Rohde and Schwarz URV55 Data Sheet

Millivoltmeter URV55

Voltage, level and power measurements

•200 µV to 1000 V,

9 kHz to 3 GHz with voltage
sensors

•100 pW to 30 W,
DC to 40 GHz with power
sensors

• Accurate, general-purpose,
easy-to-use

• Intelligent measuring heads:
plug in and measure

• Remote control of all functions
via IEC/IEEE bus

•Analog output

• Optional test generator
1 mW/50 MHz

Uncompromising technology and ease of operation make the URV55 an ideal
instrument for any kind of voltage measurement in manifold laboratory and
system applications. Thanks to its unique measuring heads with calibration data
memory and temperature sensor, which make adjustments by the user super­fluous, the URV55 measures always with high accuracy and free of operator’s

errors. The comprehensive range of measuring heads of the URV5-Z series
includes high-impedance voltage probes as well as insertion units for voltage
measurements on coaxial lines. In addition, all thermal power and diode sensors
of the NRV-Z series can be used with the URV 55. The URV 55 measures voltages
in the range from 200 µV to 1000 V and covers the frequency range from DC
to 3 GHz. Power measurements are possible up to 40 GHz.

Operation

Operation of the RF millivoltmeter is to
a great extent via self-explanatory
menus so that the user will hardly ever
have to refer to the manual. For setting
the instrument rapidly to a specific
status, 20 complete setups can be
stored. Selectable write protection
prevents inadvertent alteration of
stored setup data.

Measurement rate

The measurement rate not only
depends on the type of measuring head
used but also on the setting of the aver­aging filter, which must be matched to
the measurement conditions. Taking
into account the connected measuring
head, the URV55 automatically selects
the appropriate measurement rate by
determining the optimum averaging
time required for a steady readout as a
function of level and selected resolu­tion. This automatic selection may be
disabled and an averaging time of
between 4 ms and 25 s may be set man­ually to measure faster than in auto­matic operation or to further reduce
noise.

Readout

When a measuring head is connected,
the URV55 first reads the information
stored in the connector and then sets
itseIf to the type of sensor. With a power
sensor connected, the URV55 auto­matically selects the correct operating
and display mode.

Certified Quality System

ISO 9001

DQS REG. NO 1954-04

Measurement results, units and various
items of information are displayed on a

1

---

large 4 -digit LC display in three steps

2

of resolution.

All standard units of measurement or
relative modes can be selected. A high­resolution bargraph indicator with
selectable scaling or autoscaling per­mits quasi-analog display of measured
values with any unit or resolution.

2 Millivoltmeter URV55

Photo 43 228-3

Measuring heads

RF millivoltmeters cover a wide range of
applications and a great variety of
frequency and voltage ranges. Since
suitable measuring heads are avail­able for the various applications and
ranges, the only factors that influence
the selection of an RF millivoltmeter are
versatility, system compatibility and
ease of operation. In these aspects the
URV55 is a top-class unit. URV55
measuring heads are not type-specific
and may therefore be used with any
member of the Rohde &Schwarz power
meter and voltmeter families.

The high-impedance voltage probe
URV5-Z7 is particularly suitable for
measurements on PCBs. Plug-on
dividers extend the measurement
range and increase the input imped­ance so that the DUT is practically
unloaded during the measurement.
DC Probe URV5-Z1 has been designed
especially for measuring DC voltages
in high-frequency circuits. The 9 MΩ
resistor in the probe tip ensures that the
RF source is loaded with no more than
a few pF.

Insertion Units URV5-Z2 and URV5-Z4
are used for measuring voltages on
coaxial lines. They have good match­ing characteristics and low insertion
loss. For instance, the 100 V Insertion
Unit URV5-Z4 practically does not
affect the line, so it can even be used for
no-loss power measurements in well­matched, low-reflection coaxial lines,
eg in transmitter systems. In addition,
all power sensors of the NRV-Z
series can be used with the URV55.

Typical application of RF millivoltmeters: field-strength measurement for the determination of EMS
(Photo 43206-4)

Measurement accuracy

The accuracy of an RF voltage measure­ment essentially depends on the
characteristics of the measuring head.
Errors encountered in this case are a
function of level, temperature and
frequency and cannot be eliminated
completely by design. Error sources
are:

• Non-linearity

• Level-dependent temperature effect

• Frequency response

To be able to measure correctly under
any conditions, deviations from the
ideal must be registered numerically
and considered in the measurement
result. For this reason, Rohde&

Schwarz has for years been producing
measuring heads that offer great con­venience to the user, although at higher
expenditure for the manufacturer. This
technique can be summarized as: plug
in and go!

All relevant parameters are measured
in the factory individually for each
measuring head and then stored in the
head. The level-dependent temperature
effect is represented as a two­dimensional characteristic with a large
number of measurement points.

Each measuring head comprises a
temperature sensor, the signal of which
is evaluated in the millivoltmeter at
regular intervals. The measured tem­perature and level values yield the cor­rection values for the output voltage of
the measuring head. The input voltage
is then calculated from this corrected
voltage with the aid of a transfer func­tion which is also stored in the head.

Subsequently, frequency-response
correction is carried out. The URV55
multiplies the calculated input voltage
with the correction factor for the signal
frequency. This frequency is either
entered by the user or obtained from a
frequency-proportional DC voltage at
the DC FREQ input.

This comprehensive error correction
technique has the following advan­tages:

• Unrestricted exchange of measur­ing heads thanks to individual
calibration

• Optimum measurement accuracy

• Calibration of measuring heads

directly traceable to PTB standards

• Fast and convenient operation

These corrective measures, however,
do not eliminate all uncertainties.
Uncertainties are caused by the way in

Millivoltmeter URV55 3

which the voltage is picked up at the
DUT, by standing waves when using
insertion units, and by the waveform.

Waveform weighting

URV55

All AC sensors URV5-Z are calibrated
so that the rms value is indicated for a
sinewave voltage. With other wave­forms, eg squarewaves, the peak
value is decisive for the type of weight­ing employed. Below about 30 mV,
the RF probe and the 10 V insertion
unit measure rms values. Above 1 V,
the peak-to-peak value V
sured and V

/(2√2) is indicated,

pp

is mea-

pp

which corresponds to the rms value of
a sinewave voltage. Between 30 mV
and 1 V the type of weighting is deter­mined by the waveform.

The measurement of modulated
sinewave voltages follows a pattern
similar to that of non-sinusoidal wave­forms. Up to a peak value of 30 mV at
the envelope´s maximum (correspond­ing to 10 µW PEP in 50 Ω systems),
true rms value is measured. With
power indication in W or dBm, the
average power is displayed. Above
1 V (10 mW PEP) and with a modula­tion frequency of at least 10 kHz,
peak value is measured again. In the
case of power measurements, the
peak envelope power PEP is indicated
without any calculations being
required, and for voltages the value
V

/(2√2).

PP

RF Probe URV5-Z7

for virtually no-load

measurements of

AC voltages in high-

frequency circuits

Coaxial voltage

measurements are

ideal and a simple

means for measuring

signal levels on

transmission lines.

Under conditions

of good matching, the

voltage is also a

measure for the

transmitted power

Source

RF Probe
URV5-Z7

URV55

Insertion Unit
URV5-Z2/-Z4

URV55

V

RF

Load

Limit values specified for the 100 V
Insertion Unit URV5-Z4 are 20 dB
higher than for the 10 V insertion unit,
ie by a factor of 10 for voltages and
by a factor of 100 for power levels.
When a plug-on divider is used with
the RF probe, limit values are to be
increased by the amount of the pre­ceding attenuation.

4 Millivoltmeter URV55

The URV55 allows

attenuation

measurements down to

90 dB depending

on the measuring head

connected

Reference
plane

Source

G

DUT

Power
sensor

Photo 39 821

Photo 43 230

Photo 39 823

Probes

URV5-Z7

395.2615.02

with 20 dB plug-on
divider*)

with 40 dB plug-on
divider *)

with 50 Ω adapter
URV-Z50

with 75 Ω adapter
URV-Z3

URV5-Z1

395.0512.02

RF insertion units

URV5-Z2

395.1019.02
URV5-Z4

395.1619.02

Power sensors

NRV-Z1

828.3018.02

NRV-Z2

828.3218.02

NRV-Z3

828.3418.02

NRV-Z4

828.3618.02

NRV-Z5

828.3818.02

NRV-Z6

828.5010.02

NRV-Z15

1081.2305.02

NRV-Z31

857.9604.02/3/4

NRV-Z32

1031.6807.04/5

NRV-Z33

1031.6507.03/4

NRV-Z51

857.9004.02

NRV-Z52

857.9204.02

NRV-Z53

858.0500.02

NRV-Z54

858.0800.02

NRV-Z55

1081.2005.02

RF Probe URV5-Z7

RF Probe

200 µV to 10 V, 20 kHz to 1 GHz

2 mV to 100 V,
1 MHz to 500 MHz

20 mV to 1000 V,
500 kHz to 500 MHz

200 µV to 10 V,
20 kHz to 1 GHz

200 µV to 10 V,
20 kHz to 500 MHz

DC Probe

1 mV to 400 V, 9 MΩ ll 3 pF

10 V Insertion Unit 50 Ω

200 µV to 10 V, 9 kHz to 3 GHz

100 V Insertion Unit 50 Ω

2 mV to 100 V, 100 kHz to 3 GHz

Diode Power Sensor 50 Ω

10 MHz to 18 GHz, 200 pW to 20 mW

Diode Power Sensor 50 Ω

10 MHz to 18 GHz, 20 nW to 500 mW

Diode Power Sensor 75 Ω

1 MHz to 2.5 GHz, 100 pW to 13 mW

Diode Power Sensor 50 Ω

100 kHz to 6 GHz, 100 pW to 20 mW

Diode Power Sensor 50 Ω

100 kHz to 6 GHz, 10 nW to 500 mW

Diode Power Sensor 50 Ω

50 MHz to 26.5 GHz, 400 pW to 20 mW

Diode Power Sensor 50 Ω

50 MHz to 40 GHz, 400 pW to 20 mW

Peak Power Sensor 50 Ω

30 MHz to 6 GHz, 1 µW to 20 mW

Peak Power Sensor 50 Ω

30 MHz to 6 GHz, 100 µW to 2(4) W

Peak Power Sensor 50 Ω

30 MHz to 6 GHz, 1 mW to 20 W

Thermal Power Sensor 50 Ω

DC to 18 GHz, 1 µW to 100 mW

Thermal Power Sensor 50 Ω

DC to 26.5 GHz, 1 µW to 100 mW

Thermal Power Sensor 50 Ω

DC to 18 GHz, 100 µW to 10 W

Thermal Power Sensor 50 Ω

DC to 18 GHz, 300 µW to 30 W

Thermal Power Sensor 50 Ω

DC to 40 GHz, 1 µW to 100 mW

Insertion Unit URV5-Z4

Power Sensor NRV-Z1

For measurements in RF circuits, with low capacitive and resistive load

The 20 dB and 40 dB plug-on dividers increase the voltage measurement range of the
RF probe; the high Q factor of the capacitive divider makes the resistive loading negli­gible, the capacitive loading goes down to 0.5 pF (40 dB divider)

With integrated termination for power or level measurements on test items with a source
impedance of 50 Ω up to 1 GHz

With integrated termination for power or level measurements in 75 Ω systems such as
antenna arrays or video equipment

For low-capacitance DC voltage measurements in RF circuits

Low-load RF voltage measurements in 50 Ω coaxial systems, power measurements on
well-matched RF lines

Virtually no-load RF voltage measurements in coaxial 50 Ω systems at higher voltages.
Due to minimum insertion loss and reflection coefficient this unit leaves a 50 Ω line prac­tically unaffected

Power measurements of highest sensitivity up to 18 GHz in 50 Ω systems

Power measurements with minimum mismatch, for high powers in 50 Ω systems

Power measurements in 75 Ω systems

Power measurements of highest sensitivity in the frequency range 100 kHz to 6 GHz,
very large dynamic range

Like NRV-Z4, but for high powers and minimum mismatch

Power measurements up to 26.5 GHz with high sensitivity in 50 Ω systems (PC 3.5)

Power meas ur ements up t o 4 0 GHz with hig h sensitivit y in 5 0 Ω systems (2.92 mm)

Peak power measurements, pulse width ≥2 (200) µs, pulse repetition rate ≥10 (100) Hz,
3 models

Peak power measurements, pulse width ≥2 (200) µs, pulse repetition rate ≥25 (100) Hz,
2 models

Peak power measurements up to 20 W, pulse width ≥2 (200) µs, pulse repetition rate
≥100 Hz, 2 models

High-precision power measurement also with non-sinusoidal or modulated signals,
N connector

Same as NRV-Z51, but with PC 3.5 connector for measurements up to 26.5 GHz

High-power measurements up to 10 W also with non-sinusoidal or modulated signals

High-power measurements up to 30 W also with non-sinusoidal or modulated signals

Same as NRV-Z51, but with 2.92 mm connector for measurements up to 40 GHz

*) part of URV -Z 6

Millivoltmeter URV55 5

Automatic filter setting depending on measurement range

Resolution Filter number

HIGH 0.001 dB 11 9 7 7 7 7 7

MEDIUM 0.01 dB 9 7 3 3 3 3 3

LOW 0.1 dB 7 3 0 0 0 0 0

URV5-Z2, -Z7 – 1 mV 10 mV 100 mV 1 V 10 V –

URV5-Z4 – 10 mV 100 mV 1 V 10 V 100 V –
NRV-Z1, -Z3, -Z4, -Z6, -Z15 10 nW 100 nW 1 µW 10 µW 100 µW 1 mW 20 mW
NRV-Z2, -Z5 1 µW 10 µW 100 µW 1 mW 10 mW 100 mW 500 mW
NRV-Z31 – 1 µW 10 µW 100 µW 1 mW 20 mW –
NRV-Z32 – 100 µW 1 mW 10 mW 100 mW 2 (4) W –

NRV-Z33 – 1 mW 10 mW 100 mW 1 W 20 W –
NRV-Z51, -Z52, -Z55 10 µW 100 µW 1 mW 10 mW 100 mW – –

NRV-Z53 1 mW 10 mW 100 mW 1 W 10 W – –

NRV-Z54 10 mW 100 mW 1 W 10 W 30 W – –

Measurement time in seconds (from trigger to output of first byte) depending on filter setting

Filter number 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

URV5-Z2, -Z4, -Z7 0.065 0.07 0.08 0.10 0.20 0.38 0.72 1.45 2.8 5.5 11 22 44

NRV-Z1 to -Z15 0.045 0.05 0.06 0.08 0.15 0.27 0.49 0.95 1.85 3.6 7.2 14.5 28.5

NRV-Z31 Mod. 02 1.04 1.04 1.05 1.07 1.13 1.24 1.44 1.84 2.7 4.3 7.5 14 27

NRV-Z31, -Z33 Mod. 03/04
NRV-Z32 Mod. 04

NRV-Z32 Mod. 05 0.435 0.44 0.45 0.47 0.53 0.64 0.84 1.24 2.07 3.7 6.9 14 27

NRV-Z51 to -Z55 0.115 0.12 0.13 0.15 0.21 0.32 0.52 0.92 1.75 3.4 6.6 13 26

0.135 0.14 0.15 0.17 0.23 0.34 0.54 0.94 1.77 3.4 6.6 13 26

The individual calibration data for transfer function, temperature and frequency response are stored in a non-volatile memory in the connector of each measuring
head

+1 dB

10

/V

U

a

0.1

1 m

0

10 µ

-1 dB

0.1 m 1 m 10 m 0.1 101
/V

U

e

0.01 312
f/GHz

+5%

0%

10 V

-10%

0°C23°C50°C

ϑ

1 mV

U

a

6 Millivoltmeter URV55

Specifications

Measurement functions DC and AC voltage, average power,

Frequency and level range

for voltage measurements 9 kHz to 3 GHz, 200 µV to 1000 V
for power measurements DC to 40 GHz, 100 pW to 30 W

Measuring heads all voltage and power sensors URV5-Z

Display LCD for figures, units, user prompting

Readout

Absolute V, dBµV, W, d Bm
Relative %V, dB or %W referred to stored

Analog display automatic or with selectable scale

Resolution of digital display 4 digits max.,

Averaging filter over 1 to 512 readings for reducing

Display noise see data sheet of measuring heads

Measurement rate see table page 6

Error limits of voltage readout

(excluding measuring head)
18 °C to 28 °C 0.017 dB (0.2%) + 1 digit
10 °C to 40 °C 0.039 dB (0.45%) + 1 digit
0 °C to 50 °C 0.060 dB (0.7%) + 1 digit

Zero adjustment manually or via IEC/IEEE bus,

Frequency response correction stored frequency response of mea-

Attenuation compensation attenuation or gain connected ahead

Reference value numeric entry via keyboard or

Reference impedance for conversion between voltage and

Remote control control of all instrument functions via

DC control input for frequency
response correction BNC female, ±12 V, linear with select-

pulse power, max. envelope power
(depending on measuring head)

and NRV-Z

and analog display

reference value

1

---

2

resolution adjustable in 3 modes:
HIGH: 12000 steps or 0.001 dB
MEDIUM: 1200 steps or 0.01 dB
LOW: 120 steps or 0.1 dB

display noise;
manual or automatic setting depending
on measurement range and resolution
(see table page 6)

duration approx. 4 s

suring head taken into account by
numerical entry of test frequency
(manually or via IEC/IEEE bus) or by
applying a frequency-proportional
DC voltage

taken into account; entry of attenuation
value (±200 dB) via keyboard or
IEC/IEEE bus

IEC/IEEE bus, or use of stored mea­sured value

power, automatic readout of reference
impedance from data memory in mea­suring head or numeric entry via key­board or IEC/IEEE bus (for RF probe)

IEC 625/IEEE interface;
interface functions: SH1, AH1, T6, L4,
SR1, RL1, DC1, DT1, PP0

able scale,
input impedance 9 MΩ,
max. input voltage 50 V

DC output BNC female, source impedance 1 kΩ,

Sensor Check Source NRVS-B1 (option)

Frequency 50 MHz, crystal-stabilized

Power 1.00 mW; factory-set to ±0.7%

Deviation from nominal 1.2% max. (0.9% RSS) at

SWR 1.05

RF connector N female (at rear panel); N male/SMA

output voltage (EMF) proportional to
deflection of analog display, scale
value: left 0 V, right +3 V, additional
settling time 250 ms, error ≤5 mV,
ripple typ. 5 mV (V

(traceable to PTB)

10°C to 40 °C or 1.6% max.
(1.2% RSS) at 0 °C to 50°C,
for 1 year in each case

female adapter for NRV-Z6/-Z52/

-Z15/-Z55 included

)

pp

General data

Temperature range to DIN IEC 68-2-1/68-2-2

Operating 0°C to +50 °C
Storage –40°C to +70°C

Permissible humidity max. 80%, without condensation

Sinusoidal vibration 5 Hz to 55 Hz, max. 2 g;

Random vibration 10 Hz to 500 Hz, 1.9 g rms

Sho ck 40 g shock spectrum (to MIL-STD-810 D,

EMC to EN 50081-1 and 50082-1, EMC

Safety to EN 61010-1

Power supply 115 V +15/–22 % (–15%),

Dimensions (W x H x D) 219 mm x 103 mm x 350 mm

Weight 3.2 kg

55 Hz to 150 Hz, 0.5 g cont.
(to DIN IEC 68-2-6, IEC 1010-1,
MIL-T-28800 D, class 5)

(to DIN IEC 68-2-36)

DIN IEC 68-2-27)

directive of EC (89/336/EEC) and
EMC law of Federal Republic of
Germany; to MIL-STD-461 C, RE 02, CE
03, RS 03, CS 02

47 Hz to 63 (440) Hz,
230 V +15/–22%, 47 Hz to 63 Hz,
13 VA, power transformer with thermal
overload protection

Ordering information

Order designation RF Millivoltmeter URV 55

Option

Sensor Check Source NRVS-B1 1029.2908.02

Recommended extras

Rack Adapter ZZA-97 827.4527.00
Transit Case for URV55, sensors
and accessories UZ-24 1029.3379.02
Service Kit NRVS-S1 1029.2708.02

1029.1701.02

Millivoltmeter URV55 7

Printed in Germany 0600 (Bi ko)PD 756.3453.22 ⋅ Millivoltmeter URV55 ⋅ Trade names are trademarks of the owners ⋅ Subject to change ⋅ Data without tolerances: typical values

ROHDE&SCHWARZ GmbH & Co. KG ⋅ Muehldorfstrasse 15 ⋅ 81671 Munich, Germany ⋅ P.O.B. 80 14 69 ⋅ 81614 Munich, Germany

Telephone [phone] www.rohde-schwarz.com ⋅ CustomerSupport: Tel. [phone], Fax [phone],

E-mail: [e-mail]