Anritsu ME538L Microwave System Analyzer

The Anritsu ME538L Microwave System Analyzer is a specialized instrument for testing and verifying microwave communication systems in the Baseband (BB) and Intermediate Frequency (IF) bands. It measures transmission line characteristics across 70 MHz and 140 MHz frequency bands, delivering accurate amplitude, group delay, and frequency measurements essential for validating terrestrial microwave radio relay systems, satellite communication infrastructure, and FDM-FM relay deployments.

Technical Specifications

• Frequency bands: 70 MHz and 140 MHz


• Baseband frequencies: 8.2 MHz and 12.39 MHz (ME538L model)


• Nine selectable BB frequencies via pushbutton control


• CRT display with alphanumeric readout and automatic calibration


• LED display for simultaneous measurement parameters


• IF Band Frequency Counter for CW and swept signal center frequency measurement


• IF Band Sweep Width Measurement with numerical CRT display


• Automatic Sweep Reduction Control for limiting maximum sweep width including modulated sidebands


• Threshold Extension Function for low C/N INTELSAT equipment group delay measurement

Key Features

• Amplitude measurement at IF input terminal and Return Loss input terminal


• Group delay measurement with threshold extension capability


• AM-PM conversion measurement with one-button operation


• FM deviation display in RECEIVING MODE IF


• Automatic receiver settings for deviation, IF level, BB frequency, and signal level


• Signal averaging for noisy trace enhancement


• Scale intensity switch for CRT screen photography


• Automatic display of units and scale sensitivity

Typical Applications

• Terrestrial microwave radio relay system validation


• FDM-FM relay system verification


• INTELSAT and satellite communication system testing


• RF troubleshooting and transmission line characterization


• Telecom infrastructure validation

Optional Functions

• MSA-01: BB Amplitude Measurement


• MSA-02: Receiver GP-IB and Direct CRT Output Plotting


• MSA-03: Sweeper Frequency Addition


• MSA-04: X-Y Recorder Output