NARDA SignalShark User manual

User Manual
Version 2018-9b

3
Table of Contents
Quick Start ..............................................................................11
Connecting to power supply system.......................................................................................11
Connecting antenna ...............................................................................................................11
Connecting the handle to the device .................................................................................11
Connecting the antenna to the handle...............................................................................12
Switching the device on..........................................................................................................12
Screen Details ........................................................................................................................13
Touchscreen Functions ..........................................................................................................14
Touch gestures ..................................................................................................................14
Locking the touchscreen....................................................................................................14
Button bar ..........................................................................................................................14
Types of buttons in the button bar .....................................................................................14
Introduction.............................................................................17
About the SignalShark user documentation ...........................................................................17
About this device ....................................................................................................................18
The Real Time Spectrum Analyzer....................................................................................18
The Monitoring Receiver....................................................................................................19
The RF Direction Finding & Localization System ..............................................................20
Features .................................................................................................................................20
RF parameters...................................................................................................................21
Display...............................................................................................................................21
Connectivity .......................................................................................................................21
Power supply .....................................................................................................................21
Overview of options................................................................................................................21
Antenna handle ......................................................................................................................22
Narda directional antennas ....................................................................................................23
About this online help .............................................................................................................25
User interface language.....................................................................................................25
Typographical conventions ................................................................................................25
Control elements................................................................................................................25
User actions.......................................................................................................................26

SignalShark User Manual
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Device Overview .....................................................................27
Display and control panels .....................................................................................................27
Top side panel with connectors..............................................................................................28
Left side with battery compartment ........................................................................................29
Bottom side panel with connectors.........................................................................................29
Connecting Antennas and Cables ........................................31
Connecting Narda Directional Antennas ................................................................................31
Connecting the handle to the device .................................................................................31
Connecting the antenna to the handle...............................................................................32
Connecting non-directional Narda antennas ..........................................................................32
Connecting a Narda antenna directly to the device ...........................................................32
Connecting a Narda antenna to the device using a Narda cable ......................................33
Connecting cables and antennas from other manufacturers..................................................34
Connecting cables and antennas directly to the device.....................................................34
Connecting third party antennas to the handle ..................................................................34
Basic Operation......................................................................37
Operation from battery ...........................................................................................................37
Battery indicators ...............................................................................................................37
Charging the batteries .......................................................................................................38
Changing the batteries ...........................................................................................................38
Hot swappable features .....................................................................................................38
Operation from AC adapter / charger .....................................................................................39
Keypad and keyboard ............................................................................................................39
Integrated keypad ..............................................................................................................39
External USB keyboard .....................................................................................................39
Switching the device on and off..............................................................................................40
Touchscreen control...............................................................................................................41
Displaying detailed system information ..................................................................................42
Changing general settings......................................................................................................43
Creating a screenshot ............................................................................................................43
Using Tasks and Views ..........................................................................................................44
Tasks .................................................................................................................................44
Views .................................................................................................................................45
Managing tasks and views.................................................................................................46

Quick Start
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Screen Overview.....................................................................49
System information area ........................................................................................................50
Progress bar ......................................................................................................................51
Toolbar ...................................................................................................................................51
Button bar...............................................................................................................................52
Types of buttons in the button bar .....................................................................................52
Measurement info bar ............................................................................................................54
Measurement settings .......................................................................................................54
Status of running measurement.........................................................................................54
Using Markers.........................................................................55
Setting markers individually....................................................................................................56
Using the Marker Configuration menu....................................................................................57
Using the Marker Configuration menu ...............................................................................57
Markers button bar.............................................................................................................57
Markers..............................................................................................................................58
FXD Marker .......................................................................................................................59
Search ...............................................................................................................................59
Functions ...........................................................................................................................60
Working with delta markers ...............................................................................................61
Spectrum View........................................................................63
Available Buttons....................................................................................................................63
Setting the reference level / attenuation value (Ref. Level / Attenuator) ................................64
Setting the reference level (Ref. Level) .............................................................................64
Setting the attenuator value (Attenuator)...........................................................................65
Settings in the context menu .............................................................................................65
Setting the measurement frequency (Fcent / Fspan, Fstart / Fstop)......................................66
Selecting the entry mode (Entry Mode) .............................................................................66
If Entry Mode is set to Fcent..............................................................................................66
If Entry Mode is set to Fstart..............................................................................................66
Setting the resolution / EMC bandwidth (RBW / EBW) ..........................................................67
Selecting the filter type ......................................................................................................67
Setting the resolution / EMC bandwidth (RBW / EBW)......................................................68
Settings in the context menu .............................................................................................68
Setting the measurement time (Meas. Time) .........................................................................69
Configuring the measurement performance (Config) .............................................................69
Setting the number of measurements (Scan. No) .............................................................69
Setting the measurement sequence (Seq Mode) ..............................................................69
Defining the stop behavior (Stop Mode) ............................................................................70

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Selecting traces (Traces) .......................................................................................................70
Changing general display settings (Display) ..........................................................................71
Lmax..................................................................................................................................72
Lrange................................................................................................................................73
Normal Range....................................................................................................................73
Unit ....................................................................................................................................73
Level Meter View.....................................................................75
Available buttons ....................................................................................................................75
Setting the reference level / attenuation value (Ref. Level / Attenuator) ................................76
Setting the reference level (Ref. Level) .............................................................................76
Setting the attenuator value (Attenuator)...........................................................................77
Settings in the context menu .............................................................................................77
Setting the tuner frequency (Ftune)........................................................................................78
Setting the tuner frequency (Ftune) ...................................................................................78
Setting the step width (Fstep)............................................................................................78
Setting the channel / EMC bandwidth (CBW / EBW) .............................................................78
Selecting a filter type .........................................................................................................79
Setting the resolution / EMC bandwidth (RBW / EBW)......................................................79
Enabling/disabling oversampling (CBW only)....................................................................79
Setting the video time (Tvideo)...............................................................................................79
Setting the measurement time (Meas. Time) .........................................................................79
Configuring the measurement performance (Config) .............................................................80
Setting the number of measurements (Scan. No) .............................................................80
Setting the measurement sequence (Seq Mode) ..............................................................80
Defining the stop behavior (Stop Mode) ............................................................................80
Setting the detectors (Detectors)............................................................................................81
Detector 1, Detector 2, Detector 3 .....................................................................................81
Persistence........................................................................................................................81
Changing display settings (Display and Tone) .......................................................................81
Changing display settings..................................................................................................82
Using tone search (Display and Tone) ...................................................................................84
Persistence View ....................................................................85
Available buttons ...............................................................................................................85
Setting the reference level / attenuation value (Ref. Level / Attenuator) ................................86
Setting the reference level (Ref. Level) .............................................................................86
Setting the attenuator value (Attenuator)...........................................................................87
Settings in the context menu .............................................................................................87

Quick Start
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Setting the measurement frequency (Fcent / Fspan, Fstart / Fstop).....................................88
Selecting the entry mode (Entry Mode) .............................................................................88
If Entry Mode is set to Fcent..............................................................................................88
If Entry Mode is set to Fstart..............................................................................................88
Setting the resolution / EMC bandwidth (RBW / EBW) .........................................................89
Selecting the filter type ......................................................................................................89
Setting the resolution / EMC bandwidth (RBW / EBW)......................................................90
Settings in the context menu .............................................................................................90
Setting the measurement time (Meas. Time) .........................................................................90
Configuring the measurement performance (Config) .............................................................91
Selecting the persistence type (Pers. Type) ......................................................................91
Setting the number of measurements (Scan. No) .............................................................91
Setting the measurement sequence (Seq Mode) ..............................................................91
Defining the stop behavior (Stop Mode) ............................................................................91
Changing the general display settings ...................................................................................92
Lmax..................................................................................................................................92
Lrange................................................................................................................................93
Normal Range....................................................................................................................93
Unit ....................................................................................................................................93
Max. Probability / Min. Probability......................................................................................93
Limits .................................................................................................................................94
Spectrogram View ..................................................................95
Available buttons ...............................................................................................................95
Setting the reference level / attenuation value (Ref. Level / Attenuator) ................................96
Setting the reference level (Ref. Level) .............................................................................96
Setting the attenuator value (Attenuator)...........................................................................97
Settings in the context menu .............................................................................................97
Setting the measurement frequency (Fcent / Fspan, Fstart / Fstop)......................................98
Selecting the entry mode (Entry Mode) .............................................................................98
If Entry Mode is set to Fcent..............................................................................................98
If Entry Mode is set to Fstart..............................................................................................98
Setting the resolution / EMC bandwidth (RBW / EBW) .........................................................99
Selecting the filter type ......................................................................................................99
Setting the resolution / EMC bandwidth (RBW / EBW)....................................................100
Settings in the context menu ...........................................................................................100
Setting the measurement time (Meas. Time) .......................................................................100
Configuring the measurement performance (Config) ...........................................................101
Setting the number of spectrogram frames (Sgram Frames) ..........................................101
Setting the number of measurements (Scan. No) ...........................................................101
Setting the measurement sequence (Seq Mode) ............................................................101

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Defining the stop behavior (Stop Mode) ..........................................................................101
Setting the detectors (Detectors)..........................................................................................102
Changing general display settings (Display) ........................................................................103
Lmax................................................................................................................................103
Lrange..............................................................................................................................104
Normal Range..................................................................................................................104
Unit ..................................................................................................................................104
Peak Table View....................................................................105
Available buttons .............................................................................................................105
Setting the reference level / attenuation value (Ref. Level / Attenuator) ..............................106
Setting the reference level (Ref. Level) ...........................................................................106
Setting the attenuator value (Attenuator).........................................................................107
Settings in the context menu ...........................................................................................107
Setting the measurement frequency (Fcent / Fspan, Fstart / Fstop)...................................108
Selecting the entry mode (Entry Mode) ...........................................................................108
If Entry Mode is set to Fcent............................................................................................108
If Entry Mode is set to Fstart............................................................................................108
Setting the resolution / EMC bandwidth (RBW / EBW) .......................................................109
Selecting the filter type ....................................................................................................109
Setting the resolution / EMC bandwidth (RBW / EBW)....................................................110
Settings in the context menu ...........................................................................................110
Setting the measurement time (Meas. Time) .......................................................................110
Configuring the measurement performance (Config) ...........................................................110
Setting the lower and upper frequency limits (Lower Freq. Lim. / Upper Freq. Lim.) ......111
Setting the threshold (Threshold) ....................................................................................111
Switching limits on / off (Limits) .......................................................................................111
Setting the number of measurements (Scan. No) ...........................................................111
Setting the measurement sequence (Seq Mode) ............................................................111
Defining the stop behavior (Stop Mode) ..........................................................................111
Editing the peak excursion value (Peak Excursion).........................................................112
Exclude low frequencies (Exclude LO) ............................................................................112
Selecting traces (Traces) .....................................................................................................112
Changing general display settings (Display) ........................................................................113
Administration ......................................................................115
Operating System.................................................................................................................115
System partitions .............................................................................................................115
User management ...........................................................................................................115
Updating the operating system ........................................................................................116
Activating Windows..........................................................................................................117

Quick Start
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Internet security and malware protection.........................................................................117
Narda Recovery Environment..........................................................................................118
Narda Recovery Stick ......................................................................................................119
Related documents..........................................................................................................121
Installing Options..................................................................................................................122
Updating the firmware ..........................................................................................................122
Remote Control.....................................................................123
Legal Disclosure...................................................................125
Narda Safety Test Solutions Software License Agreement .................................................125
Acknowledgements ..............................................................................................................128
General Acknowledgements............................................................................................128
Open Source Acknowledgements ...................................................................................128
Glossary ................................................................................135
Index ......................................................................................137

11
Quick Start
Connecting to power supply system
Before the first use, the batteries of the SignalShark have to be charged.
The AC connection is not recommended for general use, as the measurement
characteristics can be significantly affected by the presence of the power supply cable in
the electromagnetic field when the SignalShark is operated with the AC adapter / charger
connected to it.
To charge the batteries:
1Put the batteries into the battery compartment.
2Connect the AC adapter / charger to socket No. 7on the top side panel (see picture
below).
When the charge cycle is completed the charge LED on the keypad lights up green, the
battery symbol on the screen shows a full battery and the AC adapter / charger
switches to trickle charge mode.
See also:
Operation from battery
Changing the batteries
Connecting antenna
Directional Narda antennas are connected to the device via the Narda antenna handle.
Connecting the handle to the device
The antenna handle has a built-in cable with two connectors:
•Control connector: for power supply and for transmitting the compass data and control
signals
•N-connector: for transmitting the RF signal

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Figure: Control connector (1), N-connector (2)
To connect the handle:
1. Plug the control cable plug of the handle into the control connector socket on the device
(1), making sure that the red mark on the control cable plug is aligned with the notch on
the control connector socket.
2. Press the control cable plug into the control connector socket using the locking sleeve
until the plug lock clicks into place.
3. Place the N-connector of the handle into the N-connector of the basic unit (2) and tighten
the coupling nut slowly and without tilting.
Connecting the antenna to the handle
Narda directional antennas can be attached to the handle in positions that are at angles of 90
degrees to each other. This makes it quick and easy for you to change the polarization plane
of the antenna.
⇒Push the antenna onto the handle until you hear the connector click into place.
See also:
Connecting Narda directional antennas
Connecting non-directional Narda antennas
Connecting cables and antennas from other manufacturers
Switching the device on
⇒Press and hold down the key for a few seconds.
The device switches on.
The device performs a self test during the boot up process. The results are displayed on the
screen. The device starts with the last used settings.
To switch off:
⇒Press and hold down the key for a few seconds.
The device switches off.
To force shutdown:
⇒Press and hold down the key for at least 10 seconds to switch off the device immediately
without shutting down the operating system properly.

Quick Start
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Screen Details
Basic measurement screen with night color scheme and two views (RT Spectrum,
Spectrogram).
1
System information
This area shows system information like date, time and battery status. Tapping the
dropdown icon opens the full system information menu.
⇒For showing detailed system information, see Displaying detailed system information.
2
Toolbar
The toolbar gives access to the settings menu and to general functions like forward /
backward or zoom in / out.
⇒For further information about the toolbar, see Toolbar.
⇒For changing the general settings, see Changing general settings.
3
Task bar
Allows to switch between active tasks.
4/5
Task area
Graphical and numerical display of measurement values. The Task area can contain up
to six views which can be arranged to your own preferences.
6
Measurement info bar
Indicates settings and process analysis; displays error messages.
7
Button bar
The layout of the button bar is context sensitive and depends on the current view,
operation and selected function.

SignalShark User Manual
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Touchscreen Functions
The SignalShark provides a resistive touchscreen allowing an easy and fast access.
Touch gestures
The following types of gestures can be used on the touchscreen of the device.
•Tap: Tap for < 1 s.
•Long tap: Tap for > 2 s.
•Double tap: Tap briefly twice.
Locking the touchscreen
⇒Press the Stealth/Touch key for > 2 s to lock the touchscreen.
⇒Press the Stealth/Touch key again for > 2 s to unlock it.
Button bar
The Button bar is your main access to change measurement settings, to configure the
current active view and to adapt the display settings to your needs. The Button bar is
context sensitive. Thus, the available buttons depend on the active view.
The title of the main menu is displayed on top of the Button bar.
⇒When you have opened a submenu, tap the title of that menu to get back to the main
menu.
Types of buttons in the button bar
In the button bar there are 3 types of buttons which are distinguished by the triangle in the
lower right corner.
Buttons without a triangle (e.g. Preamp)
These buttons just have the displayed toggle function.
⇒Tap the button to switch the function (e.g. switch Preamp on/off).
Buttons with an outlined triangle (e.g. Ref. Level)

Quick Start
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These buttons have two modes:
⇒Long tap the button to open a context menu.
⇒Short tap the button to change settings only.
Buttons with a filled triangle (e.g. Configure)
These buttons show a submenu when tapped. Some buttons even may have several
submenus.
⇒To close the submenus, tap the header of the Button bar or press the Esc key until Main
is displayed.

17
Introduction
About the SignalShark user documentation
This online help is part of the user documentation that is delivered with your device.
⇒Please read all manuals carefully and completely before using the device.
⇒Keep the printed documents so that they are readily available to all users of the device.
⇒Always make sure that the printed documents accompany the device if it is given to a third
party.
General safety information
This printed document contains all safety information for operating your device.
Quick start guide
This printed document describes first steps to start up this device.
Online help
This online help describes all features and functions of the device.
To open the online help:
1. Briefly press the Help/Preset key.
The online help opens in full screen mode providing several navigation elements like
the table of content, the index or the search function to quickly get access to the
needed information.
2. Tap the Close Help button in the top bar of the Online help to close the help window.
When closing the help window the screen is set back to operation mode.
Command Reference Guide
The device can be remote controlled by SCPI commands. All remote commands can be
found in the Command Reference Guide which is available as a PDF document.
⇒To download the PDF from the Narda web site (customer login needed), tap www.narda-
sts.com.

SignalShark User Manual
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About this device
SignalShark is a flexible platform up to 8 GHz which can be converted by options into three
application oriented solutions.
The Real Time Spectrum Analyzer
•40 MHz Real-time Bandwidth (RTBW)
•POI: 3.125 μs, FFT overlap 75%
•High Dynamic Range
•High Speed Scan by stitched FFT Analyzer

Introduction
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The Monitoring Receiver
•High sensitivity with a wide intermodulation-free dynamic range
•100 % Probability of Intercept (POI) for signals longer than 3.125 μs
•Analog demodulation (available from July 2018)
•Two digital down converters (DDC) for simultaneous measurement and demodulation
•Vita 49 streaming (available from April 2018)

SignalShark User Manual
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The RF Direction Finding & Localization System
Available from October 2018:
•Smart manual DF Antennas
•Full automatic DF Antennas
Features
•
Windows 10 based
•
Touchscreen
•
4 RF-Inputs
•
1 GigE Ethernet
•
USB 3.0 & 2.0 Host
•
Internal SSD
•
MicroSD card (SDXC, up to 2 Tbyte)
•Illuminated keypad (usable in dark
environments)
•Microphone to record voice comments
•Direct access to important functions like
e.g. Marker, Save,…
•Key lock function to avoid unintentional
operation
•Stealth Mode (to switch off any light or
sound immediately)
•Speaker with clear and loud sound
reproduction even in a noisy environment