Product Overview

With frequency ranges from 9 kHz to 4.5 GHz, 9 GHz, 20 GHz and 26.5 GHz, the R&S®ZNB3000 vector network analyzers are ideal for applications in the communications, aerospace and defense industries. High-volume production of RF components and short ramp-up times is the environment where the R&S®ZNB3000 shines and delivers maximum results. The R&S®ZNB3000 has a flexible upgrade concept to rapidly scale up and adapt to your requirements. The measurement speed, stability, outstanding RF performance and extended functions make the R&S®ZNB3000 the instrument to get the job done.

Key Features

Ultrafast measurement speed Maximum throughput with ultrafast measurement cycles The combination of a fast DDS-based synthesizer, the best dynamic range in class and efficient backend data handling results in extremely high measurement throughput. The R&S®ZNB3020 can perform a frequency sweep from 1 MHz to 26.5 GHz, 1601 points, 500 kHz IF bandwidth with full two port error correction in a total measurement time of 21.2 ms. It is the instrument of choice for high volume production, where test per second costs low and throughput high are essential.

Best dynamic range in class Ideal for filter characterization The measurement speed for filter tests is determined by the synthesizer settling times, the required dynamic range and the corresponding IF bandwidth. The R&S®ZNB3020 offers an innovative enhanced dynamic range mode that allows the use of higher IF bandwidths with same trace noise magnitude values as conventional VNAs, leading to improved measurement throughput.

Fast production scale-up Flexible frequency upgrade options Additional frequency ranges and the easy frequency upgrade concept assure rapid scale-up of production and protect your investment for the long run. Regardless of the test requirements, die level, packaged or connectorized, the R&S®ZNB3000 is the preferred instrument of RF component manufacturers world-wide.

Unrivaled RF performance Designed to meet the toughest challenges The R&S®ZNB3000 was designed with toughest testing challenges in mind and developed for high-volume production applications. It balances speed, stability and performance. The combination of high output power, +11 dBm at 26.5 GHz, innovative extended dynamic range mode, exceptionally low trace noise (typically 0.0008 dB RMS) and fast sweep times, makes it ideal for throughput, yield and accuracy.

Multiport measurements Measurements up to 48 ports Components used in modern communications equipment support a growing number of frequency bands and additional functions. As a result, the number of RF ports on the modules is also growing. The R&S®ZNB3000 in combination with various switch matrices provides a comprehensive solution for complex measurements on modules with up to 48 ports. The matrices from Rohde & Schwarz support full crossbar measurements, allowing all S-parameters of a multiport DUT to be determined.

SCPI recorder Accelerating test automation The R&S®ZNB3000 simplifies programming. The integrated SCPI recorder notes each keypress and creates a list of step-by-step commands even for the most complicated measurement setup. The recorded SCPI script can be directly copied into the user code or exported in C, Python and MATLAB.

Versatile options Fast and accurate characterization of active and passive RF components The R&S®ZNB3000 is ideal for testing passive, active and frequency-converting components. A variety of hardware and software options are available for these measurements. Hardware options include two independent internal generators, a wide power sweep range and extended dynamic range in two or four port configurations. The software options include compression point vs frequency, noise figure measurements, intermodulation distortion measurements and intuitive measurement configuration. Time domain measurement options with eye diagrams and frequency-converting measurements are also available. A comprehensive list of embedding/deembedding options round off the vector network analyzer functions.

High temperature and long-term stability The R&S®ZNB3000 test set and receivers feature excellent temperature and long-term stability. Magnitude and phase drift are very low, with typical values of less than 0.01 dB/°C and 0.15°/°C. A calibrated R&S®ZNB3000 allows precise measurements over several days without recalibration.

The R&S ZNB3000 Vector Network Analyzer covers multiple high-frequency technology fields in its typical applications, and its high-performance design makes it a key tool for modern communications, manufacturing, and scientific research. Below are its core application scenarios and technical support:
1. High-Frequency Communication System Testing
    •  RF Component Mass Production:
        -- With a dynamic range of up to 150 dB and an RMS trace noise as low as 0.0015 dB (industry-leading level), the ZNB3000 can accurately measure S-parameters (e.g., insertion loss, return loss) of RF components such as filters and power amplifiers, ensuring compliance with performance standards for 5G and millimeter-wave communication equipment. 
        -- The segmented sweep function combined with flexible IF bandwidth (IFBW) settings enables rapid verification of filter passband/stopband characteristics, improving test efficiency.
    •  High-Speed PCB and Cable Verification
        -- Supports a wide frequency coverage from 9 kHz to 26.5 GHz, suitable for impedance matching and signal integrity testing of digital high-speed printed circuit boards (e.g., server motherboards) and high-speed cables. 
        -- Utilizes Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR) to locate reflections or losses in transmission links, optimizing high-frequency signal transmission quality.

2. Aerospace and Radar Systems
    •  Avionics and Satellite Communications
        -- Measures reflection coefficient and voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) of aircraft antennas (e.g., GPS antennas) to ensure stable signal reception under complex electromagnetic environments. 
        -- Supports S-parameter measurements of satellite communication modules to verify their reliability over a wide temperature range (-55°C to +85°C).
    •  Radar RF Link Optimization
        -- Used for gain and phase consistency testing of radar core components such as power amplifiers and mixers, enhancing radar system detection accuracy. 
        -- With up to 48-port expansion capability (requires external switch matrix), supports synchronous testing of multi-channel MIMO radar arrays.

3. Large-Scale Production and Quality Control
    •  Automated Production Line Testing
        -- High test throughput (thousands of measurements per second) and a calibration-free stable design (capable of operating for days without recalibration) meet the mass production requirements of RF components (e.g., mobile phone RF front-end modules).
        -- Built-in pass/fail limit criteria, combined with automated scripts, enable fast sorting and reduce manual intervention costs.
    •  Measurement Uncertainty Analysis
        -- Using the optional R&S ZNB3-K50(P) software (developed in collaboration with METAS Switzerland), the analyzer calculates the measurement uncertainty range of S-parameters directly on the instrument, suitable for both high-precision laboratories and production line environments.

4. Cutting-Edge Technology Research
    •  Next-Generation Communication Technology Validation
        -- Supports device testing in candidate frequency bands for 6G (such as above 26.5 GHz), providing hardware validation infrastructure for terahertz communications, quantum computing, and more.
        -- Cloud data integration allows cross-team collaboration and big data analysis, accelerating the R&D cycle.
    •  IoT and Automotive Applications
        -- Tests shielding cable performance of automotive Ethernet (e.g., 1000BASE-T1) to ensure EMI compliance during high-speed data transmission.
        -- Supports parallel testing of multi-port automotive electronic modules (e.g., ADAS sensors), shortening development and verification time.

5. Laboratory Precision Measurement
    •  Research-Level Accuracy: Through low thermal drift PCB design and temperature compensation technology, the analyzer maintains stability during long-term continuous measurements, making it suitable for research such as dielectric constant characterization and antenna radiation pattern studies.
    •  Multi-Scenario Compatibility: Compact 2-/4-port models fit well on workbenches, while extended models meet the demands of complex network analysis, balancing flexibility and performance.

Summary: With its high dynamic range, fast measurement speed, and modular expandability, the R&S ZNB3000 has become a versatile solution across the fields of communications, aerospace, automotive electronics, and scientific research. Its design balances laboratory-grade precision with production-line efficiency, making it a core tool for addressing high-frequency technology challenges.