R&S SMA100B - Connecting R&S NRP Power Sensors to the R&S SMA100 B; Using Power Sensors

Improving level performance
R&S
®
SMA100B
233User Manual 1178.3834.02 ─ 09
8.4 Using power sensors
The R&S SMA100B works with most of the R&S NRP power sensors and thus sup-
ports various application tasks. Using power sensors, you can for example determine
attenuation characteristics of downstream equipment or cables. You can use the mea-
sured values to compensate the losses with internal control functions or with an exter-
nal control circuit in real time.
R&S NRP sensors are highly accurate standalone measuring devices, suitable for a
wide range of applications. The devices communicate directly with the signal genera-
tor, calculate the average or peak power internally, include S-parameter correction and
return the measurement results to the generator.
The R&S SMA100B works with any sensor of the R&S NRP series and can perform up
to four power measurements simultaneously.
Only for the NRP-Z power analysis function, you have to use R&S NRP power sensors
that support power analysis in frequency, power and time domain, see Chapter 8.4.4.1,
"Required options", on page 245
Check the firmware version of the R&S NRP sensors regularly. Update the firmware, if
necessary.
For updates, see the Rohde & Schwarz website http://www.rohde-schwarz.com in sec-
tion "Power Meters & Voltmeters".
● Connecting R&S NRP power sensors to the R&S SMA100B...............................233
● NRP sensor mapping............................................................................................234
● NRP power viewer................................................................................................ 237
● NRP-Z power analysis.......................................................................................... 245
8.4.1 Connecting R&S NRP power sensors to the R&S SMA100B
R&S NRP sensors are connected to the R&S SMA100B in the following ways:
●
Connection to the Sensor connector
– R&S NRP-ZK8 (eight-pole interface cable) for R&S NRPxx power sensors
– R&S NRP-ZK6 (six-pole interface cable) for R&S NRPxx power sensors
– No additional cable for R&S NRP-Zxx power sensors (cable is fixed on the sen-
sor)
●
Connection to the USB connector
Requires the following cables, depending on the used sensor type:
– R&S NRP-ZKU (USB interface cable) for R&S NRPxx power sensors
– R&S NRP-Z3 or R&S NRP-Z4 (USB adapter cables) for sensors of the R&S
NRP-Zxx family
●
Connection via R&S NRP-Z5 sensor hub
The R&S NRP-Z5 USB sensor hub (high-speed USB 2.0) can host up to 4 R&S
NRP sensors. It provides simultaneous internal and external triggering of all con-
nected sensors.
Using power sensors