Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers Target Leading-Edge RF Apps

Feb. 2, 2004

According to their manufacturer, the RSA 2200A and 3300A series real-time spectrum analyzers are the first complete measurement packages for complex RF signals. These Tektronix series target engineers developing cutting-edge RF technologies, such as RF-ID devices, sophisticated radar applications, and medical, consumer, and automotive electronics. Unlike swept or vector spectrum analyzers, these devices enable designers to trigger, capture, and analyze RF signals from a single measurement package.

"The RSA series' FFT-based architecture allows quick triggering in the frequency domain and provides a key advantage in the seamless capture of RF signals," says Kurt Krukenberg, development manager for Tektronix's RF Business. "Analyzing time-varying and unpredictable signals is becoming more difficult. The time axis can no longer be ignored and must be analyzed in multiple domains."

Frequency, time, and modulation domains are all visible in time-correlated displays. A spectrogram summarizes the long-term view, enabling an intuitive 3D look at the time-varying signal's behavior. With the analyzers' frequency mask trigger, users can define both the frequency and amplitude (power) conditions of the captured signal. This enables them to home in on suspected frequencies or monitor signals continuously but acquire them only when the signal changes.

The RSA2203A, 2208A, 3303A, and 3308A encompass ranges up to 8 GHz with various memory depth configurations and feature real-time spectrum-analysis capability. Pricing starts at $22,990.

Tektronix Inc.www.tektronix.com (800) 426-2200, code 1302

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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.