To successfully install, maintain, and troubleshoot wireless systems, technicians must quickly find, identify, and solve problems. Because this work takes place in the field, the technicians require both performance and ruggedness. Anritsu claims to deliver both of these characteristics in the MS2711D Spectrum Master. This device promises to arm its users with improved sweep speed. Thanks to a built-in preamplifier, it also claims to provide increased sensitivity and dynamic range.

The MS2711D covers a specified range of 100 kHz to 3.0 GHz. It has a −135-dBm noise floor, which should enable it to effectively measure low-level signals. The full span sweeps, which range from 9 kHz to 3 GHz, can be performed in ≤ 1.1 s. In zero span, the sweep speed can be set from <50 ms up to 20 s. This speed should allow intermittent interference signals to be captured with a high degree of accuracy. The MS2711D's AM/FM/SSB demodulator promises to further improve the ability to identify interfering signals.

The handheld spectrum analyzer can tolerate input signals up to +43 dBm without any damage. Complementing this capability is its dynamic-attenuation feature. To protect the MS2711D in the face of high RF signal levels, this feature tracks the input signal level and automatically adjusts the input attenuation level. It also promises to enhance the spectrum analyzer's sensitivity in applications with low-level RF signal input.

The MS2711D has a simple multilingual user interface. It allows key measurements to be made with a single button. Among the one-button measurements are field strength, channel power, occupied bandwidth, adjacent-channel power ratio (ACPR), carrier-to-interference ratio (C/I), and interference analysis. A full range of marker functions also are available. For simplified amplitude measurements, the MS2711D is equipped with limit lines that allow users to create quick pass/fail measurements.

The MS2711D has been designed to withstand harsh environments and terrain. It weighs less than 5 lbs. The device features a large high-resolution LCD display as well as an optional color display. The MS2711D also comes with a rechargeable/field-replaceable battery, AC/DC power supply, and 12.5-V automobile-cigarette-lighter adapter. Priced from $6350, the MS2711D is available for delivery in four to eight weeks.

Anritsu Company
490 Jarvis Dr., Morgan Hill, CA 95037-2809; (408) 778-2000, FAX: (408) 776-1744, www.anritsu.com.