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| Agilent E4406A Vector Signal Analyser |
| << < (10/22) > >> |
| G0HZU:
The E4406A is really just a signal analyser that is designed to be used under very controlled lab conditions. It isn't really meant to be used as a spectrum analyser because of the crude nature of the frequency plan in the RF downconverter section. It has no image rejection and has areas in its 7MHz to 4GHz frequency range that will have poor spurious performance. However, when used as a signal analyser for known signals it is a very powerful tool. I use mine with the 89600 SW and I also use it with an Agilent vector sig gen that has a dual arb generator built in. eg it's possible to capture (offair?) signals using the E4406A and the 89600 SW and then export the data to the supported sig gen to be able to replay it back in a continuous loop in the sig gen. This can be at a different frequency or power level and you can also modify the captured data before sending it to the sig gen. In my case, my fairly old Agilent vector sig gen has the required dual arb generator but it isn't supported by the 89600 SW so I created a Windows app to convert the captured data to the format expected by my sig gen and I can then upload it to my sig gen to fully replicate the captured offair signal in the sig gen. |
| davorin:
What model of vector signal generator do you use? Sounds interesting... |
| G0HZU:
I've got two Agilent vector sig gen models with different options but they are both quite old and rapidly becoming obsolete in terms of their usefulness as research tools. The one with the dual arb generator option is the Agilent E4433B ESGD sig gen. But it isn't supported by V12 of the 89600 SW so I created an app to convert and upload the data to the sig gen in the format it is used to. i.e. it expects to see separate I and Q data files. It works up to something like a 35MHz modulation BW. If I had the Agilent E4438C sig gen I think the 89600 SW could generate data files that can be sent to it directly. Note that the alternative (quick and dirty) way to do the above is to do it with a modern SDR Rx and Tx combo to capture and replay stuff. |
| davorin:
Is it also possible to capture/display longer periods up to several 100msecs? This signal below was captured with a Signalhund SA44B, though display time is limited a little over 100msec.... |
| G0HZU:
--- Quote ---Is it also possible to capture/display longer periods up to several 100msecs? --- End quote --- I think it depends on the signal and how you set up the system. eg for narrowband signals you can capture many seconds of data until you hit the memory limit. You can also look at signals on the 89600 SW via the LAN interface and this runs continuously although it isn't really capturing all the data although it is still useful in this mode as long as you don't mind missing some data. For many applications this doesn't really matter and you can still demodulate many waveforms in this continuous mode. I finally got round to swapping the RTC battery over in mine today. It didn't take that long and I needed an excuse to try out a cheapo Worx cordless screwdriver anyway ;D There are loads of Torx screws to remove and some care is needed when removing both the digital IF, SCSI and the CPU cards. But it went smoothly and the only tricky bit was pulling out the CPU card as you have to pull quite hard yet you also have to maintain a lot of control in order to keep the card moving slowly (and level) to avoid snag damage. There's a warning label on the rear panel about this and also in the battery replacement instructions. It's a shame that battery access isn't simpler especially if it only lasts a few years per battery. |
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