Spectrum Analyzer Fundamentals
Chris Gillis
Application Engineer
Signal/Spectrum Analyzers & Signal Generators [email protected] +1.438.863.5760
October 29, 2013 University of British Columbia
Agenda
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Frequency vs Time Domain Spectrum Analyzers
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FFT Analyzer Superheterodyne Spectrum Analyzer
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Implementation Important Settings Important Specifications Common Measurements Additional Functionality
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Vector Signal Analysis Real-time Spectrum Analysis
R&S at UBC: Spectrum Analyzer Fundamentals, October 2013
Agenda
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Frequency vs Time Domain Spectrum Analyzers
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FFT Analyzer Superheterodyne Spectrum Analyzer
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Implementation Important Settings Important Specifications Common Measurements Additional Functionality
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Vector Signal Analysis Real-time Spectrum Analysis
R&S at UBC: Spectrum Analyzer Fundamentals, October 2013
Frequency vs Time Domain
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Fourier Transform links time and frequency domain
For periodic signals, this is a Fourier Series
R&S at UBC: Spectrum Analyzer Fundamentals, October 2013
Frequency vs Time Domain
Periodic
vs
Non-periodic
R&S at UBC: Spectrum Analyzer Fundamentals, October 2013
Frequency vs Time Domain
Looking at the time or frequency domain can reveal different information about the signal
Oscilloscope: look at amplitude vs time Spectrum Analyzer: look at power vs frequency
R&S at UBC: Spectrum Analyzer Fundamentals, October 2013
Frequency vs Time Domain
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For example, harmonics could easily be missed
Time Domain
Frequency Domain
R&S at UBC: Spectrum Analyzer Fundamentals, October 2013
Agenda
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Frequency vs Time Domain Spectrum Analyzers
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FFT Analyzer Superheterodyne Spectrum Analyzer
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Implementation Important Settings Important Specifications Common Measurements Additional Functionality
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Vector Signal Analysis Real-time Spectrum Analysis
R&S at UBC: Spectrum Analyzer Fundamentals, October 2013
FFT Analyzer
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As time and frequency are linked by the Fourier transform, we could just capture time data and compute the Fourier transform Instead of capturing infinite time, we can compute the Discrete Fourier Transform, which transforms discrete time data into discrete spectrum data
Use Fast Fourier Transform algorithms
R&S at UBC: Spectrum Analyzer Fundamentals, October 2013
FFT Analyzer
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According to Nyquist, you need a sampling frequency at least twice the highest frequency component to properly recreate a signal
>10 samples
Alias
Encounter problems with bandwidth, range
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Filter Bank Spectrum Analyzer
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Problem: not very practical
f1 f2 f3 f4
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Tunable Filter Spectrum Analyzer
Problem: bandpass filter changes bandwidth depending on center frequency
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Simplified Swept Tuned Block Diagram
Mixer
IF Amplifier
Resolution BW Filter BPF
Log Amp
Envelope Detector
Video BW Filter LPF
Input Atten
Local Oscillator
y x
Display
Sawtooth
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Input Mixer
Mixer
IF Amplifier
Resolution BW Filter BPF
Log Amp
Envelope Detector
Video BW Filter LPF
Input Atten
Local Oscillator
y x
Display
Sawtooth
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Types of Mixing
RF
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IF
Fixed RF, Swept LO and IF Fixed LO, Swept RF and IF Upconversion
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LO Fixed IF, Swept LO and RF (used in spectrum analyzers)
IF frequency is higher than RF and LO frequency
Downconversion
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IF frequency is lower that RF and LO frequency
R&S at UBC: Spectrum Analyzer Fundamentals, October 2013
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Mixer Example
|mfLO nfRF| = fIF
RF 1 GHz IF
Possible frequencies on IF portto name a few: LO-RF=100MHz LO+RF= 2.1GHz LO=1.1 GHz RF=1 GHz 2LO-RF=1.2 GHz 2RF-LO= 900 MHz
LO
1.1 GHz
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Resolution Bandwidth
Mixer
IF Amplifier
Resolution BW Filter BPF
Log Amp
Envelope Detector
Video BW Filter LPF
Input Atten
Local Oscillator
y x
Display
Sawtooth
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Resolution Bandwidth
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Sets IF Bandwidth of Spectrum Analyzer Filter types:
Standard sweep filters: digital Gaussian filters Channel filters
EMI filters (available with Quasipeak detector)
FFT filters RRC
Determines frequency resolution and noise floor
Sweep Time is function of Resolution Bandwidth and Span
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IF Filter Types
* RBW
20 kHz
50 kHz
* RBW
20 kHz
Ref
-20
* RBW
20 kHz
50 kHz
VBW
VBW
Ref
-20
-20 dBm
Att
5 dB
SWT 2.5 ms
Ref
-20
A
-20 dBm
Att
5 dB
AQT 2.5 ms
-20 dBm
Att
5 dB
SWT 50 ms
-30 1 AP CLRWR
-40
-30 1 PK CLRWR
-40
A
1 AP CLRWR
-30
-40
-50
-50
-50
-60
-60
-60
-70
-70
-70
-80
-80
-80
-90
-90
-90
-100
-100
-100
-110
-110
-120
-110
-120
-120
Center
1 GHz
10 kHz/
Span
100 kHz
Center
1 GHz
10 kHz/
Span
100 kHz
Center
1 GHz
10 kHz/
Span
100 kHz
Date: 7.NOV.2006
12:17:44
Date: 7.NOV.2006
12:17:11
Date: 7.NOV.2006
12:16:44
Normal (Gaussian)
* RBW
FFT
18 kHz
50 kHz
Ref -20 dBm Att 5 dB
* RBW
Channel
20 kHz
50 kHz VBW
VBW
Ref
-20
-20 dBm
Att
5 dB
SWT 65 ms
SWT 2.5 ms
-20
-30 1 AP CLRWR
-40
A
-30 1 AP CLRWR
-40
-50
-50
-60
-60
-70
-70
-80
-80
-90
-90
-100
-100
-110
-110
-120
-120
Center
1 GHz
10 kHz/
Span
100 kHz
Center
1 GHz
10 kHz/
Span
100 kHz
Date: 7.NOV.2006
12:15:43
Date: 7.NOV.2006
12:16:17
RRC
Default Setting for standard spectrum analyzing tasks
5 Pole
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Resolution Bandwidth
200 Hz
2 kHz
Signals separated by 1kHz cant be resolved by 2kHz RBW
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Resolution Bandwidth and DANL*
RBW
1 MHz
300 kHz 100 kHz
*DANL: Displayed Average Noise Level
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Envelope Detector
Mixer
IF Amplifier
Resolution BW Filter BPF
Log Amp
Envelope Detector
Video BW Filter LPF
Input Atten
Local Oscillator
y x
Display
Sawtooth
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Envelope Detector
RMS detector (power average)
Samples / pixel is determined by sweep time and sample rate
pixel n (8 samples) s1 s2 s3 s4 s5 s6 s6 s8 pixel n+1 (8 samples) s1 s2 s3 s4 s5 s6 s6 s8
Vrms
1 N
s
i 1
2 i
RMS detector reports the true noise power. (The RMS value)
Ave detector (voltage average)
A/D samples (linear range)
1 Vave N
s
i 1
Averages the noise voltage, then converts to power. This is lower by 1.05 dB.
(squaring the ave is not equal to averaging the square)
displayed pixels
posit ive peak sample rms ave negative peak
Sample detector
Takes the first sample Randomly located between peaks
Sample detector & trace averaging
Noise averaging is done on a log scale, introducing a new error of 2.51 dB Total error is now 2.51 dB
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Spectrum Analyzers How to measure noise
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Measure Noise with different detectors
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RMS detector measures true noise power
RBW 200 kHz
VBW 500 kHz
Ref
-90 dBm
Att
5 dB
SWT 2.5 ms
RMS detector
-90
*
A
-91 1 RM * VIEW
-92
2 AV * VIEW
-93
3 SA
Average detector
VIEW
-94
Delta: 1.05 dB
3DB
-95
Delta: 2.51 dB
-96
Sample detector & trace ave (Log)
-97
-98
-99
-100
Center
1 GHz
1 MHz/
Span
10 MHz
R&S at UBC: Spectrum Date: 13.MAR.2009 15:06:16
Analyzer Fundamentals, October 2013
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Spectrum Analyzers How to measure noise
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Measure Noise with different detectors
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RMS detector measures true noise power We can apply linear or power trace averaging to an RMS detector.
RBW 200 kHz
VBW 2 MHz
Ref
-90 dBm
Att
5 dB
SWT 2.5 ms
RMS detector
-90
*
A
-91 1 RM * VIEW
-92
2 RM * VIEW
-93
RMS detector & trace ave (Lin) or (Pwr)
-94
-95 3DB
-96
-97
-98
-99
-100
Center
1 GHz
1 MHz/
Span
10 MHz
R&S at UBC: Spectrum Analyzer Fundamentals, October 2013
Date: 13.MAR.2009 17:29:46
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Spectrum Analyzers How to measure noise
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Measure Noise with different detectors
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RMS detector measures true noise power Sample detector & linear or power trace averaging yields the same results
RBW 200 kHz
VBW 500 kHz
Ref
-90 dBm
Att
5 dB
SWT 2.5 ms
RMS detector
-90
*
A
-91 1 RM * VIEW
-92
2 SA AVG
-93
Sample detector & trace ave (Lin) or (Pwr)
-94
-95
SWP
-96
1000 of
1000
3DB
-97
-98
-99
-100
Center
1 GHz
1 MHz/
Span
10 MHz
R&S at UBC: Spectrum Analyzer Fundamentals, October 2013
Date: 13.MAR.2009 15:13:07
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Spectrum Analyzers How to measure noise
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Measure Noise with different detectors
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RMS detector measures true noise power Ave detector plus any trace averaging does not yield the same result
Do not use trace averaging with the average detector
RBW 200 kHz
VBW 2 MHz
RMS detector
1 RM * VIEW 2 AV * VIEW
Ref
-90
-90 dBm
Att
5 dB
* SWT
2 s
*
A
-91
-92
-93
Average detector Average detector & Log trace average
3 AV * VIEW
-94
Delta: 1.05 dB
SWP 2 of 1000
3DB
-95
-96
-97
-98
-99
-100
Center
1 GHz
1 MHz/
Span
10 MHz
R&S at UBC: Spectrum Analyzer Fundamentals, October 2013
Date: 13.MAR.2009 17:57:02
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Spectrum Analyzers How to measure noise
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Measure Noise with different detectors
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RMS detector measures true noise power Ave detector plus any trace averaging does not yield the same result
Do not use trace averaging with the average detector
RBW 200 kHz
VBW 2 MHz
RMS detector
1 RM * VIEW 2 AV * VIEW
Ref
-90
-90 dBm
Att
5 dB
SWT 2.5 ms
*
A
-91
-92
-93
Average detector Average detector & power trace average
3 AV * VIEW
-94
Delta: 1.05 dB
3DB
-95
-96
-97
-98
-99
-100
Center
1 GHz
1 MHz/
Span
10 MHz
R&S at UBC: Spectrum Analyzer Fundamentals, October 2013
Date: 13.MAR.2009 18:01:57
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Detector and Trace Usage
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Video Filter
Mixer
IF Amplifier
Resolution BW Filter BPF
Log Amp
Envelope Detector
Video BW Filter LPF
Input Atten
Local Oscillator
y x
Display
Sawtooth
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Video Filter
500kHz
500Hz
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Local Oscillator
Mixer
IF Amplifier
Resolution BW Filter BPF
Log Amp
Envelope Detector
Video BW Filter LPF
Input Atten
Local Oscillator
y x
Display
Sawtooth
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Local Oscillator
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Tunable Sweeps across measurement Span Linear sawtooth drives LO and X-position on Display Repetition rate (sweep time) determined by RBW Sweep time can be manually adjusted (for certain measurements) Not perfect, has phase noise
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What is Phase Noise?
Ideal Signal (noiseless)
V(t) = A sin(2t)
Level
where A = nominal amplitude = nominal frequency
Real Signal
V(t) = [A + E(t)] sin(2t + (t))
Level
where E(t) = amplitude fluctuations (t) = phase fluctuations
Key Point: Phase Noise is unintentional phase modulation on a carrier that spreads its spectrum
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Phase Noise Unit of Measure
Phase Noise is expressed as
L(f)
L(f) is defined as single sideband power due to phase
fluctuations in a rectangular 1Hz bandwidth at a specified offset, f, from the carrier
L(f) has units of dBc/Hz
AMPLITUDE
LOG A
(f)
O LOG f
1 Hz
V0
V0 + f
FREQUENCY
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Phase Noise Who cares?
Modulator designers
Phase noise degrades EVM
Transmitter designers
Phase noise degrades adjacent channel power (ACPR)
Receiver designers
Phase noise degrades receiver sensitivity and selectivity
Radar designers
Phase noise degrades sensitivity to small return signals in the presence of clutter
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Why do we measure Phase Noise?
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Especially relevant: phase noise impacts the ability to detect small signals near larger interfering signals
IF
Wanted signal mixed to IF by the LO
IF
But an interferer can mix with phase noise of the LO to the same IF
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What happens if you sweep too fast?
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Frequency error Amplitude error
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Agenda
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Frequency vs Time Domain Spectrum Analyzers
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FFT Analyzer Superheterodyne Spectrum Analyzer
l l l l l
Implementation Important Settings Important Specifications Common Measurements Additional Functionality
l l
Vector Signal Analysis Real-time Spectrum Analysis
R&S at UBC: Spectrum Analyzer Fundamentals, October 2013
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Diagram of Superheterodyne Spectrum Analyzer
R&S at UBC: Spectrum Analyzer Fundamentals, October 2013
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Simplified Model vs Actual Implementation
Why we have multiple IF stages
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If we do straight downconversion, our input, LO and image frequencies overlap. This would require complex filtering to eliminate
R&S at UBC: Spectrum Analyzer Fundamentals, October 2013
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Simplified Model vs Actual Implementation
Why we have multiple IF stages
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If we use a high IF, filtering becomes much easier!
R&S at UBC: Spectrum Analyzer Fundamentals, October 2013
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Simplified Model vs Actual Implementation
Why we have multiple IF stages
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However we cant simply downconvert to DC as we still have filtering issues Creating a very narrowband filter at a high frequency is difficult
R&S at UBC: Spectrum Analyzer Fundamentals, October 2013
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Diagram of Superheterodyne Spectrum Analyzer
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Simplified Model vs Actual Implementation
Local Oscillator
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Use a synthesized signal for the LO Locked to reference signal (internal or external) Use multiplication and division factors
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Simplified Model vs Actual Implementation
Higher Frequencies
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Tracking pre-selection and switch which side of the LO your input signal is using to increase range
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Simplified Model vs Actual Implementation
Higher Frequencies
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YIG filter allows for excellent selectivity Overcomes our problem with filters at high frequencies with wide bandwidths
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Simplified Model vs Actual Implementation
Higher Frequencies Harmonic Mixers
|mfLO nfRF| = fIF
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Simplified Model vs Actual Implementation
Diagram of FSW IF stages
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Simplified Model vs Actual Implementation
Diagram of FSW
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Different paths for different frequency ranges and bandwidths Pre-amplifier option for looking at weaker signals Signals are digitized higher and higher up the chain FFTs are used in combination with heterodyne principle
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Agenda
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Frequency vs Time Domain Spectrum Analyzers
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FFT Analyzer Superheterodyne Spectrum Analyzer
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Implementation Important Settings Important Specifications Common Measurements Additional Functionality
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Vector Signal Analysis Real-time Spectrum Analysis
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Important Settings
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Center frequency and span Number of points Resolution Bandwidth Video Bandwidth Sweep Time Detector Trigger Reference level Attenuation
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Important Settings
Reference Level + Attenuation
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Important Settings
Reference Level + Attenuation
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Important Settings
Reference Level + Attenuation
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Agenda
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Frequency vs Time Domain Spectrum Analyzers
l l
FFT Analyzer Superheterodyne Spectrum Analyzer
l l l l l
Implementation Important Settings Important Specifications Common Measurements Additional Functionality
l l
Vector Signal Analysis Real-time Spectrum Analysis
R&S at UBC: Spectrum Analyzer Fundamentals, October 2013
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Important Specifications
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Phase Noise
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Important Specifications
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Displayed Average Noise Level (DANL)
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There are typically processing techniques to lower the noise floor
With preamp. With preamp. + noise correction
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Dynamic Range: Internal Distortion
The difference (in dB) between the Input Level that produces distortion products equal to the noise floor and the noise floor level (DANL)
But, what type of distortion?
Compression Point Second Order Third order
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Dynamic range: Intermodulation and Harmonics
level intermod. 2nd order Intermod. intermod. 3rd order harmonics
2nd order
3rd order
f2 -f 1
2f 1 -f 2
f1
f2
2f2 - f1
2f1 f2 +f1 2f2
3f1
3f2
frequency
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Dynamic Range: WCDMA ACLR
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Other Important Specifications
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Speed
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Sweep speed and processing speed
Measurement uncertainty
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Agenda
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Frequency vs Time Domain Spectrum Analyzers
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FFT Analyzer Superheterodyne Spectrum Analyzer
l l l l l
Implementation Important Settings Important Specifications Common Measurements Additional Functionality
l l
Vector Signal Analysis Real-time Spectrum Analysis
R&S at UBC: Spectrum Analyzer Fundamentals, October 2013
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Measurement functions
l Time domain power
l CP / ACP (Single and Multi-Carrier)
l Spectrum Emission Mask l Occupied bandwidth
l Spurious search
l Noise l Statistics (CCDF) l TOI l Harmonics
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Agenda
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Frequency vs Time Domain Spectrum Analyzers
l l
FFT Analyzer Superheterodyne Spectrum Analyzer
l l l l l
Implementation Important Settings Important Specifications Common Measurements Additional Functionality
l l
Vector Signal Analysis Real-time Spectrum Analysis
R&S at UBC: Spectrum Analyzer Fundamentals, October 2013
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Vector Signal Analysis
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Digitize RF signal Bandwidths as high as 320MHz are possible Phase information is obtained (which is discarded in spectrum analysis) I and Q data: signals can be demodulated
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Vector Signal Analysis
QPSK
BPSK
GMSK
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What is real-time
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A Real-Time spectrum analyzer shows the spectrum without any loss of data:
No Blind Time !
Time
FFT
FFT
FFT
FFT
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How is it implemented?
Diagram of FSVR Real-Time implementation
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Real-time Spectrum Analysis
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References
Christoph Rauscher, Roland Minihold, Volker Janssen. Fundamentals of Spectrum Analysis (2008). Rohde & Schwarz.
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