Tiny, Low-Cost, 2.4-GHz Spectrum Analyzer Shines

July 6, 2006

The Wi-Spy is a 2.4-GHz spectrum analyzer that s about the size of a small USB flash drive. According to its manufacturer, MetaGeek LLC, it s the smallest such analyzer in the world and it only costs $99. That's about 40 times less than traditional spectrum analyzers. Designers can use it to troubleshoot Wi-Fi networks, microwave ovens, cordless phones, baby monitors, and Bluetooth devices.

The instrument s radio receiver has a 90-dBm sensitivity and a top data-transfer rate of 62.5 kbits/s. Its software, which is included, only runs on Windows XP and 2000 and requires Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 or higher. Its USB 1.1 dongle should work with USB 2.0 ports as well. A Mac OS X version is under development. A third-party Linux utility is available as well, though it lacks some of the Windows version's capabilities.

The Wi-Spy software can display many wave types. It also can store real-time data for later reference, making it the perfect tool for anyone who needs to troubleshoot wireless networks or optimize wireless local-area network signal strengths.

Wi-Spy is now available through MetaGeek's Web site.

MetaGeek LLC
www.metageek.net

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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.