Quick Start Guide
Version 2.0
55 Series Wideband USB Sensor
Revision date 9/22/2014
©Copyright in 2013-2014, by BOONTON Electronics,
a subsidiary of the Wireless Telecom Group, Inc.
Parsippany, NJ, USA. All rights reserved.
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55 Series Wideband USB Sensor
Table of Contents
1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 3
2 Key Features .......................................................................................................................................... 3
3 Technical Specifications of Boonton 55 Series Wideband USB Sensor................................................. 4
4 Safety Summary .................................................................................................................................... 5
5 Getting Started ...................................................................................................................................... 5
6 Installing Boonton Power Analyzer Suite Software .............................................................................. 6
7 Connecting Sensors to the PC ............................................................................................................... 9
8 Connect USB Sensor Head to RF Source ............................................................................................... 9
9 RF Power Measurements .................................................................................................................... 10
10 Using Boonton Power Analyzer Suite Software .............................................................................. 10
11 Remote Programming ..................................................................................................................... 22
12 Software Upgrade ........................................................................................................................... 23
13 Firmware Upgrade .......................................................................................................................... 23
14 Maintenance ................................................................................................................................... 23
15 Troubleshooting .............................................................................................................................. 24
16 Repair Policy .................................................................................................................................... 27
17 Contact and Support ....................................................................................................................... 28
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55 Series Wideband USB Sensor
1 Introduction
The 55 series wideband USB power sensors are the latest series of products from Boonton Electronics that turn
your PC or laptop using a standard USB 2.0 port into a state of the art power meter without the need for any other
instrument. RF power measurements from the USB sensor can be displayed on your computer or can be integrated
into a test system with a set of user-defined software functions. This guide will take you through the software
installation process and then outline some typical hardware configurations to enable you to get the most out of
your software and power sensor. The RF power measurement and related applications are the part of Boonton
Power Meter products and is available free of charge from Boonton official website under "Resource Library".
This manual includes the following sections:
Key features
Technical Specifications
Installing Software
Connecting Sensor to the PC
Using the software
Getting more from your system
2 Key Features
The key features of Boonton 55 series USB power sensors are:
Real-Time Power Processing™: No latency due to buffer processing by host PC
Highly accurate and reliable RF power measurements, equally suitable for product development, compliance
testing, and site monitoring applications.
Perfect for most RF power measurement needs, including:
- Trigger stability
- Waveform fidelity
- Installation and maintenance
- Manufacturing test
- ATE
- Research and Development
Easy to use software
Quick configuration
Very flexible set-up and system integration
Small, compact and rugged
Multiple sensor support on a single PC.
No calibration required
Low cost alternative to traditional power meters
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55 Series Wideband USB Sensor
3 Technical Specifications of Boonton 55 Series Wideband USB Sensor
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55 Series Wideband USB Sensor
4 Safety Summary
The following general safety precautions must be observed during all phases of operation and maintenance of the
Boonton 55 Series Wideband USB Power Sensor. Failure to comply with these precautions or with specific
warnings elsewhere in this manual violates safety standards of design, manufacture, and intended use of the
instruments. Boonton Electronics Corporation assumes no liability for the customer’s failure to comply with these
requirements.
DO NOT OPERATE THE INSTRUMENT IN AN EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERE
Do not operate the instrument in the presence of flammable gases or fumes.
KEEP AWAY FROM LIVE CIRCUITS
Operating personnel must not remove USB device covers. Component replacement and internal
adjustments must be made by Boonton service and maintenance personnel only. Never replace
components or operate the device with the covers removed and the USB cable connected.
DO NOT SUBSTITUTE PARTS OR MODIFY INSTRUMENT
Do not substitute parts or perform any unauthorized modification of the USB device. Return the
instrument to Boonton Electronics for repair to insure that the warranty and safety features are
maintained
5 Getting Started
Before you start, make sure you have the following items in your 55 series USB Power Sensor package:
• Boonton 55 Series Wideband USB Power Sensor
• USB Type-A Cable (6 ft)
• External Trigger Multi-I/O Cable (SMB to BNC)
• Trigger Sync Cable (SMB to SMB) for triggering multiple sensors
• Boonton Power Analyzer Suite Software (on a CD-ROM or from Boonton website)
• Quick Start Guide (on a CD-ROM or from Boonton website)
If any of these items are missing or damaged, then please contact your local representative immediately and refer
to “Contact and Support” section of this guide.
Minimum PC requirements:
Your minimum recommended PC specifications are:
Windows XP SP3 and above
512 MB RAM
1 GHz Processor
USB Port (2.0 or greater)
NOTE: USB 2.0 port is recommended on Windows XP and Windows 7 due to lack of built-in support for USB3.0.
USB 3.0 port is only recommended on Windows 8.x systems
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55 Series Wideband USB Sensor
6 Installing Boonton Power Analyzer Suite Software
This section describes the installation and use of Boonton Power Analyzer Suite software for 55 series wideband
USB sensors. Before you start, check your PC for software compatibility.
Caution: Do not connect the power sensor to your PC until you have installed the Boonton Power Analyzer
software.
Procedure:
To install the Boonton Power Analyzer Suite software, follow these steps:
(1) Install Boonton Power Analyzer Suite by selecting . The installation package can be
downloaded from "Manual & Software" section of the product page on Boonton website:
http://boonton.com/products/sensors/55-series-wideband-usb-power-sensor?go=manuals_software
(2) The Installation process is initiated by running “BoontonLauncher.exe” with admin permissions. When you
select the for the first time, select "Yes" and then click on "Install" in order to
proceed with the installation process.
(3) Initially Boonton USB driver file will be installed. You might receive a windows security warning message
as below. The USB driver file will be installed once you select the checkbox to accept the windows
security.
(4) Next IVI Shared Components installation wizard will appear as a part of the installation process. This will
allow to install necessary API files for remote communications. Select to continue the
installation process.
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55 Series Wideband USB Sensor
(5) Once IVI Shared Components installation is completed, then Microsoft DirectX setup wizard will appear
and will guide you through the installation process.
(6) Now Boonton Peak Analyzer Suite software installation wizard will appear. Select "Run" in order to
continue with the installation process.
(7) Read the license agreement, accept it and then follow the instruction by clicking several
buttons.
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55 Series Wideband USB Sensor
(8) By default software will be installed at C:\Program Files (x86)\Boonton\Peak Power Analyzer Suite\ .
(9) Start the installation process by following windows wizard instructions, accepting license agreement and
click several buttons. This will install all necessary driver files and required DLL files.
(10) During installation, you will notice the software installation progress as below:
(11) Once the installation is done successfully, Click button to exit the wizard. Now, the
Boonton Peak Power Analyzer software will open automatically.
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55 Series Wideband USB Sensor
(12) Now a sensor device can be connected to the USB port of the PC. Refer to the section "Connecting USB
sensor to the PC" on next pages.
(13) When the sensor device is connected to the USB port, there will be a one-time driver file installation. Wait
until you see an automatic device detection message and Windows OS installs the driver file.
7 Connecting Sensors to the PC
Connect the Boonton 55 series USB sensor to your PC through the supplied USB cable. The power sensor is USB 2.0
compatible. It is recommended that you use the USB cable supplied with your sensor.
8 Connect USB Sensor Head to RF Source
All 55 series USB power sensor has a standard N-type connection port. Connect the sensor head to a RF source.
Caution: Do not turn the body of the sensor when connecting the sensor to a unit under test (UUT). To avoid
internal sensor damage, connect and disconnect the sensor by turning the metal nut only.
Caution: Ensure that you do not apply any excessive force on the sensor once it has been connected.
Caution: Do not exceed +20 dBm of RF power at the RF input of the sensor.
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