There are two technologies for RF tuners, depending on the frequency:

1. From 100 MHz to 110 GHz, the sliding screw technology is used, where a reflection probe is inserted into a low-loss slotted transmission line.
2. For frequencies from 10 MHz to 170 MHz, lumped element technology is then used, in which variable capacitors are connected to optimised coaxial cable lengths.

The combination of several probes has the advantage of ultra-broadband frequency coverage in one tuner.

All Focus passive tuners are LAN controllable. For the mmWave passive tuners, Focus offers 3 models: the RF/mmWave Delta, the mmWave Delta and the mmWave Omega.

CCMT-806 by Focus-Microwaves

Mechanical tuner on the fast track: the high-performance CCMT-806 as successor of the proven CCMT-606 by Focus Microwaves

Focus Microwaves has launched the new CCMT-806 tuner, which extends the proven and reliable CCMT-606, popular with many RF developers, from 6 GHz to 8 GHz and offers even better performance. With an operating bandwidth of 0.6 - 8.0 GHz, this tuner can be used to develop amplifiers and RF components for current communication standards such as Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 7 and 5G NR FR1. The typical maximum VSWR is shown in the graph in Figure 1, which demonstrates the significant improvement over the CCMT-606. Since most RF laboratories mainly use connectors of the SMA/3.5 mm/2.92 mm compatibility group, the RF interface was designed with 3.5 mm connectors: on the one hand, because of the possibility of precise calibration and, on the other hand, in order to save any adapters as much as possible.

Further characteristics are compared in Table 1. It should be noted that the CCMT-806 is not designed for extreme RF power, as voltage peaks at a very high VSWR of up to 160:1 can lead to electrical breakdown. The CCMT-806 is controlled with the proven LAN interface. The software connection to the Focus Microwaves FDCS knife-edge detection software works smoothly, but control with TCP/IP socket and C++, C#, JAVA or Python software is also possible without any problems. This means that this tuner can also be used in the versatile EVA100 test system from ADVANTEST as an external measuring instrument.

RF / mmWave Delta

The low-frequency delta tuners belong to the on-wafer tuner series with the advantages of a wide frequency band and a better tuning range. They are offered from 1.8 GHz to 40 GHz. Thanks to their structure, these tuners can be directly contacted to the semiconductor wafer. This minimises the losses between tuner and DUT, not only for the main signal but also for the harmonics.

mmWave DELTA

Especially suitable for high frequency on-wafer measurements. The structure allows direct contact between the probe tip and the tuner to minimise loss. Fundamental & harmonic LP 20 - 120 GHz Noise parameter extraction 20 - 120 GHz 1 mm direct probe connection Reduced impedance offset for modulated signals

mmWave OMEGA

These tuners are designed to support 5G applications. With their reduced weight and small footprint, they are ideal for on-wafer testing. With the two models O-72180 (18 - 72 GHz) and O-60240 (24 - 60 GHz) the 5G frequency range is well covered.