M8920A PXIe Radio Test Set

M8920A PXIe Radio Test Set  

100 kHz to 3.8 GHz or 6 GHz

Introduction  

• Generate and analyze AM, FM, PM, and SSB signals.
• Analyze Land Mobile Radio (LMR) formats (APCO25 P1/P2, DMR, TETRA I, and dPMR signals), generate APCO25 and DMR pre-loaded signals.
• Generate and analyze LMR and custom waveforms (FSK, MSK, PSK, QPSK, QAM, etc.)
• Simplex or full duplex radio testing
• Simpler measurement setup and customizable views with new multi-touch user interface.
• Simultaneously view signal analysis while controlling signal generation in a quad display
• Create baseband audio waveforms: single tone, dual tone, etc.
• Most complete set of post-demod filters.
• Smooth migration from HP 8920A/B and HP 8901A/B modulation analyzers.
• Test analog avionics radios using optional avionics databus interface hardware modules and associated software.

N9093EM0E Basic Analog Test Software  

Available on the M8920A PXIe Radio Test Set, the Basic Analog Radio Test application transforms the PXIe hardware into an easy-to-use radio tester for analog modulated signals, including AM, FM, SSB and PM. By adding fast, one-button measurements, the analog demodulation measurement and signal generation application helps you design, evaluate, and manufacture your analog radios quickly and accurately. Even in the modern digital world, the analog demodulation measurement application helps you to troubleshoot distortions due to unintentional, analog modulation from digitally modulated transmitters — allowing you to stay on the leading edge of your design and manufacturing challenges. The Basic Analog Test application is just one in a common library of several applications used on the M8920A, an evolutionary approach to signal analysis and generation that spans instrumentation, measurements, and software.

TX monitor RF spectrum  

This is the most traditional spectrum analyzer measurement viewing the modulated carrier signal power in frequency domain. Prior to being modulated, the signal power of a sinusoidal carrier concentrates at the carrier frequency. By contrast, modulation causes sidebands indicating the power redistribution over frequencies.

TX demod waveform and AF spectrum  

This measurement retrieves the baseband signal from the modulated signal via the demodulation process and then displays the baseband signal in a pattern of modulation depth/ deviation versus time. Because the modulation depth/deviation is directly proportional to the instantaneous amplitude of the baseband signal, the measurement result helps to intuitively evaluate the quality of the baseband signal.  

TX AF spectrum view  

By applying the fast Fourier transform (FFT) to the baseband waveform, AF spectrum demonstrates the baseband signal behaviors in frequency domain graphically. This measurement reveals the distortion of the baseband signal clearly just as the RF spectrum does for the RF signal.

TX modulation metrics  

Besides the frequency domain and time domain view of analog modulation signals, one of the most important features of this application is numeric result that demonstrates the modulation parameters and error information. For AM signal, the AM depth, modulation rate and distortions like SINAD will be displayed in metrics view; for FM/PM signal, the FM deviation/PM deviation, carrier frequency error, SINAD, SNR, and distortions will be displayed.  

TX post-demod filters  

The post-demod filters help you to optimize the measurement results by filtering out undesired signals such as harmonics, noise, and spurs from the demodulated signal. You may choose a high-pass filter (20, 50, 300, or 400 Hz) and/or a low-pass filter (300 Hz or 3, 15, 30, 80, 100, 300 kHz) or a user defined (Manual) for either HPF or LPF from the available post-demod filter bank to achieve the best demodulation results.