Tektronix,
Inc., a leading innovator of signal generation and analysis solutions required
for the microwave and RF industry, recently announced the H500 and SA2500
Handheld Spectrum Analyzers that include
DPX™ waveform image processor technology to provide a live RF view of the
spectrum. With unique DPX technology along with built-in mapping and signal
classification features in a compact, ruggedized package, the instruments are
designed to allow spectrum regulators to efficiently manage and monitor
spectrum in the field and hunt down elusive signals and interferers.
Spectrum
management is more difficult than ever with the rapid explosion of digital RF
and wireless everywhere. Particularly tough are difficult-to-detect transients
and signals that use time varying transmission techniques to evade detection.
By color-coding events based on the rate of occurrence over thousands of
spectrum captures per second, DPX technology provides insight into transients
as brief as 125 μs with 100 percent probability of intercept. This offers a
tremendous improvement over conventional swept analysis techniques.
"The
H500 and SA2500 combine benchtop spectrum analyzer performance with ruggedized
packaging resulting in a powerful and versatile tool ideal for almost any
spectrum management assignment," said Jim McGillivary, general manager,
Source Analyzer Product Line, Tektronix. "But what makes these instruments
truly revolutionary is our unique real-time DPX live RF spectrum display
technology. No other instrument or technology offers such a practical, fast and
easy way to discover unknown, randomly occurring digital RF events."
Portable Real-Time Spectrum
Analysis
The
H500 and SA2500 with 10kHz-6.2GHz frequency coverage, 20 MHz real time
bandwidth and -163 dBm Displayed Average Noise Level (DANL) match the
performance of many benchtop spectrum analyzers. And with a spectrum processing
rate more than 100 times faster than any conventional spectrum analyzer from
other vendors, the H500 and SA2500 provide 100 percent probability of intercept
for transients with minimum event durations of 125 μs on the H500 and 500 μs on
the SA2500.
To
support demanding field environments, the new models feature intuitive user
controls for quick and simple classification and location of both analog and
digital RF transmissions. The user interface is designed specifically for
enhanced productivity in the field including a touch screen for easy
navigation. While other solutions may require offline GPS and mapping software,
the H500 and SA2500 include integrated GPS and mapping tools to allow more
efficient interference location capability.
Fully
ruggedized to withstand shock and moisture, the H500 and SA2500 weigh in at
just over 12 pounds (5.5 kg) and feature the industry's only hot swap power
system. Battery life is rated at five hours of continuous spectrum scanning.
DPX Makes All the Difference
DPX
waveform image processor technology in the H500 and SA2500 displays the live
spectrum by processing >2,500 or >10,000 spectrum measurements per second
respectively. This is orders of magnitude more information than is shown by any
other conventional spectrum analyzer without DPX, minimizing the analysis gaps
inherent in swept spectrum and vector signal analyzers. To achieve thousands of
spectrum measurements per second, DPX makes use of dedicated, real-time
hardware to process the incoming signal.
In
addition to live RF, the waveform image processor also provides an
intensity-graded persistence display that holds anomalies until the eye can see
them to show the history of occurrence for dynamic signals and immediate
feedback on signal variations over time. This provides engineers the ability to
rapidly see on screen both transients and signals that ordinarily could not be
seen, either because they are masked by other signals or could only be deduced
after time consuming offline analysis.
H500 and SA2500 Join Digital
RF Test Portfolio
Tektronix
offers a portfolio of digital RF test tools from signal generation to
acquisition. In addition to spectrum analyzers, arbitrary waveform generators
can be used to generate ideal, distorted or "real-world" signals.
Logic analyzers enable the capture and analysis of the digital I/Q information
to more quickly debug elusive problems within the digital baseband segment of a
digital RF design. Digital oscilloscopes, including the world's only mixed
domain oscilloscope, allow measurements of strict timing relationships across
time and frequency domains. With these instruments and supporting vector signal
analysis software, Tektronix offers solutions for both RF design and spectrum
management applications.
Price and Availability
The
SA2500 is priced at $24,600 and the H500 is available for $43,400. Prices are
U.S. MSRP. All models and options are available for order. Additional
information can be found at: www.tek.com/RTSA/handheld.
About Tektronix
For
more than sixty-five years, engineers have turned to Tektronix [8] for test,
measurement and monitoring solutions to solve design challenges, improve
productivity and dramatically reduce time to market. Tektronix is a leading
supplier of test equipment [9] for engineers focused on electronic design,
manufacturing, and advanced technology development. Headquartered in Beaverton,
Oregon, Tektronix serves customers worldwide and offers award-winning service
and support . Stay on the leading edge at www.tektronix.com