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Spectrum Analyzer

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Julkar Nain

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*********I have another question if you all know this answer please write down******

Suppose,you need to perform an accurate measurement of attenuation in a component that is to be used in a test set-up.you do not have access to a network Analyzer.the only availabe equipment in the lab is a Spectrum Analyzer,a signal generator,an arbitary waveform generator,a power meter,some coaxial cables,some attenuators (3,6 and 10 dB), a resistive spliter and directional coupler. Could you propose a suitable method with highest possible accuracy to solve the problem and whats the advantage/disadvantage of the proposed metho??????



Julkar Nain
MSc in Telecommunication Engr.
Sweden
 
Need more data: what is the component to be tested? What kind of attenuation is to be measured? What frequency range is the test?
 
There are a lot of 'it all depends' in this question.

I'll give you some suggestions.

Trust no RF cable, or as Ronald Reagan once said, "trust but verify"

What is the confidence of calibration on various instruments available.

What frequency are you measuring? What type of RF connector is being used and their high end frequency limit. Cables and connectors relate to next item of impedance.

How impacted might the measurement be to impedance variation. Filter measurements need accurate termination impedance.

In general, the power meter is likely the most accurate.
Spectrum analyzers can have poor input impedance. Can moderate poor terminating impedance with attentuation pads (if you have confidence in attenuation pads).
 
*********I have another question if you all know this answer please write down******

Suppose,you need to perform an accurate measurement of attenuation in a component that is to be used in a test set-up.you do not have access to a network Analyzer.the only availabe equipment in the lab is a Spectrum Analyzer,a signal generator,an arbitary waveform generator,a power meter,some coaxial cables,some attenuators (3,6 and 10 dB), a resistive spliter and directional coupler. Could you propose a suitable method with highest possible accuracy to solve the problem and whats the advantage/disadvantage of the proposed metho??????



Julkar Nain
MSc in Telecommunication Engr.
Sweden

Have the signal generator sweep frequencies from your min to your max freqs that you care about. Measure the output of the signal gen with the power meter. Feed into Spectrum analyzer and tie their triggers together, and you should get a power spectrum which shows the power received by the spectrum analyzer across your frequency band.

If you set the signal generator to output a constant power you can compare it to what you measure on the spectrum analyzer and determine a transfer function for your component. You don't technically need the power meter but it is always best to verify the actual output power of the signal generator.

If you have impedance matching problems with the spectrum analyzer you could always do it manually, i.e. output power at one frequency, measure, then hook up signal gen to component and measure the output power there, and compare the two measurements. Then change to a different frequency and repeat... etc etc.
 
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