Siglent SSA3000X and SSA3000X-Plus Spectrum Analyzers

[tautech]

Release timetable
SSA older models excluded as they didn't have touch or Modulation analysis....so earlier HW.

SVA1015X, then:
SSA3021X+ and SSA3032X+, and a little while later:
SVA1032X
Then released all ~ same dates:
SSA3050X-R, SSA3075X-R
SSA3075X+
SVA1075X+

It seems obvious to me, especially when researching datasheets, the last 4 models with marginally better specs are all new/improved HW.

[tv84]

noreply,

the EMI should appear in the options list. A correct SVA options screen is like this (techneut):

[tautech]

Of course I suppose that Refl from the SSA is now redundant as you have a VNA that supersedes it.

More of less correct as SVA has the reflection bridge built in and offers better directivity than the external bridge from Siglent.
Still, it still might be useful with other bridges with more ports.

You can see this in screenshots here where I used SSA3032X and SVA1015X for N-Pk and Log Mag measurements:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/rf-microwave/antenna-project-log/

[tubularnut]

Of course I suppose that Refl from the SSA is now redundant as you have a VNA that supersedes it.

More of less correct as SVA has the reflection bridge built in and offers better directivity than the external bridge from Siglent.
Still, it still might be useful with other bridges with more ports.

You can see this in screenshots here where I used SSA3032X and SVA1015X for N-Pk and Log Mag measurements:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/rf-microwave/antenna-project-log/

Thank you, I wasn’t aware of that post, will have a read.

[techneut]

For those interrested in EMi, myself included:
https://interferencetechnology.com/diy-near-field-probes-preamplifiers/
I ordered some semi rigid cable for this in China but I think its comming by long distance swimmer.

[Elasia]

There are in fact TWO forms of EMI

One is a basic EMI that is limited to you having to use it in scanner mode over your given range

the other is REAL TIME EMI and is the 6th option in the mode list for a real time SA

That is what you are seeing

Correct.
It seems has been polished and added into the Mode menu for RTSA whereas for SSA and SVA it is a Trace Filter mode.

Latest RTSA have EMI in the Mode Menu with a different GUI layout.

Has there been any talk of bringing the superior RT EMI GUI to the lessor non RT / scanner mode version?

I'd think that would make a nice improvement

[Elasia]

For those interrested in EMi, myself included:
https://interferencetechnology.com/diy-near-field-probes-preamplifiers/
I ordered some semi rigid cable for this in China but I think its comming by long distance swimmer.

EMI is my main interest and as such I have quality products for this aspect

TBPS01 Electric and Magnetic field probes with 40db amp

https://www.tekbox.com/product/tekbox-tbps01-emc-near-field-probes/

TBCP1-250 Current monitoring probe

https://www.tekbox.com/product/tbcp-rf-current-monitoring-probes/

Cable Adapters

https://www.tekbox.com/product/tbcas1-coaxial-adapter-set/

I've already been impressed with the adapter set... its been really handy to have on hand

I'll most likely roll my own RG316 cables for most of my test gear


I also picked up this toy.. will it be useful? Dunno but its fun to probe things directly!

AuburnP-20B

https://www.tequipment.net/AuburnP-20B/

[noreply]

Looks like EVERYTHING makes good sense and we have 'completed the circle' in creating a 'legitimate' SVA1032X from a SSA3000X Plus device - with all designated for purpose (the supporting HW of our device) options enabled.

Many thanks to all the members who participated in the crossflash experimentation - especially tv84 for his guidence and handholding 

I guess now is the time to start 'using' our new SVA's and enjoy the fantastic capability of this engineering marvel (all-be-it not possible without the brilliance of the legendary now defunk HP instrumentation group - from whoom Siglent had a helping hand )

Slightly off topic - but possible interest ...

One of the areas I enjoy is Antenna design and obviously RF amplifiers.

Some of the RF is >100W - so to do meaningful measurnements with such high level of RF - unless you want to destroy your new toy - we need a good atenuator.

For me its not so simple when dealing with power levels that can be as high as 250W

When dealing with small signal analysis - coaxial attenuators with power ratings of 2W or less are easy to aquire and cost effective.

An attenuator for 250W od poaaible power - needs to be able to dissipate this energy.

Usually this is disapated through a massive heatsink in the form of heat.

When I started to look for suitable devices - I could not find anything with suitable specifications (30dB attenuation with at least a flat response up to 1Gz) - that was cost effective.

I did not want to pay (cant justify) over $2000 for a Bird attenuator (great kit nevertheless).

So I decided to make my own.

I'm currently waiting for some 'bits' which I should have soon.

I am happy to share with everyone here the completed design once its finished.

The good news is that the cost of a 250W 30dB 1GHz attenuator will cost me considerably less than $100

Anyway, any tips, unusual ways of using the SVA and its functions is always a welcome topic 

[tubularnut]

The good news is that the cost of a 250W 30dB 1GHz attenuator will cost me considerably less than $100

Anyway, any tips, unusual ways of using the SVA and its functions is always a welcome topic 

Both of those would be interesting 

[tautech]

For those interrested in EMi, myself included:
https://interferencetechnology.com/diy-near-field-probes-preamplifiers/
I ordered some semi rigid cable for this in China but I think its comming by long distance swimmer.

I’m not entirely sure you need a preamp with EMI probes more so probes that have been properly characterised.
The internal SSA/SVA 20dB preamp and the unit’s inherent sensitivity is sufficient to work well with a range of passive EMI probes.

[Elasia]

For those interrested in EMi, myself included:
https://interferencetechnology.com/diy-near-field-probes-preamplifiers/
I ordered some semi rigid cable for this in China but I think its comming by long distance swimmer.

I’m not entirely sure you need a preamp with EMI probes more so probes that have been properly characterised.
The internal SSA/SVA 20dB preamp and the unit’s inherent sensitivity is sufficient to work well with a range of passive EMI probes.

Yeah I got mine before i realized it had an amp built in.. oh well, still handy!

So what exactly is with the 'built in' reflection bridge? Was the SSA just soft disabled to make someone get an external one?

AKA this part?

https://siglentna.com/product/rb3x25/

I was under the impression they all needed an external bridge till you brought this up


Edit: For clarity before I even opened the thing up physically, I was expecting a SSA that needed a bridge and this reminded me of that question since once opened there it was all interconnected already internally and was confusing when reading one thing and seeing another which in turn lead us down to cross flash

[tautech]

So what exactly is with the 'built in' reflection bridge?

More accurately, it's a coupler.
See discussion more or less starting here:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/siglent-sva1015x-1-5ghz-spectrum-vector-network-analyzer-(coming)/msg1655171/#msg1655171

Was the SSA just soft disabled to make someone get an external one?

AKA this part?

https://siglentna.com/product/rb3x25/

I was under the impression they all needed an external bridge till you brought this up

Early SSA didn't have the internal coupler and associated signal path however since it's been spotted SSA+ models do that's been the driver for the recent explorations.
Think, SVA with internal coupler in VNA mode = single port VNA.
SVA in SA mode = SSA3000X Plus
All SSA models = spectrum analyser with TG that can be used with a variety of external bridges/couplers to get a variety of measurements.

Edit: For clarity before I even opened the thing up physically, I was expecting a SSA that needed a bridge and this reminded me of that question since once opened there it was all interconnected already internally and was confusing when reading one thing and seeing another which in turn lead us down to cross flash

With an external bridge SSA could do much of SVA capabilities but not in the way or with the feature set of measurements that the SVA offers and was up to the knowledge and skill of the operator.
SVA made all this simple to access and use.

Anyways, to avoid further confusion we need talk of SSA3000X Plus models vs SVA models as earlier SSA are different HW to the later Plus models.

[Elasia]

Thanks Tau, that cleans that up nicely ^^

[tautech]

The good news is that the cost of a 250W 30dB 1GHz attenuator will cost me considerably less than $100

Anyway, any tips, unusual ways of using the SVA and its functions is always a welcome topic 

Both of those would be interesting 

Have a wonder through this where I examine a few antennas on hand.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/rf-microwave/what-really-is-this-antenna/
Nothing special other than exploring the SVA VNA mode feature set for antenna characterisation.

My assumption is feedlines are part of the antenna system so they should be included in VNA tests at the final installation and as the SVA models are so portable this is simple to accomplish.

Have fun, I certainly have while getting to know the couple of SVA's I've had. 

[hendorog]

My assumption is feedlines are part of the antenna system so they should be included in VNA tests at the final installation and as the SVA models are so portable this is simple to accomplish.

Have fun, I certainly have while getting to know the couple of SVA's I've had. 

You normally would want to measure the behaviour of the feedline and the antenna separately, for a couple of reasons:

* The feedline has some loss, and every dB of feedline loss will improve the S11 by 2dB as the signal sees the loss both on the way out to the end and back - i.e. it makes the antenna look better than it really is. So perform the calibration at the end of the feedline instead of at the VNA, which will cancel out the loss, then connect and measure the antenna. Do a separate cal at the VNA ports when you want to measure the feedline itself.

* The feedline can become part of the antenna itself, which leads to unpredictable measurements and performance when the feedline is moved around - due to it being part of the antenna. Choke the end of the feedline to minimise that problem when testing.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dipole_antenna#/media/File:Dipolefeedrad.png

* Edit: And of course the Smith chart will rotate around according to the length of the feedline if you cal at the device and don't use port extensions to correct for that.

[tautech]

For those interrested in EMi, myself included:
https://interferencetechnology.com/diy-near-field-probes-preamplifiers/
I ordered some semi rigid cable for this in China but I think its comming by long distance swimmer.

I’m not entirely sure you need a preamp with EMI probes more so probes that have been properly characterised.
The internal SSA/SVA 20dB preamp and the unit’s inherent sensitivity is sufficient to work well with a range of passive EMI probes.

I've got a few sets of these in for customers which I believe are fair value for the type 7 set:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33029566295.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.76394c4dvHkz2M

[Elasia]

For those interrested in EMi, myself included:
https://interferencetechnology.com/diy-near-field-probes-preamplifiers/
I ordered some semi rigid cable for this in China but I think its comming by long distance swimmer.

I’m not entirely sure you need a preamp with EMI probes more so probes that have been properly characterised.
The internal SSA/SVA 20dB preamp and the unit’s inherent sensitivity is sufficient to work well with a range of passive EMI probes.

I've got a few sets of these in for customers which I believe are fair value for the type 7 set:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33029566295.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.76394c4dvHkz2M

Do you and hedgerog have a few different sets to compare with for that sva demo? I wonder how they would compare to tek's and more named branded ones

Those are super cheap too.. more than good value if you just want something to swing around

[noreply]

A dumb experiment ...

Just took a screen shot of an Open Port1 (TG Source) - nothing connected!

Would be interesting to see what others are getting with same Open Port - just to see 'how consistent Siglent SVA manufacturing really is 

In theory - all should be identical - but most likely will not be depending on tolerances and calibration or lack of it.

Post you screenshot if you can 

[tautech]

A dumb experiment ...

Just took a screen shot of an Open Port1 (TG Source) - nothing connected!

Would be interesting to see what others are getting with same Open Port - just to see 'how consistent Siglent SVA manufacturing really is 

In theory - all should be identical - but most likely will not be depending on tolerances and calibration or lack of it.

Post you screenshot if you can 

Will do tomorrow.......oh hell....later today !
Use R+JX as that's what you mostly use for antenna work.
Also you can crank up the measurement points to 751 IIRC for more detail at the expense of a bit slower sweep.
Oh and change the display screenshot to normal.

[tautech]

For those interrested in EMi, myself included:
https://interferencetechnology.com/diy-near-field-probes-preamplifiers/
I ordered some semi rigid cable for this in China but I think its comming by long distance swimmer.

I’m not entirely sure you need a preamp with EMI probes more so probes that have been properly characterised.
The internal SSA/SVA 20dB preamp and the unit’s inherent sensitivity is sufficient to work well with a range of passive EMI probes.

I've got a few sets of these in for customers which I believe are fair value for the type 7 set:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33029566295.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.76394c4dvHkz2M

Do you and hedgerog have a few different sets to compare with for that sva demo? I wonder how they would compare to tek's and more named branded ones

Near field probes ?
Dunno about hendorog but I've only got those I linked above.

My take on them is if you're anywhere near the EMI limit line then you've got issues moreso than the accuracy of the probes.

[noreply]

A dumb experiment ...

Just took a screen shot of an Open Port1 (TG Source) - nothing connected!

Would be interesting to see what others are getting with same Open Port - just to see 'how consistent Siglent SVA manufacturing really is 

In theory - all should be identical - but most likely will not be depending on tolerances and calibration or lack of it.

Post you screenshot if you can 

Will do tomorrow.......oh hell....later today !
Use R+JX as that's what you mostly use for antenna work.
Also you can crank up the measurement points to 751 IIRC for more detail at the expense of a bit slower sweep.
Oh and change the display screenshot to normal.

Thanks for tip ...

Does not make much difference with 751 points - in terms of processing / sweep time - perhaaps it somehow knows its OPEN and nothing to process 

BTW - is there an 'eject USB' option?? could not see anything & don't like pulling out USB if still mounted

[noreply]

Opps ..

[tautech]

A dumb experiment ...

Just took a screen shot of an Open Port1 (TG Source) - nothing connected!

Would be interesting to see what others are getting with same Open Port - just to see 'how consistent Siglent SVA manufacturing really is 

In theory - all should be identical - but most likely will not be depending on tolerances and calibration or lack of it.

Post you screenshot if you can 

Will do tomorrow.......oh hell....later today !
Use R+JX as that's what you mostly use for antenna work.
Also you can crank up the measurement points to 751 IIRC for more detail at the expense of a bit slower sweep.
Oh and change the display screenshot to normal.

Thanks for tip ...

Does not make much difference with 751 points - in terms of processing / sweep time - perhaaps it somehow knows its OPEN and nothing to process 

Only when using a wide sweep but nuthing objectionable. Data points are data points, even if they are all zeros. 

BTW - is there an 'eject USB' option?? could not see anything & don't like pulling out USB if still mounted

Nope, no eject feature and a bit why I like drives with activity LED's.

[noreply]

Just noticed on the help menu (English language enabled SVA 2.2.1.2.7) - there are some french and german language entries visible (2nd & 3rd from top left menu)

BUG?? for next revision fix ??

[Elasia]

Here is mine, some differences but similar