USB-controlled RMS RF power meter

30 April 2008 Test & Measurement

National Instruments has developed the company's first USB-controlled true RMS RF power meter, which provides a highly flexible solution for automated test, measurement and monitoring applications in a small footprint.

The 6 GHz NI USB-5680 power meter features high measurement accuracy and wide dynamic range packaged in a size similar to a typical power head. In automated test applications, the small size frees up valuable rack space without sacrificing performance. Powered solely from the USB cable, the meter is also suitable for portable applications thanks to its current consumption of only 100 mA.

Traditional power meters feature a power sensor or head located close to the unit under test and connect via cable to an accurate A/D converter located in conventional instrumentation housing. Using the latest PC and A/D converter technologies, the USB-5680 combines both the sensor and the A/D converter in one package measuring just 8,5 x 3,0 x 5,6 cm. It covers the frequency range from 50 MHz to 6 GHz with high dynamic range of 63 dB and amplitude accuracy of ±0,18 dB.

To realise full instrumentation capabilities, the USB-5680 comes with a full-featured, executable soft front panel and intuitive, easy-to-use software libraries to help engineers quickly set up their systems. Engineers who need to measure continuous wave RF signals up to 6 GHz can use the USB-5680 in a standalone configuration with a VXI plug-and-play compatible executable soft front panel to facilitate interactive control. To incorporate the USB-5680 in an automated test and measurement system, engineers simply use the application programming interface with their programming environment of choice - including LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI and the Microsoft .NET.

For more information contact National Instruments, +27 (0)800 203 199, [email protected], www.ni.com/southafrica

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