Spectrum Analyzer - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: vallywally5
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2022, 11:10:25 am
content: If you are a simple user, like a ham, what will be for you the best SA, you will buy ?(please only the name; "nothing else matters")Of course a RBW about 10 hz.... max frequency about 0,5-1 ghzOf course something new...About money something 1000-3000 $

author: ogden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2022, 11:39:45 am
content: Seems like this is best match, with extra tracking gen and (1.5 port) VNA:https://www.siglent.eu/product/1137207/siglent-sva1015x-1-5ghz-spectrum-vector-network-analyzer

author: vallywally5
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2022, 01:28:20 pm
content: Yes , thank you !

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2022, 01:55:13 pm
content: Use a SDR, most have impressive Spectrum, waterfall capabilitiesWe use SDRplay rrom UK, economical and fine design and softwarehttps://www.sdrplay.com/Jon

author: Terry Bites
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2022, 02:59:47 pm
content: Of course- why spend thousands when $10 is enough. An SDR dongle with a good external ref is an amazing bit of kit.

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2022, 06:13:59 pm
content: Rebonjour, We have used vintage HP and TEL SAWe used the TEK 7L12, 13, 18 plugins wik on 7000 mainframes.and HP 8558B 1500 MHz plugin with digital storage scope 853AAnalog classicsJon

author: Paul B
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2022, 11:55:26 pm
content: Hi vallywally5OK although I personalty use older analysers that are High end lab quality instrumentsthe quality of the lower end instruments has improved immensely over the past few years OKBest advise is to bye an instrument destined for the job rather than something that can also be a spectrum analyserso you say New and you have a budget of 1000 to 3000 and a frequency limit of 500 - 1000 mhzyou also say just a name nothing else matters a lot of good names have made a Bad instrument in the past the one thy wish thy never had made. so feed back on a particular model makes senseso when designing RF equipment most times you want to look at the 3rd if not the 5th harmonicassuming you are an amateur and working at 430 Mhz then you should look at 1500 to 2500 Mhz as top frequencyif you are thinking of doing any satellite work the IF used is L band and this typical goes to 2000 Mhzcontinuing with satellites the input to the amateur satellite that does digital TV has an input of approx 2.4 Ghz and this might be of interest it defiantly is for meso if the SSA3032X that you have been directed to in an earlier post is within your budget i would seriously look at the specification of the 3.2 Ghz version it also comes with a tracking generator that makes the testing of components easier being careful you do not blow up the input of your analyserPersonally I have rarely used a tracking generator as i use the correct item for the job and use a RF sweeper and a Scalier analyser this gives me more control over testing but then i do go over 20 Ghza must to go with the analyser is a selection of Attenuates and directional coupler'smore on this subject if requiredRegards Paul

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2022, 02:52:47 am
content: Quote from: Paul B on February 11, 2022, 11:55:26 pmIt wasn't, instead the SVA1015X was and although very similar to the SSA3000X models that the SVA models originated from the later SSA3000X Plus modelsarethe same hardware but without the VNA capability. (hobbled in SW)Furthermore all 1.5 GHz models from Siglent are a slightly different HW configuration than 2.1 and 3.2 GHz models and 5 and 7.5 GHz models different again. This can all be deduced from careful study of datasheet specs.

author: fourfathom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2022, 04:47:45 am
content: Quote from: jonpaul on February 11, 2022, 01:55:13 pmSDRs are great -- I have several and use them for all sorts of things.But--- They are typically not well-calibrated for amplitude, or for amplitude vs frequency, and may have dynamic range limitations which are not well-specified. The SDR also usually has a limited real-time sweep range of only a few MHz, making some types of wide-sweep measurements problematic. A true spectrum analyzer will not have these limitations.So if you want to snoop around the frequency ranges, or do non-critical measurements, the SDR can be a great tool, and you can't beat the price.

author: Doodly2000
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 12, 2022, 12:52:53 pm
content: There is a nice Wiki with all SDRs so far on the market? athttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_software-defined_radiosMight help to choose.

author: vallywally5
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2022, 11:04:50 am
content: Well, do you thing that a SDR has a great dinamic range , IP3 ; a good noise level ?Thanks, 73 !

author: M0HZH
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2022, 12:39:34 pm
content: Used a few SDRs, they're useful. Red Pitaya is also worth a mention.My main SA is Rigol DSA815-TG, used an old Anritsu before. Software functionality is considerably better than a SDR.

author: vallywally5
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 14, 2022, 12:55:21 pm
content: jonpaul ? any news ?

author: Doodly2000
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2022, 03:46:11 pm
content: Quote from: M0HZH on February 14, 2022, 12:39:34 pmWe are using some bench top real-time analyzer in our factory e.g. the latest R&S FSW generation and i must say that todays real time "PRO" SDRs are for sure much more powerfull than any benchtop real time spectrum analyzer since you can connect them to much more powerfull PCs with a hell of great software while benchtop analyzers are limited to the in build PC hardware which is quite crappy in comparison.If you ever tried to use a cheap benchtop real time analyzer in real time mode you know what i am speaking about. It is a nightmare: You never get a usable or smooth frame rate. Depending on what you are doing the display is running with a view fps only and super unsmooth at some point its even getting unusable.Even the high end units suffer a lot if it comes to high data rates. This is quite annoying if you think about the cost which easy skips the 100k Euros!Use a nice SDR with powerfull PC and 4k monitor and you get a super smooth analyzer no matter what. Thats the future and dont worry about accuracy, the big boys on the market did it right

author: M0HZH
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2022, 03:08:41 pm
content: Started at: "If you are a simple user, like a ham..."Currently at: "real-time analyzer / the latest R&S FSW generation / 100k Euros"

author: Bicurico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 17, 2022, 05:58:05 pm
content: Take a look at my blog. Link is in the signature.

author: Doodly2000
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 18, 2022, 03:04:19 pm
content: Quote from: M0HZH on February 17, 2022, 03:08:41 pmYes fully agree

author: Paul B
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 19, 2022, 07:22:45 pm
content: hi doodleI am somewhat confused at your commentsfirst real measurement are not always smooth so if you want measurement that simply give an approximation to a smooth curve then please continue with your low end instrumentyes SDR do give smooth result's and can be the front end for computer analysis but so can the real instruments if you have the softwareregarding low end instruments yes thy can be clunky and give questionable results but so can the instruments you are talking aboutthe thing hear is if you understand how an instrument works you can then then start to understand the issues and the validity of the resultsI have deleted my next comment as i do not think you would understand the technical content

author: El Rubio
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2022, 05:01:44 pm
content: You weren't very specific about your exact needs in a SA. As a ham also, I have used a cheap SDR Dongle connected to the IF of my HF rig and had a very usable panadapter. A 'real' SA in that situation is overkill in my opinion. However, if you do any over the air measurements, or want actual accurate measurements, then a SA is probably best for your needs. I would vote for one with a tracking generator. It will make sweeping antennas and tuning duplexers or filter cavities much easier. Over the air measurements will most likely require a preamp. Some units have multiple built in, but a suitable external LNA would work also. Someone mentioned attenuators and couplers. I'll second that and add filters when practical. it is easy to overload the front end of these devices and filtering can keep you from saturating the receiver. Many SA's will come with portable whip antennas - garbage- get some better antennas, directional like yagi's if possible.

author: fourfathom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 20, 2022, 06:36:28 pm
content: And let's not forget the NanaVNA and the TinySA. These aren't lab-quality by any means, but can actually be quite useful and are ridiculously inexpensive. They do have limitations, so look at the specs and ask around if you are trying to do some specific measurement.https://www.tinysa.org/wiki/https://nanovna.com/

author: vallywally5
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2022, 03:15:04 pm
content: Thanks a lot but nanovna, has a noise level or third-order intercept better then a non - SDR ?

author: Paul B
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2022, 04:50:54 pm
content: Hi can you please explain 3rd order intercept on this instrumentRegards Paul

author: ogden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2022, 04:53:59 pm
content: Quote from: vallywally5 on February 22, 2022, 03:15:04 pmUsually it is much easier to search internet than ask in the forum, then wait for an answer which may be misleading in the end. Here you go:https://nanorfe.com/nanovna-v2.html. In case you wanted to ask about tinySA - again it's specification is easy to find using internet search:https://tinysa.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Main.SpecificationIt shall be noted that NanoVNA is not Spectrum Analyzer. Also I do not agree to armchair experts suggesting SDR as viable replacement for Spectrum Analyzer. SDR is spectrum indicator at best. Most of SDR software do not cover even fraction of measurements available on decent spectrum analyzer, even low-end from Rigol/Siglent.Quote from: Paul B on February 22, 2022, 04:50:54 pmHi You might want toread wiki first. When you still have questions - come back and feel free to ask them.

author: fourfathom
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2022, 04:59:30 pm
content: Quote from: vallywally5 on February 22, 2022, 03:15:04 pmNanoVNA is a vector network analyzer, not a spectrum analyzer. It's sort of a combined tracking generator plus spectrum analyzer, but with both phase and amplitude measurement capabilities. It can't be used as a spectrum analyzer, it only measures the difference between the generator output and VNA input. VNAs are extremely useful for dialing-in filters, and (with care) amplifiers. They can do one-port Z measuerments, and two-port gain/phase measurements.The TinySA is an actual spectrum analyzer, with limited capabilities. You would have to look at the specs, but I assume that a good SDR would have better noise and TOI numbers. By the way, SDR parameters are all over the map, too. For example, some have 8-bit A/D converters, others have 10 and 12-bit A/D.

author: Paul B
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2022, 07:45:40 pm
content: Hi Ogdeni did look at Wiki but found it to complicated for me (I am not being critical hear )OK we have 3rd order intercept for mixers & amplifiers but when evaluating a spectrum analyser i would probably not measure any of its internal signals nut compareshoulder width and noise levels on signalsregarding the The TinySA ideal training and a nice tool to start with and for most good enough as most do not go above 1000 Mhzregarding VNA i decided i did not require a full VNA system at home as it takes up a big chunk of space but the NanoVNA is defiantly worth looking at regarding the line(I do not agree to armchair experts suggesting SDR as viable replacement for Spectrum Analyzer. SDR is spectrum indicator at best. Most of SDR software do not cover even fraction of measurements available on decent spectrum analyser, even low-end from Rigol/Siglent.)I totally agree with this line but then I do run 2 systems of HP 70000 spectrum analysers that are not budget items but the big problem with lab equipment is it is BIGand so small is often the solution for most so just enjoy your time with electronicsas Test Equipment can be a game by itself as you then require test equipment to test the test equipmentregards Paul

author: Uunoctium
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2022, 08:39:58 pm
content: NWT4000 + DC-Block + Bicurico'shttps://www.eevblog.com/forum/profile/?u=122214softwarehttps://vma-satellite.blogspot.com/2019/03/vma-simple-spectrum-analyser-hpagilent.html

author: ogden
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 22, 2022, 09:27:12 pm
content: Quote from: Paul B on February 22, 2022, 07:45:40 pmAll but direct sampling spectrum analyzers are built around mixer(s). So you want to know not only max input power limit, but also 3rd order intercept and 1dB compression point.QuoteProper VNAs are usually out of reach for most hobbyists. Well, perhaps except mentioned SVA1015X? NanoVNA looks like toy, but actually it is very capable device, especially considering it's price.QuoteBetter have big old "boat anchor" instrument rather than something small that only pretends to be one.Quote from: Uunoctium on February 22, 2022, 08:39:58 pmAgain - spectrum monitoring thingy. Can it do spectrum analysis with following settings: RBW=9KHz, VBW=10KHz, Start=150KHz, Stop=30MHz, Detector=Quazi-Peak? The same question for SDR's mentioned.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2022, 12:05:36 am
content: Quote from: ogden on February 22, 2022, 09:27:12 pmBut SVA1015X is a SAandVNA however the latest fad is to get the bit cheaper SSA3021X Plus and enhance it to SVA1032X.Well featured benchtop 3.2 GHz SA and VNA in a single package for $1600, what's not to like ?And you can use all its functionality on a PC anywhere on the globe via the inbuilt webserver.

author: Paul B
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2022, 05:44:34 am
content: Hi all how do you do the reference to earlier posting as in the part that is in a Blue Framefor less than $ 1000 you can get a real spectrum analyser pre selected to 22 GHzregarding VNA these are also available including generator to 1300 Mhz for about $1000but we can talk about second hand equipment on a different / new TopicPaul

author: bdunham7
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 23, 2022, 06:12:35 am
content: Quote from: Paul B on February 23, 2022, 05:44:34 amYou use the 'Quote' button, then edit the text so it looks like this:

author: vallywally5
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2022, 11:04:28 am
content: Ja, i can use a cheap SDR dongle as a simple spectrum analyzer.Thanks a lot !