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Special Project: Receive a Spectrum Analyzer and Demonstrate EMI debugging, low power design, or IoT Application

FPC1500I have been talking to one of our valued test equipment suppliers, Rohde&Schwarz, and they would like to sponsor some special projects using its FPC Spectrum Analyzers. The participants would get an FPC1500FPC1500. Each participant would need to demonstrate one of the following tasks using the product:

 

  • EMI debugging a switched-mode power supply
  • EMC pre-compliance testing
  • IOT: testing BluetoothRegistered Low Energy (BLE) transmit signals
  • IOT: Antenna matching in IoT and low power devices

 

We have roadtested these products in the past:

3GHz Spectrum Analyzer - R&SRegistered FPC1000

FPC1500 Spectrum Analyzer

 

Roadtests are open product reviews where the roadtester decides on how to roadtest the product. This special project is more application/task-focused. R&S would like to see element14 demonstrate the FPC1500's capabilities in the areas above (my bullet points). Here's the applications page for more information: https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/application/fpc/

 

These products are expensive. So, the participants will be required to provide me a proposal or complete an application similar to what I would do for a roadtest or a design challenge. I would like to see what you would like to do with it. Moreover, what other gear or resources you would need. This last point is important. We would like to get a better idea of what materials, resources, equipment you would need, as appropriate.

 

 

Are you Interested? Please vote in the Poll.

 

What Would You need besides the Spectrum Analyzer? Please leave a comment describing your set up.

 

Do you have any (better) ideas on how to do this special project? Please leave a comment.

 

At this point, I am still brainstorming on how I will do this special project. R&S is very interested. Any other feedback you can provide is welcome.

 

 

Randall

-element14 Team

  • in reply to neuromodulator

    Nice idea. Personally I've found it's really rewarding using VNAs and spectrum analyzers, and I've learned a lot that I wouldn't have without this capability. RF building blocks can be very modular and compatible, and so even building or experimenting with one building-block can be rewarding because it results in something reusable for all manner of tests or for making bigger projects one day. No building-block is ever wasted, it always comes in handy it seems.

    I built this amplifier today, it's only a few components (I still need to test if it works) and took less than an hour to make. I sawed an old PCB that was intended for a different project.

     

    image

  • in reply to michaelkellett

    Hi Michael,

     

    I hope you enjoy using the instrument! Homemade TEM cell sounds super-interesting! How big is it out of curiosity?

    By coincidence, I purchased some PHA-202+ ICs for a 1W amplifier, but I've heavily stalled in the design on things like sourcing a decent shielded enclosure (figured that needs to be pretty good!), and also I couldn't decide if it should have two stages, or just build two stages separately for more flexibility. Any ideas would be appreciated. In case you're interested to assemble one too, I can get a board to you once it is laid out. It will be interesting to hear how the ready-made one performs.

    Recently I've been working on a project to make a homemade semi-automatic calibrator, since I don't know how I can make it USB compatible, so instead it is just button-operated.

    It's different from the normal calibrators in that it is 4-way (open-short-load-test) to double as a test fixture with no SMA (or N etc) connection, but instead just goes to pads, mainly for component testing, or for small circuits without connectors.

    I don't think it will work beyond a few hundred MHz especially since I can't calibrate it - I have guesstimated the coefficients and it seems kind-of usable for say 500 MHz or so, but beyond that I've not tested yet, and I highly doubt it will be any good there, but there is room for improvement to maybe stretch to 1 GHz I hope. Still far short from 2.4 GHz testing, but it is what it is.

    I still need to write it up, but basically it combines a Building an RF Switching Unit  project with an OSL board (Gerber files are in the RoadTest review for the FPC1500). Both directly fit together (the idea being that when the pads wear out for soldering components, that OSL board can be replaced).

  • Greetings Randall ,

     

    This is a great project offer.

    As an FPC1500 road tester, it would be an honour for me to be able to participate in this project.

     

    FPC1500 Spectrum Analyzer - Review | element14 | RoadTests & Reviews

     

    If I have a chance:

    What I have for this test:

    - Spectrum analyzer with tracking generator, R&SRegistered FPC1500, Order No. 1328.6660K03

    - Option: Receiver mode R&SRegistered, FPC-K43, Order No. 1328.6754.02

      (also including the other options which are installed too, B2, B3, B22, B200, K7, K55, K42)

      The actual firmware which is installed: version 1.60

     

    What I need for this test:

     

    Copyright Rohde & Schwarz; EMI debugging a switched-mode power supply with R&SRegisteredFPC1000/R&SRegisteredFPC1500 (rohde-schwarz.com)

     

    - Probe set for H near-field emission measurements 30 MHz to 3 GHz, R&SRegistered HZ-17, Order No. 1339.4141.02

    - EMI emissions test software, R&SRegistered ELEMI-E, Order No. 5601.0030.02

      (This software can be downloaded; or this software can we get it via DVD; I have downloaded the actual version 4.20.2)

    - R&SRegistered ELEKTRA license dongle, R&SRegistered EMCPC, Order No. 5601.0018K02

    - Cable set for R&SRegisteredFPC to R&SRegisteredHM6050-2, USB and RF, R&SRegistered FPC-Z1, Order No. 1328.7444.02

    - Line impedance stabilization network (LISN), 9 kHz to 30 MHz (CISPR16), max. 16 A (DE version, safety plug, 230 V) R&SRegistered HM6050-2DE, Order No. 3593.0351K0

      (the main power here in Austria is 230V / 50Hz)

    HM6050 V-Zweileiter-Netznachbildung | Übersicht | Rohde & Schwarz (rohde-schwarz.com)

    - Calibration kit R&SRegistered FSH-Z29, Type N, 50 Ohm, male, Order No: 1300.7510.03

    (This is for calibration, so that I can test cables that I need for the measurement setup. I also plan to test the supply cables.)

     

    I have the other necessary parts for the test setup, or I will buy them if necessary.

     

    This is a fine thing.

    R&S offer a home made DC-LISN, a fine small adapter to measure small switched-mode power supplies.

    Eine selbstgebaute Netznachbildung für Precompliance-Tests leitungsgebundener Störaussendungen an DC-DC-Netzgeräten | Rohde & Schwarz (rohde-schwarz.com)

    Gerber Files | Rohde & Schwarz (rohde-schwarz.com)

    After register you can download the Gerber files and documents.

    In June 2021 I took part in the R&S seminar "Oscilloscope Days", at which the functions of the RTO2064 with a spectrum analyzer were presented.

    The measurement of a small switching power supply from Würth was carried out in connection with this small LISN.

     

    Best Regards

    Gerald

    ---

  • How much time is it going to be available to perform these tests? One thing I would love to do (as a different proposal) is to design some filters, fabricate the PCBs and then perform measurements to evaluate with the SA how well the measurements match the theory.

  • I'd love to get one of these to try testing BLE transmit signals on the large number of BLE capable development boards that I have.  It would be interesting to see how it correlates relative to power consumed and antenna design on the devices.  I noticed in the documentation that the "BLE transmit signal can easily be evaluated using an R&SRegisteredFPC with the R&SRegisteredFPC-K7 modulation analysis option", so that option would be nice to have.  If R&S had recommended reference antennas and a calibration reference source, those would help with the accuracy of the evaluation.

     

    Ralph

  • Awesome offer, I only wish I was up to taking part.

     

    I look forward to some great posts.

     

    DAB

  • in reply to michaelkellett

    A collection of cables and adapters is extremely useful in any VNA work regardless of skill and knowledge and could be important in completing decent road tests.

    Near field probes would also be critical for EMI/EMC testing.

  • This is a great project offer.

    Unfortunately, spurred on by 's review, I bought my own fully loaded FPC1500 (recently on offer from R&S).

    So I won't be directly participating.

     

    With regard to accessories:

    When I bought my FPC1500 I was amazed at how many places had stock of the instrument but not of the ZN-Z103 calibrator.

    So my first accessory sugeestion is that the calibrator be included.

     

    I have mixed feelings about this second suggestion, which is a collection of connectors, cables and adaptors. In a way I feel this might

    encourage people with no RF experience at all to apply (which would be a bit daft) - on the other hand such things can be expensive.

    (Or dead cheap from unknown sources but of mixed, or even random, quality.)

     

    I'm planning to use the FPC1500 to do some TEM cell testing. It's a home made TEM cell and I'm hoping it will work up to 500MHz or higher.

    TEM cells can be used for rough and ready emissions or susceptibility testing.

    Calibration can be a problem.

    In the past I've done a quick pre-cert test at a test house and then used the TEM cell in a comparitive way.

     

    So if you know that the DUT fails at 2V/m at 400MHzand you need it to be good at 6V/m then you can use the TEM celll to gauge when

    your improvemnts have made it 3x better.

     

    I've bought a cheap (£20) 1M - 1GHz broadband amplifier. It claims 1W at IGHz - we'll see.

     

    I'll blog about it when I get it all hooked up and working.

     

    MK

  • as a FPC1000 road tester ( 3GHz Spectrum Analyzer - R&SRegistered FPC1000 - Review ) I would be very glad if I could get a FPC1500 upgrade for this project.

    A tracking generator, and VNA functionality is indispensable, specifically for the antenna matching application.

    EMC pre compliance testing would be a challenge, as you will need an anechoic chamber (faraday cage).

    EMI/EMC of switched mode power supply is a serious issue, I did a bit in my R&S NGP814 Power Supply - Review .

    Later on a friend, possession of an EMC lab, with an anechoic chamber tested the adapter 2 mentioned in the review, showing that this adapter did not meet CE certification standards at all.