Com-Power PAM-118A - Manual

Features
Ultra Wideband - 500 MHz to 18 GHz
High Gain - 40 dB minimum
Flat Response - + 2.5 dB
Low Noise Figure - 3 dB max
P
out
@ 1 dB Gain Compression - +12 dBm
Battery Powered
Application
The PAM-118A preamplifier increases system sensitiv-
ity enhancing the capability of measurement system
to measure low level signals. It also provides input
isolation to your spectrum analyzer or receiver.
During EMC measurements the antennas are usu-
ally placed at a distance of 1 to 10 meters from the
equipment under test. Most antennas operating
above 1 GHz typically have high antenna factors.
In addition, the long interconneting cables, espe-
cially operating in the microwave frequencies have
high cable loss. These factors makes it difficult to
distinguish low level signal from the noise floor of
the spectrum analyzer / receiver. The preamplifier
improves system sensitivity by amplifying the signals
before they reach the spectrum analyzer / receiver
input thereby improving the signal to noise ratio.
The system sensitivity can be further improved by
connecting the preamplifier as close as possible
to the the antenna output. This eliminates the at-
tenuation of the signal due to long cable length
before the preamplifier gets a chance to amplify it.
The reduced cable length from antenna output to
preamplifier input drastically improves the overall
system sensitivity. The battery powered PAM-118A
allows placing the preamplifier very close to the
receiving antenna without possible introduction of
interference from power cables.
Description
The PAM-118A is a wideband, high gain, bench top
microwave preamplifier. The PAM-118A has a fre-
quency range of 500 MHz to 18 GHz. This preamplifier
is primarily intended for EMC applications; However,
it may be used for other application that require low
noise and high signal amplification.
The simple front panel consists of two 50 Ohm
matched precision N-connectors for input and out-
put. The preamplifier was designed to have flat gain
with minimal variation over the entire frequency
range. The flat gain helps in taking fast adhoc read-
ings during troubleshotting, R&D phase. The high
gain and low noise figure of PAM-118A increases
system sensitivity of effectively all measurement
systems. It is very effective in measuring low level
signals during Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)
testing. It has low VSWR and high reverse isolation.
Each preamplifier is individually calibrated using
equipment traceable to National Institute of Stan-
dards and Technology. Individual data and certificate
of calibration is shipped with each unit. The PAM-
118A is battery powered to avoid any noise effects
of power cables. It can also be powered by 15 VDC,
500 mA power adapter (provided with the unit).
Preamplifier
PAM-118A
Com-Power Corporation 114 Olinda Drive, Brea, California 92823 (714) 528 - 8800 www.com-power.com
Rev: A, Issue: 11-12