Real-time Spectrum Analyzer
Real-time Spectrum Analyzer

SM435B — 43.5 GHz Real-time Spectrum Analyzer

The SM435B is a high-performance spectrum analyzer and monitoring receiver. Tuning from 100 kHz to 43.5 GHz, the analyzer has 160 MHz of instantaneous bandwidth (IBW), 110 dB of dynamic range, 1THz/sec sweep speed at 30kHz RBW (using Nuttall windowing), and phase noise performance that is low enough to contribute less than 0.1% error to EVM measurements and rival even the most expensive spectrum analyzers on the market.


The SM435B is a high-performance spectrum analyzer and monitoring receiver. Tuning from 100 kHz to 43.5 GHz, the analyzer has 160 MHz of instantaneous bandwidth (IBW), 110 dB of dynamic range, 1THz/sec sweep speed at 30kHz RBW (using Nuttall windowing), and phase noise performance that is low enough to contribute less than 0.1% error to EVM measurements and rival even the most expensive spectrum analyzers on the market.

The SM435B offers 160 MHz instantaneous bandwidth (IBW) calibrated I/Q capture, available through block transfer of a 2-second I/Q buffer over USB 3.0 to the PC.

Signal processing is distributed between a very powerful Intel FPGA and an external PC having an Intel Core i7 processor. The Signal Hound SM435B can be readily interfaced, using its local API, to an automated monitoring system or to automated test equipment. The SM435B API provides customers the access needed to insert their own DSP algorithms into a calibrated stream of I/Q data.

 


FREQUENCY
• Range: 100 kHz to 43.5 GHz
• RF Input Impedance (2.4mm connector): 50Ω
• Calibrated Streaming I/Q: 5 kHz to 40 MHz of selectable I/Q bandwidth
• Includes an internal GPS, used for timebase synchronization, I/Q timestamping, and GPS positioning
• Resolution Bandwidths (RBW): 0.1 Hz (≤200kHz span) to 3 MHz (any span) using 40 MHz IBW; 30 kHz to 10 MHz using 160 MHz IBW
• Timebase Accuracy: GPS disciplined OCXO remains within ±5 x 10-10 when locked to GPS
– holdover of ±5 x 10-9 /day for aging (±2 x 10-8 first day typ)
– holdover of ±1 x 10-8 for temperature over -40°C to 65°C

SYSTEM NOISE FIGURE (typical)
12dB from 700 MHz to 2.5 GHz;
15dB from 2.5 GHz to 24 GHz;
18dB + 0.5dB/GHz from 24 GHz to 40 GHz;
26dB + 2.0dB/GHz from 40 GHz to 43.5 GHz;

IP2
+75dBm from 100 kHz to 20 GHz
+50dBm from 20 GHz to 24 GHz
+70dBm from 24 GHz to 43.5 GHz

IP3
+28dBm from 100 kHz to 4 GHz;
+23dBm from 4 GHz to 6 GHz;
+20dBm from 6 GHz to 43.5 GHz


ModeSM435B
Frequency Range100 kHz to 43.5 GHz
Sweep Speed

Speed                            RBW
• 1 THz/sec                    ≥30 kHz
• 160 GHz/sec               10 kHz
• 18 GHz/sec                 1 kHz

Displayed Average
Noise Level (DANL)
REF LEVEL ≤ -20 dBm
Input Frequency Range            dBm/Hz
• 100 kHz to 160 MHz                -156 dBm
• 160 MHz to 2.2 GHz                -159 dBm
• 2.2 GHz to 24 GHz                   -155 dBm
• 24 GHz to 36 GHz                    -153 dBm + 0.5 dB/GHz
• 36 GHz to 43.5 GHz                 -147 dBm + 1.1 dB/GHz
I/Q Acquisition Modes

Calibrated Streaming I/Q:

Up to 40 MHz of selectable I/Q streaming bandwidth

Up to 2 seconds of calibrated I/Q capture at 160 MHz bandwidth

Timebase Accuracy

• ±5 x 10-10 when locked to GPS
• Holdover of ±5 x 10-9 /day for aging (±2 x 10-8 first day typ)
• Holdover of ±1 x 10-8 for temperature over -40°C to 65°C (typ)

System Noise Figure (typ)• 12 dB over 700 MHz to 2.5 GHz
• 15 dB from 2.5 GHz to 24 GHz
• 18 dB + 0.5 dB/GHz from 24 GHz to 40 GHz
• 26dB + 2.0 dB/GHz from 40 GHz to 43.5 GHz
LinearityIP2                                                          IP3
• 100 kHz to 20 GHz      +75 dBm        • 100 kHz to 4 GHz       +28 dBm
• 20 GHz to 43.5 GHz    +70 dBm        • 4 GHz to 6 GHz          +23 dBm
                                                                • 6 GHz to 43.5 GHz     +20 dBm
Amplitude Accuracy
100 kHz to 6 GHz           6 GHz to 20 GHz            RBW filter shape
± 2.0 dB                          ± 3.0 dB                          Flat-Top windowing
Residual Responses
REF LEVEL ≤ -20 dBm
• 100 kHz to 6 GHz          -110 dBm
• 6 GHz to 15 GHz           -100 dBm
• 15 GHz to 44 GHz         -90 dBm
SSB Phase Noise at 1 GHz
Center Frequency		Offset Frequency          dBc/Hz
• 10 Hz                              -76
• 100 Hz                            -108
• 1 kHz                              -125
• 10 kHz                            -136
• 100 kHz                          -138
• 1 MHz                            -138
Lo Leakage at RF Input

• 100 kHz to 6 GHz                                 -80 dBm
• 6 GHz to 24 GHz                                  -50 dBm
• 24 GHz to 43.5 GHz                             -75 dBm

Spurious Mixer Responses• 100 kHz to 6 GHz                                 -55 dBc
• 6 GHz to 24 GHz                                  -45 dBc
• 24 GHz to 43.5 GHz                             -45 dBc
Sub-Octave Preselector Filters20 MHz to 43.5 GHz
SynchronizationExternal trigger, GPIO, Internal GPS (+/-40ns)
Operating Temperature
Standard (passive cooling) 32°F to 122°F (0°C to +50°C)
Size and Weight • 10.45" x 7.2" x 2.15" (265mm x 183mm x 55mm) • 7.77 lbs. (3.52 kg)
Power Consumption• 9 to 16 VDC 32 Watt Maximum
InterfaceUSB 3.0
System RequirementsWindows or Linux Operating System, x64_86 architecture