Spectrum Analyzer Breaks Cost Barriers

Aug. 29, 2012

While high-quality spectrum analyzers are usually associated with high price tags, the model DSA815 analyzer from Rigol Technologies breaks with that tradition by providing frequency coverage from 9 kHz to 1.5 GHz.

Jack Browne

Spectrum analysis is vital to both circuit design and system performance verification. While high-quality spectrum analyzers are usually associated with high price tags, the model DSA815 analyzer from Rigol Technologies breaks with that tradition by providing frequency coverage from 9 kHz to 1.5 GHz for about $1300 (USD). It comes in a compact housing measuring just 14.2 x 7.0 x 5.0 in. and shows results on a bright, 8-in. diagonal thin-film-transistor (TFT) liquid-crystal-display (LCD) screen with 800 x 480 pixel resolution. The versatile spectrum analyzer handles inputs to typically +30 dBm (1 W) and has a low-level limit set by the displayed average noise level (DANL), which is typically −110 dBm from 100 kHz to 1 MHz and −115 dBm from 1 MHz to 1.5 GHz. It is even better with an optional preamplifier. The DSA815 is also available with an optional tracking generator. Standard units are equipped with Ethernet and Universal-Serial-Bus (USB) ports for connection to an external computer. To learn more, click here.

About the Author

Jack Browne | Technical Contributor

Jack Browne, Technical Contributor, has worked in technical publishing for over 30 years. He managed the content and production of three technical journals while at the American Institute of Physics, including Medical Physics and the Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology. He has been a Publisher and Editor for Penton Media, started the firm’s Wireless Symposium & Exhibition trade show in 1993, and currently serves as Technical Contributor for that company's Microwaves & RF magazine. Browne, who holds a BS in Mathematics from City College of New York and BA degrees in English and Philosophy from Fordham University, is a member of the IEEE.