Signal Analyzer Packs The Power For Advanced RF/Microwave Design

June 21, 2004

The design and manufacture of advanced RF and microwave communications systems, including wireless local-area networks (WLANs) and 3G/4G cell phones, require as much power and sophistication as engineers can achieve. To help in the quest, the MS2781A Signature signal analyzer offers the spectrum and signal-analysis tools for the job. Developed by Anritsu, the tool features spectrum-analyzer performance as well as digital modulation analysis from 100 Hz to 8 GHz.

An optional 30-MHz-resolution bandwidth permits the capture, measurement, and analysis of wide modulation bandwidth signals. The instrument's architecture provides an open Windows XP environment, which Anritsu calls a first for a signal analyzer, so popular simulation and analysis tools can be easily integrated into the analyzer.

One key element behind the instrument's high performance is a 9.5- to 17.5-GHz synthesized first local oscillator and a 9.5-GHz IF. This fundamental mixing approach lets designers measure the entire 100-Hz to 8-GHz range in one sweep without band-switching or pre-selection.

Total intermodulation distortion is 23 dBm, displayed average noise level is −147 dBm, and amplitude accuracy is 0.65 dB over the entire frequency range. For digital modulation analysis, the analyzer optionally obtains measurements for error vector magnitude, carrier leakage, and I/Q imbalance, all without a separate computer and post processing. The instrument presents a WCDMA adjacent channel power ratio of 80 dB and a 2% error vector magnitude rating.

Additionally, users can easily design new or proprietary digital modulations by adding the MatLab Connectivity option. It offers live update viewing of MatLab-processed results with measurements.

The MS2781SA costs $49,500, and the GPIB interface (option 3) costs $600. A 30-MHz IF bandwidth (option 22) costs $27,000. QPSK/PSK modulation measurements (option 35) cost $8000. And, MatLab Connectivity (option 40) costs $1000. All are available within 16 weeks.

Anritsu Co.www.us.anritsu.com (408) 778-2000

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About the Author

Roger Allan

Roger Allan is an electronics journalism veteran, and served as Electronic Design's Executive Editor for 15 of those years. He has covered just about every technology beat from semiconductors, components, packaging and power devices, to communications, test and measurement, automotive electronics, robotics, medical electronics, military electronics, robotics, and industrial electronics. His specialties include MEMS and nanoelectronics technologies. He is a contributor to the McGraw Hill Annual Encyclopedia of Science and Technology. He is also a Life Senior Member of the IEEE and holds a BSEE from New York University's School of Engineering and Science. Roger has worked for major electronics magazines besides Electronic Design, including the IEEE Spectrum, Electronics, EDN, Electronic Products, and the British New Scientist. He also has working experience in the electronics industry as a design engineer in filters, power supplies and control systems.

After his retirement from Electronic Design Magazine, He has been extensively contributing articles for Penton’s Electronic Design, Power Electronics Technology, Energy Efficiency and Technology (EE&T) and Microwaves RF Magazine, covering all of the aforementioned electronics segments as well as energy efficiency, harvesting and related technologies. He has also contributed articles to other electronics technology magazines worldwide.

He is a “jack of all trades and a master in leading-edge technologies” like MEMS, nanolectronics, autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence, military electronics, biometrics, implantable medical devices, and energy harvesting and related technologies.