mmWave measurements

Your task

Frequency bands in the mmWave and terahertz ranges are used in many applications in the mobile communications, automotive, security, semiconductor and fundamental research sectors. Automotive radar at 77 GHz/79 GHz, mobile communications in the 6G frequency bands, radars and sensors up to and beyond 100 GHz all require the characterization of active and passive components such as filters, amplifiers, mixers and antennas. Many applications, in particular on-wafer component characterization and antenna measurements, call for frequency converters with high output power.

Rohde & Schwarz solution

Rohde&Schwarz frequency converters feature high output power and excellent dynamic range. They can be used to characterize active and passive DUTs.

The R&S®ZNA infrastructure allows for very compact systems without the need for additional signal distribution units or similar.

• Up to four mmWave converters are supported by the RF signals taken directly from the R&S®ZNA ports.
• For the mmWave converter local oscillator (LO) signal, the internal LO source is routed to the rear panel LO out connector (R&S®ZNA-B8) and distributed to the converters. Output power up to +25 dBm ensures sufficient power for the mmWave converter LO, even with losses caused by long cables.
• When the R&S®ZNA-B26 direct IF access option is installed, the converter’s measurement and reference signals are directly fed to the analyzer’s IF path via the rear panel. This setup eliminates the need for a direct channel access option and ensures optimal receiver sensitivity.
• The R&S®ZNA-K8 software option (mmWave converter support option) simplifies the configuration of the entire setup.

Alternatively, custom setups are possible with individual frequency schematics and connection schemes using the R&S®ZNAxx-B16 direct source and receiver access option.

Special features of R&S®ZVA-Zxxx and R&S®ZCxxx mmWave converters

• High output power and wide dynamic range
• Easy configuration via straightforward dialogs
• Menu based selection of R&S®ZVA-Zxxx converter(s); automatic detection of R&S®ZCxxx converter(s)
• Rear panel LO output up to +25 dBm (with R&S®ZNA-B8 mmWave converter LO option) reliably provides converters with desired LO power – even with long cables and LO splitters
• Multiport measurements with up to four converters without an external source or adapter box
• Variable output power (manual adjustment with screw and/or control of output power by varying the input power)
• Amplifier characterization, power sweeps, compression point measurements
• Intermodulation measurements
• R&S®ZNA-K1 spectrum analysis support in the mmWave range
• Phase coherence stimulation
• Configuration of frequency-converting measurements (converters with different frequency ranges can be used) 2)
• Automatic level control (ALC) usable in the mmWave range
• Absolute level calibration using power test heads from Rohde&Schwarz and Eriksson (PM5/PM5B)
• High time and temperature stability
• Integration in (active) load pull test systems from Focus Microwaves and Maury Microwave
• Waveguide calibration kits (with or without sliding match) for all frequency bands of the converters
• Supported by mmWave material test systems from SWISSto12