National Instruments 783985-01 RF Power Sensor

The National Instruments 783985-01 RF Power Sensor (USB-5683) is a highly precise tool designed for accurate measurement of RF power. It offers a wide frequency range from 10 MHz to 8 GHz. This true RMS power sensor is capable of measuring average power for complex signals. This makes it suitable for both single-tone and multi-tone sources as well as complex digital waveforms. With an input range of - 60 dBm to + 20 dBm, it provides accurate results across various signal strengths from very low to high power signals.

The 783985-01 device is ideal for applications requiring mobile or compact solutions due to its small power-head-sized form factor. It can also be easily integrated into automated test setups helping to conserve valuable rack space without compromising performance. The model supports both hardware and software triggering that enables flexible measurement options. Software-triggered modes such as scope and slot modes facilitate precise burst waveform measurements including those for WiMAX, LTE, GSM and EDGE signals.

This power sensor offers high measurement accuracy across different environmental conditions with uncertainties as low as 0.14 dB depending on the frequency and power level. Its wide measurement range is divided into three typical ranges: +4 dBm to +20 dBm, -16 dBm to <+4 dBm and -60 dBm to <-16 dBm. The sensor also features low noise and zero drift that provides stable and consistent results over time. Averaging modes are customizable that allow for automatic or manual selection of the number of averages to fine tune measurement precision.

The NI 783985-01 sensor supports a duty cycle correction range from 0.001 % to 100 % for continuous mode. The model comes with a maximum buffer size of 8,192 and measurement speeds of up to 1,000 unbuffered measurements per second (or more than 10,000 buffered). The RF connector is an N-type (male) and the sensor interfaces with a host device via a USB 2.0 connection.

This RF sensor is designed for reliable operation in diverse environments with an operational temperature range of 0 °C to 50 °C and a storage range of - 40 °C to 71 °C. It can withstand shocks up to 30 g peak and vibrations between 5 Hz and 500 Hz. This RF power sensor is powered through USB and consumes a typical current of 450 mA.