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SAF 0.3-3 GHz Spectrum Compact User Manual

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User manual
0.3 - 3 GHz Spectrum Compact
VER 2.0 (FW V5.2.6)
1

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Summary of Contents for SAF 0.3-3 GHz Spectrum Compact

  • Page 1 User manual 0.3 - 3 GHz Spectrum Compact VER 2.0 (FW V5.2.6)
  • Page 2 Spectrum Compact does not contain serviceable parts. Warranty will not be applicable in the event Spectrum Compact has been opened. The information presented in this guide is the property of SAF Tehnika, JSC. No part of this document may be reproduced or transmitted without proper permission from SAF Tehnika, JSC.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Contents 1 OVERVIEW ..................... 4 1.1 Appearance & features ................4 1.2 Technical specification ................5 1.3 Accessories ....................5 2 OPERATION....................6 2.1 Basic operation ..................6 2.2 SWEEP CONT.................... 8 2.3 FREQ ......................8 2.4 SPAN ....................... 10 2.5 MARKER ....................

  • Page 4: Overview

    Data logging of all spectrum scans is available on the Spectrum Compact device, and enhanced data processing and analysis is provided by SAF Tehnika designed PC software (included in the price of Spectrum Compact).

  • Page 5: Technical Specification

    *With maximum internal attenuation **Guaranteed at 21°C/ 70°F 1.3 Accessories 0.3-3 GHz Spectrum Compact has these accessories available: 1 SMA(F) to N(M) adapter (P/N: U0ACNM01) 2 SMA (F) to RP-SMA (F) (P/N: J0ASFF01) 3 SMA (F) to RP-SMA (M) (P/N: J0ASFM01)

  • Page 6: Operation

    0.3 - 3 GHz Spectrum Compact charges through the USB type-C port. The device can sweep the spectrum continuously if attached to a power source that can supply 1.5 A. SAF Tehnika cannot guarantee that any charger, besides the one supplied with the unit, will ensure continuous sweep.
  • Page 7 CURVES. Tapping the SAF logo in the upper left corner takes a screenshot. The screenshots are saved as bitmap (.bmp) images. The screenshots are available only when Spectrum Compact is connected to a computer in the folder SCREENS.

  • Page 8: Sweep Cont

    0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION 2.2 SWEEP CONT. Tapping the SWEEP CONT. button starts and stops continuous sweep of the selected spectrum range and registering of a spectrum curve. If a sweeping related parameter (frequency, level or trace setting) is modified, the sweep is restarted from the beginning.
  • Page 9 0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION The currently selected parameter (START/ STOP/ CENTER) is displayed in white. To select a different parameter, tap on it once. The color of the keypad buttons shows which numbers can be entered at the current digit position to obtain a valid parameter value –...

  • Page 10: Span

    0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION 2.4 SPAN The SPAN menu allows selecting the range of the horizontal axis (difference between START and STOP frequencies) i.e. span, in megahertz (MHz). While at the SPAN menu, tapping the right part of the graph decreases SPAN (zooms in) and tapping the left part of the graph increases SPAN (zooms out).

  • Page 11: Marker

    0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION Entering the SPAN menu The SPAN menu 2.5 MARKER The MARKER menu allows placing a marker, which shows the input power level at the specified frequency. MARKER and POWER IN BAND cannot be activated both at the same time.

  • Page 12: Rbw & Vbw

    0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION While in the MARKER menu, tapping the graph will place the MARKER there. MARKER can be moved also by dragging it. If the MARKER frequency is outside of the currently displayed frequency range, arrows on the graph will indicate beyond which side of the graph the MARKER is positioned.
  • Page 13 0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION The 10 kHz RBW is most effectively utilized together with a lower reference level (see REF). The available VBW values are:  1 kHz  3 kHz  10 kHz  30 kHz Narrower VBW stabilizes the displayed trace (i.e.

  • Page 14: Level

    0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION 2.7 LEVEL The options regarding the displayed input power levels are accessible at the LEVEL menu. To exit the LEVEL menu and return to the main screen, tap BACK. Entering the LEVEL menu The LEVEL menu 2.7.1 REF...

  • Page 15: Att

    0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION Entering the REF menu The REF menu 2.7.2 ATT The ATT submenu allows selecting the internal attenuators. Current internal attenuation is displayed at this menu and on the right side under the graph. Any additional attenuation raises the noise floor but allows to input stronger signals (i.e.
  • Page 16 0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION Entering the ATT menu The ATT menu The LNA button...

  • Page 17: Units

    0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION 2.7.4 UNITS The UNITS submenu allows changing the displayed units of the spectrum analyzer. There are 6 logarithmic units available. Power units:  dBm (the default units) – decibels referenced to one milliwatt ...
  • Page 18 0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION The frequency value can be entered with precision 0.01 MHz (10 kHz) by using the “.” on keypad. To input a value with decimal digits, first enter the full MHz’s, then tap the “.” button and enter the rest of the digits. Until the value is confirmed, the digits after the point are displayed larger.

  • Page 19: Scale

    0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION The UNITS menu The “dBuV/m” menu SCALE menu is available only for default units “dBm”. Adjust the scale before selecting non-default units! 2.7.5 SCALE The SCALE menu allows selecting the MAX (highest limit of the vertical axis) and MIN (lowest limit of the vertical axis) values of the displayed input power range in dBm, and an input power level OFFSET value (e.g.
  • Page 20 0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION green (also OK button is green). If the value is not valid, it is displayed in (also OK button is red). To confirm a valid value, tap the OK button or tap the selected parameter’...

  • Page 21: Trace

    0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION 2.8 TRACE The TRACE menu allows adjusting the swept spectrum curve by selecting the most suitable DETECTOR and trace type. Entering the TRACE menu The TRACE menu The DETECTOR determines which of the detected input power levels are displayed on the screen, since the Spectrum Compact does several measurements of the same frequency range during each sweep.
  • Page 22 0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION DETECTOR: MAX DETECTOR: MIN The available trace types are:  NORMAL Normal trace mode (the default trace mode). The power level values after detector are displayed on screen in real-time without additional processing.
  • Page 23 0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION  CUMULATIVE Shows in green all detected input power levels in range since the sweeping with this trace mode began. The number in green under the graph shows from how many sweeps the CUMULATIVE trace has been plotted.
  • Page 24 0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION To exit the TRACE menu and return to the main screen, tap BACK. MAXHOLD trace mode CUMULATIVE trace mode AVERAGE trace mode MIN/MAX HOLD trace mode...

  • Page 25: Power In Band

    0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION 2.9 POWER IN BAND The POWER IN BAND menu allows measuring the input power in a specified band width BW i.e. over a range of frequencies, with a center frequency CENTER specified at this menu.
  • Page 26 0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION To exit the POWER IN BAND menu and return to the main screen, tap BACK. When POWER IN BAND is enabled, the POWER IN BAND button is green on the main screen. Tapping the POWER IN BAND button when it is active, disables the POWER IN BAND.

  • Page 27: Save

    0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION 2.10 SAVE Tapping the SAVE button instantly saves the spectrum curve with an automatically generated file name: the first letter indicates the trace mode (“C” corresponds to NORMAL, “M” to MAXHOLD, “W” to CUMULATIVE, “A” to AVERAGE 2/4/8/16 and “N”...

  • Page 28: Preset

    0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION 2.11 PRESET The PRESET menu allows resetting the Spectrum Compact to the factory defaults. To confirm tap the PRESET button once more. Reboot the Spectrum Compact. Use PRESET to quickly default settings and clear enabled features.

  • Page 29: Full Screen

    0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION 2.12 FULL SCREEN Tapping the FULL SCREEN button expands the graph. In FULL SCREEN mode, there are only buttons LOCK SCREEN, SAVE and SWEEP CONT. accessible. The LOCK SCREEN button allows locking the screen of the Spectrum Compact so that no button on screen can be accidentally pressed and the graph stays as it is configured.

  • Page 30: Tools

    0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION 2.13 TOOLS Additional functions of the spectrum analyzer are accessible at the TOOLS menu. To access the TOOLS menu, tap the TOOLS & SETTINGS button from the main screen. To exit the TOOLS menu and return to the main screen, tap BACK.

  • Page 31: Files

    0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION 2.13.1 FILES The FILES menu allows operating with previously saved spectrum curves. Files are sorted by the time they were created and the latest file is on top of the list. The time when the spectrum curve was saved and its trace mode is given under the filename.

  • Page 32: Profiles

    0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION 2.13.2 PROFILES The PROFILES menu allows saving and afterwards restoring Spectrum Compact’s configuration – frequency, level, trace and screen settings, a mask etc. To save the current configuration as a profile, tap SAVE PROFILE. The profile name can be up to 8 characters long.

  • Page 33: Mask Mode

    0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION 2.13.3 MASK MODE The MASK MODE menu allows setting a file as a spectrum mask and thus visually comparing the currently displayed spectrum curve with another one. MASK MODE is not available for CUMULATIVE and MIN/MAXHOLD trace mode.

  • Page 34: Path Calc

    0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION 2.13.4 PATH CALC The PATH CALC menu allows evaluating received signal level (RSL) in dBm. The calculator is adapted for the 300 – 3000 MHz frequency range. The calculated value is an estimation. For more credible result, use a professional link planning tool.
  • Page 35 0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION Entering the PATH CALC menu The PATH CALC menu The PATH CALC menu...

  • Page 36: High Contrast

    0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION 2.13.5 HIGH CONTRAST Tapping the HIGH CONTRAST button swaps the interface color scheme and sets screen background brightness to maximum. HIGH CONTRAST mode is designed to improve the visibility in direct sunlight. In HIGH CONTRAST mode the active buttons are indicated by a narrower shape instead of green color.

  • Page 37: Record

    0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION 2.13.6 RECORD The RECORD menu allows creating a record of a continuous spectrum sweep. To start a new record with the currently selected sweep settings, tap NEW RECORD (NEW RECORD button turns on continuous sweep). The filename is assigned automatically, but it can be changed afterwards when the file is open with button RENAME RECORD.
  • Page 38 0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION To close the record and exit the OPEN RECORD submenu, tap BACK. To exit the RECORD menu and return to the TOOLS menu tap BACK. Entering the RECORD menu The RECORD menu The OPEN RECORD submenu...

  • Page 39: Record Time Plot

    0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION 2.13.7 RECORD TIME PLOT The RECORD TIME PLOT menu allows visualizing the detected power values over time during a record. The vertical axis is transformed into a time axis – the bottommost row of a time plot corresponds to the newest sweep and the uppermost row corresponds to the first recorded sweep.
  • Page 40 0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION Entering RECORD TIME PLOT menu The RECORD TIME PLOT menu The OPEN TIME PLOT submenu...

  • Page 41: Auto Rotate

    0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION 2.13.8 AUTO ROTATE Tapping the AUTO ROTATE button turns on and off the automatic rotation of the screen, if the device is turned by 90, 180 or 270 degrees. When AUTO ROTATE is enabled, the button is green.

  • Page 42: About

    0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION 2.13.9 ABOUT The ABOUT menu contains information about the Spectrum Compact unit: supported frequency range, product number, serial number, hardware version and firmware version with its date. To exit the ABOUT menu and return to the TOOLS menu, tap BACK.
  • Page 43 0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION When Spectrum Compact is connected to a computer in MSD mode, it is not possible to save, rename or delete spectrum curves, records and profiles, or to take screenshots on the device. The VCP mode allows opening a serial connection with computer and accessing CLI.

  • Page 44: Settings

    0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION 2.14 SETTINGS All the other settings of the spectrum analyzer are accessible from the SETTINGS menu. To access the SETTING menu, from the main screen go to TOOLS & SETTINGS  SETTINGS. To exit the SETTINGS menu and return to the TOOLS menu, tap BACK.

  • Page 45: Bright

    0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION 2.14.1 BRIGHT The BRIGHT menu allows setting the background brightness of the screen. Tapping the “+” button or moving the slider up, increases the brightness, tapping the “-“ button or moving the slider down, decreases the brightness. To exit the BRIGHT menu and return to the SETTINGS menu, tap BACK.

  • Page 46: Time

    0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION 2.14.2 TIME The TIME menu allows setting the time/date format of the Spectrum Compact. The currently selected parameter (YEAR/ MONTH/ DATE/ HOUR/ MIN) is displayed in white. To select a different parameter, tap on it once. The color of the keypad buttons shows which numbers can be entered at the current digit position to obtain a valid value –...

  • Page 47: Color

    0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION 2.14.3 COLOR The COLOR menu allows setting a custom color scheme for the graph. Tap the button GROUND, GRID or LINE to set the color for the background, the grid or the spectrum curve (NORMAL and AVERAGE traces), respectively. The color is...

  • Page 48: Firmware Upgrade

    0.3-3 GHz SPECTRUM COMPACT (FW V5.2.6) OPERATION 2.15 Firmware upgrade Make sure that the firmware file is for the correct Spectrum Compact product! Also please avoid downgrading to older firmware versions! 1. Turn Spectrum Compact on. 2. From the main screen tap TOOLS & SETTINGS, then tap SERVICE MENU. Tap USB MODE.

  • Page 49: Contacts

    CONTACTS Global headquarters North America office SAF Tehnika JSC SAF North America LLC VAT No. LV40003474109 OFFICE, MANUFACTURING AND LEGAL ADRESS: OFFICE ADDRESS: 24a, Ganibu Dambis 3250 Quentin Street, Riga, LV-1005, Latvia Unit 128, Aurora CO 80011 E-MAIL: E-MAIL: info@saftehnika.com salesna@saftehnika.com...

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