HW V4 / © 2005 – 2013 Aaronia AG, DE-54597 Strickscheid
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Manual Spectran V4
First measurement
8.9.
Operation mode broadband detector (Peak power meter)
The display mode status field displays „RF“ of “Power”
All Spectran models equipped with the Option 20x feature an
integrated RF detector (power meter) which can be utilized to
acquire Broadband power measurements in dBm or dBµV up to
10GHz (12GHz). The smallest detectable signal level is around
-50dBm (preamp activated), depending on frequency. The
maximum level measurable is approxi10dBm.
Due to technical considerations, frequency display is not
possible in this mode, thus only a „0Hz“ marker is shown. The
graphics display is transformed into a Time Domain display: the
variation of signal level in time is visualized. You can change
the update speed by altering the sample-time (menu
“SwTime”). The large main display and the bargraph show you
the measurement result in dBm or dBµV. The noisefloor is
about -50dBm.
In contrast to the „Spectrum analysis“ mode, Spectran’s
broadband detector allows straightforward and very fast a
realtime display of all peak signal levels in the entire frequency
range of the detector. To take advantage of this, sett the
SwTime to 1mS using the menu.
By utilizing a high-end, state-of-the art Silicon-Germanium
(SiGe) technology detector chip, we even provide detection of
ultra-short pulsings. This opens up a whole new range of
possibilities: For example, measurement of ultra-short RADAR
bursts or other short pulses.
The optional drastically enhanced frequency range of up to
10GHz (12Ghz) is even larger than what the spectrum analysis
of Spectran can currently offer (currently 9,4GHz) and thus
allows, among others, „detection“ of PAR airport radar in the 9
GHz band.
Obviously, the usefulness of this kind of detector
“measurement” is limited in certain ways. For example, no
frequency filtering or display takes place (however, you may of
course use your own external filters). So, to be perfectly exact,
neither power density nor field strength can be displayed;
neither can the measurement results be corrected for the
utilized antenna. This also implies no useful exposure limit
calculations.
However: Should you already know the frequency of a
dominant signal source; you can still calculate the power
density in w/m² or field strength in V/m resp. A/m of this
particular signal. Just note the dBm figure displayed by
Spectran and apply the corresponding formula in chapter 11.
