Tektronix RSA6100A Series Reference guide

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RSA6100A Series
Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers
ZZZ
PrintedHelpDocument
*P077016903*
077-0169-03

RSA6100A Series
Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers
ZZZ
PrintedHelpDocument
www.tektronix.com
077-0169-03

Copyright © Tektronix. All rights reserved. Licensed software products are owned by Tektronix or its
subsidiaries or suppliers, and are protected by national copyright laws and international treaty provisions.
Tektronix products are covered by U.S. and foreign patents, issued and pending. Information in this
publication supersedes that in all previously published material. Specifications and price change privileges
reserved.
TEKTRONIX and TEK are registered trademarks of Tektronix, Inc.
Microsoft, Windows, and Windows XP are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
MATLAB®. © 1984 - 2006 The MathWorks, Inc.
Compiled Online Help part number: 076-0070-06
Version 2.3.00159, May 12, 2010
Contacting Tektronix
Tektronix, Inc.
14200 SW Karl Braun Drive
P. O . B o x500
Beaverton, OR 97077
USA
For product information, sales, service, and technical support:
In North America, call 1-800-833-9200.
Worldwide, visit www.tektronix.com to find contacts in your area.

Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Welcome
Welcome............................................................................................................. 1
About Tektronix Spectrum Analyzers
Your Tektronix Spectrum Analyzer............................................................................... 2
Product Software ................................................................................................... 3
Accessories
Standard Accessories.......................................................................................... 4
Recommended Accessories................................................................................... 5
Options
Options.......................................................................................................... 6
Documentation and Support
Documentation................................................................................................. 7
Orientation
Front Panel Connectors ............................................................................................ 8
Front-Panel Controls ............................................................................................... 8
Touch Screen....................................................................................................... 11
Touch-Screen Actions............................................................................................. 11
Elements of the Display........................................................................................... 14
Rear-Panel Connectors............................................................................................ 18
Setting Up Network Connections.... ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ ............ .... 18
Operating Your Instrument
Restoring Default Settings........................................................................................ 19
Running Alignments .............................................................................................. 19
Application Presets................................................................................................ 20
Setting Options................. ...................... ...................... .................................. ...... 24
Using the Measurement Displays
Selecting Displays................................................................................................. 26
Taking Measurements
Measurements
Available Measurements..................................................................................... 27
General Signal Viewing
Overview ........................................................................................................... 33
RSA6100A Series Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers Help i

Table of Contents
DPX Spectrum
DPX Primer ................................................................................................... 34
DPX Spectrum Overview.................................................................................... 57
DPX Spectrum Display ...................................................................................... 57
DPX Spectrum Settings ............ .................. .................. .................. .................... 61
Time Overview
Time Overview Display...................................................................................... 72
Time Overview Settings ..................................................................................... 74
Spectrum
Spectrum Display............................................................................................. 78
Spectrum Settings............................................................................................. 80
Spectrogram
Spectrogram Display ......................................................................................... 82
Spectrogram Settings . .... ... ... .... ... ... ...... ... ... .... ... ... .... ... ... ... ...... ... .... ... ... ...... ... ... .. 85
Amplitude Vs Time
Amplitude Vs Time Display................................................................................. 89
Amplitude Vs Time Settings ................................................................................ 90
Frequency Vs Time
Frequency Vs Time Display................................................................................. 92
Frequency Vs Time Settings..................... .......... .......... .......... .............................. 93
Phase Vs Time
Phase Vs Time Display....................................................................................... 94
Phase Vs Time Settings ...................................................................................... 95
RF I & Q Vs Time
RF I & Q vs Time Display................................................................................... 96
RF I & Q vs Time Settings........... .......... ................................................ .......... .... 97
Common Controls for General Signal Viewing Displays
General Signal Viewing Shared Measurement Settings .... ...................... ........................ 98
Analog Modulation
Overview ......................................................................................................... 108
AM
AM Display ................................................................................................. 109
AM Settings ................................................................................................. 110
FM
FM Display.................................................................................................. 116
FM Settings.......... .................................. ............ .................................. ........ 118
PM
PM Display.................................................................................................. 124
PM Settings.......... .................................. ............ .................................. ........ 126
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Table of Contents
RF Measurements
Overview ......................................................................................................... 132
Channel Power and ACPR
Channel Power and ACPR (Adjacent Channel Power Ratio) Display................................ 133
Channel Power and ACPR Settings ...................................................................... 136
MCPR
MCPR (Multiple Carrier Power Ratio) Display ..... ........................................ ............ 139
MCPR Settings.............................................................................................. 142
Occupied BW & x dB BW
Occupied BW & x dB BW Display....................................................................... 149
Occupied BW & x dB BW Settings ...................................................................... 151
Spurious
Spurious Display............................................................................................ 153
Spurious Display Settings.. .......... ................................................ .......... .......... .. 157
CCDF
CCDF Display............................................................................................... 167
CCDF Settings ............................ .............. ........................................ ............ 168
Phase Noise
Phase Noise Display........................................................................................ 170
Phase Noise Settings ....................................... .......... .......... ............................ 174
Settling Time Measurements
Settling Time Measurement Overview ................................................................... 177
Settling Time Displays
Settling Time Displays ............... ...................... ...................... .......................... 182
Settling Time Settings ........ .......... .......... ................................................ .......... 189
Common Controls for Settling Time Displays
Settling Time Displays Shared Measurement Settings ............................... .................. 190
Common Controls for RF Measurements Displays
RF Measurements Shared Measurement Settings . ... .. ... .. ... .. ... .. ... .. ... .. ... .. ... .. .. ... ... .. .. .. 198
Pulsed RF
Overview ......................................................................................................... 205
Pulse Table Display
Pulse Table Display......................................................................................... 206
Pulse Table Settings .... .......................... ...................................... .................... 207
Pulse Trace Display
Pulse Trace Display......................................................................................... 208
Pulse Trace Settings .............. .................. .................. .......... .................. .......... 209
Pulse Statistics
Pulse Statistics Display..................................................................................... 210
Pulse Statistics Settings .......... .......... .......................................... .......... .......... .. 212
Common Controls for Pulsed RF Displays
RSA6100A Series Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers Help iii

Table of Contents
Pulsed RF Shared Measurement Settings ............ ...................... ...................... ........ 213
GP Digital Modulation
Overview ......................................................................................................... 224
Constellation
Constellation Display....................................................................................... 226
Constellation Settings ........................................ ............ .................................. 227
Demod I & Q vs Time
Demod I & Q vs Time Display............................................................................ 228
Demod I & Q vs Time Settings ............... .................................. ...................... .... 230
EVM vs Time
EVM vs Time Display...................................................................................... 231
EVM vs Time Settings ..................................................................................... 232
Eye Diagram
Eye Diagram Display....................................................................................... 233
Eye Diagram Settings ...................................................................................... 235
Frequency Deviation vs Time
Frequency Deviation vs Time Display ................................................................... 236
Frequency Deviation vs Time Settings ........................... .......... .............................. 238
Magnitude Error vs Time
Magnitude Error vs Time Display ........................................................................ 239
Magnitude Error vs Time Settings........................................................................ 241
Phase Error vs Time
Phase Error vs Time Display .............................................................................. 242
Phase Error vs. Time Settings ....... .................. .................. .................. ................ 244
Signal Quality
Signal Quality Display ... ............ ............ ............ ............ .................................. 245
Signal Quality Settings................. ...................... ...................... ........................ 250
Symbol Table
Symbol Table Display...................................................................................... 251
Symbol Table Settings...................... ............................ .......... .......................... 252
Trellis Diagram
Trellis Diagram Display.................. ................................ ...................... .......... .. 253
Trellis Diagram Settings ............. ...................... ...................... ...................... .... 255
Common Controls for GP Digital Modulation Displays
GP Digital Modulation Shared Measurement Settings ................................................. 256
Standard Settings Button........... .......................... .......................... .................... 257
Symbol Maps
Symbol Maps................................................................................................ 271
User Filters
Overview: User Defined Measurement and Reference Filters... ............ .......................... 277
User Filter File Format ............................... ...................... ...................... .......... 277
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Table of Contents
Marker Measurements
Using Markers
Using Markers............................................................................................... 281
Controlling Markers with the Touchscreen Actions Menu. .......... .......... ........................ 282
Measuring Signal Density, Frequency and Power on a DPX Bitmap Trace.......................... 282
Measuring Frequency and Power in the Spectrum Display............................................ 284
Common Marker Actions
Marker Action Controls............................................................................... 285
Peak...................................................................................................... 285
Next Peak............................................................................................... 285
Marker to Center Frequency.......................................................................... 285
Define Markers Control Panel
Enabling Markers and Setting Marker Properties .. ...................... .......................... 286
Markers Toolbar
Using the Markers Toolbar............................................................................ 288
Noise Markers in the Spectrum Display
Using Noise Markers in the Spectrum Display..................................................... 289
Search (Limits Testing)
The Search Tool (Limits Testing).............................................................................. 291
Search (Limits Testing) Settings............................................................................... 291
Define Tab (Search) ............................................................................................. 291
Actions Tab....................................................................................................... 296
Analyzing Data
Analysis Settings
Analysis Settings............................................................................................ 297
Analysis Time Tab.......................................................................................... 297
Spectrum Time Tab......................................................................................... 299
Frequency Tab............................................................................................... 299
Units Tab..................................................................................................... 302
Analyzing Data Using Replay
Replay Overview ........................................................................................... 303
Replay Menu ................................................................................................ 305
Play All Selected Records ................................................................................. 305
Play Current ................................................................................................. 305
Play from Selected........................................................................................... 306
Pause ......................................................................................................... 306
Stop........................................................................................................... 306
Select All .................................................................................................... 306
Select Records from History............................................................................... 306
Replay Toolbar.............................................................................................. 306
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Table of Contents
Amplitude Corrections
Amplitude Settings ........ ...................... ...................... ...................... .................... 308
Internal Settings Tab ........ ................................................ .......... .......... ................ 308
External Gain/Loss Correction Tab............................................................................ 311
External Gain Value ........................................................................................ 312
Apply Table Corrections To ............................................................................... 312
External Loss Tables ....................................................................................... 313
External Probe Correction Tab................................................................................. 315
Controlling the Acquisition of Data
Acquisition Controls in the Run Menu
Continuous Versus Single Sequence...................................................................... 316
Run ........................................................................................................... 316
Resume....................................................................................................... 316
Abort ......................................................................................................... 316
UsingTriggerstoCaptureJustWhatYouWant
Triggering
Triggering............................................................................................... 317
Frequency Mask Trigger .............................................................................. 320
Mask Editor (Frequency Mask Trigger)............................................................. 320
Trigger Settings .................. .............. ........................................ ................ 324
Event Tab ............................................................................................... 324
Time Qualified Tab .................................................................................... 331
Advanced Tab (Triggering) ........................................................................... 332
Actions Tab (Triggering).............................................................................. 333
Managing Data, Settings, and Pictures
Saving and Recalling Data, Settings, and Pictures........... .......... ............................ .......... 334
Data, Settings, and Picture File Formats .................. .......................... .......................... 336
Printing Screen Shots ........................................................................................... 340
Reference
Online Help ...................................................................................................... 341
About the RSA6100A Series................................................................................... 342
Connecting Signals
Configure In/Out Settings...... .............. .............................. .............. .................. 343
Connecting an RF Signal .................................................................................. 344
Connecting a Signal Using a TekConnect Probe ........................................................ 345
Connecting External Trigger Signals..................................................................... 345
Digital I/Q Output .......................................................................................... 346
IQ Outputs................................................................................................... 346
Analog IF Output ........................................................................................... 346
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Table of Contents
Other Outputs ............................................................................................... 347
Menus
Menu Overview ............................................................................................. 348
File Menu
File Menu............................................................................................... 349
Application Presets... .................................................................................. 353
View Menu
View Menu ............................................................................................. 354
Run Menu
Run Menu............................................................................................... 356
Replay
Replay Menu ........................................................................................... 358
Markers Menu
Markers Menu.......................................................................................... 359
Setup Menu
Setup Menu............................................................................................. 360
Tools Menu
Tools Menu ............................................................................................. 361
Window Menu
Arranging Displays .................................................................................... 364
Help Menu
Help Menu.............................................................................................. 365
Troubleshooting
Error and Information Messages.......................................................................... 366
Displaying the Windows Event Viewer .................................................................. 374
On/Standby Switch
On/Standby Switch ......................................................................................... 377
Upgrading the Instrument Software
How to Find Out If Instrument Software Upgrades Are Available.................................... 378
Changing Settings
Settings..... ........ ........ ........ ........ ........ ........ ........ ........ ........ ........ ........ ........ .. 379
Glossary
Index
RSA6100A Series Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers Help vii

Table of Contents
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Welcome Welcome
Welcome
This help provides in-depth information on how to use the RSA6100A Series Real-Time Spectrum
Analyzers. This online help contains the most complete descriptions of how to use the spectrum analyzer.
For a shorter introduction to the spectrum analyzer, refer to the RSA6100A Series Real Time Spectrum
Analyzer Quick Start User Manual.
RSA6100A Series Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers Help 1

About Tektronix Spectrum Analyzers Your Tektronix Spectrum Analyzer
Your Tektronix Spectrum Analyzer
The RSA6100A Series will help you to easily discover design issues that other signal analyzers may miss.
The revolutionary DPX spectrum display offers an intuitive live color view of signal transients changing
over time in the frequency domain, giving you immediate confidence in the stability of your design,
or instantly displaying a fault when it occurs. This live display of transients is impossible with other
signal analyzers. Once a problem is discovered with DPX, the RSA6100A Series of Real-Time Spectrum
Analyzers (RTSA) can be set to trigger on the event, capture a continuous time record of changing RF
events and perform time-correlated analysis in all domains. You get the functionality of a wideband vector
signal analyzer, a spectrum analyzer and the unique trigger-capture-analyze capability of a Real-Time
Spectrum Analyzer — all in a single package.
Discover
DPX Minimum Event Time Capture: 24 μs (option 110), 31 μs (standard); 10.3 μs (option 110 +
option 200), 24 μs (option 200).
Trigger
Tektronix exclusive 40 MHz and 110 MHz DPX Density and Frequency Mask triggers offer easy
event-based capture of transient RF signals by triggering on any change in the frequency domain.
Capture
All signals within a 110 MHz bandwidth span arecapturedintomemory(Option110only,40MHz
acquisition bandwidth standard).
Up to 1.7 seconds acquisition length at 110 MHz bandwidth provides complete analysis over time
without making multiple acquisitions.
Analyze
Extensive time-correlated multi-domain displays connect problems in time, frequency, phase and
amplitude for quicker understanding of cause and effect when troubleshooting.
Power measurements and signal statistics help you characterize components and systems: ACLR,
Multi-Carrier ACLR, Power vs. Time, CCDF, Phase Noise, and Spurious.
Advanced Measurement Suite (Opt. 20): Pulse measurements including rise time, pulse width, duty,
ripple, power, frequency and phase provide deep insight into pulse train behavior.
General Purpose Digital Modulation Analysis (Opt. 21): Provides vector signal analyzer functionality.
2RSA6100A Series Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers Help

About Tektronix Spectrum Analyzers Product Software
Product Software
The instrument includes the following software:
System Software: The product software runs on a specially configured version of Windows XP.
As with standard Windows XP installations, you can install other compatible applications. If
you need to reinstall the operating system, follow the procedure in the Restoring the Operating
System chapter in the RSA6100A Series Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers Service manual
(Tektronix part number 077-0250-XX). You can download a PDF version of the Service manual
at www.tektronix.com/manuals. Do not substitute any version of Windows that is not specifically
provided by Tektronix for use with your instrument.
Product Software: The product software is the instrument application. It provides the user interface
(UI) and all other instrument control functions. You can minimize or even exit/restart the instrument
application as your needs dictate.
Occasionally new versions of software for your instrument may become available at our Web site. Visit
www.tektronix.com/software for information.
Software and Hardware Upgrades
Tektronix may offer software or hardware upgrade kits for this instrument. Contact your local Tektronix
distributor or sales office for more information.
RSA6100A Series Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers Help 3

About Tektronix Spectrum Analyzers > Accessories Standard Accessories
Standard Accessories
The standard accessories for the RSA6100A Series instruments are shown below. For the latest information
on available accessories, see the Tektronix Web site .
Quick Start User Manual
English - Option L0, Tektronix part number 071-1909-XX
Japanese - Option L5, Tektronix part number 071-1911-XX
Russian, Option L10, Tektronix part number 071-1912-XX
Simplified Chinese - Option L7, Tektronix part number 071-1910-XX
Applications Instructions
Tektronix part number 071-2590-XX
Product Documentation CD-ROM
The Product Documentation CD-ROM contains PDF versions of all printed manuals. The Product
Documentation CD-ROM also contains the following manuals, some of which are available only in
PDF format:
Declassification and Security Instructions manual PDF, Tektronix part number 077-0170-XX
Service Manual PDF, Tektronix part number 077-0250-XX
Programmer Manual PDF, Tektronix part number 077-0249-XX
Specifications and Performance Verification PDF, Tektronix part number 077-0251-XX
Release notes
Other related materials
NOTE. To check for updates to the instrument documentation, browse to www.tektronix.com/manuals
and search by your instrument’s model number.
4RSA6100A Series Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers Help

About Tektronix Spectrum Analyzers > Accessories Recommended Accessories
Important Documents Folder
Certificate of Calibration documenting NIST traceability, 2540-1 compliance, and ISO9001 registration
Power Cords
North America - Option A0, Tektronix part number 161-0104-00)
Universal Euro - Option A1, Tektronix part number 161-0104-06
United Kingdom - Option A2, Tektronix part number 161-0104-07
Australia - Option A3, Tektronix part number 161-0104-05
240V North America - Option A4, Tektronix part number 161-0104-08
Switzerland - Option A5, Tektronix part number 161-0167-00
Japan - Option A6, Tektronix part number 161-A005-00
China - Option A10, Tektronix part number 161-0306-00
India - Option A11, Tektronix part number 161-0324-00
No power cord or AC adapter - Option A99
Optical Wheel Mouse
Product Software CD
Recommended Accessories
The recommended accessories for the RSA6100A Series instruments are shown in the following table. For
the latest information on available accessories, see the Tektronix Web site .
Item Ordering part number
Additional Removable Hard Drive for use with Option 06
(Windows XP and instrument software installed)
RSA61RHD
Transit Case 016-1963-00
Rackmount Installation Kit 016-1962-00
Additional Quick Start User Manual (paper) 071-1909-XX
Additional Documents CD (all manuals in PDF format) 063-3930-XX
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RSA6100A Series Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers Help 5

About Tektronix Spectrum Analyzers > Options Options
Options
To view a listing of the software options installed on your instrument, select Help >About Your
Tektronix Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer. There is a label on the rear-panel of the instrument that
lists installed hardware options.
Options can be added to your instrument. For the latest information on available option upgrades, see
the Tektronix Web site.
6RSA6100A Series Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers Help

About Tektronix Spectrum Analyzers > Documentation
and Support
Documentation
Documentation
In addition to the online help, the following documents are available:
Quick Start User Manual (071-1909-XX - English). The Quick Start User Manual has information
about installing and operating your instrument. The Quick Start User Manual is also available in
Simplified Chinese (071-1910-XX), Japanese (071-1911-XX), and Russian (071-1912-XX).
Application Examples Reference (071-2590-XX). The Application Examples Reference provides
examples of specific application problems and how to solve those problems using an RSA6100A
Series spectrum analyzer.
Programmer Manual (077-0249-XX). The Programmer Manual is provided as a printable PDF file,
which is located on the Documents CD. See the Documents CD-ROM for installation information.
The Programmer manual is also available in printed form as an optional accessory.
Service Manual (077-0250-XX). The Service manual is provided as a printable PDF file, which is
located on the Documents CD. See the Documents CD-ROM for installation information. The Service
manual includes procedures to service the instrument to the module level and restore the operating
system.
Specifications and Performance Verification Technical Reference Manual (077-0251-XX). This is
a PDF-only manual that includes both the specifications and the performance verification procedure.
It is located on the Documents CD.
Declassification and Security Instructions (077-0170-XX) This document helps customers with
data security concerns to sanitize or remove memory devices from the RSA6100A Series Real-Time
Spectrum Analyzers. It is located on the Documents CD.
The most recent versions of the product documentation, in PDF format, can be downloaded from
www.tektronix.com/manuals. You can find the manuals by searching on the product name.
Other Documentation
Your instrument includes supplemental information on CD-ROM:
Documents CD (Tektronix part number 063-3930-XX)
RSA6100A Series Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers Help 7

Orientation Front Panel Connectors
Front Panel Connectors
Item Connector Description
1Trig Out Trigger output connector. 50 Ω, BNC, High > 2.0 V, Low < 0.4 V, (output
current 1 mA).
2TrigIn External Trigger input connector, –2.5 V to +2.5 V (user settable).
3USB 1.1 USB 1.1 Mouse connector.
4USB 2.0 USB 2.0 connector.
5RF Input RF input connector 50 Ω.
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Front-Panel Controls
8RSA6100A Series Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers Help