Each of these measurement techniques has its advantages, and both are available in the MSA500, a portable instrument with functionality comparable to much more expensive benchtop equipment.
Key Features:
– Includes sweep and real-time analysis modes.
– Extensive spectrum analysis functions, spectrograms, superposition, and time-domain analysis.
– Fast capture, up to 720 frames/second.
– Powerful trigger functions in real-time mode.
– Real-time operation with bandwidth up to 20 MHz.
– Large memory: 16,000 frames (64 MB). IQ data can be transmitted to a PC via USB at 19 ms/frame.
– Low noise; the average noise level is only -162 dBm/Hz.
– Compact and lightweight, only 1.8 kg.
– Up to 4 hours of battery operation.
– Data storage directly to USB memory.
– Includes functions typically only available on benchtop instruments: channel power, adjacent channel power, occupied bandwidth, electric and magnetic field strength, and noise measurements. Advanced calculation functions, cursor measurements, and peak location.
Advantages and disadvantages of real-time sweep meters.
Advantages of real-time technology:
1) They allow analysis of the signal spectrum and noise of unstable signals.
2) They allow analysis in the time domain of power/time, frequency/time, phase/time, or I/Q modulation components over time.
3) Thanks to their triggering functions, it is possible to capture spectra that occur intermittently.
4) Spectrum loss is much lower. In particular, no spectrum is lost with a bandwidth up to 200 kHz.
5) They allow observation of spectrograms with changes in power and frequency over time.
6) Since IQ components are offered separately, analysis of complex modulations such as phase modulation is possible.
7) Frequency accuracy is very high (±0.5 ppm ±1 point at all points on the screen).
Real-time disadvantages:
1) The frequency span is a maximum of 20 MHz.
Advantages of the scanning technique:
1) It is possible to observe very wide frequency ranges.
2) They can include a tracking generator.
3) It allows for EMI measurements.
4) The scanning mode is the conventional one used in spectrum analyzers.
Disadvantages of the sweep technique:
1) It is difficult to observe unstable signals.
2) Time-domain analysis is only available in zero-span mode.
3) Modulation analysis is not possible.
4) The frequency accuracy displayed is lower than that of real-time systems.
Available Models:
MSA538: Frequency range from 20kHz to 3.3GHz.
MSA558: Frequency range from 20kHz to 8.5GHz.
MSA538TG: Frequency range from 20kHz to 3.3GHz with tracking generator.
MSA538E: Frequency range from 20kHz to 3.3GHz with EMI measurements.
MSA558E: Frequency range from 20kHz to 8.5GHz with EMI measurements.
Available Accessories and Options:
MAS500 PC Measurement Software: Controls analyzers from a PC and allows high-speed IQ data transfer.
MAS510 Datalogger Software: Enables unattended data recording using trigger algorithms.
MA 430 DTF Adapter for troubleshooting cables up to 1000 m.
MVS308 Standing Wave Ratio (SWR) Bridge.
Dipole Antennas, 7 models, M401 to M407.
MAN 120 Low-Frequency Loop Antenna (50 kHz to 33 MHz).
MAN 150 Wideband Biconical Antenna (20 MHz to 3 GHz).
MAP 301/MAP 302 Low-Noise Amplifier for noise emission measurements in conjunction with the MAN 150 biconical antenna.
CP-2S Magnetic Field Measurement Probe.
MP300 Wideband Passive Probe.
