Tektronix PSM5320 USB Power Sensor, 50 MHz – 18 GHz

The Tektronix PSM5320 is a USB-connected RF and microwave power sensor for accurate measurements across 50 MHz to 18 GHz. This standalone instrument eliminates the need for a separate mainframe, delivering portable power sensing and metering in a compact form factor. The PSM5320 measures average power, pulsed signals, and statistical distributions without external calibration, connecting directly to a host PC via USB 2.0 for control and data logging.

Technical Specifications

• Frequency Range: 50 MHz – 18 GHz


• Power Measuring Range: −40 dBm to +20 dBm


• Dynamic Range: −60 dBm to +20 dBm


• Measurement Speed: Up to 2000 readings/second


• Measurement Uncertainty: As low as 2.6%


• Nominal Impedance: 50 Ω


• Connector: N-male


• Weight: Approximately 163 g (5.75 oz)


• USB Interface: USB 2.0 Full Speed (11 Mb/s)


• Trigger I/O: TTL Trigger Input and Output

Key Features

• Pulse Profiling & Analysis: Envelope trace visualization with pulse, peak, average, and duty-cycle-corrected power measurements. Captures overshoot, crest factor, rise/fall time, pulse width, pulse repetition frequency, and duty cycle. Equivalent time-sampling technique reconstructs repetitive signals with video bandwidths to 10 MHz and effective sample rates to 48 MS/s.


• Statistical Measurements: Complementary Cumulative Distribution Function (CCDF) and Probability Density Function (PDF) analysis on trace data.


• Factory Calibration: Fully calibrated across the entire operating temperature range - no zeroing or reference calibration required before use.


• Gated Measurements: Full-trace and gated measurement modes for complex signal characterization.


• TTL Synchronization: External trigger inputs and outputs for instrument synchronization.


• Included Software: Windows Power Meter application for meter control and reading display. High-speed Logging Application for PC-based data analysis. Communications library available for multi-sensor control and integration with Tektronix instruments.

Typical Applications General-purpose RF average power measurements, pulsed signal characterization, duty-cycle analysis, and repetitive pulse profiling.

Compatibility & Integration Operating Systems: Windows XP (Service Pack 3), Windows Vista, Windows 7 (32-bit). Multi-sensor operation and third-party instrument integration supported via included communications library.