What Planar does

PLANAR (ООО «ПЛАНАР») is a Russian private limited liability company founded in 1992 and headquartered at ul. Elchkina, 32 in Chelyabinsk, specializing in the design and manufacture of high-tech electronic measurement equipment — primarily vector network analyzers (VNAs) and vector reflectometers used to characterize RF and microwave components. The product stack spans portable single-port reflectometers (CABAN R54/R60/R150/R180, 1 MHz to 18 GHz), portable mid-range VNAs (Compact and Compact-M up to 44 GHz with pulse capability), laboratory VNAs (Cobalt, Cobalt-M, and CobaltFX extending to 178 GHz mm-wave), multi-port analyzers (Iridium SN9000 with up to 16 ports), PXIe-format modules for automated test systems, and an integrated software layer (RVNA, TRVNA, S2VNA, S4VNA, SNVNA) supported by measurement options (TD, MXR, PLS, AFR, NF, SPM, ACP, AmplifierTest), automatic calibration modules, and turnkey measurement solutions for on-wafer devices, transceiver modules, and dielectric materials.

The company operates four R&D centers in Chelyabinsk, Tomsk, Saint Petersburg, and Moscow with approximately 400 employees, over half of whom are engineers engaged in new product development. PLANAR has shipped 1,500+ product models to more than 12,000 customers across 65 countries, with partners in 28 countries, and ranks among the top-10 most recognized radio measurement equipment brands in the Russian Federation. Key products carry Russian State Register of Measurement Instruments (Gosreestr SI) type approvals, Ministry of Defense quality certifications, and inclusion in the Unified Register of Radioelectronic Products, qualifying them for government and defense procurement.

PLANAR's business model is predominantly B2B hardware sales of VNA instruments, reflectometers, and calibration modules priced on a quote/perpetual-license basis, complemented by a growing software-license stream (sold as add-on options) and recurring services such as warranty, calibration, and repair. Go-to-market is sales-led: direct sales via the corporate website (planarchel.ru) with quote requests, supported by technical seminars, trade shows (ExpoElectronica, SVYAZ), industry conference participation, and Russian-language digital channels (VK, Telegram, RuTube, technical articles). Primary customer segments are RF/microwave component and semiconductor manufacturers, aerospace and defense electronics organizations, cable television and data-transmission network operators, and materials-science research laboratories.

Name

Planar

Legal name

OOO PLANAR (ООО «ПЛАНАР»)

Website

https://planarchel.ru

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Short description

PLANAR is a privately held Russian designer and manufacturer, founded in 1992 and headquartered in Chelyabinsk, that produces vector network analyzers, reflectometers, calibration modules, and measurement software for RF and microwave component, semiconductor, aerospace/defense, and telecommunications customers across 65 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electronic Test and Measurement Equipment

NAICS

Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (334515), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)

SIC

Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)

akta.pro primary industry

Test & Measurement Equipment (Oscilloscopes, DAQ, signal analyzers, calibration benches) (IMAGAFAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Calibration Services & Standards (Calibration labs, reference standards, traceability services) (IMAGAFAH), Metrology, Calibration & Testing Equipment (Balances, pH/DO, Standards) (HLAGAIAL)

Keywords

• Vector network analyzers
• RF measurement equipment
• Microwave test instruments
• Electronic measurement devices
• S-parameter measurement

Headquarters

HQ city

Chelyabinsk

HQ country

Russia

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales - Vector Network Analyzers: Sale of measurement instruments including vector network analyzers, reflectometers, calibration modules, and accessories. Products sold as both standard series models and custom configurations per customer requirements. Pricing is quote-based for most instruments.
2. Software Licenses and Options: Sale of software products and optional features for VNAs, including VNA Performance Test, spectrum analysis (SPM), noise figure measurement (NF), pulse measurements (PLS), mixer characterization (MXR), and amplifier testing (ACP).
3. Services and Support: Technical support, warranty and repair services, calibration and verification services for measurement instruments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Planar designs, manufactures, and sells vector network analyzers (VNAs) and vector reflectometers for RF and microwave S-parameter measurement, covering frequencies from 20 kHz up to 178 GHz across its CABAN, Compact, Compact-M, Cobalt, Cobalt-M, CobaltFX, Iridium, PXIe, and Obzor product lines. The company supplies a complementary ecosystem of automatic calibration modules, calibration kits, RF/microwave accessories, specialized software options, and integrated measurement solutions for semiconductor wafer testing, transceiver module verification, and dielectric material characterization, serving industrial, aerospace/defense, telecommunications, and research customers in 65 countries.

Product overview

Planar is a Russian company (OOO 'ПЛАНАР') specializing in the development and manufacture of high-tech electronic measurement equipment. The product portfolio centers on vector network analyzers (VNAs) across multiple series: CABAN (portable reflectometers: R54, R60, R150, R180 operating from 1 MHz to 18 GHz), Compact and Compact-M (portable 2/4-port analyzers up to 44 GHz with pulse capability), Cobalt and Cobalt-M (mid-range analyzers with CobaltFX extending to 178 GHz), Iridium (multi-port up to 16 ports), PXIe format, and Obzor series. The ecosystem includes Automatic Calibration Modules (ACM series), software packages (RVNA, TRVNA, S2VNA, S4VNA, SNVNA for instrument control), software options (TD, MXR, PLS, AFR, NF, SPM, ACP), and AmplifierTest. Planar also offers measurement solutions for wafer testing, transceiver modules, dielectric materials, and microwave device monitoring, plus legacy TV/broadcast equipment. The company operates R&D centers in Chelyabinsk, Tomsk, Saint Petersburg, and Moscow, serving 12,000+ customers across 65 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CABAN: Series of portable vector reflectometers for field and laboratory use, measuring reflection and transmission coefficients in frequency ranges up to 18 GHz.
• Kobalt (Кобальт)
• Kompakt (Компакт)
• Obzor (Обзор)
• Iridium (Иридиум)
• Shleyf (Шлейф)

Products and services

• CABAN Series Vector Reflectometers (R54, R60, R150, R180) Portable single-port vector reflectometers for measuring the magnitude and phase of the reflection coefficient (S11), transmission coefficient magnitude, and cable loss in the frequency range 85 MHz to 18 GHz. Models include CABAN R54 (85 MHz to 4.8 GHz, 97 dB dynamic range, 200 μs measurement time), CABAN R60 (1 MHz to 6 GHz, 119 dB dynamic range, 100 μs measurement time, USB-powered), CABAN R150 (85 MHz to 15 GHz, up to 125 dB dynamic range), and CABAN R180 (1 MHz to 18 GHz, up to 120 dB dynamic range). Designed for field and laboratory use, including on-site testing and cable television network diagnostics, where direct-to-device connection eliminates cable-related measurement errors.
• S50444 Vector Network Analyzer Four-port bidirectional vector network analyzer operating from 10 MHz to 44 GHz with up to 133 dB dynamic range, 22 microsecond measurement time per frequency point, built-in pulse modulators, and 4-port S-parameter measurement capability. Designed for RF/microwave component characterization in research, production, and defense metrology applications.
• Compact Series Vector Network Analyzers Portable vector network analyzers including the S50x44 models operating up to 44 GHz with built-in pulse modulators and comprehensive software functionality, intended for field and production environments.
• Compact-M Series Vector Network Analyzers Portable vector network analyzers with pulse measurement capability up to 9 GHz in a compact form factor, designed for field and production use as the evolutionary development of the mid-range VNA series.
• Cobalt Series Vector Network Analyzers Vector network analyzers with frequency range up to 20 GHz (and up to 44 GHz in the original Kobalt configuration), offering high dynamic range and comprehensive measurement capabilities for laboratory and production use.
• Cobalt-M Series Vector Network Analyzers Modernized vector network analyzers with frequency range up to 44 GHz, featuring enhanced specifications and performance over the original Cobalt series.
• CobaltFX Measurement System Measurement system enabling S-parameter measurements in the frequency range up to 178 GHz for millimeter-wave (mm-wave) applications.
• Iridium Series Multi-Port Vector Network Analyzers Multi-port vector network analyzers including the SN9000 model with 16 ports, designed for comprehensive multi-port device testing and complex S-parameter characterization.
• PXIe Format Vector Network Analyzers Vector network analyzers in PXIe modular format for integration into automated test systems and production-line measurement setups.
• Obzor Series Vector Network Analyzers General-purpose vector network analyzers providing RF measurement capabilities across a range of applications.
• Automatic Calibration Modules (ACM Series) Automatic calibration modules for automated VNA calibration across frequency ranges from 20 kHz to 44 GHz, in 2-port and 4-port configurations. Models include ACM2506, ACM2509, ACM2520, ACM2526, ACM2532, ACM2544, ACM4000T, ACM4509, ACM4520, ACM6000T, and ACM8000T. Reduces operator error and extends port lifespan by replacing manual mechanical calibration with push-button automation.
• Calibration Standards and Kits Mechanical calibration standards and kits (mеры для калибровки) for VNA calibration, including connector and waveguide calibration sets supporting the Planar VNA product line.
• RF and Microwave Accessories Coaxial and waveguide accessories for measurement paths, including adapters, connectors, and ancillary items for VNA measurement setups.
• RF Components Microwave path components (компоненты СВЧ тракта) for measurement system integration.
• SPRUT Switches and Port Expanders High-speed microwave signal switching devices (SPRUT) for coaxial paths in the frequency range 10 MHz to 18 GHz, used as port expanders to extend VNA test configurations.
• Wafer Device Measurement Solutions Complete measurement solutions (Комплексные решения для измерения параметров устройств на пластине) for measuring parameters of devices on wafer for semiconductor testing applications.
• Transceiver Module Testing System (APK) Automated hardware-software complex (АПК) for testing transmit-receive modules.
• Dielectric Permeability Measurement System (APK Resonator) Hardware-software complex (АПК Резонатор) for measuring complex dielectric permeability of sheet materials in the microwave frequency range, used for material characterization and research applications.
• Information-Measurement System for Microwave Device Control Automated information-measurement system for monitoring and controlling parameters of microwave devices.
• Television Test Equipment Television analyzers and equipment (Измерители телевизионные) for broadcasting and cable television network measurement.
• Cable Network Equipment Equipment for cable television networks (Оборудование для кабельных сетей).
• Planar Radio Alarm System (Радиосистема передачи извещений «Планар») Radio system for transmitting security alarms (Радиосистема передачи извещений «Планар») used in stationary and mobile object monitoring.
• Shleyf Parameter Collection and Transmission System (Система «Шлейф») System for collecting and transmitting parameters (Система сбора и передачи параметров «Шлейф») for monitoring stationary and mobile objects.
• RVNA Software Control software for R-series (1-port) vector network analyzers and reflectometers.
• TRVNA Software Control software for TR-series (2-port, forward direction) vector network analyzers.
• S2VNA Software Control software for S2-series (2-port bidirectional) vector network analyzers.
• S4VNA Software Control software for S4-series (4-port) vector network analyzers.
• SNVNA Software Control software for SN-series multi-port vector network analyzers.
• VNA Performance Test Software Software for automated verification and calibration of PLANAR VNAs, including built-in instructions and automatic compliance reporting covering all major performance checks.
• TD Software Option (Time Domain Analysis) Time domain analysis software option for VNA enabling fault location and cable testing functionality.
• MXR Software Option (Frequency Converter Measurements) Frequency converter and frequency multiplier measurement software option for VNA.
• PLS Software Option (Pulse Measurements) Pulse measurement software option for VNA enabling testing of pulsed devices.
• AFR Software Option (Automatic Fixture Removal) Automatic fixture removal software option for VNA enabling de-embedding of test fixtures.
• NF Software Option (Noise Figure) Noise figure measurement software option for VNA.
• SPM Software Option (Spectrum Analysis for VNA) Spectrum analysis software option for vector network analyzers enabling spectrum analysis functionality on Planar VNAs.
• ACP Software Option (Advanced Compression Point) Advanced Compression Point measurements and harmonic analysis software option for power amplifiers supporting panoramic measurement modes and 3D result visualization.
• AmplifierTest Software Dedicated software for automated power amplifier testing including compression point and harmonic measurements with multiple algorithms.

Quantifiable outcome

• Dynamic range of 133 dB with 22 microsecond measurement time (S50444 VNA)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core, moderate and minor.

• MVEIV (Microwave Engineering Company)coreTechnology or Integration · 28 October 2025MVEIV (ООО «МВЭЙВ») technical director Vyacheslav Muravyov presented at the 2025 PLANAR seminar on modules extending to 178 GHz and accessories for VNAs, indicating an integration/technology partnership for high-frequency measurement solutions.
• PISH SVCH-Electronics (Advanced Engineering School of SVCH-Electronics)moderateStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 October 2025The Center for Design and Testing of SVCH Devices of the PISH SVCH-Electronics (Передовой инженерной школы СВЧ-электроники) presented at PLANAR seminar on 'Advanced engineering school of SVCH-electronics', indicating a collaboration on人才培养 and engineering development.
• NPP Fliks (Scientific Production Enterprise)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 October 2025NPP 'Fliks' (НПП «Фликс») CEO Vadim Kuvshinov presented at the PLANAR seminar on developing an automated complex for tuning monolithic ceramic filters.
• VNIIFTRI (All-Russian Research Institute of Physical-Technical Measurements)moderateTechnology or Integration · 28 October 2025FSC 'VNIIFTRI' (ФГУП «ВНИИФТРИ») Laboratory Head Mikhail Ozerov presented at the PLANAR seminar on expanding the dynamic range of antenna measurement complexes using external frequency range extension modules.
• NIU MIET (Moscow Institute of Electronic Technology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIU MIET (Национальный исследовательский университет «МИЭТ») is a strategic partner co-organizing technical seminars on microwave technologies. Joint seminar held in 2026 titled 'Microwave ICs: Where is the Myth and Where is Reality?'.
• 37 Russian and International Development and Production PartnersmoderateChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor37 Russian and international companies serve as partners in the development and production of PLANAR products, enabling ODM/OEM partnership and professional solutions.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Instruments (NI): Now part of Emerson, NI provides modular PXI-based VNA solutions and automated test platforms that compete with PLANAR's PXIe VNA format products and measurement solutions for production test environments.
• Tektronix: US-based T&M incumbent (subsidiary of Fortive) with spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes, and signal analyzers that increasingly overlap with PLANAR's software options like SPM spectrum analysis for VNA. Broader portfolio but partial overlap in RF test.
• Anritsu: Japanese test and measurement company with VNA Master and ShockLine vector network analyzer series targeting both lab and field use. Comparable to PLANAR in portable and benchtop VNAs and a primary competitor across Asian and global markets.
• Keysight Technologies: Global leader in electronic test and measurement, with the dominant market share in vector network analyzers across PNA, FieldFox, and PXIe families. Directly comparable to PLANAR's core VNA product lines, but operating at vastly greater scale with a global direct-sales footprint.
• Rohde & Schwarz: German T&M incumbent with the ZVA/ZNB/ZND vector network analyzer families covering up to mmWave frequencies. Direct competitor to PLANAR in RF/microwave S-parameter measurement, particularly in European and aerospace/defense markets.
• Yokogawa Electric: Japanese industrial measurement and control company with a T&M portfolio that includes precision electrical measurement instruments overlapping with PLANAR's industrial and laboratory RF/microwave offerings.

Emerging players

• Translarity (formerly part of FormFactor): Provider of on-wafer and production RF test solutions. Comparable to PLANAR's wafer device measurement solutions and APK automated hardware-software complexes for semiconductor test customers.
• GW Instek: Taiwanese test and measurement vendor offering a broad range of bench instruments including spectrum analyzers and RF test gear at competitive price points. Comparable to PLANAR's mid-tier compact offerings, particularly in price-sensitive segments.

Direct peers

• Copper Mountain Technologies: US-based vendor of compact USB VNAs and modular PXI VNAs serving RF/microwave engineering customers. Closely comparable to PLANAR's portable reflectometers (CABAN) and Compact-M series on form factor, price point, and target customer.
• Ceyear Technologies: Chinese state-affiliated T&M manufacturer with a comprehensive VNA portfolio comparable to PLANAR's, including multiport and high-frequency models. The closest analog by business model — a domestic national champion competing against Western incumbents in its home market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTuberutube.ru/channel/48459460

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Planar