Integrated pseudo-noise device with network analyzer performance for UWB sensing and component test

Network analyzers are the standard RF measurement devices due to their precision, flexibility and the wide spectral band within they may be operated. They are applied for quite different measurement tasks ranging from device characterization via component testing to a multitude of sensing applications. The disadvantages of network analyzers are their size, weight, power consumption, device costs, and their limited capability to operate MiMo (multi input - multi output) measurements. The paper deals with an alternative device concept which promotes a performance comparable to network analyzers by avoiding their main drawbacks. Its key feature is the use of very wideband PN (pseudo-noise) codes instead of swept or stepped sine waves. These signals may be generated and captured by a simple and stable way. The paper introduces the working principle of the device and shows some recent implementations and application examples.