Application

Note
Accurate power measurements using
spectrum analyzers
by Jean Noël Payen & Jean Jacques Perret

The IFR 239X series spectrum analyzers from Aeroflex

run automatic power measurement functions dedicated
to modern digital radio systems testing.
These systems use modulation techniques that make - X dB Down, measuring the X dB bandwidth of a system
generated signals difficult to measure using standard
- Adjacent Channel Power, measuring the channel power
methods, and quite impossible with RF power meters
and the difference between channel power and adja-
when interferers or other channels are present together
cent channels power
with the signal. In this case, a spectrum analyzer is the
best tool to use if fitted with dedicated power measure- - Channel Power
ment functions.
- Occupied Bandwidth; measuring the system bandwidth
To cover these requirements, Aeroflex has developed a containing X% of the channel power
comprehensive range of spectrum analyzers, the 239X
- Harmonic Distortion ; measuring up to 5 harmonic fre-
series, with models from 9 kHz to 3, 13 and 26.5 GHz.
quencies within the signal, and calculating the THD of
All the instruments of this family have a set of semi-auto- the signal
matic measurement functions that include the following:

For the very latest specifications visit www.aeroflex.com

The aim of this application note is to provide information allowing Special case - Low signal measurement
for better use of the power measurement functions, to explain the When the signal level is not far from the noise floor, accurate
measurement method employed and to highlight the causes for measurement is possible if the noise power is taken into account
inaccuracy. and the measurement result corrected. In this case, the "Adjacent
Channel Power" measurement will be used as it will allow for
Measurement principle
measuring the noise power in the same bandwidth. The operating
Power measurement is performed in a spectrum analyzer by inte- mode is identical and the same precautions as for “Channel
grating several elementary power samples taken at different fre- Power" are taken.
quencies over the resolution bandwidth of the analysis filter
(RBW). Theoretically, it is necessary to know precisely the equiva- The soft keys of the IFR 239X series spectrum analyzers allow the
lent noise bandwidth (ENB) of each analyzer's filter. In the real operator to set up the main channel bandwidth (MainChBW), the
world, this bandwidth is very close to the analysis filter's band- adjacent channel bandwidth (AdjChBW) and the channel spacing
width (RBW) but it can vary according to the shape of the filter. (ChSpacing). The first two parameters must be set up at the same
value and spacing must allow for the display of adjacent channels
Then it is necessary to take the samples at frequency intervals on the screen.
equal to the equivalent noise bandwidth of the filter in use. In the
real world, the integration bandwidth does not exactly match an
entire number of ENB's and therefore, must be much higher than
ENB in order to limit uncertainty to ± ENB.

The following example shows the RBW filter set at 100 kHz while
the integration bandwidth is set at 20 MHz. The span has been
adjusted around 4/5 times higher than the signal bandwidth.

The measurement results are displayed on the lower part of the

screen. Correcting the measurement will start with calculating the
average value of adjacent channel power differences.

∆ = 0.5 x [(-3.29 )+(-3.58)] = -3.43 dB

The correction factor C is computed using the formula:

C = 10xlog (1-10 ∆/10)

On top of that, each sample must represent a real sample: when
entering this measurement mode, the spectrum analyzer auto- The following table gives some of the most useful values:
matically switches to the "Sample" detection mode. The power
measurement is processed using real samples taken at the dis-
Power difference Correction factor
play points (different from the normal spectrum analyzer mode
-3.0 -3.02
where "Peak Pos" is normally used).
-3.5 -2.57
Every sample must be statistically independent therefore the -4.0 -2.2
video filter must be switched off (or set at the maximum value) and -4.5 -1.9
trace averaging not used. -5.0 -1.65
-6.0 -1.26
The soft keys of the IFR 239X series spectrum analyzers allow the -7.0 -0.97
operator to set up integration bandwidth (Integ.BW) and channel -8.0 -0.75
span (Ch.PW Span) parameters using the keyboard or scroll knob. -10.0 -0.46
The integration bandwidth is shown on the screen using two red -15.0 -0.14
vertical lines.

The lower part of the screen is dedicated to the digital display of According to this table, it is not necessary to use any correction
the measurement results. A more stable display is obtained using factor when the power difference is higher than 15 dB. For low dif-
measurement averaging, without any negative effect on accuracy. ferences, correcting the result becomes mandatory.
Display rate can be reduced by lowering the sweep speed.
In our example, the corrected value of the channel power is : transfer to PC and export of data in many formats.

More information on Aeroflex products can be obtained from

your local Aeroflex rep or on the Aeroflex web site at
ChP = -64.04 -2.57 = -66.63 dBm
www.aeroflex.com.

Comparing with an RF power meter

Advantages of using the IFR 239X series:

- Selective measurement : it is possible to measure one particu-

lar channel among others (satellite reception) or when interfer-
ers are present

- High dynamic range (typically +30 dBm to -80 dBm), no sensor

to change

- Better accuracy at low levels, due to correction capability

Drawbacks:

- Slightly less accurate for middle or high levels

- Measurement time slower

- Not usable on pulsed signals

IFR 239X series Spectrum Analyzers

The family includes 4 units in the same mechanical design:
2397 - 9 kHz to 3 GHz, monochrome display with optional DC
power supply and battery

2399A - 9 kHz to 3GHz, color display, switchable low noise pre-

amplifier

These two units may be fitted with an optional 100 kHz to 3 GHz
tracking generator to allow VSWR and Cable Fault measurement
functions to be performed with the spectrum analyzer.

2394 - 9 kHz to 13.2 GHz, color display , designed for spurious

signal identification on digital radios
2395 - 9 kHz to 26.5 GHz, color screen fitted with Planar Crown
type N or APC7 compatible SMA input connector

All these units can be delivered with the High Stability Time Base
option, EMC filters and quasi-peak detectors option and EMC soft-
ware facilities. A digital filter option, reducing the analysis band-
width to 10 Hz is available for all models except the 2397. They
all have a 3 1/4” floppy disk drive as standard, RS232, IEEE488,
parallel and VGA interfaces, and are delivered in a soft transport
case.

Screen dumps can be produced either on a suitable printer or

floppy disk using Bitmap or JPEG formats.

The EasySpan application software from Aeroflex allows for file

For the very latest specifications visit www.aeroflex.com

CHINA HONG KONG UNITED KINGDOM
Tel: [+86] (21) 6282 8001 Tel: [+852] 2832 7988 Tel: [+44] (0) 1438 742200
Fax: [+86] (21) 6282 8002 Fax: [+852] 2834 5364 Toll Free: [+44] (0800) 282 388 (UK only)
Fax: [+44] (0) 1438 727601
EUROPE SCANDINAVIA
Tel: [+44] (0) 1438 742200 Tel: [+45] 9614 0045 USA
Fax: [+44] (0) 1438 727601 Fax: [+45] 9614 0047 Tel: [+1] (316) 522 4981
Toll Free: [+1] (800) 835 2352 (US only)
FRANCE SPAIN Fax: [+1] (316) 522 1360
Tel: [+33] 1 60 79 96 00 Tel: [+34] (91) 640 11 34
Fax: [+33] 1 60 77 69 22 Fax: [+34] (91) 640 06 40

As we are always seeking to improve our products,

the information in this document gives only a general
indication of the product capacity, performance and
suitability, none of which shall form part of any con-
w w w.aeroflex.com
tract. We reserve the right to make design changes
without notice. All trademarks are acknowledged.
Parent company Aeroflex, Inc. ©Aeroflex 2003. [email protected]
Part No. 46891/916, Issue 1, 07/03