AEM MMVNA-200 Mixed Mode Multi-Port Vector Network Analyzer

Descriptions of AEM MMVNA – 200

The MMVNA‑200 is a comprehensive, customizable, and cost‑effective tool for manufacturing or lab testing. It offers numerous test fixtures for testing components such as raw cable, connectors, patch‑cords, or cable harnesses. Its powerful VNA Manager Pro software delivers unlimited plots and traceable test reports, and also allows you to configure secondary parameters such as ACR‑F, capacitance, inductance, or step/impulse response time‑domain plots.

The MMVNA-200 is a multi-port vector network analyzer capable of measuring all ports and their interdependency simultaneously. Its small, portable 8-port form factor is easy to integrate into the manufacturing environment: all possible combinations of RF S-parameters on all ports are measured within a sweep lasting less than 10 seconds, greatly reducing test time over other RF test systems. Multiple test ports eliminate the need to repeatedly connect and disconnect different test fixtures, and no external RF switch matrix is required.

The instrument is uniquely capable of dual-ended testing using two independent MMVNA-200 units synchronized over the communication channel under test, making it ideal for far-field and cable measurements. In addition to RF, it performs DC measurements to verify proper end-to-end connectivity of the DUT — an important capability, since many failures occur due to improper connectivity rather than RF performance. These features make the MMVNA-200 one of the most versatile RF analyzers for engineers interested in deep-dive analysis, while remaining fast and easy for operators.

Key Features

• Compact and extensible: 8-port form factor extensible to higher port densities in multiples of 8; primarily used in laboratory and manufacturing environments for automotive wiring harness and telecommunications cable testing. The 16-port option is deployed as two 8-port devices that communicate over the DUT rather than a fixed backplane, enabling assembly and cable testing where ends are spatially separated — DUT end points are not required to connect to a common test interface.
• 4x differential measurement ports: each port features its own transmitter and receiver, enabling fast, concurrent measurements on all ports and a considerable saving of table space and test time for applications such as harness testing.
• Scalable measurement system: optimized for large-scale testing — one or more MMVNA-200 units can be controlled via USB or Ethernet with configurable IP addresses; VNA Manager can control and collect data from multiple units with uniform presentation, which is particularly helpful in testing complex multi-wire harnesses with a single measurement command.
• Remote management: IP-addressable and running on Linux, the MMVNA-200 acts as a networked device enabling flexible control and data exchange over the network, remote view of test data across geographical locations, and data acquisition for inline manufacturing testing. It runs on a single 5V power supply and consumes less than 10W.
• Standards compliant: adheres to Open Alliance, BroadR-Reach, 802.3bw, 802.3bp and 802.3ch (draft) for the following S-parameter tests:
  • Link segments and components; cables, connectors, and wire harnesses
  • Open Alliance VNA Reference Measurements
  • Equipment connector interfaces (ECU, MDI)
  • Transmitters and receivers
• Flexible test applications: a large number of test applications is supported by user-configurable parameters, with several built-in configurations for widely used applications such as automotive single-pair Ethernet testing.

Capabilities

Comprehensive S-parameter Set

The MMVNA-200 has 4 differential/single-ended transmitters and 8 receivers. In every sweep, it measures all 32 differential-to-single-ended, all 16 differential-to-differential, and all 16 differential-to-common-mode parameters in vector form; when dual-ended testing is performed, the same number of additional main-to-remote channel parameters is measured by each end. The configuration software provides a convenient user interface to pick the parameters of interest among all measurements available.

Far-end S-parameters

Dual-ended measurement enables measurement of far-end parameters, commonly referred to as insertion loss and FEXT (far-end crosstalk). The MMVNA-200 measures all combinations of these parameters from both main and remote units, with the far-end transmission checked against IEEE 802.3bw limits. A “set reference” utility provides zero reference for dual-ended measurements.

S11 Parameters at Near-end – S11 parameters represent the reflection signal. Due to its unique reflectometer design, the MMVNA-200 measures mixed-mode S11 parameters (return loss, TCL) with high accuracy.

S11 Parameters at Far-end – In addition to insertion loss, the MMVNA-200 provides measurement of mode conversion parameters at the far end (typically referred to as TCTL).

Snm Parameters at Both Ends

Coupling between ports is measured for all combinations at the near end and far end (NEXT and FEXT). Near-end coupling measurements are vector measurements, allowing a time-domain view to troubleshoot. All coupling parameters are measured in mixed mode, giving insight into mode conversion in coupling.

Configurable Sweep Speed

The MMVNA-200 allows performing fast sweeps for high productivity in manufacturing testing. A decent 80dB measurement floor is sufficient for most manufacturing test applications where the intention is to verify that the product is within the expected performance; for more accurate testing, the user can configure high-depth measurement with up to a 110dB measurement floor.

User Calibration

The MMVNA-200 allows user-defined calibration. A variety of calibration kits suitable for specific DUTs are available as options, and users can develop their own calibration kits as well. OPEN, LOAD, SHORT and THRU multi-port calibration can be performed by the user.

DC Measurements

DC measurements are performed dual-ended by a main and a remote MMVNA unit and are useful in troubleshooting and verification of the Device Under Test (DUT). End-to-end connectivity (wiremap) and the resistance of every wire are measured with high accuracy, with Pass/Fail support for cable mapping and connectivity.

Measurements Configuration for Easy Reference

The MMVNA-200 performs vector S-parameter measurements on as many as 256 parameters at once. With this powerful configuration tool, you can:

• Deploy test setups to MMVNA units across distributed production sites via configuration files
• Refer to measurements by names familiar to you
• Decide which measurements get plotted in which tab
• Apply pass-fail limits according to your requirements, with easy-to-understand PASS/FAIL results
• Choose the domain of the plot (time-domain or frequency domain)
• Choose to view either magnitude, real or imaginary part, or phase of the measurement

Mixed-mode and single-ended results are displayed, and tools for zooming and filtering of results are available for in-depth analysis.

VNA Manager Pro Software

VNA Manager Pro is the required companion software that runs on a PC connected to the MMVNA-200 and provides all configuration, control, data collection, data presentation and storage functions, including customization of the Autotest through S-parameter-based settings. It is user-friendly and versatile in enabling effective use of the vast amount of S-parameter measurement data generated by the MMVNA:

• One Click Autotest makes it convenient for production environments.
• Command Line Interface support for integrating with automated test environments.
• Supports single-ended and dual-ended test configurations.
• Supports Touchstone and comma-separated values (CSV) export of test results.

Technical specifications of AEM MMVNA – 200

Accessories for

Photo	Model	Description
	MMVNA-CALKIT	Calibration kit for MMVNA model 100 and 200
	VNA_MANAGER PRO	Companion management software for S-parameter configuration, data capture and reporting. Compatible with MMVNA model 100 and 200. Site license.