New Omicron Lab Bode500 with N-Type?

[VanBudd]

Just saw this picture on LinkedIn of the picotest booth at SC23, there's a Bode 500 with N-Type connectors.

Does someone know anything about it?
Couldn't find anything online.

[DaJMasta]

Could be 7/16 DIN connectors?  Could be that for some applications it's a much more compatible connector.

[VanBudd]

Could be 7/16 DIN connectors?  Could be that for some applications it's a much more compatible connector.

Besides the connector, the device clearly says Bode 500, can't find anything about it.
Also on the manufacturer page says only BNC connector for Bode 100.

Would be interesting if it's a new device that hasn't been released yet or is it some kind of prototype?

[VanBudd]

Found this picture on Omicron lab's linkedin, so it's definitely a new device, which hasn't been released yet.

Maybe the new connectors are a hint for higher bandwidth applications?
Or maybe just replaced the BNC connectors for better performance?

[VanBudd]

I've just received some information from Omicron lab.

The device is currently under Test.
The Bode500 should be released early 2024 and will have extended bandwidth from 1Hz-450MHz.
Price should be around 15.000€.


But just very early information, so the numbers can change.

[nctnico]

Why would you use N connectors at 450MHz? If you don't like BNC (which is perfectly useable at 450MHz), then SMA or SMB would be a better choice.

[VanBudd]

I could imagine because most VNAs have N-Type as standard, so people could use their equipment they already got without adapters.

[alm]

N is a lot more robust than SMA or SMB, which were more designed as internal connectors with few insertion cycles. I have seen few full size bench instruments that use SMA connections if N would also have worked. 3.5mm or other higher performance connectors are common for higher frequencies.

I think SMA is common on more hobbyist grade of equipment like NanoVNA or VNWA.

[nctnico]

OTOH: SMA cables are much easier to work with on a bench compared to N connectors which typically have much thicker & clunkier cables.

[Kean]

OTOH: SMA cables are much easier to work with on a bench compared to N connectors which typically have much thicker & clunkier cables.

Agreed re the cables, but the N panel connector is so much more robust.
It is very easy to add some N to SMA adapters and replace them if they ever get damaged or wear out.

[Njk]

BTW, back in the late nineties I bought a good Blaupunkt car radio. It was of interesting type, based on Motorola Symphony SDR chipset (unfortunately, they'd killed it eventually). To prevent it from being stolen, I'd decided to make it easy removable. That resulted in quite complex mechanical design (see the images). But I do remember that it was problematic to identify a suitable RF connector. I was looking for a spring-loaded bulkhead type connectors with high number of mate-unmate cycles. To my surprise, for best types, that number is about hundreds, not thousands. Found a promising type, of Fisher brand, but it was expensive and with long lead time. So I ended with old soviet СР-75-522ФВ (officially rated for 100 cycles) and bought dozen of them.

Edit: One may ask a good question, what's in common between this thing and the topic. Well, I also think it worth 15.000€ because it's of true metal, custom design and is light-years ahead of similar Asian products.