What is a RF Spectrum Analyzer?
Industry’s most comprehensive portable RF test solutions
Although spectrum analysis equipment and technology has been adapted for optical, audio, and other applications, the radio frequency spectrum analyser was developed specifically to characterize RF signal behavior over a given frequency range. The display convention for RF spectrum analysis has remained virtually unchanged, with the radio frequency visible on the x (horizontal) axis and the signal power (amplitude) plotted using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis. Modern RF spectrum analyzers also provide detailed insight into channel utilization, signal phase, and modulation properties.
The wireless revolution has driven higher RF spectrum utilization and channel density, along with more interference sources. Duplexing and multiplexing options squeeze more data transmission out of airwaves and mmWave shifts frequency allocation to utilize wider channel bandwidths of 100MHz or higher. Despite these advancements, the RF spectrum analyzer remains the best option for verifying and troubleshooting RF performance from the concept phase to the field.
RF spectrum analyzers are among the most widely used and powerful wireless communication test and assurance tools, with an ever-growing list of applications and capabilities. The rollout of 5G has heightened spectrum analysis challenges throughout the network lifecycle, as the airwaves grow more crowded and advanced transmission and modulation techniques are employed.
As the landscape transforms, the familiar single-function RF spectrum analyzer no longer suffices. Purpose-built RF analysis tools are giving way to versatile, portable test platforms with the capabilities needed to unlock the complexity of 5G and emerging wireless technologies.
VIAVI has developed the industry’s most comprehensive portable RF test solutions, building upon decades of RF spectrum analysis experience and expertise to address the evolving needs of today’s wireless networks.
The real-time spectrum analysis (RTSA) technology developed by VIAVI provides a foundation for a host of new portable RF analysis features. Along with automated workflows, cloud connectivity, and vastly simplified reporting, these advanced features address the evolving needs of RF service providers, field technicians, and contractors.
- Persistence Spectrum Analysis utilizes advanced algorithms to precisely measure the presence of a given frequency within the signal over time. This method allows “hidden signals” that might otherwise go undetected to be displayed and quantified. With time division duplex (TDD) transmission mandatory for 5G carriers above 3GHz, persistence spectrum analysis is an outstanding tool for characterizing 5G signals with precise uplink and downlink time slots over the same frequency.
- Signal Analysis has developed as an offshoot of RF spectrum analysis to provide detailed information on the amplitude and phase relationships between signals and their modulation characteristics. Signal analysis capabilities in a portable RF spectrum analyzer are essential for 5G and LTE modulation analysis, channel mapping, and conformance testing to 3GPP standards.
- Interference Analysis converts spectrum data into meaningful information on the source and type of unwanted signals impacting cellular networks. RF spectrum analyzer replay features, interference hunting tools, and advanced heat-mapping software can be used to pinpoint interference sources quickly and easily.
- RF over CPRI (RFoCPRI) capabilities pioneered by VIAVI provide a useful method of RF measurement through the fiber fronthaul, which is the link between the baseband unit (BBU) and the remote radio head (RRH) in a wireless network. RFoCPRI conveniently allows mobile device uplink signals and interference high in the tower to be analyzed seamlessly from the ground.
- Beam Analysis is a useful handheld RF spectrum analyzer feature developed for over-the-air (OTA) performance testing in 5G beamforming applications. A 5G beam analyzer can characterize the transmission profile of each individual beam ID, including beam power and signal to noise ratio (SNR).
Massive MIMO arrays enabling dynamic user-based coverage and millimeter wave transmission present unique challenges for antenna and coverage validation. 5G spectrum analysis tools designed to accurately interpret signal behavior in the FR2 (mmWave) spectrum and provide coverage mapping in real-time are essential new capabilities for 5G MIMO deployments.
RF spectrum analyzers in the field are used to measure frequency utilization and interference within and between telecommunications networks. A portable RF spectrum analyzer can also determine the accuracy of a wireless transmission by comparing the frequencies and bandwidths of an output signal to the received input signal. The spectrum analyzer has become a valuable laboratory and manufacturing tool, as new RF components and topologies are developed and deployed.
- Cell Tower Operations utilize advanced RF spectrum analysis to expand the reach of 5G wireless services and verify performance KPIs at turn-up. Real time spectrum analysis with persistence spectrum is a must-have for analyzing advanced 5G transmission options like time division duplex (TDD) and dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS). With miles of new fiber and scores of new antenna arrays accompanying each new installation, the best all-in-one RF test solutions from VIAVI also include useful fiber and antenna verification capabilities.
- RF Shielding is an ongoing concern for legacy cable networks connecting businesses and homes as well as coaxial RF antenna connections. Damaged or missing RF shielding can lead to induced interference from escaped signals (egress) or leakage into the cable that interferes with wired transmission (ingress). Each scenario benefits from purpose-built RF spectrum monitoring solutions to locate and eliminate leakage sources. A handheld RF spectrum analyzer can verify electronic equipment emissions and conformance to electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards.
- Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) are harmful to humans over certain thresholds. Mobile service providers must continuously take radiation measurements to ensure regulatory compliance as well as the personal safety of employees and customers.
The RF spectrum analyzer distinguishes itself from the oscilloscope by quantifying signal behavior in the frequency domain as well as the time domain. The heterodyne (swept-tuned) type RF spectrum analyzer was industry standard for decades. The familiar amplitude vs. frequency measurement was completed by down-converting incoming signals and sweeping them through a resolution bandwidth (RBW) filter. An additional detector then calculated the amplitude value for each frequency displayed on the screen.
- Real Time Spectrum Analysis
A conventional swept-tuned RF spectrum analyzer only provides a snapshot of signal amplitude at a given point in time. This method works well for stable or consistent signals, but is less useful for diagnosing unpredictable, intermittent, or transient signal and noise components. To overcome these limitations, RTSA technology uses digital processing power to increase the sampling rate and continuously store the results, providing a more complete analysis. - 5G Spectrum Analysis
Radio frequency interference is a common 5G RAN issue leading to performance problems including reduced data throughput and compromised voice quality. The interference source can often be transient in time as well as frequency. RTSA is an effective tool for 5G spectrum analysis, along with a persistent spectrum display to present thousands of data points simultaneously. Color and brightness are used to graphically represent the probability of a given signal appearing.
- OneAdvisor 800
The VIAVI OneAdvisor 800 is multi-purpose portable RF spectrum analyzer ideal for verifying and troubleshooting RAN networks. An impressive list of RF spectrum analysis features is highlighted by real-time persistence spectrum from 9KHz up to 44GHz, RFoCPRI interference analysis, O-RAN fronthaul verification, and advanced interference location capabilities. The OneAdvisor 800 also performs cable and antenna reflection testing, fiber inspection, and OTDR testing using pre-configured test workflows. - CellAdvisor 5G
The CellAdvisor 5G is the industry’s most comprehensive and easy-to-use portable 5G spectrum analyzer, designed to confidently address the complexity of 5G spectrum analysis. RTSA, interference analysis, and persistence display features support both FR1 and FR2 (mmWave) frequency ranges. 5G carrier scanning measures up to eight carriers’ power simultaneously while 5G beam analysis characterizes individual beam ID, power level, and SNR. Fiber and coax test features compliment advanced fronthaul, interference, and PIM detection capabilities over CPRI. InterferenceAdvisor
The InterferenceAdvisor is a fully automated RF interference hunting solution designed for seamless integration with a OneAdvisor 800 spectrum analyzer. The InterferenceAdvisor software, loaded onto an Android tablet, analyzes RF spectrum and power data while in transit. An intuitive heat-map effectively guides the RF technician to the area identified as the likely interference epicenter.
As the landscape transforms, the familiar single-function RF spectrum analyzer no longer suffices. Purpose-built RF analysis tools are giving way to versatile, portable test platforms with the capabilities needed to unlock the complexity of 5G and emerging wireless technologies.
VIAVI has developed the industry’s most comprehensive portable RF test solutions, building upon decades of RF spectrum analysis experience and expertise to address the evolving needs of today’s wireless networks.