A plot of complex reflection overlaid with an impedance and (or) admittance grid referenced to a 1-ohm characteristic impedance. The Smith chart, invented by Phillip H. Smith is a graphical aid designed for electrical and electronics engineers specializing in radio frequency (RF) engineering to assist in solving problems with transmission lines and matching circuits. Use of the Smith chart utility has grown steadily over the years and it is still widely used today, not only as a problem solving aid, but as a graphical demonstrator of how RF parameters behave at one or more frequencies, an alternative to using tabular information. The Smith chart can be used to represent many parameters including impedances, admittances, reflection coefficients, S_{nn}\, scattering parameters, noise figure circles, constant gain contours and regions for unconditional stability. The Smith chart is most frequently used at or within the unity radius region. However, the remainder is still mathematically relevant, being used, for example, in oscillator design and stability analysis. Smith Chart is a registered trademark of Analog Instruments Company, New Providence, NJ.

Smith Chart Resource:

Free Smith Chart for Excel by RF Cafe – two unique spreadsheets that allow entering either S-parameters or complex numbers

BTS Master by Anritsu

Handheld integrated multi-function test tool RF engineers and technicians in the field need a lightweight, practical, and rugged test solution that can perform all the measurements needed for installation and maintenance of modern cell sites. That solution is the BTS Master MT8222A. It combines the functionality of Anritsu’s high performance-handheld products, including the MS2721B Spectrum Master and the MS2024A and MS2026A Cable and Antenna Analyzer. This combined product weighs less than 4 kg. (9lbs.). The MT8222A provides users with cable and antenna analysis, spectrum analysis, power meter, W-CDMA/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS/EDGE, CDMA/EVDO, Fixed WiMAX, Mobile WiMAX and TD-SCDMA, RF and Demod measurements and W-CDMA/HSDPA CDMA/EVDO, Mobile WiMAX and TD-SCDMA Over the Air (OTA), channel scanner, Interference Analyzer, variable Bias Tee, Bit Error Rate Tester (BERT) and Power Monitor. So technicians can eliminate the need to carry several independent instruments and instead get the job done with the MT8222A – an optimal combination of Anritsu’s high performinghandheld instruments.

BTS Master MT8222A/10A/19/25/27/31/51 On Special Now and Loaded with Options

Easy to use
Coming from the leader in cable and antenna analysis, it’s no surprise that the BTS Master MT8222A is very easy to operate and requires little or no training. Users will enjoy the bright 8.5 in. (215 mm.) color TFT display – easy to read even in broad daylight. Up to six markers can be displayed on the screen including noise markers and frequency counter markers in the Spectrum Analyzer mode.

Keep on going – wherever you like The BTS Master runs for more than 2.5 hours on a single, rechargeable Li-ion battery. So users have the time and freedom to move from ground installations to the highest towers, or anywhere where critical measurements are needed. Plus, when it’s time to replace the battery, it takes no time at all, and requires no tools.
Eight Built-in Languages While fluent in English, Spanish, German, French, Japanese, Chinese, Italian and Korean, the MT8222A user can also customize two additional languages using Master Software Tools.

The new service can accommodate Radio Frequency (RF) power and voltage on a massive scale. It combines high voltage isolation with screening to 18 GHz, whereby most other facilities only allow for testing at 50 Hz or at low voltage.

Previously the preserve of government establishments, the Roke High Voltage Facility will offer an additional option to both public and private sector organisations that wish to test and commission high voltage and high power RF equipment such as accelerator components, ultra high power RF amplifiers, associated transmission lines plus electrostatic systems.

The high end facility will be targeted at R&D specialists designing systems that require multiple high power amplifiers that have tight synchronisation demands and signal distribution complexity. In a controlled and isolated environment, the energising and test of high voltage power supplies, high power drivers and transmission lines can be conducted in complete safety.

Roke will also use the new high voltage test facility itself, allowing it to develop and test a range of novel high power systems for the RF and electrostatic accelerator community, plus systems for the military, energy and medical markets.

Alastair Cook, Industrial and Medical Business Sector Manager at Roke, said:

“A major issue for organisations wanting to test high power and high voltage systems is the availability of facilities and management of the hazards. Reliance on government or academic services can mean that an organisation outside that sphere of influence doesn’t get priority when booking in lab time or full system tests can’t be done. This presents a serious dichotomy for organisations that want to accelerate time to market for their products, but also need to conduct complex and often hazardous tests first. Our new High Voltage Facility represents the largest single investment Roke has made in testing for a number of years and we hope that organisations across the world will recognise the benefit of this unique and easy to access resource.”

The high voltage facility has two screened chambers, one for the equipment under test and a second to hold test equipment and power supplies. Control is performed from a remotely operated and isolated console from which tests can be controlled and progress viewed via a high resolution camera link and optically isolated test gear. The primary test chamber is 4.8m x 4.5m x 4.5m in volume and has double door access that can allow heavy structures to be maneuvered into position.

To complement the facility there is a team of trained and competent personnel to help customers using the service, along with a robust set of procedures to enable a safe operating environment.

About Roke Manor Research Ltd
Roke Manor Research Limited is wholly owned by Siemens, and based in Romsey Hampshire. Founded in 1956 and wholly owned by Siemens since 1991, Roke is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of innovative solutions and contract research and development. Roke employees 450 staff and has over 430 patents to it’s name. Roke pioneers developments in electronic sensors, networks, and communications technology.

About Siemens in the UK
Siemens was established in the United Kingdom 166 years ago and now employs 18,402 people in the UK. Last year’s revenues were £3.7 billion. As a leading global engineering and technology services company, Siemens provides innovative solutions to help tackle the world’s major challenges, across the key sectors of energy, industry and health-care. Siemens has offices and factories throughout the UK, with its headquarters in Frimley, Surrey. The company’s global headquarters is in Munich, Germany. For more information, visit www.siemens.co.uk
(source www.roke.co.uk)

Test Equipment Connection Corp. today announced the company has been chosen to sell new Agilent Microwave Test Accessories. This addition will include over 200 products providing superior RF performance. Microwave test accessories include adapters and connectors, amplifiers, fixed attenuators, variable attenuators, DC Blocks, power limiters, power dividers, power splitters, cable Assemblies, calibration kits, detectors, directional couplers & bridges, terminations, loads, test port cables, waveguide accessories, and RF and microwave switches.

“Agilent RF and microwave test accessories deliver a superior test solution especially to spectrum analyzer and network analyzer users” said Mike Novello President and COO of Test Equipment Connection. “Our customers now benefit by getting these superior RF test accessories from Test Equipment Connection. We continue to be the most reliable and trusted single source for new and refurbished test equipment.”

About Test Equipment Connection Corporation

Test Equipment Connection Corporation and with TE Connection Asia Limited are industry-leading suppliers of New and Refurbished electronic test and measurement (“T&M”) equipment. The companies sell, rent, lease, buy, trade, repair and calibrate over 300 manufacturers with thousands of products available both new and refurbished. The companies are a single source supplier with in-house calibration laboratories assuring that customers receive only the highest quality T&M equipment and support. Test Equipment Connection Corporation has over 200,000 customers, a 45,000 square foot warehouse and repair facility in the US, and 15 years of profitability and financial strength. The Companies web sites are located at www.testequipmentconnection.com and www.teconnectionasia.com

About Agilent Technologies:

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world’s premier measurement company and a technology leader in communications, electronics, life sciences and chemical analysis. The company’s 19,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenues of $5.8 billion in fiscal 2008. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

For More Information Contact: sales@testequipmentconnection.com