Author Topic: (Video) Rigol DSA1030A-TG3 Spectrum Analyzer Review and Experiments  (Read 19881 times)

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Offline HugoneusTopic starter

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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

Offline deephaven

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Re: (Video) Rigol DSA1030A-TG3 Spectrum Analyzer Review and Experiments
« Reply #1 on: November 19, 2012, 06:56:39 pm »
Excellent and interesting review, Shahriar. Many thanks.
 

Offline HugoneusTopic starter

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Re: (Video) Rigol DSA1030A-TG3 Spectrum Analyzer Review and Experiments
« Reply #2 on: November 20, 2012, 05:37:48 am »
Excellent and interesting review, Shahriar. Many thanks.

Thank you. I would be interested to hear what everyone thinks about this unit as well.

Offline T4P

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Re: (Video) Rigol DSA1030A-TG3 Spectrum Analyzer Review and Experiments
« Reply #3 on: November 20, 2012, 06:11:43 am »
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  :-+
 

Online Mechatrommer

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Re: (Video) Rigol DSA1030A-TG3 Spectrum Analyzer Review and Experiments
« Reply #4 on: November 20, 2012, 09:28:42 am »
always informative and "bang per minute" video. the unit (and the price too i believe) is very interesting.
Nature: Evolution and the Illusion of Randomness (Stephen L. Talbott): Its now indisputable that... organisms “expertise” contextualizes its genome, and its nonsense to say that these powers are under the control of the genome being contextualized - Barbara McClintock
 

Offline EEVblog

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Re: (Video) Rigol DSA1030A-TG3 Spectrum Analyzer Review and Experiments
« Reply #5 on: November 20, 2012, 09:48:38 am »
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.
 

Offline HugoneusTopic starter

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Re: (Video) Rigol DSA1030A-TG3 Spectrum Analyzer Review and Experiments
« Reply #6 on: November 20, 2012, 03:05:33 pm »
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?

Offline RCMR

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Re: (Video) Rigol DSA1030A-TG3 Spectrum Analyzer Review and Experiments
« Reply #7 on: November 20, 2012, 08:41:13 pm »
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).
 

Offline HugoneusTopic starter

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Re: (Video) Rigol DSA1030A-TG3 Spectrum Analyzer Review and Experiments
« Reply #8 on: November 20, 2012, 08:48:14 pm »
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).

Offline robrenz

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Re: (Video) Rigol DSA1030A-TG3 Spectrum Analyzer Review and Experiments
« Reply #9 on: November 20, 2012, 08:51:22 pm »
Thanks, very educational (for me) I understand the value of a spectrum analyzer with TG much better now.

Offline EEVblog

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Re: (Video) Rigol DSA1030A-TG3 Spectrum Analyzer Review and Experiments
« Reply #10 on: November 20, 2012, 09:43:18 pm »
By the way, how is Sagan doing these days? Have you thought him to use the scope yet?

Of course!


Dave.
 

Offline HugoneusTopic starter

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Re: (Video) Rigol DSA1030A-TG3 Spectrum Analyzer Review and Experiments
« Reply #11 on: November 20, 2012, 10:04:36 pm »
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! :-+

Offline notsob

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Re: (Video) Rigol DSA1030A-TG3 Spectrum Analyzer Review and Experiments
« Reply #12 on: November 20, 2012, 10:39:28 pm »
Can't wait to see him put liquid paper(whiteout) on the screen
 

Offline HugoneusTopic starter

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Re: (Video) Rigol DSA1030A-TG3 Spectrum Analyzer Review and Experiments
« Reply #13 on: November 21, 2012, 02:49:33 am »
Can't wait to see him put liquid paper(whiteout) on the screen

He seemed very interested in the lit buttons!

Offline HugoneusTopic starter

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Re: (Video) Rigol DSA1030A-TG3 Spectrum Analyzer Review and Experiments
« Reply #14 on: November 22, 2012, 09:22:23 pm »
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).

Offline robrenz

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Re: (Video) Rigol DSA1030A-TG3 Spectrum Analyzer Review and Experiments
« Reply #15 on: November 22, 2012, 10:47:16 pm »
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  ;D

Offline Lukas

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Re: (Video) Rigol DSA1030A-TG3 Spectrum Analyzer Review and Experiments
« Reply #16 on: November 22, 2012, 10:56:46 pm »
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?
 

Offline HugoneusTopic starter

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Re: (Video) Rigol DSA1030A-TG3 Spectrum Analyzer Review and Experiments
« Reply #17 on: November 23, 2012, 06:44:59 am »
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.

Offline billclay

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Re: (Video) Rigol DSA1030A-TG3 Spectrum Analyzer Review and Experiments
« Reply #18 on: January 04, 2013, 10:10:08 pm »
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...   ;D
 

Offline HugoneusTopic starter

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Re: (Video) Rigol DSA1030A-TG3 Spectrum Analyzer Review and Experiments
« Reply #19 on: January 08, 2013, 04:20:06 am »
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...   ;D


Wine makes everything better! ;)

Offline David

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Re: (Video) Rigol DSA1030A-TG3 Spectrum Analyzer Review and Experiments
« Reply #20 on: February 06, 2013, 02:40:04 pm »
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
David
(United Kingdom)
 

Offline olsenn

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Re: (Video) Rigol DSA1030A-TG3 Spectrum Analyzer Review and Experiments
« Reply #21 on: February 06, 2013, 04:15:03 pm »
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!
 

Offline PA4TIM

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Re: (Video) Rigol DSA1030A-TG3 Spectrum Analyzer Review and Experiments
« Reply #22 on: February 06, 2013, 06:41:06 pm »
@ 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.
www.pa4tim.nl my collection measurement gear and experiments Also lots of info about network analyse
www.schneiderelectronicsrepair.nl  repair of test and calibration equipment
https://www.youtube.com/user/pa4tim my youtube channel
 

Offline videobruce

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Re: (Video) Rigol DSA1030A-TG3 Spectrum Analyzer Review and Experiments
« Reply #23 on: February 18, 2013, 02:39:33 pm »
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?
 

Offline olsenn

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Re: (Video) Rigol DSA1030A-TG3 Spectrum Analyzer Review and Experiments
« Reply #24 on: February 20, 2013, 05:32:48 pm »
Quote
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
 


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