Why Are More Engineers Choosing Millimeter-Wave Extenders Instead of Dedicated mmWave Instruments?
Millimeter-wave technologies are rapidly expanding into next-generation applications including SATCOM, aerospace and defense, automotive radar, wireless infrastructure, imaging systems, sensing, quantum research, and high-speed interconnects. However, one of the major challenges that continues to slow broader industry adoption is the cost of millimeter-wave test equipment.
Traditionally, engineers who need to perform mmWave S-parameter measurements, spectrum analysis, noise figure and phase noise measurements and signal generations must purchase dedicated millimeter-wave instruments from large test equipment OEMs such as Keysight, Rohde & Schwarz, or Anritsu. While these systems provide excellent performance, they are often prohibitively expensive for many organizations and programs.
A complete direct mmWave Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) or Spectrum Analyzer solution can easily cost several hundred thousand to millions of dollars, especially when extending into W-band, D-band, or sub-THz frequencies.
For many engineering teams, startups, universities, research labs, programs and emerging commercial markets, this cost structure creates a major barrier to entry.
The Hidden Opportunity - Most Teams Already Own Microwave Test Equipment
Sometimes, what many engineers do not initially realize is that they may already possess most of the test hardware required for millimeter-wave measurements.
Many laboratories already own high-performance microwave instruments operating up to:
• 20 GHz
• 26.5 GHz
• 40 GHz
• 50 GHz
• or even higher
These microwave VNAs, spectrum analyzers, noise figure analyzers, phase noise analyzers and signal generators often remain extremely capable instruments with excellent dynamic range, stability, and calibration performance. To reach the operation frequency of 50 GHz to 330 GHz can be realized by simply implementing frequency extension.
Rather than replacing existing microwave instruments with entirely new mmWave platforms, engineers can instead leverage frequency extenders to dramatically expand the frequency coverage of their existing equipment at a fraction of the cost.
What Are Frequency Extenders?
Frequency extenders are external millimeter-wave conversion modules that translate microwave-frequency signals into millimeter-wave frequencies and vice versa.
They allow existing microwave instruments to operate at frequencies far beyond their native range.
Eravant provides several categories of millimeter-wave extension products across several mmWave frequency bands up to 330 GHz.
STE — Frequency Extenders
Standalone frequency conversion solutions for expanding microwave signal sources and receivers into millimeter-wave frequencies.
ACCESS
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STANDARD
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STO — VNA Extenders
Millimeter-wave S-parameter extension modules designed to work with existing microwave Vector Network Analyzers.
ACCESS
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STANDARD
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These systems allow engineers to perform:
• S-parameter measurements
• gain and loss characterization.
• antenna measurements
• material characterization
• device validation
• subsystem integration testing
STC — Spectrum Analyzer Extenders
Millimeter-wave downconverter systems that extend microwave spectrum analyzers into mmWave frequency ranges without requiring dedicated mmWave analyzers.
ACCESS
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STANDARD
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These solutions support:
• spectrum monitoring
• signal analysis
• phase noise evaluation
• transmitter characterization
• modulation analysis
• EMI and interference investigations
STC — Keysight PNA-X Noise Figure Measurement Extenders
Millimeter-wave downconverter systems that extend Keysight PNA-X noise figure measurement capabilities into mmWave frequency ranges without requiring dedicated mmWave noise figure analyzers.
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STG — Noise Figure Analyzer Extenders
Millimeter-wave Noise Figure and Gain Test Extenders that extend Keysight 8970A/B and N8975A Noise Figure Analyzer measurement capabilities into mmWave frequency ranges without requiring dedicated mmWave noise figure analyzers.
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STI — Phase Noise Analyzer Extenders
Millimeter-wave Phase Noise Extenders that extend Anapico’s APPH Phase Noise Analyzer measurement capabilities into mmWave frequency ranges without requiring dedicated mmWave phase noise analyzers.
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The Economic Advantage
The economic benefit of frequency extenders is substantial. Instead of purchasing an entirely new dedicated mmWave instrument platform, engineers can reuse their existing microwave infrastructure and only add the required mmWave front-end modules. This approach can reduce total system cost dramatically.
For example:
• Existing microwave VNAs and analyzers may already be fully depreciated assets.
• Teams avoid replacing expensive base instruments.
• Frequency extenders can often be deployed incrementally as frequency requirements grow.
• Multiple frequency bands can be covered with modular front-end upgrades.
The result is a significantly lower total cost of ownership.
Why This Matters to the Industry
Historically, millimeter-wave technologies were largely limited to:
• Large aerospace companies
• Defense contractors
• National laboratories
• Heavily funded research organizations
One primary reason was the extremely high cost of test infrastructure.
Lower-cost frequency extension architectures are changing that landscape.
Today, startups, universities, commercial SATCOM companies, automotive developers, imaging system designers, and wireless innovators can now access mmWave measurement capabilities without investing millions of dollars in infrastructure.
This democratization of mmWave testing is accelerating:
• Innovation
• Product development
• University research
• Prototyping
• Commercialization and volume production lines
Eravant’s Mission
Eravant’s mission is straightforward, “To make millimeter-wave technologies more accessible.”
This philosophy applies not only to components and subsystems, but also to test and measurement solutions.
By providing cost-effective:
• Frequency extenders (STE)
• VNA extenders (STO)
• Spectrum analyzer extenders (STC)
• Noise figure and gain analyzer (STG)
• PNA-X noise figure frequency extensions (STC)
• Phase noise extenders (STI)
Eravant helps engineering teams leverage their existing microwave investments while substantially lowering the financial barriers associated with millimeter-wave testing.
Practical Benefits of Extender-Based Architectures
Compared to purchasing dedicated direct mmWave instruments, extender-based systems offer several practical advantages:
Lower Initial Capital Cost
Reuse existing microwave instruments rather than replacing them.
Faster Technology Adoption
Enable smaller organizations to enter mmWave markets sooner.
Scalable Frequency Expansion
Add additional bands incrementally as requirements evolve.
Flexible System Configuration
Support a wide variety of measurement architectures.
Reduced Procurement Risk
Avoid committing large budgets before project requirements mature.
Extended Instrument Life
Maximize the value of existing microwave test equipment investments.
Conclusion
The future of millimeter-wave technology depends not only on semiconductor innovation and system integration, but also on affordable access to measurement capability.
Frequency extenders provide a practical and economically efficient bridge between existing microwave infrastructure and next-generation millimeter-wave applications.
For many engineering organizations, the most cost-effective path into millimeter-wave testing is not replacing existing instruments — it extends them.
That is precisely where Eravant’s STE, STO, STC, SYG and STI product families deliver value.
Contact
support@eravant.com
