In general, the frequency default values and limits are affected by three factors:
• Instrument model number, which defines the VNA standalone instrument high-side frequency limit
• Installed options (Option 070), if equipped, which define the VNA instrument low-side limit. On MS464xA Series VNAs, Option 070 provides a lower limit specified to 70 kHz, but which is allowed to go to 40 kHz.
• Attached broadband, millimeter-wave, and/or multiple source equipment (if equipped) which defines the VNA system high-side frequency limit.
Standalone VNAs
For the base VNA, the frequency range is established by the models (for the high end) and options (for the low end). For the higher frequency systems, the limits are dependent on the exact hardware being used and the instrument mode.
The tables below provide standalone VNA frequency limits:
Default Start Frequency or Default CW Frequency without Option 070
Default Start Frequency or Default CW Frequency with Option 070
Default Stop Frequency
MS4642A
1.0000000000E+007
10 MHz
7.0000000000E+004
70 kHz
2.0000000000E+010
20 GHz
MS4644A
1.0000000000E+007
10 MHz
7.0000000000E+004
70 kHz
4.0000000000E+010
40 GHz
MS4645A
1.0000000000E+007
10 MHz
7.0000000000E+004
70 kHz
5.0000000000E+010
50 GHz
MS4647A
1.0000000000E+007
10 MHz
7.0000000000E+004
70 kHz
7.0000000000E+010
70 GHz
Standalone VNAs – Minimum Start, Minimum CW, and Maximum Start Frequencies
The highest possible setting for the Start Frequency is the Stop Frequency minus 2 Hz. This yields a sweep with three data points.
Standalone VNAs – Minimum Start, Minimum CW, and Maximum Start Frequencies
Model
Minimum Start Frequency or Minimum CW Frequency without Option 070
Minimum Start Frequency or Minimum CW Frequency with Option 070
Maximum Start Frequency
(Start Frequency – 2 Hz)
MS4642A
1.0000000000E+007
10 MHz
7.0000000000E+004
70 kHz
1.9999999998E+010
20 GHz – 2 Hz
MS4644A
1.0000000000E+007
10 MHz
7.0000000000E+004
70 kHz
3.9999999998E+010
40 GHz – 2 Hz
MS4645A
1.0000000000E+007
10 MHz
7.0000000000E+004
70 kHz
4.9999999998E+010
50 GHz – 2 Hz
MS4647A
1.0000000000E+007
10 MHz
7.0000000000E+004
70 kHz
6.9999999998E+010
70 GHz – 2 Hz
Standalone VNAs – Minimum Stop and Maximum Stop Frequencies
The lowest possible setting for the stop frequency is the start frequency plus 2 Hz which yields as sweep of three (3) data points.
Standalone VNAs – Minimum Stop, Maximum Stop, and Maximum CW Frequencies
Model
Minimum Stop Frequency without Option 070
Stop Min = Start + 2 Hz = 3 data points
Minimum Stop Frequency with Option 070
Stop Min = Start + 2 Hz = 3 data points
Maximum Stop Frequency or Maximum CW Frequency
Stop Max = Instrument Max)
MS4642A
1.0000002000E+007
10 MHz + 2 Hz
7.0002000000E+004
70 kHz + 2 Hz
2.0000000000E+010
20 GHz
MS4644A
1.0000002000E+007
10 MHz + 2 Hz
7.0002000000E+004
70 kHz + 2 Hz
4.0000000000E+010
40 GHz
MS4645A
1.0000002000E+007
10 MHz + 2 Hz
7.0002000000E+004
70 kHz + 2 Hz
5.0000000000E+010
50 GHz
MS4647A
1.0000002000E+007
10 MHz + 2 Hz
7.0002000000E+004
70 kHz + 2 Hz
7.0000000000E+010
70 GHz
Standalone VNAs – Default Frequency Span and Maximum Frequency Span
The frequency span equals the stop frequency minus the start frequency. The minimum possible frequency span is frequency is 2 Hz.
Standalone VNAs – Default Frequency Span and Maximum Frequency Span
Model
Minimum Frequency Span All Models
Span Min = 2 Hz
Default Frequency Span or Maximum Frequency Span without Option 70
Span Max = Stop – Start
Default Frequency Span or Maximum Frequency Span with Option 70
Span Max = Stop – Start
MS4642A
2 Hz
1.9990000000E+010
20 GHz – 10 MHz
1.9999930000E+010
20 GHz – 70 kHz
MS4644A
2 Hz
3.9990000000E+010
40 GHz – 10 MHz
3.9999930000E+010
40 GHz – 70 kHz
MS4645A
2 Hz
4.9990000000E+010
50 GHz – 10 MHz
4.9999930000E+010
50 GHz – 70 kHz
MS4647A
2 Hz
6.9990000000E+010
70 GHz – 10 MHz
6.9999930000E+010
70 GHz – 70 kHz
Standalone VNAs – Minimum Center and Maximum Center Frequencies
The minimum possible center frequency is the minimum start frequency plus 1 Hz. The maximum possible center frequency is the maximum stop frequency minus 1 Hz.
Standalone VNAs – Minimum Center Frequency and Maximum Center Frequency
Model
Minimum Center Frequency without Option 070
Center Min = Start + 1 Hz
Minimum Center Frequency with Option 070
Center Min = Start + 1 Hz
Maximum Center Frequency All Models
Center Max = Stop – 1 Hz
MS4642A
1.0000001000E+007
10 MHz + 1 Hz
7.0001000000E+004
70 kHz + 1 Hz
1.9999999999E+010
20 GHz – 1 Hz
MS4644A
1.0000001000E+007
10 MHz + 1 Hz
7.0001000000E+004
70 kHz + 1 Hz
3.9999999999E+010
40 GHz – 1 Hz
MS4645A
1.0000001000E+007
10 MHz + 1 Hz
7.0001000000E+004
70 kHz + 1 Hz
4.9999999999E+010
50 GHz – 1 Hz
MS4647A
1.0000001000E+007
10 MHz + 1 Hz
7.0001000000E+004
70 kHz + 1 Hz
6.9999999999E+010
70 GHz – 1 Hz
Standalone VNAs – Default Center Frequencies
The center frequency is equal to Start Frequency plus the Stop Frequency divided by two (2). The minimum possible frequency span is 2 Hz.
Standalone VNAs – Default Center Frequencies
Model
Default Center Frequency without Option 070
Center Default = (Start + Stop)/2
Center Minimum Frequency Span = 2 Hz
Default Center Frequency with Option 070
Center Default = (Start + Stop)/2
Minimum Frequency Span = 2 Hz.
—
MS4642A
1.0005000000E+010
1.0000035000E+010
—
MS4644A
2.0005000000E+010
2.0000035000E+010
—
MS4645A
2.5005000000E+010
2.5000035000E+010
—
MS4647A
3.5005000000E+010
3.5000035000E+010
—
VNA Systems with ME7828A Configured as Broadband System
For VNAs with ME7828A configured as a broadband system (mode selection and hardware selection):
• The VNA upper limit is 110 GHz
• The VNA lower limit is determined by the VNA installed option:
• With Option 070, the lower limit is specified to 70 kHz, but is allowed to go to 40 kHz.
• Without Option 070, the lower limit is 10 MHz.
VNA Systems with ME7828A Configured as a Millimeter-Wave System
For VNAs with ME7828A configured as a millimeter-wave system, the frequency range is established by the selected waveguide band. For example, 325 GHz to 500 GHz for WR-2.2.
VNA Systems with ME7828A Using Multiple Source
For VNAs with ME7828A configured using multiple sources, the frequency range is defined by the band equations and the installed hardware. The VNA system has no knowledge of the exact frequency range so it will report that of the base VNA.
VNA Systems with ME7838x Configured as a Modular Broadband System
For VNAs equipped with the ME7838x modular broadband/millimeter-wave system in Modular BB mode:
• For ME7838A, the VNA acquires a broadband personality with an upper frequency limit of 125 GHz.
• For ME7838D, the VNA acquires a broadband personality with an upper frequency limit of 145 GHz.
• The VNA lower limit is determined by the VNA installed option:
• With Option 070, the lower limit is specified to 70 kHz, but is allowed to go to 40 kHz.
• Wthout Option 070, the lower limit is 10 MHz.
VNA Systems with ME7838x Configured as a Millimeter-Wave System
For VNAs with ME7838x configured as a millimeter-wave system, the frequency range is established by the selected waveguide band. For example, 325 GHz to 500 GHz for WR-2.2.