Tek takes USB spectrum analyser range to 7.5 GHz, in field & on the bench
Each of the RSA 500 and 600A units covers from 9 kHz up to 7.5 GHz, with 40 MHz capture bandwidth; pricing is under 10,000. In total there are four variants that offer measurement dynamic range from -161 dBm/Hz displayed average noise level, and up to +30 dBm maximum input.
The added USB-based spectrum analysers develop, Tek says, the design approach of the 6.2 GHz RSA306 USB-based real-time spectrum analyser introduced in 2015, aiming to serve a market which sees more and more non-RF specialists having to make spectrum measurements, and working with many new wireless standards. The development takes the USB instrument to a higher performance level and offers a line-operated laboratory package and a rugged battery-operated package with a tablet PC option. Both the RSA500 and RSA600 also have an optional tracking generator with an integrated internal bridge for basic device, cable and antenna testing. The company says that the specifications come at a price point around 60% of comparable performance in a conventional benchtop format.
Through a standard USB 3.0 connection, the instruments are operated from a desktop PC, laptop or tablet using an updated version of the full-featured SignalVu-PC software suite – included at no additional cost – that provides 17 measurements, real-time DPX (“digital phosphor”) signal processing, and a range of application-specific add-on modules for in-depth analysis.
The portable units are aimed at “spectrum management” – tasks such as interference locating, characterising the spectral environment in a particular location, installation and fault-finding. Powered from and internal battery and housed in a rugged outer case, the 500 units have an optional tablet PC based on Panasonic’s ToughPad, to rpvide the user interface. Even with the tablet, a spokesman commented, the unit has a 20% price/performance advantage over other solutions. The series includes the 3 GHz RSA503A and the 7.5 GHz RSA507A, qualified to MIL-STD 28800 Class 2 for shock and vibrations and rated IP52 for water ingress.
A number of additional features and capabilities further aid field applications including a GPS receiver with locked frequency accuracy up to ±0.025 ppm and an optional tracking generator for cable and antenna testing with measurements such as Return Loss and Distance to Fault. As real-time spectrum analysers, the RSA500s allow spectrum managers to see very short duration signals for fast identification of problem or interfering signals.
The RSA600 series instruments including the 3 GHz RSA603A and the 7.5 GHz RSA607A match the performance levels of the portable units, but are designed to use mains power and have a desktop form factor. These analysers are capable of handling a wide range of design applications such as testing Internet of Things (IoT) modules and component using SignalVu-PC measurement packages for standards from Bluetooth LE and Bluetooth EDR to WLAN to 802.11ac. Antenna and gain/loss testing capabilities help speed system integration. The screenless format also suggests use in ATE, where an RSA 600 might capture spectral data and pass it to a central PC for mask testing or other assessments. The RSA 600, considered as a 40-MHz-capture-bandwith instrument for WiFi testing, is around one-third the cost of the closest option, Tek believes.
In conjunction with the new spectrum analysers, Signal Vu-PC receives an updated user interface to go with a number of new options and capabilities. Among the new options for SignalVu-PC are expanded support for signal classification, channel navigation, and support for mapping. Floating licenses are also now available as well as node locked licenses to give users more flexibility to deploy the software and USB Spectrum Analysers widely. Record and playback for long signals is also available.
Engineers who need programmatic access to their instrument can choose either the SignalVu-PC programmatic interface or use the included application programming interface (API). Real-time processing capability provided by SignalVu-PC when using recommended PC hardware is, Tek asserts, about 1,000 times faster than alternative spectrum analysers.
The RSA 306A becomes the RSA 306B, in the same announcement. For a price uplift of around 10% over its predecessor (the A version is replaced) the instrument has SFDR improvement of 10dB, and improved amplitude measurement accuracy; and a 3-year warraty.
Pricing for the 500 and 600 models begins at €5,500 3GHz models and €9,130 for 7.5GHz models.
Tektronix; www.tektronix.com
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