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How do I pick the right spectrum analyser for my application?

Posted on: December 15th, 2020 by Doug Lovell

The SIGLENT SSA3000X, SSA3000X Plus and SVA1000X products are based on a similar swept superheterodyne spectrum analyser platform and have very similar starting prices. There are quite a few similarities, but also a few differences that could affect the end results for particular applications. The table below compares the major specifications and the comparable options as they pertain to specific applications like VSWR.

SSA3000X SeriesSSA3000X Plus SeriesSVA1000X Series
SSA3021XSSA3032XSSA3021X Plus SSA3032X PlusSVA1015XSVA1032X
TGStandardStandardStandard
SA Bandwidth9 kHz – 2.1 GHz9 kHz – 3.2 GHz9 kHz – 2.1 GHz9 kHz – 3.2 GHz9 kHz – 1.5 GHz9 kHz – 3.2 GHz
VNA Bandwidth10MHz – 1.5 GHz100 kHz – 3.2 GHz
VNA Calibration KitF503ME
DANL-151 dBm (RBW 10Hz)-161 dBm/Hz-156 dBm/Hz-161 dBm/Hz
-161 dBm, Normalized to 1 Hz
RBW10 Hz – 1 MHz (1Hz settable)1 Hz – 1 MHz1 Hz – 1 MHz
Phase Noise< -98 dBc/Hz@1 GHz, 10 kHz offset< -98 dBc/Hz@1 GHz, 10 kHz offset< -98 dBc/Hz@1 GHz, 10 kHz offset
OptionsAMK/EMI/Refl*AMK/EMI/AMA/DMAAMK/EMI/AMA/DMA/DTF
AMK detailsCHP/ACPR/TOI/OBW/MonitorCHP/ACPR/TOI/OBW/Monitor/Harmonic/CNRCHP/ACPR/TOI/OBW/Monitor/Harmonic/CNR
AMA detailsAM/FMAM/FM
DMA detailsASK/FSK/PSK/QAMASK/FSK/PSK/QAM
EMI filter details200 Hz, 9 kHz, 120 kHz200 Hz, 9 kHz, 120 kHz, 1MHz200 Hz, 9 kHz, 120 kHz, 1MHz
Touch ScreenTouch Screen, Mouse & Keyboard, WebserverTouch Screen, Mouse & Keyboard, Webserver

*Compatible with many commercially available return loss bridges/directional couplers

Additional SVA Features and Options

Still having trouble choosing? Here are some additional features and options that are exclusive to the SSA PLUS and SVA platforms that may help: Free Features:

  • Touch screen control with shortcut widget
  • Mouse/Keyboard support
  • Easy web browser web control
  • Power-On-Line – Instrument will automatically restart when power is restored to the mains power connection (power cord) when this feature is enabled.

Additional Options:

  • AM/FM modulation analysis (SVA1000X-AMA. SSA3000XP-AMA) enables visualization of data encoded using AM/FM
  • Digital modulation analysis (SVA1000X-DMA. SSA3000XP-DMA) enables visualization of data encoded using FSK/ASK
  • Advanced measurement kit (SVA1000X-AMK, SSA3000XP-AMK) feature Harmonic and CNR measurements in addition to CHP/ACPR/TOI/OBW/Monitor.
  • Mechanical calibration kit for VNA (F503ME)