For more than 15 years, Copper Mountain Technologies has enabled engineers to accelerate development, optimize production, and verify RF performance across diverse applications and devices under test (DUTs). We’ve done this by providing accurate, repeatable RF measurements through innovative, metrology-grade vector network analyzers that have allowed engineers to expand their reach into new applications. Our VNAs are trusted for testing antennas, filters, amplifiers, mixers, cables, connectors, radar modules, wireless devices, semiconductors, IoT products, medical electronics, and other RF and microwave components in the lab, production line, OEM product, and field.
VNAs for Antenna Testing
While a range of antenna testing equipment is available, a VNA is an integral device for designing, manufacturing, embedding, or field testing antenna across industries. Antenna characterization requires accurate measurement of input match (S11), resonant frequency, bandwidth, and, for multiport antennas, isolation and mutual coupling. Time domain analysis can be used to suppress fixture and cable effects, allowing the antenna response to be evaluated directly.
Cable testing involves measurement of insertion loss, return loss, phase stability, and distance to fault (DTF). Time domain processing converts frequency-domain reflection data into a spatial profile, making it possible to locate connector problems, water ingress, crushed sections, and other impedance discontinuities in coaxial and LMR cable assemblies used in field installations.
In RF design and test environments, a variety of measurement instruments are used, yet a VNA stands out as an essential tool for evaluating RF components in design, manufacturing, integration, and field testing applications. Filters, attenuators, couplers, power dividers, and isolators are characterized by insertion loss, return loss, group delay, and isolation. In production environments, the cost-effective V series is well-suited for deployment across multiple automated test stations, while the SC series provides faster sweep speeds and advanced analysis capabilities for engineering characterization and troubleshooting.
RF modules such as amplifiers, mixers, transceivers, and front-end assemblies, are evaluated for gain, input and output match, reverse isolation, and frequency response. In production environments, the cost-effective V series is well suited for deployment across multiple automated test stations, while the SC series provides faster sweep speeds and advanced analysis capabilities for engineering characterization.
Material characterization relies on calibrated S-parameter measurements to extract complex permittivity and loss tangent of liquids, solids, and powders. Time domain gating is often used to isolate the sample response and suppress reflections from fixtures, connectors, and sample holders, improving measurement accuracy. For applications where reflection-only measurements provide sufficient information, a one-port reflectometer offers a compact and cost-effective alternative.
Printed circuit board characterization includes transmission line impedance, insertion loss, return loss, crosstalk, and power distribution network (PDN) impedance. Coverage down to 9 kHz is particularly important for measuring target impedance and evaluating voltage regulator stability, while higher-frequency models support signal integrity analysis of high-speed serial channels and interconnects.
While a range of antenna testing equipment is available, a Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) is an integral device for designing, manufacturing, embedding, or field testing antenna across industries. Antenna characterization requires accurate measurement of input match (S11), resonant frequency, bandwidth, and, for multiport antennas, isolation and mutual coupling. Time domain analysis can be used to suppress fixture and cable effects, allowing the antenna response to be evaluated directly.
Cable testing involves measurement of insertion loss, return loss, phase stability, and distance to fault (DTF). Time domain processing converts frequency-domain reflection data into a spatial profile, making it possible to locate connector problems, water ingress, crushed sections, and other impedance discontinuities in coaxial and LMR cable assemblies used in field installations.
In RF design and test environments, a variety of measurement instruments are used, yet a Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) stands out as an essential tool for evaluating RF components throughout design, manufacturing, integration, and field testing. Filters, attenuators, couplers, power dividers, and isolators are characterized by insertion loss, return loss, group delay, and isolation. In production environments, the cost-effective V series is well-suited for deployment across multiple automated test stations, while the SC series provides faster sweep speeds and advanced analysis capabilities for engineering characterization and troubleshooting.
RF modules such as amplifiers, mixers, transceivers, and front-end assemblies are evaluated for gain, input and output match, reverse isolation, and frequency response. In production environments, the cost-effective V series is well suited for deployment across multiple automated test stations, while the SC series provides faster sweep speeds and advanced analysis capabilities for engineering characterization.
Material characterization relies on calibrated S-parameter measurements to extract complex permittivity and loss tangent of liquids, solids, and powders. Time domain gating is often used to isolate the sample response and suppress reflections from fixtures, connectors, and sample holders, improving measurement accuracy. For applications where reflection-only measurements provide sufficient information, a one-port reflectometer offers a compact and cost-effective alternative.
Printed circuit board characterization includes transmission line impedance, insertion loss, return loss, crosstalk, and power distribution network (PDN) impedance. Coverage down to 9 kHz is particularly important for measuring target impedance and evaluating voltage regulator stability, while higher-frequency models support signal integrity analysis of high-speed serial channels and interconnects.
Copper Mountain Technologies provides a comprehensive portfolio of VNAs, from Advanced Series models well-suited to the advanced functionality required in R&D environments to compact one-port USB reflectometers that directly connect to the DUT, to ultra-compact S-Parameter Modules purpose-built for ATE and OEM applications.
Measuring S-Parameters for R&D
Advanced Series – The flagship R&D Vector Network Analyzer platform, covering 100 kHz to 22 GHz, and extendable up to 330 GHz with external frequency extension. Designed for advanced research and development, it includes a full suite of analytical capabilities such as Time Domain analysis, Time Domain Gating, embedding and de-embedding, and offset measurements. It also supports advanced calibration techniques, including TRL, enabling highly accurate characterization of complex RF systems.
Value Series – Delivering high-speed sweep performance down to 25 µs per point, the Value Series brings NIST-traceable measurement accuracy directly to the test station at an accessible price point. It is designed to combine precision, speed, and cost efficiency for modern RF testing needs.
TR Series – Covering the 50 MHz to 3.5 GHz range, the TR Series offers rapid measurement speeds of 35 µs per point. It provides exceptional value for bench and production test environments, making it an ideal solution for high-throughput RF characterization workflows.
Embedding and Automating S-Parameter Measurement Devices
Advanced Series – Designed for rack-mounted advanced test environments, delivering high-speed measurements up to 22 GHz, extendable to 330 GHz with frequency extenders. Includes Direct Receiver Access for advanced applications such as power amplifier testing, enabling flexible and precise RF characterization.
Select Series or Value Series – Compact, high-performance solutions for fast measurements up to 9 GHz, available with optional advanced analysis features. Ideal for streamlined RF testing workflows where speed, simplicity, and reliability are essential.
1-port Reflectometers – Compact, USB-powered “bolt-in” solutions designed for one-port VNA applications. Their small form factor allows seamless integration into complex RF systems, enabling embedded reflection measurements without the need for bulky external instrumentation.
New
A2202-Fx 2-Port 22 GHz Frequency Extension Compatible Vector Network Analyzer
1-port Reflectometers – Compact, handheld, USB-powered 1-port VNAs designed for fast and reliable antenna and cable verification. These portable instruments deliver precise reflection measurements in the field or lab, making routine RF checks simple and efficient.
TR Series – A high-value 2-port VNA covering 50 MHz to 3.5 GHz, built for versatile RF testing. Ideal for applications such as diplexer and transmitter combiner verification, it combines strong performance with exceptional affordability for both bench and production environments.
Copper Mountain Technologies VNAs offer functionality well-suited to a variety of end markets. Since they have no onboard OS, they are a secure VNA for military and defense uses and reduce likelihood of compatibility issues in integrated production environments. We offer Linux-Native VNAs and models that are compatible with MacOS for a truly adaptable offering of RF measurement solutions.
Defense Solutions
We deliver secure RF measurement solutions for defense customers, including USB VNAs that keep sensitive data on a protected PC while using portable, non-storage measurement modules.
Our solutions also include high-frequency test solutions above 18 GHz using advanced instruments, enabling accurate and secure testing of critical DUTs such as antennas and radar components.
With CMT’s USB VNAs your automated testing equipment (ATE) works as one software system running on a single computer.
We can modify the analyzer module to fit in your system, provide extra frequency range coverage as compared to our standard VNA models should you need it in your specific application or characterize the expected performance outside the frequency limits of our standard VNAs.
For high-volume semiconductor manufacturing, our Advanced Series VNAs are built for speed and efficiency. They deliver exceptionally fast sweep times by optimizing IF bandwidth and data processing, enabling high-throughput testing with a practical tradeoff in dynamic range.
In collaboration with National Instruments, the PXIe-S5090 brings speed and precision to PXI-based test systems, making CMT VNAs a strong fit for modern semiconductor test environments. Learn more.
Internet of Things
(IoT)
When designing IoT devices, antenna performance must be considered alongside the product housing and real-world environment. As wireless connectivity expands across applications—from smart home devices to wearables—more teams are developing connected products without deep in-house RF expertise.
Selecting and integrating the right antenna is critical to ensuring reliable performance in these increasingly compact and complex designs. Learn more.
RF Components
Our VNA solutions support the entire RF lifecycle, from initial design and development through manufacturing, tuning, field deployment, and long-term maintenance.
They enable fast, on-site testing with direct DUT connection for antennas and cable systems, deliver accurate and repeatable measurements in RF design and production environments, and support high-throughput applications requiring high-speed, wide dynamic range performance such as BTS filter tuning and semiconductor manufacturing.
Our VNAs support a wide range of materials measurement applications, from aerospace to agriculture and food quality control. They are used in 1-port reflectometry for tasks such as NASA fuel level estimation in tanks, as well as in compact and advanced systems for free-space RF measurements outside the lab, including field and manufacturing environments.
These solutions also enable microwave sensing applications such as measuring moisture and sugar content in crops, liquid levels in beverages, and other critical food quality parameters, delivering accurate, non-destructive material characterization.
The performance of radomes on aircraft is crucial to maintain. They can experience defects due to wear or impact events that degrade both mechanical and electromagnetic performance.
Traditional radome testing often resorts to the crude “tap test” where an operator listens for sound changes with a tapping coin to detect defects. Compass Technology Group is an expert in materials testing and has solutions available with CMT VNAs to more effectively and accurately test radomes on aircraft. Learn more.
Telcom
Our cable and antenna analyzers for LMR perform lab quality measurements of the S11 parameter for telecommunications testing in the field, in frequency range of 1 MHz to 18 GHz.
These patented (US Patent 9,291,657) analyzers can be connected directly to the antenna or other DUT without the need for a test cable, resulting in highly dependable performance and calibration stability. Our new BFx-02 Frequency Extension Base is a cost-effective 5G test & measurement solution up to 300 GHz. Learn more.
Automotive
With the rise of connected vehicles, RF communications for in-vehicle systems, V2V, and V2X have significantly increased, creating new R&D and production testing demands that require fast, accurate, and cost-effective measurement tools.
We work with OEMs and Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, supporting development and manufacturing of telematics, infotainment, onboard communication and control systems, as well as active safety, radar, collision avoidance, and ADAS applications. Our USB VNAs help engineers efficiently design and test these critical automotive RF components. Learn more.
Cable & Satellite
The cable TV and broadcast industry relies on 75 Ohm VNA solutions for manufacturing, deployment, and broadcast testing applications. With FCC spectrum repacking driving channel relocations, broadcasters face complex challenges in retuning and validating RF systems across shared infrastructure.
Our 75 Ohm native compact VNA solutions support efficient retuning of mask filters and combiners to meet FCC compliance requirements, while enabling accurate testing of antennas, transmitters, and RF systems to ensure reliable broadcast performance during and after channel transitions. Learn more.
Medical Equipment
RF technology is increasingly integrated into medical devices, from MRI systems to wearable wellness products and remote patient monitoring solutions.
We support a broad ecosystem of customers, including medical device designers and manufacturers, RF component and antenna suppliers for connected IoT healthcare devices, and contract manufacturers building complete medical systems. Learn more.
Consumer Electronics
From audio/video equipment, smart home assistants, and wireless controls to wearables and device chargers, our VNA solutions support testing of critical DUTs such as antennas, RF modules, filters, amplifiers, mixers, and connectivity components like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC modules.
Our VNAs ensure reliable RF performance across everyday consumer devices by enabling designers and manufacturers to validate connectivity, optimize signal integrity, and ensure products communicate as expected in real-world environments. Learn more.
Higher Education
Universities with RF engineering labs often face tight budgets, yet students need hands-on experience with modern S-parameter measurements. Our VNAs offer a strong balance of performance and affordability, enabling institutions to equip full labs with multiple instruments for the cost of a single traditional analyzer.
Beyond teaching, our VNAs are also trusted by leading research institutions for scientific applications across a wide range of fields, supporting advanced RF measurement needs in real-world research environments. Learn more.
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The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
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