Jeff Thomas

Tom Holmes
Terri Hightower

Learn RF Spectrum
Analysis Basics

Agenda
Overview: Spectrum analysis and its
measurements
Theory of Operation: Spectrum analyzer
hardware
Frequency Specifications
Questions and Answers break
Amplitude Specifications
Summary
Questions and Answers break
Page 2

Learning Objectives
Name the major measurement strengths of a
swept-tuned spectrum analyzer
Explain the importance of frequency resolution,
sensitivity, and dynamic range in making analyzer
measurements
Outline the procedure making accurate distortion
measurements

Page 3

Overview: What is Spectrum Analysis?

8563A

Page 4

SPECTRUM ANALYZER

9 kHz - 26.5 GHz

Types of Tests Made

.

Modulation
Modulation
Noise
Noise
Distortion
Distortion

Page 5

Frequency Versus Time Domain

Amplitude
(power)

cy
n
e
requ

ti m
e

Time domain
Measurements
Page 6

Frequency Domain
Measurements

Fourier Spectrum Analyzer

Fourier analyzer transforms a signal over time
into a frequency spectrum

Amplitude

Display

f1
Page 7

f2

Frequency

Swept-Tuned Spectrum Analyzer

Filter sweeps over a frequency range

Amplitude

Display

f1
Page 8

f2

Frequency f

Agenda
Overview: Spectrum analysis and its
measurements
Theory of Operation: Spectrum analyzer
hardware
Frequency Specifications
Questions and Answers break
Amplitude Specifications
Summary
Questions and Answers break
Page 9

Spectrum Analyzer Block Diagram

RF Input
Attenuator

Mixer

IF
IF
Gain Filter

Detector

Input
Filter
Local
Oscillator
Frequency
Reference
Page 10

Log
Amp

Video
Filter

Sweep
Generator
Display

The Mixer: Key to a Wide Frequency

MIXER
Range
Input

RF

fLO+fin

LO

0 fin

Page 11

fLO-fin

IF

fLO

fLO

RF = Radio frequency
LO = local oscillator
IF = intermediate
frequency

Intermediate Frequency (IF) Filter

IF FILTER

Input

IF Bandwidth: also known as

resolution bandwidth and
RBW
Provides shape of frequency
domain signal
Page 12

Actual

Displayed

Detector
Input

DETECTOR

Amplitude

Values Displayed
Positive detection: largest
Negative detection: smallest
Sample detection: last
Page 13

Video Filter
Input
VIDEO
FILTER

Without video filtering

Page 14

With video filtering

Local Oscillator and Sweep Generator

LO
SWEEP
GEN
frequency
LCD DISPLAY

Provides swept display

Page 15

Input Attenuator and IF Gain

Circuits
RF INPUT
ATTENUATOR

IF GAIN

Protects input circuits

Calibrates signal amplitude
Keeps signal display position constant
Page 16

Agenda
Overview: Spectrum analysis and its
measurements
Theory of Operation: Spectrum analyzer
hardware
Frequency Specifications
Questions and Answers break
Amplitude Specifications
Summary
Questions and Answers break
Page 17

What Spectrum Analyzer

Specifications are Important?

Page 18

Frequency Range
Frequency and Amplitude Accuracy
Frequency Resolution
Sensitivity
Distortion
Dynamic Range

Frequency Range
Low frequencies for
baseband and IF
High frequencies for
harmonics and beyond

Page 19

Getting the Frequency Range You Need

fif

1
0 fin Range

IF signal, fif
1 fin

Mixer

2
0

LO

The input signal is

displayed when
fLO - fin = fIF
Page 20

LO Range

fLO-fin

fLO

0 frequency

fLO+fin

Getting the Frequency Range You Need

LO Feedthrough

fLO
fLO-fin fLO+fin
fif

fin

IF
filter

0 fin Range
LO

2
0
Page 21

Sweep
generator
LO Range

4 0 Display

Getting the Frequency Range You Need

Input signal
displayed
fLO - fin = fIF

fLO-fin fLO fLO+fin

fif

fin
0 fin Range
fin

LO

2
0
Page 22

LO Range

4 0

Getting the Frequency Range You Need

Lower frequency limited by LO feedthrough
Upper frequency limited by LO range and IF
frequency
Microwave frequency measurement uses
harmonic mixing

Page 23

Frequency and Amplitude Accuracy

Absolute
Amplitude
in dBm

Relative
Amplitude
in dB

Frequency
Relative
Frequency
Page 24

Frequency and Amplitude Accuracy

Frequency accuracy:
Internal/external frequency reference
Use of internal counter
Amplitude accuracy:
Not as good as a power meter
Dependent upon measurement procedure
Excellent relative measurements

Page 25

Signal Resolution
What Determines Resolution?

Resolution Bandwidth

RBW Type and Selectivity

Page 26

Residual FM

Noise Sidebands

IF Filter Bandwidth
Mixer
Input
Spectrum
LO

3 dB

3 dB BW

IF Filter/
Resolution Bandwidth Filter (RBW)

Sweep
RBW
Display
Page 27

Detector

Resolving Two Equal-level Signals

10 kHz RBW
3 dB

10 kHz

Page 28

Resolving Two Unequal-level Signals

3 dB bandwidth
Selectivity (filter shape)
3 dB
3 dB BW
60 dB
60 dB BW
Selectivity =
Page 29

3 dB BW
60 dB BW

Resolving Two Unequal-level Signals

For a RBW of 1 kHz and a selectivity of 15:1,
the 60 dB bandwidth is 15 x 1 kHz = 15 kHz...
so the filter skirt is 7.5 kHz away from the filters
center frequency

60 dB

10 kHz

7.5 kHz
Page 30

Distortion

Residual FM

Residual FM
"Smears" the Signal
Page 31

Noise Sidebands (Phase Noise)

Phase Noise

Noise Sidebands can prevent resolution of

unequal signals
Page 32

Sweep Rate

Swept too fast

Penalty For Sweeping Too Fast

Is An Uncalibrated Display
Page 33

Analog versus Digital Resolution

Bandwidths

Analog
Filter

RES BW 100 Hz

Page 34

Digital
Filter

SPAN 3 kHz

Typical
Selectivity
Analog 15:1
Digital
5:1

Rules to Analyze By:

Use the Analyzers Automatic

Settings Whenever Possible
When using the analyzer in its preset
mode, most measurements will be easy,
fast, and accurate
Automatic selection of resolution
bandwidth, video bandwidth, sweep time
and input attenuation
When manually changing the analyzer
parameters, check for uncal messages
Page 35

Are There Any Questions?

Agenda
Overview: Spectrum analysis and its
measurements
Theory of Operation: Spectrum analyzer
hardware
Frequency Specifications
Questions and Answers break
Amplitude Specifications
Summary
Questions and Answers break
Page 37

Sensitivity and Displayed Average

Noise Level
RF
Input

Detector

Mixer
RES BW
Filter
LO

Sweep

A spectrum analyzer generates and

amplifies noise just like any active circuit.
Page 38

RF Input Attenuator Effects

Displayed noise is a function of RF input
attenuation
signal level

10 dB

Attenuation = 20 dB
Attenuation = 10 dB
Signal-to-noise ratio decreases as
RF input attenuation is increased
Page 39

IF Filter (Resolution Bandwidth)

Effects

Displayed noise is a function of IF filter bandwidth

Decreased BW = Decreased Noise

10 dB
10 dB

Best sensitivity = narrowest RBW

Page 40

100 kHz RBW

10 kHz RBW
1 kHz RBW

Video Bandwidth Effects

Video BW smoothes noise for easier
identification and measurement of lowlevel signals

Page 41

Sensitivity - the smallest signal that

can be measured

Signal
equals
noise
Page 42

~2.2 dB

Rules to Analyze By:

Getting the Best Sensitivity Requires

Three Settings

Page 43

Narrowest resolution bandwidth

Minimum RF attenuation
Sufficient video filter to smooth noise
(VBW < 0.01 Resolution BW)

Where is Distortion Generated?

Mixers Generate Distortion

Signal to be
measured

Frequency
translated signals

Mixer-generated
distortion
Page 44

Resulting
signal

Most Influential Distortion is the

Second and Third Order

< -50 dBc

Two-Toned Intermod

Page 45

< -40 dBc

< -50 dBc

Harmonic Distortion

Distortion Increases as a Function of

the Fundamentals Power
2nd
3rd
Fundamental Harmonic Harmonic
=1 dB
Power
in dB

=2 dB

=3 dB

3f
f
2f
For every dB fundamental level change,
the 2nd changes 2 dB and the 3rd changes 3 dB.
Page 46

How Distortion Amplitudes Change

=1 dB
1 dB/dBfund

2 dB/dBfund

=2 dB

=3 dB

2f

3f

Since distortion changes relative to the

fundamental, a graphical solution is practical.
Page 47

Plotting Distortion as a Function of

Third Order
Mixer Level
Intercept - TOI

Distortion, dBc

-20

Second
Order

-40
-60

Third
Order

-80
-100

-60

-30

0 +5

+30

Power at the mixer =

Input level minus the attenuator setting, dBm
Page 48

Rules to Analyze by:

A Simple Distortion Test

Is the distortion from the signal or from the analyzer?
1

Change Input
Attenuation by 10 dB
RF INPUT
ATTENUATOR

No change in amplitude distortion is part of input

signal (external)
Page 49

Watch Signal on Screen:

IF GAIN

Change in amplitude - at least some

of the distortion is being generated
inside the analyzer (internal)

Dynamic Range Optimum Amplitude Difference

Between Large and Small Signals

Dynamic
Range

Page 50

Displayed Noise Limits

Dynamic Range

Displayed average
noise level can be
plotted like distortion.

Distortion, dBc

0
-20

-40
-60
-80
-100

1 kHz
RBW

-30
0
+30
Power at the mixer =
Input level minus the attenuator setting, dBm
Page 51

-60

Noise at 10 kHz
RBW

Distortion and Signalto-Noise, dBc

Dynamic Range as a Function of

Distortion and Noise Level

Page 52

0
-20

Maximum 2nd
Order Dynamic
Range

-40

Maximum 3rd
Order Dynamic
Range

-60
-80
-100

-60

-30
0
+30
Power at the mixer =
Input level minus the attenuator setting, dBm

Close-in Dynamic Range Limited by

Noise Sidebands
Dynamic Range
Limited By Noise
Sidebands, dBc/Hz
Sideb
and N
oise

100 kHz
to 1 MHz
Page 53

Dynamic Range
Limited By
Distortion and
Displayed Noise
Displayed
Noise Level

Rules to Analyze by:

Determining Dynamic Range

Your spectrum analyzers dynamic range
is dependent upon:
Internal second and/or third order
distortion
Displayed noise level
Noise sidebands when close to
large signals

Page 54

Dynamic Range is
Defined by Your Application
+30 dBm Maximum Power Level
+10 dBm Mixer Compression
Measurement
Range 145 dB

-35 dBm Third-order Distortion

-45 dBm Second-order Distortion

Signal/Noise
Range
105 dB Third Order
0 dBc Noise Sidebands
Distortion
~80 dB
Second Order
Noise
Distortion
Sidebands
~70 dB
60 dBc/1 kHz
-115 dBm Displayed Noise (1 kHz RBW, 0 dB attenuation)
Page 55

Summary
The RF spectrum analyzer is a heterodyne receiver
Offers a narrow resolution capability over a wide
frequency range
Measures small signals in presence of large signals
Remember to:
Adjust the measurement procedure for specific
application
Test for internal distortion
Take sideband noise into account
Page 56

Agilent Spectrum Analyzer Product Families - Swept Tuned

PSA Series
Highest performance SA!
O 3 Hz to 50 GHz
O Pre-selection to 50 GHz
O Worlds best accuracy
(0.24dB)
O 160 RBW settings
O Phase noise optimization
O FFT or swept at any RBW
O Complete set of detectors
O Fastest spur search
O Vector signal analysis.
O

ESA-E Series
Mid-Performance
O 30 Hz to 26.5 / 325 GHz
O Rugged/Portable
O Fast & Accurate
O Unparalled range of
performance and
application options.
O Remote WEB interface
O

ESA-L Series
856X- EC Series
Super Mid-Performance
O 30 Hz to 50 / 325 GHz
O Rugged/Portable
O Pre-selection to 50 GHz
O Color LCD Display
O Low Phase Noise
O Digital 1 Hz RBW
O

Page 57

Low cost
O 9 kHz up to 26.5 GHz
O General Purpose
O Rugged/Portable
O Fully synthesized
O

Agilent Vector Signal Analyzer Product Families

E4406A

89400 Series

Multi-Format wireless
capabilities
O 7 MHz - 4 GHz
O Fast & Accurate
O Simple User Interface
O Base-band IQ
inputs

Flexible Signal Analysis

O DC to 2.65 GHz
O 10 MHz Signal Bandwidth
O Block Digital demodulation
O Integral Signal Source
O Spectrum & Time waveform
Analysis
O Complex time varying signals
O Color LCD Display

89600 Series
Multi-Format & Flexible vector signal analysis
O DC 6.0 GHz
O Bandwidth: 36 MHz RF, 40 MHz Baseband
O RF and modulation quality of digital
communications signals including WLAN.
O Spectrum & Time (FFT) Analysis
O OFDM Analysis (802.11a)
O Links to design software (ADS)
O PC Based for the Ultimate in Connectivity
O Analysis software links to PSA, ESA, E4406A signal
analyzers.
O

Page 58

89600 Ultra-wide bandwidth

500+ MHz Signal Bandwidth!
O 89600 Analysis Capability
O Low Cost Oscilloscope Front-end for
RF Scope measurements
O

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