8502A - new version

The Giga-tronics 8502A (8500A Series) is a dual-channel peak power meter designed for high-performance peak and CW microwave power measurements. This updated version features a modernized display and improved system processing while maintaining full compatibility with Giga-tronics' extensive line of peak and CW power sensors. It is ideal for analyzing pulsed radar, electronic warfare, and telecommunication signals.

Microwave Power Measurement RF and Microwave

Specifications

General

Parameter	Value
Interfaces	GPIB (IEEE-488.2)
Display	Color LCD graphic display
Warm-up Time	30 minutes
Saved Setups Capacity	10 complete instrument setups
Self-Test Capability	Automatic power-on self-test of RAM, ROM, and circuitry

Physical

Parameter	Value
Power Supply	100 / 120 / 220 / 240 VAC ±10%, 48 to 440 Hz
Operating Temperature	0 to +50 °C
Dimensions (W×H×D)	426 mm × 133 mm × 457 mm
Weight	13.6 kg

Measurement Performance

Parameter	Value
Frequency Range	0.01 to 50 GHz (sensor dependent)
Peak Power Measurement Range	-20 to +20 dBm
CW Power Measurement Range	-70 to +47 dBm (sensor dependent)
Maximum Rise Time	< 15 ns (with 85001 sensor)
Maximum Fall Time	< 15 ns (with 85001 sensor)
Minimum Pulse Width	100 ns
Instrumentation Linearity	±0.1 dB (or ±2.3%)
Dynamic Range (Peak)	40 dB
Dynamic Range (CW)	90 dB (sensor dependent)

Channel and Sensor Specifications

Parameter	Value
Number of Channels	2
Sensor Compatibility	Giga-tronics 8500 Series Peak Power Sensors & 8000 Series CW Sensors
Sensor Input Impedance	50 ohms (nominal)
Sensor Calibration Method	EEPROM-programmed factory calibration factors applied automatically

Internal Calibration Source

Parameter	Value
Calibrator Frequency	1.0 GHz
Calibrator Power Output Level	0 dBm (1.0 mW)
Calibrator Output Connector Type	Type N (female)
Calibrator VSWR	< 1.15 at 1.0 GHz

Triggering and Timebase

Parameter	Value
Trigger Modes	Internal, External, Free Run
Trigger Sources	Channel A, Channel B, External Trigger Input
Trigger Level Range	-20 to +20 dBm (internal)
External Trigger Input Level	TTL compatible
Timebase Range	10 ns/division to 10 ms/division
Timebase Accuracy	±0.01%

Display and User Interface

Parameter	Value
Auto-Measurement Parameters	Rise time, fall time, pulse width, pulse period, PRF, duty cycle, delay, peak power, average power
Measurement Units	dBm, dB, W, mW, µW, nW, pW

System Interfaces and Connectivity

Parameter	Value
Analog Recorder Output	Rear panel BNC connector (0 to 10 V scale)
External Trigger Input Connector	Rear panel BNC (female)

Power and Electrical

Parameter	Value
Power Consumption	120 VA maximum

Physical and Environmental

Parameter	Value
Storage Temperature Range	-40 to +75 °C
Relative Humidity	Up to 95% non-condensing
Rack Height Unit	3U (standard 19-inch rack compatible)

Triggering

Parameter	Value
Trigger Delay Range	100 ns to 100 ms
Trigger Delay Resolution	10 ns

Calibration

Parameter	Value
Calibrator Frequency Accuracy	±1.0%
Calibrator Power Accuracy	±0.06 dB (±1.4%) at 0 dBm
Calibration Factor Range	50.0% to 150.0%
Calibration Factor Resolution	0.1%

Power Requirements

Parameter	Value
AC Input Voltage Range	90 to 260 VAC (auto-ranging)
AC Input Frequency Range	47 to 440 Hz

Performance

Parameter	Value
Display Resolution (Logarithmic)	0.001 dB to 1 dB (selectable)
Display Resolution (Linear)	1 to 4 digits (selectable)
Averaging Range	1 to 1024 (selectable in binary steps)

Environmental

Parameter	Value
Maximum Operating Altitude	4,572 m (15,000 ft)
Maximum Storage Altitude	15,240 m (50,000 ft)

Calibrator

Parameter	Value
Calibrator Source Impedance	50 Ω

Inputs & Outputs

Parameter	Value
VGA Output	15-pin D-sub

Technology

RF & Microwave Diode Detection

Applications

Pulsed RF signal analysis, radar testing, and CW power measurement