Is there a video output available on the PSA spectrum analyzer?

Operational "How to" Guides

Summary

Description

There are two options for video outputs on the PSA, options 124 and H7L, which are functionally very different.

Option 124 is a reconstructed analog video output after the digital IF stage. This calibrated output is typically used in while in zero span, and is also available in the swept setting, but not in the FFT setting or in any of the measurement personalities. Its bandwidth is dependent on the user-selected RBW. This Y-axis video output is intended to be connected to strip chart recorders or ADC's. The output voltage is scaled to match the video output of the 8566B and 8568B spectrum analyzers' from zero volts corresponding to the bottom of the display to one volt at the top.

Option 124 may be included on new units or ordered as a retrofit kit on PSAs with serial number >= US/MY/SG 4430. For more information, refer to the Technical Overview link under "Documents & Downloads" below.
 

Option H7L is a specialized wide bandwidth, fast rise time video output for characterization of radar and EW pulsed RF. The output voltage is proportional to the log of the RF power from zero to a maximum of 2.7 V. The output comes from a log-video detector that fed directly from the 321.4 MHz IF, which is before the digital IF stage. Therefore, it is not corrected but has faster rise time (typically 20 ns) due to the wider IF bandwidth of approximately 40 MHz. The dynamic range is typically >65 dB. It is intended to be connected to a digital scope for fast pulse demodulation and characterization. In most cases, however, option 124 is recommended instead of option H7L.

Option H7L may be included on new units or ordered as a retrofit kit on standard PSA models E4440A, E4443A, E4445A, E4446A, E4448A. For more information, refer to the Technical Overview link under "Documents & Downloads" below.

See Also