Empower your RF measurements: Benchtop and handheld solutions by Rohde & Schwarz
Introduction
Spectrum analyzers are vital for diagnosing and debugging wireless communication systems, offering invaluable insights into signal power and frequency bandwidth. Typical applications include RF signal analysis, circuit design, audio engineering, and fiber optic network maintenance. Engineers must choose the correct spectrum analyzer when they navigate RF power measurement challenges. With numerous options available, selecting a suitable analyzer and using precise measurement techniques can be daunting. By leveraging the expertise and tools from ROHDE & SCHWARZ, you can address RF power measurement complications and ensure the success of your project. RF Spectrum Analyzers use wideband receivers and calibrated transmitters to capture the frequency and amplitude of radio waves accurately and efficiently. Spectral components include dominant frequency, harmonics, power, distortion, and noise floor. With their advanced digital technology, real-time spectrum analyzers capture transient events, while features like programmable test routines and touchscreen displays improve usability in the latest handheld instruments.
Figure 1: Time domain vs. Frequency domain(Source)
Spectrum analysis with benchtop instruments from ROHDE & SCHWARZ
ROHDE & SCHWARZ offers benchmark solutions for both benchtop spectrum analyzers with R&S FPC1500
- ROHDE & SCHWARZ FPC-COM2: - The FPC-COM2 combines the FPC1500 spectrum analyzer with essential pre-installed options like a tracking generator, VNA, signal generator, preamplifier, and more. This spectrum analyzer offers the functionality of three instruments in one, making it ideal for RF engineers, especially in IoT development. With a single investment and calibration, you get the specified measurement performance, streamlining your workflow and reducing costs. The key specifications and features of the R&SFPC Spectrum analyzer are as follows:
| Frequency range | R&SFPC1000/R&SFPC1500: 5 kHz to 1 GHz. With R&SFPC-B2 option: 5 kHz to 2 GHz and with R&SFPC-B3 options: 5 kHz to 3 GHz |
| Frequency resolution | 1Hz |
| Frequency resolution | 1Hz |
| Sweep time | 100 µs to 100 s (span of 0 Hz). 20 ms to 1000 s (10 Hz <;= span <;= 600 MHz) (20 ms × span / 600 MHz) to 1000 s (span >; 600 MHz) |
| Bandwidth range | –3 dB @1 Hz to 3 MHz in 1/3 sequence |
| Bandwidth accuracy | 1 Hz <;= RBW <;= 300 kHz (< 5 % (nom.) 300 kHz <; RBW <;= 1 MHz (< 10 % (nom.) |
| Maximum rated input level | DC voltage= 50 V CW RF power= RF input 33 dBm (= 2W) the RF output is 23 dBm(= 0.2W) Peak RF power (duration < 3s ) = RF input is 36 dBm (= 4 W). The RF output is 26 dBm (= 0.4 W) |
| Speaker | The internal speaker and two interfaces support USB flash with a type A plug, version 2.0. drives with a size of <;= 4 Gbyte |
| Memory | Can store >; 256 instrument settings and traces internally and >; 5000 instrument settings and traces on a USB flash drive with >;= 1 Gbyte. |
| Operating and storing temperature range | +10 °C to +40 °C and -20 °C to +70 °C. |
| Mechanical resistance | Yes, against vibration and shock |
| EMC | In line with European EMC Directive 2014/30/EU |
| Trigger level | Low → high transition is 2.4V. High → low transition is 0.7V. Maximum is 3.0V |
| Dimensions | 396 mm × 178 mm × 147 mm (without feet) and 396 mm × 185 mm × 156 mm (including feet) |
| Weight | 3 kg (6.6 lb.) |
| Measurement options | R&SFPC-K7 modulation analysis. R&SFPC-K43 receiver mode. R&SFPC-K55 advanced measurements. |
| Calibration | It comes with a regular calibration, inspection, and maintenance contract, and an extended warranty with accredited calibration coverage is available. The recommended calibration interval is one year. |
Table 1: Tabular presentation of features for R&S FPC1500
Figure 2: Overview control of R&S FPC1500(Source)
Figure 3: Three in one solution from R&S FPC1500 (Source)
Please click here and for the complete solutions and portfolio from the Rohde & Schwarz signal and spectrum analyzers. To know more about power analyzers solutions from R&S click here.
Handheld RF analysis solutions from ROHDE & SCHWARZ
ROHDE & SCHWARZ offers benchmark solutions for handheld spectrum analyzers with ROHDE & SCHWARZ ZPH-FOX4 and ROHDE & SCHWARZ R&S FPH-P6G.
- R&S Spectrum Rider FPH and R&S Cable Rider ZPH-FOX4 are handheld spectrum analyzers, compact at 2.5 kg with an eight-hour battery life for easy transport. It has typical noise levels of -145 dBm/Hz, but with the addition of a preamplifier, the noise drops to -163 dBm/Hz. Additionally, depending on the model and options, it can function as a power meter, cable and antenna tester, or two-port vector network analyzer. This instrument is Ideal for RF service technicians and maintenance teams as it handles routine tasks like transmitter system maintenance, cable and antenna checks, signal quality assessment, and more with speed, reliability, and high accuracy. The R&SFPC Spectrum analyzer has the following key specifications and measures –
| Features | R&S Spectrum Rider FPH | R&S Cable Rider ZPH |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency range | 5 kHz to 2 GHz (extended to 44 GHz with different options installed) | (Source)2 MHz to 3 GHz (with an option to extend to 4 GHz) |
| Frequency setting resolution | 1Hz | 1Hz |
| Bandwidth range | –3 dB @1 Hz to 3 MHz in 1/3 sequence. | –3 dB @1 Hz to 3 MHz in 1/3 sequence. |
| Bandwidth accuracy | 1 Hz <;= RBW <;= 300 kHz (<; 5 % (nom.) 300 kHz <; RBW <;= 1 MHz (<; 10 % (nom.) | 1 Hz <;= RBW <;= 300 kHz (<; 5 % (nom.) 300 kHz <; RBW <;= 1 MHz (<; 10 % (nom.) |
| Level measurement | Maximum rated input level: DC voltage= 50 V | Maximum rated input level: DC voltage= 50 V |
| CW RF power | 33 dBm (= 2 W) Can be up to 25 dBm (= 316 mW) with different models. | 33 dBm (= 2 W) |
| Peak RF power (duration <;3 s) | 36 dBm (= 4 W) It can be up to 28 dBm (= 631 mW) with different models | 36 dBm (= 4 W) |
| Trigger source | Free run, video, external | Free run, video, external |
| External trigger level threshold | Low → high transition = 2.4 V high → low transition = 0.7 V maximum = 3.0 V | Low → high transition = 2.4 V high → low transition = 0.7 V maximum = 3.0 V |
| Input impedance and connector type | 50 Ω, type N female (for model .02) and PC 3.5 mm male and PC 2.92 mm male for other variants) | 50 Ω, type N female |
| VSWR (for variant .02) | @100 kHz <;= f <;= 1 GHz range, value is <; 1.5 (nom.) and @1 GHz <; f <;= 4 GHz range, value is <; 2 (nom.) | @2 MHz <;= f <;= 4 GHz range, value is <; 1.2 to 1.5(nom.) |
| Languages | Chinese, Chinese Traditional,English,French, German, Italian, Hungarian,Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian,Spanish | Chinese, Chinese Traditional,English,French, German, Italian, Hungarian,Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian,Spanish |
| Command set | SCPI 1997.0 | SCPI 1997.0 |
| LAN interface | 10BASE-T/100BASE-T, RJ-45 | 10BASE-T/100BASE-T, RJ-45 |
| USB | Mini-B plug, version 2.0 | Mini-B plug, version 2.0 |
| Speaker | Internal and external headphones are supported | Internal |
| USB interface | Two no of interfaces. Type A plug, version 2.0 | Two no of interfaces. Type A plug, version 2.0 |
| Mass memory | USB flash drive, USB version 1.1 or 2.0, size <;= 32 Gbyte microSD card, size <;= 32 Gbyte | USB flash drive, USB version 1.1 or 2.0, size <;= 32 Gbyte microSD card, size <;= 32 Gbyte |
| Data storage | Internal >; 160 instrument settings and traces.7 On USB flash drive or microSD card, >;= 1 Gbyte is >; 10000 instrument settings and traces. | Internal >; 160 instrument settings and traces.7 On USB flash drive or microSD card, >;= 1 Gbyte is >; 10000 instrument settings and traces. |
| Operating temperature range | –10 °C to +55 °C | –20 °C to +50 °C |
| Buy link | R&S FPH-P6G Rohde & Schwarz, Spectrum Analyser, Handheld, Spectrum Rider FPH Series | ZPH-FOX4 Rohde & Schwarz, HANDHELD ANALYZER, 2MHZ TO 4GHZ |
Table 2: Tabular presentation of features for R&S handheld analyzers
Click here for more comparison analysis on R&S signal and spectrum analyzers.
Figure 4: Overview control of R&S Spectrum Rider FPH(Source)
Figure 5: Overview control of R&S Cable Rider ZP(Source)H
Applications of Integrated RF measurement solutions
A spectrum analyzer mainly tests various quantities at the radio frequency level. The key measurements include-
- Signal Frequency: This is crucial for evaluation, mainly when operating at radio frequencies. Spectrum analyzers assess the frequency content of signals within the high-frequency band.
- Signal Levels: Spectrum analyzers can precisely measure the amplitude across the frequency domain.
- AM and FM signal analysis: Observes carrier frequency, amplitude, and modulation characteristics of AM and FM signals.
- Phase noise measurement: This can be detected and visualized by analyzing spectral content in the frequency domain as waves on a cathode ray oscilloscope.
- Harmonic distortion: Total harmonic distortion (THD) assesses signal strength, crucial for protecting against fluctuations and avoiding energy losses.
- Intermodulation distortion: The intermediate-level distortions introduced during signal modulation must be eliminated for a clean signal. Spectrum analyzers measure and process intermodulation distortion.
- Network analysis: Spectrum analyzers with tracking generators function as scalar network analyzers, assessing S21 parameters of filters.
- Antenna testing: Uses tracking generator and standing wave bridge to test antenna resonant frequency and SWR.
- EMI/EMC Testing: Built-in filters, low noise amplifiers, and detection modes facilitate early-stage EMC pretesting, saving time and costs in product development and verification.
- Wireless communication systems: They assess wireless system performance, including quality of service, frequency utilization, signal strength, and interference, to optimize operations and comply with regulations.
- RF design and testing: These characterize RF component performance, such as antennas, filters, and amplifiers, to verify frequency response and identify issuehttps://www.farnell.com/datasheets/3189082.pdfs.
- Maintenance and Troubleshooting: Identifying and diagnosing system issues, monitoring performance, and ensuring proper functioning in industrial systems.
Conclusion
Rohde & Schwarz's benchtop(R&SFPC1500) and handheld spectrum analyzers (FPH-P6G and ZPH-FOX4) redefine portability and performance in RF testing. Their integrated solutions, diverse application areas, and user-friendly design make them invaluable tools for field service professionals, engineers, and anyone requiring comprehensive and reliable RF measurements on the go.
