Vector signal analyzer

A vector signal analyzer is an instrument that measures the magnitude and phase of the input signal at a single frequency within the IF 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 demodulating digitally modulated signals like W-CDMA, LTE, and WLAN ^[1]. These measurements are used to determine the quality of modulation and can be used for design validation and compliance testing of electronic devices.

Operation

Typical Functionality

Typical vector signal analyzer displays feature the spectrum of the signal measured within the IF bandwidth , a 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

• Communications Systems Analysis Using Hardware and Software-Based Vector Signal Analyzers [2]

Footnotes

1. National Institute of Technology and Standards [1], Measurement to Support Modulated-Signal Radio Transmissions for the Public-Safety Sector, pg. 15, April, 2008, accessed July 19, 2011.