Test & Measurement
Introduction to
RF Spectrum
Analysis
Background
As many as RF products go around the
market of the world, the test and
verification challenge of RF signal
becomes more and more complicated
during Research and development stage.
RF Engineers are eager to find a rapid way
to figure out the root causes of the
problems. Thus, the spectrum analysis
methodology has become the most
important tool to observe and resolve any
kind of problems. As different from time
domain signals were measured by
oscilloscope, spectrum analysis will
transfer the time domain signals into
frequency domain element, so it can be
performed by power quantities versus
each frequency element, and the spectral
line will be represented on the screen to
definite the signal harmonic elements one
by one, that is the existed value of the
spectrum analyzer.
Applications
Many RF and Microwave applications were
verified by spectrum analyzer today, for
example, like Radar signal inspections,
Digital modulation transmissions and
Wireless transmission etc. Every RF Signal
will be observed by spectrum analyzer.
Edward Pan
Marketing Manager
International Sales Department
Rigol Technologies
The main test parameters include spectral
power, frequency deviation, and different
marker indication points. For more
advanced measurement, it can be applied
by Adjacent channel power, multiple
traces tracking etc. The spectrum analyzer
not only can implement the basic RF
Signal retrieving, it can be also used as a
simple network analyzer if the tracking
generator is built on. The tracking
generator could be used as a simple RF
synthesizer to generate a swept sinusoidal
wave consecutively, so the RF Passive
component like antenna, cable etc could
be received the test signal and reflect to
the receiver terminal of spectrum
analyzer, so it becomes a simple network
analyzer which can verify S11 and S12
parameters. As more serious competitive
environment going, the best CP value of
spectrum analyzer has become the main
street product among the bloody market.
Rigol Spectrum Analyzer
deviation from the spectral center. The
Display Average Noise Level (DANL) can be
down to -161dBm, it is the best
specification among the same competitive
categories. The Resolution Bandwidth can
be down to 10Hz to help customers to
determine the spectral line as the most
accurate way.
For the most famous application, Rigol
DSA Spectrum Analyzer is the most useful
tool to complete the EMI testing. It also
provide the NFP-3 near field probe to help
customers to find out the EMI root causes
by the most efficient way before applying
normal verifications. S1210 EMI precompliance test software could enhance
the EMI analysis by real time capturing on
Laptop bases, it can generate a completed
test report and help customers to
optimize the project implementation.
If customers select the tracking generator
options, the spectrum analyzer can be
used as a simple network analysis tool to
do S11 and VSWR testing. VB1000 series
test bridge will be offered for customers to
complete the VSWR testing for different
bandwidth segments as well.
Conclusion
Rigol Technologies was established on
1998 and toda y it has become the unique
and the best test and measurement
vendor in great China area. The product
sales covered 5 continents around the
worldwide. Today Rigol provides DSA800
and DSA700 series spectrum analyzer
which covered the highest bandwidth can
be up to 7.5GHz and lower down to
500MHz category. From educational to
industrial market, DSA series can satisfy
customers to complete the measurement
task during either R&D stage or mass
production procedures.
DSA800 series has the best specifications
over today’s competitive market, it can
provide the best Phase Noise indicators
which can be down to -98dBc/Hz at 10KHz
ELE Times | 24 | November, 2016
Spectrum Analyzer indeed is the most
powerful RF signal verification tool for
product design and manufacturing. Today,
more and more applications will cover RF
category like the hottest Internet of Things
(IoT) application, each RF transmission
element in houses and industrial
connections are used by wireless
communication like WIFI, Bluetooth,
Zigbeeand RFID etc. Wireless applications
will cover beyond 70% part of our life, so
the spectrum analyzer will become the
most basic tool to solve all kinds of RF
signal problems in the future, if any test
vendors can provide the best CP value of
the product, it will benefit to whole
industry and market.