Re: [time-nuts] Signal Hound
Hi Jim: I have one of the earlier versions of this instrument, along with its companion signal generator. Although the software has some annoying glitches at present, I've found it useful around the shop. There;s a user group on Yahoo, and I think the factory is getting ready to open the software for user debug. There is an SDK set, too, so roll your own software is possible. The analyzer can also be used as a general purpose receiver. Interesting instrument. I've not regretted my purchase. Don Jim Lux Inexpensive USB spectrum analyzer.. http://www.signalhound.com/ I think it has the ability to capture raw samples, too. (the BB60 definitely does.) They have a 10MHz ref input. The spectrum analyzer has a phase noise feature Phase Noise Plot : Displays the phase noise amplitude, in dBc/Hz, vs. offset from carrier when checked. You must have a span of 10 KHz or less, and the signal should be within 1 division of the reference level (e.g. within 10 dB). This utility takes about 1 minute to run. It will sweep several times, then combine the sweeps into a phase noise plot. The data is approximate and is limited by the phase noise of the SignalHound itself. For best closein phase noise, use an external 10 MHz reference with 10 dBm power level. To resume normal operation,click Phase Noise Plot a second time to uncheck. Anyone fooled with one? Think it might work as a low cost part of a phase noise test set. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there. -- Neither the voice of authority nor the weight of reason and argument are as significant as experiment, for thence comes quiet to the mind. De Erroribus Medicorum, R. Bacon, 13th century. If you don't know what it is, don't poke it. Ghost in the Shell Dr. Don Latham AJ7LL Six Mile Systems LLP 17850 Six Mile Road POB 134 Huson, MT, 59846 VOX 406-626-4304 www.lightningforensics.com www.sixmilesystems.com ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Signal Hound
There is a yahoo group for the Signal Hound. For one user, the original Signal Hound showed really poor phase noise performance with an external reference with the internal reference always being better... see the External ref vs internal ref.pdf document on the yahoo group for details. The plot presented in that document looks really bad. Orin. On Sun, Apr 14, 2013 at 8:39 PM, Jim Lux jim...@earthlink.net wrote: Inexpensive USB spectrum analyzer.. http://www.signalhound.com/ I think it has the ability to capture raw samples, too. (the BB60 definitely does.) They have a 10MHz ref input. The spectrum analyzer has a phase noise feature Phase Noise Plot : Displays the phase noise amplitude, in dBc/Hz, vs. offset from carrier when checked. You must have a span of 10 KHz or less, and the signal should be within 1 division of the reference level (e.g. within 10 dB). This utility takes about 1 minute to run. It will sweep several times, then combine the sweeps into a phase noise plot. The data is approximate and is limited by the phase noise of the SignalHound itself. For best close in phase noise, use an external 10 MHz reference with 10 dBm power level. To resume normal operation,click Phase Noise Plot a second time to un check. Anyone fooled with one? Think it might work as a low cost part of a phase noise test set. __**_ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/** mailman/listinfo/time-nutshttps://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Signal Hound
On 04/15/13 04:39 AM, Jim Lux wrote: Inexpensive USB spectrum analyzer.. http://www.signalhound.com/ It's not that inexpensive. I assembled a 22 GHz spectrum analyzer based on the HP 7 modular measurement system for about the same money. The 22 Ghz tracking generator module is very expensive, but I don't have that. Since I have a 20 GHz VNA, owning a tracking generator on a spectrum analyzer is not that important. The 2.9 GHz tracking generator for the HP 7 series is not that expensive. The used HP or similar kit has done most of its depreciating. Of course, I can see advantages in small, compact units with a warranty, but I'd certainly want to consider buying used professional equipment. -- Dr. David Kirkby Ph.D C.Eng MIET ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Signal Hound
On 4/15/13 1:48 PM, Dr. David Kirkby wrote: On 04/15/13 04:39 AM, Jim Lux wrote: Inexpensive USB spectrum analyzer.. http://www.signalhound.com/ It's not that inexpensive. I assembled a 22 GHz spectrum analyzer based on the HP 7 modular measurement system for about the same money. New vs used. The 22 Ghz tracking generator module is very expensive, but I don't have that. Since I have a 20 GHz VNA, owning a tracking generator on a spectrum analyzer is not that important. The 2.9 GHz tracking generator for the HP 7 series is not that expensive. The used HP or similar kit has done most of its depreciating. Of course, I can see advantages in small, compact units with a warranty, but I'd certainly want to consider buying used professional equipment. I was thinking about it for use at work, where calibration and repair is an issue. We've got plenty of old HP gear at JPL, and while it works great, it's also often got clunky interfaces for computer control, it's difficult to get repaired, etc. (HP 8663Bs for instance..) and sometimes, it's just plain obsolete. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
[time-nuts] Signal Hound
Inexpensive USB spectrum analyzer.. http://www.signalhound.com/ I think it has the ability to capture raw samples, too. (the BB60 definitely does.) They have a 10MHz ref input. The spectrum analyzer has a phase noise feature Phase Noise Plot : Displays the phase noise amplitude, in dBc/Hz, vs. offset from carrier when checked. You must have a span of 10 KHz or less, and the signal should be within 1 division of the reference level (e.g. within 10 dB). This utility takes about 1 minute to run. It will sweep several times, then combine the sweeps into a phase noise plot. The data is approximate and is limited by the phase noise of the SignalHound itself. For best closein phase noise, use an external 10 MHz reference with 10 dBm power level. To resume normal operation,click Phase Noise Plot a second time to uncheck. Anyone fooled with one? Think it might work as a low cost part of a phase noise test set. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
