The 6-GHz NI USB-5680 power meter features high measurement accuracy and wide dynamic range packaged in a size similar to a typical power head. In automated test applications, the small size frees up rack space without sacrificing performance. Powered solely from the USB cable, the power meter is also suitable for portable applications because it consumes only 100 mA of current without an external power supply, said National Instruments.

Traditional power meters feature a power sensor or head located close to the unit under test and connect via cable to an accurate A/D converter located in conventional instrumentation housing. Using the latest PC and A/D converter technologies, the USB-5680 combines both the sensor and the A/D converter in one package occupying less than 9.6 cubic inches, which is much smaller than the benchtop equivalent. The USB-5680 connects directly to an available USB port on any PC or PXI controller.

With a broad frequency range of 50 MHz to 6 GHz, high dynamic range of 63 dB and precise measurement accuracy with an amplitude accuracy of ±18 db, engineers can use the USB-5680 power meter for a broad range of applications.

To realize full instrumentation capabilities, the USB-5680 comes with a full-featured, executable soft front panel and intuitive, easy-to-use software libraries to help engineers quickly set up their systems. Engineers who need to measure continuous wave RF signals up to 6 GHz can use the USB-5680 in a standalone configuration with a VXIplug&play-compatible executable soft front panel to facilitate interactive control. To incorporate the USB-5680 in an automated test and measurement system, engineers use the intuitive application programming interface (API) with their programming environments of choice including NI LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI and the Microsoft .NET environment.

Pricing: The NI USB 5680 6-GHz USB RF power meter is priced from $2,499
Product information: NI USB-5680, LabView, LabWindows/CVI

National Instruments, 1-800-258-7022, www.ni.com