Spectrum Analyzer Handles WLAN Modulation Analysis

Aug. 4, 2003

Wireless local-area networks (WLANs) can now take advantage of the Advantest R3681 test tool for analyzing spectrum and broadband modulation. It features an average noise level of −156 dBm/Hz, 26-dBm typical third-order intermodulation...

Roger Allan

The R3681 covers from 20 Hz to 32 GHz and possesses a typical signal purity of −124 dBc/Hz (at 800 MHz with a 10-kHz offset). Typical noise floor is down to −168 dBm/Hz. For modulation analysis, the instrument has an RF input of 50 MHz to 6 GHz and a baseband IQ input of up to 20 MHz.

The instrument's 12-in. touchscreen display can be divided into four separate windows, each the same size as displays found on conventional instruments. Users can analyze a signal from four different aspects without switching screens.

Optional WLAN software allows the R3681 to perform orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) analysis according to IEEE 802.11, HiSWANa, and HiperLAN2 standards. Users can also change the OFDM modulation parameters so the R3681 can be used to analyze signals based on proprietary standards under development.

With the OFDM modulation option, the instrument can be used to analyze time-domain waveforms via spectrograms, modulation using constellations, frequency tolerance errors, outband emission power, subcarrier power, spurious signals, carrier leakage power, spectrum flatness, and demodulated data.

The R3681 costs $68,900. The optional OFDM software costs $9900. Both are available within six weeks.

See associated figure

Advantest America Measuring Solutions Inc.www.advantest.com

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.