Vector signal analyzer: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 06:41, 18 February 2011

Revision as of 23:22, 19 July 2011

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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]] of the instrument. The primary use is to make in-channel measurements, such as [[Error vector magnitude|error vector magnitude]], code ___domain power, and [[Spectral flatness |spectral flatness]], on known signals.

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The '''vector signal analyzer''' (VSA) is a tool that can perform many of the same measurement and characterization tasks that the [[spectrum analyzer]] (SA) can, but it can also perform many more [[digital]] [[demodulation]] functions.

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 Technology and Standards [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'', pg. 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.

The SA and VSA operate in different manners. These operational differences can result in measurement errors if these differences aren't properly considered while making a measurement.

===Operation===

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===Typical Functionality===

Typical vector signal analyzer displays feature the [[spectrum]] of the signal measured within the [[Intermediate frequency |IF]] [[bandwidth]] , a [[Quadrature amplitude modulation |constellation diagram]] of the demodulated signal, [[Error vector magnitude|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==

* 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===

{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Measuring instruments]]