![]() With VNA testing, each port would ideally be connected to a port of a VNA, but practical limits of VNA ports mean that precision terminations may be used instead to enable multiport VNA testing beyond the port count of a given machine. For instance, a single antenna or antenna element typically has a single port, while a power divider/combiner or filter may have any number of ports to the practical limit of the fabrication technology (commonly topping out at 1+32 ports, but a greater number is possible). RF passives may have one to many ports, depending on the type of device and configuration. In some cases it is desirable to test a RF passive at the power levels it is intended to operate at, in this case a VNA is generally not the appropriate tool, and signal generators, amplifiers, and power meters attached to couplers may be used to protect the sensitive measurement electronics from high signal powers. This essentially what a VNA does, but this may also be done with a signal generator and power meter if greater error margins are acceptable. Generally speaking, an RF passive can be tested by simplifying energizing the device through its ports and measuring the power that escapes, or passes through, the device. Passive Filters (reflective or absorptive).Coaxial Assemblies, connectors, and adapters.Some RF passives can readily be tested using coaxial interconnect and a vector network analyzer (VNA), while others may need more rigorous testing at higher power levels or are configured in such a way to may VNA testing challenging. The size, operating frequencies, and interface dictate many of the test parameters to consider when testing RF passives. RF passives testing may be for characterization, quality control/verification, or maintenance/troubleshooting depending on the use case of the RF passive and if it is under development, in production, or fielded. Hence, testing RF passives is critical to all applications. Using Molex patented technologies, very wide band devices can be achieved in relatively small packages.RF passive components are used in virtually every RF assembly and system for communications, sensing, and test and measurement applications. Customers would like to combine multiple bands in order to have a more flexible radio system. New radio designs actively require very wide bandwidth devices in a single radio. Proper design through the application of Molex expertise, along with optimized selection of materials and dimensions, results in acceptable IMD and harmonics performance with proper frequency bandwidth to meet customer expectations. Low IMD usually requires larger isolators and circulators and thicker dimensions. ![]() Low IMD is very important in systems and are not easily achieved in smaller devices. Molex engineers select raw materials with appropriate properties, including the required operating temperature range. Using high power increases temperature and, therefore, degrades performance. ![]() Power handling is very dependent on the circulator’s mechanical design and ferrite material properties. Combining our experience with our patented technologies, Molex can provide isolators and circulators as small as 6mm while meeting customer requirements. It is very challenging to meet required specifications such as those pertaining to insertion loss, return loss, power, IMD (passive intermodulation) and temperature stability in a small isolator and circulator package. Molex has invested in the development of high-efficiency, flexible automated manufacturing equipment to produce high-production-volume isolators and circulators. ![]() ![]() It requires very special customized equipment with significant investment. Automation equipment for isolators and circulators is not common. ![]()
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