Features & Benefits
Key Performance Specifications
- 8 GHz, 18 GHz, 20 GHz, and 26.5 GHz Models
- Models Available with N and 3.5 mm Connectors
- Dynamic Range as Low as –60 dBm and as High as +20 dBm
- Uncertainty as Low as 2.6%
- Reading Rates up to 2000 Readings/s
Features
- Meters are Calibrated over Full Temperature Range – No zero or cal needed before making measurements, saving time and avoiding poor-quality data
- Average Power, Duty Cycle Corrected Pulse Power, and Measurement Logging on All Models
- Included Applications run under Microsoft Windows
- Power Meter Application
- High-speed Logging Application
- LabVIEW Drivers and Programming Examples for Most Common Windows Programming Environments are Available for Automated System Support
- Max Hold and Relative Measurement Modes
- Offset, Frequency Response, and 75 Ω Minimum Loss Pad Correction
- Flexible Averaging Modes for Quick, Stable Measurements
- TTL Trigger Input and Output allow Synchronization with External Instruments
- Pass/Fail Limit Mode
- Compact Size
- The PSM3000 Series offers True Average Power Measurements that Give Accurate Results Regardless of Signal Shape or Modulation
- The PSM4000 and PSM5000 Series offer:
- Pulse Power, Duty Cycle, Peak Power, and Crest Factor Measurements
- Measure Peak, Average and Minimum Power on Bursts with Adjustable Offset and Duration
- The PSM5000 Series includes a Pulse Profiling Application for Making Measurements on Repetitive, Pulsed Signals
- Builds and Displays a Trace of the Pulse Envelope
- Full-trace and Gated Measurements including Pulse, Peak and Average Power, Overshoot, Crest Factor, Rise and Fall Time, Pulse Width, Pulse Repetition Frequency, Duty Cycle
- Statistical Measurements on the Trace Data, such as Complementary Cumulative Distribution Function (CCDF), and Probability Density Function (PDF)
Applications
- General-purpose RF and Microwave Average Power Measurements
- Characterization of Repetitive Pulsed Signals, such as Navigation, Weather, and other Radar
- Peak and Average Power Measurements on Modulated Signals such as GSM, CDMA, WCDMA, HSPA, WiMAX up to 10 MHz
- Peak and Average Power Measurements of Modulated Pulsed Communications Signals
- Level Control Feedback for Signal Sources
- Validation and Characterization of Power Amplifiers, Switches, and Other RF and Microwave Components
- Service, Maintenance, and Installation of DTV, Cellular, Microwave Radio Link, and Radio Broadcast Transmitters
- Verification and Calibration of Test Equipment and Systems
3-year Warranty
Capable, Compact Power Sensors/Meters
The PSM3000, PSM4000, and PSM5000 Series are compact power sensors/meters that deliver fast, accurate RF and microwave power measurements. A broad range of CW and pulse modulation measurements are available, depending on the series you choose. Each meter comes with Windows Power Meter application software for controlling the meter, displaying readings, and recording data. The combination of the sensor/meter and PC provides a complete solution, eliminating the need for a separate, dedicated meter mainframe.
No Meter Mainframe Required
With the included power meter application software, familiar meter controls are available at the click of a mouse and readings are presented right on your PC screen. Familiar Windows pull-down menus provide additional controls. Data is immediately available on the PC for further analysis and documentation. The meters communicate with the PC using standard USB 2.0 protocols and cables for plug-and-play ease of use.
Integrate High-speed Power Measurements Into Your Testing
Tektronix PSM Series power sensors feature the industry’s fastest measurement speed (2000 readings/s). This can significantly reduce test times and provide dynamic power measurement information that was previously unavailable. An included High-speed Logging Application provides a mechanism for getting this data into your PC for analysis.
For custom test applications, you can communicate with the sensors using LabVIEW, or using a fully documented API. Example programs are provided for the most commonly used development environments. The communications library allows your program to communicate with up to 12 sensors, eliminating the need for costly switches.
Tektronix real-time signal analyzers, arbitrary waveform generators, and oscilloscopes that use the Windows operating system can also be used to control the PSM Series sensor/meter and give you quick access to accurate power measurements.
To allow synchronization with other measurement equipment all models include Trigger In and Trigger Out TTL signals.
High-speed measurements, extensive programming tools, and synchronization features make these sensors versatile additions to your test setup.
Industry-leading Performance for Demanding Designs

Figure 1 – Software presents familiar controls and measurement presentation.
Tektronix power sensors/meters come fully calibrated over their entire operating temperature range. Sensor zeroing and meter reference calibration have been eliminated, reducing setup time and helping to avoid inaccurate results. These meters provide accuracy you can count on for general-purpose CW, peak, pulse, and other modulated power measurements. Whether doing installation or maintenance on a wireless base station, production testing, or R&D for wireless components, the PSM Series products serve these needs with a wide dynamic range (–60 dBM to +20 dBm) and frequencies ranging from 10 MHz up to 26.5 GHz.
Select the Performance/Features to Meet Your Needs
PSM3000 Series power sensors/meters provide true average power measurements, giving accurate power measurements independent of signal modulation and bandwidth. The PSM4000 Series delivers average power (CW) measurements, and adds pulse and peak power measurements for gathering basic data on pulsed RF and microwave signals. PSM5000 Series power sensors/meters provide the same measurements as the PSM4000, and add pulse profiling capability for signal viewing and characterization in pulsed RF and microwave systems.
Feature | PSM3000 Series | PSM4000 Series | PSM5000 Series |
|---|
Frequency Range | 10 MHz to 26.5 GHz | 10 MHz to 20 GHz | 50 MHz to 20 GHz |
Dynamic Range | –55 dBM to +20 dBm | –60 dBm to +20 dBM | –60 dBm to +20 dBm |
Measurement Speed | 2000 readings/s | 2000 readings/s | 2000 readings/s |
Measurements |
True Average Power | X | | |
Average (CW) Power | | X | X |
Duty Cycle Corrected Pulse Power | X | X | X |
Peak Power, Pulse Power, Duty Cycle | | X | X |
Peak and Average Burst Power | | X | X |
Measurement Logging | X | X | X |
Pulse Width, Rise/Fall, Overshoot, Droop | | | X |
Time Gated Measurements | | | X |
Pulse Waveform Display with Markers | | | X |
A Broad Range of Pulse Envelope Measurements

Figure 2 – Pulse profiling software enables a thorough analysis of pulse characteristics.
Tektronix PSM5000 Series products feature an easy-to-use, high performance, pulse profiling, pulse (modulation), and CW power meter and sensor in one. The PSM5000 Series product is specifically designed for applications requiring time domain analysis of constant-envelope, repetitive pulsed signals. It performs time domain pulse measurements such as rise/fall time, overshoot, and droop that have typically required costly signal analyzers. PSM5000 Series sensors use an equivalent time-sampling technique to reconstruct repetitive, pulsed input signals. Repetitive pulses with video bandwidths up to 10 MHz can be measured with an effective sample rate of up to 48 MS/s.
Performance You Can Count On
In addition to industry-leading service and support, every PSM Series power sensor/meter comes backed with a three-year standard warranty.