MODIFICATION
66 -- Vector Network Analyzer
- Notice Date
- 5/13/2014
- Notice Type
- Modification/Amendment
- NAICS
- 334515
— Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Navy, Naval Air Systems Command, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Lakehurst, Contracts Department, Hwy. 547 Attn:B562-3C, Lakehurst, New Jersey, 08733-5083
- ZIP Code
- 08733-5083
- Solicitation Number
- N68335-14-RFI-0110
- Archive Date
- 7/1/2014
- Point of Contact
- Maria J Wells, Phone: (732) 323-4667
- E-Mail Address
-
maria.wells@navy.mil
(maria.wells@navy.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- This is a Request for Information (RFI) for written information only. This is not a solicitation announcement for proposals and no contract will be awarded as a result of this announcement. this RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a soliciation. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract/agreement. The Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), Lakehurst is requesting information, comments and questions regarding interest in a commercial or modified commercial Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) system that is capable of swept transmission and reflection measurements of Radio Frequency (RF)/microwave devices. The VNA system will be used on shipboard and shore-based facilities and must conform to Class 4 requirements as listed in MIL-PRF-28800F. Equipment will also be subjected to operational conditions aboard both military and commercial land, sea, and air vehicles during periods of operation, transportation, and storage. The government's specific interests are as follows: - Interested companies who may have a single box solution commercially available. - Interested companies who have an existing single box capable of being modified to meet the specification as listed below. If responding to this configuration, please provide general product info on what the baseline model would be. NOTE: The government is not interested in a full developmental solution at this time. All corporate and proprietary information should be so marked and will be fully protected to the extent allowed. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or otherwise pay for the information solicited. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of submission of responses to this RFI and Government use of such information. The Government may elect not to discuss submissions received in response to the RFI with indivivual responders. Responders to this RFI may be requested to provide additional details/information based on their initial submittals. Technical Inquiry: 1.1 Overview. The purpose of this document is to inquire about an 18 GHz VNA system for type-N measurement capability. 1.2 Configuration. The VNA system shall consist of one box solution with a calibration kit, test port cables, adapters and any other accessories as necessary for type-N measurement. 1.2.1 Desktop vs. Portable. This inquiry does not specify desktop unit or portable unit. In general, a smaller unit and lighter weight is preferred due to space limitation in shipboard and shore-based labs. 1.2.2 Vector Network Analyzer (VNA). The VNA shall have two test ports. Either N, 3.5mm, or K is acceptable, but 2.4mm is not acceptable. The VNA shall be free of the coupler roll-off effect, which limits the low frequency dynamic range. 1.2.3 Test Port Cables and Adapters. A pair of cables and adapters to create a type-N measurement plane. Both insertable (male to female) and non-insertable (male to male / female to female) measurement planes shall be attainable. The cables shall be rugged and magnitude/phase-stable type designed for VNA use. More emphasis is placed on the durability than the stability. Technical information is being requested on the proposed cables, including the length, bend radius, magnitude/phase stability when flexed, and the number of bend/straighten cycles before degradation. Preliminary cable length is between 2 to 3 feet. The adapters shall be of metrology grade. 1.2.4 Calibration Kit. It shall be type-N connector type. There are three categories for consideration: traditional mechanical calibration kit, one-piece mechanical kit, and electronic calibration kit. Accuracy and ruggedness are the two most important characteristics. Request information on how each category compares in terms of the accuracy and ruggedness. Sliding load is not allowed in the calibration kit. Question: Will the calibration kits be able to withstand rough handling? Refer to MIL-PRF-28800F, Bench Handling (paragraph 4.5.5.4.3). If it does not comply, provide the best estimate on their durability. Question: Is it advisable to keep the electronic calibration module connected to the VNA all the time? What is the best practice for the storage of the electronic calibration module? Due to space limitations at many labs, the electronic calibration kit may be stowed after use. Will that practice impact the accuracy or life expectancy? 1.2.5 Connectors. All connectors in the VNA system shall allow the use of torque wrenches for proper connection. In addition, all N male connectors shall also have knurled surface to ease finger connection. 1.2.6 Future Expansion. Is there any disadvantage, such as the accuracy and/or dynamic range, if the NAVAIR procures a 26.5 GHz VNA with an N calibration kit instead of an 18 GHz VNA with an N calibration kit? For example, will the unit still be free of the coupler roll-off effect? The purpose of the question is to see the feasibility of buying a "26.5 GHz-ready" VNA system now for possible expansion to the 3.5 mm workload later. 1.3 Frequency range. The minimum frequency range of the VNA system shall be 1 MHz to 18 GHz. 1.4 Operating Environment. Please provide the characteristics of the allowable operating environment for the VNA; include temperature range, allowable humidity range and any known atmospheric pressure limitations. 1.5 Dynamic Range. The minimum dynamic range of the VNA system shall be 60 dB. 1.6 Accuracy. The VNA system shall meet the accuracy requirements under the following conditions: temperature of 15 to 30C, and relative humidity of 20 to 60%; worst-case estimate with coverage factor of 2; default power, Intermediate Frequency Bandwidth (IFBW) of 10 Hz and no averaging. Please specify any other conditions required to meet the accuracy. 1.6.1 Transmission Magnitude Measurement Accuracy. When S11 = S22 = 0, the transmission magnitude measurement accuracy shall be <0.01 dB +0.04 dB/10 dB. Request a table to depict the accuracy of the proposed configuration in each 10 dB at minimum frequency (Fmin), 1 MHz, 10 MHz, 100 MHz, and 1 through 18 GHz in 1 GHz interval. If the accuracy is different for insertable vs. non-insertable, provide a table for each. 1.6.2 Reflection Magnitude Measurement Accuracy. When S12 = S21 = 0, the reflection magnitude measurement accuracy shall be <0.01 or 10% of DUT reflection coefficient, whichever is greater. Request a table to depict the accuracy of the proposed configuration at minimum frequency (Fmin), 1 MHz, 10 MHz, 100 MHz, and 1 through 18 GHz in 1 GHz interval. If the accuracy is different for insertable vs. non-insertable, provide a table for each. 1.7 Accuracy with 100 Hz IFBW. Request the same tables on the above transmission and reflection accuracies with IFBW = 100 Hz, even if they do not meet the requirements. If the accuracy is different for insertable vs. non-insertable, provide a table for each. 1.8 Measurement Calibration. The VNA system shall be capable of performing 1-port calibration and full 2-port calibration. Question: Can the insertable calibration be performed with either flush thru or unknown thru? If so, which one is more accurate? Question: Is it possible to use full 2-port calibration to measure the reflection of 1-port device? If yes, is the uncertainty the same as using 1-port calibration? Should the unused test port be terminated during measurement? 1.9 NF to NF or NM to NM Connectors/DUTs. Request information on how the VNA system will perform measurement calibration for same connection interface (NF-NF or NM-NM). Please provide information for all three calibration kits discussed (paragraph 1.2.4). Specifically, include the feasibility of the unknown thru calibration and how it compares with other calibration methods such as adapter removal technique or separate barrel standard (NM or NF) in the calibration kit. 1.10 Setting Changes after Measurement Calibration. Provide the impact of the setting changes on the measurement calibration. At minimum, include the discussion on frequency, power, and IFBW. Question: Is there any circumstance in which the frequency zoom-in is allowed to the extent that it meets the accuracy requirement? 1.11 Marker Functions. The advanced marker functions such as filter BW measurement shall be available. 1.12 Trace Functions. Trace averaging and smoothing shall be available, as well as trace memory/math. 1.13 Limit Lines. Limit lines shall be available to aid pass-fail decision. 1.14 Accessories. Please provide the list of accessories for self-sufficient operation to measure the DUT, such as wrenches, torque wrenches, antistatic wrist strap, antistatic mat, etc. Question: What is your position on the importance of using an antistatic mat in conjunction with a wrist strap? Is the use of only a wrist strap insufficient? 1.15 Accessory Case. Due to space limitation of the shipboard and shore-based labs, there will not be a dedicated VNA "station". The test port cables and adapters will be disconnected and stowed until the next use. What is your recommendation on the accessory case? 1.16 Torque Wrenches. Please provide the extent to which the torque wrenches are required for N and for 3.5mm. 1.17 Remote Programming. The VNA shall be remotely programmable. Please provide options for the digital interface, and the programming language(s). 1.18 Firmware Updates. The firmware updates shall be performed without using an external controller or network connection. A USB memory drive is not allowed, but use of external CD/DVD drive is allowed. 1.19 Storage Environment. Please provide the characteristics of the allowable storage environment for the VNA, include temperature range, allowable humidity range and any known atmospheric pressure limitations
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/DON/NAVAIR/N68335/N68335-14-RFI-0110/listing.html)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Rt. 547, Lakehurst, New Jersey, 08733, United States
- Zip Code: 08733
- Zip Code: 08733
- Record
- SN03365304-W 20140515/140514022201-4f4335aefe62ad67380bd9cce75de37e (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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