This new option allows scalar measurements between MS46121A vector network analyzers in one-to-one (1-to-1) or one-to-many (1-to-many) configurations, thus creating a flexible and economical method for carrying out magnitude-only transmission measurements, and in a wide variety of applications, such as manufacturing testing and education.
Offering 1-to-1 and 1-to-an configurations on the MS46121A vector network analyzers provides a robust method for performing parallel and multiport testing of test devices across four channels. In a 1-to-1 configuration, up to two scalar transmission measurements can be obtained in parallel using four channels. This configuration is particularly well-suited for cable testing, as it offers fast throughput for cable loss measurements.
The 1-an scalar measurement configuration allows one MS46121A to serve as a source connected to up to three MS46121A vector network analyzers acting as receivers. A key advantage is that multiple MS46121A vector network analyzers can emulate limited multiport functionality, with the added benefit of adjusting the ports to accommodate different geometries and configurations of the test devices. This configuration is particularly well-suited for validating multiport filters and multiband cellular antennas, as transmission measurements across multiple ports can be performed quickly and cost-effectively.
The MS46121A series of single-port USB vector network analyzers offers models with frequency ranges from 40 MHz to 4 GHz and 150 kHz to 6 GHz. The MS46121A provides performance and accuracy for single-port measurements in a low-cost, space-saving solution small enough to connect directly to the device under test. Up to 16 independent MS46121A vector network analyzers can operate in parallel from a single computer running ShockLine software. This enables parallel testing of single-port devices across multiple sites, improving performance compared to traditional single-vector network analyzer and test matrix switching solutions.
The MS46121A series is part of the ShockLine family of low-cost vector network analyzers for testing applications up to 43.5 GHz. Five instrument series are available with 15 different frequency ranges in 1-, 2-, and 4-port models, in various form factors and with LAN or USB interfaces to suit any test environment. They are ideal for cost-effective testing of passive devices in cost-sensitive manufacturing, engineering, and educational applications.
