Rohde & Schwarz 170 GHz power sensors ease use and traceability in the D-band

Rohde & Schwarz is launching the new R&S NRP170TWG(N) thermal power sensor for precise power level measurements in the D-band.

The new R&S NRP170TWG(N) sensors from Rohde & Schwarz are used in general R&D for 6G mobile communications, novel sub-THz communications, sensing and future automotive radar applications. Accuracy is vital to such complex wideband measurements and the sensors are fully calibrated for long-term stability and can compensate for environmental temperature influences within the specified operating range from 0°C to + 50°C. R&S NRP170TWG(N) sensors have a dynamic range of –35 dBm to +20 dBm and up to 500 measurements per second, making them extremely fast with outstanding performance and the only NMI-traceable RF power sensors for the D-band.

Rohde & Schwarz states that all of its power sensors are easy to use and stable with excellent connectivity, letting researchers, developers and production engineers focus on more challenging tasks. R&S NRP170TWG(N) sensors provide stable power readouts even at levels below -20 dBm, have no drift and are resilient to external temperature changes and out-of-band signals (such as far infrared (FIR). Fast measurement speeds and easy digital access to data output are very important in mass production facilities. The R&S NRP170TWG(N) can be connected via USB or LAN and operated with standard SCPI protocols. The company says that the new sensors perfectly complement other D-band test solutions from Rohde & Schwarz.

NMI traceability

When developing the R&S NRP170TWG(N) sensors, Rohde & Schwarz collaborated with Germany’s national metrology institute: the Physikalisch-Technische-Bundesanstalt (PTB) and other NMIs as part of a European Union project to establish traceability up to 170 GHz. Previously, NMI traceability was only possible up to 110 GHz. NMI traceability is a prerequisite for commercial and industrial utilization of a frequency band. Defined power levels need to be maintained throughout a frequency range. RF power is traced to a DC power reference and compared by different national metrology institutes.

Daniel Blaschke, head of development for RF & Microwave Power Meters at Rohde & Schwarz, said: “Through partnering with the PTB and other NMIs we helped extend traceability into the D-band, preparing commercialization and mass adoption of products operating in this frequency range. Rohde & Schwarz is extremely proud to be the first to transform this technological accomplishment into a commercially viable, traceable RF power sensor up to 170 GHz.”

Dr. Karsten Kuhlmann, head of the working group High-Frequency Basic Quantities at PTB, added: “Having accurate and calibrated power levels across the setup in the sub-THz region is no trivial task. Power levels at the DUT measurement plane need to be measured accurately, reliably and traceably to national standards.”