Tektronix Adds WLAN Test Enhancements
November 19, 2013. Upgrades to Tektronix's mixed-domain oscilloscope, performance oscilloscope, and spectrum analyzer families give electrical engineers new tools for integrating 802.11a/b/g/j/n/p/ac WLAN connectivity into their product designs.
The MDO4000B Series mixed-domain oscilloscopes feature significantly improved spectrum analyzer performance, including spurious free dynamic range (SFDR) of 60 dBc guaranteed and 65 dBc typical and phase noise performance improved by as much as 20 dB.
In addition, maximum RF acquisition time has been doubled from 79 ms to 158 ms, enabling longer time correlation with the rest of the system as well as the capture and analysis of multiple bursts of modulated data. And the lower frequency limit has dropped from 50 kHz to 9 kHz, enabling EMI diagnostics over the frequency range specified by international regulations.
“Incorporating WLAN into designs introduces a whole new level of complexity that can be challenging to debug on a system level without the right tools,” said Fanny Mlinarsky, president and CTO of octoScope, a provider of wireless test solutions and services. “The MDO4000B with SignalVu-PC delivers the right capabilities at the right price point to enable embedded and WLAN module designers to rapidly debug systems without a steep learning curve.”
Prices for the MDO4000B start at $12,400.
RSA5000B Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer
Tektronix also introduced its RSA5000B instruments, which provide 165-MHz real-time acquisition bandwidth. This bandwidth supports demanding applications such as high-margin, high accuracy WLAN 802.11ac characterization and troubleshooting.
In addition to increased bandwidth, Tektronix has significantly improved the real-time performance and signal-detection capabilities of its RSA5000 and SPECMON series of RTSAs.
“Wireless standards are changing to require more bandwidth and at the same time signal durations are getting shorter, making them more difficult than ever to detect,” said Jim McGillivary, general manager for the source analyzer product line at Tektronix. “With these introductions, Tektronix is giving our customers the characterization and troubleshooting tools with superior real-time features at the lowest price on the market.”
In addition to offering a 165-MHz bandwidth, the RSA5000B offers a 2.8-µs minimum signal duration for 100% probability of intercept. High-performance real-time features—previously available only for an extra cost—are now standard in RSA5000B instruments, including swept DPX, density trigger, time-qualified triggers, and improved minimum signal duration. Spectrum processing rate has increased by 33%, to more than 390,000 spectrums/s. The Tektronix RSA5000B series has a starting price of $24,900 and will be available for order in January.
A 26.5-GHz version of the SPECMON series is now available, and advanced DPX RF signal discovery capability is now standard. Therefore, SPECMON can be used for high-performance spectrum management involving higher frequency signals, including microwave links, backhaul signals and radar.
SignalVu-PC Software
Tektronix also introduced new options for SignalVu-PC software, including a live link to the MDO4000B series and support for 802.11 a/b/g/j/n/p/ac transmitter measurements. A transmitter analysis system for 802.11a/b/g signals, including the MDO4000B and SignalVu-PC, is available for a starting price of $19,370. The starting price for the 802.11 a/b/g/j/n/p/ac transmitter analysis system is $39,190.
“With the emergence of the Internet of things, more and more products are incorporating WLAN, and they all need to pass compliance tests,” McGillivary. “There is a huge market need for better WLAN test solutions across all phases of the product lifecycle. We are meeting this need with better usability at about half the cost of alternatives.”