Our new THz VNA Measurement Facility is an advanced multi-purpose measurement facility that will enable researchers to test and characterise novel low THz devices and systems. We envision applications to include: exceptionally broad bandwidth communications; tiny high resolution radar systems for moving platforms such as autonomous vehicles; novel sensors based on atomic and molecular quantum states; and artificial metamaterials that allow shielding from electromagnetic waves and new forms of antennas.
Growing demand for low THz spectrum
The low terahertz (THz) band of the electromagnetic spectrum is important for many applications. Demand for this band of the spectrum is expected to increase in the coming years, driven by growth of the 'Internet of Things' (IoT),high data rate communications and high resolution sensing systems. Precise measurement and testing of devices will support the efficient utilisation of finite spectrum capacity.
State-of-the-art technology
The centrepiece of our new facility is the Keysight N5247B PNA-X 10 MHz to 67 GHz network analyser (see image above). The system is capable of measuring, to a high degree of accuracy, the full two-port scattering parameters (both magnitude and phase) of microwave devices in the frequency range from 10 MHz to 1.1 THz using the frequency converter units, supplied in pairs to permit full two-port measurements.
Our facility is funded by EPSRC and the University of Birmingham. The project is led by Professor Yi Wang.
For a discussion about measurement configurations, timescales and costs, please contact Professor Yi Wang.
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