Benchtop Performance at a Fraction of the Cost
The Tektronix TTR503A USB Vector Network Analyzer, 100 kHz to 3 Ghz offers industry-leading price and performance. With more than 122 dB dynamic range and less than 0.008 dB RMS trace noise, the TTR503A's performance is similar to expensive, conventional benchtop VNAs.
Compact and Transportable: Take Tests Wherever You Need It
Gone are the days when you had to roll a cart with a heavy, shared VNA. Weighing under 3.5 lbs (1.59 kg), the TTR503A has a form factor small enough to fit into a briefcase. You can put a VNA on any engineering bench to improve efficiency and uptime. In a classroom, students can get hands-on experience with industry standard test instrumentation.
Performance, Convenience, Size, Reliability - Choose Four
The TTR503A VNA includes an impressive array of technological and patented advances that bend many of the traditional trade-offs between RF performance, size, reliability, and cost.
Performance: Inside the VNA is a tightly integrated, single-board design. At its core lies a proprietary ASIC that implements all of the transmitting and receiving functions. Along with decades of experience in RF front-end and shielding design, this integration implements advanced DSP and patented error correction techniques that dramatically improve measurement accuracy and dynamic range.
Convenience: Traditional benchtop VNAs have a computer inside that typically becomes obsolete by the time the product hits the market. The TTR503A architecture enables significant improvements in size, cost, and reliability by communicating over USB to your PC, while adding additional benefits and convenience. For example, run VectorVu-PC with other applications, share data seamlessly, and save individual application setups on your PC when multiple users share the instrument.
Size: A compact, single-board design without heavy input and display components allows the TTR503A to pack a lot of powerful functionality in a tablet-sized frame. Store it in a drawer, pack it in your briefcase, or carry it on a plane. Take quality testing and measurement technology wherever you go.
Reliability: In addition to a reduced part count, integration onto a single board consumes less energy than traditional benchtop VNAs. The board generates less heat, resulting in lower component stresses and higher reliability. A fanless design also provides for a quieter operation.
Integrated Bias Tee for Active Devices
Use the built-in bias tee to provide a DC bias to active devices without the expense and complication of external circuitry. Power the bias tee directly through BNC connectors on the rear panel.
Full 2-Port 2-Path S-Parameter Measurements
An independent RF source and three RF receivers for each port of the TTR503A enable you to take high-accuracy magnitude and phase measurements with a 1-port or 2-port device under test (DUT). Use the TTR503A to perform complete S11, S12, S21, and S22 measurements of the DUT and display data in a variety of formats.
Rapid Measurement and Analysis with VectorVu-PC
VectorVu-PC (available as free download) features an industry-standard interface that minimizes the learning curve so that you have more time to test your design. The software delivers a traditional look and feel to control and calibrate the instrument, while providing touchscreen compatibility for Windows PC, laptop, or tablet. For automated test systems, there is a SCPI programming interface that is compatible with common legacy VNAs.
Offline Simulation Mode for Convenient Data Analysis
VectorVu-PC features a simulation mode to analyze S-parameter data when it is disconnected from the TTR503A. Capture measurements at the test site and analyze the data anywhere. Share it with your team or class when access to the TTR503A is limited.
Compatibility with EDA Simulation Tools
VectorVu-PC supports the Touchstone (S1P, S2P) file format to import and export S-parameter data in the simulation mode. You can also share data in this format with common EDA simulation tools.
Antenna Matching and Tuning
You built your antenna and transceiver. Now you want to see how well it performs. Minimize costly signal reflections and maximize signal range by testing for impedance mismatches or discontinuities in your system using the TTR503A. Thanks to its USB design and easy to use interface, the TTR503A makes analyzing impedances or admittances on the Smith chart and saving S-parameter files, for the purpose of designing matching networks, seamless and convenient.
Filter Measurements
You have a filter to test and you want to see low loss and high rejection at the correct frequencies. While other types of test equipment can measure overall performance, VNAs allow the user to fully characterize filters within their intended operating frequency and power level, allowing for complete comparisons to design simulations. The TTR503A is capable of measuring return loss, insertion loss, group delay and much more for both tuning and validating filter performance.
Amplifier Measurements
Your amplifier has to deliver sensitivity to a receiver, and high power as an output. The TTR503A allows you to fully characterize amplifier performance for comparing to design simulations. Use the built-in bias tee (standard in both models) to provide a DC bias to active devices without the expense and complication of external circuitry. Unlike some other USB-based VNAs, the TTR503A is capable of measuring both passive and active devices including medium to low-power amplifiers.
RF Cable and Connector Measurements
If you have a pile of cables or connectors and you want to characterize their S-parameters, or if you simply want to know if they're any good, you can with the TTR503A. Capable of measuring as much as 40 dB of return loss, the TTR503A has the calibration and measurement performance required to properly characterize these important RF components.
Automated Production Testing
You need fast, accurate, and stable network readings. Automate the process of measuring DUTs to verify that they're built right, tune it if it isn't, or characterize test fixture losses to remove them from your measurement. The TTR503A provides performance, accuracy, and reliability, with a significantly lower cost of ownership compared to similar performing used and outdated VNA competitors. In addition, similar to other traditional benchtop VNAs, the TTR503A is SCPI code compatible, allowing you to migrate existing VNA test code.
Ideal for Education
Don't let the small form-factor fool you. Designed with a robust, industry-standard user interface, more than 122 dB dynamic range, and up to 6 GHz frequency range, the TTR503A is the perfect instrument for preparing the next class of engineers. And with its extremely affordable price, more students can have hands-on time with a real-world instrument.
