Pendulum Instruments · Microwave Counters/Analyzers
CNT-90XL
Microwave frequency counter/analyzer that measures frequency, power and pulsed RF timing in one acquisition.
When the signal under test sits in the microwave band and you need more than "what is the frequency", the CNT-90XL is the model in this line built for it. Input C covers 0.3 GHz up to 27, 40, 46 or 60 GHz depending on the model, and it measures frequency, power and the pulsed RF timing parameters that radar and communication module tests actually look at: pulse width, PRI and rise time. It stores up to 250,000 measurements per second with 100 ps single-shot time resolution. The one decision to settle before ordering is the upper frequency limit. It is fixed in hardware and cannot be upgraded by software later, so pick it from the highest frequency you expect to test, plus margin.
Overview
The usual problem with microwave measurements is that they take two instruments: a frequency counter for frequency and a power meter for power, with pulse parameters handled some other way. The CNT-90XL takes all three readings from the same acquisition, so frequency, power and pulse timing line up by construction and nobody has to reconcile three data sets. For pulsed RF it reads out pulse width, PRI, PRF and frequency and power inside the burst directly; for CW signals it delivers 12 digits of frequency per second. Capturing 250,000 measurements per second into internal memory means a short frequency excursion is recorded in full and can be analyzed afterward, instead of disappearing into an average. The general-purpose inputs A and B cover 0.002 Hz to 400 MHz, so the same unit also handles baseband signals and reference comparisons. Typical users are R&D and acceptance groups working on radar, satellite payloads and communication modules, and calibration labs that characterize microwave sources on a routine basis. Evencat is the authorized distributor for Pendulum Instruments in Taiwan and quotes the CNT-90XL with its options and calibration certificates.
Key specifications
| Input C frequency range | 0.3 to 27, 40, 46 or 60 GHz (by model) |
|---|---|
| Inputs A and B frequency range | 0.002 Hz to 400 MHz |
| Measurement speed | 250k measurements/s (to internal memory) |
| Frequency resolution | 12 digits/s (1 s measuring time) |
| Single-shot time resolution | 100 ps |
| Display digits | Up to 14 digits |
| Input C sensitivity | -33 dBm (0.3 to 18 GHz) |
| Power measurement range | -35 dBm to +10 dBm |
| Power accuracy (typical) | <1 dBm to 27 GHz; <2 dBm to 40 GHz; <3 dBm to 60 GHz |
| Pulsed RF pulse width (Option 28) | 30 ns to 1 sec., 200 ps rms resolution |
| Timebase stability (optional) | Option 30/90: 0.01 ppm/month; Option 40/90: 0.003 ppm/month |
| Interfaces | USB and GPIB (standard) |
Features
Frequency, power and pulse in one pass
All three parameters come from the same acquisition, so their time axes agree and no data from three instruments has to be matched by hand.
Coverage to 60 GHz
Input C is available with a 27, 40, 46 or 60 GHz ceiling, which covers most radar and satellite communication bands.
Pulsed RF timing
Pulse width, PRI, PRF and frequency and power in burst read out directly, which a CW-only counter cannot do.
250,000 readings per second
Fast capture to internal memory keeps rapid frequency changes intact for analysis after the event.
Baseband without changing instruments
Inputs A and B cover 0.002 Hz to 400 MHz, so microwave and low-frequency work share one counter.
Fits existing ATE
USB and GPIB are standard, and GPIB runs SCPI or a 53131 emulation mode, so most legacy test programs need no rewrite.
Typical applications
Radar measurement
Pulsed radar and Doppler radar signal analysis
In radar development and maintenance checks, engineers need pulse width (down to 30 ns), PRI/PRF and the Doppler shift of the carrier as a target moves. The CNT-90XL shows the frequency trend and a power histogram live, so one instrument covers a characterization job that used to need an oscilloscope and a spectrum analyzer together.
Microwave calibration
Microwave link carrier and RF component calibration
Metrology labs and production floors calibrating YIG oscillators, VCO modules and microwave link transmitters rely on the 12 digits/s frequency resolution and the internal OCXO timebase for traceable results. The GPIB 53131 emulation mode drops into existing ATE lines with little retest programming.
Field work
Satellite ground stations and sites without infrastructure
For ground station acceptance or remote test sites with no mains supply, the optional 90 Wh battery runs the CNT-90XL for more than 4.5 hours. The 24-hour standby keeps the high-stability oscillator warm in transit, so the counter is ready to measure on arrival without a warm-up wait.
Options and configuration
Tick the options you need. We compile the configuration list and carry it into the quote request form.
Standard configuration (included)
Hardware options
Software options
Downloads
Need pricing, specifications or lead time for CNT-90XL?
Also available for rent: CNT-90XL is part of the Pendulum rental program, for project peaks, calibration backup and pre-purchase trials. Rental inquiry →