Micronix MSA438 User manual

Ver.2.5/ Nov. / 2021
MICRONIX CORPORATION
3.3GHz/8.5GHz Spectrum Analyzer
MSA438(E/TG)/MSA458
Operating manual
OM-08022

–I–
Before Using the Product
· Please use following the below notes described on the back panel.
· For safe use
1) When abnormal sound, abnormal smell or smoke is found, stop using and remove the battery and AC
adapter.
2) Never use this product by wet hands, or the electric shock, a fire or the damage is caused.
3) Never use this product when thundering, or the damage by lightning may be caused.
4) Never use any AC adapter other than specified, or the damage is caused. And connect the power cable to
three-terminal outlet for protecting from static electricity, or this product or a device under test may be
damaged.
5) Never use any battery other than specified, or this product is damaged. When removing or installing the
battery, do it after turning off the power and disconnecting AC adapter.
6) Be sure to charge the battery by the specified way.
Moreover, an explosion, a fire or smoking may happen if the handling of the battery is improper.
Please read the notes of the handling of battery.
· Set clock function
The time information is set at Japan standard time. Set the year, month, day and time when MSA400 series is
used for the first time. (Refer to “24.4 Setting of clock” for the details.)

–II–
· Quality assurance
Warranty
If the defect by our responsibility occurs within one year after delivered, it shall be repaired free of
charge. However, this warranty does not cover such defect that :
1) is caused by a fire or natural disasters.
2) is caused by inappropriate handling such as dropping while moving the unit delivered.
3) is caused by handling in contradiction to usage or precautions described in the operating manual.
4) is caused by modification or misuse.
We will not be responsible for direct or indirect damage caused by use or defect of this product.
Warm-up time
Warm up the product for ten minutes at least after turning on the power in order to stabilize the internal
circuit.
Precautions for storage
1) Store this unit avoiding direct sunlight or dust.
2) Store this unit in a place where temperature is -20°C to 60°C, humidity is less than 60°C/70%RH and
also variation of temperature and humidity is small.
After service
Please contact us without hesitation if you have any questions about this product:
MICRONIX CORPORATION
2987-2, KOBIKI-CHO, HACHIOJI-SHI, TOKYO 193-0934 JAPAN
TEL. [phone] FAX. [phone]
URL: http://www.micronix-jp.com/ E-mail: [e-mail]

1. Outline ----------------------------------------------------------------- 1
1.1 Product outlines --------------------------------------------------- 1
1.2 Standard accessories ----------------------------------------------- 2
1.3 Lineup of four models ---------------------------------------------- 2
2. Specifications --------------------------------------------------------- 3
2.1 Performances ---------------------------------------------------- 3
2.2 External view --------------------------------------------------- 6
3. Explanation of Panel -------------------------------------------------- 7
4. Explanation of Screen ------------------------------------------------ 10
5. Function Menu ------------------------------------------------------- 11
5.1 List of function menu -------------------------------------------- 11
5.2 Menu tree ----------------------------------------------------- 12
6. Preparing for Operation ---------------------------------------------- 18
6.1 Stand --------------------------------------------------------- 18
6.2 Connection to power supply --------------------------------------- 18
6.3 Battery charge -------------------------------------------------- 19
6.4 Installation of battery -------------------------------------------- 19
7. Center Frequency <FREQ> ------------------------------------------- 20
7.1 Setting with step key ([F1], [F2]) ----------------------------------- 20
7.2 Setting with encoder --------------------------------------------- 20
7.3 Setting with numeric key ----------------------------------------- 21
7.4 According to marker position -------------------------------------- 22
8. Frequency Span <SPAN> --------------------------------------------- 22
9. Reference Level <REFER> ------------------------------------------- 24
9.1 Setting of reference level ----------------------------------------- 24
9.2 Changing of unit of amplitude axis ---------------------------------- 24
9.3 Setting of step size of reference level -------------------------------- 24
9.4 On-off setting of offset ------------------------------------------- 24
9.5 Setting of offset level -------------------------------------------- 24
9.6 Setting of input impedance ---------------------------------------- 25
9.7 Reference level setting range for each unit ----------------------------- 25
9.8 Relation between reference level and ATT/AMP (at dBm ) ---------------- 26
10. Display Scale <SCALE> --------------------------------------------- 27
10.1 Setting with function key ---------------------------------------- 27
11. Resolution Bandwidth <RBW> -------------------------------------- 27
11.1 MANUAL mode ----------------------------------------------- 27
11.2 AUTO mode -------------------------------------------------- 28
11.3 ALL AUTO mode ---------------------------------------------- 28
Contents

12. Video Bandwidth <VBW> ------------------------------------------- 28
12.1 MANUAL mode ----------------------------------------------- 28
12.2 AUTO mode -------------------------------------------------- 28
12.3 ALL AUTO mode ---------------------------------------------- 29
13. Sweep Axis / Detection Mode <SWEEP> ----------------------------- 29
13.1 MANUAL mode ----------------------------------------------- 29
13.2 AUTO mode -------------------------------------------------- 29
13.3 ALL AUTO mode ---------------------------------------------- 29
13.4 Setting of Detection mode ---------------------------------------- 30
13.5 Setting of Trigger source ------------------------------------------ 30
14. AUTO Tuning <AUTO TUNE> -------------------------------------- 30
15. Hold / Run <HOLD/RUN> ------------------------------------------ 30
16. Calculation Function <CALC> -------------------------------------- 31
16.1 NORMAL mode ----------------------------------------------- 31
16.2 MAX HOLD mode --------------------------------------------- 31
16.3 MIN HOLD mode ---------------------------------------------- 31
16.4 AVERAGE mode ---------------------------------------------- 32
16.5 OVER WRITE mode ------------------------------------------- 32
16.6 SPURIOUS FREE mode ----------------------------------------- 32
17. Marker & peak search <MKR> -------------------------------------- 33
17.1 Movement and basic function of marker ----------------------------- 34
17.2 Normal peak search --------------------------------------------- 34
17.3 Zone peak search ----------------------------------------------- 35
17.4 Change for unit at maker level ------------------------------------ 35
18. Save / Load <SAVE/LOAD> ----------------------------------------- 36
18.1 Selection of storage device --------------------------------------- 36
18.2 Save function -------------------------------------------------- 37
18.3 About file name ------------------------------------------------ 37
18.4 Load function ------------------------------------------------- 38
18.5 Delete function ------------------------------------------------ 39
18.6 Presetting (Initialization) ----------------------------------------- 40
19. Measuring Function <MEAS> --------------------------------------- 41
19.1 Channel power measurement <CH POWER> ------------------------ 42
19.2 Adjacent channel leakage power measurement <ACP> ----------------- 43
19.3 Occupied bandwidth measurement <OBW> ------------------------- 44
19.4 Electric field strength measurement <E/F ANT> ---------------------- 45
19.5 Magnetic field strength measurement <M/F PROBE> ------------------ 50
19.6 Frequency counter <FREQ COUNT> (factory option) ----------------- 51
20. EMI Test (MSA438E) ----------------------------------------------- 52
20.1 Additional function for EMI test ----------------------------------- 52
20.2 EMI test ------------------------------------------------------ 53

21. Screen Control <DSPL> --------------------------------------------- 56
21.1 Setting of color of screen display ---------------------------------- 56
21.2 ON/OFF switching of LCD backlight ------------------------------- 56
21.3 Adjustment of brightness of LCD backlight -------------------------- 56
22. Tracking Generator Mode (MSA438TG) ----------------------------- 57
22.1 Specification of T.G. function ------------------------------------- 57
22.2 Description of I/O connector -------------------------------------- 57
22.3 ON/OFF Switching of TG function --------------------------------- 58
22.4 Normalizing function -------------------------------------------- 58
23. Storage and print of screen image <COPY> -------------------------- 59
23.1 Selection of image area ------------------------------------------ 59
23.2 Print on printer -------------------------------------------------- 59
23.3 Storage into USB memory ----------------------------------------- 59
23.4 Transferring internal data to USB memory in a lump sum ---------------- 59
23.5 USB printer (option) --------------------------------------------- 60
23.6 USB memory --------------------------------------------------- 60
24. Utility Function <UTIL> -------------------------------------------- 61
24.1 Label function ------------------------------------------------- 61
24.2 Menu off ----------------------------------------------------- 62
24.3 Buzzer setting ------------------------------------------------- 62
24.4 Setting of clock ------------------------------------------------ 63
25. USB device Function ------------------------------------------------ 64
25.1 Outline ------------------------------------------------------- 64
25.2 How to connect ------------------------------------------------ 64
25.3 Installation of driver -------------------------------------------- 64
25.4 Sample program ----------------------------------------------- 65
25.5 Explanation of Command ---------------------------------------- 65
25.6 Input of frequency ---------------------------------------------- 72
25.7 Transfer of spectrum data ----------------------------------------- 72
25.8 Writing of original compensation data -------------------------------- 73
26. Option -------------------------------------------------------------- 75
27. Basis Performance Test (MSA438/438E/438TG/458) ------------------ 78
27.1 Frequency characteristics ---------------------------------------- 78
27.2 Accuracy of reference level --------------------------------------- 79
27.3 Display accuracy of center frequency ------------------------------- 79
27.4 Display accuracy of frequency span -------------------------------- 80
27.5 Linearity of amplitude axis --------------------------------------- 80

－ 1 －
1. Outline
1.1 Product outlines
MSA400 series is an authentic spectrum analyzer providing performance and functions that are comparable
to those of large-size bench type equipment, in a compact, lightweight and inexpensive model.
The features are as follows.
1) Compact and lightweight 1.8kg
The dimensions are as small as 162(W)×71(H)×265(D)mm, and the weight is only 1.8kg including the
battery. It is very convenient for outdoor use and on business trip.
2) Large and color TFT display
5.7 inches, 640×480 dots and color LCD
3) Four hours battery operation
Lithium-ion battery MB400 (option) fully charged enables about four-hour battery operation at minimum
backlight brightness .
4) USB memory (A plug)
USB memory can be used as a removable storage. The screen image is stored by BMP format, and the
spectrum and the setting parameters are stored by CSV format .
5) USB communication (B plug)
Such fast transfer rate as 12Mbps maximum was achieved by adoption of USB interface.
6) Accurate frequency measurement by PLL synthesizer
The center frequency is accurately set by PLL (Phase Locked Loop) synthesizer. Moreover, the frequency
counter (factory option) enables to measure the frequency of the signal more accurately.
7) Average noise level -127dBm (MSA438(E/TG))
The low average noise level of -127dBm @ 1GHz provides a wide dynamic range.
8) 100dB display dynamic range
As the display scale in the amplitude axis is 100dB/10div (at 10dB/div), the signal is observed in a wide
dynamic range.
9) Easy operation by AUTO mode
● By auto range operation, RBW, VBW and sweep time are automatically selected based on the frequency
span .
● By auto tuning operation, the center frequency is adjusted to the maximum level within full span, and the
optimum RBW, VBW and sweep time are chosen.

－ 2 －
10)Competitive functions
● Measuring functions : Channel power, Adjacent channel power, Occupied bandwidth, Electric field
strength, Magnetic field strength and Frequency measurement.
● Calculation functions : Max hold, Min hold, Averaging, Over write
● Marker measurement and peak search function
● Save/Load function
● Hard copy with printer
11)Abundant options
A lot of options such as PC software, Logging software, VSWR bridge, Dipole antenna, Magnetic field probe,
USB printer, Frequency counter, Lithium-ion battery and Test accessories are available.
1.2 Standard accessories
1. AC adaptor MA400
2. Carrying case
3. Accessory pouch
4. Operating manual
1.3 Lineup of four models
Model Contents
MSA438
50kHz to 3.3GHz
The most popular model
Applications: Cellular phone, 2.4GHz wireless LAN, 2.5GHz WiMAX, RF-ID,
Broadcasting
MSA458
50kHz to 8.5GHz
Covering most of the wireless communication
Applications: 5GHz wireless LAN, 3.5/5.8GHz WiMAX, ETC/DSRC,
Maintenance of wireless base station
MSA438TG
50kHz to 3.3GHz
With 5MHz to 3.3GHz tracking generator
Applications: Frequency characteristics measurement of electronic
component/circuit and return loss measurement
MSA438E
50kHz to 3.3GHz
For EMI test
Applications: Radiated emission measurement and conducted emission
measurement

－ 3 －
2. Specifications
2.1 Performances
■ Frequency section
MSA438/438E/438TG MSA458
Frequency range 50kHz to 3.3GHz 50kHz to 8.5GHz
Frequency
range
Frequency
band
Harmonic
order
50k to 3.5GHz Base band 1
3.3G to 6.3GHz Band 1- 1
―――
6.1G to 8.5GHz Band 1+ 1
Center frequency
Setting
resolution
20kHz
Allows rotary encoder, numeric key and function key
Accuracy ± (30+20T)kHz ± 1dot
@frequency span: 200kHz to 10MHz,
RBW 3kHz, 23 ± 5 °C
± (60+300T)kHz ± 1dot
@frequency span: 20MHz to 3.3GHz,
RBW 100kHz、23 ± 5 °C
T: sweep time (s)
± (30+20T)kHz ± 1dot
@frequency span: 200kHz to 10MHz,
RBW 3kHz, 23 ± 5 °C
± (60＋300T)kHz ± 1dot
@frequency span: 20MHz to 8.5GHz,
RBW 100kHz, 23 ± 5 °C
T: sweep time (s)
RBW
frequency
error
±4kHz @ 3kHz, 10kHz, 30kHz
RBW ± 20% @ RBW: 100kHz, 300kHz
RBW ± 10% @ RBW: 1MHz, 3MHz
Frequency span
Setting range 0Hz (zero span),
200kHz to 2GHz (1-2-5 step) and
3.3GHz (full span)
0Hz (zero span),
200kHz to 5GHz (1-2-5 step) and
8.5GHz (full span)
Accuracy ±3% ±1dot
@ one step slower sweep time than AUTO, 23 ± 5 °C
Display dots 501dots @ LCD screen, 1001dots @ USB communication
※1001 dots are captured in the unit.
Resolution bandwidth 3dB bandwidth (6dB for MSA438E@ 9kHz, 120kHz, 1MHz)
Setting range 3kHz to 3MHz (1-3 step) and AUTO
(MSA438E: 3kHz, 9kHz, 30kHz, 120kHz, 300kHz, 1MHz, 3MHz)
Accuracy ±20%
Selectivity 1：12 (typical, 3dB : 60dB)
Video bandwidth 100Hz to 1MHz (1-3 step) and AUTO
SSB phase noise -90dBc/Hz (typical)
@100kHz offset, RBW：3kHz, VBW：100Hz, sweep time: 1s
Spurious response less than -60dBc
Harmonics less than -40dBc @ ≧100MHz

－ 4 －
■ Amplitude section
MSA438/438E/438TG MSA458
Reference level
Setting range +10 to -60dBm (1dB step)
Accuracy ±0.8dB ±1dot
@CF：100MHz, RBW：3MHz, VBW：1MHz, REF：-15dBm, 23 ± 5 °C
Unit dBm, dBV, dBmV, dBμV, dBμV/m, dBμA/m
(dBμV/m and dBμA/m are used in the measuring function)
Average noise level -127dBm (typical) @ CF：1GHz,
RBW：3kHz, VBW：100Hz
-123dBm (typical) @ CF：1GHz,
RBW：3kHz, VBW：100Hz
Frequency
characteristics
±2.0dB ±1dot @50kHz to 100MHz
±1.0dB ±1dot @ 100MHz to 3.3GHz
±2.0dB ±1dot @50kHz to 100MHz
±1.0dB ±1dot @100MHz to 8.5GHz
Input impedance 50Ω
Input VSWR less than 2.0
Input attenuator
Operating
range
0 to 25dB (1dB step), coupled with reference level
Switching
error
±0.6dB @100MHz
RBW switching error ±0.6dB
Display dots 381 dots/10div
Scale 10dB/div, 5dB/div, 2dB/div
Display
scale Accuracy
±(0.2dB+1dot)/2dB ±(0.4dB+1dot)/5dB
±(0.8dB+1dot)/10dB ±(1.8dB+1dot)/83dB
Input damage level +27dBm(CW average power), 25VDC
■ Sweep section
MSA438/438E/438TG MSA458
Sweep time
Setting range 10ms to 30s and AUTO
@frequency span : 0 to 2GHz
30ms to 30s and AUTO
@frequency span : full span
※1-3 step
10ms to 30s and AUTO
@frequency span : 0 to 2GHz
30ms to 30s and AUTO
@frequency span : 5GHz, full span
※1-3 step
±0.1%±1dot
@frequency span : 0 to 2GHz
±0.1%±1dot
@frequency span : 0 to 5GHz
Accuracy
±1.5%±1dot @ full span ±2.5%±1dot @ full span
Trigger
Trigger mode AUTO (Available only for zero span)
Trigger source Internal and External