Anritsu has released a new MX284059B software option for pulse radar measurement for the MS2840A signal analyzer.
In addition to adding new features to the earlier MX284059A, this MX284059B release also supports the new interconnected control of the MA24406A/18A/40A USB peak power sensor for automatic high-precision measurement of transmission power (Tx) and pulse duration. These new features not only facilitate field operational testing of pulse radars, but also help to reduce the testing time of the production line to increase its productivity.
History of development
Pulse radars must always operate accurately and reliably, as they are widely used in meteorological, shipping, coastal and aerospace monitoring applications as an important social infrastructure ensuring safety on land, at sea and in the air.
Checking the Tx characteristics is key to the stable operation of a pulse radar and usually requires a variety of instrumentation, including a separate spectrum analyzer, oscilloscope, power meter and frequency meter. In particular, when testing Tx spurious emissions, field engineers must create spectral radiation masks ("good/not good" baselines) using the results of several test instruments, which takes a lot of time. In addition, more and more private weather forecasting companies are installing high-performance pulse radars, which are needed to monitor increasingly frequent severe weather conditions such as sudden downpours and linear rain bands causing torrential rains and floods. Consequently, the demand for maintenance of pulse radars is also increasing. However, a shortage of experienced field engineers may not be able to meet this growing demand for testing, creating a need for automated shorter field tests using easily portable test instruments.
Analyzer diagram
The MX284059B is easily configured in combination with the MS2840A and MA24406A/18A/40A to support Tx performance testing and replaces four traditionally required test instruments. In addition, all test stages from data collection to the creation of a spectral radiation mask are fully automated.
Compared to its predecessor, the MX284059A, the MX284059B has a wider pulse width measurement range for testing high-performance radars, including aerospace and marine applications using short pulses, as well as long-range radars using long repetition cycles (long pulses).
Key Features
S-, C-, X- and Ku-bands (range from 3 to 15 GHz) pulse radar tests Tx;
Automatic tests of Tx power and frequency, pulse width, pulse rise/fall time and repetition rate, 40 dB bandwidth and spurious emissions with built-in storage of measured data, measurement screens and "fit/not fit" results;
Evaluation of the results of tests for side effects using masks based on the Recommendations of ITU-R SM.329, SM.1541 and M.1177 with the imposition of masks on the display of the test route MS2840A.
