BIRD SignalHawk SH-36S-RM-ASL User manual

SignalHawk™
PC and Rack Mount Models
Operations Manual
Model SH-36S-RM-ASL
© Copyright 2015 by Bird Electronic Corporation
Instruction Book Part Number 920-36S-RM-ASL Rev. A
SignalHawk is a trademark of Bird Electronic Corporation
Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation
Adobe, Acrobat Reader are registered trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated

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Table of Contents
Safety Precautions .......................................................................................................................... 6
Safety Symbols Used in this Documentation.................................................................................. 7
Warning Statements ....................................................................................................................... 8
Caution Statements ........................................................................................................................ 9
Safety Statements......................................................................................................................... 10
About This Manual........................................................................................................................ 13
Changes to this Document........................................................................................................ 13
Document Contents.................................................................................................................. 13
Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 1
Items Supplied ............................................................................................................................ 2
Controls, Indicators, and Connectors ......................................................................................... 4
Power Supply - PC SignalHawk.................................................................................................... 7
Power Supply - Rack Mount SignalHawk .................................................................................... 9
Spectrum Analyzer Quick Start ................................................................................................. 10
Installation .................................................................................................................................... 12
PC SignalHawk Set-Up............................................................................................................... 12
Rack Mount SignalHawk Set-Up ............................................................................................... 15
Connecting the Rack Mount SignalHawk via USB Connection ................................................. 16
Connecting Remotely via LAN/WAN Connection ..................................................................... 19
Connecting a Remote Computer to the Host Computer.......................................................... 24
User Interface Menus and Settings .............................................................................................. 26

Table of Contents
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Getting Started with the SignalHawk........................................................................................ 26
Start Menu ................................................................................................................................ 27
Setup Menu............................................................................................................................... 29
SignalHawk Spectrum Analyzer Screen Overview.................................................................... 36
Adv. Logging Menu ....................................................................................................................... 80
Advanced Spectrum Logging (ASL) ........................................................................................... 80
Adv. Logging — Database/Configuration Menu....................................................................... 81
Adv. Logging — Logging/Playback Menu.................................................................................. 83
Sweep Logging Menu................................................................................................................ 84
Database Search Menu............................................................................................................. 87
Database Search Recall Playback Menu ................................................................................... 91
Configuration Settings Dialog Box ................................................................................................ 93
Select Sweeps Dialog Box ............................................................................................................. 97
Create Configuration File.............................................................................................................. 99
Edit Configuration Files............................................................................................................... 100
Create a Database....................................................................................................................... 101
Attach an Existing Database ....................................................................................................... 102
Spectrum Trace Logging.............................................................................................................. 103
Spectrum Trace Playback............................................................................................................ 104
Database Search ......................................................................................................................... 104
Recall Saved Database Search .................................................................................................... 106
Measurements............................................................................................................................ 107
Spectrum Analysis Measurement........................................................................................... 108

PC/Rack Mount SignalHawk with ASL
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Occupied Bandwidth Measurement....................................................................................... 109
Channel Power Measurement................................................................................................ 111
Adjacent Channel Power Measurement................................................................................. 113
Time Domain (Zero Span) Measurement ............................................................................... 115
Field Strength Measurement.................................................................................................. 117
Demodulate Signal Measurement.......................................................................................... 120
Carrier-to-Interference Ratio Measurement.......................................................................... 122
Out-of-Band and In-Band, Out-of-Channel Spurious.............................................................. 125
Utilities........................................................................................................................................ 126
Utility Menu ............................................................................................................................ 126
Customizing SignalHawk Content ........................................................................................... 128
Creating Database Search Limit Masks................................................................................... 130
ASL Report Generator............................................................................................................. 132
PC Tool ........................................................................................................................................ 135
Downloading and Installing Software..................................................................................... 135
Installing the PC Tool Software............................................................................................... 135
Menu Bar................................................................................................................................. 136
Tool Bar................................................................................................................................... 137
Options Dialog Box (View>Options)........................................................................................ 140
Maintenance............................................................................................................................... 146
Cleaning................................................................................................................................... 146
Charging PC SignalHawk Battery............................................................................................. 146
Replace PC SignalHawk Battery .............................................................................................. 146

Table of Contents
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Update PC SignalHawk Firmware ........................................................................................... 148
Update Rack Mount SignalHawk Firmware - Remotely ......................................................... 150
Troubleshooting...................................................................................................................... 152
Customer Service .................................................................................................................... 153
Specifications .......................................................................................................................... 153
Parts List.................................................................................................................................. 163
ROHS ....................................................................................................................................... 166
Software License Terms.............................................................................................................. 167
MICROSOFT SOFTWARE LICENSE TERMS WINDOWS 7 PROFESSIONAL ................................ 167
LIMITED WARRANTY ............................................................................................................... 179
Limited Warranty........................................................................................................................ 181

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Safety Precautions
The following are general safety precautions that are not necessarily related to any specific part
or procedure, and do not necessarily appear elsewhere in this publication. These precautions
must be thoroughly understood and apply to all phases of operation and maintenance.
WARNING
Keep Away From Live Circuits
Operating Personnel must at all times observe general safety precautions. Do not replace
components or make adjustments to the inside of the test equipment with the high voltage
supply turned on. To avoid casualties, always remove power.
WARNING
Shock Hazard
Do not attempt to remove the RF transmission line while RF power is present.
WARNING
Do Not Service Or Adjust Alone
Under no circumstances should any person reach into an enclosure for the purpose of
service or adjustment of equipment except in the presence of someone who is capable of
rendering aid.
WARNING
Safety Earth Ground
An uninterruptible earth safety ground must be supplied from the main power source to test
instruments. Grounding one conductor of a two conductor power cable is not sufficient
protection. Serious injury or death can occur if this grounding is not properly supplied.
WARNING
Resuscitation
Personnel working with or near high voltages should be familiar with modern methods of
resuscitation.
WARNING
Remove Power
Observe general safety precautions. Do not open the instrument with the power on.

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Safety Symbols Used in this Documentation
WARNING
Warning notes call attention to a procedure, which if not correctly performed, could result in
personal injury.
CAUTION
Caution notes call attention to a procedure, which if not correctly performed, could result in
damage to the instrument.
NOTE
Calls attention to supplemental information.
The caution symbol appears on the equipment indicating there is important
information in the instruction manual regarding that particular area.

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Warning Statements
The following safety warnings appear in the text where there is danger to operating and
maintenance personnel, and are repeated here for emphasis.
WARNING
When using the AC adapter, connect the AC plug only to a properly grounded receptacle.
Serious injury or death can occur if not properly grounded..
See AC Power Adapters.
WARNING
Care should be taken when handling batteries
•Keep out of the reach of children.
•Do not heat or dispose of batteries in fire. May burst or release toxic materials.
•Avoid forced discharge.
•Do not short circuit.
•Restrict charging current and time to the recommended value.
•Do not solder the battery directly.
•Do not disassemble, apply excessive pressure, or deform battery.
•Avoid placing the battery in reverse polarity.
•Battery disposal method should be in accordance with local and state regulations.
See Maintenance.

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Caution Statements
The following equipment cautions appear in the text whenever the equipment is in danger of
damage and are repeated here for emphasis.
CAUTION
Spectrum Analyzer has a +20 dBm (100 mW) max. RF input. Exceeding the maximum input
will damage the SignalHawk. If unsure of power levels, measure the test connection with a
power sensor before using the SignalHawk.
See Spectrum Analyzer Quick Start and/or Settings.
CAUTION
Do not block the fan airflow to prevent overheating.
See Rack-Mount SignalHawk Set-Up.
CAUTION
Harsh or abrasive detergents, and some solvents, can damage the unit and labels.
See Maintenance.
CAUTION
Replace battery pack with identical battery pack (4 or 6 Cell). Use only manufacturer
supplied battery pack with the same number of cells as the battery being removed.
See Maintenance.

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Safety Statements
USAGE
ANY USE OF THIS INSTRUMENT IN A MANNER NOT SPECIFIED BY THE MANUFACTURER MAY
IMPAIR THE INSTRUMENT'S SAFETY PROTECTION.
USO
EL USO DE ESTE INSTRUMENTO DE MANERA NO ESPECIFICADA POR EL FABRICANTE, PUEDE
ANULAR LA PROTECCIÓN DE SEGURIDAD DEL INSTRUMENTO.
BENUTZUNG
WIRD DAS GERÄT AUF ANDERE WEISE VERWENDET ALS VOM HERSTELLER BESCHRIEBEN, KANN
DIE GERÄTESICHERHEIT BEEINTRÄCHTIGT WERDEN.
UTILISATION
TOUTE UTILISATION DE CET INSTRUMENT QUI N'EST PAS EXPLICITEMENT PRÉVUE PAR LE
FABRICANT PEUT ENDOMMAGER LE DISPOSITIF DE PROTECTION DE L'INSTRUMENT.
IMPIEGO
QUALORA QUESTO STRUMENTO VENISSE UTILIZZATO IN MODO DIVERSO DA COME
SPECIFICATO DAL PRODUTTORE LA PROZIONE DI SICUREZZA POTREBBE VENIRNE
COMPROMESSA.