Abstract: A system adapted to measure electrical performance of a device under test (DUT) having two or more ports includes a plurality of signal sources synchronized and configured to generated signals simultaneously, a plurality of first signal paths to obtain transmitted and reflected signals from the DUT, a plurality of second signal paths to obtain incident signals from the signal sources, and a receiver for receiving the reflected, transmitted and incident signals obtained at the first signal paths and the second signal paths. The receiver is adapted to separate the reflected and the transmitted signals obtained from each of the first signal paths. The signal sources are configured to each generate a signal having a frequency offset from each of the others of the signal sources by a known frequency delta.

Abstract: Shockline-based samplers of a vector-network analyzer (VNA) have enhanced dynamic range by using a dynamic bias network applied to the non-linear transmission lines (NLTLs) or shocklines. The bias voltage applied to the NLTL provides direct control over the falling-edge shockline compression, and thus the insertion loss and overall RF bandwidth of the sampler. Alternating between a forward bias voltage to turn off a shockline sampler when it is not needed and thereby reducing spurious generation and improving isolation can be alternatively applied with a reverse bias voltage to turn on the shockline sampler in a normal operation mode. By measuring the shockline output and providing feedback in the reverse-bias mode, the bias voltage can be dynamically adjusted to significantly increase the performance of the NLTL based sampler. In the presence of a strong positive bias voltage, the incoming LO and its harmonics experience large ohmic losses thus preventing gating pulses from forming in the shockline.

Abstract: A high-frequency VNA system is provided using non-linear transmission line (NLTL or shockline) based samplers configured to provide scalable operation characteristics. Scaling to adjust noise performance vs. frequency is accomplished as follows: (1) increasing or decreasing the fall time of a shockline's output voltage waveform. This is accomplished by changing the number of Schottky varactors in a shockline, as well as changing the shockline's Bragg cutoff frequency by setting the spacing between Schottky varactors; (2) changing the structure of the pulse-forming network connected with the sampler by changing the length of the differentiator arms in the sampler pulse-forming network; and (3) changing the LO signal frequency applied to the shockline. Multiple NLTL based samplers are multiplexed to form a broadband reflectometer with the multiplexing circuitry selectively connecting one of the NLTL based sampler segments at a time to allow user selection of a desired performance vs.

Abstract: A vector network analyzer (VNA) in accordance with the present invention for measuring a frequency response of a device under test (DUT) includes a signal source, a port, a signal path connecting the port and the signal source, and a reflectometer receiver that when activated taps onto the signal path within a primary frequency range. The port is adapted to be electrically connected with the DUT while disconnected from a frequency-extension module or electrically connected to the DUT with the frequency-extension module serially connected between the port and the DUT. When the port is electrically connected with the DUT and electrically disconnected from the frequency-extension module, the reflectometer receiver is active so that the frequency response of the DUT is measureable within the primary frequency range using the reflectometer receiver and the signal source.

Abstract: A system is provided using one or more shocklines or non-linear transmission lines (NLTLs) to extend the bandwidth of an RF signal source. Extension of the RF bandwidth is achieved by means of multiplexing as well as frequency scaling. Frequency scaling tailors the performance of each NLTL for operation in a particular output frequency band(s) by adjusting the varactor spacing in the NLTL. Multiplexing amalgamates the output frequency bands of one or more NLTLs, thus resulting in a broad output frequency range.

Abstract: A high-frequency VNA system is provided using non-linear transmission line (NLTL or shockline) based samplers configured to provide scalable operation characteristics. Scaling to adjust noise performance vs. frequency is accomplished as follows: (1) increasing or decreasing the fall time of a shockline's output voltage waveform. This is accomplished by changing the number of Schottky varactors in a shockline, as well as changing the shockline's Bragg cutoff frequency by setting the spacing between Schottky varactors; (2) changing the structure of the pulse-forming network connected with the sampler by changing the length of the differentiator arms in the sampler pulse-forming network; and (3) changing the LO signal frequency applied to the shockline. Multiple NLTL based samplers are multiplexed to form a broadband reflectometer with the multiplexing circuitry selectively connecting one of the NLTL based sampler segments at a time to allow user selection of a desired performance vs.

Abstract: A system to extend an operating bandwidth of a signal generator comprises a signal generator, an output port, a first transmission line extending between the signal generator and the output port, a mixer adapted to receive a first signal from the signal generator, a local oscillator adapted to provide a second signal to the mixer to beat against the first signal, a second transmission line extending from the mixer to transmit a plurality of output signals of the mixer, and one or more channels couplable between the first transmission line and the second transmission line. The one or more channels include a first coupler having a length adapted to couple one or more of the output signals within a band of frequencies from the second transmission line to the channel, a second coupler having a length adapted to couple the one or more of the output signals from the channel to the first transmission line, and a filter arranged between the first coupler and the second coupler.

Abstract: Shockline-based samplers of a vector-network analyzer (VNA) have enhanced dynamic range by using a dynamic bias network applied to the non-linear transmission lines (NLTLs) or shocklines. The bias voltage applied to the NLTL provides direct control over the falling-edge shockline compression, and thus the insertion loss and overall RF bandwidth of the sampler. Alternating between a forward bias voltage to turn off a shockline sampler when it is not needed and thereby reducing spurious generation and improving isolation can be alternatively applied with a reverse bias voltage to turn on the shockline sampler in a normal operation mode. By measuring the shockline output and providing feedback in the reverse-bias mode, the bias voltage can be dynamically adjusted to significantly increase the performance of the NLTL based sampler. In the presence of a strong positive bias voltage, the incoming LO and its harmonics experience large ohmic losses thus preventing gating pulses from forming in the shockline.

Abstract: A non-linear waveguide comprises a transmission line including a first conductive line and a second conductive line; a first bias voltage supply connected with the transmission line; and one or more pairs of diodes connected between the first conductive line and the second conductive line, the one or more pairs of diodes including: a first diode having an anode connected with the first conductive line and a cathode connected with the second conductive line; a second diode having a cathode connected with the first conductive line and an anode connected with the second conductive line; and a second bias voltage supply connected between the anode of the second diode and the second conductive line.

Abstract: A spectrum analyzer is provided with frequency-scalable circuit architectures that extend the bandwidth of the spectrum analyzer using an array of couplers. The array of couplers is distributed along the RF signal path at one end, and interfaced to one or more frequency-translation devices such as mixers or samplers at the other. In a first architecture, a single mixer is employed with an LO signal applied to one input and coupler outputs providing RF signals to another input, with switching controlled to select one coupler's RF output to provide to the mixer. In a second architecture, a separate mixer is used, one for each coupler RF signal, with switches selecting one of the mixer IF outputs to select a desired output frequency. Both the first and second embodiments eliminate switching and its associated loss and frequency limitations from the main RF signal path to enable wideband high-dynamic-range spectrum analysis.

Abstract: A power sensor includes a substrate, an aperture within the substrate, a membrane formed over at least a portion of the substrate and extending over the aperture, and an electro-thermal transducer partially supported by the insulating membrane. The electro-thermal transducer includes an impedance matched, bifurcated load supported over the aperture by the insulating membrane, and a thermopile extending over the aperture and supported by the insulating membrane, the thermopile being adapted to generate a voltage in response to heat generated in the impedance matched, bifurcated load. A signal conductor is electrically connected with one end of the impedance matched, bifurcated load to guide electromagnetic signals to the load, and a conductive under-layer stratified from the signal conductor by an intermediary dielectric is connected with an opposite end of the impedance matched, bifurcated load to act as a ground plane.

Abstract: A system for measuring a frequency response of an electrical network includes a signal source, a signal source path, a reflectometer receiver interactively associated with the signal source path by a directional coupler, and one or more additional reflectometer receivers arranged in series along the signal source path and associated with the signal source path by one or more respective additional directional couplers. The directional coupler and one or more respective additional directional couplers operate at different frequency ranges.

Abstract: A system to extend an operating bandwidth of a signal generator comprises a signal generator, an output port, a first transmission line extending between the signal generator and the output port, a mixer adapted to receive a first signal from the signal generator, a local oscillator adapted to provide a second signal to the mixer to beat against the first signal, a second transmission line extending from the mixer to transmit a plurality of output signals of the mixer, and one or more channels couplable between the first transmission line and the second transmission line. The one or more channels include a first coupler having a length adapted to couple one or more of the output signals within a band of frequencies from the second transmission line to the channel, a second coupler having a length adapted to couple the one or more of the output signals from the channel to the first transmission line, and a filter arranged between the first coupler and the second coupler.

Abstract: An electrical measurement instrument comprises an electrical measurement component, a computer to receive measurement data from the electrical measurement component, a central processing unit, one or more graphical processing units, a graphical processing unit programming interface to control the one or more graphical processing units, and a graphical processing unit-based mathematical library accessible to the graphical processing unit programming interface. The one or more graphical processing units perform processing of at least a portion of the measurement data.

Abstract: A system for fabricating, testing, and modifying a prototype of an electrical circuit comprises a materials printer including a holder for positioning a substrate. The materials printer is adapted to receive information describing the prototype and is further adapted to fabricate the prototype on the substrate based on the information. An electrical measuring instrument associated with the holder is adapted to be placed in electrical communication with the prototype when the prototype is received by the holder. A display device receives a plurality of measurements of the prototype from the electrical measuring instrument.

Abstract: A spectrum analyzer is provided with frequency-scalable circuit architectures that extend the bandwidth of the spectrum analyzer using an array of couplers. The array of couplers is distributed along the RF signal path at one end, and interfaced to one or more frequency-translation devices such as mixers or samplers at the other. In a first architecture, a single mixer is employed with an LO signal applied to one input and coupler outputs providing RF signals to another input, with switching controlled to select one coupler's RF output to provide to the mixer. In a second architecture, a separate mixer is used, one for each coupler RF signal, with switches selecting one of the mixer IF outputs to select a desired output frequency. Both the first and second embodiments eliminate switching and its associated loss and frequency limitations from the main RF signal path to enable wideband high-dynamic-range spectrum analysis.

Abstract: A power sensor comprises a substrate, an insulating membrane associated with the substrate, and an electro-thermal transducer partially supported by the insulating membrane. The electro-thermal transducer includes an impedance matched load spaced from the substrate by the insulating membrane, and a thermopile partially spaced from the substrate by the insulating membrane and partially arranged on the substrate, the thermopile being adapted to generate, a voltage in response to heat generated in the impedance matched load. An electrically conductive member connected with the impedance matched load to guide electromagnetic signals to the electro-thermal transducer.

Abstract: A non-linear waveguide comprises a transmission line including a first conductive line and a second conductive line; a first bias voltage supply connected with the transmission line; and one or more pairs of diodes connected between the first conductive line and the second conductive line, the one or more pairs of diodes including: a first diode having an anode connected with the first conductive line and a cathode connected with the second conductive line; a second diode having a cathode connected with the first conductive line and an anode connected with the second conductive line; and a second bias voltage supply connected between the anode of the second diode and the second conductive line.

Abstract: A system for measuring a frequency response of an electrical network, comprises a signal source, a signal source path, a reflectometer receiver interactively associated with the signal source path by a directional coupler, and one or more additional reflectometer receivers arranged in series along the signal source path and associated with the signal source path by one or more respective additional directional couplers. The directional coupler and one or more respective additional directional couplers operate at different frequency ranges.

Abstract: A system and method for providing improved isolation between sampling channels in a vector network analyzer and sampling circuit. A vector network analyzer sampling channel includes a non-linear transmission line, an isolation device, a band-pass filter, and a sampler. The nonlinear transmission line receives a continuous-wave driving signal and generates a shockwave from which a pulse signal is generated. The pulse signal is used to gate the sampler and thus sample an RF signal. The isolation device and band-pass filter provide reverse isolation for RF signals traveling in the reverse direction within the channel and prevent RF signal leakage between vector network analyzer channels. The isolation device may include an isolator, amplifier or other reverse isolation device, and is used in conjunction with a band-pass filter. The band-pass filter is used to pass a frequency band for driving the non-linear transmission line.