mmWave Measurement Solutions

APPLICATION:

mmWave Measurements

mmWave Measurements: Enabling Next-Generation RF Design in Manufacturing and ATE

Technology is rapidly shifting from traditional sub-6 GHz RF into the mmWave spectrum (24 GHz and beyond), driven by the need for higher data rates, wider bandwidths, and more precise sensing. Advances in mmWave sensors, high-frequency RF components, and mmWave imaging are driving a greater need for accessible mmWave measurement solutions. This creates barriers like cost, measurement speed, and precision for volume manufacturing in industries like 5G/6G communications, automotive radar, semiconductor fabricators, and product compliance test labs. As mmWave technology moves from the R&D lab into production, integration, and automation, manufacturers are needing to find ways to test high frequency components in R&D, production, and ATE and OEM environments.

BFx-02 Frequency Extension Base (Patent Pending)

Simplified high frequency S-parameter measurement, reduced solution cost, and fewer points of failure. By eliminating the need for a full-featured VNA in frequency extension setups, the BFx-02 Frequency Extension Base enables streamlined, affordable mmWave RF testing. Compatible with any frequency extenders, it can free up an existing VNA for other measurements, or pair with your choice of new extenders. By decoupling mmWave testing from the VNA, we’ve made it possible for engineers in production, ATE, and OEM manufacturing to extend their reach into the mmWave spectrum.

Advanced Series 2-port VNAs

Our Advanced Series 2-port VNAs offer industry-leading dynamic range and sweep speed, making them ideal for R&D, automotive and defense radar, satellite communications, and high-speed digital systems. Their accuracy suits demanding applications like 5G production, Ku/K-band RF testing, radar development, and signal integrity for PCIe Gen4/5 and 100G Ethernet systems beyond 16 GHz. The series features models compatible with any frequency extenders, enabling advanced S-Parameter measurement up to 330 GHz.

BFx-02 Frequency Extension Base (Patent Pending)

Advanced Series 2-port VNAs

Copper Mountain Technologies mmWave Solutions

Operating at mmWave frequencies introduces significant challenges, such as:

Higher path loss
Sensitivity to materials and interconnects
Tighter design tolerances

Small variations can greatly impact performance, making it difficult for labs, manufacturers, and integrators of mmWave technologies and components to find a solution that is both accurate and affordable. This is where frequency extension-compatible solutions from Copper Mountain Technologies comes in, delivering precise measurements for mmWave RF testing in instruments purpose-built for the needs of engineers – without expensive, unused fluff. In this way, we’re able to offer metrology-grade Vector Network Analyzers and S-Parameter measurement solutions that are affordable and flexible enough to meet our customers’ specs, environment, scale, form factor, and budget. See what’s differerent about CMT

High Frequency RF Testing in R&D

Copper Mountain Technologies Advanced Series 2-port VNAs are optimized for R&D engineers who need high dynamic range, fast sweep speeds, and metrology-grade accuracy for precise device characterization. They support advanced applications such as RF design validation, automotive and defense radar development, satellite communications, and high-speed digital system analysis, including signal integrity work on PCIe Gen4/5 and 100G Ethernet where harmonics extend beyond 16 GHz.

Advanced Series VNAs include frequency-extension compatible models both with and without direct receiver access. When paired with the third-party frequency extenders of your choice, these VNAs enable scalable measurements into mmWave bands, supporting frequencies up to 330 GHz—ideal for early-stage research and next-generation technology development.

For deeper analysis and design validation, the Advanced Series includes powerful built-in capabilities critical to R&D workflows at no additional cost. Engineers can perform linear and logarithmic sweeps, power sweeps, and time-domain analysis with gating to isolate discontinuities. Features such as frequency offset mode and fixture simulation (embedding/de-embedding) support accurate characterization of complex DUTs and test setups. Up to 16 independent channels with multiple traces allow parallel measurements, while advanced marker tools, conversion algorithms, and limit testing streamline data analysis.

To accelerate development and repeatability, the VNAs also support test automation through environments like LabVIEW, Python, MATLAB, and .NET, enabling seamless integration into research and validation workflows.

To help maximize the use of your lab’s Advanced Series VNA, we also offer a BFx-02 Frequency Extension Base for S-Parameters Measurement. This cost-effective mmWave measurement solution frees up the VNA in the lab to allow for parallel use.

New

A2202-Fx 2-Port 22 GHz Frequency Extension Compatible Vector Network Analyzer

100 kHz – 22 GHz

133 dB Dynamic Range
12 µs/point Measurement Speed
Compatible with ANY frequency extender

New

A2202-DFx 2-Port 22 GHz Direct Receiver Access and Frequency Extender Compatible Vector Network Analyzer

100 kHz – 22 GHz

133 dB Dynamic Range
12 µs/point Measurement Speed
Compatible with ANY frequency extender
Direct Receiver Access

New

BFx-02 Frequency Extension Base for S-Parameters Measurement

4 GHz – 20 GHz

Frequency range: 4 to 20 GHz
RF output power: up to +20 dBm
LO output power: up to +20 dBm
Weight: 4.4Kg

Testing mmWave Devices in Production

Operational and financial constraints have historically made the barrier to entry for inline RF testing of mmWave devices incredibly high. Device cost, integration complexity, and rigid compatibility has made ownership of VNAs for mmWave production testing at scale unreachable for many manufacturers. This was what motivated the engineers at Copper Mountain Technologies to rethink frequency extension, landing on a streamlined, cost effective solution: the BFx-02 Frequency Extension Base (Patent Pending) for S-Parameters Measurement in mmWave testing.

The BFx-02 Frequency Extension Base is purpose-built for manufacturing at scale, with a simplified architecture that:

Provides all RF signals needed to drive mmWave extenders
Reduces the cost of production line mmWave test systems
Simplifies setup and integration
Has fewer points of failure
Has high RF and LO output power to drive lengthy cables so extenders can be widely separated
Features connectors located on the side panels for ease of connectivity and reduced cable strain
Operates with extenders of your choice
Doesn’t sacrifice performance

The result is a device that makes high volume RF testing in the mmWave spectrum achievable on the production line: not just in the lab.

The BFx-02 Frequency Extension Base is a groundbreaking system which operates as a coherent RF and LO source combined with an IF processing engine, working in tandem with mmWave frequency extenders that contain the reflectometer and frequency conversion stages. The extenders perform RF sampling and downconversion, returning Test and Reference IF signals to the BFx-02 Frequency Extension Base, where they are ratioed to compute S-parameters. By eliminating internal directional bridges and microwave receivers, the BFx-02 Frequency Extension Base shifts the measurement front end to the extender, enabling lower-cost, more scalable mmWave test systems.

New

BFx-02 Frequency Extension Base for S-Parameters Measurement

4 GHz – 20 GHz

Frequency range: 4 to 20 GHz
RF output power: up to +20 dBm
LO output power: up to +20 dBm
Weight: 4.4Kg

Integrating and Embedding mmWave S-Parameters Measurement

Automated RF test systems require a device that goes beyond taking accurate measurements, which is why the idea of embedded mmWave OEM solutions and integrated automated test equipment for the mmWave spectrum are largely unheard of today. A robust VNA like the Copper Mountain Technologies Advanced Series Fx compatible models are optimal for R&D lab usage, where their full capability set is put to use and they aren’t generally needed in volume. The best RF test equipment for OEM integration and ATE is a device that is:

Cost effective for RF testing mmWave frequencies at scale, as the cost of the testing device can have significant impact on production yield and on how competitive an OEM solution can be in the market.
Reliably accurate to ensure quality product is sent to the customer.
Adaptable enough to handle future adjustments in product lines, test instrumentation stack, operating systems, and software requirements.
Compact enough to be embedded into another product without adding bulk.
Simplified for ease of set up, use, and troubleshooting with optimizations to minimize potential points of failure.

The BFx-02 Frequency Extension Base for S-Parameters measurement is purpose-built to meet these challenges. The device is not a VNA for mmWave applications; it is a base for frequency extension that replaces the VNA entirely for this application. Its streamlined design greatly reduces the cost of the instrument without sacrificing performance, reduces potential points of failure, and simplifies setup. By decoupling frequency extension from the VNA, the BFx-02 Frequency Extension Base becomes more adaptable, providing all RF signals needed to drive mmWave extenders without being restricted to any specific manufacturer or frequency band. Like all Copper Mountain Technologies instruments, it also doesn’t have an onboard operating system, avoiding software obsolescence as OS’s evolve and allowing for easy shared use across team members. And it does all of this without making performance sacrifices.

New

BFx-02 Frequency Extension Base for S-Parameters Measurement

4 GHz – 20 GHz

Frequency range: 4 to 20 GHz
RF output power: up to +20 dBm
LO output power: up to +20 dBm
Weight: 4.4Kg

Supported Frequency Extenders

Copper Mountain Technologies VNAs are fully compatible with a range of frequency extenders that have been thoroughly tested and validated for performance across various frequency bands. You can pair our instruments with frequency extenders of your choice, or your existing frequency extenders. Alternatively, we would be happy to provide a bundled solution for you that includes both the VNA or BFx-02 Frequency Extension Base and a suitable frequency extender from a third-party manufacturer, validated to your application prior to shipping. Please let us know your requirements so we can include this in your quotation.

Guides to mmWave Measurements

mmWave Measurements videos by Copper Mountain Technologies

4 Videos

mmWave Measurements with a Low Frequency VNA

0:16

mmWave Focused Beam System with Compass Technology Group

0:16

mmWave Materials Measurement System for Solids, Liquids, and Powders

0:16

APPLICATION: