Vector signal analyzer: Difference between revisions

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[[File:VSA screenshot.PNG|right|400px|thumb|A vector signal analyzer display featuring a constellation diagram, demodulation error data, signal spectrum, and the real-time measured signal]]

A '''vector signal analyzer''' is an instrument that measures the magnitude and phase of the input signal at a single frequency within the [[Intermediate frequency |IF]] [[Bandwidth (signal processing)|bandwidth]] of the instrument. The primary use is to make in-channel measurements, such as [[error vector magnitude]], code ___domain power, and [[spectral flatness]], on known signals.

Vector signal analyzers are useful in measuring and [[Demodulation|demodulating]] [[Modulation #Digital modulation methods |digitally modulated signals]] like [[W-CDMA (UMTS)|W-CDMA]], [[3GPP Long Term Evolution|LTE]], and [[Wireless LAN|WLAN]].<ref>National Institute of TechnologyStandards and StandardsTechnology [http://www.eeel.nist.gov/kate_papers/R13_NIST_TN1546_Modulated_Signal_(Web)1.pdf], ''Measurement to Support Modulated-Signal Radio Transmissions for the Public-Safety Sector'', pgp.  15, April, 2008, accessed July 19, 2011.</ref>. These measurements are used to determine the quality of [[modulation]] and can be used for design validation and compliance testing of electronic devices.

==Operation==

[[File:Vsa block.PNG|right|400px|thumb|A vector signal analyzer block diagram featuring a down-convert stage, a digitizing stage, and a [[digital signal processing|DSP]] and display stage]]

The vector signal analyzer spectrum analysis process typically has a down-convert & digitizing stage and a [[digital signal processing|DSP]] & display stage.

===Down Convert & Digitize Stage===

===Down-convert and digitize stage===

A vector signal analyzer operates by first down -converting the signal spectra by using [[superheterodyne receiver|superheterodyne techniques]].

A portion of the input signal spectrum is [[Superheterodyne receiver#High-side and low-side injection|down-converted]] (using a [[voltage-controlled oscillator]] and a [[Frequency mixer|mixer]]) to the center frequency of a [[band-pass filter]]. The use of a [[voltage-controlled oscillator]] allows for consideration of different carrier frequencies.

After the conversion to an [[intermediate frequency]], the signal is [[electronic filter|filtered]] in order to band-limit the signal and prevent [[aliasing]]. The signal is then [[digitizing|digitized]] using an [[analog-to-digital converter]]. [[Sampling rate]] is often varied in relation to the frequency span under consideration.

===DSP & Display stage===

Once the signal is digitized, it is separated into [[quadrature phase|quadrature]] and in-phase components using a quadrature detector, which is typically implemented with a [[Hilbert transform#Discrete Hilbert transforms|discrete Hilbert transform]]. Several measurements are made and displayed using these signal components and various [[digital signal processing|DSP]] processes, such as the ones below

===DSP &and Displaydisplay stage===

'''Signal Spectrum from FFT'''

Once the signal is digitized, it is separated into [[quadrature phase|quadrature]] and in-phase components ([[I/Q data]]) using a quadrature detector, which is typically {{cn|date=February 2024}} implemented with a [[Hilbert transform#Discrete Hilbert transformstransform|discrete Hilbert transform]]. Several measurements are made and displayed using these signal components and various [[digital signal processing|DSP]] processes, such as the ones below.

{{main|Fast Fourier Transform}}

: A [[fast fourier transform|FFT]] is used to compute the frequency spectrum of the signal. Usually there is a [[window function|windowing function]] option to limit [[spectral leakage]] and enhance frequency resolution<ref>Agilent [http://cp.literature.agilent.com/litweb/pdf/5990-7451EN.pdf], ''Agilent Vector Signal Analysis Basics'', pg. 12, Figure 8, accessed August 11, 2011.</ref>. This window is implemented by multiplying it with the digitized values of the sample period before computing the FFT.

'''==== Signal Spectrumspectrum from FFT''' ====

'''Constellation Diagram'''

{{main|Fast Fourier Transformtransform}}

: A [[fast fourierFourier transform|FFT]] is used to compute the frequency spectrum of the signal. Usually there is a [[window function|windowing function]] option to limit [[spectral leakage]] and enhance frequency resolution.<ref>AgilentKeysight [httphttps://cpstgwww.literature.agilentkeysight.com/litwebcn/pdfzh/assets/7018-02679/technical-overviews/5990-7451EN6405.pdf], ''AgilentKeysight Vector Signal Analysis Basics'', pg. 12, Figure 8, accessedPublished AugustSeptember 1130, 20112019.</ref>. This window is implemented by multiplying it with the digitized values of the sample period before computing the FFT.

'''==== Constellation Diagram'''diagram ====

{{main|Constellation diagram}}

: A [[constellation diagram]] represents a signal modulated by a digital [[modulation]] scheme such as [[quadrature amplitude modulation]] or [[phase-shift keying]]. This diagram maps the magnitude of the [[Quadrature phase|quadrature]] and in-phase components to the vertical and horizontal directions, respectively. Qualitative assessments of signal integrity can be made based on [[Constellation diagram#Interpretation|interpretation of this diagram]].

'''Error Vector Magnitude'''

==== Error vector magnitude ====

{{main|Error vector magnitude}}

:By representing the quadrature and in-phase components as the vertical and horizontal axes, the [[error vector magnitude]] can be computed as the distance between the ideal and measured constellation points on the diagram. This requires knowledge of the modulated signal in order to compare the received signal with the ideal signal.

===Typical Functionalityfunctionality===

Typical vector signal analyzer displays feature the [[spectrum]] of the signal measured within the [[Intermediate frequency |IF]] [[Bandwidth (signal processing)|bandwidth]] , a [[Quadrature amplitude modulation |constellation diagram]] of the demodulated signal, [[error vector magnitude]] measurements, and a [[time -___domain]] plot of the signal. Many more measurement results can be displayed depending on the type of modulation being used (symbol decoding, [[MIMO]] measurements, radio frame summary, etc.).

==References==

* [https://www.ewh.ieee.org/r2/baltimore/Chapter/Comm/VSA_COMSOC.pdf Communications Systems Analysis Using Hardware and Software-Based Vector Signal Analyzers [http://www.usna.edu/EE/research/VSA/lessons/comm_lab_lesson_1_2_3.pdf]

===Footnotes===

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[[Category:Electronic test equipment]]

[[Category:Signal processing]]

{{electronics-stub}}

[[ca:Analitzador vectorial de senyals]]

[[es:Analizador vectorial de señales]]