Tektronix has announced a new series of realtime spectrum analysers that it says provides a superior combination of realtime performance, capture bandwidth, and dynamic range to meet the needs of a broad range of cutting-edge digital RF applications. Special waveform image processor technology in the RSA6100A series transforms volumes of realtime data to produce a ‘live’ RF spectrum presentation that reveals previously unseen RF signals and signal anomalies.
Live RF is achieved by improving the spectrum measurement rate nearly 1000 times compared to the fastest swept spectrum and vector signal analysers (VSA), says Tektronix.
The rapid expansion of digital RF applications has driven the measurement needs of many applications including radar, mobile communications, software defined radio (SDR), cognitive radio and surveillance beyond the capabilities of swept spectrum and vector signal analysis. Digital RF signals carry complex modulation and change from one instant to the next, hopping frequencies, spiking briefly and then disappearing. These transient and time-varying transmission techniques help RF devices avoid interference, maximise peak power and, oftentimes, evade detection.
Test instruments for digital RF require wide bandwidth with high dynamic range, fast signal capture, and the ability to fully correlate the time, frequency, and modulation domains. The first offerings in Tektronix' new RSA6100A series of realtime spectrum analysers - the 6,2 GHz RSA6106A and 14 GHz RSA6114A - provide industry-leading 110 MHz realtime bandwidth simultaneous with 73 dB spurious-free dynamic range.
DPX technology
The waveform image processor technology (called DPX) displays the live spectrum by processing more than 48 000 spectrum measurements per second. This information is of magnitude greater than industry standard spectrum analysers. To do this, DPX makes use of dedicated, realtime hardware to process the incoming signal. By minimising the signal gaps, the RSA6100A oscilloscope achieves a live RF signal view.
In addition to live RF, the waveform image processor also provides an intensity-graded display to show the history of occurrence for dynamic signals and immediate feedback on signal variations over time. This provides engineers the ability to rapidly see on-screen both transients and signals that ordinarily could not be seen.
The RSA6100A series provides world-class capabilities ideally suited to the needs of a broad range of digital RF applications, from power amplifiers for advanced cellular radios to the latest pulsed radar signal technologies.
Measurement-centric UI improves usability
Tektronix designers researched spectrum analyser usage and customer needs. Based on this, designed a measurement-centric user interface for the RSA6100A that is intuitive and seamless, enabling engineers to focus on their analysis of the signal without worrying about the configuration of the instrument.
The company says that the UI is easy to use by traditional RF designers as well as by digital signal processing experts. The interface includes default settings for each of the particular measurements, optimising the instrument for the primary measurement being performed. The RSA6100A also has a 10,4" XGA touchscreen display, mouse/keyboard and conventional front panel controls. Use of Windows XP reduces the learning curve for those new to making RF measurements and helps streamline operations.
For more information contact Sue Hains, Inala Technologies, +27 (0)11 206 8360, [email protected]
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