Rohde & Schwarz FPC1500 (FPC-COM2 kit) or Siglent?  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: loki42
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2022, 03:23:46 am
content: I'm looking for a tool for pre compliance. I might get into wireless in the future but no plans currently. At the same price point is the Siglent better / easier to use / faster to get results with? I'm not sure if the VNA features will be useful in the future or not. Second hand gear here in Australia mostly seems pretty expensive so looking for new.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2022, 04:18:27 am
content: SSA3015X Plus is your cheapest entry level Siglent SA with a good EMI/EMC measurement suite......although its bit dearer brother SVA1015X has the same capability along with a VNA mode for only a couple hundy bucks more.If you ever plan to venture into RF get the SVA.Either model offers 128hrs of free option use which is quite enough to get to know the unit and get a few projects done before even needing to consider buying the EMI option.....if you haven't discovered you can hack it by then.

author: loki42
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 29, 2022, 10:55:06 am
content: What's the advantages over the R&S?

author: andrea.longobardi85
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2022, 03:36:23 pm
content: Hi,I am also looking to buy a Spectrum Analyzer + 1 port VNA mainly to run some EMI pre-compliance + antenna tuning.I have received a quotation with similar price for the Siglent SVA1032x + EMI option and the R&S FPC-COM2 3Ghz bundle + some extra features like distance to fault, modulation and advance measurement options (which I probably do not need).I was wandering if anyone had experience with those two instruments and could share their opinion about it....I am kind of inclined for the R&S but could be just because of the brand notoriety in the RF filed.Thanks!!!

author: RBBVNL9
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2022, 09:13:02 am
content: Dear loki42,I have the R&S FPC 1500 (COM2 3Ghz bundle) and am very happy with it. When I purchased it, I remember extensively looking at the SSA3000X Plus models as well.Surely both devices will have their strengths and weaknesses, but let me highlight a couple of items that were relevant for me:The FPC bundle has a full VNA, which is something quite instructive if you like to get a better understanding of HF and the behaviour of components, cables etc.To measure S11-related parameters such as return loss, reflection coefficient and VSWR, the SSA3015X Plus requires you to purchase an external, physical bridge (plus the required software license, sold as a kit as RBSSA3X25). The FPC has a bridge built-in, and the FPC bundle has all licenses on board. See also reply #1 atthispost.Having about half a dozen Siglent products and about half a dozen R&S products, my general experience is that the R&S documentation and manuals are very good and helpful. Moreover, R&S user manuals are updated when there are significant firmware upgrades or corrections (The FPC1500 manual is now in its 11th revision, for FW 1.70). The documentation of Siglent devices is generally not so good (and sometimes simply poor), which leads to loss of time (having to figure things out and/or speculate), and, at times, leading to inefficient and ineffective use. Documentation is an aspect that often seems overlooked, but especially with such complex instruments as scopes and SA's I believe it is a really important aspect when purchasing new gear.The FFC has excellent (and free) computer and mobile device (phone and tablet) software for creating measument documentation, storing results sets, life screen, etc.While the FPC does not have a touch screen, I do like its user interface quite well, its logical, streamlined, responsive, and provides sensible information such as showing the measurement configuration overview:On the more critical side, I am not so happy with the viewing angle of the FPC screen. As long as the instrument is right in front of you, no problem, but should you put it somewhere higher up on the bench, it starts to lack contrast (and you might even want to make something so it 'bends over' to you a bit...Let me also refer you to a series of excellent Element14 reviews of the FPC1500, as well as of the FPC1000 (the version without tracking generator and VNA).Element14 RoadTest review FPC1500 by shabazElement14 RoadTest review FPC1500 by geraldsElement14 RoadTest review FPC100 by rachaelpElement14 RoadTest review FPC100 by InstructormanElement14 RoadTest review FPC100 by gpolderI'm sure there must be good SSA videos out there as well, allowing you to find out what suits you best, also in terms of user interface.

author: loki42
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 11, 2022, 11:22:20 pm
content: Thanks for the info. It seems hard to find reviews that compare against other similar options. I've bought the R&S.

author: RBBVNL9
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2022, 12:50:35 am
content: Enjoy your purchase!PS. For EMC measurements, I'm using my FPC in combination withTBPS01 EMC near-field probes and the TBWA2 wideband amplifier. On that website you also find specs, frequency response diagrams, and downloadable gain files.It’s a fairly affordable set and features often in videos such as those of Tektronix, The Signal Path as well as some five or so EEVBLOG videos (see the above website for links).

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2022, 01:03:14 am
content: Quote from: RBBVNL9 on June 12, 2022, 12:50:35 amDoes this mean the R&S has no preamp ?

author: RBBVNL9
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2022, 02:05:11 am
content: QUOTE: Does this mean the R&S has no preamp ?It does, and the FPC bundle the PO mentions includes a license for that preamp as well. .But the Tekbox probe set can be purchased with a separate amplifier for an attractive price point, and this amp has many universal usages.

author: loki42
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2022, 07:06:19 am
content: Nice. I'm looking to get a lisn too for conducted EMC stuff. I'm not sure if I should get the tekbox one or make one myself...

author: RBBVNL9
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2022, 07:46:31 am
content: Should you decide to go the DIY route for the LISN, check out the project in the Elektor magazine recently:https://www.elektor.com/elektor-dual-dc-lisn-150-khz-200-mhz

author: pdenisowski
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2022, 01:55:52 pm
content: Quote from: tautech on June 12, 2022, 01:03:14 amThe R&S FPC does have an optional preamp (FPC-B22 option) which is included in the FPC-COM2 kit.https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/products/test-and-measurement/benchtop-analyzers/rs-fpc-spectrum-analyzer_63493-542324.htmlWith the preamp on, sensitivity is increased to about -165 dBm (typ). We also spec TOI, SHI, and DANL with and without the preamp enabled.

author: pdenisowski
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2022, 02:04:55 pm
content: Quote from: RBBVNL9 on June 11, 2022, 09:13:02 amFor people who are new to the FPC (and spec ans in general), there are about a half dozen basic "Getting Started with the FPC" videos in the T&M Fundamentals Playlist on the R&S YouTube channel:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLKxVoO5jUTlvsVtDcqrVn0ybqBVlLj2z8Quote from: loki42 on June 12, 2022, 07:06:19 amThere's also a video about LISNs (but probably too basic for you)The next time I'm working on FPC-related videos, I'll do a few on EMI/EMC testing

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2022, 04:16:55 pm
content: The downside of the FPC1500 is that scalar measurements have a lower frequency of 2MHz. That is slightly high for dower power distribution network measurements. 100kHz would be nicer as a lowest frequency.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2022, 10:11:25 pm
content: Quote from: pdenisowski on June 12, 2022, 01:55:52 pmOh thanks for clearing this up as the OP for his EMI needs should get the Tekprobe and preamp EMI setorpurchase the B22 option and only the Tekprobe $199 EMI probes.That certainly is an additional cost in getting the R&S whereas all Siglent SA/VNA's come equipped as standard with a preamp.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2022, 10:35:34 pm
content: For EMI/EMC precompliance use you don't need a preamp. The offending signals are easely above the noise floor of a typical spectrum analyser. Actually it is better to leave some attenuation enabled so you won't fry the input of the spectrum analyser by accident.

author: RBBVNL9
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 12, 2022, 11:17:49 pm
content: QuoteI think some unnecessary noise is being injected into the discussion here. The OP asked about the FPC-COM2. As explained already in the above posts, that bundle includes the preamp license. So no need whatsoever to purchase the B22 option.The FPC-COM2 bundle is, imho, excellent value for money as it includes the 3GHz bandwith update (FPC-B2+B3), preamplifier (FPC-B22), modulation analysis (FPC-K7), vector network analysis (FPC-K42), receiver mode (FPC-K43) and advanced measurement (FPC-K55).

author: loki42
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 13, 2022, 10:51:52 pm
content: Yeah, i went for the R&S because the bundle has everything unlocked, is pretty cheap compared to other good brands like Keysight or Tek and I really enjoy my other R&S gear. Hopefully this one is as good as my RTM.

author: PartialDischarge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2022, 04:42:58 pm
content: Does the FPC1500 spectrum analyzer not have log mode in the frequency axis ? I can't find any setting to it...

author: RBBVNL9
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2022, 05:41:51 pm
content: QuoteIt does. But in the Receiver Mode application onlyIn this receiver mode (included in the COM1 and COM2 versions but optional on others), and with 'Frequency Scan' as measurement mode (which shows results in a spectrum), you can, via the soft buttons, choose between linear or log scale. But since its receiver mode, it does not provide a continuous scan ('sweep') but measures the power level over a series of frequencies. With small steps the set is large and it starts to look a bit like continuous, but whether this is anything that meet your needs (and the reasons you ask for a log display) I don't know...Good luck!

author: PartialDischarge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2022, 06:04:47 pm
content: So it does not have it, amazing. So you can’t make a log sweep of a filter response with the TG for example, like in the Siglent.I guess that after all this time RS is not going to spend time implementing it, so just wow.

author: RBBVNL9
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2022, 06:20:04 pm
content: You know, you can always say thank you to someone that makes that effort to answer your question.If you just want to rant, then you better do so without asking a question.

author: PartialDischarge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2022, 06:40:03 pm
content: What rant, what are u talking about?And you could have been more honest in your answer: it does not have a log sweep, that step sweep is not a log-sweep.A continuous log frequency sweep is not a unseen/weird/strange/uncommon function in 2022 SAs...

author: RBBVNL9
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 02, 2022, 07:04:59 pm
content: QuoteI’m sorry, PartialDischarge, but whether this device has "log sweep" was not the question you asked.The question you asked was"Does the FPC1500 spectrum analyzer not have log mode in the frequency axis ?”And I think my post provided a quite honest and complete answer to that question: it does so, but only in receiver more, and unfortunately not in spectrum sweep mode (where theicon stood for unfortunately). And in my answer I also highlighted that this step mode is not the same as the continuous sweep mode.Since you did not further specify your question (e.g., that you wanted to measure filters using a tracking generator), I tried to be helpful and tried to give a general answer: for some applications, this step mode log scale can be useful, but for others not.

author: PartialDischarge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2022, 08:09:59 am
content: You are doing great RBBNVNL9, so good that you even got a thank you from a RS Product Management Engineer.Now for those that don't have this equipment this is is what the "log mode" is like:And this is what a real log in frequency mode means to me:I have both a SVA1032x and a FPC1500, and the former is like 10x more capable.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2022, 09:05:04 am
content: Quote from: PartialDischarge on December 03, 2022, 08:09:59 amFYI, go to the Display menu and change the default Inverse screenshot settingto Normal.Love my SVA1032X too despite having the substantially more expensive SNA5004A as well.150mm WiFi antenna getting a 10001 point Mag Loss full 3.2 GHz frequency sweep and marker set to Continuous Valley. Display menu open FYI.Log axis set for shits and giggles.

author: PartialDischarge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2022, 09:33:23 am
content: Quote from: tautech on December 03, 2022, 09:05:04 amThanks but I have it on purpose since I sometimes print the responses in paper.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2022, 10:21:58 am
content: Quote from: PartialDischarge on December 03, 2022, 09:36:49 amNone of the Advantest spectrum analysers I have (owned) have log sweep, so the feature isn't as common as you might think.Also look at the difference in RBW from the pictures you posted. The R&S is set to 200Hz while the Siglent is set to 300kHz.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2022, 10:39:07 am
content: Quote from: nctnico on December 03, 2022, 10:21:58 amThat's only a User setting and here's another an order of magnitude better.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2022, 10:58:11 am
content: @tautech: your RBW is still at 30kHz. Not 200 Hz. Also the start frequency is at 9kHz, not 100Hz. In the end the images PartialDischarge has posted are not comparable in any way. Also look at the sweep times; with comparable RBW the R&S method still is quick while the Siglent is taking ages. Likely the Siglent does a linear sweep and plots the data on a log scale.It would be interesting to see a log sweep from the FPC1500 with a higher RBW setting.

author: jmw
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2022, 01:38:52 pm
content: I own a FPC-1500 and the lack of log-frequency scale is seriously frustrating for characterizing filters or using it as a VNA. I'm hoping I can write a script to pull the raw data and do my own plot on a log scale next time I have to. While we're ragging on this instrument,1. I had to send mine back three times because it would whine about an IF stage overload in VNA mode, when everything was in its default settings and nothing was attached to the ports. On the third time, I guess they finally said eff it and sent me back a completely new unit.2. 1 Hz RBW is horribly bugged - as in signals can vanish from the screen going from 3 Hz to 1 Hz. The solution from R&S was to downgrade the firmware, and a year after this was documented they have not posted an update.3. The vertical scale adjustment is annoyingly limited. If I have an example -20 dB filter, I can't look at the narrow range of -20 dB to -30 dB using the full screen, unless I dial in 20 dB offset (which makes it appear like it is 0 dB filter, quite confusing for documenting work for later review).4. Narrowing the frequency range blows away any S11 calibration or S21 normalization without warning. At least it could attempt to interpolate instead of making me disconnect all cables, bring out the O/S/L standards, and reconnect everything.It's truly frustrating because this instrument is quite expensive in its class (just under $10k fully loaded sticker price - I got mine under a promo, but still a lot of cash) and is capable of excellent raw RF performance, but is hobbled by crappy firmware that as @PartialDischarge noted, they would be blasted for if this came a Chinese vendor.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 03, 2022, 09:31:38 pm
content: Quote from: PartialDischarge on December 03, 2022, 12:21:41 pmThe 'bar' chart is a bit weird indeed. I would not expect that either. Maybe the idea behind it is that is doesn't pretend to have information about what happens to the amplitude between the steps. This looks like it is a bit of an in-between product where it comes to network analysis.Quote from: jmw on December 03, 2022, 01:38:52 pmThat should be quite easy to do with a bit of Python scripting. Recently I bought a similar device from a different brand and that doesn't offer log scale in VNA mode as well.QuoteIn my experience that behaviour is quite normal for a VNA. Change any setting and your 'calibration' (IMHO a better term would be reference measurement) information is voided.QuoteAs usual: always make sure test equipment does what you need it to do before buying (either through testing a loan unit and / or through in-depth reviews that address your use cases). AFAIK the FPC1500 has been on the market for quite some time already so I can understand your dissapointment that they have not addressed the issues you listed yet.

author: /dev/ttyS0
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 08, 2025, 11:47:40 am
content: Hello Guys,I am currently working on my masters thesis about satellite communication.The Siglent allows digital analysis of PSK signals as far as I understand.Do you know, if the FPC1500 is also suitable for this or would you recommend a completely different Spectrum Analyzer for this task?Thanks

author: RBBVNL9
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2025, 01:54:01 pm
content: Hi /dev/ttyS0QuoteI don't think the FPC1500 can analyze/decode PSK signals...The FPC1500 supports AM, FM, ASK and FSK demodulation. You either have to get get it as an option, or get a bundle that covers this option. Then,.for 2FSK, it can show a table of the actual data (symbols), the eye diagram, a graph of modulation deviation or a graph of modulation error. You can also get measurements for carrier power, carrier frequency error, frequency deviation, modulation error, and magnitude error.But, like I said, this is for 2FSK, and I do not see PSK mentioned in the specifications.Good luck with the thesis!

author: /dev/ttyS0
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 08, 2025, 03:29:11 pm
content: Hi RBBVNL9,thank you for your answer!I think I will then go with the Siglent.Although I would have really appreciated the R&S spectrum analyzer, spending even more money on a higher tier model is not feasible for me - at least not for now

author: temperance
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2025, 03:58:27 pm
content: The software of the FRP1500 could be much much better and I've requested R&S for several enhancements.The response from R&S:This product will not be further developed.

author: RBBVNL9
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 08, 2025, 06:30:29 pm
content: I still like my FPC1500.But it’s true that it feels a bit underdeveloped, especially compared to devices as their RTB2000 oscilloscope, which is kind of in the same target audience/price tier, I’d think. The RTB is feels superb in many areas, its implementation, user interface, etc., whereas the FPC feels like… it could have been really more if there was the will to do so.Best, Rudi