Keithley Introduces Fast, Flexible Vector Signal Analyzer

Business Wire, Oct 31, 2006

CLEVELAND -- Keithley Instruments, Inc. (NYSE:KEI), a leader in solutions for emerging measurement needs, 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. Visit http://www.keithley.com/pr/061 to learn more about the Model 2810. For High Resolution Image: http://client.ggcomm.com/Keithley/Art/2810.JPG

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 spectrum analyzer needs 1000 times longer to perform the same sweep.

Wide Signal Acquisition Bandwidth

Another factor contributing to the Model 2810's outstanding processing power is greater than 30MHz of 3dB measurement bandwidth with 20MHz of flatness within 1dB. Wide bandwidth signals can be captured in one acquisition, which is essential for capturing the new high bandwidth, high throughput transmission signals such as WLAN and WiMAX signals. This exceptionally wide signal acquisition bandwidth is much greater than conventional spectrum analyzers and wider than most 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.