tinySA Ultra Vs Thurlby Thandar TSA1000 Spectrum Analyser Adaptor

[Mike99]

I'm aware of the limitations of the tinySA Ultra when making oscillator phase noise measurements. Is the TSA1000 any better?

Mike

[Solder_Junkie]

Some SDR receivers can work to much lower noise levels that a low cost SA. One example is the Microtelecom Perseus HF SDR receiver. The limitation is the frequency range and the cost... But the performance is pretty impressive.

This two tone measurement of an Icom IC-7760 transceiver, using a Perseus, shows the low level background, which is much lower than I can obtain with my Rigol DSA 815TG
http://nc0b.com/7760/

SJ

[G0HZU]

I'm aware of the limitations of the tinySA Ultra when making oscillator phase noise measurements. Is the TSA1000 any better?

Mike

No, the TSA1000 will be much worse. I've only glanced at the datasheet, but the TSA1000 is similar to the 'scope to spectrum analyser' adaptors designed over 40 years ago. It also looks like it has a fixed resolution bandwidth of 250kHz. This is way too wide for making phase noise measurements. It's mainly meant to be used for (casually) looking at a much wider frequency span. It's going to be very limited in terms of performance or versatility I'm afraid.

[Mike99]

I'm aware of the limitations of the tinySA Ultra when making oscillator phase noise measurements. Is the TSA1000 any better?

Mike

No, the TSA1000 will be much worse. I've only glanced at the datasheet, but the TSA1000 is similar to the 'scope to spectrum analyser' adaptors designed over 40 years ago. It also looks like it has a fixed resolution bandwidth of 250kHz. This is way too wide for making phase noise measurements. It's mainly meant to be used for (casually) looking at a much wider frequency span. It's going to be very limited in terms of performance or versatility I'm afraid.

OK thanks, I will avoid it then.

Mike