Agilent Adds 50/67-GHz USB Thermocouple Power Sensors
January 23, 2014. Agilent Technologies Inc. has announced the addition of two new models to its U8480 Series USB thermocouple power sensors. The U8480 Series now comes with improved specifications, including an expanded frequency range to 67 GHz and a measurement speed of 900 readings/second.
The U8480 Series’ real-time measurement uncertainty feature significantly reduces overall test time by removing the need for time-consuming manual measurement uncertainty (MU) calculations. Users can now compute MU in real time and at any given point. The feature also allows them to display power measurements and their MU simultaneously, simplifying test measurement and increasing test accuracy.
The U8480 Series provides accuracy and repeatability with thermocouple sensing technology and a power linearity of less than 0.8%. The new S-parameter and gamma correction functions further improve measurement accuracy by correcting the mismatch errors caused by inserted components between the device-under-test and the power sensor, making the U8480 Series suitable for applications such as test system or instrument calibration.
Like all Agilent USB power sensors, the U8480 Series can be used as an accessory for other Agilent instruments, allowing these instruments to perform specific power measurement applications without needing to connect to a PC or laptop. The U8480 Series is compatible with Agilent FieldFox RF analyzers and MXG signal generators, giving them power meter functionalities. The power sensors also perform source power calibration with Agilent PNA, PNA-L and PNA-X network analyzers. The USB functionality and the bundled N1918A Power Panel software facilitates high-frequency power measurements in applications ranging from high-volume manufacturing to calibration and field remote monitoring.
“We designed the U8480 Series to address the test challenges that our customers face today,” said Ee Huei Sin, vice president, Agilent’s General-Purpose Electronic Measurement Division. “With the significant improvement in measurement speed and the unique real-time measurement uncertainty feature, these sensors allow users to accelerate their overall design cycle without compromising performance or accuracy.”
Prices range from $2,841 for a 10-MHz to 18-GHz sensor to $7,231 for a 10-MHz to 67-GHz model.