KB6NU's Ham Radio Blog

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Rigol on RF Basics

Posted: 09 Nov 2016 12:06 PM PST
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Heres a white paper on basic RF measurementsÂ*from Rigol, a manufacturer of
oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and signal generators. It does a decent
job of explaining topics like the difference between time-domain
measurements (that youd make with an oscilloscope) and frequency-domain
measurement (that youd make with a spectrum analyzer).

In addition to explaining how scopes and spectrum analzyersÂ*work, there are
chapters on component tests, transmitter tests, and receiver tests. The
third chapter, for example, explains how to use a spectrum analzyerÂ*(a
Rigol, of course) to measure the bandwidth of filters, connector and cable
insertion loss, and antenna VSWR.
An idealized view of a filters frequency response.
What you might actually see on a spectrum analyzer when measuring the
frequency response of a filter.

Im a little surprisedÂ*that they didnt more information about their latest
signal generator, the DG1022Z. At $360, this 25 MHz signal generator looks
like a great deal. It offers two output channels that you can program to
output a wide variety of waveforms, and modulate those waveforms in many
different ways. And, if you dont find any of the pre-programmed waveforms
to your liking, you can create an arbitrary waveform of up to 16 Mbytes
long. It also includes a 200 MHz frequency counter.

Im not sure how much Id actually use it, but being the test equipment geek
that I am, Im really tempted. I probably should get a spectrum analyzer
first, though.

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