USB / ETHERNET | PEAK & AVERAGE

Smart Power Sensor50Ω

PWR-8PW-RC

0.01 to 8 GHz, -60 dBm to +20 dBm

THE BIG DEAL
y Peak, average, crest factor & duty cycle measurementsy Modulated, pulsed & CW signal types
y Wide dynamic range, -60 to +20 dBm
y 30 MHz video bandwidth
y 20 million samples / secy USB and Ethernet control
APPLICATIONSy Pulse profiling & statistical signal analysis
y ASK, FSK, OFDM, QAM, LTE modulations
y VHF / UHF / L / S / C band radary Signal level calibrationy Remote power monitoring

Generic photo used for illustration purposes only.

Model No.

PWR-8PW-RC

Case Style

JL2441Connectors

N-type (male)DOWNLOADSOFTWARE PACKAGE

RoHS Compliant
See our web site for RoHS Compliancemethodologies and qualifications

PRODUCT OVERVIEW
Mini-Circuits’ PWR-8PW-RC is a high performance sensor for any power measurement application from 10 MHz to 8 GHz.
The 10 MHz internal modulation bandwidth, coupled with a data processing rate of 20 million samples-per-second, enables
measurement of a wide range of analog & digital modulation types. The video output port additionally provides 30 MHz video
bandwidth for additional analysis or automatic level control circuits.
The power sensor has USB and Ethernet interfaces, allowing control directly from a PC, or remote power measurement overa network. The software provides peak & average power measurements, statistical analysis (crest factor, duty cycle, rise / falltime) and time domain plots for any signal type, including pulsed waveforms down to 100 ns pulse width and 0.1% duty cycle.
Full software support is provided, including our user-friendly GUI application for Windows and a full API with programming
instructions for Windows and Linux environments (both 32-bit and 64-bit systems).
KEY FEATURES
FeatureAdvantages

Peak, average and pulse profiling

Measure peak & average power of CW and modulated signals. Analyze and graphically plot the peak
& average power, duty cycle, pulse width, crest factor, rise & fall times of pulsed signals.

External trigger controls

Trigger in and out ports support precise synchronization with external test equipment, allowing
capture of irregular signal patterns & pulses.

Selectable video BW

Switch between CW, 1.5 MHz, 5 MHz & 10 MHz video bandwidths on demand to minimize measurement noise.

Video output port

Direct access to the modulated signal trace with 30 MHz video bandwidth for external processing or
observation with an oscilloscope.

Full software support

User friendly Windows GUI (graphical user interface) allows manual control straight out of the box,
while the comprehensive API (application programming interface) with examples and instructions
allows easy automation in most programming environments.

Trademarks:
Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries ; Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds ; Pentium
is a registered trademark of Intel Corporation. Neither Mini-Circuits nor the Mini-Circuits products are affiliated with or endorsed by the owners of the referenced
trademarks. Mini-Circuits and the Mini-Circuits logo are registered trademarks of Scientific Components Corporation.
Rev. OR

www.minicircuits.com P.O. Box 350166, Brooklyn, NY 11235-0003 (718) 934-4500 sales@minicircuits.com

ECO-014379
EDR-11689/3
PWR-8PW-RC
MCIL220807
PAGE 1 OF 11USB / ETHERNET | PEAK & AVERAGE

Smart Power Sensor

PWR-8PW-RC

ELECTRICAL SPECIFICATIONSParameterConditions

Dynamic range 1
Return Loss

Frequency (GHz)

Min.

Typ.

Max.

Unit-0.01 - 8-60-+20dBm-0.01 - 8-2318dB

Uncertainty of power
measurement @ 25ºC 2, 3-60 to -55 dBm

0.01 - 8-±0.15

±0.45

dB

-55 to +20 dBm

0.01 - 8-±0.15±0.40

dB

Uncertainty of power
measurement @0ºC to 50ºC 2, 3-60 to -55 dBm

0.01 - 8-±0.50--55 to +20 dBm

0.01 - 8-±0.50-Linearity @ 25ºC-

0.01 - 8-

2-%

Measurement resolution-0.01 - 80.01

--dB-

-

Averaging range
Sample period

0.01 - 81-

999

Full sampling rate

0.01 - 84-

80

Reduced sampling rate 40.01 - 8--

1,000,000
50

ppm
Msps

Time base accuracy
Max sample rate

5Video bandwidth----0.01 - 8-

20-Internal pulse profiling 70.01 - 8--

10Video out port

0.01 - 8--30-

0.01 - 8--

0.1μs-

0.01 - 8-50-

ns-

0.01 - 80.1-

99.9%-

450500-540650Sample period ≤ 80 µs

7Pulse duty cycle for pulse
profiling 5
DC current (Icc)

Ethernet disabled
Ethernet enabled 80.01 - 8

Logic high-

2.7-

5.5

Logic low-

0-

0.6

Trigger out voltages 9(at high impedance load)

Logic high-

3-

5.2

Logic low-

0-

0.3

Video out @ 50Ω load

Output voltage

-

0.5-

2.2

Trigger in voltagesµs

6Minimum pulse width
Rise/Fall timedBMHzmAV

1. Maximum continuous safe operational power limit: +23 dBm.
2. Tested with CW signal
3. Power uncertainty is specified for default sample period of 80 µs.
4. As sample period increases above 80 µs resolution will decrease. To get high resolution of the pulse while maintaining large sample period use the “zoom on pulse” function in pulse profiling (see page 9 for details).
5. Max sample rate is measured in millions of samples per second (Msps). With sample periods greater than 80 µs the sample rate will be reduced to allow covering the full sample period.
6. Internal video BW is selectable between CW, 1.5, 5 & 10 MHz.
7. While the sensor’s internal rise time is 50 ns, this does not mean a signal with a rise time of 50 ns can be accurately measured. See page 5 for details.
8. When Ethernet control is enabled, it is recommended to use an external power supply (USB-AC/DC-5+ or equivalent), a powered hub, or USB 3.0/3.1 port, as USB 2.0 ports are specified
to supply 500 mA load and thus may not be able to supply the required current.
9. Internal trigger functions may not correctly identify a pulse lower than -48 dBm. If a trigger is needed for such signals it is recommended to use external trigger.

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PAGE 2 OF 11

USB / ETHERNET | PEAK & AVERAGE

Smart Power Sensor
ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM RATINGS
Parameter

PWR-8PW-RC
CONNECTIONSPort NameRatings

Connector TypeOperating Temperature

0°C to 50°C

RF InputN-type male

Storage Temperature-30°C to 70°C

Trigger In

SMB male

DC voltage at RF Ports

25 V

Trigger Out

SMB male

Trigger In-0.3 to 5.5 V

CW Power+26 dBmUSB
Ethernet

USB type-B female
RJ45 socket

Permanent damage may occur if any of these limits are exceeded. Operating in the range
between operating power limits and absolute maximum ratings for extended periods oftime may result in reduced life and reliability.

OUTLINE DRAWING (JL2441)

Note 9OUTLINE DIMENSIONS ( INCHMM )A
4.85
123.10

B
2.50
63.50

C
1.20
30.50

D
3.54
89.90

E
1.50
38.10

weight(grams)
260

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PAGE 3 OF 11

USB / ETHERNET | PEAK & AVERAGE

Smart Power Sensor

PWR-8PW-RC

TYPICAL PERFORMANCE CURVES

Uncertainty in Power Measurement@ Low Power Input, 25°C

0.6

-60 dBm-50 dBm-40 dBm-30 dBm

0 dBm+10 dBm+20 dBm

1600

3200

4800

6400

0.4

Uncertainty [dB]

Uncertainty [dB]

-10 dBm-20 dBm

0.4

0.2

0.0

0.2

0.0

-0.2

-0.2

-0.4

Uncertainty in Power Measurement@ High Power Input, 25°C

0.601600

3200

4800

6400

-0.4

80000Linearity vs. Frequency @ 25°C

R. Loss vs. Frequency
15%0.00˚C25˚C-60 to -30 dBm

50˚C-30 to 0 dBm

0 to +20 dBm

10%Linearity [%]Return Loss [dB]

-10.0

-20.0

-30.0

-40.0

5%

0%

-5%

01600

3200

4800

6400

8000

Frequency [MHz]-10%01600

3200

4800

6400

8000

Frequency [MHz]Rise/Fall Time Measurement Error
50%

40%

Measurement Error [%]

-50.0

8000

Frequency [MHz]Frequency [MHz]

30%

20%

10%

0%

50

100

150

200

250300Transition Time (nsec)

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PAGE 4 OF 11

USB / ETHERNET | PEAK & AVERAGE

Smart Power Sensor

PWR-8PW-RC

SOFTWARE SPECIFICATIONSSOFTWARE & DOCUMENTATION DOWNLOAD:
y Mini-Circuits’ full software and support package including user guide, Windows GUI, DLL files, programming manual andexamples can be downloaded free of charge from: https://www.minicircuits.com/softwaredownload/pm.html
y Please contact testsolutions@minicircuits.com for support

MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:
Parameter
Interface

Requirements
USB HID or Ethernet (HTTP & Telnet)

SystemRequirementsHardwareControl cable

GUIWindows 7 or later

USB API DLLWindows 7 or later and programming environment with ActiveX or .NET support

USB Direct Programming

Linux, Windows 7 or later

Ethernet

Windows, Linux or Mac computer with a network port and Ethernet TCP/IP support

Pentium II or later with 256 MB RAM
Power sensor to be used with the supplied USB cable only

APPLICATION PROGRAMMING INTERFACE (API)ETHERNET SUPPORT:y Simple ASCII / SCPI command set for attenuator control
y Communication via HTTP or Telnety Supported by most common programming environments
USB SUPPORT (WINDOWS):y ActiveX COM DLL file for creation of 32-bit programs
y .NET library DLL file for creation of 32 / 64-bit programsy Supported by most common programming environments (refer to application note AN-49-001 for summary of suportedenvironments)
USB SUPPORT (LINUX):y Direct USB programming using a series of USB interrupt codes
y Full programming instructions and examples available for a wide range of programming environments / languages.

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PAGE 5 OF 11

USB / ETHERNET | PEAK & AVERAGE

Smart Power Sensor

PWR-8PW-RC

GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE (GUI) FOR WINDOWS - KEY FEATURES
y Connect via USB or Ethernet (HTTP, Telnet) to control the module.
y Control multiple power sensors at once.

y Set compensation frequency and monitor power measurement.
y Configure measurement (offsets, relative power readings, averaging, set video BW, etc.).
y Peak and average power measurement.
y Pulse profiling (see user-guide and page 8 for details).
y Internal and external trigger and video outputs.
y Graphical pulse display with “zoom on pulse” feature (see user-guide and page 9 for details).
y Schedule data recording.

Enable pulse profiling and graphical pulse display, see page 8 for details.

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USB / ETHERNET | PEAK & AVERAGE

Smart Power Sensor

PWR-8PW-RC

PULSE PROFILING FEATURESCONFIGURATION SCREENy Set the sample period between 4 µs and 1s to capture the pulse profile.
y Select from 4 trigger options:
1. Free – No trigger / free running measurements.
2. Internal – Detect and stabilize the measurements on the rising edge of the RF signal (at the level specified).
3. External On Rise – Measurements are triggered on the rising edge of an external trigger signal.
4. External On Fall – Measurements are triggered on the falling edge of an external trigger signal.
y Select an external output type:
1. Video – Output allows wider bandwidth pulses to be recorded by external measurement equipment.
2. Trigger – Provides a TTL output on the rising edge of a pulse for synchronization with external measurement equipment.

FULL SAMPLE PERIOD

The main pulse profile display shows the full sample period of the sensor in the time domain.
Up to four markers can be set as required to measure power levels and calculate time / power deltas.

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PAGE 7 OF 11

USB / ETHERNET | PEAK & AVERAGE

Smart Power Sensor

PWR-8PW-RC

ZOOM ON PULSE“Zoom on pulse” feature will automatically zoom on the first identified pulse and allows any portion of the pulse profile to be focusedon / expanded in a second graphical display. Simply ‘right-click’ and drag the mouse cursor over relevant section of the profile.
For signals with duty cycle greater than 99.9% or under 0.1% the automatic “zoom on pulse” may not work. In such cases, you canadjust the zoom window by clicking on the arrow icons to increment/decrement the trigger delay and span, or the magnifying glass
to type in precise values.

CALCULATED PULSE PARAMETERS

Full pulse parameters are calculated and displayed in tabular form, including peak / average power, pulse width / period, duty cycle,
rise / fall time, crest factor and overshoot.
The calculated pulse parameters are based on the waveform shown in the “zoom on pulse” window so the user should make surethat the pulse area of interest is properly displayed in that window.

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PAGE 8 OF 11

ASK 5M

USB / ETHERNET | PEAK & AVERAGE

Smart Power Sensor

PWR-8PW-RC

PULSE PROFILING EXAMPLES FOR STANDARD MODULATION TYPES

QAM25

ASK @ 5 MspsLTEClock 8
QAM256 in DECT setup, Gausian filter @ 1.152 Msps

QPSK, QAM16 & QAM64 in LTE uplink setup (1.4 MHz channels, 3.7 MHz offsets) 8 MHz clock

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PAGE 9 OF 11

USB / ETHERNET | PEAK & AVERAGE

Smart Power Sensor

PWR-8PW-RC

CONNECTION DIAGRAMSUSB CONTROLUSB Type A plug Connect to computer USB socket

Connect toD.U.T

USB-CBL-AB-7+Standard
USB type B

ETHERNET CONTROL (USING POWER ADAPTER)
Connect USB-AC/DC-5to mains power
RJ45 connector - Connected to LAN
network port

USB-AC/DC-5

Connect toD.U.T

USB Type A plug Connect to USB-AC/DC-5
power adaptor
Standard
USB type B

USB-CBL-AB-7+

ETHERNET CONTROL (USING POE SYSTEM)
CBL-RJ45-MM-5+

Note:
Commercially available PoE splitter not
supplied by Mini-Circuits.

Connect toD.U.T

USB-CBL-AB-7+

USB Type A plug for +5V power only

PoE Splitter
RJ45 connector for LAN data

RJ45 connector Connected to PoE/LAN port

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PAGE 10 OF 11

USB / ETHERNET | PEAK & AVERAGE

Smart Power Sensor

PWR-8PW-RC

ORDERING INFORMATION
Please contact Mini-Circuits’ Test Solutions department for price and availability: testsolutions@minicircuits.com

Model
PWR-8PW-RC

Included Accessories

Description
USB / Ethernet, Peak & Average Smart Power Sensor

Part No.

Description

PWR-SEN-8PW-RC

Power sensor head

USB-CBL-AB-7+

6.8 ft (2.1 m) USB Cable: USB type A (Male) to USB type B(Male) 10

CBL-5FT-BMSMB+

5.0 ft (1.5 m) Trigger cable: BNC (Male) to SMB (Female)

10. Power sensor to be used with the supplied control cable only.

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
USB-AC/DC-5+

AC/DC +5V power adaptor with USB connector 11, 12

USB-CBL-AB-3+

2.7 ft (0.8 m) USB Cable: USB type A (Male) to USB type B (Male)

USB-CBL-AB-7+

6.8 ft (2.1 m) USB Cable: USB type A (Male) to USB type B (Male)

CBL-5FT-BMSMB+

5.0 ft (1.5 m) Trigger cable: BNC (Male) to SMB (Female)

CBL-RJ45-MM-5+

5.0 ft (1.5 m) Ethernet cable: RJ45 (Male) to RJ45 (Male) Cat 5E cable

NF-SM50+

N-Type Female to SMA Male Adapter

NF-SF50+

N-Type Female to SMA Female Adapter

NF-BM50+

N-Type Female to BNC Male Adapter

11. Includes power plugs for US, UK, EU, IL, AU & China. Plugs for other countries are also available. If you need a power cord for a country not listed
please contact testsolutions@minicircuits.com
12. Power adaptor, powered hub or USB 3.0/3.1 port may be used to provide power when in Ethernet control, not needed in USB control.

CALIBRATIONCALSEN-8PW-RC

Calibration Service

Click HereNOTES:
A. Performance and quality attributes and conditions not expressly stated in this specification document are intended to be excluded and do not form a part of this specification document.
B. Electrical specifications and performance data contained in this specification document are based on Mini-Circuit’s applicable established test performance criteria and measurement instructions.
C. The parts covered by this specification document are subject to Mini-Circuits standard limited warranty and terms and conditions (collectively, “Standard Terms”); Purchasers of this part are entitled tothe rights and benefits contained therein. For a full statement of the Standard Terms and the exclusive rights and remedies thereunder, please visit Mini-Circuits’ website at https://www.minicircuits.
com/terms/viewterm.html

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