Model 12100 Series USB RF Power Sensors

1Overview

The Model 12100 Series is a family of compact, USB-powered RF average power sensors. They plug into a host computer and run with no external meter, no cable harness, and no manual zeroing or pre-use calibration. Setup takes minutes, so measurements start almost immediately whether the work happens on the bench or in the field.

Each sensor measures true-RMS average power across any modulation format, including 802.11ac, GSM, CDMA2000, IS-95, TDMA, OFDM, multi-tone, QAM, and CW. Coverage spans 9 kHz to 67 GHz with a dynamic range of -60 to +26 dBm, so the family reads both subtle and high-level signals with traceable accuracy. Patented thermal-stability technology holds readings steady over the full operating range without drift, and deep internal memory with internal or external triggering supports long-term logging.

2Model Selection

The family covers eight frequency tiers. Most tiers ship in two builds: the S suffix is the Standard build starting at 1 MHz, the L suffix is the Extended build starting at 9 kHz. The 12154L and 12167L ship as Extended (L) only. The standard connector is set by the model.

S = Standard (from 1 MHz). L = Extended (from 9 kHz). The dynamic range is -60 to +26 dBm across the family. The 12167L carries a lower continuous-average ceiling and reduced peak limits; see Specifications.

3Key Features

• True-RMS responding and modulation independent across all formats.
• USB plug-and-play operation: no zeroing, no pre-use calibration, no external meter.
• 9 kHz to 67 GHz coverage with a -60 to +26 dBm dynamic range.
• Patented thermal stability holds measurements steady with no drift over the full range.
• Full dynamic range processed with each sample.
• Interfaces: USBTMC and USB HID, with optional SPI or I2C TTL for direct and embedded control.
• IEEE 488.2 SCPI command set, command-compatible with the Agilent U2000 family.
• Extensive internal memory for trace capture and long-term logging.
• Real-time clock with backup, plus optional unattended autonomous operation (UOP).
• Security options: MIL (write-lock) and SEC (secure erase).

4Specifications

Note 1: Pulse repetition must respect average power over any one pulse duty cycle, regardless of varying duty cycle.

5VSWR Specifications

Match is specified per connector type and frequency band. VSWR limits below are stated as the maximum value over each band.

12100L Series (Type-N male)

12100S Series (Type-N male)

Note 1: Band annotation carried from the source table.

6Calibration Factor & Linearity

Calibration Factor Uncertainty is stated with coverage factor K=2. Values are grouped by connector type and model range.

12100L Series

Linearity Uncertainty (12100L Series)

12100S Series

Linearity Uncertainty (12100S Series)

Cal Factor and Linearity notes (12100S Series): 1. For Normal Mode add 1%. 2. For Normal Mode add 1.5%.

12167L (1.85 mm male)

7Noise & Zero Offset

Noise Specifications

Noise notes (12100L Series): 3. Noise is two times the standard deviation of 100 measurement points. 4. Number of averages for each measurement rate: Normal 16; Double 32; Super 384. 5. For Normal measurement rate, when averages above 16 and power is above -40 dBm noise error is insignificant. 6. Varies with power level. 7. Noise is determined by multiplying the value by 4/sqrt(Normal measurement rate averages). Example (Specification): for 1024 averages noise is less than 0.5nW*(4/sqrt(1024)) = 0.063 nW; for 128 averages, 0.5nW*(4/sqrt(128)) = 0.18 nW. 8. Same formula for typical: for 1024 averages 0.2nW*(4/sqrt(1024)) = 0.025 nW; for 128 averages 0.2nW*(4/sqrt(128)) = 0.071 nW.

Zero Offset Specifications

Zero Offset notes (all 12100 Series): 1. Use this formula to determine Zero Offset uncertainty (%): Z = (Zero Offset Power / Measured Power) x 100. 2. Linearity and Zero Offset are measured as a combined specification, as BNC sensors require no meter zeroing or reference calibration before use.

8Temperature & Thermal Stability

Temperature Uncertainty (Average Mode)

Temperature Uncertainty (Normal Mode): (verify; not specified in source).

Thermal Stability

BNC thermal-stability technology is built into the Model 12100 Series. Measurements remain stable over the entire operating temperature range with no user intervention, zeroing, or calibration. This patented process also defines the zero-power conditions and eliminates zeroing requirements. Measurements are not interrupted for zeroing or calibration.

9PowerEye Software

The Model 12100L Series sensors use BNC PowerEye Precision Power Meter software. The software allows users to make a wide variety of measurements from basic average power to complex triggered measurements. Refer to the BNC PowerEye user's manual for further information. In addition to PowerEye, BNC provides an interactive IO utility with source code, a Persona utility, plus a variety of programmatic code and support.

• For use with any 12100 Series sensor.
• Two sensor calculation windows with calculations for Gain, Loss, VSWR, Reflection Coefficient, Mismatch Loss, and Return Loss.
• USB threading increases performance when using multiple sensors.
• Triggering control including setting Level, Delay, Slope, Hysteresis, Impedance, and more.
• Tabular logging with file storage and retrieval.
• Controls Option UOP (Unattended Operation) and Option 001 (Analog Recorder Out).
• Recorder Out (analog out) control for scaling, etc.
• Offset controls including simple offset and frequency-dependent offset tables.

Average Detector Mode Measurement Rate (MRAT), all 12100 Series

Normal Detector Mode Video Bandwidth, 12100 Series

10Interfaces & Remote Control

Interface Connectivity

The 12100 Series sensors support both USBTMC and USB HID. Direct control is also possible using optional SPI and I2C interface ports. These functions are optimized for programmatic control as well as unattended and logged power measurements. The sensors can be set up, controlled, and read from any of the connectivity options.

Remote Programming

The sensor is designed for full programmatic control in ATE systems and other applications requiring remote programming. 12100 Series sensors use SCPI commands; all three connectivity options use the SCPI command set.

*Agilent is a trademark of Agilent Technologies Inc; NI is a trademark of National Instruments, Inc.

Analog Recorder Output (Option 001)

Recorder Output is a filtered analog output for various purposes. It provides an accurate scaled voltage representing the power level of the signal. The output is linear (not log dB) and can be scaled. When enabled, Recorder Out uses the same SMB port used by Trigger Out, making the port unavailable for triggering use. Trigger In is not affected.

11Triggering

The 12100 Series trigger functions, including slope, level, trigger delay, hold off, and rearm delay, can be set. External trigger input is available for gated measurements, synchronizing multiple sensors, or other purposes. Trigger Input and output use SMB Male connectors, which may be shared with other options.

General

Internal Triggering

External Triggering

12Memory, Logging & Real Time Clock

Store, Recall and Logging Memory

The 12100 Series contains volatile and non-volatile memory. Store and recall functions for the sensor's state and register functions such as Frequency, Averages, and Analog Recorder Out settings have a lifetime of 1 million write and erase cycles. When Option UOP is present, the sensor contains separate non-volatile flash memory designed for long-term logging of measurements.

Unattended Operation (UOP)

Unattended operation makes autonomous measurements. Once set up using a computer, the sensor only requires power to function. Measurements are stored in non-volatile memory and time stamped using the internal real time clock. The option allows the use of trigger functions. Recorder output can be enabled while in unattended operation, allowing calibrated analog output functions with no computer or power meter connected. Power can be applied using a USB power-only cable or, if Option SPI has been purchased, its ribbon cable. Measurement storage using UOP is not possible when Option MIL is installed.

Real Time Clock

If Option UOP is present, the 12100 Series contains a real time clock used to timestamp logged measurements. When the sensor is powered on, the high-accuracy time base is used to increase the accuracy of the real time clock.

13Environmental & Security

Environmental

Initial Stabilization Time

For general use, the 12100 Series sensors are stable 5 minutes after electrical power is applied. Specifications in this datasheet are valid ONLY after a 30 minute warm-up period and for continuous wave (CW) signals unless otherwise stated. The recommended calibration interval is one year. Specifications apply over the listed temperature and relative humidity range unless otherwise stated.

Option MIL

Option MIL addresses security and data sanitization. With this option, the user cannot write to any non-volatile memory. Consult the factory for additional information regarding Option MIL.

Sanitization Option (SEC)

The sanitization option adds secure erase capability. When the SEC command is executed, all non-volatile memory is erased, including User Presets, Persona information, Store and Recall data, User Cal, Simple offsets, and FDO tables. The process is an erase, random overwrite erase process. For additional security, users can execute the command repeatedly. The option is not available if Option MIL is purchased, because non-volatile memory writes are disallowed with that option.

14Applications

• Automated test equipment (ATE).
• Direct control.
• Research and development.
• Manufacturing.
• Radar, satellite, and telecommunications.

15Ordering & Outline Drawings

Specify the model number, which sets both the frequency reach and the standard connector. Choose the S build for coverage from 1 MHz or the L build for coverage from 9 kHz. Add options such as SPI / I2C, Analog Recorder Out (Option 001), Unattended Operation (UOP), and the MIL or SEC security options as the application requires.

Outline Drawings

Available Options & Accessories

• ATE mounting bracket (also shown with SPI cable).
• Secure USB cable.
• SPI / I2C (Option SPI).
• Demonstration kit available.
• Optional connectors available.