85.5832 GHz
Average: 16
START: 85.0000 GHz USER STOP: 110.000 GHz
5 GHz/DIV
401pts LEVEL: +7.0 dBm
READOUT
1: -59.91 dBr
9.1946 GHz
1
2: OFF
1: TRANSMSSN (A) 10.0 dB/DIV OFFSET 0.0 dB
Model: 54147A
CURSOR
1: -60.52 dB
109.658 GHz
Average: 16
START: 90.0000 GHz USER STOP: 110.000 GHz
5 GHz/DIV
401pts LEVEL: +7.0 dBm
READOUT
1: -59.21 dBr
18.4433 GHz
1
2: RETN LOSS (B) 5.0 dB/DIV OFFSET 0.0 dB
1: TRANSMSSN (A) 10.0 dB/DIV 0FFSET 0.0 dB
Model: 54147A
CURSOR
1: -61.39 dB
2: -0.05 dB
85.4978 GHz
Average: 16
START: 85.0000 GHz USER STOP: 110.000 GHz
5 GHz/DIV
401pts LEVEL: +7.0 dBm
Average: 16
2
READOUT
1: -60.68 dBr
2: +26.40 dBr
10.7554 GHz
1
Figure 3
This return loss plot of a tunable load illustrates high
directivity and sensitivity of the measurement. No interference
from source match or source harmonic problems are evident.
Figure 4
Ultra low harmonics, sub harmonics, and spurious allow
excellent broad band measurement dynamic range and accuracy −
duplicating performance previously available only with receiver
based instruments such as Vector Network Analyzers.
Figure 5
The plot displays 60 dB dynamic range and good isolation at both
the detector and the reflectometer source − allowing the true filter
characteristic to be clearly visible.
Figure 6
Note that the transmission amplitude is slightly lower at the leading
part of this filter’s passband. The Reflectometer clearly shows poor
return loss in this region. If the Reflectometer had high harmonics
or poor source match, this undesirable characteristic would be
difficult to identify.

The input of the multiplier is equipped with isolation
and a gain stage driving the 4x (V-band 50-75 GHz) or
6x (W-band 75-110 GHz) multiplier diodes. The multiplier
design incorporates intermediate and post filter stages for
the low −60 dBc harmonic performance. The post filters
can be removed for higher output power or replaced with
through waveguide.
The post filter is followed by a waveguide isolator to
improve source match −a critical characteristic for testing
devices with return loss values between 0 and 10 dB. The
reflection and reference couplers provide 40 dB typical
directivity.
The novel package reduces a bench full of waveguide and
detector components into about nine inches. As a single
package, the multiplier is convenient and much more rugged
than previous test stands using discrete waveguide and
detector test components.
Frequency Scaling
The User Scaling menu is accessed through the
Applications menu under the SYSTEM MENU front panel
key. The new selection automatically adjusts the horizontal
frequency axis, cursors, and marker displays.
External Leveling
Figure 7 shows how leveled output power at the multiplied
frequency may be achieved using the optional external
leveling. Two low VSWR, 3 dB attenuators are used to
improve test accuracy when measuring low insertion
loss devices.
1. Select the 54100A output power to 7.0 dBm
2. Press the EXTERNAL LEVELING front panel key, then
3. Press SELECT to activate the automatic level calibration
function. (See the 54100A operation manual for more
information on the automatic level calibration function.)
The CRT display should indicate LEVELING PASSED, and
the UNLEVELED light on the front panel should not blink
as the frequency is swept. If the automatic scaling is unable
to level the multiplier output, try another 54100A output
power setting and repeat steps 2 and 3.
54100A SERIES
NETWORK ANALYZER
560-10BX-2
DETECTOR CABLE
+15Vdc
TRANSMISSION
DETECTOR
3 dB
ATTN
RF IN
>+5 dBm
ANRITSU
REFLECTOMETER
MILLIMETER WAVE
5400-MMXXXX
TEST
PORT
3 dB
ATTN
(OPT.)
ABR
EXT LEVELING
(Rear Panel)
DUT
Figure 7
Setup for leveling the output from the 54100A
NOTE
The optional external leveling feature
improves power flatness at the
multiplier output or at the output
of active devices.
NOTE
Cursors may be set to automatically
search for key device characteristics,
such as 3 dB Bandwidth.
March 1998; Rev: B 11410-00169
Data subject to change without notice AN54100A-3 /GIP-E
Sales Centers:
US (800) ANRITSU
Canada (800) ANRITSU
South America 55 (21) 286-9141
Sales Centers:
Europe 44 (01582) 433200
Japan 81 (03) 3446-1111
Asia-Pacific 65-2822400
Microwave Measurements Division •490 Jarvis Drive •Morgan Hill, CA 95037-2809
http://www.global.anritsu.com • FAX [phone]