Ascentest recently releases the industry’s most competitive S-parameter Test System Solution, UMNA (Universal Multi-port Network Analysis) System, with best-of-all Price / Performance Ratio and the most versatile and practical system functionalities.

 

Ascentest began developing RF Switch Matrix in 2010, and released MPS (Multi Port Switch matrix) in 2011, and Dolphin Multi-port Calibration Algorithm for Full N-Port Testing in 2012, VMNA (Virtual Multi-port Network Analysis system) in 2014.

 

As Ascentest’s ultimate S-parameter Test System Solution, the newly released UMNA system not only integrates all the exciting features of previously released MPS / Dolphin / VMNA systems, it also adopts Ascentest’s High-performance Solid-state RF Switch Modules, upgrades Calibration Algorithms, and expands Test Applications, which is why this evolved system is named as “Universal” Multi-port Network Analysis system in both Functionalities & Performances.

 

Specifically, the UMNA system thoroughly releases the test capabilities of a Two-Port Vector Network Analyzer with an RF Switch Matrix, which enables the system to support High-speed, Highly Accurate, Parallel S-parameter testing on almost all categories of RF components, including the accurate testing of Full N-Port S-parameters (SnP).

 

 

Ever since the release of the world’s first Integrated Fully-Automated Vector Network Analyzer, HP 8510, in 1982, VNA (Vector Network Analyzer) has become the must-have tool for S-parameter measurement of RF & Microwave components.

However, the way of using VNAs hasn’t changed much for more than 30 years, until the latest “Multi-port Vector Network Analysis” technology is becoming more and more popular in recent years, which greatly improves the Efficiency & Functionalities of S-parameter testing, and dramatically reduces the cost of RF & Microwave component testing.

 

For example, you must have known that VNAs can be used like this during production test:

 

 

But you may not know that a Two-Port VNA can be used for Multi-Station Parallel Testing, with a Multi-Port RF Switch Matrix: 

 

 

You may also know that Full N-Port S-parameter (SnP) testing involves annoying times of re-connection:

(Of course, 8/10/12-port Network Analyzer can solve this problem, at Ultra High Cost, if you like it.)

  

 

But you might not have heard that a Two-Port VNA, together with a Multi-Port RF Switch Matrix, can make Full N-Port S-parameter (SnP) testing with Only One Connection, like a flash: 

 

Sounds good? But, why you’ve never heard of such kind of solutions?

Obviously, it’s because no one has ever told you this emerging technology and solution, and also because, it took us 6 long years to push the solution step by step to perfection, until we finally present you with this UMNA (Universal Multi-port Network Analysis) System now.

 

Well, how about the Accuracy, Efficiency, Stability & Durability of this solution?

 

Let’s take a glimpse into the solution’s implementation for industry’s premier customers:

 

◆ The antennas are tested with this solution during production, for the world’s most famous smart phone, the world’s most famous game box, as well as China’s most famous smart phone, and one of the most renowned German car company;

 

 

 

◆ The most famous 4G Basestation Antenna manufacturer in China has been using this solution to test their 9-port Smart Antennas;

 

 

 

 

◆ Similar solution with 20GHz or 40GHz bandwidth has also been implemented for testing the QSFP+ ultra High-speed Data Connection Cables, used in the Basestations & Data Centers, as well as other high-speed consumer data cables, such as USB 3.1 Type-C; 

 

 

 

 

◆ This solution has also been used for testing other RF / Microwave components, such as, RF Cables, Splitters / Combiners, Couplers, Filters, High-speed Differential Circuits, and High-Frequency or RF Transformers, etc.; 

 

 

 

 

◆ Besides production applications, this solution is also ideal tool for R&D Testing, to greatly increase Test Accuracy & Efficiency by minimizing the errors caused by manual operation of test cable re-connections. 

 

◆ All the above solutions are proudly delivered by Ascentest.

 

As can be seen, the unit production cost of world’s industry pioneers is always much lower than others, because these premier customers are keeping improving & innovating their production methodologies, procedures and solutions.

While Ascentest, with its expertise in System Integration, has been helping our customers to develop and implement these innovative solutions in Test & Measurement and Automatic Production, to reduce the Production Cost, to increase the Test Accuracy & Efficiency, and to fortify the Quality Control. 

 

The newly released UMNA System has the following outstanding Features:

1. Frequency Range: 10MHz to 8.5GHz, covering all the frequency bands of NFC/RFID, GPS, 2G/3G/4G, 2.4GHz WiFi/Bluetooth and 5GHz WiFi. (Upgradable to 18GHz.)

2. Test Port Impedance: 50Ω. (Customizable for 75Ω CATV Applications.)

3. Optimized RF Switch Matrix built on Ascentest’s terminated SPDT & SP4T RF Switch Modules with exceptional high performance & proven stability, which expands the Two-Port VNA to a versatile Multi-Port Network Analysis System with 8/12/16 Ports.

4. Upgraded Dolphin Multi-port Calibration Algorithm, with the function of Port Extension and simplified method of Fast Multi-Port Calibration, which are all developed by Ascentest solely with all Intellectual Rights reserved. 

5. Expanded Test Applications & Functionalities developed upon Ascentest’s proven System Software Platform, with 6 more years of continuous tuning and refining. 

 

UMNA is ideal for almost all categories of S-parameter testing, except for very few specific applications, such as 4G Basesation Filter/Diplexer Testing, which requires ultra-high dynamic range, while the insertion loss of the RF Switch Matrix reduces the dynamic range of the system.

 

UMNA system is the ideal test tool for RF Component Production and R&D, thanks to its exceptionally attractive Price / Performance Ratio achieved by thoroughly releasing the test capabilities of a Two-Port Vector Network Analyzer with an RF Switch Matrix. 

 

And, UMNA system can also be delivered with Customized Hardware & Software Services, such as Production Line Upgrade for Automatic Testing, SPC Data Collection & Analysis, Statistical Report and Electronic Bulletin for Visual Production Management, etc.  

 

Some screenshots of the System Software:

 

6-Station Parallel Testing, supporting Independent Station Display & Operation:

 

 

16-Station Parallel Testing, supporting Independent Station Display & Operation:

 

 

Independent Station Display, Independent Calibration, and Reference Data Extraction:

 

 

9-Port Smart Antenna Testing (Main Screen):

 

 

9-Port Smart Antenna Testing (Setting Screen):

 

 

Full 4-Port S-parameter (S4P) Testing, after error correction with Dolphin Algorithm:

 

 

Full 6-Port S-parameter (S6P) Testing, after error correction with Dolphin Algorithm:

  

 

Production SPC (Statistical Process Control) Data Collection & Analysis:

  

 

Statistical Data Report:

 

 

For more information of Ascentest UMNA Universal Multi-port Network Analysis System, please visit:

http://www.ascentest.com/en/Product_info.php?ID=53-2048-1#Menu=ChildMenu1

 

Besides UMNA/VMNA/MPS series systems, Ascentest has delivered a wide category of Test Systems, such as:

 

◆ AT890 Series of Wireless Compliance Test Systems： For 2G/3G/4G WiFi/Bluetooth Certification Test according to CE / FCC standards.

◆ AT900 Instrument Calibration System: For Instrument Calibration Test with Ultra High Accuracy.

◆ HSCT High-Speed Cable Test System: For Fully Automatic “Plug & Play” Test on High-Speed Cables such as QSFP+ and USB 3.1 Type-C.

◆ OMTS Optical Transceiver Module Test System: For Fully Automatic “Plug & Play” Test on Optical Transceiver / Converter Modules up to 40Gbps.

◆ We even delivered a System for Measuring Ice Cap, for Antarctic Science Exploration Mission.

◆ For more of our stories: http://www.ascentest.com/en/News.php

 

We are Ascentest, Creating Value through Persistent Innovation.

 

Finally, Agents and Distributors Wanted, Home and Abroad!

All channel resources are welcome to join us to deliver and share the value created by the Persistent Innovations from Ascentest. 

 

Please don’t hesitate to contact us at: http://www.ascentest.com/en/Contact.php