MSA358 8.5GHz Handheld Spectrum Analyzer

MSA358 is an authentic spectrum analyzer providing performance and functions that are comparable to large-size bench type in a compact, lightweight and inexpensive model.

Features

1. Compact and lightweight 1.8kg

The dimensions are as small as 162 (W) × 70 (H) × 260 (D) mm, and the weight is only 1.7 kg including the battery. It is very convenient for outdoor use and while on business trips.

2. Measuring frequency range 50kHz to 8.5GHz

This bandwidth covers those of　not only 2.4/5GHz band wireless LAN and 5.8GHz band DSRC(ETC), but also more than three times of W-CDMA, CDMA, PDC, PHS, GSM, or Bluetooth.

3.Operation with battery for 120minutes

When the battery MB300 (optional) is fully charged, MSA358 operates for about 120 minutes (with the back light turned off). It is extremely convenient for outdoor use and for measuring wireless LAN installation environment.

4. Performance that is comparable to large-size bench type

MSA358 guarantees a highly stable frequency axis by PLL synthesizer system. The center frequency setting resolution is 100kHz. Furthermore, the average noise level of -110dBm (typical) provides a wide dynamic range and the reference level can be set in 1 dB step.

5. Abundant functions
Measuring functions	Calculation functions
* Channel power measurement	* MAX HOLD
* Adjacent channel power measurement	* MIN HOLD
* Occupied bandwidth measurement	* AVERAGE
* Electric field strength measurement	* OVER WRITE
* Magnetic field strength measurement
Marker and peak search
Save / Load
* Electric field strength meas. ··· Optimum for measurement of cellular phone and wireless LAN working environment.
* Magnetic field strength meas. ··· Optimum for EMI design of PCBs and for evaluation of signal quality.

6. Auto tuning

The center frequency is set at the spectrum of the maximum level in the 8.5GHz band, and in addition, optimum reference level, resolution bandwidth, video bandwidth and sweep time are set when the AUTO TUNE key is pressed. This function is very convenient for measurement of an unknown signal.

7. Auto range operation

The resolution bandwidth, video bandwidth and sweep time are automatically set based on the frequency span. It is also possible to set auto range operation only one or two out of resolution bandwidth, video bandwidth and sweep time.

8. Hard copy of the image

Connect a printer (optional) and press the PRINT key on MSA358. The image on the screen is printed as it is.

9. High resolution display on the PC screen

The spectrum waveform is displayed at high resolution, 1000 points in the horizontal axis, on the PC screen when "PC Software MAS300" (optional) is used.

Operational explanation

Measuring functions

Channel power measurement

Measures the sum of the power in the zone specified by the zone center and zone width (slash area in figure). In short, it is possible to measure the total power in the specified frequency band. Of course it is possible to measure the noise power.

Adjacent channel power measurement

Capable of measuring the adjacent channel power leakage as the ratio of the power in the range specified by offset frequency and bandwidth (slash area in figure) to the carrier wave power. Both the upper and lower side power leakage are measured.

Furthermore, the method for measurement may be selected out of three methods, i.e., total power method, reference level method and in-band method, from the classification of definition of carrier wave power.

Magnetic field strength measurement

MSA358 is capable of precisely measuring the magnetic field distribution on an LSI or a printed circuit board using magnetic field probe CP-2S (optional).

As the magnetic field detection portion of CP-2S is of a shielded loop structure that adopts glass ceramic multi-layer board technology of excellent high frequency characteristics, it is possible to take measurement at high reproducibility by detecting magnetic field components only. The measuring frequency range is as broad as 10MHz to 3GHz, and the measured value is calibrated in the instrument.

Evaluation of effectiveness of the bypass capacitor located at the power supply terminal of an LSI and evaluation of wiring rule on a printed circuit board can be raised as typical use of CP-2S. CP-2S is not affected by adjacent patterns because of high space resolution.

Occupied bandwidth measurement

It is possible to measure the occupied frequency bandwidth as the bandwidth of the point that is lower by X (dB) than the peak level or as the bandwidth of the point of Y (%) of the total power.

Electric field strength measurement

It is possible to measure the electric field strength by connecting a dipole antenna (optional) to the input connector. A dipole antenna that suits the use is available. M301 is mainly for PDC 800MHz and GSM 900MHz band, M302 is mainly for PDC 1500MHz band, M303 is mainly for PHS, W-CDMA and GSM 1800 / 1900MHz band, and M304 is mainly for 2.4GHz wireless LAN and Bluetooth. M304 is capable of measuring direct sequence spread spectrum, frequency hopping and Bluetooth system by 10 ms sweep time and MAX HOLD function.

The conventional method covering low frequency through high frequency with a single antenna results in low antenna gain because of using a range deviating from the antenna resonance point, and the dynamic range largely worsens as a result.

MSA358, however, provides an antenna for each frequency band and uses a resonance point of high gain only, and accordingly, it is capable of securing a wide dynamic range. Antennas of other bands will be also prepared if requested.
As the electric field strength is calibrated for each antenna in MSA358, it is possible to directly read the measured value.

Calculation functions

Max hold　

The update spectrum data is compared with that of last time for each point of the X-axis, and the larger one is retained and displayed. The number of times of sweep can be set in the range from 2 to 1024 times by steps, which is a power of 2, or by infinite. It is possible to observe burst signal and frequency drift.

Min hold

The update spectrum data is compared with that of last time for each point of the X-axis, and the smaller one is retained and displayed. The number of times of sweep can be set in the range from 2 to 1024 times by steps, which is a power of 2, or by infinite.

Average

Simple averaging processing is executed at each sweep. The number of times of averaging can be set from a range of 2 to 256 times by steps, which is a power of 2. The signal components buried in the noise can be measured.

Over write

The image on the screen is not cleared for each sweep, and overwriting display is executed. It is, therefore, possible to observe the process of changes in the signal.

Marker and peak search

Marker measurement

Two different modes are available for marker measurement. One is normal marker mode to measure and display the frequency (maximum effective number of digits : 7) and level (maximum effective number of digits : 3) of the marker point, and another is delta marker mode to measure and display the frequency difference and level difference between two markers (one of which is a reference marker).

Peak search

Two different modes are available for peak search. One is normal peak search mode to search for the peak level with all of 10div of the frequency axis as the search range, and another is in-zone peak search mode to search for the peak level in the range specified by the center value and width. NEXT search (search for the next smaller level) of up to 9 is permitted in the normal peak search mode. The marker moves to the peak level at each sweep in the in-zone peak search mode.

Normal peak search

Zone peak search

AUTO tuning

The search for the signal of the maximum level in the 8.5GHz band is executed and the result is displayed in the specified frequency span when the AUTO TUNE key is pressed. The spectrum is tuned to the vicinity of the center of the screen, and the reference level, resolution bandwidth, video bandwidth and sweep time are automatically set at optimum values. This function is very convenient when used for measurement of an unknown signal.

Auto range

Resolution bandwidth, video bandwidth and sweep time are set automatically based on the specified frequency span. Furthermore, it is also possible to automatically set one or two of either resolution bandwidth, video bandwidth and sweep time. The operator is released from troublesome operation because these three parameters that accompany the frequency span are set automatically.

Save/Load

It is possible to save 100 traces and 100 setups. The load is one trace and one setup. This function may be used when various data are acquired and they are evaluated later, or when it is wanted to make a comparison with formerly acquired data. The saved traces and setups can be transferred to a PC through RS-232C.

Hard copy of display

Hard copies of the image on the screen can be produced if a printer (optional) is connected, using RS-232C cable MI180 (optional), to the RS-232C connector of this instrument. Printing begins when the PRINT key is pressed. The printer is of dual power supply scheme, i.e., AC adaptor and battery, and it is possible to easily produce hard copies of measured data even outdoors where no AC power supply is available. The operating time of the battery-powered printer is about 30 minutes (when used continuously), and it is possible to produce about 80 hard copies of images on the screen.

High resolution display on the PC screen

Although the spectrum is displayed by 250 points on the horizontal axis on the spectrum analyzer screen, it is fetched by 1000 points per sweep in the instrument. When "PC Software MAS300" (optional) is used, all of these 1000 points are transferred to a PC (the maximum transfer rate is 38,400 bps) and are displayed on the PC screen. The image, therefore, becomes clearer. Furthermore, setup of spectrum analyzer can be made from the PC side.

Standard accessories and optional accessories

Standard accessories and optional accessories

Standard accessories
　AC adapter 100V∼240VAC[MA300]
　Soft carrying case
　Accessory pouch
　Fuse
　Operation munual
Optional accessories
  Dipole antenna[M301 to M306]
  Magnetic field probe[CP-2S]
  Wide band passive probe[MP300]
  PC Software MAS300
  RS-232C cable[MI180]
  Frequency counter
  RS-232C/GP-IB converter
  Charger
  Printer
  Coaxial cable[MC301 to MC307]
  Coaxial adaptor[MA301 to MA305]
  Ni-MH battery[MB300]
　

Magnetic field probe

Printer

Dipole antenna (Antenna gain and VSWR are specified at a center of frequency range)

         Specifications

Frequency section   Frequency range 50kHz to 8.5GHz 　 Frequency range Frequency band Harmonic order 50kHｚ to 3.5GHｚ Base　band 1 3.3GHｚ to 6.3GHｚ band　1- 1 6.1GHｚ to 8.5GHｚ band　1+ 1   Center frequency 　   　 Setting resolution 100kHz Allows rotary encoder, numeric key and function key      Accuracy within ±(30+20T)kHz±1dot　(※1) 　 　 ＠Span 200kHz to 10MHz, RBW 30kHz within ±(60+300T)kHz±1dot　(※1) 　 　 ＠Span 20MHz to 8.5GHz, RBW 100kHz   　RBW frequency error within ±6% of RBW　＠RBW :3kHz, 30kHz within ±30% of RBW　＠RBW :100kHz to 3MHz   Frequency span 　     Setting range 0Hz (Zero span), 200kHz to 5GHz (1-2-5step) and 8.5GHz (Ｆull span)     Accuracy within ±3% ±20TkHz ±1dot ＠Span 200kHz to 10MHz　(※1) within ±3% ±200TkHz ±1dot ＠Span 20MHz to 8.5GHz　(※1) 　   Display dot number 251dots ＠LCD screen 1001dots ＠RS-232C communication ※The 1001 points a trace are stored in the memory. 　   Resolution bandwidth 3dB bandwidth     Setting range 3kHz to 3MHz (1-3step) and AUTO     Accuracy within ±20%     Selectivity 1 : 12 (typical, 3dB : 60dB)   Video bandwidth 100Hz to 1MHz (1-3step) and AUTO   SSB Phase noise -90dBc/Hz (typical) ＠100kHz offset, RBW 3kHz, VBW 100Hz, Sweep time　0.3s   Spurious response less than -60dBc   Harmonics less than -40dBc ＠100MHz to 8.5GHz 　 Amplitude section 　   Reference level 　     Setting range +10 to -60dBm (1dB step)     Accuracy within ±0.8dB ±1dot 　　 ＠Center freq. 100MHz, RBW 3MHz, VBW 1MHz, ATT 0dB, 23 ±5℃     Unit dBm, dBV, dBmV, dBµV, dBµV/m, dBµA/m 　 　 (dBµV/m and dBµA/m is used in measuring function)   Average noise level -110dBm (typical) ＠Center freq. 1GHz, RBW 3kHz, VBW 100Hz   Frequency Characteristic within ±2.0dB ±1dot ＠50kHz to100MHz within ±1.0dB ±1dot ＠100MHz to 8.5GHz   Input impedance 50ohm   Input VSWR less than 2.0   Input attenuator 　     Operating range 0 to 25dB (1dB step), coupled with reference level     Switching error within ±0.6dB   RBW switching error within ±0.6dB   Display dot number 200dots   Display scale 　     Scale 10dB/div, 2dB/div     Accuracy within ±0.8dB/10dB ±1dot within ±0.2dB/2dB ±1dot within ±1.6dB/70dB ±1dot   Input damage level +23dBm (CW average power), 25VDC   Input connector SMA (J) 　 Sweep section 　   Sweep time 　     Setting range 10ms to 30s and AUTO ＠Span 0 to 2GHz 30ms to 30s and AUTO ＠Span 5GHz 0.1 to 30s and AUTO ＠Ｆull span ※1-3 step     Accuracy within ±0.1% ±1dot ＠Span 0 to 5GHz within ±2.5% ±1dot ＠Ｆull span   Trigger mode AUTO ＠Zero span   Detection mode Positive peak, Negative peak, Sample 　 Functions 　   Marker NORM : displays frequency (7 digits max) and level (4 digits max) at marker point. DELTA : displays difference frequency and level between 2 markers.   Peak search NORM : searches a peak point within 10div. Available NEXT peak (10max). ZONE : searches a peak point within a zone designated by center and width. Marker moves to a peak point each sweep.   Calculation NORM, MAX HOLD, MIN HOLD, AVERAGE, OVER WRITE * MAX/MIN HOLD : 2 to 1024 times, AVERAGE : 2 to 256   Measuring Channel power, Adjacent channel power, Occupied frequency bandwidth, Electric field strength (needs optional antenna), Magnetic field strength (needs optional magnetic field probe) measurement.   AUTO tuning When pressing AUTO TUNE key, the maximum level spectrum within 8.5GHz bandwidth is adjusted to center, and reference level, RBW, VBW and sweep time are adjusted to optimum values.   Save / Load 　     Save Saves 100 traces and 100 setups     Load Loads 1 trace and 1 setup 　 General 　   Communication 　     Interface RS-232C     Baud rate 2,400 to 38,400bps   Hard copy Allows direct hard copy with an optional printer   Display 　     Display LCD     Backlight CFL backlight     Resolution 320(H)×240(V) dots   Power source 　     Battery Ni-MH Battery (optional)     External DC source DC jack, +4.75∼+5.25VDC/4A 　 Other 　   Operating temperature 0 to 40℃ (Guaranteed at 23 ±10℃, without soft carrying case)   Operating humidity less than 40℃/80%RH (Guaranteed at less than 33℃/70%RH, without soft carrying case)   Storage temperature -20 to 60℃, less than 60℃/70%RH   Dimensions 162(W)×70(H)×260(D)mm (exclude projections and stand)   Weight approx. 1.8kg (included battery) 　 1 :Temperature 23±5℃, T=Sweet time(s) MICRONIX Corporation reserves the right to make changes in design, specification and other information without prior notice.

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