Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers

RSA2200A Series

Features & Benefits

Real-Time Spectrum Analysis Provides Seamless Capture of Time-varying, Transient or Periodic RF Signals not Possible with Swept Spectrum Analyzers
Time-correlated, Simultaneous Views of Time, Frequency, and Modulation Domains Provide Greater and Unique Understanding of Signal Behavior
Spectrogram Provides a Revealing Picture of RF Signal Frequency and Amplitude Behavior Over Time – Not Possible with a Swept Spectrum Analyzer
Spectrum Analyzer Mode for Very Wide Span Analyses
Built-in Demodulators Enhance Analysis of AM, FM, and PM Signals
Outstanding DC – 10 MHz Dynamic Range and Low Phase Noise Mean You Can Make High-Performance Weak Signal and Phase Noise Measurements

Applications

Analog and Digital Modulation Signal Quality Analysis
Understanding Frequency and Spectral Occupancy Behavior Over Time
Capture and Characterization of Undesired, Unknown, or Interfering Signals
Device/system Design or Operational Diagnostic Measurement
Getting Answers to Elusive EMI Problems

Trigger, Capture, Analyze Your RF Signal

Quickly Solve Design, Production or Operational Problems With Comprehensive Characterization of Time-Varying and Transient RF Signals

Define issues and solve problems faster by characterizing your device, system or signal more completely and rapidly than previously possible with swept spectrum analyzers. Tektronix RSA2200A Series Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers capture many signals not viewable on swept spectrum analyzers by seamlessly capturing and storing a span of RF frequencies all at one time*¹. Once a signal is captured it can be viewed simultaneously and analyzed in time-correlated frequency, time and modulation domains. RSA Series instruments include not only Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer fast-signal capture, internal memory and modulation analysis but also functionality and operation of a swept spectrum analyzer for looking at very wide spans, all in an integrated, transportable package.

RSA Series Spectrogram uniquely shows time-varying signal behavior in frequency change/stability, spectrum occupancy, pulsed signal timing, power change and more! The sample on this page shows the frequency settling characteristic of a transmitting device.

Time-correlated multi-domain view provides a new level of insight about design or operational problems and possible solutions. The example on this page includes frequency, time, and modulation domain views of an AM-modulated pulsed signal with pulse-to-pulse phase variation measured in the modulation domain.

*¹ See Tektronix Real-Time Spectrum Analysis Technical Brief (lit # 37W-17252) for an explanation of how RTSA works and its unique capabilities: /Measurement/App_Notes/37_17252/eng/

Trigger, Capture, Analyze

You Can Easily Catch an Elusive RF Signal and Analyze It at Your Convenience

Sensitive and fast, RSA Series Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer triggering easily captures unknown, periodic or intermittent signals. Using the Tektronix exclusive Frequency Mask Trigger, you can configure a custom frequency domain mask including signal guard bands and levels then trigger on events isolated to a specific frequency or frequency range. As signals are captured, they are automatically saved to RSA internal memory, making it easy to perform in-depth, time-correlated analysis across the frequency, time and modulation domains with no external computer required! Quick-to-set-up IF Level and Power (Span Bandwidth) triggers provide very convenient capture of signals in applications such as incident carrier-and-response interaction between two devices or burst signal carrier ramp up. Continuous Trigger Mode ensures a sequence of events are automatically captured into memory; you capture only the events and not time in between, maximizing memory efficiency and minimizing analysis time.

Price/Performance Choice: RSA2200A Series Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers

	Frequency Range	Memory Depth	Modulation Analysis	Real-Time Bandwidth	Triggering Modes
RSA2203A	10 MHz – 3 GHz, DC to 3 GHz (Option 05)	512 ksamples	AM, FM (ASK, FSK), PM	10 MHz	IF Level
RSA2208A	10 MHz – 8 GHz, DC to 8 GHz (Option 05)	512 ksamples	AM, FM (ASK, FSK), PM	10 MHz	IF Level

Frequency Range

Memory Depth

Modulation Analysis

Real-Time Bandwidth

Triggering Modes

RSA2203A

10 MHz – 3 GHz,

DC to 3 GHz (Option 05)

512 ksamples

AM, FM (ASK, FSK), PM

10 MHz

IF Level

RSA2208A

10 MHz – 8 GHz,

DC to 8 GHz (Option 05)

512 ksamples

AM, FM (ASK, FSK), PM

10 MHz

IF Level

Characteristics

Frequency

	RSA2203A	RSA2208A
Frequency Range	10 MHz – 3 GHz	10 MHz – 8 GHz
Frequency Range	Opt.05: DC – 3 GHz	Opt.05: DC – 8 GHz
Frequency Aging	±2 x 10^–6 / year	±2 x 10^–6 / year
Frequency Aging	Opt.10: ±1 x10^–7 / year	Opt.10: ±1 x10^–7 / year
Frequency Stability	2 x 10^–6 (10 °C to 40 °C)	2 x 10^–6 (10 °C to 40 °C)
Frequency Stability	Opt.10: 1 x 10^–7 (10 °C to 40 °C)	Opt.10: 1 x 10^–7 (10 °C to 40 °C)
Total Reference Frequency Error	4 x 10^–6	4 x 10^–6
Total Reference Frequency Error	Opt.10: 2 x 10^–7	Opt.10: 2 x 10^–7

Marker Frequency Readout Accuracy

± (RE × MF + 0.001 × Span + RFM ) Hz.

RE = Reference Frequency Error.

MF = Marker Frequency [Hz].

RFM = Residual FM [Hz].

Carrier Frequency Measurement Accuracy

RSA2203A and RSA2208A

At spans ≤10 MHz, all frequency components of the signal must be contained in the analysis period and span.

Accuracy: RE × CF + RFM. Resolution Setting = 1 mHz to 1 MHz.

At 2 GHz ±4.01 kHz.

At 5 GHz ±10.01 kHz.

At 7 GHz ±14..01 kHz.

RSA2203A Opt. 10, RSA2208A Opt. 10,

At spans ≤10 MHz for RSA2200A Opt. 10, all frequency components of the signal must be contained in the analysis period and span.

Accuracy: RE × CF + RFM. Resolution Setting = 1 mHz to 1 MHz.

At 2 GHz ±202 Hz.

At 5 GHz ±502 Hz.

At 7 GHz ±702 Hz.

Carrier Frequency Measurement Sensitivity

Carrier Power, > –40 dbfs (typical) (dBfs = dB below full screen reference).

Frequency Span

Range

RSA2203A and RSA2208A

Spectrum Analyzer Mode:

50 Hz to 3 GHz, (Start Frequency ≥20 MHz).

50 Hz to 20 MHz, (Stop Frequency < 20 MHz, Opt. 05).

Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer Mode:

100 Hz – 10 MHz, 1-2-5 sequence (RF); 20 MHz (Baseband).

Time Domain and Demodulation Modes:

Span = 0 Hz (Simultaneous with 50 Hz to 10 MHz Span in second analysis window).

Resolution Bandwidth

Range - 1 Hz to 10 MHz, automatically selected or user defined.

Accuracy - Within 6.0% ±0.1%.

Shape Characteristic - Gaussian, <5:1 Shape Factor (3:60 dB); Rectangular, Nyquist, Root Nyquist shapes may also be selected.

Noise Bandwidth -

Range: 313.18 mHz to 400.87 kHz

Accuracy: ±0.1%

FFT Performance

Number of Samples per Frame - 64 to 8192 (65536 samples / frame, extended resolution).

Window Types - Rectangular, Parzen, Welch, Sine-Lobe, Hanning, Sine-Cubed, Sine-To-The-4th, Hamming, Blackman, Rosenfield, Blackman-Harris 3A, Blackman-Harris 3B, Blackman-Harris 4A, Blackman-Harris 4B, FlatTopn.

Stability

Noise Sidebands, dBc/Hz

	RSA2203A, RSA2208A		RSA2203A, RSA2208A		RSA2208A
	At 1 GHz CF		At 2 GHz CF		At 6 GHz CF
Offset	Spec	Typical	Spec	Typical	Spec	Typical
1 kHz	≤–99	≤–102	≤–95	≤–98	≤–87	≤–90
10 kHz	≤–105	≤–108	≤–104	≤–107	≤–103	≤–106
20 kHz	≤–105	≤–108	≤–105	≤–108	≤–105	≤–108
30 kHz	≤–105	≤–108	≤–105	≤–108	≤–105	≤–108
100 kHz	≤–112	≤–115	≤–112	≤–115	≤–111	≤–114
1 MHz	≤–130	≤–133	≤–130	≤–133	≤–128	≤–131
5 MHz	≤–132	≤–135	≤–132	≤–135	≤–129	≤–132
7 MHz	≤–133	≤–136	≤–132	≤–135	≤–130	≤–133

Residual FM at 1 kHz RBW - RSA2203A and RSA2208A: 10 Hz p-p; 2 Hz p-p (Opt. 10).

Time Domain

Trace Point Range -

Span >50 Hz, 64 – 240001 (RBW mode), 18 – 240001 (FFT mode).

Span = 0 Hz (Time and Demodulation Modes).

RSA2203A and RSA2008A – IQ Data Pairs: 1024 to 512000; Power vs. Time: 1 to 512000.

Triggers

RSA2203A and RSA2208A - Free run, single, external, IF level (10 MHz BW).

Event Detection Bandwidth -

≤5 MHz (100% probability of intercept), signal occupying at least one complete ≥160 μs frame).

10 MHz (50% probability of intercept, signal occupying at least one complete 80 μs frame (typical)).

15/20 MHz (25% probability of intercept, signal occupying at least one complete 40 μs frame (typical)).

Frequency Mask Range - 0 to -6 divisions from Reference Level at 10 dB/div.

Mask Shape - User Defined.

Minimum Horizontal Mask Setting Resolution - < 0.2% of Span.

Minimum Frequency Width - < 0.2% of Span.

Uncertainty - ±2 frames.

Amplitude Specifications

Measurement Range

Displayed average noise level to MAX safe input.

Input Attenuator Range

RSA2203A, RSA2208A - 0 – 50 dB, 10 dB steps.

Maximum Safe Input Level

Average Continuous - +30 dBm (RF ATT ≥ 10 dB).

Peak Pulse Power - +30 dBm (RF ATT ≥ 10 dB).

DC - RSA2203A, RSA2208A: ±0 .2 V (CF ≥ 20 MHz); ±5 V DC – 20 MHz (Opt. 05).

Spurious Responses

Third-order Intermodulation Distortion -

100 MHz – 3 GHz:

RSA2203A, RSA2208A: < –73 dBc (Ref Level = +5 dBm , RF Att.= 20 dB, total signal power = -7 dBm, signal separation 300 kHz).

3 GHz – 8 GHz:

RSA2208A: < –72 dBc (Ref Level = +5 dBm , RF Att.= 20 dB, total signal power = -7 dBm, signal separation 300 kHz).

Non-input-related Spurious - (Ref = –30 dBm, RBW = 100 kHz, Span 3 GHz)

RSA2203A:

1 MHz - 20 MHz (Opt. 05): –93 dBm

20 MHz - 3 GHz: –90 dBm.

RSA2208A:

1 MHz - 20 MHz (Opt. 05): –93 dBm.

20 MHz - 3.5 GHz: –90 dBm.

3.5 GHz - 8 GHz: –85 dBm.

1 dB Gain Compression

RSA2203A, RSA2208A - +0 dBm (RF ATT = 0 dB, 2 GHz).

Displayed Average Noise Level (DANL)

Frequency	RSA2203A, RSA2208A Spec, dBm/Hz	RSA2203A, RSA2208A Typical, dBm/Hz, With Preamp
1 kHz – 10 kHz	–144*¹	N/A
10 kHz – 10 MHz	–150*¹	N/A
10 MHz – 100 MHz	–148	N/A
100 MHz – 1 GHz	–148	–164
1 GHz – 2 GHz	–148	–164
2 GHz – 3 GHz	–147	–153
3 GHz – 5 GHz	–142*²	N/A
5 GHz – 8 GHz	–142*²	N/A

*¹ RSA2203A or RSA2208A Opt. 05 only.

*² RSA2208A only.

Log Display Range - 10 μdB/div to 10 dB/div.

Linear Display Scale - 10 divisions.

Linear Display Units - dBm, dBμV, V, Watts + Hz for FM Demod, Degrees for PM Demod.

Marker Readout Resolution, Log - 0.01 dB.

Marker Readout Resolution, Linear - 0.001 μV.

Frequency Response

RSA2203A, RSA2208A

Frequency Range	Specification, dB	Typical, dB
100 Hz – 20 MHz*¹	± 0.5	± 0.3
10 MHz – 3 GHz	± 1.2	± 0.5
3.0 GHz – 3.5 GHz*²	± 1.7	± 0.5
3.5 GHz – 6.5 GHz*²	± 1.7	± 1.0
5 GHz – 8 GHz*²	± 1.7	± 1.0

*¹ Opt. 05 only.

*² RSA2208A only.

Input Attenuation Switching Uncertainty (at 50 MHz)

< 0.5 dB for all values of attenuation.

Absolute Amplitude Uncertainty

At Reference Setting - ±0.5 dB (RF) at 50 MHz CF, –20 dBm signal, 0 dB ATT, 20 °C to 30 °C; ±0.3 (baseband) (Opt. 05) at 10 MHz CF, –20 dBm signal, 0 dB ATT, 20 °C to 30 °C.

Overall Amplitude Accuracy - ±0.7 dB (RF) + Frequency Response.

RF Input VSWR

Frequency Range	VSWR, at 10dB RF Attenuation Typical, dB
300 kHz – 10 MHz*⁴	< 1.4
10 MHz – 3 GHz	< 1.3
3 GHz – 8 GHz*⁵	< 1.4

*⁴RSA2203A and RSA2208A Opt. 05 only,.

Resolution Bandwidth Switching Uncertainty

1 Hz to 10 MHz - ± 0.05 dB.

Reference Level

Range - –51 to +30 dBm.

Resolution - 1 dB.

Accuracy - ±0.2 dB (–10 dBm to –50 dBm) at 50 MHz.

Display Scale Fidelity

Log scale (max. cumulative), > 0 dB – 50 dB - < ±0.2 dB; < ±0.12 dB, typical at 0 dBm reference level.

Linear scale - ±2% of Reference Level.

Linear to Log scale Switching Uncertainty - 0.05%.

Amplitude Reference Output - –20 dBm, 50 MHz, internally switched to input.

Seamless Capture and Processing

Memory Depth (Samples) - RSA2203A and RSA2208A: 512 ksamples.

Memory Depth (Time) - RSA2203A and RSA2208A

Span	Sample Rate	Record Length	Spectrum Frame Time
20 MHz (Baseband)	25.6 Msps	0.02 s	40 μs
10 MHz	12.8 Msps	0.04 s	80 μs
5 MHz	6.4 Msps	0.08 s	160 μs
2 MHz	3.2 Msps	0.16 s	320 μs
1 MHz	1.6 ksps	0.32 s	640 μs
500 kHz	800 ksps	0.64 s	1.280 ms
200 kHz	320 ksps	1.6 s	3.2 ms
100 kHz	160 ksps	3.2 s	6.4 ms
50 kHz	80 ksps	6.4 s	12.8 ms
20 kHz	32 ksps	16 s	32 ms
10 kHz	16 ksps	32 s	64 ms
5 kHz	8 ksps	64 s	128 ms
2 kHz	3.2 ksps	160 s	320 ms
1 kHz	1.6 ksps	320 s	640 ms
500 Hz	800 sps	640 s	1.28 s
200 Hz	320 sps	1600 s	3.2 s
100 Hz	160 sps	3200 s	6.4 s

Real-Time Capture Bandwidth (Seamless Data Capture) - RSA2203A and RSA2208A: 10 MHz (rf); 20 MHz, DC – 20 MHz (Baseband (Opt.05)).

Data Samples per Frame (Real-Time S/A Mode) - 1024.

Block Size (Number of Frames) - RSA2203A and RSA2208A: 1 to 500.

Maximum A/D Sampling Rate and Resolution - 51.2 Msamples/sec, 14 bits.

Measurement Speed

Screen Update Rate - 38/Sec, (SA Mode, 2 MHz span, 128 point FFT).

35/Sec, (SA Mode, 2 MHz span, 1024 point FFT).

Remote Measurement Rate and GPIB Transfer rate - 7000 Samples/Sec at 2 MHz span Auto RBW Spectrum data.

Ethernet Transfer Rate - 2.6 Mbyte/Sec (256 Mbyte .IQT file transfer).

RF Center Frequency Switching Time - <10 ms for 10 MHz frequency change; <500 ms for 3 GHz frequency change.

Traces, Displays, Detectors

Traces - 2 traces, Spectrum Analyzer Mode.

Displays - Up to 3 time-correlated, user-selected displays from the following: Spectrum, Spectrogram, Amplitude vs. Time, Frequency vs. Time, Phase vs. Time, IQ vs. time;

Detector - RMS.

Trace Types - Normal (RMS), Average, Max Hold, Min Hold.

Display Detection - Max, Min, Max/Min.

Inputs and Outputs

Front Panel

Input - 50 Ω, type N.

Preamp Power - RSA2203A and RSA2208A: LEMO 6 pin connector - Pin 1, NC; Pin 2, ID1; Pin 3,ID2; Pin 4, -12V; Pin 5, GND; Pin 6, +12V.

Rear Panel

10 MHz REF OUT - 50 Ω, BNC, >–3 dBm.

10 MHz REF IN - 50 Ω, BNC, –10 dBm – +6 dBm.

EXT TRIG IN - Ext Trig. BNC, High: 1.6 to 5.0 V, Low: 0 to 0.5 V.

GPIB Interface - IEEE 488.2

TRIGGER OUT - 50 Ω, BNC, High >2.0 V, Low: < 0.4 V (output current 1 mA).

Side Panel

LAN Interface (Ethernet) - 10/100 Base-T (std.).

Serial Interface - USB 1.1, 2 ports.

VGA Output - VGA compatible, 15 pin DSUB.

Automated Measurements

Automated Measurements - Channel Power, ACPR, Carrier to Noise, Occupied BW, Carrier Frequency, Emission BW, Spurious Search, CCDF, dB/Hz Mkr, dBc/Hz Mkr.

Preamplifier (RSA2200A Series Opt. 2A, External)

Frequency Range - 100 MHz – 3 GHz.

Gain - 20 dB.

Noise Figure - 6.5 dB at 2 GHz.

Modulation Analysis

FM (may be used to evaluate FSK signals)

Minimum Input Level - -40 dBfs*², typical.

Range - 0.8 Hz to 12.8 MHz.

Accuracy - ± 1% of span (Signal at center screen, input level –10 dBfs*²).

AM (may be used to evaluate ASK signals)

Minimum Input Level - -40 dBfs*², typical

Accuracy - ±2 % (Signal at center screen, input level –10 dBfs*², 10 % to 60 % modulation depth).

Minimum Input Level - -40 dBfs*², typical.

Accuracy - ±3°, (Signal at center screen, input level –10 dBfs*²).

PM Scale, Max, Min - ± 180°.

General Specifications

Temperature Range -

Operating: +10 °C to +40 °C.

Storage: –20 °C to +60 °C.

Warm-up Time - 20 min.

Safety and EMI Compatibility -

UL 61010B-1; CSA C22.2 No.1010.1.

EC Council Low Voltage Directive (LVD) 73/23/EEC, amended by 93/68/EEC.

EC Council EMC Directive 89/336/EEC, amended by 93/68/EEC.

Power Requirements - 100 VAC to 240 VAC, 47 Hz to 63 Hz.

Power Consumption - 350 VA max.

Data Storage - Internal HDD (20 GB) + USB port + Floppy Disk Drive.

Weight, without options - 19 kg.

Dimensions -

215 mm (H) x 425 mm (D) x 425 mm (W) without bumpers and feet.

238 mm (H) x 470 mm (D) x 445 mm (W) with bumpers and feet.

Calibration Interval - 1 year.

Warranty - 1 year.