New Design Concepts Improve ANA Performance

A new type of large-scale automated network analyzer system has been conceived and developed following many innovative design concepts. The new ANA system uses two Dual-Four-Port microwave measurement circuits and a new type of "Digital" Vector Voltmeter. Statistica1 data acquisiton methods and powerful vector error-correction algorithms are also applied. The Digital Vector Voltmeter simultaneously samples and digitizes many down-converted microwave sinewave signals and computes their relative magnitudes and phases by means of a real-time least-squares-fitting algorithm. Preliminary test results already confirm the expected improvements in resolution, stability repeatability and measurement accuracy. The new system satisfies the special requirements of high-volume, multi-user applications in communication satellite development, with a unique combination of accuracy and speed.