Features Of Different Type of Spectrum Analyzer

The spectrum analyzer measures the amplitude of the input signal versus frequency domain within the full frequency range of the electronic device. A spectrum analyzer is just like an oscillator. The only difference is that a spectrum analyzer measures frequency domain whereas an oscillator measures the strength of the signal in the time domain. An SA is used to measure the frequency of all RF and audio signals. It gives an idea and knowledge of complicated AC signals which are very hard to detect.  SA is the basic instrument used in the field of military, telecommunication, navy, and oil and gas supply, and various other industries. In short, it is used in all electronic and telecommunication industries. In this blog, we will discuss form factors of the spectrum analyzers.

Benchtop

Benchtop is one of the preferred spectrum analyzers that are generally to used plug in AC power that are used in the labs, production areas or in manufacturing industries. Benchtop SA offers a better performance and some specifications that are very rare in other types of spectrum analyzers. Moreover, it has multiple fans that are used to keep it cool even in the hot places and enable it to work flawlessly. But the disadvantage of this type of spectrum analyzer is that they are heavy and if extended batteries are used then they become too bulky to carry or install.

Portable Spectrum Analyzer

The Portable spectrum analyzer is used where the experiments or measurements are done outside the boundary. The main reason and advantage for usage of portable spectrum analyzer are that they have very less weight. Moreover, they can be used in the dark, sunlight, or dusty conditions.

Handheld Spectrum Analyzer

 This type of SA is used where space to place the SA is less or compact. But they have confined capacity that can only work for a limited time. The advantages of handheld spectrum analyzers are- they consume less power and can operate on the batteries.

If you require any type of SA or need any type of information regarding these instrument, consult Avcom Of Virginia.

The advancements in the telecommunications industry

The 21st century’s tech world demands information. This is the era that wants access to all information and they want it now. This is the reason why the tech companies are opting to enhance the smartphones by adding an increased amount of spectrum.

The advances in the technology have made it easy to assess the internet and information from the smartphones and tablets. This advancement has increased the need for the fast mobile data service. The increased data traffic on the mobile system has been covered by the R&D teams of the tech companies. They have thus, in return increased the capacity of their mobiles and have delivered high-quality service with the full focus on the user experience.

C-Band spectrum analyzer and telecommunications

In telecommunications, the C-Band spectrum analyzer is used to determine the present bandwidth and the track interference sources of the mobile signals. The spectrum analyzer clearly determines the track interference sources in the UMTS and GSM frequency bands.

Without the spectrum, it will be very difficult for the tech companies and mobile network providers to handle the ever-increasing traffic. The mobile broadband services operating in the frequency range of 400-4200 MHz needs to share spectrum with the satellite, FWA, and fixed link. The C-band spectrum offers huge adjoining blocks that regularly need to fulfill the growing mobile data requirement. The benefit of the C-Band spectrum analyzer is dependent on the factors such as projected mobile data traffic growth, the density of necessary services, and the demographics.

How does a spectrum analyzer work?

The spectrum analyzers provide the network companies the opportunity to stop, center and start the frequency. The center frequency signal is the midpoint between the stop and start signals. It is also the axis for the range between the two. Different types of spectrum analyzer measure different signals in their own ways.  While it is difficult to find a good C-band spectrum analyzer that is also cost-effective, AVCOM Of Virginia has a huge range of reasonably priced spectrum analyzers.

Introduction to C-Band Spectrum Analysis

A spectrum analyzer is an electronic instrument that is used to measure an optical waveform spectrum. The waveform can be the acoustic waveform and electrical waveform. Generally, spectrum analyzers are the sensitive receiver that works based on the principle named as super-heterodyne. The frequency signals are pre-selected and then this frequency is converted to DC level. This is a logarithmic scale that can be measured and displayed on the CRT (Cathode Ray Tube). On the CRT, the strength of frequency can be seen on the x-axis and y-axis contains the strength of the signal. There are different types of spectrum analyzers which are used for different purposes. In this blog, we will discuss the C-band spectrum analyzer.

 

• C-band is specially designed for the electromagnetic spectrum in the microwave range of frequencies whose range is from 4.0 to 8.0 gigahertz (GHz).

• C-band spectrum analyzer is also used for many other purposes such as- GPS, satellite communication transmission (have 24 radio transponders spaced 20 MHz apart), CATV, cordless phones, radar systems, TV and Radio Broadcasting, and for Wi-Fi devices. They are used in almost everywhere in the electronic sector.

• Moreover, they are easy-to-use, having front panel interface. You can easily control it with a remote, so they are often named as Remote Control Monitoring via Ethernet.

• They are operated with the help of GUI (Guided User Interface). The GUI is a remote control software with which you can operate it.

• There are many options available in C-band analyzers such as-

• Extendable amplitude range
• Carrying case
• Option in which you can lower the frequency range in case of extended frequency coverage.
• It has LNB (Low Noise Block) power which is used to receive low-level microwave signal from the satellite. It amplifies the signal and then send it through the cable to the indoor receiver.

Interested in the C-Band spectrum analyzer? Contact AVCOM of Virginia. It is a leading integrated technology company with more than 30 years of experience. For more information, visit:- www.avcomofva.com.

A Guide To Dual or Triple Spectrum Analyzers

A spectrum analyzer is an electronic device used to analyze a wide variety of the frequency spectrum of RF, Audio signals, and radio frequency. Moreover, they are used in many other fields such as- industries, labs, and military applications. There are many types of spectrum analyzers having different frequency measurements, input levels, and amplitude measurement. In this blog, we will discuss about dual or triple spectrum analyzers.

Dual or triple spectrum analyzers- Dual or triple spectrum analyzers have a single unit, which generally work on two/three discrete inputs. Thus, they are also known as multi-input spectrum analyzers. These inputs can be measured and observed simultaneously.  Multi-input spectrum analyzers are used for real-time monitoring and for analyzing the required carriers on the identical screen.

When the rack-mount spectrum analyzer fails to work, then dual or triple spectrum analyzers are used which gives space saving benefits in a 1U package. They also support their own Ethernet connectivity. Moreover, if many screens are attached to the Guided User Interface, a real-time monitoring of the carriers can be done which carry different frequencies.

Performance and specifications-

• Dual or triple spectrum analyzers are created for measuring and analyzing the carriers used for communications and broadcast, IF, L-Band carriers, executing uplink/downlink, and signals that are of 10MHz.

• These signals are simple to store, monitor, and measure. It offers excellent performance and high amplitude accuracy.

• The major purposes where it can be used are tracking, telemetry Command Systems often known as TT&C, spread spectrum, Wi-Fi signals, for satellite communications.

• In addition to that, a zooming feature is also there that can be used to expand a miniature portion of a signal. You can observe a signal from -10dB to -50dB.

• Remote controllable and monitoring via using a free remote control software

• Small form factor and structure design

• Well-defined and specific amplitude and frequency response

• Can be executed with the OEM purposes

• Invented for compact and movable satellites.

• Easily blends into constrained spaces where area is crucial

Various types of spectrum analyzers are available in the market, but choosing the perfect one can be challenging. Avcom  Of Virgina has a huge range of reasonably priced spectrum analyzers. For any queries, you can call- (804) 794-2500.

A guide to the world of spectrum analyzers

A spectrum analyzer is a simple device to measure the signal strength in comparison with the full signal range of the device. The basic use of a spectrum analyzer is to measure the power of all signals -- known as well as unknown. They are an invaluable test equipment that is used in maintenance, test and design field of radio frequency circuitry. To a layman, a spectrum analyzer might look like an oscilloscope. But there is a basic difference between the oscilloscope and spectrum analyzer. While oscilloscope measures the signals in time domain, the spectrum analyzer measures them in the frequency domain.

Types of spectrum analyzer:

1. Real-time
   Real-time spectrum analyzers compile the real-time bandwidth from the incoming signals in a limited time. They convert the information with the FFT algorithm. As the information is collected in real-time, there are no gaps in the calculated spectrum. To collect the range as far as Ku-band i.e. 14 GHz, an L-band spectrum analyzer is required.
   
   
2. FFT/ Fast Fourier transform
   FFT spectrum analyzer is also called the Fast Fourier transform spectrum, analyzer. It has its own unique way of transforming a signal into their individual frequencies. The FFT analyzer requires the signal at least twice the bandwidth. Many individuals prefer to use the L-band spectrum analyzer to gather the maximum signal strength.
   
   
3. Swept or superheterodyne
   A swept spectrum analyzer works best with a smaller bandwidth. With smaller bandwidths, it gives the maximum spectral resolution. This feature allows the full frequency range to be clearly analyzed and filtered accordingly.
   
   
4. Audio
   Audio Spectrum analyzers are the wavelengths analyzers that are used by the sound engineers. It offers various volume levels of the frequency making it audible to humans. The method is aimed to give the engineers various audio sounds to analyze the harmonics of the signal.

How does a spectrum analyzer work?

Spectrum analyzer provides the users the opportunity to stop, center and start the frequency. The center frequency is the midpoint between the stop and start signals. It is also the axis for the range between the two. Different types of spectrum analyzer measure different signals in their own ways.  While it is difficult to find a good L-band spectrum analyzer that is also cost-effective, AVCOM has a huge range of reasonably priced spectrum analyzers.

A Brief Snapshot of Spectrum Analyser

Spectrum analyzers are devices used to monitor and measures the power of the spectrum of known and unknown signals. The devices are used to measure the spectral configuration of optical signals, electrical, and acoustic signals. Spectrum analyzers are used to analyze amplitude against the frequency. Amplitude is normally measured in power or in dBm instead of volts, that is generally used in all most all spectrum analyzer. Spectrum analyzers of different range are often used in factories, industries and in laboratories.

There are various spectrum analyzers, having different frequency range, resolution bandwidth, and SSB phase noise. Various analyzer includes-

• Rack Mount spectrum analyzer
• Portable spectrum analyzer
• Embedded spectrum analyzer

A 9kHz-3GHz Spectrum analyzer which is taken as an economic spectrum analyzer. It is ideal for general purpose benchtop and field applications where signals and frequency can be measured at or below 3 GHz. Mainly the technology used in the analysers guarantees the reliability and performance required to meet the RF applications. Because of its exceptional value and affordable price for a spectrum analyzer it is used in different organisations such as the telecommunication industry for analyzing the frequency spectrum, maintenance, RF education, and R&D.

Spectrum analyzer display-

A key point of using a spectrum analyzer is to understand the display importance. The main purpose of a spectrum analyzer is to show the signal amplitude plot against frequency. The display has a graticule which shows ten major horizontal and ten major vertical divisions. Your findings will not only be accurate, above this they will also be easy to read and interpret when they are displayed on the widescreen display, featuring high resolution.

Scan rate-

There is always the need to check the scans rate, it should be made as fast as possible. Because if the scan time is slow then it will take more time for the measurements. The processor in the spectrum analyzer warn if the scan rate is high for settings of filter.

While seeking the spectrum analyzers, there are numerous modulation performance specifications to consider. Out of many, some of the significant factors are as following:

• Frequency resolution.
• The sensitivity of the frequency range and
• Frequency accuracy

Thus, it is crucial, that whatever spectrum analyzer you choose should have the basic frequencies of the application to which it is be used for.