Compact Spectrum Analyzer Packs Functionality to 3 GHz (.PDF Download)

Spectrum analyzers are among the most useful of RF/microwave test instruments for their capabilities to display a wide dynamic range of signals within a large frequency range. The R&S FPL1000 spectrum analyzer from Rohde & Schwarz provides such an extreme measurement value in a diminutive unit that supplies the accuracy of a benchtop machine and the versatility of a battery-powered portable for measurements from 5 kHz to 3 GHz.

The FPL1000 spectrum analyzer shows measured signals on a bright, 10.1-in. touchscreen with 1280- × 800-pixel resolution (see figure). As many as six signal traces can be displayed at any one time, with as many as 1001 trace points. The standard displayed average noise level is −152 dBm, which can be reduced to −167 dBm with an optional preamplifier. The reference level can be set as low as −130 dBm plus the amount of added attenuation.

The spectrum analyzer captures signals within its frequency range using resolution-bandwidth (RBW) filters that can be set from 100 kHz to 10 MHz in a 1, 2, 3, 5 sequence (an option includes RBWs as narrow as 1 Hz). Signal traces can be displayed with impressive frequency resolution of 0.01 Hz. Sweep times range from as fast as 1 μs to as long as 8000 s for zero-span measurements.

The aging rate for the standard temperature-compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO) frequency reference is 1 × 10^-6, while an optional high-stability oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO) frequency reference can provide an aging range of 1 × 10^-7.  The analyzer has a standard in-phase/quadrature (I/Q) demodulation bandwidth of 10 MHz with an option for a 40-MHz I/Q demodulation bandwidth. Total measurement uncertainty is only 0.5 dB.