SM200B – 20 GHz Spectrum Analyzer

SM200B — 20 GHz Real-time Spectrum Analyzer

The SM200B 20 GHz Spectrum Analyzer is a high-performance, portable spectrum analyzer designed for a wide range of RF and microwave applications. Spectrum analyzers like the SM200B are used to measure the power spectrum of an electrical signal, allowing users to analyze the frequency content, signal strength, and modulation characteristics of RF signals.

Features:

1. Wide Frequency Range (Up to 20 GHz)

• Feature: The SM200B is capable of analyzing signals from 9 kHz (or lower) up to 20 GHz, making it suitable for a wide range of applications in RF, microwave, and millimeter-wave frequencies.
• Benefit: This broad frequency coverage is ideal for analyzing signals in communication systems (e.g., 5G, Wi-Fi), radar systems, satellite links, and more.

2. High Dynamic Range

• Feature: High dynamic range, typically around 100 dB or more.
• Benefit: It allows the analyzer to accurately detect both weak and strong signals in the same frequency band. This is particularly useful for identifying low-level interference or signal distortions in complex environments.

3. Resolution Bandwidth (RBW) Adjustment

• Feature: The ability to adjust the RBW from 1 Hz to 1 MHz (or more), enabling users to select the appropriate bandwidth for their analysis.
• Benefit: Narrow RBWs allow for fine spectral resolution, while wider RBWs speed up the sweep for faster analysis. This flexibility is essential for detecting small spectral features or performing quick scans of large frequency spans.

4. Advanced Display and Visualization

• Feature: High-resolution, color LCD touchscreen with advanced display modes such as:
  • Standard Spectrum View
  • Waterfall Display: Displays frequency versus time for dynamic signal behavior.
  • Spectrogram View: Displays how signals change over time and frequency, helpful for monitoring modulated or transient signals.
  • Density Spectrum View: Visualizes signal strength and distribution across frequencies.
• Benefit: These display modes make it easier to detect fleeting signals, identify interference, and analyze complex RF environments.

5. Tracking Generator (Optional)

• Feature: Built-in tracking generator (in some configurations) that outputs a signal over the same frequency range as the spectrum analyzer.
• Benefit: Allows for testing of components like filters, amplifiers, and antennas by providing a continuous signal that can be analyzed by the analyzer. Essential for measuring frequency response, insertion loss, and return loss of RF components.

6. Time-Domain and Frequency-Domain Analysis

• Feature: The SM200B likely supports both time-domain and frequency-domain analysis, with options to view data in both perspectives.
• Benefit: Time-domain analysis is useful for analyzing pulse signals, transient events, or modulated signals, while frequency-domain analysis is critical for traditional RF signal measurements like power spectral density, frequency accuracy, and harmonic analysis.

7. Signal Demodulation

• Feature: Ability to demodulate signals for a wide range of modulation formats (e.g., AM, FM, QAM, PSK, OFDM).
• Benefit: This feature allows the user to analyze the modulation quality, error rates, and other performance parameters of communication systems. It’s crucial for testing and validating wireless communication technologies like 5G and Wi-Fi.

8. Built-in Markers and Automatic Measurements

• Feature: The analyzer comes with built-in markers to easily identify signal peaks, valleys, or specific frequencies. It also offers automatic measurement functions like:
  • Peak Power
  • Total Power
  • Channel Power
  • Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR)
  • Adjacent Channel Power Ratio (ACPR)
• Benefit: These automatic measurements simplify the analysis of complex signals, saving time and reducing the likelihood of errors. Markers help to quickly pinpoint key signal characteristics for detailed inspection.

9. Interference Detection and Signal Analysis

• Feature: Advanced interference detection capabilities and the ability to analyze spurious signals, harmonics, and unwanted emissions.
• Benefit: This is essential for monitoring and analyzing interference in wireless communication systems, ensuring signals meet regulatory compliance, and troubleshooting system performance issues.

10. Remote Control and Automation

• Feature: Remote control via USB, Ethernet, or GPIB interface, enabling integration into automated test systems or remote operation.
• Benefit: Ideal for lab environments, production testing, and situations where the spectrum analyzer needs to be controlled remotely or integrated into larger testing workflows (e.g., automated testing of RF components or devices under test).

11. Advanced Marker Functions

• Feature: Multiple marker types (peak, valley, center frequency, etc.), with enhanced measurement capabilities like:
  • Delta Marker: To measure the frequency or power difference between two markers.
  • Frequency and Power Measurements: Accurate frequency and power readings at specific points in the spectrum.
• Benefit: Precise measurement of key signal parameters, helpful in a variety of applications from component testing to network troubleshooting.

12. Built-in FFT for Real-Time Spectrum Analysis

• Feature: Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) functionality for real-time spectrum analysis.
• Benefit: Enables the analyzer to process signals faster and in real-time, making it suitable for applications where dynamic signal behavior is critical, such as interference hunting and real-time monitoring.

13. High-Precision Time and Frequency Markers

• Feature: Precise time markers for accurate frequency, phase, and timing measurements.
• Benefit: Essential for applications where precise synchronization and timing analysis are critical, such as in communications and radar systems.

14. Battery-Powered Operation (Portable Models)

• Feature: Some models are battery-powered, offering a few hours of operation on a single charge.
• Benefit: Provides flexibility for fieldwork, on-site testing, or use in locations where access to AC power is limited.

15. Spectral Purity and Low Phase Noise

• Feature: Low phase noise and excellent spectral purity (typically in the range of -90 to -100 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset).
• Benefit: Ensures accurate measurements of weak signals and minimizes the influence of spurious emissions when measuring high-quality RF systems.

16. Cross-Domain Measurement Capability

• Feature: Capability to perform multi-domain measurements (time-domain, frequency-domain, and modulation analysis) in a single interface.
• Benefit: Provides a more comprehensive view of signals and is helpful for debugging complex systems like communication networks, radar, or broadcasting.

17. Signal Quality and Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) Analysis

• Feature: Measures signal quality using Error Vector Magnitude (EVM), a critical metric for modern communication systems.
• Benefit: EVM analysis is essential for testing the performance of modulated signals in systems like 5G, Wi-Fi, and other digital communication standards. High EVM typically indicates poor signal quality and can help identify issues in signal generation or transmission.

18. Software and Firmware Support

• Feature: The SM200B may come with optional software for more advanced signal analysis, remote control, or automated measurements.
• Benefit: This enhances the versatility of the analyzer, allowing users to store, analyze, and share results, or integrate the analyzer into a larger test system.

Key Use Cases for a 20 GHz Spectrum Analyzer:

• 5G and Future Wireless Communications: Testing of signals in the millimeter-wave frequency range (up to 100 GHz in some cases).
• Radar Systems: Evaluation of radar signals, including interference analysis and signal strength measurements.
• Satellite and Space Communications: Testing satellite uplinks, downlinks, and various communication systems that operate at high frequencies.
• Electronics Development and Research: Characterization of high-frequency circuits, antennas, and communication devices.
• Signal Integrity Testing: For ensuring that transmitted signals remain free of distortion, noise, or interference.

Specifications:

1. Frequency Range

• Range: 9 kHz to 20 GHz (standard range for many portable spectrum analyzers)
• Optional Range Extension: Some models might offer up to 40 GHz or beyond with external mixers or hardware options.
• Resolution: 1 Hz (depending on the resolution bandwidth (RBW))

2. Display

• Type: 10.4″ or larger color LCD touchscreen (for intuitive control and signal analysis)
• Display Modes: Spectrum display, Waterfall display, Spectrogram, and Density Spectral display
• Markers: Multiple markers for peak, valley, and frequency measurements
• Trace Functions: Max Hold, Min Hold, Average, and normal sweep

3. Frequency Resolution and Accuracy

• Frequency Resolution: 1 Hz (standard)
• Frequency Accuracy: Typically ±0.05 ppm to ±0.1 ppm (depending on the reference oscillator)

4. Resolution Bandwidth (RBW)

• Range: From 1 Hz to 1 MHz (typically adjustable to cover different application needs)
• RBW Steps: Fine resolution for detecting small spectral features, and wider bandwidths for fast sweeps

5. Dynamic Range

• Typical Range: 100 dB or greater (depending on the model)
• Displayed Average Noise Level (DANL): -155 dBm to -120 dBm (depending on frequency and RBW)
• Input P1dB (1 dB Compression Point): Around +10 dBm to +20 dBm for most models
• Third-Order Intermodulation (IMD): -85 dBc or better

6. Phase Noise

• At 1 GHz: -90 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset (typical)
• At 10 GHz: -85 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset (typical)

7. Power Measurement

• Power Level Accuracy: ±0.5 dB or better
• Peak Power Measurement: Accurate detection of pulse or modulated signals
• Averaging: Supports both time-averaging and statistical measurement modes

8. Tracking Generator (Optional, for many models)

• Frequency Range: Typically the same as the analyzer’s frequency range (9 kHz to 20 GHz)
• Output Power: Typically +10 dBm to +13 dBm
• Application: Used for testing filters, amplifiers, and other RF components.

9. Input

• RF Input Type: 50 Ω, N-type or SMA connector (commonly used for high-frequency testing)
• Damage Level: Typically up to +30 dBm (with proper attenuation settings)

10. Connectivity

• USB 2.0/3.0: For saving data, firmware updates, or external control
• LAN (Ethernet): For remote operation and data logging
• GPIB (optional): For laboratory automation
• HDMI/Display Output: For external display or monitoring

11. Performance and Sweep

• Sweep Speed: Fast sweep rates, with some analyzers achieving full sweeps in less than 1 second
• Sweep Mode: Continuous sweep, Single sweep, and Dual (fast/slow) sweep
• Frequency Sweep: Typically over 9 kHz to 20 GHz, with both center frequency and span controls

12. Advanced Measurement Features

• Time Domain Analysis: Ability to transform frequency domain data into the time domain using an FFT or similar algorithm
• AM/FM Demodulation: For analyzing modulated signals
• Signal Analysis: Automatic measurements for power, frequency, phase, harmonic content, etc.
• Interference Analysis: Automatic identification of interferers in crowded spectrum environments (e.g., for wireless communication or radar systems)

13. Software and Control

• Software Support: Comes with or supports optional software for extended analysis, automation, and reporting. This may include real-time spectrum analysis, modulation analysis, and additional mathematical functions.
• Remote Control: Via SCPI commands over USB, LAN, or GPIB

14. Size and Weight

• Dimensions: 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 cm) in length, 8 to 10 inches (20 to 25 cm) in width
• Weight: Typically 5 to 10 kg (11 to 22 lbs) depending on portability features

15. Power Supply

• AC Power: 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz (for use in labs or permanent installations)
• Battery: 3 to 4 hours of operation on a rechargeable battery (for field use)

16. Environmental Considerations

• Operating Temperature: Typically 0°C to 50°C (32°F to 122°F)
• Storage Temperature: -20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F)
• Humidity: 90% non-condensing at 30°C

17. Certifications

• EMC/EMI Compliance: Typically meets industry standards like IEC/EN 61000-4 for electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)
• Safety: Conforms to relevant safety standards such as CE, UL, or CSA marks for safety compliance