Spectrum Analyzer

Introduction
Simply spectrum analyzer can be described as a frequency-selective, peak-responding voltmeter calibrated to display the rms value of a sine wave. Spectrum analyzer is a passive deice and show on its display power (dbm), wave shape, frequency, sideband etc. mostly using spectrum analyzer, modulation, distortion and noises are measured. Spectrum analyzer is a wide band, very sensitive receiver. It works on the principle of "super-heterodyne receiver" to convert higher frequencies (normally ranging up to several 10s of GHz) to measurable quantities. The received frequency spectrum is slowly swept through a range of pre-selected frequencies, converting the selected frequency to a measurable DC level, and displaying the same on a display.

Each peak shows using frequencies

Usually when want to measure and look an electrical signal the oscilloscope is used. It shows how the signal varies with time. But using spectrum analyzer the signal can be seen in frequency domain. The graphical representation consisted with two axes and Yaxis consists with power of signal in dBm and X-axis consisted with frequency.

-1-

EE/07/6750 E.G.L. Dabare

Spectrum Analyzer

Operation of Spectrum Analyzer

Block diagram of a Spectrum Analyzer The spectrum analyzer consists with following major components; Mixer IF Filter Detector Video Filter The Mixer converts a signal from one frequency to another (frequency translation). The mixer is a non-liner device and the output frequencies that produced are the original signals, sum and difference frequencies of the two signals. The IF Filter is a band pass filter and it detects signals. Its bandwidth is called as resolution bandwidth (RBW). The IF signals must be converted to a baseband or video signal to view on the analyzer display. This is done using the envelop detector. The detectors output is then digitalized with AD converter and represented the signals amplitude on the Y-axis. The Video Filter is a low-pass filter that is located after the envelope detector and before the ADC. This filter determines the bandwidth of the video amplifier, and is used to average or smooth the trace seen on the screen. Other Components; The local oscillator (LO) is a Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) which in effect tunes the analyzer. The RF Input Attenuator is a step attenuator located between the input connector and the first mixer. Its purpose is to ensure the signal enters the mixer at the optimum level to prevent overload, gain compression, and distortion. It is usually set automatically, based -2EE/07/6750 E.G.L. Dabare

Spectrum Analyzer on the reference level. Manual selection of attenuation is also available in steps of 10, 5, 2, or even 1 dB. The RF input attenuator is consisted with a capacitor connected with a resistor in series. The capacitor works as a blocking device and used to prevent the analyzer from being damaged by a DC signal. Low pass filter Block high frequency signals from reaching to the mixer. This is used to prevent out of band signals mixing with the local oscillator and creating unwanted responses at the IF. IF gain It is located after the mixer and before the IF Filter. It is variable gain amplifier. The amplifier is used to adjust the vertical position of signals on the display without affecting the signal level at the input mixer. When the IF gain is changed, the value of the reference level is changed accordingly to retain the correct indicated value for the displayed signals. Generally settings of the input attenuator and the IF gain are coupled together. A change in input attenuation will automatically change the IF gain to offset the effect of the change in input attenuation, thereby keeping the signal at a constant position on the display. Sweep (ramp) generator The ramp generator drives the sweep of the local oscillator and also the display. In this way the horizontal axis of the display is directly linked to the frequency. Type of Spectrum Analyzers Mainly, there are three types of spectrum analyzers; 1. Superheterodyne (Swept) Most common 2. Fast Fourier transform (FFT) 3. Audio spectrum analyzer Applications of Spectrum Analyzer Basically there are three type of applications are taken using the spectrum analyzer. Interference Measurements Device Frequency Response Measurements Microware Tower Monitoring Interference Measurements Interference can be created by a number of different sources, such as telecom microwave towers, TV stations, or airport guidance systems etc. As an example, the telecommunication providers connect their BSCs and BTSs using microwave links. The spectrum is limited and so every frequency is reused. Interference cause failure of link and it cost to the company. So using spectrum analyzer, can be measured the C/I and C/A parameters and measure the strength of link. The link reliability is depends on that parameters.

-3-

EE/07/6750 E.G.L. Dabare

Spectrum Analyzer Device Frequency Response Measurements Using spectrum analyzer the amplitude measurement against frequency of device can be measured. The device may be anything from a broadband amplifier to a narrow band filter. Microware Tower Monitoring Can be used to measure the TX and Rx power of the link and as mentioned above the interference. Other measurements; Antenna gain measurement Satellite communication Field strength measurement Harmonic measurements Return-loss measurement Spurious signals measurement Inter-modulation measurements

Analyze frequencies using Spectrum Analyzer

There are two way of analyzing a frequency; Center frequency Span - Range of frequencies (between start and stop frequency)

Select center frequency is most common method which is the frequency need to be measured. We used this method when measuring TV channels frequencies. In span method, give frequencies per division. The spectrum analyzer set for start and stop frequencies. This method was used when measuring the FM channels.

Spectrum Analyzer vs. Oscilloscope

Spectrum Analyzer Displays received signal strength (y-axis) against frequency (x-axis). Amplitude is normally measured in dBm Can easily measure very low amplitudes (as low as -120dBm), and high frequencies (as high as 150GHz). measurements are in frequency domain Oscilloscope Displays received signal strength (y-axis) against time (x-axis). Amplitude is normally measured in volts Can not measure very low voltage levels (say, -100dBm) and are intended for low frequency, high amplitude measurements. measurements are in time domain

-4-

EE/07/6750 E.G.L. Dabare

Spectrum Analyzer

Key Features of Spectrum Analyzer

AC / DC Operation; If measurements have to be taken out-doors, require DC operation. Resolution Bandwidth; The sensitivity of the spectrum analyzer is directly dependent on the resolution bandwidth of the analyzer. If the measurements are over a wide band, a 3 KHz RBW is normally sufficient. If need to make very narrow band measurements (such as filters), then have to consider a 300Hz or even a 10Hz RBW spectrum analyzer. Frequency range; This is the range of frequencies that need to make measurements. Spectrum analyzers are available from 100 Hz to 50 GHz range. If measurements are required up to, say IF to 2.4 GHz, a spectrum analyzer from 10MHz-2.4 GHz would be suitable. Frequency Stability; Frequency stability is the ability of the spectrum analyzer to maintain the frequencies within a specified accuracy. The frequency stability is dependent on the Local Oscillator stability of the spectrum analyzer. For narrow band measurements, this is a very important parameter. Spectrum analyzers do not normally have very high stability clock. If high accuracy of measurement is required, the spectrum analyzer with provision for external frequency reference is good. In such an event, the accuracy of the spectrum analyzer is as good as the external reference.

-5-

EE/07/6750 E.G.L. Dabare

Spectrum Analyzer

Observation

Frequency (MHz) FM Radio Band 88.44 90.16 92.76 95.28 96.36 98.00 99.90 102.48 104.80 106.84 VHF/UHF TV Band 175.25 180.70 189.21 224.21 229.66 487.25 495.27 503.21 551.23 599.27

Power (dBm) 78.82 78.82 72.30 74.13 73.39 78.60 76.64 78.25 76.74 71.49

70.65 80.74 76.93 69.98 74.63 87.75 84.62 81.52 84.55 86.44

When we consider about the VHF and UHF, there are standard field strength for each band, also indicate good quality if signal. For VHF = 55dBV = dBm = 55 v 107 = -52dBm For UHF = 65dBV = dBm = 65 v 107 = -42dBm But above values are not closed to standard values. The received power can be increased if did follows. Lift the antenna more higher, Direct the antenna to the direction where transmitter located, Use more directors to push the received RF to dipole

-6-

EE/07/6750 E.G.L. Dabare

Spectrum Analyzer Questions & Answers Frequencies used in Microwave Transmission; 7GHz / 8GHz / 11GHz / 13GHz / 15GHz / 18GHz / 23GHz /26GHz / 32GHz / 38GHz Low-band microwave is usually used for large-capacity. But the network sometimes uses the lowest frequency band. Low-band microwave is usually used for large-capacity. But the network sometimes uses the lowest frequency band. For long-haul (distance between stations is generally longer than 15 km) microwave links, 5G / 6G / 7G / 8G frequency bands are used. For short-haul (distance between stations is generally longer than 15 km) microwave is usually used 8G frequency band. Losses occur in Microwave Transmission link Free Space Loss Feeder Losses Connector Losses Antenna Losses Combiner Losses Refraction, Diffraction, Ducting etc.

When specially underground cable show faults, it is too hard to find where is the location. Practically it is no use of dragging out the whole cable and inspects it. So using high frequencies location of fault of cable can be located. Calculating the location of fault of a transmission line; Location of Fault (m) = f1 L f1 + f2

Where; f1= frequency spacing of the maximum or minimum standing wave value when measuring the input side f2 = frequency spacing of the maximum or minimum standing wave value when measuring the output side L = transmission line length in meter

The reflection co-efficient is a vector quality that represents the ratio of reflected current to incident current and reflected voltage to incident voltage. Reflection Coefficient = Reflected Voltage (Er) = Incident Voltage (Ei) Reflected Current (Ir) Incident Current (Ii)

Standing Wave Ratio is the ratio between maximum and minimum voltage. Vmax = Ei + Er Vmin = Ei - Er Standing Wave Ratio = Vmax = Vmin Ei + Er. Ei - Er -7EE/07/6750 E.G.L. Dabare

Spectrum Analyzer VSWR is very essential when installing new transmitter or antennas. According to the maximum transfer theorem, to transmit maximum power from source to load, both impedances should be same. So the VSWR = 1. But practically this cannot be achieved. In industrial environment, a device called site master is used to measure the VSWR. This is also a spectrum analyzer. When we connect the TV to the antenna, 75 ohms impedance connector is used near the TV. BNC connector is 50 ohms There are two types of antennas; Yagi Antennas Parabolic dish antennas Yagi antenna normally used in FM, AM and VHF communication system also Wi-Fi. In basic usage, it is used for radio and TV receivers. Yagi antenna generally consisted with dipole, reflectors and directors.

Reflector

Dipole

Directors

Yagi antenna has very high directivity and gain. Generally it is consisted with more than one or two directors. More directors more gain. The free space wave is pushed to the dipole with the help of these directors and the reflector. Parabolic dish antennas used in microwave communication. Such as satellite and point-topoint communication systems (microwave links). Parabolic dish antenna is mainly consisted with parabolic dish and feeder. Feeder omits the electro magnetic wave to the space and parabolic dish reflect them and improve the gain. When the diameter of dish increased, the gain also increased. So long haul communication, used antennas with longer diameter to increase the gain.

Feeder (dipole)

Parabolic Dish

-8-

EE/07/6750 E.G.L. Dabare

Spectrum Analyzer There are two type of parabolic dish; Cassegrain Offset In cassegrain, the feeder is located on the focal point of the dish. They are usually used in satellite communication operating in C-Band and antenna diameter is huge. In offset, the feeder is not located on the focal point of antenna and it is offset. So the feed in not blocked and gain is increased. They are used in satellite communication operating in Ku-band and antenna diameter is very small comparing with C-band antenna.

Offset

Cassegrain

In satellite communication, generally there is a LNB (Low Noise Blocker) or LNA (Low Noise Amplifier) at the feeder. Inside the LNB hole, there is the dipole. The dipole receives the microwave signal and converts them into electrical signal to particular band and send through the coaxial cable. LNA amplify the very weak signal. The coaxial cable is not compatible to bring microwave due to the skin effect. So using a wave guide the amplified signal is guided.

The transmitters are used both in microwave communication (including satellite) and VHF/UHF transmission. But they have some different features. Microwave transmitter is much complex than TV or FM transmitter Block diagram of an analog microwave transmitter and receiver MUX Input PreEmphasis IF Amplifier Up Converter

Output to Tx antenna

Local Oscillator

-9-

EE/07/6750 E.G.L. Dabare

Spectrum Analyzer LNA Input from Rx antenna Local Oscillator Up converter is used to convert the frequency from IF stage to RF (microwave) stage. Down converter is used to convert the frequency from RF to IF stage. In Pre-Emphasis, modulation takes place. Block diagram of a TV transmitter. Video IF Modulator Vision Mixer Power Amplifier Duplexer Down Converter IF Amplifier Discrim inator DEMUX Output

Video Input Audio Input

Oscillator

Output to Antenna

Audio IF Modulator

Audio Mixer

Power Amplifier

In the SDH network, main transmission media is optical fiber, because; It has huge bandwidth. Cost effective Upgrading and expansion is easy Basically there are two type of fiber optics used in industrial environment; Type Single mode Multi mode Wave length 1310 nm / 1550 nm 850 nm Operation frequency About 0.29 THz / 0.19THz About 0.35 THz

Transmission distance of optical signals in optical fibers is affected by both dispersion and loss. According to ITU-T specifies there are three common optical fibers G.652, G.653 and G.655. G.652 fiber has the best dispersion performance in 1310nm wavelength region and is also called fiber without dispersion shift and transmission region is called zerodispersion region. G.653 fiber, also called dispersion-shifted single-mode fiber, it has best dispersion performance in 1550nm wavelength region. G.655 fiber is also called fiber with low-loss. It mainly works in 1550nm region for submarine fiber communication that requires very long transmission distance of regenerator section.

- 10 -

EE/07/6750 E.G.L. Dabare

Spectrum Analyzer Basically copper cable has wave propagation speed of about 60% of speed of light (2x108). The coaxial cable is consisted with 4 layers; Center copper wire (core) Insulator Shield Jacket 1. The core transmits the original signal and it is a single copper wire. 2. The insulator is around the core and it is a plastic, help to prevent short circuit with shield. 3. The shield around the insulator and it is a copper mesh used to prevent interference from outer environment. So it helps to transmit the signal long distance. 4. The jacket is a rubber or PVC protector to the cable. There are two types of coaxial cables. 1. 10Base2 Thin, 6mm in diameter, a signal can be transmitted about 185m without any losses, impedance is 50ohms. 2. 10Base5 Thick, 12mm in diameter, a signal can be transmitted about 500m without losses because of its large diameter core, has a bandwidth of 10Mbps. In twisted pair cable, there are two types; Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) Each cable consisted with 4 pairs (8 wires) and all pairs twisted together to eliminate electrical interference. In STP, use a protective copper jacket just like shield of coaxial to improve the quality if signal. It allows faster transmission along long distance. Mostly used in outside wiring. As an example, Alvarian Wi-Fi equipments, outdoor antenna and IDU connected with a STP. Mostly UTP in computer networking as cross over cable and straight cable. It has maximum data transmission distance of 100m.

- 11 -

EE/07/6750 E.G.L. Dabare