Rohde & Schwarz FPC1500 5kHz - 3GHz Spectrum Analyzer Review, Teardown & Exp. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Hugoneus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2018, 02:07:50 pm
content: In this episode Shahriar reviews the newly released FPC1500 Spectrum Analyzer from Rohde & Schwarz. With this addition Rohde & Schwarz continues to aggressively target the entry level market across a wide range of instruments. These units are packed with competitive features some of which are not found in other instruments in the same class. The FPC1500 employs a 10.1" WXGA LCD screes and a built-in tracking generator with a fully independent synthesizer which allows for offset tracking as well as a built-in VSWR bridge capable of making vector S11 measurements. These features combined with built-in WiFi, wide range of measurement capabilities and digital demodulation of ASK/FSK signals provides a competitive product.This comprehensive review is organized as follows:00:01:35 - R&S Spectrum Analyzer model overview00:02:25 - Front and back panel, GUI initial look00:06:24 - Complete teardown with digital and RF deck analysis00:19:11 - DUT device overview and specifications00:20:00 - DUT power on, FPC overload test, single tone, phase-noise and pre-amplifier performance00:29:41 - TOI measurement capability and multi-tone inter-modulation performance00:35:07 - Internal source performance, THD measurement, tracking generator and offset-tracking00:41:55 - Scaler S21 configuration, DUT gain and bandwidth measurement00:46:08 - DUT Noise-figure measurement and marker functions capability00:48:57 - DUT variable gain control characterization, AM demodulation, VGA bandwidth and waveform display00:57:39 - Digital demodulation of FSK/ASK with multilevel frequency shifting, eye-diagram display and analysis01:01:13 - Vector S11 measurement, web interface, smith chart display and return loss characterization01:04:45 - Spectrogram measurement, replay mode and trace storage01:06:55 - Concluding remarksYou can watch the video here: [1 Hour & 7 Min]youtu.be/n-NqaG0ljK0More videos at The Signal Path:www.TheSignalPath.com

author: Neganur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 16, 2018, 09:15:20 pm
content: Looks really nice.Prices in EU (Batronix):€ 2,891.70 incl. VAT Base unit 1 GHz, no options€ 821.10 incl. 19% VAT R&S® FPC-K7 Modulation analysis ([...]as well as a summary of measurement parameters such as carrier power, carrier offset, modulation index (depth) for AM signals, frequency deviation for FM signals, SINAD, THD, etc.€ 892.50 incl. 19% VAT R&S® FPC-K42 Vector Network Analysis (enables the internal bridge for S11 reflection measurements, including Smith chart and distance-to-fault (DTF).)€ 583.10 incl. 19% VAT R&S® FPC-K43 Receiver Mode (EMI)€ 583.10 incl. 19% VAT R&S® FPC-K55 Advanced Measurement (ACLR, TOI, SEM,spectrogram)€ 345.10 incl. 19% VAT R&S® FPC-B200 WIFI Upgrade€ 416.50 incl. 19% VAT R&S® FPC-B22 Preamplifier€ 999.60 incl. 19% VAT bandwidth upgrades, 1-to-2 GHZ, 2-to-3 GHZ eachSo unfortunately a lot of the features are paid extras. Can probably go without most of them except of course the S11 (+smith chart) and pre-amp. (Edit: oh yeah and another 2k EUR to make it 3GHz...)Going to be interesting to see what price point the Siglent SA/VNA is going to be at. The R&S UI etc looks very good.Ooh, and there's a cheap ecal for it too, now that's really nice.

author: hscade
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2018, 09:27:02 pm
content: Shahriar , as always appreciated the review!

author: TheSteve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 16, 2018, 09:40:01 pm
content: I always appreciate the longer more in-depth videos, please never sacrifice content for a shorter video length.

author: nomadd
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 16, 2018, 11:22:53 pm
content: Quote from: Hugoneus on April 16, 2018, 02:07:50 pmLoved those endless references to "entry level" and "economy" at the beginning...Only to realise that the fully optioned model you reviewed was around 8,000 Euros.

author: Neganur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 17, 2018, 12:35:01 am
content: Well, the DSA815-TG Rigol costs 1400 EUR. Certainly more affordable and if lucky maybe you can find a used one.Not all options are necessary (what are you using the instrument for...?), and then there is always the thing that this kind of equipment is maybe not exactly meant for hobbyists.And if you 'need' it for your hobby, you can get one hell of a full blown VNA on the used market for that kind of money.

author: Hugoneus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2018, 02:14:27 am
content: Quote from: nomadd on April 16, 2018, 11:22:53 pmPlease note that this is economy in the context and lineup of R&S instruments. It is their entry level spectrum analyzer.

author: rhb
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2018, 03:22:31 am
content: You kept me up to 1 AM last night watching your 8648C video. Also I *just* got an 8560A w/ TG, so I don't need to be looking at other SAs right now but thanks for doing it. I'm sure I'll enjoy it.

author: nomadd
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2018, 08:03:32 am
content: Quote from: Hugoneus on April 17, 2018, 02:14:27 amYes, fully appreciate that.Still, with this review - and the R&S Oscilloscope review you did a few weeks back - I do find it a little disconcerting that you keep mentioning "economy" and "entry level"multipletimes at the start of the video, but then fail to mention what that actually means in real-world currency - especially when that's $5000-$8000+ dollars. Makes you sound like an R&S Salesperson trying to hide something.Surely it wouldn't be that difficult simply mention the price of thefully-loadedunit you are about to review at the start, just so people have an idea of what to judge it against? Yes, I know we can all go and look it up online, but I think the videos would seem a little more "independent" if it was disclosed up front. Or maybe these review units are so new that R&S hasn't finalised pricing when you are given the units? Again, I just think it would be better if this was at least touched upon around all the talk of "economy" and "entry-level".Anyway, great video; loved it. Just like all the videos on The Signal Path. Keep up the great work.Cheers and regards.

author: JPortici
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2018, 11:01:39 am
content: Chapter 11 - the digital demonulation part was eye widening.can you even do that with the cheapo siglent / rigol?

author: Alegor
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 17, 2018, 11:58:11 am
content: Hi, Shahriar!We are still waitnig for your review of RadioInspector!Long way...

author: Neganur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 17, 2018, 02:23:19 pm
content: Quote from: nomadd on April 17, 2018, 08:03:32 amIt’s R&S who call it entry and economy btw, and it is compared to the performance/price segment of the rest of their analyzers. I think it is correct to remain neutral and use the terms the Manufacturer uses.(I think it is understood that this type of equipment is expensive for normal private individuals.)

author: Hugoneus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 17, 2018, 03:17:30 pm
content: Quote from: nomadd on April 17, 2018, 08:03:32 amI get nothing from the sales so the whole point is moot.I don't get into pricing because every country is different, there are often deals and corporate discounts and prices change while my video will not.Regardless, buy the instrument which meets your price, performance, ecosystem and support that suits your needs. My review is suppose to show you what the instrument can do. The rest is up to you.

author: awallin
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2018, 06:17:13 am
content: Quote from: Neganur on April 16, 2018, 09:15:20 pmCan someone who knows the inside scoop comment on the relation, if any, between these entry-level R&S SAs and Siglent SSA3000X in terms of:hardwaresoftware/firmwareperformance (noise-floor, RBW, etc)thanks!AW

author: EVS
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2018, 07:28:49 am
content: Hi Shahriar, thanks for the review.Could you check on your device two things:- 3MHz RBW filter shape- input signal with a frequency of 31.15 MHz

author: simone.pignatti
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2018, 07:34:43 am
content: Quote from: awallin on April 18, 2018, 06:17:13 amCan someone who knows the inside scoop comment on the relation, if any, between these entry-level R&S SAs and Siglent SSA3000X in terms of:hardwaresoftware/firmwareperformance (noise-floor, RBW, etc)thanks!AWWe will get the SVA1000X as soon as available then we can compare with FPC1500 which we have already since few days under testing and showing to customers - results so far so good.In the picture 2 low pass band filters in series.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2018, 10:07:38 am
content: Quote from: awallin on April 18, 2018, 06:17:13 amShahriar has already reviewed the 3.2 GHz SSA3032X so see for yourself:http://thesignalpath.com/blogs/2017/09/20/siglent-ssa3032x-9khz-3-2ghz-spectrum-analyzer-tg-review-teardown-experiment/

author: nomadd
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 18, 2018, 11:00:13 am
content: Quote from: tautech on April 18, 2018, 10:07:38 amAh, but when will he be reviewing the Siglent SVA1015X (and maybe 3GHz+ models)..?

author: Hugoneus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 19, 2018, 02:36:44 pm
content: Quote from: nomadd on April 18, 2018, 11:00:13 amDon't have one at the moment, but if that changes I will let you know.I need to get my pending repairs and tutorials also out...

author: usagi
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2018, 06:11:32 am
content: very few hobbyists can afford this stuff.even "entry level", this is priced for businesses. not individuals.

author: srce
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2018, 12:55:04 pm
content: Can you do equivalent circuit impedance analysis on this for RLC components? If so, what sort of performance / range will it support?

author: bozidarms
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2018, 05:41:45 pm
content: Unfortunately,one important parameter was not tested(hope not intentionally) at all, namely thephase noise- which is at least 10dBc/Hz worst than any of Siglents(SSA or SVA)!

author: mhsprang
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 03, 2021, 07:37:46 pm
content: Quote from: bozidarms on April 21, 2018, 05:41:45 pmOwning an PFC 1500, I can confirm that the phase noise is horrible. My old (>30 years?) does way better than this modern FPC 1500. I am quite disappointed with this purchase.