Key Facts
The R&S®NTS Series thermocouple power sensors are engineered to serve as RF power measurement standards. With their passive, analog-only design, the R&S®NTS family can be used as a microcalorimeter based primary measurement standard or as a secondary or transfer standard. A proprietary thermoelectric detector chip developed specifically for the NTS supports RF-DC substitution at the metrology grade level.
The R&S®NTS family has various models covering the frequency range from DC to 170 GHz.
Several NTS models are available with coaxial and waveguide RF connectors. All models have a high maximum input power of + 20 dBm, fast settling times and extremely flat frequency response.
RF primary and secondary standard solution for NMIs (national metrology institutes) and accredited calibration laboratories
Precision measurements are important in industrial quality assurance and are necessary for top-quality industrial production. Instruments must be calibrated in line with international standards for quality management systems (DIN EN ISO 9000) as well as product liability and environmental protection requirements. Test results are reliable only when they are made by calibrated instruments whose calibrations can be traced to national standards.
National metrology institutes are at the top of the calibration hierarchy and perform substitution measurements with primary measurement standards that trace RF power to the equivalent SI unit, DC power. The measurement is made inside a microcalorimeter to be as precise as possible.
Accredited calibration labs are the next level in the calibration hierarchy. The reference standards used in these calibration labs are calibrated by the national metrology institutes.
In all those applications, the substituted DC power can be measured with the customers own, well known commercial, off-the-shelf DC nanovolt meter with traceable calibration.
The calibration hierarchy
A modern thermoelectric power detector chip revolutionizes the traceability process
Reference standards must be passive and based on thermistors or comparable technology. Yet thermistor mounts have not been used for industrial RF power measurements for decades and the technology has not been developed further. Even though thermistor mounts have great long-term stability - which helps national metrology institutes keep them in working condition – fewer and fewer fully functional samples are available. New frequency bands are also not covered. The power standards are now obsolete because of a new generation of technology in the industry and defective standards can no longer be replaced .
R&S®NTS is a high-performing replacement that uses a modern thermoelectric power detector chip. The NTS is designed to easily replace thermistor mounts. The NTS is small enough to fit any microcalorimeter, requires no additional base units and connects directly to existing DC nanovolt meters. The substitution measurement workflow is similar to that for thermistors but with even better performance. Finally, a dedicated R&S application for direct comparison measurements can help with the transition.
Not only are R&S®NTS RF power standards new parts, but they also are more robust and modern than thermistor standards. Their tiny size and passive measurement method makes them ideal replacements for outdated thermistors. They replace legacy standards, but also cover new frequency bands and RF connectors, allowing commercialization of new frequency bands for current and future wireless communication standards, such as 6G.
Two R&S®NTS170TWGs mounted in a microcalorimeter experimental setup for traceable calibration using the DC substitution principle. The active sensor is supplied with a high-frequency signal, while the passive sensor serves as a reference. A differential temperature measurement in the millikelvin range uses a thermopile to determine the effective power sensor efficiency. © Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt
Technological leap over thermistor technology based on proven R&S®NRP technology
Tracing RF power is an analog measurement, which always has a margin of error. Measurement equipment with the best available RF properties helps minimize such uncertainty.
Enter the R&S®NTS thermoelectric power detector chip. The technology was first used in R&S®NRP RF power sensors over two decades ago and has been continually improved with proven long-term reliability and stability.
The advanced transducer technology in the R&S®NTS was designed for the highest RF substitution measurement accuracy requirements. It has excellent matching and a flat frequency response for easy and reliable measurements. The technology also has
a high maximum power rating for wide overall dynamic range.
Two symmetrical RF and DC heaters inside the transducer create near-perfect RF-DC substitution.
Optimized transducer design ensures high linearity in substitution measurements, while the operating point influence on the calibration factor from the R&S®NTS was reduced to ppm per mW.
R&S®NTS sensors feature a 4-wire heater connection for current sourcing and voltage control
for precise measurements of substituted DC power.
The DC lines inside the NTS are optimized for low impedance to minimize heating loss outside the transducer.
R&S®NTS devices feature an additional internal temperature sensor to aid in correction. Even the tiniest temperature effects can be compensated to keep uncertainty to an absolute minimum and optimize settling times in the microcalorimeter.
R&S®NTS thermoelectric power detector chip
Thermoelectric power detector chip improves and shortens calibration cycle
Measurement points cost time, and time is money. R&S®NTS revolutionizes calibration workflows over thermistors by using their key thermoelectric power detector chip performance properties. The flat frequency response requires fewer measurement points while maintaining accurate calibration. High sensitivity results in a higher output signal for less noise and shorter measurement times. Lastly, the short settling time reduces the required measurement time per calibration point.
Frequency response curve: NTS vs. competition
Portfolio from DC to 170 GHz
The R&S®NTS family of RF power transfer standards currently has 5 coaxial models from DC to 67 GHz, including N, 3.5mm, 2.92mm, 2.4mm and 1.85mm RF connectors.
Especially national metrology institute customers prefer waveguide connectors from 18 GHz onwards for ultimate precision. NTS170TWG with its WR 6.5 waveguide connector already covers D band from 110 GHz to 170 GHz.
The R&S®NTS with modified RF reflection factors is also available as open, short, and mismatched standards for selected connector types. The special variants are used to determine the microcalorimeter correction factor.
All R&S®NTS models have a push-pull-connector for secure connections, compact size and low thermal mass.
An optional feature is device identification with the 1-Wire® protocol (passive in calibration mode) to help with automated calibration workflows.
R&S®NTSxT(WG) family of RF power transfer standards
R&S®NTS ensure self-sufficiency for RF traceability and calibration
RF measurement devices, whether RF Power Sensors, Signal Generators or others, must be regularly calibrated to comply with RF specifications.
The R&S®NTS has the tools for the RF power traceability required to calibrate RF measurement device amplitude. Customer no longer need RF amplitude calibration providers, such as accredited calibration labs or T&M equipment manufacturers.
Along with the R&S®NRPC calibration solution, R&S®NRP RF power sensors and a wide range of RF signal generators, Rohde & Schwarz has a full range of equipment for traceable RF calibration along the whole calibration hierarchy.
R&S®NTS RF power standards ensure adherence to the calibration pyramid hierarchy
Produits associés
Manufacturer's recommended retail price (MSRP). The price shown does not include VAT. Prices and offers are only intended for entrepreneurs and not for private end consumers.
You may use the electronic signature via DocuSign to submit your information to enroll with the Rohde & Schwarz Customer Delegated Administration program. DocuSign processes the information provided according to their . The minimum system requirements for using the DocuSign system may change over time. The current system requirements are found
Termes & Conditions du tirage au sort relatif aux 10 ans des oscilloscopes Rohde & Schwarz
1. Le tirage au sort “10 years Rohde & Schwarz oscilloscopes” est organisé par Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG, Mühldorfstraße 15, 81671 Munich, Allemagne, Tel. +49 89 41 29 0 (référencé ici par “R&S").
2. Tous les participants peuvent s'inscrire au tirage au sort du 01 janvier 2020 au 31 décembre 2020 avec leur nom, le nom de leur entreprise et leur courriel professionnel.
3. La participation est gratuite et ne dépend pas de l'achat de biens ou de services.
4. Le tirage au sort est uniquement ouvert aux entités juridiques et seules les personnes morales peuvent gagner les prix. Une personne physique n'est pas autorisée à participer en son nom propre et pour son propre compte, mais en tant que représentant d'une entité juridique en remplissant le formulaire de participation au nom et pour le compte de l'entité juridique.
5. Les prix à gagner sont 1 des 10 R&S®RTB2000 au cours de la période allant du 1 janvier 2020 au 31 décembre 2020 :
Prix : 1x oscilloscope numérique R&S®RTB2000
6. Le tirage au sort aura lieu au siège social de Rohde & Schwarz, Muehldorstrasse 15, 81671 Munich. Les gagnants des prix seront informés par courriel sous 5 jours ouvrés.
7. Le représentant autorisé de l'entité juridique devra informer Rohde & Schwarz qu'il accepte le prix. En cas de refus d'acceptation, ou sans aucune réponse dans les deux semaines, un nouveau gagnant sera tiré au sort. Si aucun gagnant ne se manifeste sous quatre semaines, le tirage au sort prend fin et le prix est perdu.
8. Les employés R&S et les membres de leurs familles, ainsi que toute personne participant au processus du tirage au sort et les membres de leurs familles sont exclus du formulaire de participation.
9. Aucun équivalent en argent ou échange de prix n'est autorisé. Les prix ne sont pas transférables. Tous les impôts, les prélèvements, les droits, les taxes et toutes autres charges perçus dans le pays du participant sont à la charge du participant.
10. Les données personnelles seront traitées uniquement dans le cadre de ce tirage au sort et supprimées quatre semaines après celui-ci, sauf indication contraire.
11. Tout participant qui ne respecte pas ces Termes & Conditions peut être disqualifié par Rohde & Schwarz de ce concours. Dans un tel cas, les prix peuvent également être retirés de manière rétroactive. Dans le cas où un prix est retiré de manière rétroactive à cause du non-respect de ces conditions, il devra être retourné par le participant en question à ses frais à l'adresse Rohde & Schwarz mentionnée au point n°1 et un nouveau gagnant sera tiré au sort.
12. Les participants ne peuvent pas réclamer les prix de ce tirage au sort et aucune procédure juridique n'est autorisée à cet égard.
13. Le tirage au sort et toute relation contractuelle qui en découle entre Rohde & Schwarz et le participant respectif sont régis et interprétés conformément aux lois de l'Allemagne, sans aucun recours au conflit de lois. Les tribunaux de Munich, Allemagne, sont seuls compétents en cas de litige émanant directement ou indirectement de la participation à ce concours.
* “fast delivery” inside 7 working days applies to the Rohde & Schwarz in-house procedures from order processing through to available ex-factory to ship.
