The RSA306 uses your PC and Tektronix SignalVu® -PC RF Signal Analysis Software to provide real time spectrum analysis, streaming capture and deep signal analysis capabilities for signals from 9 kHz to 6.2 GHz, all in a low-cost, highly portable package that is ideal for field, factory, or academic use.

The RSA306: a New Class of Instrument

The RSA306 offers full-featured spectrum analysis and deep signal analysis at a price unmatched by any previous offering. Using the latest in commercial interfaces and available computing power, the RSA306 separates signal acquisition from measurement, dramatically lowering the cost of instrument hardware. Data analysis, storage and replay is performed on your personal computer, tablet or laptop. Managing the PC separately from the acquisition hardware makes processing upgrades easy, and minimizes IT management issues.

SignalVu-PC Software & API for Deep Analysis & Fast Programmatic Interaction

The RSA306 operates with SignalVu-PC, a powerful program that is the basis of Tektronix performance signal analyzers. SignalVu-PC offers a deep analysis capability previously unavailable in value-priced solutions. Real-time processing of the DPX spectrum/spectrogram is enabled in your PC, further reducing the cost of hardware. Customers who need programmatic access to the instrument can choose either the SignalVu-PC programmatic interface or use the included application programming interface (API) that provides a rich set of commands and measurements. A MATLAB driver for the API is available, enabling operation with MATLAB and the Instrument Control Toolbox.

The RSA306 w/ SignalVu-PC: Basic & Advanced Measurements for Field & Lab

See what you've never seen before: The 40 MHz real time bandwidth of the RSA306 combined with the processing power of SignalVu-PC shows you every signal, even down to 100 μs in duration. The following image shows a WLAN transmission (green and orange), and the narrow signals that repeat across the screen are a Bluetooth access probe. The spectrogram (upper part of the screen) clearly separates these signals in time to show any signal collisions.

Monitoring has never been easier. Spectrum mask testing captures detail of transients found in the frequency domain, such as intermittent interference. Mask testing can be set to stop acquisition, save acquisition, save a picture, and send an audible alert. The following image shows a spectrum mask (in orange on the spectrum display) created to monitor a band of frequencies for violations. A single transient of 125 μs duration has occurred that violated the mask, with the violation shown in red. The transient is clearly seen on the spectrogram above the red violation area (circled).

Analysis of AM and FM signals is standard in SignalVu-PC. The following screen shot shows a 1 kHz tone amplitude modulating a carrier to 48.9% total AM. Markers are used on the spectrum display to measure the modulation sideband at 1 kHz offset, 12.28 dB down from the carrier. The same signal is simultaneously viewed in the modulation display, showing AM versus time, with +Peak, -Peak and Total AM measurements. Advanced measurements for analog audio modulation including SINAD, THD and modulation rate are available in Option SVA.

A broad range of analysis options are available on SignalVu-PC. The following screen shot shows the standard Channel Power/ACLR measurement combined with optional modulation analysis to show spectrum measurements plus a constellation display and vector signal quality measurements on a QPSK signal.

SignalVu-PC Option SV26 enables quick, standards-based transmitter health checks on APCO P25 signals. The following image shows a Phase II signal being monitored for anomalies with the spectrum analyzer while performing transmitter power, modulation and frequency measurements.

Sophisticated WLAN measurements are easy. On the displayed 802.11g signal, the spectrogram shows the initial pilot sequence followed by the main signal burst. The modulation is automatically detected as 64 QAM for the packet and displayed as a constellation. The data summary indicates an EVM of -33.24 dB RMS, and burst power is measured at 10.35 dBm. SignalVu-PC options are available for 802.11a/b/j/g/p, 802.11n and 802.11ac to 40 MHz bandwidth.

SignalVu-PC Option MAP enables interference hunting and signal strength analysis. Locate interference with azimuth direction function. It lets you draw a line or an arrow on a mapped measurement to indicate the direction your antenna was pointing when you take a measurement. You can also create and display measurement labels.