Anritsu Company Introduces 2- and 4-port Performance VNAs that Combine Best-in-Class Performance with Affordability

Anritsu Company expands its ShockLine family of affordable vector network analyzers (VNAs) with the introduction of the Performance ShockLine MS46500B series. Delivering an unprecedented level of value and performance, including best-in-class dynamic range and maximum output power, the new MS46500B series lowers cost-of-test and speeds time to market in numerous testing applications up to 8.5 GHz, including designing and manufacturing mobile network equipment, mobile devices, automotive cables, high-speed data interconnects and system integration components.

The MS46500B series is comprised of the 2-port MS46522B and 4-port MS46524B models, and expands the ShockLine family to a broader spectrum of RF test applications. Each instrument features an independent source per VNA port, and all the sources can sweep at the same time for measurement of forward and reverse s-parameters simultaneously. This unique Simultaneous Sweep feature allows 2-port measurements to be conducted twice as fast and 4-port measurements 4x as fast. With shorter test times, the MS46500B series significantly improves throughput in manufacturing environments.

With its industry best dynamic range, low trace noise, and fast sweep speed, the MS46500B series addresses the S-parameter and time-domain measurement requirements of a complete range of passive device applications. Faster frequency and time domain measurements can be achieved with a time domain with time gating option. In this configuration, the 4-port MS46524B VNA can conduct single-ended, mixed-mode, and Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) measurements on multiport and differential devices.

The MS46500B series is housed in a 3U high chassis to fit in conventional rack systems and the VNAs short depth allows more bench space for cabling and the DUT. The MS46500B VNAs use industry standard LAN communications for robust remote control in production test environments.

ShockLine software also provides a powerful graphical user interface (GUI) for manual test and engineering use. When attached to a user-supplied touchscreen monitor, the full-featured GUI provides comprehensive capabilities, including network extraction, embedding/de-embedding networks, and time domain with time gating. Developing and troubleshooting test programs are made easier, due to advanced marker and limit lines features.

In addition to the MS46500B series, the ShockLine family consists of the MS46121A 1-port USB VNAs, MS46122A 2-port USB VNAs, and MS46322A Economy ShockLine VNAs. ShockLine VNAs eliminate the need to buy expensive instruments for simple S-parameter measurements, and employ multiple architectures that reduce manufacturing costs, enhance calibration stability and minimize measurement uncertainty.