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SAF Ka-Band Spectrum Compact 24 – 40GHz Portable Analyzer Review, Teardown & Experiments

February 2, 2020 Shahriar Shahramian No comments

In this episode Shahriar reviews another SAF Spectrum Contact. This model covers the Ka-Band (24GHz-40GHz), intended for 5G mm-Wave field measurements. The K-Band unit offers additional functionality such as 10MHz minimum span as well as RBW/VBW control down to 100kHz.

The teardown of the instrument reveals a similar architecture to the previously reviewed V-Band unit. Various system components are analyzed and explained. Some of the instrument’s GUI capabilities are also presented.

For experiments, a 900-element 38GHz planer array antenna is used at a distance of 2.5 meters. A slow-FM modulated RF signal centered at 38GHz is generated and measured which allows for the antenna gain characterization as well as exploration of the instrument’s capabilities.

Equipment Review, Experiments, Teardown Experiments, Review, RF, Teardown

Siglent SVA1032X 3.2GHz Spectrum & Vector Network Analyzer Review, Teardown & Experiments

November 10, 2019 Shahriar Shahramian One comment

In this episode Shahriar reviews the newly released Siglent SVA1032X. The SVA series instrument spectrum & vector network analyzers are powerful and flexible tools for broadcast and RF device / system testing. With a wide frequency range covering 9 kHz to 3.2 GHz, the analyzer delivers reliable automatic measurements and plenty of features including a tracking generator and multiple modes of operation. This review is organized as follows:

00:09 – Introduction and instrument overview
02:25 – Complete teardown and detailed analysis of the instrument hardware
23:36 – Basic instrument GUI operation and overload detection limitations
28:38 – Tracking generator signal purity and performance
30:06 – Instrument internal phase noise performance
33:01 – VNA operation and amplifier impedance tuning experiment
39:28 – Amplifier characterization using built-in functions
44:20 – Digital demodulation experiments
49:30 – Distance to fault experiments using built-in functions
49:16 – Concluding remarks

Equipment Review, Teardown Experiments, Review, RF, Teardown

Tektronix AFG31000 2GS/s Arbitrary Function Generator Review, Teardown & Experiments

September 15, 2019 Shahriar Shahramian No comments

In this episode Shahriar reviews the new Tektronix AFG31000 Arbitrary Function Generator. The AFG31000 series with InstaView™ technology is the first high-performance AFG with built-in waveform generation applications, patented real-time wave monitoring, and a modern user interface. The instrument is capable of 2GS/s waveform generation up to 250MHz and 14-bits of vertical resolution. This review is organized as follows:

00:08 – Introductions
01:01 – Front panel, rear panel and instrument design
03:44 – Detailed teardown, analysis, architecture and components
17:30 – GUI overview and basic functions
20:25 – Broadband FM modulation experiments
23:55 – InstaView experiments with a non-linear impedance
35:38 – Equation editor, waveform builder and advance sequencing
51:21 – Concluding remarks

Equipment Review, Experiments, Teardown Analog, Experiments, Parts, Review, RF, Teardown

Keithley DAQ6510 6.5-Digit Data Acquisition & Multimeter Review, Teardown & Experiments

August 4, 2019 Shahriar Shahramian One comment

In this episode Shahriar reviews the Keithley DAQ6510 6.5-Digit Data Acquisition & Multimeter. The instrument offers a new level of simplicity. The DAQ6510 has a touchscreen user interface that enables faster setup time, real time monitoring of test status, and detailed data analysis on the instrument. This review is organized as follows:

00:08 – Introductions
01:57 – Instrument specification and datasheet
03:06 – Unit overview & design
05:41 – DAQ6510 teardown and analysis
11:39 – Keithley 7700 acquisition module teardown
16:38 – Power on and GUI overview
18:29 – Component binning experiment with advanced triggering
28:31 – Analyzing DC-DC converter behavior at 1MS/s
32:06 – Thermal monitoring and modeling using DAQ6510
42:35 – KickStart PC software capabilities
45:43 – DAQ6510 buit-in App ecosystem
48:00 – Concluding remarks

Equipment Review, Experiments, Teardown Analog, Experiments, Parts, Review, Teardown

ERASynth Micro $199 12.5MHz – 6.4GHz Portable Synthesizer Teardown, Review & Experiments

July 5, 2019 Shahriar Shahramian No comments

In this episode Shahriar reviews the affordable ERASynth Micro 12.5MHz – 6.4GHz portable synthesizer with a built-in LCD screen. The USB powered instrument is fully open-source, Arduino compatible and can be operated in stand-alone mode. The system block diagram and operation of the instrument is presented.

The measurements show some of the strengths and limitations of the instrument in AM/FM modulation modes and general CW use cases.