Signal Analysis Platform Features Accuracy And Speed

The MXA signal analysis platform seamlessly integrates a broad range of standards-based measurements, such as WiMAX, with Agilent's 89601A vector signal analysis software. The result is flexible capability for signal and spectrum analysis for the design and manufacture of wireless communications devices. In addition to the use of an open Windows XP Professional operating system, the MXA provides an advanced signal analysis user interface. All measurement features and functions are intuitively grouped and accessible from the front panel or via a USB keyboard and mouse.

The MXA platform supports multiple frequency ranges from 20 Hz to 3.6, 8.4, 13.6, and 26.5 GHz, internal preamplifiers up to 26.5 GHz, and analysis bandwidths to 10 MHz or 25 MHz. This fully scalable performance is complemented by the MXA's 15-dBm third-order intercept, -151 dBm/Hz displayed average noise level, 72-dB W-CDMA adjacent-channel leakage power (ACLP) dynamic range, and 0.3-dB total absolute amplitude accuracy. The MXA's intrinsic speed allows measurements from 30% to 300% faster than other analyzers, according to the company. For instance, it produces a W-CDMA ACLP fast-mode measurement in less than 14 ms, a marker peak search in less than 5 ms, and an RF center frequency tune and transfer over GPIB at less than 51 ms. Measurement mode switching speeds are typically less than 75 ms.