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Keithley introduces flexible vector Signal Analyzer

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Keithley introduces flexible vector Signal Analyzer

Cleveland, Ohio – October 31, 2006 - Keithley Instruments introduces the Model 2810 RF Vector Signal Analyzer, optimized for automated testing of wireless devices and transmitter circuits in production test environments, as well as in new product and device research and development. It features measurement speeds up to three times faster than competitive instruments in production test, takes up half the space, and costs half as much as competitive products. The Model 2810 combines high performance, complex signal analysis capability with unprecedented ease of use for even those with little training, background, or practical experience in RF measurement to serve a wide range of measurement needs on wireless devices, transceiver modules, and RF components. Keithley’s Model 2810 is the lowest cost, widest signal acquisition bandwidth, stand-alone vector signal analyzer with both manual and automated operation on the market today.

The Model 2810 RF Vector Signal Analyzer is designed to work closely with Keithley’s Model 2910 RF Vector Signal Generator. Together, these two instruments form a powerful RF test and measurement solution that reduces test times and capital equipment costs for testing active and passive RF components. For example, production test engineers can use built-in list mode features with the test modes of the latest mobile phone chipsets to perform fast simultaneous calibration of the phone’s transmitters and receivers – dramatically reducing test times.

Industry-Leading Measurement Speed
Mobile handset manufacturers and wireless component manufacturers are under tremendous pressure to reduce costs, address new technologies, and increase their manufacturing flexibility. The Model 2810 reduces testing time with industry leading measurement and data acquisition times.

Keithley’s Model 2810 Vector Signal Analyzer uses an advanced software-defined radio architecture with a 500MHz digital signal processor, enabling fast data acquisition and processing. Production test engineers can drastically reduce test times, while R&D engineers and scientists can reduce the time it takes to acquire large sets of data. For example, in the case of users searching for spurious emissions from devices under test, the Model 2810 can perform a 200MHz span sweep using a narrow resolution bandwidth of 100Hz in approximately 15 seconds. A conventional VSAs in the $30,000 and under price range. The Model 2810 has the performance now to acquire the future 4G technology signals under development in R&D labs.

The Model 2810 is more than a spectrum analyzer. In addition to being able to decompose a waveform into its constituent frequencies, it can also decompose digitally modulated signals into their I and Q phase components. With the I and Q components, a vector signal analyzer can determine the quality of a modulated signal. Research and development personnel working with modulation schemes can easily transfer the acquired signal components to a PC for more extensive analysis.

Mobile Phone Demodulation Options
The Model 2810 offers firmware options at prices significantly lower than competitors to enable more cost effective modulation quality analysis on GSM and EDGE signals, cdma2000 Reverse Link signals, and WCDMA Uplink signals. These measurements are performed much faster than analyzers commonly used today. A suite of GSM/EDGE measurements including time mask conformance, phase error or EVM, and channel power can be acquired and computed in 27msec. This is twice as fast as the industry’s current leading analyzers.

Unparalleled Flexibility
The Model 2810’s flexible, software-defined radio architecture gives telecom manufacturers the testing flexibility needed to keep pace with changing wireless technologies. New modulation analysis schemes and new measurement algorithms can be incorporated easily and economically with ongoing firmware updates.

The Model 2810’s upgradeability eliminates the need to buy another instrument when new measurement needs arise, making it a more flexible instrument over time and keeping down capital equipment costs. In addition, with space at a premium, the Model 2810’s reduced size is a significant advantage, reducing the amount of space needed in a standard rack or on a benchtop.

Ease of Use
The Model 2810 also speeds start-up and troubleshooting times in automated test development. Its user-friendly interface also minimizes the time it takes to learn how to operate the instrument. In either R&D or university laboratories, even occasional users, such as RF development engineers and researchers, can quickly orient themselves to the non-intimidating front panel and easily make measurements.

The graphical user interface (GUI) greatly simplifies the use of such a complex instrument and eliminates the need for an entire front panel of buttons. While typical spectrum analyzers may have more than 20 buttons, the Model 2810 has only two buttons and an intuitive touch screen. It can also be easily operated by a USB mouse, making it an excellent tool for communications theory training in student labs where PC-knowledgeable students can comfortably learn to make spectrum analysis measurements via the mouse. The GUI uses a Windows-based display format, so any user who is familiar with operating a PC can easily navigate through the menus of the Model 2810. A built-in help system makes all user information available at the touch of the screen or with the click of a mouse.

Because its GUI eliminates the need for a whole front panel of buttons, the Model 2810 can be packaged in an industry-leading half-rack package, saving precious rack space in production and R&D environments.

Extra Features – Extra Value
The Model 2810 includes a number of additional features that most competitive analyzers do not provide as part of their standard offering. Examples include electronic attenuation, pre-amplifiers, and a sweeping continuous wave source, all of which are included as standard features on the Model 2810 but are costly options on competitive instruments. Also, an industry-leading three-year warranty on the Model 2810 is included at no additional charge.

Flexible Interfacing
The Model 2810 includes three standard interfaces to meet current and future system integration requirements. An IEEE-488 interface enables users of legacy systems to easily integrate the Model 2810 into their test systems. Users looking for higher data transfer rates can use the USB or LAN interface. The LAN interface is compatible with the new LXI standard. Specifically, the Model 2810 conforms to the LXI-C standard.

Price and Availability
The Model 2810 RF Vector Signal Analyzer is priced at $15,500 (USD). Several different signal analysis options are also available starting at $1,500 (USD) list. Availability is four weeks ARO (After Receipt of Order).

For More Information
To learn more about the Model 2810 RF Vector Signal Analyzer or any of Keithley’s other RF test solutions and to view a short online product presentation, visit electrical test instruments and systems from DC to RF (radio frequency). Its products solve emerging measurement needs in production testing, process monitoring, product development, and research. The company’s customers are scientists and engineers in the worldwide electronics industry involved with advanced materials research, semiconductor device and wafer characterization and functional test, and the production of end products such as electronic assemblies or portable wireless devices. The value Keithley provides its customers is a combination of precision measurement technology and a rich understanding of their applications to improve the quality, throughput, and yield of their products.

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