Increasingly, outdoor base-station construction and maintenance demand the use of handheld spectrum analyzers. Yet those handhelds have been limited in frequency range. As a result, they require additional converters. Traditionally, these handheld spectrum analyzers also lacked the high performance that is needed for manufacturing lines. Recently, however, Anritsu came out with a solution that rebels against both of these handheld-spectrum-analyzer customs.

The MS2721A can be used both outdoors and in manufacturing lines. This compact spectrum analyzer covers a wide frequency range of 100 kHz to 7.1 GHz. It can measure carrier frequencies of various mobile communications formats, such as wireless local-area network (WLAN), without requiring converters. This handheld spectrum analyzer lets wireless professionals ensure the integrity of data/voice transmissions while they identify interfering signals. As more RF signals are created by the rollout of new wireless infrastructures, such analysis capabilities are becoming vital.

The MS2721A flaunts a lightweight, compact design. At an average weight of 6.4 lbs., its size is 313 × 211 × 77 mm. With its wide measuring range of up to 7.1 GHz, this single unit can measure the quality and electric-field strength of signals transmitted for the construction and maintenance of WLAN (IEEE 802.11a), Ultra Wideband, WiMAX, and other mobile communication systems including defense and public safety. In addition, it boasts a wide-resolution bandwidth from 10 Hz to 3 MHz.

The MS2721A is powered by a battery that allows up to 3 hrs. of continuous operation. The analyzer offers "measure keys" for the one-touch selection of occupied frequency bandwidth, adjacent-channel leakage power, field-strength measurement, carrier versus interfering signal, channel power, or AM/FM demodulation. It also comes equipped with LAN (10Base-T) and USB 2.0 interfaces. Software tools are included for external controlling and data acquisition.

The MS2721A has a maximum input voltage of 30 dBm. With pre-amplification off, its average noise level is −117 dBm (7 GHz, RBW; 10 Hz). When pre-amplification is on, that level drops to −146 dBm (7 GHz, RBW; 10 Hz). The analyzer has a harmonic distortion of −80 dBc (>2 GHz). Its two-signal third-order distortion (TCI) is 15 dBm (2.8 GHz, −20 dBm, 10-kHz offset).

The analyzer's daylight-viewable, 8.4-in. TFT color display has a customizable user interface in several languages. The MS2721A is housed in a rugged case to withstand harsh environments and terrain. The analyzer is available now for $15,950.

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