Basic Spectrum Analysis

By CSG Solution(Thailand) Ltd.

www.csgs.co.th

Table of Contents

Overview Theory of Operation Specification Measurements

Basic Spectrum Analysis

sa For internal use only
Teerapong Sae-Jew ppt

Basic Spectrum Analysis

8563A

SPEC TR U M

A N A LYZER

9 kH z - 26. 5G H z

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For internal use only

Teerapong Sae-Jew ppt

Agenda

Overview Theory of Operation Specifications Measurements

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Overview
What is Spectrum Analysis?

8563A

SPEC TR U M

A N A LYZER

9 kH z - 26. 5G H z

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Overview
Types of Tests Made

Modulation

Noise Distortion

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Overview
Frequency versus Time Domain

Amplitude (power)

Time domain Measurements

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Frequency Domain Measurements

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Overview
Different Types of Analyzers

Fourier Analyzer
Parallel filters measured simultaneously

A
CRT shows full spectral display

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f2

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Overview
Different Types of Analyzers

Swept Analyzer A
Filter 'sweeps' over range of interest CRT shows full spectral display

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f2

f
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Lab : Tune ,Zoom and Measure

Chanllenge Find a signal Resolve its sidebands Measure the receiver frequency and amplitude What you learned Its easy

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Lab : Tune ,Zoom and Measure Contd

Step 1: Preset Step 2: Tune Step 3: Zoom Step 4: Adjust Reference Level Step 5: Measure

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Agenda

Overview Theory of Operation Specifications Measurements

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Theory of Operation
Spectrum Analyzer Block Diagram
RF input attenuator mixer
Input signal
Pre-Selector Or Low Pass Filter

IF gain

IF filter

detector

Log Amp

local oscillator sweep generator

Crystal Reference

video filter

CRT display

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Theory of Operation
Mixer
input
MIXER

RF
f sig

IF LO
f sig

f LO - f sig f LO

f LO + f sig

f LO sa 13

Theory of Operation
IF Filter
IF FILTER

Input Spectrum

IF Bandwidth (RBW)
Display

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Theory of Operation
Detector
DETECTOR

amplitude

"bins"

Positive detection: largest value in bin displayed Negative detection: smallest value in bin displayed Sample detection: last value in bin displayed

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Theory of Operation
Video Filter
VIDEO FILTER

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Theory of Operation
Other Components

LO SWEEP GEN frequency CRT DISPLAY IF GAIN

RF INPUT ATTENUATOR

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Theory of Operation
How it all works together
fs
0 1 2 3 (GHz) Signal Range LO Range

f LO - f s
fs
0 1

f LO

f LO + f s
IF filter 6 6.5 3.6 detector

mixer input

fs

3 3.6

f IF
sweep generator LO A

f LO
3 3.6 4 5 6 6.5 (GHz)

3 (GHz)

CRT display

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Agenda

Overview Theory of Operation Specifications Measurements

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Specifications
8563A
SPEC TR U M A N A LYZER 9 kH z - 26. 5G H z

Frequency

Range Accuracy, Frequency & Amplitude Resolution Sensitivity Distortion Dynamic Range

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Specifications
Frequency Range

Low frequencies for baseband and IF

Measuring harmonics 50 GHz and beyond!

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Specifications
Accuracy

Absolute Amplitude in dBm

Relative Amplitude in dB

Frequency Relative Frequency

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Specifications
Resolution: Resolution Bandwidth
Mixer
Input Spectrum
LO

3 dB BW

3 dB

Detector

IF Filter/ Resolution Bandwidth Filter (RBW) Sweep

RBW Display

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Specifications
Resolution: Resolution Bandwidth
10 kHz RBW 3 dB

10 kHz 24

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Specifications
Resolution: RBW Type and Selectivity

3 dB

3 dB BW

60 dB 60 dB BW Selectivity = 60 dB BW 3 dB BW

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Specifications
Resolution: RBW Type and Selectivity
RBW = 1 kHz Selectivity 15:1
3 dB

RBW = 10 kHz

distortion products
7.5 kHz

60 dB 60 dB BW = 15 kHz

10 kHz

10 kHz

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Lab : Resolving equal and unequal amplitude signals

Chanllenge Resolve two equal amplitude signals Resolve two unequal amplitude signals Measure absolutes and differences What you learned Resolution Bandwidth Markers , marker function
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Specifications
Resolution

What Determines Resolution?

Resolution Bandwidth

Residual FM

RBW Type and Selectivity

Noise Sidebands

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Specifications
Resolution: Residual FM

Residual FM Smears the signal

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Specifications
Resolution: Noise Sidebands

Phase Noise

Noise Sidebands can prevent Resolution of unequal signals

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Specifications
Resolution: RBW Determines Measurement Time

Swept too fast

Penalty For Sweeping Too Fast Is An Uncalibrated Display

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Specifications
Resolution: Digital Resolution BW

Analog Filter

Digital Filter

Typical Selectivity Analog 15:1 Digital 5:1

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Lab : Measuring noise sidebands

Chanllenge Measure the analysers sideband noise What you will learn To think in term of od dBm/Hz Limit to close-in amplitude measurement range

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Specifications
Sensitivity/DANL
RF Input
Mixer Detector

RES BW Filter

LO

Sweep

A Spectrum Analyzer Generates and Amplifies Noise Just Like Any Active Circuit
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Specifications
Sensitivity/DANL

Effective Level of Displayed Noise is a Function of RF Input Attenuation

signal level

10 dB Attenuation = 10 dB Attenuation = 20 dB

Signal-To-Noise Ratio Decreases as RF Input Attenuation is Increased

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Specifications
Sensitivity/DANL: IF Filter (RBW)

Displayed Noise is a Function of IF Filter Bandwidth

100 kHz RBW 10 dB 10 dB 10 kHz RBW 1 kHz RBW

Decreased BW = Decreased Noise

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Specifications
Sensitivity/DANL: VBW

Video BW Smoothes Noise for Easier Identification of Low Level Signals

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Specifications
Sensitivity/DANL

Sensitivity is the Smallest Signal That Can Be Measured

Signal Equals Noise

2.2 dB

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Lab : Measuring Small Signal

Chanllenge Measure a small signal Measure the analyzers noise/sensitivity What you will learn How small a signal can the analyzer measure To set the analyzer for the best sensitivity

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Specifications
Sensitivity/DANL

For Best Sensitivity Use:

Narrowest Resolution BW

Minimum RF Input Attenuation

Sufficient Video Filtering (Video BW < .01 Res BW)

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Specifications
Distortion

Mixers Generate Distortion

Frequency Translated Signals Resultant Signal To Be Measured

Mixer Generated Distortion

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Specifications
Distortion

Distortion Products Increase as a Function of Fundamental's Power

3 3

Power in dB
2f1- f 2 f1 f2 2f2- f 1

Third-order distortion Second-order distortion

Two-Toned Intermod
2

Second Order: 2 dB/dB of Fundamental Third Order: 3 dB/dB of Fundamental

Power in dB
f 2f 3f

Harmonic Distortion
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Specifications
Distortion

Relative Amplitude Distortion Changes with input power level

20 dB

21 dB

Power in dB

2f

3f

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Specifications
Distortion:
TOI

Second Order

Third Order
Distortion is a Function of Mixer Level
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Specifications
Distortion:
RF input attenuator mixer
Input signal Log Amp

IF gain

IF filter

detector

1. Change Input Attn by 10 dB

Pre-Selector Or Low Pass Filter

local oscillator sweep generator

Crystal Reference

video filter

CRT display

2. Watch Signal on Screen

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Lab : Prevent bad analyzer measurements

Challenge Set the analyzer so that its measurements are accurate What you will learn Prevent analyzer adding distortion to the measurements

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Specifications
Dynamic Range

Dynamic Range

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Specifications
Dynamic Range

Noise in a 1 kHz RBW

Noise in a 100 Hz RBW S-N Ratio Can be graphed

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Specifications
Dynamic Range
TOI SOI

Max Order Dynamic Range

2nd

Max 3rd Order Dynamic Range

Optimum Mixer Level Dynamic Range Can be presented graphically

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Specifications
Dynamic Range

Calculated Maximum Dynamic Range

MDR3 = 2/3(DANL-TOI) MDR2 = (DANL-SOI) Where TOI = Mixer Level dBc/2 SOI = Mixer Level-dBc Optimum Marker Level=DANL-MDR Attenuation=Signal-Optimum Mixer Level

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Specifications
Dynamic Range

Example Calculation

MDR3 = 2/3((-115)-(+5)) = -80 dBc (1kHz RBW) Where TOI = (-30) (-70)/2 = + 5 dBm Optimum Marker Level=(-115)-(-80) Attenuation=0-(-35) = +35 dBm

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Lab : Find your analyzers dynamic range

Challenge Given specification , use the dynamic range equations to find the analyzers best dynamic range What you learned Use for dynamic range graphic and equations Find performance differences between analyzers
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Specifications
Dynamic Range

Dynamic Range for Spur Search Depends on Closeness to Carrier

Dynamic Range Limited By Noise Sidebands dBc/Hz

Dynamic Range Limited By Compression/Noise

Noise Sidebands

Display Average Noise Level

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Specifications
Dynamic Range

ACTUAL DYNAMIC RANGE IS THE MINIMUM OF:

Maximum dynamic range calculation

Calculated from: -Distortion -Sensitivity Noise sidebands at the offset frequency

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Specifications
Dynamic Range
+30 dBm
MAXIMUM POWER LEVEL -10 dBm MIXER COMPRESSION

-35 dBm CRT-DISPLAY RANGE 80 dB

THIRD-ORDER DISTORTION

MEASUREMENT RANGE -45 145 dB SIGNAL/NOISE RANGE 105 dB SIGNAL /3rd ORDER DISTORTION
80 dB RANGE

dBm

SECOND-ORDER DISTORTION

0 dBc

NOISE SIDEBANDS

INCREASING BANDWIDTH OR ATTENUATION

SIGNAL/ 2nd ORDER DISTORTION SIGNAL/NOISE SIDEBANDS 70 dB RANGE 60 dBc/1kHz

-115 dBm (1 kHz BW & 0 dB ATTENUATION)

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MINIMUM NOISE FLOOR

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Agenda

Overview Theory of Operation Specifications Measurements

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Measurements
Viewing Signal

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Measurements
Improving Frequency Accuracy

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Measurements
Saving a file

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Measurements
Loading a file

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Measurements
Burst Power Measurements

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Measurements
CCDF (Complementary Cumulative Distribution Function ) Measurements

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Measurements
Distortion

Mixers Generate Distortion

Frequency Translated Signals Resultant Signal To Be Measured

Mixer Generated Distortion

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Measurements
Distortion

Mixers Generate Distortion

Frequency Translated Signals

Resultant
Signal To Be Measured

Mixer Generated Distortion

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