HP 85071B Materials Measurement Software

Product Summary

Calculate the permittivity and permeability of material samples loaded into sections of coaxial airline or rectangular waveguide using the HP 85071B software. This measurement technique works well for solid materials that can be machined to fit precisely inside a transmission line. A dielectric measurement can provide critical design parameter information for materials used in state-of-the-art RF and microwave electronic component applications. The loss of a cable or the impedance of a substrate can be related to its dielectric properties. This information is also useful for improving ferrite, radome, absorber, and packaging designs.

Product Features

• Calculates the complex permittivity er* (or dielectric constant) and permeability ľr*, including the loss factor or loss tangent

• Measurement frequencies can extend from 100 MHz to 110 GHz

• Compatibility with free space measurements

• Coaxial airlines or rectangular waveguide transmission lines can be used as sample holders

• Five different algorithms to choose from, each with specific benefits (see software models in specifications)

Product Specifications

Frequency Range (typical)
100 MHz to 110 GHz depending on network analyzer, fixture and 
material(e1)

Accuracy (typical)
1 to 2%

Transmission Line Fixtures
Coaxial fixtures (beadless airlines) are broadband but require a 
sample shaped into a flat-faced torus. Waveguide fixtures are 
band-limited but operate at higher frequencies and accept a simpler 
rectangular shape. Samples must completely fill the cross section of 
the transmission line without gaps at the fixture walls. Faces at 
either end must be flat, smooth and perpendicular to the long axis.  

Free Space Systems
Large, flat, thin, parallel-faced samples are placed between antennas 
and measured under free space conditions. Antennas should maintain a 
planar "far-field" wavefront to the sample(e2).

Material Under Test Assumptions
Material is homogeneous (uniform composition) with no layers(e3).  
Non-isotropic (uniform orientation) materials can be measured in 
waveguide.


(e1)Minimum frequency is set by the maximum practical sample length 
    (L): f (in GHz) > [1/(er' * ľr')^1/2] * [30 cm/L (in cm)] * [20/360]

(e2)Antenna should be placed approximately +2d^2/lambda from the sample, 
    where d is the larger of the antenna or sample diameter

(e3)If the material is not homogeneous through the length of the 
    sample (i.e., layers), the reflection from the front (S11) and 
    back (S22) face will be different and will lead to a potentially 
    erroneous result. If the material is not homogeneous across the 
    face of the sample, the result is an average value over the cross 
    section that is exposed to the EM field (weighted by the intensity).



Software Models
Model Name:			Refl/Tran u&e N-R (Nicolson-Ross)
Measured S-parameters:		S11, S21, S12, S22 (or S11, S21)
Number of Samples:		1
Optimum Sample Thickness(e4):	lambda g/4
Results:			er* and ľr*
Comments:			Fast, but has n lambda/2 discontinuities.
				Best for magnetic, short or lossy MUTs.

Model Name:			Refl/Tran e Precision (NIST Precision)
Measured S-parameters:		S11, S21, S12, S22 
Number of Samples:		1
Optimum Sample Thickness(e4):	n lambda g/2
Results:			er* 
Comments:			Accurate, no discontinuities.  
				Best for long,low-loss MUTs.

Model Name:			Refl/Tran e Fast (Fast)
Measured S-parameters:		S11, S21, S12, S22 (or S11, S21)
Number of Samples:		1
Optimum Sample Thickness(e4):	n lambda g/2
Results:			er* 
Comments:			Similar to Precision but faster and better for 
				lossy MUTs.  Best for long, low-loss MUTs.

Model Name:			Refl e Short-Back (Short-backed)
Measured S-parameters:		S11
Number of Samples:		1
Optimum Sample Thickness(e4):	lambda g/2
Results:			er* 
Comments:			Best for liquids or powders.

Model Name:			Refl e Arbit-Back (Arbitrary-backed)
Measured S-parameters:		S11
Number of Samples:		1
Optimum Sample Thickness(e4):	lambda g/2
Results:			er* 
Comments:			Best for thin films.


(e4)Where lambda g = 1/[(er'ľr'/lambda o)-(1/lambda c)]^1/2 
    lambda c = cutoff frequency (omit for coaxial) and 
    lambda o (in cm) = 30/frequency (in GHz)

Product Ordering Information

A complete system requires the addition of a fixture (coaxial or 
waveguide transmission line), network analyzer, and controller.

HP 85071B	Materials Measurement Software
   Opt 300	Substitute HP BASIC Software

HP 85078A	Upgrade Kit
Upgrades the HP 85071A	to the full capabilities of the HP 85071B
   Opt 071	Upgrade Kit, HP 85071A to 85071B std. (MS-DOSŽ) software
   Opt 371	Upgrade Kit, HP 85071A to 85071B, Opt 300 (HP BASIC) software

HP 85079B	Software Update
Updates the HP 85071B software to the most current version.  
Contact your Field Sales Engineer for details.
   Opt 071	Updates HP 85071B std. (MS-DOSŽ) software
   Opt 371	Updates HP 85071B Opt 300 (HP BASIC) software

To help you make the right instrument choices

Your Field Sales Engineer is ready to answer your questions about specifications, applications and ordering. Find your Field Sales Engineer at your Local Sales Office.

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