Lab-quality, handheld RF power meter

Keithley Instruments, has announced the release of the Model 3500 Portable RF Power Meter, the first lab-quality, handheld RF power meter on the market.

Keithley Instruments, has announced the release of the Model 3500 Portable RF Power Meter, the first lab-quality, handheld RF power meter on the market.

Designed to make RF power measurements in both field and RandD lab environments, the compact Model 3500 provides the accuracy of a benchtop RF power meter with the convenience of a portable instrument at half the cost of competing products.

With its features and very attractive price, the Model 3500 truly redefines superior value.

The Model 3500 is an important addition to Keithley's expanding family of RF test and measurement solutions, which also includes the Model 2910 Vector Signal Generator and Model 2810 Vector Signal Analyzer.

With a wide frequency range of 10MHz to 6GHz, the Model 3500 is useful in a variety of applications, including test of mobile phone and cellular infrastructures, WLAN devices, RFID readers, WiMax devices, and wireless sensors.

Its large dynamic range of -63dBM to +20dBM enables the Model 3500 to measure signals either directly from the device under test or through layers of cabling and fixtures.

A built-in power sensor eliminates the need for users to carry both an instrument and a separate sensor module.

An internal power reference enables self-calibration and eliminates the need for users to perform an independent calibration.

The Model 3500 makes lab quality RF measurements quickly and easily.

Its absolute accuracy, as good as +/-0.15dB, enables more precise characterization of devices, tighter test limits, and more accurate fixture calibration.

In the lab, the Model 3500 can be used as an RF power datalogger.

Using normal or high-speed mode, it easily captures and transfers data to a personal computer through its built-in USB interface, allowing for trend or drift analysis.

In addition, a number of averaging values can be used when the measured signal varies significantly with time.

Despite its small package, the Model 3500 provides outstanding accuracy on the bench, replacing much larger and more expensive instrumentation.

The Model 3500 can be handheld and easily fits into a toolkit.

An optional belt-loop holster carrying case with shoulder strap is also available.

To optimize flexibility, the Model 3500 is capable of drawing operating power from batteries, an AC-DC converter module, or a computer via the USB interface.

When making measurements, a hold command saves a measurement made in a hard to reach area until the instrument can be retrieved.

A backlight provides illumination when making measurements in poorly lit areas.

Also, to maximize battery life, the Model 3500 can be set up to turn off the backlight for the instrument entirely after a specific period of time.

Once the instrument utilities are setup in the manner you prefer, the instrument state can be saved for the next use.

The Model 3500 is ideal for designers, manufacturers, and service and installation providers of RF products.

It can be used by both technicians and engineers to take average RF power measurements for design verification, production test, system calibration, troubleshooting, installation and maintenance.

Back to top