I am considering the purchase of an N5230A PNA-L network analyzer. I am interested in learning if this equipment can be used to display the output spectrum of a transmitter. I know that I need to properly attenuate the transmitter output before the network analyzer.
Basically I am asking if the receiver portion of the N5230A can be used independently of the RF source. I am interested only in frequency, no amplitude information is needed.
Thanks!
Basically I am asking if the receiver portion of the N5230A can be used independently of the RF source. I am interested only in frequency, no amplitude information is needed.
Thanks!
First you have to be careful about the power level that you are injecting into the port. You should never exceed the damage power level that is printed on the front panel, but to make a good measurement, the power level of your signal needs to be much lower than the damage level as the receivers will be in full compression at that point. Make sure to consult the Test Port Input compression specs for your PNA to find the optimum power level at the test port for the accuracy that you desire.
The second thing to consider is that PNA receivers are not image free and if you are sweeping a wide spectrum , you are likely to see real signals as well as their images. So don't expect what is displayed to look like what a spectrum analyzer would show for the same spectrum.
The third thing to consider is that you can calibrate the receivers to make very accurate magnitude measurement of your signal, but in receiver only measurements such as these, the phase is completely random, even of you lock the 10 MHz reference of the PNA to the source of your signal.
Given these considerations, you should be able to make a very good measurement of your signal if you take some time and set everything up properly and calibrate the response of the receivers.