Maximum and Minimum Power Settings

VectorStar™ MS464xB Series Microwave Vector Network Analyzer User Interface Reference : 0Power Menus – 4-Port VNAs : Maximum and Minimum Power Settings

Maximum and Minimum Power Settings

For all configurations, the maximum power setting is +15 dBm (+20 dBm for systems with Option 31). For all configurations below 54 GHz, the minimum power setting is –30 dBm and for above 54 GHz, the minimum power setting is –80 dBm. These minimum power settings can be further lowered by application of internal attenuators, linear power calibration effects, and/or the connected presence of OEM mmWave modules.

• The power settings are set by the appropriate Start, Stop, and/or Single Power buttons and their related field toolbars.

• Below 54 GHz, the user defined start, stop, and/or single power settings are then modified by the effects of any applied attenuators (if equipped), and the relevant Linear Power Calibration and displayed as the appropriate read-only Effective Power button.

• Above 54 GHz, the user defined start, stop, and/or single power settings are then modified by the effects of the relevant Linear Power Calibration (noting that internal attenuator effects are not applied above 54 GHz) and displayed as the appropriate read-only Effective Power button.

• Depending the VNA model and the equipped test set, where the frequency range as less than 54 GHz, greater than 54 GHz, or across 54 GHz, some of the following read-only Effective Power buttons appear:

• Effective Start Power

• Effective Start Power < 54 GHz – Button is only available when 3743 Modules are in use. If not present, only the Effective Start Power button present.

• Effective Start Power > 54 GHz – Button is only available when 3743 Modules are in use. If not present, only the Effective Start Power button present.

• Effective End Power

• Effective Stop Power < 54 GHz – Button is only available when 3743 Modules are in use. If not present, only the Effective End Power button present.

• Effective Stop Power > 54 GHz – Button is only available when 3743 Modules are in use. If not present, only the Effective End Power button present.

• Effective Single Power

• Effective Single Power < 54 GHz – Button is only available when 3743 Modules are in use. If not present, only the Effective Single Power button present.

• Effective Single Power > 54 GHz – Button is only available when 3743 Modules are in use. If not present, only the Effective Single Power button present.

• For VNAs where frequencies either cross 54 GHz (MS4647B VNA) or use frequencies above 54 GHz (MS464xB VNA with Option 8x and E-Band or W-Band modules), additional buttons of Effective Start Power > 54 GHz, Effective Stop Power > 54 GHz, and Effective Single Power > 54 GHz are present.

• Where compatible with the various options above, the 4-Port VNA power maximum and power minimum are the same as for the 2-Port VNA less the loss of the Test Set and cables.

A summary of the power settings is in Table: Summary of Maximum and Minimum Power Levels below.

Summary of Maximum and Minimum Power Levels
VNA, Power Level, and Frequency Range	Power Sweep Type	Power Setting Max/Min¹	Factors Affecting Effective Power	Resultant Effective Power
Any MS464xB VNA Maximum Power Above, Below, or Across 54 GHz	Any	+15 dBm maximum (+20 dBm for systems with Option 31)	Option 6x Attenuators² Linear Power Calibration	Effects at left can lower effective maximum power.
Any MS464xB VNA Minimum Power for Less Than 54 GHz	Power Sweep CW Single Power Mode Power Sweep; Swept Frequency Power Sweep; Swept Frequency Single Power	–30 dBm minimum	Option 6x Attenuators Linear Power Calibration	Effects at left can lower effective minimum power to less than -30 dBm.
MS4647B VNAs with BB/mmWave Option 80/81³ Minimum Power for Less Than 54 GHz to Greater Than 54 GHz	Power Sweep: Swept Frequency Power Sweep: Swept Frequency Single Power	–80 dBm minimum	Below 54 GHz: Option 6x Attenuators Linear Power Calibration	The default minimum power for frequencies less than 54 GHz is -30 dBm and for frequencies greater than 54 GHz is -80 dBm. The effects at left are applied to these default values can lower the effective minimum power below the default value in each frequency range.
		–80 dBm minimum	Above 54 GHz: Attenuators have no effect above 54 GHz. Linear Power Calibration
MS464xB VNAs with mmWave Option 82/83 and OML/VDI mmWave Modules⁴	Any	–100 dBm minimum	VNA Attenuators have no effect on OML/VDI modules at any frequency. Linear Power Calibration	The default minimum power for any frequency is always -100 dBm. The effects at left are applied to these default values can lower the effective minimum power below the default value in each frequency range.

¹ The default power setting applies to the user configurable Start, Stop, and Single Power buttons and their variants.

² The Active Measurement Suite – Option 61 provides two attenuators; one if the Source 1 Path, and one in the Receive 2 Path. Option 62 provides four attenuators; One in each Source Path and one in each Receive Path.

³ Broadband/mmWave System – ME7838 Series system with MS4647B VNA, Option 8x, 3739x Test Set, and Broadband Modules.

⁴ mmWave System – Any MS464xB VNA, with Option 8x, 3739x Test Set, and OML or VDI mmWave Modules.