Electronics and RF Engineering Projects - Spectrum Analyzer Adapter for Oscilloscope

Wanting to document here one of the first systems that I invested in for remote sensing and remote transmission detection, i.e. the TDS-520.  

In order to utlize the TDS-520 as a spectrum analyzer other than the digital FFT function and 500MHz plus bandwidth for quicker reviewing to identify peaks correlating with sound or other bio-metric or perimeter sensors... I decided I'd try to make a spectrum analyzer adapter as I think this will be a good project or set of projects to focus on.  Especially, I'm thinking this will be a good exercise to solidly concepts for ultimately learning more to be able to make modules for the TDS-8000.

Here are the references for starters:
Two plans regarding a spectrum analyzer adapter for an oscilloscope and thinking about using more modern modules with an MCU also.
Any suggestions?
See the last two referenced links in the link below for design plans (see pg 42 in the last link which is actually pg.41 in the publication):
https://randysbench.wordpress.com/2014/11/25/spectrum-analyzer-links/

Anyone aware of a modern schematic for a Spectrum Analyzer Adapter for a 500MHz or larger bandwidth Oscilloscope?
I've only observed three manufacturers on the market; ITC Corp. Model SA 500, MIT Models 3100/3260 and Protek Models 7700/7800
I was wondering about attempting to make with a STM Discovery Board initially and need to read into more first if worth even attempting. Thinking if I use a SBC/MCU, I will need a CPU/APU that is at least double the frequency of the oscilloscope.
Starting off with an analog system I'm thinking will be a better learning process.
Here is another schematic I found:
Does seem like a great learning exercise in spectrum analysis and OSD.

interesting VNA and Spectrum Analyzer project that has progressed to experimenting with modules instead of being Manhattan style:
https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/2939747126087070

Module method, i.e. tinySA: https://groups.io/g/HBTE/files (see tinySA posts for more info and latest progress) Comparison of the SDRplay RSP1 vs tinySA: https://groups.io/g/HBTE/message/650


 I also invested in a $9.99 thrift shop scanner find that looks like is a super heterodyne design and I'm thinking I can modify to sweep more continuously as well as interface with a pan-adapter for remote DSP. Keep in mind, if you're in a moving vehicle... you need to be licensed to use a scanner from what I understand. Thinking this has basic fox hunting (radio direction finding) capabilities even with the as-is frequency scan range. Next to find the schematics.

Comments

  1. JamesJanuary 1, 2020 at 1:41 PM

    Need to document the other antenna projects also. These observations were made, since prior to the really wide bandwidth low cost piece of lab test equipment that would work as a spectrum analyzer, i.e. oscilloscope with FFT and/or a spectrum analyzer adapter (either originally as planned with GPIB and on a computer, SBC or MCU... or later found using analog or digital electronic circuit means to effect the input display)..., because I found I needed for starters wide band antennas to cover the range of frequencies and then more antennas potentially that are better tuned to the frequencies observed correlated to sound, mind and body control signals. Also, I needed wide band directional antennas as well as the wide band omni-directional antennas. Finally, those directional antennas in narrow frequencies range potentially for more detailed study.

    Therefore, I'm going to reference where I last left off regarding the ski pole discone, parabolic trough and telescoping yagi.

    GPIB, pan-adapter, discrimination rap & Oscilloscope resources:
    https://dewdetectionprojects.blogspot.com/2017/09/mission-detection-resources-im-falling.html

    Oscilloscope:
    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/3340230996038679

    CE-232 and pan-adapter Interface:
    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/3276800022381777

    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/3309191979142581

    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/3246836515378128

    Parabolic Trough Antenna and potential array:
    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2985179104877205&set=a.1586822128046250&type=3

    https://dewdetectionprojects.blogspot.com/2018/08/detection-project-radio-directional_16.html

    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/3153955041332943

    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/2821148457946938


    Telescopic Yagi:
    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/2909613355767114


    Alternate detection methods:
    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/3218374524890994

    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/3147673678627746

    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/3160155964046184

    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/3133043590090755

    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3127253744003073&set=a.1586822128046250&type=3

    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/3118662731528841

    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/3113780628683718

    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/3101302063264908

    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/3092688394126275

    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/3086492801412501

    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/3025869887474793

    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/3018662968195485

    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/3008325875895861

    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/3003865929675189

    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/2998321523562963

    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/2965094066885709

    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/2963187393743043

    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/2960089547386161

    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/2958289474232835

    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/2930001753728274

    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/2926676034060846

    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/2916882698373513

    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/2887648464630270

    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2874011329327317&set=a.1586822128046250&type=3


    Arduino:
    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/3254485881279858

    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/3250215721706874

    https://www.facebook.com/james.analytic/posts/3139676226094158


    ReplyDelete
  2. nonionizingemfJanuary 6, 2020 at 1:39 PM

    Really good video on using the HP8569B Spectrum Analyzer and a Scanner set to ~27MHz as a downconverter.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rymaxaH2sv0

    ReplyDelete

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