test&measurementZONE Products for the week of August 30, 2010

Agilent Technologies Says…

N9342C: Handheld Spectrum Analyzer
Makes Infield Measurements Easier, Faster, More Precise

Agilent Technologies Inc. introduced the N9342C handheld spectrum analyzer (HSA), a powerful and straightforward instrument designed for RF technicians and engineers performing installation, maintenance and surveillance of RF systems in the field. The N9342C HSA makes field testing easier by providing faster, more precise measurements, ease of use, and a range of user customization and ergonomic features.

Agilent's N9342C HSA provides fast and accurate measurement of RF and microwave equipment and RF environments from 100 kHz to 7 GHz, tunable to 9 kHz. RF and microwave equipment measurements include transmitter and component test, receiving path signal monitoring and antenna tuning. RF environment measurements include band clearance, signal coverage and interface hunting. The HSA's outstanding RF performance ensures first-time measurement accuracy, while a unique Task Planner capability, which cuts test setup time by 95 percent and allows users to boost their work efficiency, automates routine measurement tasks. Such capabilities make the N9342C HSA ideal for customers in a variety of markets, including aerospace/defense, microwave and satellite communication, wireless communication and broadcasting, spectrum regulation, and general-purpose spectrum analysis.

"Specifically designed for the field, the N9342C HSA is extremely easy to use and brings RF field test efficiency to a new level," said Brian LeMay, general manager of Agilent's Chengdu Instruments Division.

EN-Genius Says…

The N9342A handheld spectrum analyzer is an ac-coupled 100 kHz to 7 GHz instrument (tunable to 9 kHz with a 1 Hz resolution) with a temperature stability of ±1ppm. At 500 MHz center frequency SSB phase noise is about -90 dBc/Hz at 30 kHz improving to better than -115 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz.

The instrument’s measurement range has a displayed average noise level to +10 dBm out to 2 MHz and +20 dBm out to 7 GHz (preamplifier off) with an input attenuator range of 50 dB in 1 dB steps. The DANL (at a reference of <-50 dBm) is a typical -127 dBm out to 1 MHz and reduces to -140 dBm at 7 GHz (-150 dBm and -154 dBm with the preamplifier on). The display range is ten divisions with a log scale of 10 dB to 100 dB with four switched ranges and a maximum four traces. Typical RF input VSWR (at 50 Ω) is <1.5:1 out to 3 GHz.

The display employed is a 640 x 480 pixel 6.5 inch color TFT with an automated backlight for viewing in all lighting conditions. Power can be supplied through a universal ac input or from 15 V dc, with a total power consumption of about 15 W. A fully-charged internal battery can operate the instrument for about three hours with the tracking generator on and preamplifier off. Re-charge time is about three hours. The battery adds about 300 g to the weight.

Four options are available: a spectrum monitor with three display modes (spectrum trace, spectrogram, and combined); a 25 dB gain RF preamplifier (out to 7 GHz); a tracking generator (from 5 MHz to 7 GHz) with a 50 Ω output level of 0 to -20 dBm (in 1 dB steps); and a GPS receiver with antenna.

Of all the hardware test and measurement companies Agilent has done, by far, the best job during the current recession of developing new markets without harming existing outlets or damaging the value proposition of its bench instruments. The days of having to wait a year for a capital budget for an instrument you just felt you had to have are by no means over but the notion that you can get a decent piece of equipment in portable form is a new and very welcome alternative. The unit can also be remotely controlled with a USB/LAN interface and a user data sanitation facility is available for security purposes.

By their nature spectrum analyzers tend to be mounted on carts rather than on a bench because the equipment being tested or aligned is, inevitably, larger and rather immovable. Getting a 3.7 kg piece of equipment even closer to the action would be a delight and Agilent’s customers are going to flock for a taste of the new fruits…

The N9342C will be a huge financial success for the company and the users will have smiles all over their faces as well. Who would ever have thought that a spectrum analyzer capable of 7 GHz could ever be described, accurately, as a handheld instrument! You will use the spectrum analyzer, with an excellent keypad design that generally requires only two selections and with an automated backlight control, for all manner of communications equipment testing and set-up.

The basic N9342C handheld spectrum analyzer is in production with a list price of $11,113.

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