The continuous development of radio standards presents measurement systems with ever new challenges, as the introduction of 5G, Wi-Fi 6 and ultra-wideband (UWB) communication systems shows. These standards use complex modulation methods and higher bandwidths, which makes it difficult to analyze signals in detail. Real-time spectrum analyzers must therefore offer high sampling rates and a large bandwidth in order to precisely capture and analyze these signals.
Aaronia’s SPECTRAN-V6 series of real-time spectrum analyzers in particular enable continuous and therefore seamless data acquisition without loss of information in the case of short or intermittent signals. This allows the detection, characterization and, if necessary, decoding of sporadic or transient events, which play an essential role in modern communication technology. The integrated 16-bit single-chip sampling analog-to-digital converter (ADC) has a conversion rate of up to 2 gigasamples per second (GSPS). Once recorded, the data is fully available to the user on the PC used, for example to optimize channel assignment, localize individual devices or determine repeater locations.
Another important feature of real-time spectrum analyzers is their ability to monitor a broad frequency spectrum extremely quickly and thus detect even very short signals. Sweep speeds of > 1THz/s are therefore the basic requirement for efficient measurements and a must-have of modern real-time spectrum analyzers. This is particularly important in environments with high signal density or for classic spectrum monitoring.
With a real-time bandwidth of up to 490MHz and a sweep speed of over 3THz/s, the SPECTRAN V6 real-time spectrum analyzers are the new reference in terms of speed. In addition, the real-time bandwidth can be increased as required by combining several SPECTRAN V6s. Cascading just two V6s allows seamless real-time measurement from 20MHz – 1GHz, for example, which means an unbeatable time advantage for a large number of measurements. All SPECTRAN devices from Aaronia in all price classes have sophisticated, extremely fast switching filter banks, which are otherwise only integrated in expensive high-end devices. This enables the systems to analyze dynamic changes in the signal structures as well as interference from different sources.
Affordable solution for automotive applications
Equipped with waveguide connectors, the SPECTRAN V6 XPLORER Analyzer allows measurements in the millimeter wave range that are not possible with conventional cables. Waveguides transmit the signal without distortion or loss. They are less susceptible to external disturbances such as electromagnetic interference, which is important in an environment with many electrical devices and radio signals. As a result, the signal remains clean and the spectrum analyzer’s measurements are not distorted.
The new SPECTRAN V6 XPLORER is an efficient and, above all, affordable solution for maintaining and checking modern safety sensors that determine the distance between vehicles, blind spot assistants and, in some cases, for adjusting parking aids. Such sensors determine the distance to objects by emitting electromagnetic waves and measuring the time it takes for the reflections to return. These waves travel very quickly, almost at the speed of light. Car repair shops and technical monitoring institutions are usually overburdened with checking and maintaining such sensors. They can hardly be expected to purchase equipment worth several hundred thousand euros. However, the price structure of SPECTRAN V6-based systems makes it possible to check these sensors during vehicle inspections.
The SPECTRAN V6 real-time spectrum analyzers with waveguide technology can also be used to reliably analyze and evaluate all other high-frequency and rapidly changing signals. Thanks to the waveguide connection, the real-time spectrum analyzers from Aaronia AG can be connected to their own amplifier and splitter systems according to the respective requirements with the waveguides that will be available in the future. Aaronia thus provides affordable solutions for such applications.
