Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer (RTSA) X-Series Signal Analyzers N9030A/N9020A-RT1 & -RT2

Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer (RTSA) X-Series Signal Analyzers N9030A/N9020A-RT1 & -RT2

Technical Overviews

Features

  • Detect signals as short as 3.33 ns with 100% POI
  • Scan with up to ~510-MHz real-time bandwidth
  • Perform real-time signal analysis for frequencies up to THz with external mixing
  • Monitor a wide span of spectrum up to the full frequency range of the analyzer with stepped density display
  • Focus on the signal of interest in a complex signal environment with effective triggering mechanisms such as frequency mask trigger (FMT) and/or time qualified trigger (TQT)
  • See small signals in the presence of large ones with up to 78 dB spurious-free dynamic range
  • Eliminate the need for a dedicated instrument: RTSA is an upgrade option for new and existing UXAs/ PXAs/MXAs
  • Go deeper and thoroughly analyze complex signals with 89600 VSA software

Experience Real-Time Spectrum Analysis – the Keysight Way

The UXA, flagship of Keysight X-Series signal analyzers, brings wideband real-time analysis with unmatched dynamic range. The PXA and MXA are the first mainstream signal analyzers to be upgradable to real-time capabilities. You can readily convert an existing analyzer in-place without re-calibration. With UXA, PXA or MXA as the founda­tion, you get new levels of performance, flexibility and usability in real-time spectrum analysis.

With our real-time spectrum analyzer (RTSA) option, the UXA, PXA and MXA deliver excellent sensitivity, analysis bandwidth, frequency range and, most important, prob­ability of intercept (POI). In addition, a real-time UXA, PXA or MXA provides continuous acquisition of RF signals, including low-level signals occurring close to larger ones. Its conditional triggering capabilities can watch for transient or intermittent events and initiate signal capture, measurement and display. The ultimate result: you can see more, capture more and understand more.

Know You’ve Got It

Even at the extremes of signal analysis, your analyzer should be ready for anything. That’s why we’re offering real-time spectrum analysis (RTSA) as an upgrade option for new and existing UXA, PXA and MXA signal analyzers.

Adding RTSA lets you see, capture and understand the most elusive signals—known or unknown. To go deeper, you can combine a real-time UXA, PXA or MXA with the 89600 VSA software to create a solution that lets you thoroughly characterize complex signals.

Inside signal-rich systems and environments, go real-time with Keysight Technologies, Inc. and know you’ve got it.

See, Capture and Understand the Most Elusive Signals

The real-time X-Series include four key innovations: wider bandwidth and better dynamic range, optimum detection and integrated analysis capabilities. Individually and col­lectively, these capabilities bring you a host of important benefits.

See more with wider bandwidth and better dynamic range

The UXA, has the required combination of IF bandwidth, signal sampling and signal processing to handle ~510 MHz continuously. This gap-free bandwidth applies not only to real-time spectrum analysis but also to frequency-mask trigger (FMT), gap-free time capture and real-time magnitude calculations for IF magnitude triggering.

To help you detect small signals in the presence of large ones, the UXA, PXA and MXA provide 78, 75, or 72 dB of SFDR, respectively, across the full analysis bandwidth. Dynamic range is enhanced by the low noise floor and excellent distortion performance of the analyzers. When dealing with very small signals above 3.6 GHz, the low noise path (LNP), which is standard for the UXA and optional for the PXA, further improves sensitiv­ity while still handling high-level signals.

Detect the smallest infrequent events

The X-Series analyzers’ advanced processing architecture combines with its wide analysis bandwidth and wide dynamic range to provide 100 percent POI for signals with durations as short as 3.517 μs with full amplitude accuracy. Consistently detect signals that are only 3.3 ns in duration. Gap-free analysis is just one element of signal detection. Within the instrument, other contributing factors are processor and analyzer dynamic range (including sensitivity), sampling bandwidth, processing continuity and FFT processing overlap (which compensates for windowing functions).

Understand more with integrated analysis capabilities

In some cases, simply finding an elusive signal is enough. In other situations, finding the signal is just the first step toward a thorough understanding of what’s happening. This is when the combination of a real-time UXA, PXA or MXA, real-time FMT and the 89600 VSA software is especially useful.

The real-time trigger can start any VSA measurement—one or many—in any measure­ment mode, including demodulation. The trigger can be initiated when a specific spectrum mask is entered or exited, or with more complex sequences such as exit followed by re-entering. Pre- and post-trigger delays are also available, letting you make measurements of signals prior to the trigger event.

Time qualified triggering can also be used in conjunction with the FMT or with a level trigger. This gives another tool to help find specific signals of interest.

These capabilities make the real-time UXA, PXA or MXA plus VSA a great combination for measuring modulated transients, frequency-hopping signals, frequency settling, and undesired transients in signal sources such as VCOs or YIG oscillators.

Characterize Highly Elusive Radar and EW Signals

From simple to complex, all radar, EW and ELINT systems pose a variety of challenges whether you’re testing components, subsystems or systems. When deployed, these sys­tems operate in cluttered spectral environments filled with intentional and unintentional interferers. In the lab or in the field, a real-time X-Series lets you see more, capture more and understand more.

Maximize the performance of radar and EW systems during development

Adding RTSA creates a cost-effective solution that combines real-time analysis with traditional spectrum measurements such as noise figure, phase noise and power. For example, you can use a real-time PXA to identify spurious signals using traditional swept analysis then switch modes to see pulsed spurs using real-time analysis and displays.

The PXA will detect all signals with durations greater than 3.57 μs—the best POI cur­rently available—with full amplitude accuracy. For signals with a large signal-to-noise ratio (> 60 dB), the PXA will detect signals with durations as short as 5 ns.

Using a UXA, performance is further enhanced with very wideband analysis. Find signals that are only 3 or 4 ns of duration. In addition, the UXA adds a very large multi-touch screen that helps quickly zoom and visually identify interesting signal activity. Using the UXA's metrology grade ADC ensures that a wide dynamic range of signals can be measured without distortion from the analyzer. When creating or analyzing jamming techniques, you can use FMT with the 89600 VSA software and its record/playback capabilities.

Capture, catalog and understand highly elusive signals in the field

Being able to identify intentional and unintentional interferers requires a variety of powerful signal-analysis tools. To help you view faint return signals in transient or dynamic antenna scans, the real-time UXA enhances POI with a noise floor of –157 dBm (10 GHz, no preamp).

Capabilities such as simultaneous display of real-time spectrogram and power-versus-time enable you to capture radar and communication jamming and interference. By combining FMT with the 89600 VSA software, you can easily identify, capture and play back portions of EW techniques.