tsa1000 spectrum analyser - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: R_G_B_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2014, 08:26:19 pm
content: Does anyone know anything about this spectrum analyzer tsa1000. I Can not seem to find much about it on the internet has anyone used it. Its resolution bandwidth is only 250khz very poor but is it good enough for doing quick checks up to 1ghz. I see it can be used on both analogue and digital scopes as an adapter.. Anyway what I want to know is how far can I go with this thing in terms of usefulness? Thanks R_G_B

author: Mr Simpleton
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 22, 2014, 12:56:28 am
content: I have the smaller brother TSA250, and have had it for 25-ish years now. It really needs an analog scope with x-y inputs, as modern digital scopes do not handle the sweep properly (at least not my Rigol).Still it is a very basic spectrum analyzer, but it do work, and it served me nicely when I was designing simple RF stuff way back. You do need an external step attenuator, and you may need a signal generator to verify frequency and level. But just to verify levels and or check for unwanted oscillations, it can be used.Remember I built a 3.5 MHz transmitter, and used my TSA250 to look at harmonics supression and to see if I had any other higher frequency oscillation.Today there are much better stuff around, and I would not pay more than pocket money for a working one. A TSA1000 is better than nothing, for sure!If you need more information just ask!

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2014, 01:04:37 am
content: I had a TSA250. Sold it last year for over GBP200 ! I was amazed that someone would pay so much for such a unit theses days.The TSA series are more like spectrum monitors than analysers. Good for seeing whether a signal is present but they are a little low in sensitivity. Frequency and amplitude accuracy is pretty poor. No measurement markers either. As has been said, much better than nothing but do not pay too much for one. User manual is available for free on the internet. Service manual is GBP25 direct from TTi.The TSA units do not use a wide band TV tuner like some simple DIY designs. It was designed from scratch to be a swept VCO RF down-converter with a detector stage driving the oscilloscope Y Axis. There isn't a great deal to see inside them as they are relatively simple designs. No YIG oscillators involvedAurora

author: Mr Simpleton
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 22, 2014, 01:24:47 am
content: Interesting you say service manual available from TTi... I did ask when I got mine, and response were: You need special jig to calibrate so no service manual availableBought mine at the small Cirkit shop at Broxbourne... Seems they are selling cars there now, depressing

author: R_G_B_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2014, 11:57:05 am
content: I managed to get the operating manual direct from TTI if anyone should want a copy. Strange they only have the manual for the 250 model. What step attenuator should I get for it ? Can you use a tracking generator with it to look at frequency response? Thanks R_G_B

author: Mr Simpleton
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: December 22, 2014, 01:31:14 pm
content: Depending on your operating frequency and the accuracy you need, any stepped attenuator should do. I got some old HP 0-110 dB and 1 dB steps, pretty cheap. Just make sure you cover your frequency and accuracy.Would be a bit trick get a tracking gen for this. It uses a swept VCO and you need to use the X-output to control another VCO that should be tracking your operating frequency. A bit tricky but doable....As I said it is a very very basic instrument.....

author: R_G_B_
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 22, 2014, 02:55:28 pm
content: Im using it to look at crystal oscillator circuits and to look at resonant frequency around 10Mhz to 20Mhz. Simple lc circuits.

author: ADRIANPOWERRO
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 03, 2016, 10:02:51 am
content: I need the schematic for tsa 1000 for recalibration . e-mail adrianpowerro@yahoo.com