Using the "138MHz-4.4GHz USB SMA Source/Signal Generator/Simple Spectrum Analyzer" for TV/CATV/SAT

[vma]

New version today!

All six presets can be configured with individual LOF and LOF can be entered manually, too.

This will show Fundamental Frequencies on the grid and in the marker frequency fields (here along with the real IF).

Regards,
vma

 

[jeallen01]

vma

Great work!

 

[John]

New version today!

All six presets can be configured with individual LOF and LOF can be entered manually, too.

This will show Fundamental Frequencies on the grid and in the marker frequency fields (here along with the real IF).

Regards,
vma

View attachment 99957

... It just gets better, great work indeed.

 

[jeallen01]

And so you have provided us all with a "full on " spectrum analyser" - beyond my wildest dreams!

 

[Anonymous_1]

That's a perfect tool !
works great with preset and even for Cband
a big thanks, again @vma

 

[jeallen01]

One small question: what is highest refresh scan rate we can reasonably expect (i.e. how often does the display refresh)?

 

[John]

That's a perfect tool !
works great with preset and even for Cband
a big thanks, again @vma


View attachment 99976 View attachment 99977

Cool ....
Can you locate a beacon of your choice @Feedsat to show us how it displays please

 

[vma]

One small question: what is highest refresh scan rate we can reasonably expect (i.e. how often does the display refresh)?

Hi,

The best is you take a look at this video:

If you use 1000 samples, it takes around 4 seconds for the whole span (no matter what frequency range) to refresh.
Taking 500 samples takes about 2 seconds.
Taking 250 samples takes about 1 second.
Taking 100 samples takes less than 0.5 seconds.

You cannot consider it "realtime" with more than 100 samples selected, but even with 500 samples it is pretty OK.
For you to get an idea: with 500 samples selected, it is faster than the spectrum of a Kathrein MSK33 and just slightly slower than a KWS Varos 109 (while showing the spectrum at a higher resolution).

Definitely useable!

Regards,
vma

 

[jeallen01]

Hi,

The best is you take a look at this video:

If you use 1000 samples, it takes around 4 seconds for the whole span (no matter what frequency range) to refresh.
Taking 500 samples takes about 2 seconds.
Taking 250 samples takes about 1 second.
Taking 100 samples takes less than 0.5 seconds.

You cannot consider it "realtime" with more than 100 samples selected, but even with 500 samples it is pretty OK.
For you to get an idea: with 500 samples selected, it is faster than the spectrum of a Kathrein MSK33 and just slightly slower than a KWS Varos 109 (while showing the spectrum at a higher resolution).

Definitely useable!

Regards,
vma

vma

Many thanks - I'll take a good look tomorrow.

 

[Anonymous_1]

Cool ....
Can you locate a beacon of your choice @Feedsat to show us how it displays please

Check this @John :
For example 33°E:
not a strong beacon for testing: this one is not "visible" (some are very strong, like 4.8°E, 36°W, etc).

CS:




SSA:



Promax to compare with a "regular" spectrum analyzer

 

[jeallen01]

Feedsat

Comment only: that comparison looks extremely good when compared with the price differential of the two S/As! - and certainly seems more than good enough for what is needed for the type of use for which we need it. Unfortunately my S/A unit is still "somewhere" between Hong Kong and here in the UK .

 

[John]

Check this @John :
For example 33°E:
not a strong beacon for testing: this one is not "visible" (some are very strong, like 4.8°E, 36°W, etc).

CS:
View attachment 100025



SSA:

View attachment 100026

Promax to compare with a "regular" spectrum analyzer

View attachment 100027

Thanks for that, must say that is quite impressive.
Although i have Pro Televes and Promax analysers to use i'm impressed enough to grab one of those gadgets off the net the other day and put it to use with this very impressive software from @vma

 

[scopus]

Thanks for that, must say that is quite impressive.
Although i have Pro Televes and Promax analysers to use i'm impressed enough to grab one of those gadgets off the net the other day and put it to use with this very impressive software from @vma

Ditto

 

[jeallen01]

Caution - be prepared for a long wait for the S/A units to arrive - 2+ weeks so far, and counting , but's that's what the buyer's website actually predicts.

 

[vma]

Hi,

Nice comparison, Feedsat!

New version online.

;)

Cheers,
vma

 

[Anonymous_1]

Thanks @vma , I have the 9 preset now for all my LNBs
the real frequency of the mouse position is also great.


PS: I just found @ 68.5°E there is a small SR on 3779.5 V, SR close to 1000 I think


CS:

 

[scopus]

My gadget came today, all set up, thanks to VMA for the activation key, much to play with, but here is grab off 40W Cband. Great piece of sw

 

[vma]

Are you using the lates version? If so, click the AUTO button on the left side. If not, you can manually set the amplitude. No need to render the spectrum from -25dB to -97db, if all the action is happening from -55db to -80db.
Try it and post a new picture!

Regards,
vma

PS: I really need to continue work on a user manual...

 

[vma]

You are NOT using the latest version! The latest version renders CORRECT inverted spectrum!

Here is a current change log:

2016-11-13: Implemented Auto Scale in Y
2016-11-10: Fully implemented inverted spectrum - if a negative LOF is entered, the spectrum is drawn inverted
            Inverted the changelog - new changes on top for better visibility
2016-11-09: Small bug fixes:
            Frequency of mouse position now without negative sign for inverted spectrum
            Spectrum load window only shows *.ssa files
2016-11-08: Increased preset buttons to a total of 9
            Implemented option to have frequency grid with 3 decimal places
            Implemented new field to show the frequency at mouse position with 3 decimal places
2016-11-06: Implemented LOF configuration for frequency grid and marker           
2016-11-05: Implemented 6 user configurable frequency preset buttons
            Implemented functionality to save and load spectrum, allowing the overlay of a saved spectrum
            Optimized screen width           
2016-10-30: Changed screen layout, mainy for use with smaller resolutions
            Added ComboBox to select between ADF4350 and ADF4351 variants (138MHz-4.4GHz or 35MHz-4.4GHz)           
2016-10-12: Added user defined CENTER FREQUENCY field
            Added user defined SPAN field
2016-10-10: Converted small graphic window to new graphics engine
2016-10-04: Implemented new graphics engine - best fit curve instead of line segments
            Implemented line/shaded spectrum option
            Corrected waterfall diagram colour map
2016-10-02: Added RBW information           
2016-08-31: Removed single spectrum run
            Removed single marker dBm measurement
            Implemented improved graphics engine
            Implemented new markers: circles instead of vertical lines
            Implemented dBm indication at marker 1 & 2
            Implemented Delta dBm between marke 1 & 2
            Cleaned up source code for easier maintenance and speed           
2016-08-30: Corrected dBm calibration for improved precision
            Implemented new function: Powermeter - not sure if it is correctly implemented
            Implemented new graphics engine
            Spectrum/Waterfall in main image can be saved as PNG
            Introduced change log
            Cleaned up GUI (Setup screen)
            Cleaned up some code
            Added a SET button on Sweep Generator (less prone to crash due to open RS232 port)           
2016-08-22: Fixed bug in activation routine               
2016-08-21: Implementation of activation routine

 

[scopus]

Thanks VMA, I now have the latest version installed, with the AUTO button.