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Network analyzer configurations for measuring
high-power devices
The high-power test configurations described in
this note are designed to boost the power coming
from the network analyzer's source as necessary,
and also to protect components such as the
receivers, couplers, and switches inside the
network analyzer from excessive power levels.
To select the correct network analyzer configura-
tion, you will need to consider the DUT and the
required measurements and accuracy. This section
shows high-power test configurations including the
necessary hardware, how to set up and calibrate
these configurations, and the advantages and
limitations of each.
Configuration
Complexity
1
low
2
low
3
medium
4
medium
5
high
6
high
Available high-power measurements
Forward
Boosted
transmission
source
only
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
The configurations are ordered by the degree of
measurement capability. In general, the increased
capability results in increased complexity in the
configuration. The first configuration is simple —
it uses a standard network analyzer and doesn't
require high drive power, which means the network
analyzer's source does not need to be boosted. The
other configurations measure devices that require
high-power inputs and also have high-power out-
puts. Measuring these devices requires amplifying
the network analyzer's source signal somewhere
along the RF path before it reaches the DUT. The
high output power also requires protection for the
couplers, receivers, and switches inside the analyzer.
Forward
transmission
and reflection
Forward/
only
reverse
X
X
X
X
Available calibrations
Full
two-port
Response
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
5
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