Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers

Features & Benefits

• Trigger
• Tektronix Exclusive Frequency Mask Trigger Makes Easy Event-based Capture of Transient RF Signals by Triggering on Any Change in the Frequency Domain
• Capture
• All Input Signals Up To 36 MHz*¹ Spans Are Seamlessly Captured Into Memory
• Long Record Length At 36 MHz Span Enables Complete Analysis Over Time Without Making Multiple Acquisitions
• Interfaces With TekConnect® Probes for RF and Baseband Probing
• Analyze
• Gain a Unique Understanding of Time-varying RF Signals
• See Frequency and Amplitude Change Over Time
• Built-in 802.11a/b/g/n Measurement Suite
• Comprehensive Pulsed Analysis Suite
• General Purpose Digital Modulation Analysis
• Spectrum Analyzer View For Traditional Wideband Signal Analysis
• High 3G Measurement Versatility with W-CDMA, cdma2000, 1X EVDO, HSUPA, HSDPA, TD-SCDMA RF and Modulation Analysis
• Capture and Analyze on RFID Interrogator and Tag Response Signals
• Signal Source Analysis Simplifies Phase Noise, Jitter, and Frequency Settling Measurements
• C4FM Modulation Analysis for Project 25 Compliance Measurements
• Easy Multi Carrier ACLR Measurement

Applications

• System Integration of WLAN, 3G, and Other RF Systems
• Radar and Pulsed RF Signal Characterization
• RFID System Development and Troubleshooting
• Characterization of Interfering or Unknown Signals in Spectrum Monitoring and Surveillance
• Troubleshooting RF Components, Modules, or Systems
• Getting Answers to Elusive EMI Diagnostic Problems
• General Purpose Phase Noise and Jitter Signal Analysis

*¹ 40 MHz bandwidth at baseband.

Trigger, Capture, Analyze WLAN, Radar, 3G, or Other Time-Varying RF Signals

High-resolution spectrogram reveals transient signal behavior that translates to rapid problem solving. Here, 500 kHz sidebands are revealed as part of the transient behavior of a hopping signal as it switches frequencies.


Time-correlated, multi-domain view provides a new level of insight into design or operational problems not possible with conventional analysis solutions.

Get Fast Resolution to Complex Problems with Enhanced Triggering, More Capture Bandwidth and Great New Analysis Tools

See the frequency and amplitude of your RF signal change over time in a single view. With only a single acquisition, the RSA3408A Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer (RTSA) captures a continuous time record of changing RF events and enables time-correlated analysis in the Frequency, Time, and Modulation domains. You get the functionality of a vector signal analyzer, a wide band spectrum analyzer, plus the unique trigger-capture-analyze capability of RTSA — in one, transportable package.

Trigger

Unparalleled 36 MHz bandwidth Frequency Mask Trigger (FMT) makes it easy to capture transient, low duty-cycle or other difficult to capture signals. An FMT mask is simply configured using a mouse and it can be set up for one or many frequency bands within an analysis span. FMT can monitor for signal appearance/disappearance, or change in amplitude, frequency, bandwidth, spectral shape, and more—all while the instrument user is working on another task. A Power Trigger, working in the time domain and at any Real-Time analysis span, can be armed to monitor for a user-set power threshold to be crossed during a moment in time. A power detector determines total power of all signals in a span which is compared to the user-set threshold.

Capture

Capture once—make multiple measurements as needed. All signals in a Real-Time analysis span—including transients, low duty-cycle and other difficult-to-measure events—are captured together into RSA3408A deep memory where signal data can be accessed at the user's convenience. Record lengths vary depending on span selected—up to 1.28 s at 36 MHz span, 51.2 s at 1 MHz span, or 5120 s at 10 kHz span with Deep Memory Opt. 02. Real-Time capture of small signals is enhanced by –78 dBc third order IM and 66 dB 3GPP ACLR (TM1, 16 channel), plus very good phase noise performance and sensitivity. A solid performance front-end serves not only Real-Time and wide band Spectrum Analysis modes, but also on-board vector signal analysis functionality.

Analyze

Time-correlated multi-domain analysis provides engineers with unique insight to time-varying signal behavior resulting in fast analysis and problem solving. Time-correlated measurements can be made across the frequency, time, or modulation domains. The analysis display called Spectrogram has the ability to overlap individual spectra as close as 20 ns providing an intuitive view of signal changes over time, ideal for such things as frequency hopping, pulsed signals, modulation switching, settling time, bandwidth changes, relative timing of appearing, and intermittent signals. The RSA3408A introduces analysis capabilities that advance productivity for engineers working on components or in RF system design, integration and performance verification, or operations engineers working in networks, spectrum monitoring, or surveillance.

Example Applications Benefiting from Key RSA3408A Capabilities

TekConnect® Probe Adapter for Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers

The RTPA2A Real Time Probe Adapter extends the capabilities of the Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers (RTSA) by offering additional tools to make debugging today’s high-performance electrical designs easier. Using the RTPA2A with Tektronix RTSA, design engineers can benefit from Tektronix' industry-leading active and differential probes to measure signals on SMD pins or other challenging circuit features.

Characteristics

Trigger-related

Trigger Mode - Free run (triggered by acquisition); Triggered (Triggered by event), Single or Continuous

Trigger Event Source - Power (span BW); Frequency Mask (Opt. 02); External

Pre-/Post-Trigger Setting - Trigger position settable within 0 to 100% of total acquisition length

Trigger Marker Position Timing Uncertainty (Power and External Trigger) - ±2 sample points

POWER TRIGGER

Level Range - 0 dBfs*² to –40 dBfs

FREQUENCY MASK TRIGGER (Opt. 02)

Mask Resolution - 1 bin

Level Range - 0 dBfs to –60 dBfs*² at 10 dB/div vertical scale

Bandwidth -

Up to 36 MHz: Start frequency ≥40 MHz

Up to 40 MHz: Start frequency <40 MHz

Real-Time Event Detection Bandwidth (1024 point FFT) - 100% probability of event detection at all Real-Time spans

Minimum Event Duration - 1 frame time; events lasting less than one frame time will result in degraded Frequency Mask Trigger accuracy

Mask Shape - User-defined

Minimum Horizontal Mask Setting Resolution - <0.2% of span

Uncertainty - ±2 frames

*² dBfs: dB relative to full scale

EXTERNAL TRIGGER

Threshold Voltage - –1.5 V to +1.5 V

Threshold Voltage Setting Resolution - 0.1 V

Input Impedance - >2 kΩ

TRIGGER OUTPUT

Voltage (Output Current <1 mA) - HIGH: >2.0 V; LOW: <0.4 V

Capture-related

Real-Time Capture Bandwidth - 36 MHz, RF; 40 MHz, baseband; 40 MHz using Opt. 03 IQ inputs

A/D Converter - 102.4 MS/s, 14 bits

Minimum Acquisition Length in RTSA/Time/Demod Modes - 1024 samples

Maximum Acquisition Length in RTSA/Time/Demod Modes - 16,384,000 samples; 65,636,000 samples, Opt. 02

Acquisition Length Setting Resolution in RTSA/Time/Demod Modes - 1024 samples

Acquisition Memory Size - 16.4 Msamples; 65.6 Msamples, Opt. 02

Block Size (number of frames) - 1 to 16,000; 1 to 64,000, Opt. 02

Memory Depth (time) and Maximum Time Resolution

Analysis-related

Measurement Functions by Mode

 

Views by Mode

RSA3408A Screen layout, to identify analysis view locations as described in the above chart

MEASUREMENT SPEED

Screen Update Rate - 2 MHz Span, AUTO RBW : 19.4/s

Remote Measurement Rate and GPIB Transfer Rate (2 MHz span, auto RBW, spectrum data) - 1.87 waveforms/s, or 6,000 S/s

RF Center Frequency Switching Time - <10 ms for 10 MHz frequency change; 500 ms for 3 GHz frequency change

TRACES, DISPLAYS, DETECTORS

Traces - Two traces, Spectrum Analyzer Mode

Displays - Up to three time-correlated, user-selected displays

Detector - RMS

Trace Types - Normal (RMS), Average, Max Hold, Min Hold

Display Detection - Max, Min, Max/Min

MODULATION ANALYSIS

Analog

AM

Minimum Input Level - –40 dBfs*³, typical

PM

Minimum Input Level - –40 dBfs, typical

PM Scale, Max, Min - ±180°

FM

Minimum Input Level - –40 dBfs, typical

Range - ±Span/2 from center frequency

*³ dBfs: dB relative to full scale

C4FM (Fixed Symbol Rate) Digital (Opt. 21)

Modulation Formats - BPSK, QPSK, π/4 DQPSK, OQPSK, 8PSK, 16QAM, 32QAM, 64QAM, 128QAM, 256QAM, GMSK, GFSK, 2ASK, 2FSK, C4FM

Analysis Period - Up to 81,408 sample points

Analysis Period for RFID Measurement - Up to capture length

Filter Types -

Measurement filters: Square root raised cosine, none

Reference filters: Raised cosine, Gaussian, HalfSine, none

Alpha/B*T range - 0.0001 to 1, 0.0001 step

DEMODULATION ACCURACY

Analog

AM (–10 dBfs signal, input at CF, 10 to 60% modulation depth) - ±2%

PM (–10 dBfs signal, input at CF) - ±3°

FM (–10 dBfs signal, input at CF) - ±1% of span

Digital (Opt. 21)

The following tables are examples of typical digital demodulation accuracy:

QPSK EVM (%), typical

π/4 DQPSK EVM (%), typical

16/64 QAM EVM (%), typical

RF Performance

FREQUENCY

Frequency Range - DC to 8 GHz

Center Frequency Setting Resolution - 0.1 Hz

Frequency Marker Readout Accuracy, Baseband - ±(RE x MF + 0.001 x Span + 0.2) Hz

Frequency Marker Readout Accuracy, RF - ±(RE x MF + 0.001 x Span + 2) Hz

RE: Reference Frequency Error

MF: Marker Frequency (Hz)

Span Accuracy - ±1 bin

RBW Filter Bandwidth Accuracy - 0.1%

Reference Frequency -

Aging per Day – 1 x 10^-9 (after 30 days of operation)

Aging per Year – 1 x 10^-7 (after 30 days of operation)

Temperature Drift – 1 x 10^-7 (10 to 40 °C)

Total Frequency Error – 2 x 10^–7 (within one year after calibration)

Reference Output Level – >0 dBm

External Reference Input – 10 MHz, –10 dBm to + 6 dBm

Frequency Span -

Range, Spectrum Analyzer Mode –

50 Hz to 3 GHz, (Start Frequency ≥40 MHz)

0 Hz to 40 MHz, (Stop Frequency <40 MHz)

Range, Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer Mode –

100 Hz to 20 MHz, 36 MHz (RF)

0 Hz to 40 MHz, (Baseband)

IF Flatness - CF = 400 MHz

IF Phase Linearity -

IF Filter Bandwidth -

Resolution Bandwidth Range – 1 Hz to 10 MHz, automatically selected or user-defined

Accuracy – Within 6.0% ±0.1%

Shape Characteristic – Gaussian, <5:1 shape factor (3:60 dB); Rectangular, Nyquist, Root Nyquist shapes may also be selected

Minimum Settable RBW (Extended Resolution ON)

Noise Bandwidth Range, RTSA Mode – 250.545 mHz to 100.218 kHz

FFT Performance -

Number of samples per frame – 64 to 8192 (65,536 samples per frame, extended resolution).

Window types – Rectangular, Parzen, Welch, Sine-Lobe, Hanning, Sine-cubed, Sine-To-The 4th, Hamming, Blackman, Rosenfield, Blackman-Harris 3A, Blackman-Harris 3B, Blackman-Harris 4A, Blackman-Harris 4B, FlatTop.

STABILITY

Noise Sidebands, dBc/Hz

Residual FM - 2 Hz, p-p, typical.

AMPLITUDE

Measurement Range - Displayed average noise level to MAX safe input.

Input Attenuator Range -

RF/baseband input – 0 dB to 55 dB, 5 dB step.

IQ Input (Opt. 03) – 0 dB to 35 dB, 5 dB step.

Input Attenuator Setting Uncertainty (at 100 MHz, 10 dB ATT, 20 °C to 30 °C) - ±0.2 dB

Maximum Safe Input Level -

Average Continuous (RF band, RF ATT ≥10 dB) – +30 dB

MAX DC voltage – ±0.2 V, RF; ±5 V, Baseband; ±5 V, IQ input, Opt. 03

Log Display Range - 10 μdB/div to 10 dB/div

Linear Display Scale - 10 divisions

Linear Display Units - dBm, dBμV, V, Watts, Hz for FM Demod, Degrees for PM Demod

Marker Readout Resolution, Log - 0.01 dB

Marker Readout Resolution, Linear - 0.001 μV

Frequency Response, 20 °C to 30 °C, RF ATT ≥10 dB

Absolute Amplitude Accuracy at Calibration Point (baseband, at 25 MHz, -10 dBm signal, 0  dB ATT, 20 °C to 30 °C) - ±0.3 dB

Absolute Amplitude Accuracy at Calibration Point (RF, at 100 MHz, -20 dBm signal, 0 dB ATT, 20 °C to 30 °C) - ±0.5 dB

Reference Level Setting Range -

1 dB step, RF, -50 dBm to +30 dBm;

5 dB step, baseband, -30 dBm to +20 dBm;

5 dB step, IQ, -10 dBm to +20 dBm

Reference Level Accuracy (-10 dBm to -50 dBm at 100 MHz, 10 dB ATT, 20 °C to 30 °C) - ±0.2 dB

Level Linearity in Display Range - ±0.2 dB, spec; ±0.12 dB, typical

SPURIOUS RESPONSE

1 dB Compression (RF ATT = 0 dB, 2 GHz CF) - +2 dBm

3^rd Order Inter-modulation Distortion (Ref Level = +5 dBm, RF ATT: adjusted for optimum, total signal power = -7 dBm, CF = 2 GHz) - –78 dBc

2^nd Harmonic Distortion (-30 dBm tone at input mixer, 10 MHz to 1750 MHz) - –65 dBc, typical

Displayed Average Noise Level, Specified, dBm/Hz

Displayed Average Noise Level, Typical, dBm/Hz

Residual Response

Spurious Response with Signal

INPUTS AND OUTPUTS

Front Panel

Input Connectors - N type, RF/baseband; BNC type, IQ, Opt. 03

Input Impedance - 50 Ω

VSWR, RF ATT >10 dB

Preamp Power Connector - Lemo 6 pin connector - pin 1: NC; pin 2: ID1; pin 3: ID2; pin 4: –12 V; pin 5: GND, pin 6: +12 V

External Preamp (Opt. 1A) - 100 MHz – 3 GHz, 20 dB gain, 6.5 dB Noise Figure at 2 GHz (Typical)

Rear Panel

Digital IQ Output (Opt. 05) -

Connector Type – MDR (3M) 50 pin x 2.

Data Output – I data: 16 bit LVDS; Q data: 16 bit LVDS.

Control Output – Clock: LVDS, MAX 51.2 MHz.

Control Input – IQ data output enabled, connecting GND enables output of IQ data.

Clock Rising Edge to Data Transition Time (hold time) – >5 ns.

Data Transition to Clock Rising Edge (setup time) - >5 ns.

Data from Opt. 05 requires application of correction factors to IQ data to achieve similar RF performance to RSA3408A.

10 MHz REF OUT - 50 Ω, BNC, > -3 dBm.

10 MHz REF IN - 50 Ω, BNC, -10 dBm - +6 dBm.

EXT TRIG IN - Ext Trig, BNC, High: 1.6 to 5.0 V, Low: 0 to 0.5 V.

GPIB Interface - IEEE 488.2.

TRIGGER OUT - 50 Ω, BNC, High >2.0 V, Low: <0.4 V (output current 1 mA).

Side Panel

LAN Interface (Ethernet - 10/100 Base-T (Std.).

Serial Interface - USB 1.1, two ports.

VGA Output - VGA compatible, 15 DSUB.

General Characteristics

Temperature Range -

Operating: +10 °C to +40 °C.

Storage: -20 °C to +60 °C.

Warm-up Time - 20 min.

Operating Altitude -

Operating: up to 3000 m (10,000 ft.)

Non-operating: up to 12,000 m (40,000 ft.)

Safety and EMI Compatibility -

UL 61010-1; CSA C22.2 No. 61010-1-04; IEC61010, second edition (Self Declaration).

Low Voltage Directive 73/23/EEC, amended by 93/68/EEC; EN61010-1: 2001 Safety requirements for electrical equipment for Measurement control and laboratory use.

EC Council EMC Directive 89/336/EEC, amended by 93/68/EEC

EN61326-1: 1997 Product Family Standard for Electrical Equipment for Measurement, Control, and Laboratory Use-EMC Requirements.

Electromagnetic Compatibility Framework:1992 AS/NZS 2064.1/2(Industrial, Scientific, and Medical Equipment).

Power Requirements - 100 VAC to 240 VAC, 47 Hz to 63 Hz.

Power Consumption - 400 VA max.

Data Storage - Internal HDD (40 GB), USB port, FDD.

Weight, without options - 20 kg, 44 lbs.

Dimensions -

Without bumpers and feet:

215 mm (H) x 425 mm (D) x 425 mm (W).

With bumpers and feet:

238 mm (H) x 470 mm (D) x 445 mm (W).

Calibration Interval - One year.

Warranty - One year.

GPIB - SCPI-compatible.

Ordering Information

RSA3408A

Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer DC - 8 GHz.

Includes: User manual, Programmer's manual, power cord, BNC-N adapter, USB keyboard and mouse.

Options*⁴

Opt. 1A - External Preamp, 100 MHz – 3 GHz, 20 dB gain, 6.5 dB Noise Figure at 2 GHz (Typical).

Opt. 1R - Rackmount kit.

Opt. 02 - 65.5 MSample Deep Memory, Frequency Mask Trigger.

Opt. 03 - IQ, Differential IQ Inputs.

Opt. 05 - Digital IQ Output.

Opt. 06 - Removable HDD.

Opt. 21 - Advanced Measurement Software Suite.

Opt. 23 - W-CDMA Uplink Analysis.

Opt. 24 - GSM/EDGE Analysis.

Opt. 25 - CDMA 1X Forward/Reverse Link Analysis.

Opt. 26 - 1X EVDO Forward/Reverse Link Analysis.

Opt. 27 - 3GPP Release 5 Downlink (HSDPA) Analysis*⁵.

Opt. 28 - TD-SCDMA Analysis.

Opt. 29 - WLAN 802.11a/b/g/n Analysis.

Opt. 40 - 3GPP Release 6 (HSUPA) Analysis*⁵.

*⁴ Specifications for Options 21 through 40 can be found in the Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer Software Options datasheet, on www.tektronix.com/RSA.

*⁵ Options 23 and Option 27 are required for 3GPP Release 6 (HSUPA) Analysis in addition to Option 40.

Upgrades

RSA34UP02 - 65.5 MSample Deep Memory, Frequency Mask Trigger.

RSA34UP03 - IQ, Differential IQ Inputs.

RSA34UP05 - Digital IQ Output.

RSA34UP06 - Removable HDD.

RSA34UP21 - Advanced Measurement Suite (customer-installable).

RSA34UP23 - W-CDMA Uplink Analysis (customer-installable).

RSA34UP24 - GSM/EDGE Analysis (customer-installable).

RSA34UP25 - cdma2000 1X Forward/Reverse Link Analysis (customer-installable).

RSA34UP26 - 1X EVDO Forward/Reverse Link Analysis (customer-installable).

RSA34UP27 - 3GPP Release 5 Downlink (HSDPA) Analysis (customer-installable)*⁶.

RSA34UP28 - TD-SCDMA Analysis (customer-installable).

RSA34UP29 - WLAN 802.11a/b/g/n Analysis (customer-installable).

RSA34UP40 - 3GPP Release 6 (HSUPA) Analysis Software Upgrade (customer-installable)*⁶.

RSA34UPIF - Installation labor for RSA34UPxx (no calibration required).

RSA34UPIFC - Installation labor for RSA34UPxx (with calibration).

*⁶ Option 23 and Option 27 are required for 3GPP Release 6 (HSUPA) Analysis in addition to Option 40.

Accessories

RSA34RHD - Extra 40 GB Removable Hard Drive for use with Opt. 06

RTPA2A - Probe adapter box for TekConnect probes.

119-4146-00 - RF Near Field Passive Probe Kit.

International Power Plugs

Opt. A0 - North America Power.

Opt. A1 - Universal EURO Power.

Opt. A2 - United Kingdom Power.

Opt. A3 - Australia Power.

Opt. A4 - North America Power, 240 V.

Opt. A5 - Switzerland Power.

Opt. A6 - Japan Power.

Opt. A10 - China Power.

Opt. A99 - No Power Cord.

Service

Opt. C3 - Calibration Service 3 Years.

Opt. C5 - Calibration Service 5 Years.

Opt. D1 - Calibration Data Report.

Opt. D3 - Calibration Data Report 3 Years (with Opt. C3).

Opt. D5 - Calibration Data Report 5 Years (with Opt. C5).

Opt. R3 - Repair Service 3 Years.

Opt. R5 - Repair Service 5 Years.

Languages

Opt. L0 - English User/Programmers Manuals.

Opt. L5 - Japanese User/Programmers Manuals.