March 23, 2021 by Abdulwaliy Oyekunle
Measuring tools, such as oscilloscopes and spectrum analysers allow electronic engineers to test and monitor signals when designing circuits and devices. The Teledyne LeCroy company is one of the leading companies that provide test tools for such engineers to use in their projects and have recently released the Teledyne T3VNA family of network analysers.
Teledyne LeCroy’s family of network analysers consists of two products: the T3VNA1500 and the T3VNA3200. Both products are robust and support applications relevant to vector network analysis, spectrum analysis, and distance to fault modes. The network analysers have a wide range of resolution bandwidth that varies from 1 hertz to 1 megahertz. Both products also feature a built-in switchable pre-amplifier that provides higher sensitivity measurements. When not in use, users can use a Kensington lock to secure the device.
The network analysers support remote-controlled operations where users can take measurements via communication interfaces using a universal serial bus (USB) host and device. A local area network (or LAN) can also be adopted for the same purpose.
The Teledyne T3VNA Network Analyzer features an easy-to-use menu system and a clear display. Pictured: a front view of the T3VNA
Image credit: Teledyne LeCroy
On top of the above, the network analysers are user-friendly and lightweight, making them easy to transport. The products, which have body sizes of 393 mm by 207 mm by 116.5 mm, have a 10.1-inch TFT LCD (thin-film transistor liquid crystal display) to provide measurements to users. In addition, the measurements can be stored within 256 megabytes of internal (flash) storage. External storage of up to 32 gigabytes is also supported.
The product is operated from a wide input AC voltage range that varies from 100 volts to 240 volts with an AC frequency supply of 50 hertz or 60 hertz. It can also be operated from an input supply between 100 volts and 120 volts with an AC frequency supply of 400 hertz. A relatively high power of 35 watts is consumed by the device, and its working temperature is between 0⁰C and 40⁰C.
The two T3VNA Network Analyzers can be distinguished from each other based on the frequency range that they can measure. While the T3VNA1500 can achieve its spectrum analysis at a frequency range of 9 kilohertz to 1.5 gigahertz, whereas the relevant frequency range of the T3VNA3200 is 9 kilohertz to 3.2 gigahertz. In addition, the displayed average noise level for the T3VNA1500 Network Analyzer is −156dBm/Hz, while its counterpart has −161dBm/Hz.
In the distance to fault mode, the frequency range for the T3VNA1500 measures from 10 megahertz to 1.5 gigahertz while the T3VNA3200 measures from 100 kilohertz to 3.2 gigahertz.
The products have built-in advanced measurement capabilities for power measurement and non-linear measurement. This makes it possible for users to take measurements such as occupied bandwidth, carrier to noise ratio, and third-order intercept measurements.
The back of a T3VNA Network Analyzer.
Image credit: Teledyne LeCroy
As engineers need to perform tests and measurements when designing circuits and devices, the product can be employed as a useful measurement analysis tool in various laboratories.
The T3VNA Network Analyzers also find applications in automatic production tests and can also be employed for bench-top use. What’s more, when a device develops a fault, the T3VNA family of products can each serve as a debugging tool that can be utilised for the repair and maintenance of the technology.
