SAF Spectrum Compact User manual

Spectrum Compact
2-40 GHz
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

What is Spectrum Compact?
The Spectrum Compact is an ultra-light and easy to use measurement
solution. It operates in the 2 – 40 GHz frequency range. Designed specically
for comfortable outdoor use, this battery-powered device is a must-have tool
for any microwave radio engineer performing link installations or gathering
data for site planning purposes. The built-in LCD touchscreen ensures
smooth and intuitive use of the spectrum analyzer, which can be connected
directly to any standard flange antenna via an SMA connector. The industry
leading sensitivity of Spectrum Compact makes it possible to detect existing
interference paths and available radio channels with extra high precision,
which also helps avoiding alignment of the antenna on a side lobe. Data
logging is used for enhanced data processing and analysis via SAF designed
PC software.

Spectrum Compact kit
includes:
Spectrum Compact 2–8 GHz
Spectrum Compact 5.925–12 GHz
Spectrum Compact 10–18 GHz
Spectrum Compact 17–24.3 GHz
Spectrum Compact 24–40 GHz
Rugged RF cable,
2.92mm–2.92mm, 0.3 m
AC/DC USB charger with USB
cable
Leather bag for Spectrum
Compact
Watertight, shock and dust proof
case for Spectrum Compact
Waveguide adapters UBR to SMA
zUBR84 to SMA, 6.6–10 GHz,
WR112
zUBR100 to SMA, 8.2–12 GHz,
WR90
zUBR140 to SMA, 12–17 GHz,
WR62
zUBR220 to SMA, 17–24.3 GHz,
WR42
zUBR260 to 2.92, 22–33 GHz,
WR34
zUBR320 to 2.92, 26–40 GHz,
WR28
Lanyard
Additional accessories:
Riflescope, tripod and case for
sniffer antennas
Attenuator kit, 20–60dB
Handheld horn antennas:
z6.0-10.0 GHz
Gain: 14.5-18.0dBi
SMA connector
z10.7-15.35 GHz
Gain: 19.5-20.5dBi
UBR120 flange
z17.0-24.5 GHz
Gain: 21.0-21.5dBi
UBR220 flange
z26.5-40.5 GHz
Gain: 20.5-21.5dBi
SMA connector

Contents
Short guide to using Spectrum Compact 1
Spectrum Manager 4
Equipment & general instructions 5
Spectrum Compact Applications:
Site survey 9
Line of Sight (LoS) verication with SG Compact 10
Spectrum investigation for possible free channels 12
Conrmation of dedicated radio channel availability and status 13
Spectrum Compact Applications:
Radio link & passive repeater installation 17
Transmitter verication 18
Antenna alignment 19
Antenna alignment ne-tuning 21
Antenna polarization adjustment 22
Replacement of an already installed antenna decreasing the network
downtime 24
Spectrum Compact Applications:
Commissioning from ground level 27
Status verication of an installed microwave radio from ground level 28
Polarization verication of an installed microwave antenna from ground
level 29

Spectrum Compact Applications:
Basic trouble-shooting 31
Verication of far end radio conguration 34
Verication of antenna alignment and LoS 35
Verication of antenna alignment using reference antenna 37
Interference detection 39
Multipath detection 43
Annex 45
Power ratio and decibel conversion table 46
A simplied formula for path calculation 46

SHORT GUIDE
TO USING
SPECTRUM
COMPACT

2
To turn on the Spectrum Compact, slide the power switch at the top of the
device towards the red dot (•). Operation time with a fully charged battery is
up to 3 hours for the 24-40 GHz model, and up to 4 hours for all other models.
The screen is divided into two sections – the graph and the control buttons.
The graph is mapped on a grid with 10 horizontal divisions and 4 ½ vertical
divisions. The horizontal axis represents a linear frequency scale that increases
from left to right. The vertical axis represents a logarithmic power scale that
increases from bottom to top. The spectrum curve is displayed in this graph.
The touchscreen has the following conguration buttons:
SWEEP CONT – start or stop the sweeping of spectrum (the button is green
when spectrum is being swept continuously and grey if the sweeping is
stopped)
SAVE – save the current spectrum curve for later review
FREQUENCY – select the centre, start, and stop frequencies
SPAN – change the displayed frequency range (difference between the start
and stop frequencies)
MARKER – set a marker at a selected frequency
HIGH CONTRAST – change the colour scheme of the interface to improve
visibility in direct sunlight
TRACE MODE – change the trace mode
NORMAL – default trace mode showing currently detected power levels
MAXHOLD – displays a blue trace in addition to the NORMAL trace showing
the highest detected power levels
CUMULATIVE – displays all the detected frequency points since the sweeping
started

3
AVERAGE 2/4/8/16 – smoothens noise effects
FILL – paints the area below the spectrum curve
TOOLS – gives access to the following options:
SETTINGS – Spectrum Compact settings
MASK MODE – set a previously saved spectrum curve as a mask overlay
on the graph
PROFILES – save the current or restore a previously saved conguration
of the Spectrum Compact
LEVEL – select the minimum and maximum displayed power levels or
select an offset (useful when an attenuator is used)
PRESET – reset the device to factory settings (use this if you don’t know
how to turn off / change a setting)
FILES – save the current spectrum curve and access previously saved
spectrum curves
RECORD - this function continuously records every scan performed for
later analysis
ABOUT – access information about Spectrum Compact (supported
frequency range, serial number, rmware version etc.)
POWER IN BAND – set up an input power measurement for a selected
bandwidth
SIGNAL ID – turn on or off the lter that reduces harmonic (false) signals
AUTO ROTATE – enable or disable the rotation of the screen when Spectrum
Compact is turned
DEMO – turn on a simulated signal pattern

4
TIME – set device time
COLOR – select different colours for the graph (the background, grid, and
spectrum curve)
BRIGHT – set the background brightness of the screen
For more in-depth information see the Spectrum Compact user manual.
Spectrum Manager
Spectrum Manager is a spectrum analysis PC software for SAF Tehnika’s
Spectrum Compact. In addition to managing rmware updates, Spectrum
Manager can be used in both real-time (together with a Spectrum Compact
device) and offline modes, and provides you with a variety of functions, such
as: PiB (Power in Band), overlay and min/max hold.
To download Spectrum Manager follow these steps:
1. Log in in saftehnika.com
2. In Products menu select “Spectrum Compact” or ”V-band and E-band
Spectrum Compact”
3. In Downloads section choose “Spectrum Manager PC software”
4. Download .zip le
5. Open .zip le and start setup wizard from Spectrum_Manager.msi

5
EQUIPMENT
& GENERAL
INSTRUCTIONS

6
Signal Generator
Spectrum Compact

7
Coaxial cable Waveguide adapter
Attenuators

8
In this position, the waveguide adapter
detects horizontal polarization
In this position, the waveguide adapter
detects vertical polarization

9
SPECTRUM
COMPACT
APPLICATIONS:
SITE SURVEY

10
Line of Sight (LoS) verication with SG Compact
Equipment: SC, SG, 2x antennas, 2x 2.92mm cables, 2x compasses, 2x spirit
level tools, 2x waveguide adapters (optional)
1. Using a professional radio link design and planning tool, determine the
azimuth for both sites and the target received signal level.
At the rst site:
2. A reasonable distance away from the tower, use a compass to nd the
right azimuth angle and look for something in the environment in the
direction of the second site to be used as a reference point for when you
are up in the tower.
3. Climb the tower.
4. Install the antenna at the chosen height and polarization.
5. Set the horizontal direction of the antenna according to your previously
chosen reference point.
6. Adjust the vertical angle of antenna to be 90° relative to the ground,
preferably using a spirit level tool.
7. Connect Signal Generator to the antenna.
8. Turn on the Signal Generator.
9. Set the chosen frequency and power.
At the second site:
Do the steps 2. - 6. at the second site.
Make sure that both antennas are installed in the same polarization!
10. Connect Spectrum Compact to the antenna. Use appropriate attenuation!
(see: General instructions)

11
11. Turn on the Spectrum Compact.
12. Tap SPAN, then FULL SPAN. Tap HOME.
13. Check for OVERLOAD:
a) If there is an indication above the graph, remove Spectrum Compact
from the antenna and add attenuators.
b) If there is no indication above the graph, proceed with the next steps.
14. Tap LEVEL, then OFFSET and using the keypad enter the attenuation
value used. Tap ENTER, then HOME.
15. Tap FREQUENCY, then CENTRE and using the keypad enter the frequency
that was set on the Signal Generator (in MHz). Tap ENTER, then HOME.
16. Tap SPAN, then MIN SPAN to set the span to minimum. Tap HOME. Note:
for wider bands (80 MHz and up), tap SPAN and, using the keypad, select
a wider span.
17. Tap TRACE MODE, then select either AVERAGE 2 or AVERAGE 4. Tap
HOME.
If the calculated target received signal strength is below -80 dBm, zoom in on
the power axis for better visualization: tap TOOLS, tap LEVEL, then MAX and
using the keypad select the appropriate value, e.g. -70. Tap ENTER, then HOME
18. Tap SWEEP CONT (only if the button is grey).
19. If the initial rough antenna alignment was done correctly and the LoS
between the two sites is clear, signal trace should appear at the centre
of the graph.
20. Proceed with ne-tuning the antenna alignment.

12
Spectrum investigation for possible free channels
Equipment: SC, handheld horn antenna, 2.92mm cable, compass, spirit level
tool, waveguide adapter
1. A reasonable distance away from the tower, use a compass to nd the
right azimuth angle and look for something in the environment in the
direction of the second site to be used as a reference point for when you
are up in the tower.
2. Climb the tower.
3. Connect Spectrum Compact to the handheld antenna or waveguide
adapter.
4. Turn on the Spectrum Compact.
5. Point the antenna/waveguide adapter in the chosen direction.
6. Tap SPAN, then FULL SPAN. Tap HOME.
7. Tap SWEEP CONT (only if the button is grey).
8. Check for OVERLOAD:
a) If there is an indication above the graph, remove SC from the antenna
and add attenuators.
b) If there is no indication above the graph, proceed with the next steps
9. Tap FREQUENCY, then START and, using the keypad, enter the frequency
which is the lower limit of the frequency range of interest (in MHz). Tap
ENTER. Tap STOP and, using the keypad, enter the frequency which is the
upper limit of the frequency range of interest. Tap ENTER, then HOME.
10. Tap SWEEP CONT (only if the button is grey).
11. Tap SAVE.

13
12. Check both polarizations.
13. Tap SAVE to save current spectrum scan.
14. For work with saved les tap TOOLS, then FILES. Tap VIEW. Use and 
to navigate the le list.
15. Select the le with the spectrum curve in the preferred polarisation and
tap VIEW+.
16. Tap POWER IN BAND, then BW and, using the keypad, enter the desired
channel bandwidth. Tap ENTER.
The grey band can be placed anywhere within the displayed spectrum by tapping
on the screen or by tapping the band and dragging it. Find a free channel in the
chosen polarisation by using the grey POWER IN BAND area as a ruler.
17. Tap BACK twice, then select the le with the spectrum curve taken in the
opposite polarisation. Check for interference.
Conrmation of dedicated radio channel availability and status
Equipment: SC, handheld horn antenna, 2.92mm cable, compass, waveguide
adapter (optional)
1. A reasonable distance away from the tower, use a compass to nd the
right azimuth angle and look for something in the environment in the
direction of the second site to be used as a reference point for when you
are up in the tower.
2. Climb the tower.
3. Point the handheld antenna towards the previously chosen reference
point.
4. Adjust the vertical angle of antenna to be 90° relative to the ground,
preferably using a spirit level tool.

14
5. Connect Spectrum Compact to the antenna. Use appropriate attenuation!
(see: General instructions)
6. Turn on the Spectrum Compact.
7. Tap SPAN, then FULL SPAN. Tap HOME.
8. Tap SWEEP CONT (if the button is grey).
9. Check for OVERLOAD:
a) If there is an indication above the graph, remove SC from the antenna
and add attenuators.
b) If there is no indication above the graph, proceed with the next steps
10. Tap TRACE MODE, then MAXHOLD. Tap HOME.
11. Tap FREQUENCY, then CENTRE and, using the keypad, enter the desired
radio frequency (in MHz). Tap ENTER, then HOME.
12. Tap SPAN, using the keypad enter the span = 200 MHz. Tap ENTER, then
HOME.
13. Tap POWER IN BAND, then BW and, using the keypad, select the channel
bandwidth that was assigned to you. Tap ENTER. Tap SET TO CENTRE.
Tap HOME.
14. Tap SWEEP CONT (if the button is grey).
15. Tap SAVE for future reference.
16. Check both polarizations!
17. After checking in the direction of MW link path, it is advisable to check for
possible interference sources from behind the antenna. Thus, rotate the
antenna by 180° (in the exact opposite direction of the remote site).
18. Tap SAVE to save the spectrum curve for future reference.

15
19. Check the other polarization.
20. Tap SAVE to save the spectrum curve for future reference.
21. Tap TOOLS, then FILES. Tap VIEW. Use and  to navigate the le list.
22. Examine the spectrum curves on Spectrum Compact:
All saved spectrum les must be free of any signals within the dedicated
frequency channel.
Furthermore, both adjacent (in the same bandwidth in both directions) channels
should also be clear. If there are any signals located in adjacent channels, you
have to ensure that this will not cause an interference problem.