Introduction - Optoelectronics Digital Scout User Manual

Introduction

The Digital Scout is the latest advancement in hand-held test equipment by Optoelectronics, Inc. The
Digital Scout is the first nearfield device capable of detecting digital RF. The Digital Scout is able to
detect digital signals with a minimum pulse width of 300uS. These type signals include but are not nec-
essarily limited to TDMA, GSM, On/Off keying, APCO 25, TETRA and Frequency Hopping Spread
Spectrum. The Digital Scout is also capable of detecting analog RF. The Digital Scout will not detect
CDMA/Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum.
Another unique feature of the Digital Scout is its ability to display a calibrated signal strength reading
of a nearby transmitter in dBm. This allows for an accurate display of the nearfield RF strength from
-5 to -45dBm. A bargraph is also displayed as a reference. This is very useful in determining the loca-
tion of a wireless transmitter. It may also be helpful in the field in determining problems with hand held
or mobile radios.
The Digital Scout is more than a test instrument in the traditional sense because it is useful for finding
frequencies being used for two way radio communications. Up to 1000 unique frequencies can be
stored in memory, along with up to 65,000 hits on each frequency. The counter circuitry produces a
coherent and stable count when there is a single dominant signal 15 dB stronger than any other signal
in the RF floor. An embedded microprocessor evaluates each measurement statistically to determine
when an actual frequency is dominant. This is the digital filter processing which makes automatic cap-
ture and recording possible.
The Digital Scout also incorporates the feature that was patented by Optoelectronics Inc., Reaction
Tune. This unique feature allows the Digital Scout to automatically tune a compatible receiver to the
frequency it captures (analog only), allowing the user to instantly monitor the signal captured.
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