Signal Analyser Upgrade Lifts Analysis Bandwidth to 160MHz

With increased deployment of small cells and wireless LANs, there is a greater likelihood of unwanted signal interaction in the RF spectrum. For developers, real-time spectrum analysis is a powerful tool for capturing and analysing highly elusive signals. Agilent’s MXA with the RTSA option delivers 160MHz real-time bandwidth and the fast overlap processing. The combination enables accurate triggering on short-duration transients. In addition, the signal analyser’s frequency-mask trigger and various real-time displays help users pinpoint intermittent interference problems.



On measurements up to 26.5GHz, the MXA now offers analysis bandwidths of 85, 125 and 160MHz, all of which are available as upgrades to existing units. The 160MHz option meets the requirements of 802.11ac wireless LAN and LTE-Advanced specifications, both of which use wider transmission bandwidths to satisfy ever-increasing demand for data. The MXA’s ability to capture signals within a 160MHz bandwidth with 72dBc of spurious-free dynamic range enables users to rapidly characterise small signals near large ones.



For deeper analysis, the real-time MXA also works with Agilent 89600 VSA software. This combination enables users to thoroughly demodulate and characterize highly complex signals.



The RTSA and analysis-bandwidth options are available as upgrades to existing analysers. The compatibility of bandwidth upgrades depends on the existing configuration of the analyser. The options are as follows: N9020A-B85, 85-MHz analysis bandwidth; N9020A-B1A, 125-MHz analysis bandwidth; N9020A-B1X, 160-MHz analysis bandwidth; N9020A-RT1 or N9020AK-RT1 (upgrade), real-time spectrum analyser with up to 85-MHz analysis bandwidth; and N9020A-RT2 or N9020AK-RT2 (upgrade), real-time spectrum analyser with up to 160-MHz analysis bandwidth