Does anyone know how to measure RF power (output power, 10 mW) of a power amplifier with a network analyzer? Someone suggested me that I can do this but I don't know how. Could someone give me some ideas? Thanks a lot!
Agilent new veersion NA can measurement power more accurate than old version.
You should calibrate the NA before using. The calibration have two methods: one is using external signal generator, and the other is using the internal signal generator of NA.
After calibration, you can measure your signal power precisely.
Does anyone know how to measure RF power (output power, 10 mW) of a power amplifier with a network analyzer? Someone suggested me that I can do this but I don't know how. Could someone give me some ideas? Thanks a lot!
First, be ABSOLUTELY sure you don't overdrive the receiver on the Network Analyzer. Check the NA's specs to make sure you don't blow out the front-end!!!! (very $$$$$$$$$ to fix)
The NA will give you forward gain very accurately. If you set the input source power to 0 dBm, then the gain value you read will be the output power in dBm. (input power + gain = output power... 0 dBm + 9 dB gain = 9 dBm). If you set your source power to -10 dBm, then the -10+gain will be your output power in dBm (-10 dBm + 9 dB gain = -1 dBm).