Pasternack Enterprises Inc of Irvine, CA, USA (which makes both passive and active RF, microwave and millimeter-wave products) has launched a 19-inch rack-mounted variable-gain RF amplifier operating from 100MHz to 18GHz, designed for lab use and test & measurement applications. Normally, this type of test equipment commands long lead-times for delivery often exceeding several months, but Pasternack has made the product available from stock for immediate shipment.
The new amplifier offers broadband frequency coverage from 100MHz to 18GHz with high gain levels of 50dB minimum over a temperature range of -40°C to +85°C. Integrated digitally controlled attenuators have dynamic range up to 60dB with a 1dB step size. Typical performance includes 6.5dB noise figure and +14dBm output P1dB. The package design supports a front-panel LED display with manual control dial and SMA connectors, and a 9 pin D-Sub miniature connector on the rear panel. It is also environmentally sealed and designed to meet a series of MIL-STD-202F test conditions.
The PE15A7000 variable gain amplifier (VGA) can be used on a test bench but is also designed to fit into rack-mount cabinet enclosures (1U high and 10 inches deep). Offering control flexibility, the gain level with precise attenuation step size over a wide frequency band can be manually controlled, or utilize the included RS-232 serial cable and Ethernet connection to link with a PC computer to command control for automated testing (ATE) applications that could involve production testing over temperature or R&D projects.
"This rack-mount variable gain amplifier offers designers high levels of gain and attenuation across 100MHz to 18GHz that can be command controlled via a PC for highly accurate test and measurement applications," notes Active RF Components product manager Tim Galla.
The new rack-mount variable gain RF amplifier is in-stock and ready to ship now.
