Rohde & Schwarz NRV-Z1 18GHz 100mW Power Sensor

The Rohde & Schwarz NRV-Z1 is a zero-bias Schottky diode power sensor delivering high-sensitivity measurements across RF and microwave frequencies from 10 MHz to 18 GHz. It measures power from 100 pW (-70 dBm) to 20 mW (+13 dBm), with average and peak power ratings to 100 mW. The sensor operates in two distinct modes: within the square-law region (-70 dBm to -20 dBm), It has thermal-equivalent performance with accurate RMS weighting for modulated signals and temperature/frequency-independent linearity; above -20 dBm, it extends measurements to 20 mW with high signal-to-noise ratio and short measurement times, optimized for spectrally pure CW, FM, AM, FSK, and GMSK signals.

Technical Specifications

• Frequency Range: 10 MHz to 18 GHz


• Power Measurement Range: 100 pW to 20 mW (-70 dBm to +13 dBm)


• Average Power (AVG): 100 mW maximum


• Peak Power (PK): 100 mW maximum


• Zero Offset: ±100 pW


• Display Noise: 40 pW


• Linearity Uncertainty: 0.03 dB (0.7%)


• Power Coefficient: 0


• Maximum SWR: 1.06 (10 MHz–1 GHz), 1.13 (1–2 GHz), 1.27 (2–4 GHz), 1.41 (4–18 GHz)


• Connector: Type N, 50 Ohm

Key Features

• Absolute calibration with sensor-specific memory for long-term stability and excellent temperature response


• Operates across square-law and linear regions with minimal temperature and frequency drift


• High SNR enables rapid measurement convergence at low power levels


• Zero offset and display noise specifications support pW-range detection

Typical Applications RF and microwave characterization in research and development environments requiring sensitivity down to the picoWatt range. Suitable for modulated signal analysis, harmonic measurement, and CW/FSK/GMSK signal power quantification.

Compatibility & Integration The NRV-Z1 integrates with Rohde & Schwarz NRVS and NRVD base units, inheriting their absolute calibration methodology - a capability unique to Rohde & Schwarz in the power sensor market.