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PSA Series 2 and Series 5 spectrum analyzers: Comparison of Features


PSA Series 2 and Series 5

Features common to Series 2 and Series 5

  • True handheld size, weight only 0.56 kg (20 oz)
  • 4.3" (11cm) colour TFT touchscreen display
  • Rugged construction with built-in screen protector
  • Intuitive menu system for rapid set-up
  • Operation via touch screen or hard keys
  • Li-on battery pack for long operation per charge
  • Measurement in dBm or dBµV, mV or µW
  • Zero span mode with AM and FM demodulation
  • Trace modes of normal, peak hold and trace average
  • Live, View and Reference traces in contrasting colours
  • Twin markers with readout of absolute & difference values
  • Smart marker movement with selectable peak tracking
  • Frequency presets and independent state storage
  • Auto-set of sweep parameters for highest signal found
  • Unlimited storage for waveforms, set-ups and screens
  • User assignable file names, file stamping from real-time clock
  • USB interfaces for flash drives and PC connection
  • Comprehensive status and context sensitive help screens
FEATURE COMPARISON TABLE
SERIES 2 SERIES 5
PSA1302 PSA2702 PSA3605 PSA6005
Maximum Frequency 1300MHz 2700MHz 3600MHz 6000MHz
Minimum Frequency 1MHz 1MHz 10MHz 10MHz
Maximum Reference Level 0dBm +20dBm
Minimum Reference Level -20dBm -40dBm
Noise Floor / DANL -96dBm (Ref = -20dBm,15kHz RBW);
-138dBm/Hz		 -120dBm (Ref = -40dBm, 10kHz RBW);
-160dBm/Hz
Resolution Bandwidth (RBW) 15kHz, 280kHz, 1MHz or Auto 300Hz to 10MHz (1:3:10 sequence) or Auto
Video Bandwidth (VBW) On/Off (Tracking) 300Hz to 10MHz or Tracking
Detector Modes Peak (+ve) Peak (+ve, -ve, alternate), Sample, RMS, Avg.
Sweep Time Control Automatically set by Span and RBW Automatic with manual override
Demodulation Audio only, AM or FM Audio and Waveform*, AM or FM
Frequency Counter No Yes (resolution down to 10Hz)
Automatic Measurements No CP, ACPR, OBW *
Scan Mode No Capture of up to 210,000 points *
RF Input Connector SMA N type
Battery Life per charge > 8 hours > 3 hours
Additional Feature Options Additional features with Option U01
  • Limit lines and limit patterns with limits comparator
  • Data logging of peak values, complete traces or screen images from timer, external trigger or limits comparator
  • Compensation tables, fixed offsets and 75Ohm compensation
  • Sweep triggering from ext. trigger or limits comparator
  • Custom Presets for rapid repetitive setting
  • Capability to show screen contents on a PC
Additional features with Option U02
  • Limit lines and limit patterns with limits comparator
  • Data logging of peak values, complete traces or screen images from timer, external trigger or limits comparator
  • Automatic Measurements for CP, ACPR and OBW
  • Waveform demodulation for AM and FM signals
  • Compensation tables, fixed offsets and 75Ohm compensation
  • Sweep triggering from ext. trigger or limits comparator
  • Custom Presets for rapid repetitive setting
  • Scan Mode for high resolution capture and analysis
  • Capability to show screen contents on a PC
* = requires option U02

Differing architectures

The Series 2 and Series 5 share the same compact lightweight ruggedized casing, along with the same 4.3” colour TFT display and touch-screen user interface. Under the skin, however, they use significantly different architectures resulting in differing feature sets and power consumption:

PSA Series 2

The Series 2 is fully analogue, up to and including the detector, using a conventional superheterodyne architecture.

This approach yields particularly low power consumption along with operation down to 1MHz. The main disadvantage is limited bandwidth filtering choices.

1.3GHz and 2.7GHz models are available both offering more than 8 hours of operation from a charge, and at remarkably low prices.

► Go to Series 2 Information Tour

PSA Series 5

The Series 5 is all-digital from the second IF onwards. This enables it to offer a full range of RBW/VBW settings, multiple detector modes and advanced features such as waveform demodulation and automatic measurements.

Power consumption is higher than the Series 2 (although still much lower than competitive products) and minimum operating frequency is 10MHz.

3.6GHz and 6.0GHz models are available both offering more than 3 hours of operation from a charge, at prices significantly lower than those for comparable portable spectrum analyzers.

► Go to Series 5 Information Tour