Tektronix WCA280A User manual

User Manual
WCA230A & WCA280A
3 GHz & 8 GHz
Portable Wireless Communication Analyzers
071-1253-07
This document applies to firmware version 3.30
and above.
www.tektronix.com

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 supercedes
that in all previously published material. Specifications and price change privileges reserved.
TEKTRONIX and TEK are registered trademarks of Tektronix, Inc.
Contacting Tektronix
Tektronix, Inc.
14200 SW Karl Braun Drive
P.O. Box 500
Beaverton, OR 97077
USA
For product information, sales, service, and technical support:
HIn North America, call 1-800-833-9200.
HWorldwide, visit www.tektronix.com to find contacts in your area.

End User License Agreement for Microsoft Software
You have acquired a device (“DEVICE”) that includes software licensed by Tektronix Japan, Ltd. (“TJ”) from Microsoft
Licensing Inc. or its affiliates (“MS”). Those installed software products of MS origin, as well as associated media, printed
materials, and “online” or electronic documentation (“SOFTWARE”) are protected by international intellectual property
laws and treaties. The SOFTWARE is licensed, not sold. All rights reserved.
IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THIS END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT (“EULA”), DO NOT USE THE DEVICE OR
COPY THE SOFTWARE. INSTEAD, PROMPTLY CONTACT TJ FOR INSTRUCTIONS ON RETURN OF THE
UNUSED DEVICE(S) FOR A REFUND. ANY USE OF THE SOFTWARE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
USE ON THE DEVICE, WILL CONSTITUTE YOUR AGREEMENT TO THIS EULA (OR RATIFICATION OF
ANY PREVIOUS CONSENT).
GRANT OF SOFTWARE LICENSE. This EULA grants you the following license:
You may use the SOFTWARE only on the DEVICE.
NOT FAULT TOLERANT.
THE SOFTWARE IS NOT FAULT TOLERANT. TJ HAS INDEPENDENTLY DETERMINED HOW TO USE THE
SOFTWARE IN THE DEVICE, AND MS HAS RELIED UPON TJ TO CONDUCT SUFFICIENT TESTING TO
DETERMINE THAT THE SOFTWARE IS SUITABLE FOR SUCH USE.
NO WARRANTIES FOR THE SOFTWARE.
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND WITH ALL FAULTS. THE ENTIRE RISK AS TO
SATISFACTORY QUALITY, PERFORMANCE, ACCURACY, AND EFFORT (INCLUDING LACK OF
NEGLIGENCE) IS WITH YOU. ALSO, THERE IS NO WARRANTY AGAINST INTERFERENCE WITH
YOUR ENJOYMENT OF THE SOFTWARE OR AGAINST INFRINGEMENT. IF YOU HAVE RECEIVED
ANY WARRANTIES REGARDING THE DEVICE OR THE SOFTWARE, THOSE WARRANTIES DO NOT
ORIGINATE FROM, AND ARE NOT BINDING ON, MS.
N O T E O N J AVA S UP P O RT.
The SOFTWARE may contain support for programs written in Java. Java technology is not fault tolerant and is not
designed, manufactured, or intended for use or resale as online control equipment in hazardous environments
requiring fail--safe performance, such as in the operation of nuclear facilities, aircraft navigation or communication
systems, air traffic control, direct life support machines, or weapons systems, in which the failure of Java technology
could lead directly to death, personal injury, or severe physical or environmental damage. Sun Microsystems, Inc. has
contractually obligated MS to make this disclaimer.
NO LIABILITY FOR CERTAIN DAMAGES.
EXCEPT AS PROHIBITED BY LAW, MS SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL,
CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES ARISING FROM OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE
USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THE SOFTWARE. THIS LIMITATION SHALL APPLY EVEN IF ANY
REMEDY FAILS OF ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MS BE LIABLE FOR ANY
AMOUNT IN EXCESS OF U.S. TWO HUNDRED FIFTY DOLLARS (U.S.$250.00).

LIMITATIONS ON REVERSE ENGINEERING, DECOMPILATION, AND DISASSEMBLY.
You may not reverse engineer, decompile, or disassemble the SOFTWARE, except and only to the extent that such
activity is expressly permitted by applicable law notwithstanding this limitation.
SOFTWARE TRANSFER ALLOWED BUT WITH RESTRICTIONS.
You may permanently transfer rights under this EULA only as part of a permanent sale or transfer of the Device, and
only if the recipient agrees to this EULA. If the SOFTWARE is an upgrade, any transfer must also include all prior
versions of the SOFTWARE.
EXPORT RESTRICTIONS.
You acknowledge that SOFTWARE is of US--origin. You agree to comply with all applicable international and
national laws that apply to the SOFTWARE, including the U.S. Export Administration Regulations, as well as
end--user, end--use and country destination restrictions issued by U.S. and other governments. For additional
information on exporting the SOFTWARE, see http://www.microsoft.com/exporting/.
LIMITATION ON SOFTWARE PROGRAMS USED ON THE DEVICE.
The combination of software programs you use on the DEVICE shall address not more than two (2) general office
automation or consumer computing functions. Such functions include, but are not limited to: email, word
processing, spreadsheets, database, network browsing, scheduling, and personal finance.
STORAGE/NETWORK USE.
The SOFTWARE may not be installed, accessed, displayed, run, shared or used concurrently on or from different
computers, including a workstation, terminal or other digital electronic device (“Computing System”).
Notwithstanding the foregoing and except as otherwise provided below, any number of Computing Systems, may
access or otherwise utilize the file and print services and internet information services of the SOFTWARE, if
included.
You may use the SOFTWARE on a single DEVICE as interactive workstation software, but not as server software.
However, you may permit a maximum of ten (10) Computing Systems to connect to the DEVICE to access and use
services of the SOFTWARE, such as file and print services and internet information services. The ten--connection
maximum includes any indirect connections made through other software or hardware which pools or aggregates
connections.

Warranty 2
Tektronix warrants that this product will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one (1) year
from the date of shipment. If any such product proves defective during this warranty period, Tektronix, at its option, either
will repair the defective product without charge for parts and labor, or will provide a replacement in exchange for the
defective product. Parts, modules and replacement products used by Tektronix for warranty work may be new or
reconditioned to like new performance. All replaced parts, modules and products become the property of Tektronix.
In order to obtain service under this warranty, Customer must notify Tektronix of the defect before the expiration of the
warranty period and make suitable arrangements for the performance of service. Customer shall be responsible for
packaging and shipping the defective product to the service center designated by Tektronix, with shipping charges prepaid.
Tektronix shall pay for the return of the product to Customer if the shipment is to a location within the country in which the
Tektronix service center is located. Customer shall be responsible for paying all shipping charges, duties, taxes, and any
other charges for products returned to any other locations.
This warranty shall not apply to any defect, failure or damage caused by improper use or improper or inadequate
maintenance and care. Tektronix shall not be obligated to furnish service under this warranty a) to repair damage resulting
from attempts by personnel other than Tektronix representatives to install, repair or service the product; b) to repair
damage resulting from improper use or connection to incompatible equipment; c) to repair any damage or malfunction
caused by the use of non-Tektronix supplies; or d) to service a product that has been modified or integrated with other
products when the effect of such modification or integration increases the time or difficulty of servicing the product.
THIS WARRANTY IS GIVEN BY TEKTRONIX WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCT IN LIEU OF ANY OTHER
WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. TEKTRONIX AND ITS VENDORS DISCLAIM ANY IMPLIED
WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. TEKTRONIX’
RESPONSIBILITY TO REPAIR OR REPLACE DEFECTIVE PRODUCTS IS THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY
PROVIDED TO THE CUSTOMER FOR BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY. TEKTRONIX AND ITS VENDORS WILL
NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES
IRRESPECTIVE OF WHETHER TEKTRONIX OR THE VENDOR HAS ADVANCE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY
OF SUCH DAMAGES.

Service Options
Tektronix provides service to cover repair under warranty as well as other services that are designed to meet your specific
service needs. Advancing technology has brought incredible change to the power of measurement instruments. Manufac-
turing methods and calibration techniques have been revolutionized, making the service challenge tougher than ever. By
using Tektronix as your service provider you make use of our technology and product knowledge, our world-wide logistics
infrastructure, and our ISO9000 approved service centers. Tektronix technicians are trained on the latest products and are
equipped with the most current information on product improvements and upgrades for optimum product performance.
Warranty Repair Service. Tektronix technicians provide warranty service at most Tektronix service locations worldwide.
The warranty period for this product can be found behind the title page in this manual.
Calibration and Repair Service. Tektronix offers calibrations, non-warranty repair, and support for customers performing
their own service. Where appropriate, calibrations are compliant to ANSI/NCSL Z--540/ISO17025 and ISO9000 Quality
Systems. If you prefer to perform your own service, Tektronix supports repair to the replaceable-part level through
providing for circuit board exchange. All services can be purchased through a variety of agreements to fit your specific
requirements.
For more information regarding service offerings or service locations worldwide, please see the Tektronix product catalog
or visit us on our Customer Services World Center web site at:
http://www.tek.com/Measurement/Service.

WCA230A & WCA280A User Manual i
Table of Contents
General Safety Summary xv...................................
Preface xvii...................................................
About This Manual xvii...............................................
Related Documents xviii...............................................
Conventions xix....................................................
Notice for Trigger Function xx........................................
Getting Started
Product Overview 1--1.........................................
Features 1--1........................................................
Application 1--2.....................................................
Difference Between WCA230A and WCA280A 1--2........................
Real-Time Analysis 1--3..............................................
Architecture 1--6....................................................
Installation 1--9...............................................
Unpacking to Check Contents 1--9......................................
Applying Power 1--10.................................................
Setting Up the Stand 1--13..............................................
Functional Check 1--14................................................
Powering Off the Analyzer 1--18.........................................
Restart 1--19.........................................................
Backing Up User Files 1--20............................................
About Installation of Other Applications 1--20..............................
Calibration 1--21...............................................
Cal Menu 1--22......................................................
Calibrating Gain 1--23.................................................
Calibrating Center Offset 1--24..........................................
Calibrating DC Offset 1--25.............................................
Adjusting Display Brightness 1--26.......................................
Confirming Performance 1--26..........................................
Operating Basics
Interface Maps 2--1............................................
Controls and Connectors 2--2..........................................
Display Screen 2--8..................................................
Functional Overview 2--13.......................................
Menu Keys 2--13.....................................................
Menu Operations 2--16................................................
Measurement Basics 2--21..............................................
Setting System Parameters 2--23.........................................
Using Windows XP 2--26...............................................

Table of Contents
ii WCA230A & WCA280A User Manual
Tutorial 2--29..................................................
Preparations 2--30....................................................
Displaying Spectrum 2--34.............................................
Using Markers and Peak Search 2--43.....................................
Using Averaging and Comparison Displays 2--49............................
Displaying a Spectrogram 2--52.........................................
Spectrum Analysis 2--55...............................................
Modulation Analysis 2--59..............................................
Turning Off the Power 2--66............................................
Reference
Spectrum Analysis (S/A Mode) 3--1..............................
Measurement Screen Layout 3--2.......................................
Spectrum Analysis 3--4...............................................
Spectrogram Display 3--18.............................................
Real-Time Analysis 3--20..............................................
Zoom Function 3--24..................................................
Modulation Analysis (Demod Mode) 3--27..........................
Measurement Screen Layout 3--29.......................................
Analog Modulation Analysis 3--37.......................................
Digital Modulation Analysis 3--44.......................................
RFID Analysis 3--61..................................................
Time Analysis (Time Mode) 3--83.................................
Measurement Screen Layout 3--83.......................................
Time Variation Measurement 3--84.......................................
CCDF Measurement 3--88..............................................
Pulse Measurements 3--93..............................................
Signal Source Analysis 3--103............................................
Setting Frequency and Span 3--119.................................
Frequency and Span Setting Menu 3--120...................................
Using the Channel Table 3--122..........................................
Using the Marker and Peak Search 3--123..................................
Frequency Setting Range 3--124..........................................
Vector Span 3--126.....................................................
Setting Amplitude 3--127.........................................
Amplitude Menu 3--127.................................................
Over-Voltage Input 3--131...............................................
Amplitude Correction 3--132.............................................
Setting Timing Parameters 3--141..................................
Timing Menu 3--141...................................................
Seamless Acquisition 3--145.............................................
Trigger 3--147...................................................
Trigger Menu (S/N B020000 and above) 3--148..............................
Trigger Menu (S/N below B020000 and J300100 and above) 3--155..............
IF Trigger (S/N below B020000 and J300100 and above) 3--162................
Creating a Trigger Mask (Option 02 Only) 3--165............................
Trigger Point Indicator 3--171............................................
Synchronous Operation with External Instruments 3--172......................