By Martin Rowe, senior technical editor, test & measurement, EE Times & EDN
Portable, PC-based spectrum analyzers have become a thing, driven primarily by the need for monitoring and recording wireless signals in the field. To serve that need, ThinkRF has released two spectrum analyzers that connect to PCs through USB or Ethernet.
The R5550 (black, left in photo) and R5750 (white, right in photo) cover a frequency range from 9 kHz to 27 GHz. The two models are identical except for color, connectors, and the fact that the R5750 includes an integrated global positioning system (GPS) receiver for mapping signal locations. The two instruments are the successors to ThinkRF’s original model, the R5500 , released in 2016.
Powered by 12 VDC, the two units use software-defined radio technology combined with an RF receiver and digitizer that directly digitizes the incoming signal for frequencies up to 50 MHz using a 125-Msamples/s digitizer. For frequencies above 50 MHz — 8 GHz, 18 GHz, or 27 GHz, depending on model — the RF front end does a down-conversion to baseband for digitizing. Two analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) — rated at 125-Msamples/sec, 14-bit, 70-dB dynamic range and 300-ksamples/s, 24-bit, 100-dB dynamic range — digitize the baseband signal depending on mode of operation.
The two models have a standard resolution bandwidth (RBW) of 100 MHz and optional RBW of 160 MHz. That’s enough to cover the full channel bandwidth of cellular ATE and IEEE 802.11ac signals. A general-purpose I/O post lets you trigger measurement from external events or react to redefined measurement parameters. You can also use the I/O port, which provides a 10-MHz clock, to synchronize additional units if you need more channels.
Software support includes an SCPI programming interface, which lets you control the instruments through any programming language, such as LabVIEW or Python. ThinkRF also provides drivers for MATLAB and C/C++. In addition, the instruments ship with ThinkRF’s S240 Real-Time Spectrum Analysis Application software. The instruments are also compatible with Keysight’s 89600 Vector Signal Analysis software.
ThinkRF claims that the base price of the R5550 is 30% lower than the previous model, R5500. While the company wouldn’t provide Electronic Products with a specific price, the original price of the R5500 started at $5,700 when released in 2016.
The high-end versions of these spectrum analyzers reach frequencies of 27 GHz, just short of what will be needed to cover the 28-GHz band slated for 5G. Perhaps next year, ThinkRF will develop a 30-GHz model.
More articles on portable spectrum analyzers:
Networked spectrum analyzer delivers in real time
EMC troubleshooting roundup: Low-cost spectrum analyzers
Review: TTi PSA2702T handheld spectrum analyzer
Review: Signal Hound BB60C real time 6 GHz spectrum analyzer
Review: Signal Hound BB60C real time 6 GHz spectrum analyzer – Part 2
6 GHz spectrum analysis in your hand!
USB spectrum analyzer harnesses today's PC power
Review: Tektronix RSA306 spectrum analyzer (part 1)
Review: Tektronix RSA306 spectrum analyzer (part 2)
Review: Spectrum and Network Measurements (2nd Edition)
Spectrum analyzers come in several form factors
Small spectrum analyzer uses both samples and sweeps
Handheld spectrum analyzer runs all day
Review: Rohde & Schwarz FPH spectrum analyzer
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