Unparalleled Connectivity
The PNA series of network analyzers has the power to connect seamlessly with other instruments and an entire enterprise network. Windows 2000 endows these instruments with features typically found on PCs and brings a PC personality to network analyzers.
Several choices are available to save instrument states or measurement data. For local storage, operators can use either the analyzer's internal hard-disk or 3.5-in. diskette drive, or an optional USB-compatible CDRW drive. The Windows network-drive mapping features and a LAN interface allow data to be saved directly to remote PCs or file servers, making it easier to develop statistical process-controlled manufacturing environments. Users can generate hard copy either by any printer on the LAN, or else locally via a USB port or a parallel interface.
The LAN, serial, parallel, or GPIB interfaces also can be used to control other equipment, such as power meters, signal sources, and spectrum analyzers in the test station, directly from the network analyzer. Test software can employ Windows-based programs like Visual Basic, Visual C++, LabVIEW, or Agilent VEE. The LAN interface additionally makes it possible to conduct remote troubleshooting by reviewing measurement results and controlling the analyzer from anywhere on the LAN—or anywhere in the world via the Internet.
Agilent made automation a priority in the PNA series. Windows 2000 allows programs or applications to be run directly on the analyzer without an external PC. For example, a group of network analyzers on the production floor can each run test programs to control their individual test stations. The data collected at each test station can be stored locally on the network analyzer, or on a remote file server that's accessible via the LAN. For computation-intensive programs or programs that require considerable memory resources, the application can run on a fast external computer that also controls the instrument. Or, some data processing can be performed on the network analyzer and some on an external computer.
Engineers can create test processes using familiar SCPI or COM commands and execute them over a LAN interface or within the instrument. Additionally, SCPI can be executed over the GPIB. The analyzer's firmware provides many programmable objects, or automation "entry points." These respond directly to COM statements. COM programming and IntelliSense make it easier to write test code on multiple hardware or software platforms and also make the source code much easier to understand and debug. Plus, programs in COM can transfer data up to five times faster than SCPI.
In addition to their exceptional RF performance, the instruments have a powerful COM-based automation environment, simplified calibration through ECal and CalWizard, and many features designed to streamline the test process. If a segmented sweep is employed, the analyzer will measure the device's response only at defined frequency segments. It skips unneeded data and delivers high-frequency resolution where desired, like in a filter passband. Variable IF bandwidths enable wide bandwidths and fast sweeps to be performed in segments that require little dynamic range, while narrow IF bandwidths can be used in segments requiring high dynamic range.
The new instruments can improve test throughput when used to evaluate devices that need up to four instrument setups for complete characterization. The PNA series provides up to four measurement channels, each with its own stimulus and response parameters. Instead of recalling separate instrument states, one instrument state, containing all of the measurement channels, can be recalled. Only one instrument state, therefore, has to be recalled for an entire production run, rather than four per device. When these recall time savings are multiplied by a large number of device measurements, overall test throughput increases dramatically.
Price & Availability
The Agilent PNA series of RF network vector analyzers is available now. The E8356A 300-kHz to 3-GHz model is priced at $43,000, while the 300-kHz to 6-GHz E8357A model costs $49,000, and the 300-Hz to 9-GHz E8358A model costs $55,000.
Agilent Technologies Inc., Test and Measurement Organization, 5301 Stevens Creek Blvd., MS54LAK, Santa Clara, CA 95052; (800) 452-4844, ext. 7127; www.agilent.com.