Keithley 2820 RF Vector Signal Analyzer

The Model 2820 RF Vector Signal Analyzer is a mid-performance test instrument designed for R&D and production testing of modern RF communications equipment and devices. This next-generation instrument combines state-of-the-art RF and digital signal processing (DSP) technology to measure RF test signals rapidly with high accuracy and excellent repeatability. Its compact half-rack enclosure and competitive pricing make it a cost-effective solution for many test applications. The Model 2820's DSP-based software-defined radio (SDR) architecture and 40MHz bandwidth ensure it has the capability to measure today's signals and also the flexibility to handle tomorrow's. Today's mobile phones are designed to connect to more types of devices than ever before, so they must integrate with a growing number of wireless standards. As new wireless standards emerge, the Model 2820 is engineered for easy upgrades, which extend its useful life and provide an ongoing return on investment far longer than traditional instruments.

Superior Performance

• 400 MHz to 6 GHz frequency range
• -146 dBm to +35 dBm measurement range
• 40 MHz signal bandwidth
• ±0.6dB absolute amplitude accuracy
• ±0.15dB amplitude repeatability

High Speed

• 650MHz/s @1kHz bandwidth characteristic spectrum analysis sweep update rate
• 24ms characteristic signal analysis time for GSM measurement set
• 30ms characteristic signal analysis personality switching time

Flexibility

• MIMO-ready capability for WLAN and WiMAX
• Multi-purpose measurements: Spectrum Analysis, Adjacent Channel Power Ratio, Channel Power List, Zero Span
• Signal analysis options: GSM, EDGE, EGPRS2 (EDGE Evolution), FSK, W-CDMA, cdmaOne, cdma2000, WLAN, WiMAX
• Output I-Q data to a PC for analysis
• Advanced PC connectivity: GPIB, USB, LAN, and LXI Class C

MIMO Test Systems

Every Model 2820 is MIMO-ready to meet the requirements of the 802.11n WiFi and 802.16e mobile-WiMAX Wave 2 multi-input, multi-output communications standards. Standard Model 2820 instruments can be configured into a x2, x3, or x4 multi-input test system with the addition of a Model 2895 MIMO Synchronization Unit. The synchronization unit distributes a common LO (local oscillator), common clock, and precise trigger to all the signal analyzers connected in the system. This results in a high performance multi-input signal analysis test system with precise synchronization and low jitter between each of the signal analyzer inputs of both the RF carriers and waveform signal samplers.

Full 4x4 MIMO testing is possible when this configuration is combined with the Model 2920-based multi-output signal generator test system. Imagine configuring a MIMO test system initially as a 2x2 system, then later upgrading it to 3x3 or to 4x4 by adding more Model 2820 and 2920 units. Moreover, the instruments need not be dedicated to a MIMO system. They can be configured for use either in a MIMO system or as stand-alone SISO (single input, single output) instruments by selecting the configuration in firmware and changing a few cables on the rear panel.

Discover the Flexibility of Three Powerful Operating Modes

1. Spectrum Analyzer Mode — The Model 2820 has four multi-purpose spectrum analysis functions for measuring the most common signal parameters of RF signals.

• The Spectrum Analysis function displays the RF power vs. frequency of all signals within a user-defined frequency span. A wide selection of resolution bandwidths and filter types are available to analyze the signal’s spectral characteristics. Traditional markers and marker functions are used to measure the RF signal’s parameters.
• The ACPR (Adjacent Channel Power Ratio) function measures the channel power of the primary signal along with that of adjacent channels and next-adjacent channels. The channel frequency, channel bandwidth, test limits, and adjacent channels are user-definable. Each channel frequency is measured separately for high accuracy. When it’s desirable to reduce test times, users can also choose not to measure the adjacent and next-adjacent channels.
• The Channel Power List function allows setting up a pre-defined list of frequencies, measurement bandwidths, and measurement times. Triggering is commonly used to synchronize the list with other instruments in a system.
• Using the Zero Span function, the analyzer becomes a fixed-tuned receiver to capture and analyze signals up to 40MHz bandwidth at a fixed carrier frequency. An RF signal is demodulated and the signal power vs. time is displayed. A wide selection of bandwidths and filter types are available and an assortment of triggers can be used to capture the signal easily.

2. Vector Signal Analysis Mode — The Model 2820 is designed to be combined with a variety of signal analysis personality options for testing to the most common wireless standards, such as GSM, EDGE, W-CDMA FDD, cdmaOne, cdma2000, 802.11 WLAN, and 802.16e mobile-WiMAX. A robust set of measurements, instrument settings, and test limits are customized for each of the various standards, saving instrument configuration time and minimizing the potential for operator error. For example, an ACPR measurement for each of the standards is part of the signal analysis personality option.

3. Signal Capture Capability – The Model 2820 can receive RF signals of up to 40MHz bandwidth and store them in its 32 megasample waveform memory as I-Q data pairs. A waveform record size of up to 30 seconds can be captured at a one megasample/second sampling rate. The I-Q data can be uploaded to a PC through the GPIB, USB, or LAN interfaces for analysis or to playback with an RF vector signal generator. The signal waveform can be analyzed with PC-based software such as MATLAB, LabVIEW, or a variety of software applications from Keithley.