The acquisition, record, analysis and playback of a radio signal is often required in broadband radar, spectrum monitoring, satellite communication, and interference analysis. Depending on different applications, sometimes it is also necessary for the signal to be recorded for a long period of time and the acquisition time of the signal can range from microseconds to milliseconds to seconds or even to the hourly level.

The system can help users to digitize up to 26.5GHz RF signals directly and conduct a real-time I/Q massive data storage according to costumers’ commands. The maximum signal bandwidth is as high as 110MHz, the recording speed is up to 600MB/s, and under the condition of 110MHz bandwidth the system can record up to 15 hours of I/Q data. It is capable of achieving a long-time record to any complex electromagnetic environment. The data recorded can be analyzed and processed by a specialized software, and in addition, it can conduct a RF playback on stored signal.

The system is integrated with high-performance test equipment, thus contains a mature and advanced technology, a stable and reliable performance, a flexible and convenient usage, and a friendly interface.

The system is a high-performance signal acquisition and playback system which is composed of a real-time spectrum analyzer from Tektronix, a IQ Data Recording/Playback Player, a Broadband Upconverter, and corresponding software from Sinolink Technologies. By using the software coordination collaborated by the equipment, this system is capable of conducting signal capture, analysis, simulation and playback and some other important functions. System block diagram shown in Figure 1, the system’s signal processing flow as shown below.

Revolutionary DPA Digital Fluorescence Technology

By using the DPX® spectrum processing engine patented technology, the real-time spectrum analyzer as a system front-end is able to conduct a real-time analysis to any transient event. Since up to 292,000 frequency conversions can be performed per second, a transient of 10.3 microseconds can be displayed in the frequency domain which is the shortest event period. This result is faster than the traditional scanning analysis by several magnitudes in terms of speed. The technology itself is capable of marking with different colours in the bitmap display according to the frequency of the event, providing excellent insight and analysis abilities to transient signal behavior. The DPX spectrum processor can be scanned over the full frequency range of the instrument to support broadband transient capture that was not previously available in any spectrum analyzer.

High-sensitivity Signal Receiving Ability

Different from other signal acquisition systems, Tektronix’ broadband signal acquisition, analysis and playback system use a high-performance real-time spectrum analyzer as the RF front end with an average noise level of -151 dBm/Hz (-170 dBm/Hz, pre-release, typical) at 2 GHz to achieve the acquisition and analysis of weak signals.

High-fidelity Signal Digitization Capability

On the data acquisition side, the uses of internal high-performance ADC chip and digital signal processor from Tektronix real-time spectrum analyzer to record the I/Q digital signal amplitude and phase are calibrated by real-time spectrum analyzer which provides the best signal fidelity degree.

Wide Frequency Band, Large Bandwidth, Long-period Signal Acquisition and Playback Capabilities

RF signal acquisition and playback frequency range up to 26.5GHz, continuous recording and playback signal bandwidth up to 110MHz, data recording capacity up to 32TB, 110MHz bandwidth conditions can record up to 15 hours of raw I/Q data.

Powerful Posture Signal Analysis Software

SignalVu Signal Analysis Software is equipped with a powerful signal analysis function to support customers with offline in-depth analysis on field test signal. It is especially applicable for spectrum measurement, signal intelligence, and monitoring applications. It is also able to perform time-dependent measurements in frequency domain, phase field, amplitude domain and modulation domain which makes it a suitable software for transient signal in-depth analysis, including frequency hopping, pulse characteristics, modulation switching, settling time, bandwidth changes and intermittent signals.

RF Signal Real-time Playback Capability

Tektronix's broadband signal acquisition, analysis and playback system can perform RF playback on a recorded baseband signal; the playback is also a long-period continuous playback. 110MHz bandwidth conditions can also play up to 15 hours of radio frequency signals.