May 2013: A network analyser (also called a protocol analyser or packet analyser) is a combination of hardware and software (though in some cases it is a standalone hardware device) that can be installed in a computer or network to enhance protection against malicious activity. Network analysers can provide detailed statistics on the current and recent activities on the network; they can test anti-malware programs and pinpoint potential vulnerabilities and can also detect unusual levels of network traffic.
Today, these devices come with superior features enabling efficient and accurate analysis by quicker and faster calculations. Let’s take a look at the network analysers launched in the last six months.
Monday, May 13, 2013:
Model: OneTouch AT Network, Assistant, Brand: Fluke, Manufacturer: Fluke Networks, USA
Upgraded in March 2013, the OneTouch AT Network Assistant is an all-in-one gigabit Ethernet troubleshooter for copper, fibre optic and Wi-Fi networks. This is engineered specifically for network testing and network support professionals.
Key features
(1)Wired and Wi-Fi connectivity testing
(2)Infrastructure to application testing
(3)Configurable profiles for standardised testing
(4)Automated one-touch troubleshooting
(5)One hour of testing time to be reduced to just one minute
(6)Inline and single-ended packet capture
(7)Remote management
(8)Measures performance of network services
(9)Tests local and cloud-based services
Contact details: Leah Friberg, PR manager; Ph: (425) 446-5905; [email protected]; www.fluke.com
India branch: Fluke Netwoks India
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Model: VNA Master MS2027C, Brand: Anritsu, Manufacturer: Anritsu Company, USA
Launched in February 2013, VNA Master MS2027C provides frequency coverage from 5 kHz–15 GHz. It specifically addresses complex cable, waveguide and antenna field test needs with accurate, vector-corrected two port magnitude, phase, time or distance domain measurements. It can be used by field engineers and technicians to measure and display all S-parameters with a single connection. An ultra-fast 350 µsec per data point sweep speed makes the MS2027C ideal for filter tuning.
Key features
(1)True two-path, two-port vector network analyser
(2)Ultimate accuracy with twelve- term error correction
(3)Arbitrary data points up to 4001
(4)Supports waveguide measurements
Contact details: Katherine Van Diepen; Ph: 1-408-201-1550; [email protected]; www.anritsu.com
India branch: Anritsu India Pvt Ltd
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Model: NI PXIe 5632, Brand: NI, Manufacturer: National Instruments, USA
Launched in October 2012, the NI PXIe-5632 is a two-port vector network analyser with all the S-parameters and a frequency range from 300 kHz to 8.5 GHz. It features flexible dual source architecture with frequency offset capability for measuring frequency translation devices and hot S-parameters. It enables settable IF bandwidths from 10 Hz to 500 kHz, and up to 20,001 points that can balance measurement speed and accuracy.
Key features
(1)Two-port, three-slot PXI Express VNA
(2)Wide power range from -30 dBm to +15 dBm settable in 0.01 dB steps
(3)Dual source architecture with source access loops for pulsed S-parameter measurements
(4)Industry leading programming interface for NI LabVIEW, ANSI C and .NET for simplified programming
Contact details: Julia Betts, media relations manager; Ph: 1-512-683-8165; [email protected], www.ni.com
India branch: NI Systems (India) Pvt Ltd
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Model: LA 19-13-02, Brand: LA, Manufacturer: LA Techniques Ltd, UK
Launched in October 2012, LA 19-13-02 is a 3 GHz full S-parameter vector network analyser suitable for measuring a wide range of devices from 3 MHz to 3 GHz with a 100 Hz resolution and the test set of a microwave integrated circuit lab (optional). Its full S-parameter test set includes bias-Ts for biasing active devices. The user interface control software provides many useful features: it has de-embedding capability, time domain facility, a dynamic range of 80 dB, it is a less expensive and light-weight analyser with small foot print besides having the reference plane extension feature.
Key features
(1)3 MHz –3 GHz range
(2)100 Hz resolution
(3)80 dB dynamic range
(4)Full S-parameter test set
(5)De-embedding capability
(6)Time domain facility
(7)P1 dB and AM-PM measurements
(8)Lightweight with a small footprint
(9)Low cost
Contact details: Ph: 744 (0) 208- 397-3150; [email protected]; www.latechniques.com
Indian distributor: Nvis Technologies Pvt Ltd
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Model: PNA-L, Brand: Agilent, Manufacturer: Agilent Technologies, USA
Launched in October 2012, the PNA-L is designed for general purpose network analysis needs and is priced to fit into the average budget. Advanced features help in working quickly, easily and accurately. It offers the perfect combination of value and performance, and is available with frequency coverage from 300 kHz to 6 and 13.5 GHz, 10 MHz to 20, 40 or 50 GHz. It offers capabilities that can dramatically increase design and test efficiency. It has measurement speeds as fast as 4 to 9 μs per point.
Key features
(1)Measurement speeds as fast as 4 to 9 μs per point
(2)Superior performance and advanced connectivity compared to the 872x network analysers
(3)Optional built-in second source (four-port models only)
(4)Optional time domain and frequency offset capabilities
(5)Optional electronic calibration (ECal) modules allow you to calibrate ten times faster than mechanical calibration
(6)Up to thirty two independent measurements channels
Contacts details: Ph: 1800-11-2929; www.agilent.com
India branch: Agilent Technologies Pvt Ltd
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Model: PNA-X, Brand: Agilent, Manufacturer: Agilent Technologies, USA
Launched in October 2012, PNA-X is a microwave network analyser designed for high-performance active device tests that help minimise design iterations, test system integration and significantly simplify test processes. The industry leading performance and highly integrated configurable nature of the PNA-X makes it the ideal solution for comprehensive network analysis and tests. It is available with a frequency range of 10 MHz to 13.5, 26.5, 43.5, and 50 and 67 GHz. Its low harmonics internal source is ideal for active device characterisation and delivers high accuracy.
Key features
(1)Integrated two or four-port with balanced measurements
(2)130 dB dynamic range, 32 channels, 32,001 points
(3)Second internal source (optional for two-port model)
(4)Option to combine networks for two-tone measurements
(5)Optional path switches for SCMM
(6)Optional rear access loops for signal conditioning or external instruments
Contacts details: Ph: 1800-11-2929; www.agilent.com
India branch: Agilent Technologies Pvt Ltd
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