Jeff Thomas Tom Holmes Terri Hightower

Learn RF Spectrum Analysis Basics

Agenda
Overview: Spectrum analysis and its measurements Theory of Operation: Spectrum analyzer hardware Frequency Specifications Questions and Answers break Amplitude Specifications Summary Questions and Answers break
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Learning Objectives
Name the major measurement strengths of a swept-tuned spectrum analyzer Explain the importance of frequency resolution, sensitivity, and dynamic range in making analyzer measurements Outline the procedure making accurate distortion measurements

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Overview: What is Spectrum Analysis?

8563A

SPECTRUM ANALYZER

9 kHz - 26.5 GHz

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Types of Tests Made

.

Modulation Modulation Noise Noise Distortion Distortion

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Frequency Versus Time Domain

Amplitude (power)
f y enc requ

ti m e

Time domain Measurements

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Frequency Domain Measurements

Fourier Spectrum Analyzer

Fourier analyzer transforms a signal over time into a frequency spectrum Display
Amplitude

f1
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f2

Frequency

Swept-Tuned Spectrum Analyzer

Filter sweeps over a frequency range Display
Amplitude

f1
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f2

Frequency f

Agenda
Overview: Spectrum analysis and its measurements Theory of Operation: Spectrum analyzer hardware Frequency Specifications Questions and Answers break Amplitude Specifications Summary Questions and Answers break
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Spectrum Analyzer Block Diagram

RF Input Attenuator Input Filter Local Oscillator Frequency Reference
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Mixer

IF IF Gain Filter Log Amp Sweep Generator

Detector Video Filter

Display

The Mixer: Key to a Wide Frequency MIXER Range

Input

RF

IF LO

fLO-fin 0

fLO

fLO+fin

0 fin

RF = Radio frequency LO = local oscillator IF = intermediate frequency

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fLO

Intermediate Frequency (IF) Filter

IF FILTER

Input

IF Bandwidth: also known as resolution bandwidth and RBW Provides shape of frequency domain signal
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Actual

Displayed

Detector
Input
DETECTOR

Amplitude

Values Displayed Positive detection: largest

Negative detection: smallest Sample detection: last
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Video Filter
Input
VIDEO FILTER

Without video filtering

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With video filtering

Local Oscillator and Sweep Generator

LO SWEEP GEN frequency LCD DISPLAY

Provides swept display

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Input Attenuator and IF Gain Circuits

RF INPUT ATTENUATOR IF GAIN

Protects input circuits Calibrates signal amplitude Keeps signal display position constant
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Agenda
Overview: Spectrum analysis and its measurements Theory of Operation: Spectrum analyzer hardware Frequency Specifications Questions and Answers break Amplitude Specifications Summary Questions and Answers break
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What Spectrum Analyzer Specifications are Important?

Frequency Range Frequency and Amplitude Accuracy Frequency Resolution Sensitivity Distortion Dynamic Range

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Frequency Range
Low frequencies for baseband and IF High frequencies for harmonics and beyond

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Getting the Frequency Range You Need

1 IF signal, fif 1 fin LO Mixer 2 3 fLO-fin 3 2 0
LO Range

fif

0 fin Range

fLO

The input signal is displayed when fLO - fin = fIF

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fLO+fin

0 frequency

Getting the Frequency Range You Need

LO Feedthrough 3 fLO fLO-fin fLO+fin fif 1 0 fin Range 2 0
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fin

IF filter

LO
Sweep generator LO Range

4 0 Display

Getting the Frequency Range You Need

Input signal displayed fLO - fin = fIF 1 0 fin Range 2 0
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fLO-fin fLO fLO+fin fif

fin fin

LO 4 0

LO Range

Getting the Frequency Range You Need

Lower frequency limited by LO feedthrough Upper frequency limited by LO range and IF frequency Microwave frequency measurement uses harmonic mixing

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Frequency and Amplitude Accuracy

Absolute Amplitude in dBm Relative Amplitude in dB

Frequency Relative Frequency

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Frequency and Amplitude Accuracy

Frequency accuracy: Internal/external frequency reference Use of internal counter Amplitude accuracy: Not as good as a power meter Dependent upon measurement procedure Excellent relative measurements

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Signal Resolution
What Determines Resolution?

Resolution Bandwidth

Residual FM

RBW Type and Selectivity

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Noise Sidebands

IF Filter Bandwidth
Mixer Input Spectrum LO 3 dB BW

3 dB Detector

IF Filter/ Resolution Bandwidth Filter (RBW)

Sweep RBW Display

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Resolving Two Equal-level Signals

10 kHz RBW 3 dB

10 kHz

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Resolving Two Unequal-level Signals

3 dB bandwidth Selectivity (filter shape)
3 dB 3 dB BW 60 dB 60 dB BW Selectivity =
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3 dB BW 60 dB BW

Resolving Two Unequal-level Signals

For a RBW of 1 kHz and a selectivity of 15:1, the 60 dB bandwidth is 15 x 1 kHz = 15 kHz... so the filter skirt is 7.5 kHz away from the filters center frequency 10 kHz

60 dB

Distortion

7.5 kHz
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Residual FM

Residual FM "Smears" the Signal

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Noise Sidebands (Phase Noise)

Phase Noise

Noise Sidebands can prevent resolution of unequal signals

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Sweep Rate

Swept too fast

Penalty For Sweeping Too Fast Is An Uncalibrated Display

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Analog versus Digital Resolution Bandwidths

Typical Selectivity Analog 15:1 Digital 5:1

Analog Filter

Digital Filter

RES BW 100 Hz

SPAN 3 kHz

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Rules to Analyze By:

Use the Analyzers Automatic Settings Whenever Possible

When using the analyzer in its preset mode, most measurements will be easy, fast, and accurate Automatic selection of resolution bandwidth, video bandwidth, sweep time and input attenuation When manually changing the analyzer parameters, check for uncal messages
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Are There Any Questions?

Agenda
Overview: Spectrum analysis and its measurements Theory of Operation: Spectrum analyzer hardware Frequency Specifications Questions and Answers break Amplitude Specifications Summary Questions and Answers break
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Sensitivity and Displayed Average Noise Level

RF Input Mixer RES BW Filter LO Detector

Sweep

A spectrum analyzer generates and amplifies noise just like any active circuit.
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RF Input Attenuator Effects

Displayed noise is a function of RF input attenuation signal level 10 dB

Attenuation = 20 dB Attenuation = 10 dB Signal-to-noise ratio decreases as RF input attenuation is increased

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IF Filter (Resolution Bandwidth) Effects

Decreased BW = Decreased Noise

Displayed noise is a function of IF filter bandwidth

10 dB 10 dB

100 kHz RBW 10 kHz RBW 1 kHz RBW

Best sensitivity = narrowest RBW

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Video Bandwidth Effects

Video BW smoothes noise for easier identification and measurement of lowlevel signals

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Sensitivity - the smallest signal that can be measured

Signal equals noise

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~2.2 dB

Rules to Analyze By:

Getting the Best Sensitivity Requires Three Settings

Narrowest resolution bandwidth Minimum RF attenuation Sufficient video filter to smooth noise (VBW < 0.01 Resolution BW)

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Where is Distortion Generated?

Mixers Generate Distortion
Resulting signal

Signal to be measured

Frequency translated signals

Mixer-generated distortion
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Most Influential Distortion is the Second and Third Order

< -50 dBc

< -40 dBc

< -50 dBc

Two-Toned Intermod

Harmonic Distortion

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Distortion Increases as a Function of the Fundamentals Power

2nd 3rd Fundamental Harmonic Harmonic =1 dB Power in dB =2 dB =3 dB

3f f 2f For every dB fundamental level change, the 2nd changes 2 dB and the 3rd changes 3 dB.
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How Distortion Amplitudes Change

=1 dB 1 dB/dBfund =2 dB 2 dB/dBfund =3 dB

2f

3f

Since distortion changes relative to the fundamental, a graphical solution is practical.

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Plotting Distortion as a Function of Third Order Mixer Level

0

Intercept - TOI

Distortion, dBc

-20 -40 -60 -80 -100 -60

Second Order Third Order

-30 0 +5 +30

Power at the mixer = Input level minus the attenuator setting, dBm
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Rules to Analyze by:

A Simple Distortion Test

Is the distortion from the signal or from the analyzer?
1
Change Input Attenuation by 10 dB
RF INPUT ATTENUATOR

2
IF GAIN

Watch Signal on Screen:

No change in amplitude distortion is part of input signal (external)

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Change in amplitude - at least some of the distortion is being generated inside the analyzer (internal)

Dynamic Range Optimum Amplitude Difference Between Large and Small Signals

Dynamic Range

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Displayed Noise Limits Dynamic Range

0

Distortion, dBc

-20 -40 -60 -80 -100

1 kHz RBW

Displayed average noise level can be plotted like distortion.

.

Noise at 10 kHz RBW

-30 0 +30 Power at the mixer = Input level minus the attenuator setting, dBm
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-60

Dynamic Range as a Function of Distortion and Noise Level

Distortion and Signalto-Noise, dBc
0 -20 -40 -60 -80 -100 -30 0 +30 Power at the mixer = Input level minus the attenuator setting, dBm -60
Maximum 2nd Order Dynamic Range Maximum 3rd Order Dynamic Range
. .

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Close-in Dynamic Range Limited by Noise Sidebands

Dynamic Range Limited By Noise Sidebands, dBc/Hz
Sideb and N oise

Dynamic Range Limited By Distortion and Displayed Noise

Displayed Noise Level

100 kHz to 1 MHz

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Rules to Analyze by:

Determining Dynamic Range

Your spectrum analyzers dynamic range is dependent upon: Internal second and/or third order distortion Displayed noise level Noise sidebands when close to large signals

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Dynamic Range is Defined by Your Application

+30 dBm Maximum Power Level +10 dBm Mixer Compression
Measurement Range 145 dB

-35 dBm Third-order Distortion

-45 dBm Second-order Distortion Signal/Noise Range 105 dB Third Order 0 dBc Noise Sidebands Distortion ~80 dB Second Order Noise Distortion Sidebands ~70 dB 60 dBc/1 kHz -115 dBm Displayed Noise (1 kHz RBW, 0 dB attenuation)
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Summary
The RF spectrum analyzer is a heterodyne receiver Offers a narrow resolution capability over a wide frequency range Measures small signals in presence of large signals Remember to: Adjust the measurement procedure for specific application Test for internal distortion Take sideband noise into account
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Agilent Spectrum Analyzer Product Families - Swept Tuned

PSA Series
Highest performance SA! 3 Hz to 50 GHz Pre-selection to 50 GHz Worlds best accuracy (0.24dB) 160 RBW settings Phase noise optimization FFT or swept at any RBW Complete set of detectors Fastest spur search Vector signal analysis.

ESA-E Series
Mid-Performance 30 Hz to 26.5 / 325 GHz Rugged/Portable Fast & Accurate Unparalled range of performance and application options. Remote WEB interface

ESA-L Series 856X- EC Series

Super Mid-Performance 30 Hz to 50 / 325 GHz Rugged/Portable Pre-selection to 50 GHz Color LCD Display Low Phase Noise Digital 1 Hz RBW

Low cost 9 kHz up to 26.5 GHz General Purpose Rugged/Portable Fully synthesized

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Agilent Vector Signal Analyzer Product Families

E4406A
Multi-Format wireless capabilities 7 MHz - 4 GHz Fast & Accurate Simple User Interface Base-band IQ inputs

89400 Series
Flexible Signal Analysis DC to 2.65 GHz 10 MHz Signal Bandwidth Block Digital demodulation Integral Signal Source Spectrum & Time waveform Analysis Complex time varying signals Color LCD Display

89600 Series
Multi-Format & Flexible vector signal analysis DC 6.0 GHz Bandwidth: 36 MHz RF, 40 MHz Baseband RF and modulation quality of digital communications signals including WLAN. Spectrum & Time (FFT) Analysis OFDM Analysis (802.11a) Links to design software (ADS) PC Based for the Ultimate in Connectivity Analysis software links to PSA, ESA, E4406A signal analyzers.

89600 Ultra-wide bandwidth

500+ MHz Signal Bandwidth! 89600 Analysis Capability Low Cost Oscilloscope Front-end for RF Scope measurements

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