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(Video) Rigol DSA1030A-TG3 Spectrum Analyzer Review and Experiments
Posted by Hugoneus on 19 Nov, 2012 05:00 -
In this episode Shahriar extensively reviews the Rigol DSA1030A-TG3 Spectrum Analyzer. A wide variety of experiments are performed using the Rigol spectrum analyzer to serve both as a tutorial to use the instrument and to demonstrate its capabilities. Some measurement results are also performed using other calibrated instruments to verify the accuracy of the spectrum analyzer. The Rigol DSA1030A-TG3 can be purchased directly from Rigol Inc.
The following experiments are performed:
1 ) Signal amplitude, frequency and phase-noise measurements.
2 ) Low amplitude signal measurements (< -130dBm).
3 ) Low frequency measurement capabilities (< 9kHz).
4 ) PRBS length calculations and characterization.
5 ) Wireless 2.5GHz FM signal transmission and demodulation.
6 ) Attenuator and band-pass filter response measurements.
7 ) Amplifier bandwidth and output compression measurements.
8 ) Calibration and measurements of VSWR using the tracking generator.
9 ) Characterization of the tracking generator signal quality.
See the video review here: [1 Hour & 32 Minutes]
http://thesignalpath.com/blogs/2012/11/19/rigol-dsa1030a-tg3-spectrum-analyzer-review-and-experiments/
More videos at The Signal Path:
http://www.TheSignalPath.com -
Excellent and interesting review, Shahriar. Many thanks.
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Excellent and interesting review, Shahriar. Many thanks.
Thank you. I would be interested to hear what everyone thinks about this unit as well. -
I like the spec an very much, comparably compact when placed next to a Hameg HMS3010
the key features i like (But of course ... it's quite expensive but it rocks features you won't find at this price bracket)
1) -148dBm DANL
2) 10Hz Min RBW
3) Proper multiple page datasheet!
Rigol's done a very good job i reckon
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always informative and "bang per minute" video. the unit (and the price too i believe) is very interesting.
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Very nice, but you'd expect that for the price, which is 4 times the price of the DSA-815-TG.
Different instrument class though, and still better bang-per-buck than the big brands it seems
Dave. -
Very nice, but you'd expect that for the price, which is 4 times the price of the DSA-815-TG.
Different instrument class though, and still better bang-per-buck than the big brands it seems
Dave.
Hey Dave,
Yes, I agree with you. If you don't need the -148 DANL and the 10Hz resolution bandwidth, the cheaper units will be just fine. By the way, how is Sagan doing these days? Have you thought him to use the scope yet? -
The biggest feature is the 3GHz upper limit. With increasing amounts of 2.4GHz stuff out there, a 1.5GHz SA is somewhat limiting (for me).
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The biggest feature is the 3GHz upper limit. With increasing amounts of 2.4GHz stuff out there, a 1.5GHz SA is somewhat limiting (for me).
They do also offer 3GHz models which are cheaper (they don't offer the built-in pre-amplifier and the 10Hz RBW). -
Thanks, very educational (for me) I understand the value of a spectrum analyzer with TG much better now.
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By the way, how is Sagan doing these days? Have you thought him to use the scope yet?
Of course!
Dave. -
By the way, how is Sagan doing these days? Have you thought him to use the scope yet?
Of course!
Dave.
That is brilliant! He is on his way!
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Can't wait to see him put liquid paper(whiteout) on the screen
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Can't wait to see him put liquid paper(whiteout) on the screen
He seemed very interested in the lit buttons! -
Thanks, very educational (for me) I understand the value of a spectrum analyzer with TG much better now.
I have an HP unit with an external HP offset tracking generator. The "offset" tracking adds a whole new level of functionality for measuring non-linear circuit behavior (like mixers). -
Thanks, very educational (for me) I understand the value of a spectrum analyzer with TG much better now.
I have an HP unit with an external HP offset tracking generator. The "offset" tracking adds a whole new level of functionality for measuring non-linear circuit behavior (like mixers).
Sounds like another excellent video for the to do list
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Is the preamp placed before or after the mixer? If it placed before the mixer, what happens to the signal if you have a very small signal, let's say -100dBm or so at 1GHz, and a strong signal that's out of the selected span?
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Is the preamp placed before or after the mixer? If it placed before the mixer, what happens to the signal if you have a very small signal, let's say -100dBm or so at 1GHz, and a strong signal that's out of the selected span?
The preamplifier is placed at the front-end, on the RF path before the mixer. This is the only configuration which lowers the total system noise figure (and thus improved the SNR). An amplifier which is placed after the mixer (on the IF path) can no longer lower the mixer's noise figure. An IF amplifier can be used to boost the signal (in combination with a variable gain amplifier) in order to take full advantage of the IF ADC full-scale input.
For your second question, you are absolutely right that a strong imposing signal can cause problems while trying to measure a small tone. It depends on the total linearity of the preamplifier, mixer and whether tuneable filters are used or not. I will check the system block diagram of the Rigol DSA and let you know. -
Shahriar, your videos are very educational and I appreciate the time you put into them.
However, I was waiting for you to knock over that huge goblet of wine on your test equipment...
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Shahriar, your videos are very educational and I appreciate the time you put into them.
However, I was waiting for you to knock over that huge goblet of wine on your test equipment...
Wine makes everything better!
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Does anyone know if Rigol offer an "EMI Kit" like they do for the DSA815 for the DSA1030A? I'm thinking of purchasing one for some conducted emissions pre-compliance but can't seem to find an answer on this!
Dave -
Shahriar, you have the cleanest, most elaborately expensive electronics labs I have ever seen! If I was wearing a hat, I would take it off for you. One question: where did you get those high quality N/BNC/SMA cables?
Also, since you're on the subject of spectrum analyzers, any chance you could make a video on measuring antennas (VSWR etc). I happen to have a Rigol DSA-815-TG sitting at my desk collecting dust... I wouldn't mind learning some new RF stuff.
Cheers! -
@ hugoneus
Compliments, this is how like a review to be. Good reference sources, solid explanation of what you do and we see. It is not often I have not found one single minor point.
I like your lab, very impressive and a very clean, ergonomic set up. I even more like your gear.
Is this your hobby lab ? Are you a nerdwork analyser fan too i'm jalous for your cal kit. I would like a professional one too but I have no acces to a calibrated anlyser so I do not dare to buy a used one because an older prof kit without known parameters can still be not very usefull.
I assume you do RF enginering for a living ( and some network analysis)
Keep up this good work. -
You mentioned that the display wasn't as bright as you wished, can you or anyone expand on this?
What other negatives did you find? -
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You mentioned that the display wasn't as bright as you wished, can you or anyone expand on this?
I'm not sure about the DSA1030A-TG3, but I own the DSA815-TG, and it has a menu option to allow the display's brightness to be increased/decreased. By default, the brightness of the DSA815 is only set to around half of its maximum... perhaps there's some wiggle room in yours as well?
Hope this helps