Rohde and Schwarz NRP-Z81 Wideband Power Sensor, 1 nW to 100 mW, 50 MHz to 18 GHz

The Rohde & Schwarz NRP-Z81 is a wideband power sensor for precise RF power measurements across 50 MHz to 18 GHz. It delivers 1 nW to 100 mW dynamic range with high-speed acquisition - up to 50,000 readings per second - and sub-nanosecond rise/fall time (13 ns typical). The sensor combines RF detection, analog/digital signal processing, and analysis logic in a compact unit controlled via USB or R&S NRP base station.

Technical Specifications

• Frequency Range: 50 MHz to 18 GHz (50 MHz to 500 MHz with reduced video bandwidth)


• Power Range: 1 nW to 100 mW (−60 dBm to +20 dBm)


• RF Connector: N-type plug


• Measurement Speed: Up to 50,000 readings/s; 9,500+ measurements/s buffered mode


• Video Bandwidth: 30 MHz (typical 20 MHz below +15 °C)


• Rise/Fall Time: <13 ns (11 ns for high-resolution envelope analysis)


• Pulse Detection: 50 ns minimum pulse width; automatic rise/fall time, pulse width, duty cycle, and period measurement


• Statistical Analysis: CCDF/CDF/PDF computation on 1 million samples in <25 ms at full video bandwidth


• Dynamic Range: 80 dB average power, 70 dB peak power


• Zero Drift: <1 nW


• Sampling Rate: 80 Msample/s with 12.5 ns time resolution; 100 ps equivalent time sampling available


• Operating Temperature: +15 °C to +50 °C

Key Features

• Envelope power detection down to −47 dBm; average power to −60 dBm


• Automatic pulse parameter extraction including start/stop time and pulse off time


• Peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) and amplitude distribution analysis


• 80 dB dynamic range for average power measurement

Typical Applications

• Radar systems and pulse characterization


• Microwave link module power verification


• OFDM/CDMA component design and validation (EUTRA/LTE, 3GPP FDD)

Compatibility & Integration N-type RF input connector. Direct USB remote control via PC or operation with R&S NRP/NRP2 base units using circular plug-in connector.