The Boonton 4540 series RF peak power meters consisting of the 1-channel 4541 and the 2-channel 4542 provide one of the most versatile power measuring systems with the capability of making over 20 different power related measurements on captured signals. The 4540 power meter can be operated with Boonton peak, CW power sensors, and voltage probes and can function as a CW and Peak power meter, statistical power analyzer and RF voltmeter. The instrument provides three basic power measurements – pulse power, modulated power and statistical power. Each mode is targeted towards a specific type of measurement which can be displayed both graphically and numerically.

The Boonton 4500B power meter is the instrument of choice for capturing, displaying, analyzing and characterizing RF power in both the time and statistical domains.

Pulsed signals used for radar, remote sensing and tracking, MRI medical imaging, and certain wireless communication applications such as WiMax & LTE have become increasingly complex to measure. The instruments used to measure these signals must have sufficient capability to account for synchronization changes within a burst of pulses to capture a specific region and measure the signal accurately. A Peak power meter with advanced trigger capabilities is an excellent tool for this purpose.

Measuring and characterizing pulsed RF signals used in radar applications present unique challenges. Unlike communication signals, pulsed radar signals are "on" for a short time followed by a long "off" period, during "on" time the system transmits anywhere from kilowatts to megawatts of power. The high power pulsing can stress the power amplifier (PA) in a number of ways both during the on/off transitions and during prolonged "on" periods. As new PA device technologies are introduced, latest one being GaN, the behavior of the amplifier needs to be thoroughly tested and evaluated. Given the time domain nature of the pulsed RF signal, the best way to observe the performance of the amplifier is through time domain signal analysis. This article explains why the peak power meter is a must have test instrument for characterizing the behavior of pulsed RF power amplifiers (PA) used in radar systems

This Technical Note describes a trigger option useful for pulse power measurement in radar, remote sensing and tracking, and certain wireless communication applications such as TDMA and GSM.

This Technical Note describes storing data and documenting measurement results.

This Application Note describes a method for obtaining and using probability functions to analyze the peak power of complex modulated RF signals.

When demonstrating the Boonton 4500B to customers, a question often arises regarding the nature of the shape of the observed pulse when viewing in logarithmic mode. The trailing edge appears to display a slow decay, and there can be concern that the instrument is not showing a faithful reproduction of the pulse. The following article explains this phenomenon, which is present for all diode power sensors regardless of manufacturer, and shows that it has a negligible effect on measurement.

The Boonton 55 Series USB power sensor offers very fast, accurate and highly reliable RF power measurements with the capability of making over 16 automated pulse power measurements on captured pulsed RF signals.

Gallium nitride (GaN) technology has become a staple for high power amplifiers (PAs) used in radar applications. Moreover, the high power and/or the radar application often require the signals to be pulsed.