National Instruments 783986-01 RF Power Sensor

The National Instruments 783986-01 (USB-5684) RF Power Sensor is designed for accurate power measurement across a broad frequency range from 10 MHz to 18 GHz. This true RMS power sensor delivers precise average power measurements for both simple and complex signal types such as single-tone, multitone and wideband digital waveforms. The sensor's compact design makes it suitable for both mobile and automated test applications.

The 783986-01 sensor can handle a variety of signal strengths with an input range from - 60 dBm to + 20 dBm and a typical signal channel bandwidth of 50 kHz. This makes it versatile for different RF testing scenarios. Its measurement range is divided into three segments: + 4 dBm to + 20 dBm, - 16 dBm to + 4 dBm and - 60 dBm to - 16 dBm. The sensor also provides a low input voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR). This enhances its performance by minimizing signal reflection which is critical for maintaining measurement accuracy.

The NI 783986-01 sensor offers both hardware and software triggering options. External hardware triggering allows precise synchronization with other instruments. The software based triggering supports modes like Scope and Slot which are ideal for analyzing burst signals (e.g., WiMAX, LTE) and multislot signals (e.g., GSM, EDGE). This feature enhances the sensor’s flexibility in handling diverse communication protocols and signal types.

This power sensor also boasts high measurement accuracy with uncertainties as low as 0.03 dB depending on frequency and power range. This precision is maintained even under varying environmental conditions with operational temperatures from 0 °C to 50 °C. The device supports both continuous and time slotted measurements that offer flexibility in capturing data across different time scales. It has fast measurement times capable of performing over 10,000 measurements per second in buffered mode.

The 783986-01 sensor is lightweight at 397 g and compact with dimensions of 110 mm x 45 mm x 25.6 mm excluding connectors. It connects to the host system via USB 2.0 that makes integration with test setups straightforward. The device is operational up to an altitude of 4,600 meters and offers shock resistance of 30 g peak. It is tested for both operating and storage conditions in compliance with industry standards.