- CW, Modulated and Peak Power Sensors
- >2000 readings/second in Fast Buffered Mode
- 90 dB dynamic range CW sensors
- True dual channel display
- HP 438A, 437B, and 436 simulation modes
- EEPROM based CAL FACTOR correction sensors
- Modulated, pulse and burst average power modes
The 8540B Power Meter and 80401A Modulation Sensor have been developed from the 8540 Power Meter and the 80301A CW Power Sensor, in order to provide capabilities needed by the wireless communications industry. The enhancements included in the new models provide for more accurate average power measurement of multi-tone signals. and of other complex modulation signals used in todays cellular base-station and mobile transmitters. .
The 8540B is compatible with all sensors used by the 8540 and it performs the same functions as the 8540. Additionally, the 8540B can be used with the 80400 series of sensors, to make accurate average-power measurements of complex signals that involve widely varying amplitudes. (This capability requires both the 8540B and the 80400-series sensor; the 8540B cannot be used in this way without the 80400-series sensor, and that sensor cannot be used with the standard 8540).
Using a wide range of CW and Peak Power Sensors and the GPIB fast measurement collection modes, the 8540B Series meters provide typical reading speeds of >200 readings per second in the free-run Swift mode, 30 readings per second in the Fast Modulated mode, and >2000 readings per second in the Fast Buffered mode. Three Swift mode triggering controls are available: fast free run, bus triggered. and TTL triggered modes. Bus and TTL allow triggering control of individual measurement points. Data can be stored in an internal data buffer or read immediately.
Fast buffered power readings are internally buffered for readout at the completion of the fast buffered interval. Maximum measurement rate is about 2600 readings per second. Data conversion and GPIB communication time is not included in this figure. The maximum buffer size is 5000 readings (or about 2.1 seconds at the maximum reading rate). The Option 02 buffer increases this to 128,000 readings. .
The 8540B features three operating modes not available on the 8540B: Modulated Average, Pulse Average, and Burst Average. Modulated Average and Pulse Average modes provide for measurement of the true average power of modulated and pulsed signals. Pulse Average mode differs from Modulated Average mode only in that it allows the user to specify a duty cycle figure, which is then automatically factored into the measurement. In Burst Average mode, the true average power within the pulse is measured (the pulse pattern is detected automatically, so there is no need for the user to specify the duty cycle).