Specifications.docx

NIST HARDWARE SPECIFICATION

EQUIPMENT:

Vector network analyzer capable of nonlinear device characterization.

Background:

The mission of the RF Technology Division (Div. 672) is to provide industry, and its suppliers and customers, with comprehensive and technically advanced measurement capabilities and standards, as well as traceability to those standards. In conjunction with other Groups in Division 672, the RF Electronics Group (Div. 672.01) is participating in CTL’s Spectrum Sensing and Monitoring Project and 5G Project. Additionally the RF Electronics Group provides measurement services for many internal and external customers. This Group provides the measurements and uncertainties required by several research areas including on-wafer, nonlinear, uncertainty analysis, spectrum sharing and 5G. In order to measure realistic waveforms over a broad frequency range that are used in communications, the RF Electronics Group develops network analyzer calibration and measurement techniques and disseminates those techniques to NIST and to the electronics/communication industry. The RF Electronics Group will also be developing nonlinear measurement capabilities to calibrate the hardware used to generate and measure realistic communications test signals, such as arbitrary waveform generators, channel emulators, and a variety of receivers.

Objectives:

The RF Electronics Group requires a vector network analyzer to support its existing measurement service customer base and to develop new measurement techniques and uncertainty analyses. Additionally, in order to quantify the performance of equipment used by NIST, ITS, and industry, the RF Electronics Group will require a vector network analyzer with nonlinear measurement capabilities to calibrate the hardware used to generate and measure test signals, such as arbitrary waveform generators, channel emulators, and a variety of receivers. The network analyzer also needs to have the capability to interface with the OML and VDI frequency expansion heads that NIST already owns to support high frequency research work coming in the near future.

Delivery:

Delivery of all components shall be less than 14 weeks.

Line Item 1: Vector Network Analyzer with nonlinear and frequency expansion capabilities Specifications:

1. A frequency range spanning 10 MHz to 67 GHz.

2. The ability to make embedded LO measurements, frequency-offset measurements, and to provide nonlinear component characterization, including magnitude and phase. This requires dual sources capable of delivering at least 0 dBm at all frequencies, four ports, and bias-tees.

3. A rack mount kit for installation with handles.

4. Extension heads based on 1.0 mm connectors that will give continuous frequency coverage from 10 MHz to 110 GHz.

5. Two-port millimeter wave test set controller interface kit that is compatible with NIST’s existing OML and VDI extension heads (this will give capability to 1.1 THz)

6. Real Time Uncertainty generation for the s-parameter measurements

7. Capability for Time-domain measurements and frequency offset measurements.

Calibration and Warranty

A warranty period of 3 years is required for the main instrumentation. Other supporting hardware should have a warranty of at least 1 year.