Spectrum analysers are used in a wide range of segments – by telecom operators, TV broadcast service providers, government regulators, spectrum monitoring authorities, communication network installation companies, etc. Wherever there is communication, there is a need for a spectrum analyser.
By: Belal Khan
Spectrum analysers have been essential test and measurement devices for sectors like telecom, education, aerospace, defence, research and manufacturing. However, with the increase in the role of telecommunications in our daily life, keeping a check on data transmission has become very important to ensure customer satisfaction.
Telecommunication is a key area for the usage of spectrum analysers – this usage will keep increasing as new technologies evolve.
Innovation and demand
Spectrum analysers were viewed as just testing devices earlier, but are now critical in various activities and are used as a modular instrument.
“For some time there was an emphasis on size reduction and that was when the handheld models were introduced. Recently, these have moved from micro-frequencies of up to 20GHz up to 50GHz. Their frequency range has been enhanced,” says Vishal Gupta, applications engineer, Keysight Technologies India.
The spectrum analysers needed now have to be more flexible, while cost pressures demand longer system lifetime. This can be provided by software-defined and modular architecture.
“We are in an era of touchscreens and higher analysis. Our BW, UXA series can cater to 510MHz of real-time analysis BW with 35.8 cm touch screen. These days you do not need to make more than three clicks to change something while, earlier, you needed to dig out things,” adds Gupta.
The spectrum analyser has a wide range of applications in the semiconductor industry as well. With the upcoming LTE technology, the demand for test and measuring instruments, and spectrum analysers in particular, is going to rise.
“Spectrum analsyers are required by a wide range of users like telecom operators, TV broadcast service providers, government regulators, spectrum monitoring authorities, communication network installation companies, etc. Wherever there is communication, there is a need for a spectrum analyser,” says Madhukar Tripathi, marketing and sales head of Anritsu India Pvt Ltd.
Latest technologies
Leading spectrum analyser manufacturer, Anritsu India, has added a new frequency band in this segment. Its MS2830A bench-top spectrum analyser’s frequency has been extended up to 90GHz.
The high performance waveguide mixer MA2808A is used with the MS2830A (26.5/42GHz configuration) for developing and manufacturing equipment and devices for wireless backhaul using the E-band (70/80GHz) and 77/79GHz automobile collision- prevention radar.
“Spectrum analysers have turned into multi-application tools like interference analysers, signal analysers or spectrum analysers +VNA in a single box,” says Tripathi.
“We have added electromagnetic field measurement (EMF) capability to the handheld Spectrum Master and Cell Master, which makes them more useful tools for field testing. Spectrum analysers act as interference analysers and are one of these tools’ most popular applications nowadays,” he adds.
Support of multiple technologies on a single stage makes spectrum analysers one of the more valuable instruments. All cellular communication technologies are offered in Anritsu’s handheld MS2720T spectrum analyser model
Technologies like 2G, 3G LTE, CDMA, WiMAX demodulation and Over The Air (OTA) measurement are possible on a single device. Spectrum analysers have turned into multi-utility tools for RF engineers, working as power meters when an external power sensor is connected to them.
“More features will be added according to market demands,” informs Tripathi.
Spectrum analysers’ measurement capabilities cover frequencies from DC to 43 GHz, with the option of extending coverage to 110 GHz with external mixing solutions.
Meanwhile, Keysight Technologies has introduced the enhanced U8903B audio analyser with new Bluetooth audio measurement capabilities. This enables the U8903B to make high-performance Bluetooth audio testing for research and development and production tests in the consumer and professional audio and wireless communication sector.
Anritsu’s Spectrum Master handheld spectrum analysers provide excellent flexibility in field environments for locating, identifying, recording and solving communication system problems without sacrificing measurement accuracy.
Manufacturing developments
Anritsu Corporation has enhanced its line-up of millimeter-wave 1 measurement solutions.
Combining the newly released MA2808A with the MS2830A in the 26.5GHz/43GHz configuration supports development and production of equipment for both E-band (70/80GHz) wireless backhaul 2 as well as automobile collision-avoidance radar (77/79 GHz).
The MA2808A combines minimum sensitivity performance with a wide measurement span in an easy-to-use configuration to support millimetre-wave measurements that legacy harmonic-mixer and down-converter methods cannot achieve.
Keysight Technologies has extended the IntegraVision family of power analysers, the first in the industry to combine high-accuracy power measurements and touch-driven oscilloscope visualisation in a single instrument.
Meanwhile, Anritsu has developed the MS27102A, which is intended to take full advantage of network capacity by more efficiently solving issues associated with the presence of unlicensed signals that get in the way of sanctioned transmissions.
Latest products in the market
MS2830A Microwave
The MS2830A supports the optional vector signal generator (VSG) or analogue signal generator; it can be used as a reference signal source for testing a device’s Tx characteristics or as a signal source for tests of Rx characteristics. Installing these signal generator options cuts investment costs and footprint size.
Technologies
- 80V to 1500V
- WiMAX
- Bluetooth
- Base station testing
- WLAN
- LTE
- W-CDMA/HSPA/HSPA Evolution
- TD-SCDMA
Key features
- 9kHz to 26.5GHz/43GHz frequency range; 43GHz max. built-in preamp option
- Best-of-class wide dynamic range of over 6GHz
- 325GHz max. frequency range; built-in first local signal output for external mixer
- Built-in 1GHz IF output band
- 10/31.25/62.5/125MHz analysis bandwidth options (signal analyser and modulation analysis functions)
- Supports noise figure and BER measurement (options)
- High performance Waveguide Mixer MA2808A that supports 60GHz to 90GHz frequency range
MT1100A
The all-in-one Network Master Flex MT1100A supports R&D, manufacturing, installation and maintenance tests of network and transport equipment operating at bit rates from 1.5Mbps to 100Gbps.
Technologies
- Fibre channel
- Ethernet
- SyncE
- OTN, SDH/SONET, PDH/DSn
Key features
- OTN core and metro network research, development, manufacturing, installation and maintenance
- Carrier class Ethernet equipment manufacturing, installation and troubleshooting
- Mobile backhaul network installation and verification
- Mobile fronthaul network installation and verification
- Powerful storage area networking (SAN) testing
- Quick and easy testing of SDH/SONET and PDH/DSn networks
- Up to four ports at all rates
- Easy and intuitive GUI
- WLAN/Bluetooth/LAN connectivity
- PDF, CSV and XML report generation for documenting test results
- Remote operation (VNC), dedicated remote GUI software and remote control (scripting)
- Compact, lightweight design for maximum field portability
- Modular platform ensuring maximum return on investment
N9962A FieldFox handheld microwave spectrum analyser
FieldFox is equipped to handle routine maintenance, in-depth troubleshooting and anything in between. It delivers Keysight-quality measurements.
Key features
- The standard model is just a spectrum analyser. Optional features include capabilities of a tracking generator, interference analyser, built-in power meter, and more
- Wide frequency range: 5kHz to 50GHz
- Unprecedented amplitude accuracy of ±0.5dB
- Full-band tracking generator and pre-amplifier
- Interference analysis with record and playback
- Average and pulse power measurements made simpler with USB sensors, pulse measurements with time gating
- Scalar long-cable measurements
- Fully configured analyser that weighs only 3.2kg
By Belal Khan
