Concepts and features
R&S
®
ZNA
254
User Manual 1178.6462.02 ─ 20
GHz. The test ports of the frequency converters and the connecting elements are rec-
tangular waveguides, whose dimensions are according to EIA WR-10, equivalent to
RCSR WG-27.
Refer to the Getting Started guide and the specifications supplied with your converter
for detailed information about the frequency range and the waveguide type of your con-
verter model.
Controlling the electronic attenuator of legacy converters R&S
ZVA-Z90E and
R&S
ZVA-Z110E is
not
supported.
4.7.7.1
Leveling
Introduction
The "Leveling" functionality of the vector network analyzer can be used to linearize the
output power of a connected mm-wave converter over a wide range of power levels
and frequencies. Based on an existing reference receiver calibration, it records the
converter's power transfer function and creates a data set which compensates for the
converter's nonlinearities. Leveling enables converter output power sweeps of up to 70
dB and thus is particularly beneficial for intercept or compression point measurements.
●
Before firmware version 2.40, the leveling functionality was provided by the sepa-
rate R&S
Converter Leveling Tool. This tool is no longer required and can no lon-
ger be used with the R&S
ZNA.
●
Best leveling results are obtained for frequency converters R&S
ZCxxx, R&S
ZVA-
Z110 Var.03, and R&S
ZVA-Z90. Other frequency converters have limited ability to
control the RF output power via the RF input power and therefore generally do not
allow for effective power correction over wide frequency and power ranges.
●
Controlling the electronic attenuator of an E-type converter is not supported by the
R&S
ZNA. However, E-type converters can also be used with their default (unatte-
nuated) output power.
Without leveling data (default or recorded), the measurement is performed at fixed RF
source and LO power. No power sweep is possible. To reduce the actual output power
of the converters (e.g. for measuring wave quantities or testing compression effects),
turn the adjusting knob on top of the converters clockwise. You will see an effect on the
output power within the last 2 mm of the adjustable range.
Although the leveling functionality is enabled with option R&S
ZNA-K8 and is designed
for converter ports, it can also be used for regular VNA ports.
Leveling procedure
The purpose of frequency converter leveling is to determine the nominal RF input
power P
RF-In
at the converter input that is required to generate a particular RF converter
output power P
RF-Out
at (output) frequency f.
Optional extensions and accessories
