Rohde & Schwarz has introduced the R&S NRP150T Thermal Power Sensor, the world’s first RF power sensor featuring a next-generation 0.80 mm coaxial connector capable of gapless measurements from DC to 150 GHz. Delivering the industry’s widest continuous (non-banded) frequency range, the sensor enables precise high-frequency power measurements, including next-generation automotive radar bands. It also streamlines validation and calibration workflows for RF instruments.
With the R&S NRP150T thermal power sensor, Rohde & Schwarz extends its NRPxT series to 150 GHz, marking the first time a power sensor covers all current and proposed automotive radar frequency bands, including the newly discussed range up to 148.5 GHz for advanced ADAS and autonomous driving systems. Beyond automotive uses, the sensor can also measure high-frequency signals for satellite communications, inter-satellite links, radio astronomy, and other applications that rely on higher millimeter-wave frequencies.
Fast measurement speed and wideband performance
The R&S NRP150T thermal power sensor achieves up to 500 measurements per second. Combined with its DC to 150 GHz coverage, this enables efficient single-sweep characterization across the entire band, accelerating the validation and calibration of vector network analyzers and other RF instruments. This thermal sensor is compatible with all applications adopting the new 0.80 mm connector standard, supporting next-generation device development and manufacturing.
Technical performance designed for precision and ease of use
This thermal power sensor offers a wide dynamic range from -35 to 20 dBm and delivers long-term stability, automatically compensating for environmental changes across its 0° to +50°C operating range. Its excellent drift performance and a maximum VSWR of 1.7 ensure accurate matching and efficient power transfer, even in the presence of external temperature fluctuations or out-of-band signals.
For user convenience, the R&S NRP150T connects via USB to PCs or Android mobile devices using a free remote control app, and it also integrates seamlessly with the R&S NRX base unit.
Traceability to national metrology institutes
Like all sensors in Rohde & Schwarz’s NRPxT line, the R&S NRP150T offers full traceability to national metrology institutes (NMIs), an essential requirement for commercial and industrial use of high-frequency bands. Rohde & Schwarz worked closely with Physikalisch-Technische-Bundesanstalt (PTB) and other European NMIs to establish traceability for the D-Band (110–170 GHz), including the frequencies up to 150 GHz used by the new sensor.
Click here to learn more about the R&S NRP150T.
