Hand Held Direction Finder With I/Q Analysis: IDA 2
Narda Safety Test Solutions has equipped the second generation of its Interference and Direction Analyzer (IDA 2) with I/Q analyzer functions. Based on the I/Q data, the device generates high resolution spectrograms, persistence spectrums and time domain displays that were previously only available from high cost laboratory instruments. Radio spectrum interference and impairments can thus be detected and analyzed on the spot.
Unintentional or deliberate RF interference, illegal transmitters, or interference between permitted radio signals can be difficult to detect if it only occurs sporadically or is hidden under conventional signals. Narda Safety Test Solutions has equipped the new IDA 2 with I/Q analysis functions in order to also detect and locate such signals. The instrument records the I/Q data in real time at a maximum channel bandwidth of 32 MHz, and saves up to 250,000 I/Q data pairs without compression, i.e. without loss of data. Based on this data, the IDA 2 computes high resolution spectrograms, persistence spectrums or oscilloscope-like displays versus time. Computation is done continuously during the measurement or subsequently from the stored data set. Since the underlying data remain unchanged in the device memory, you can alter the display parameters such as the frequency or time resolution afterwards and zoom in on details right down to the original resolution offered by the I/Q data.
The IDA 2 now has a High Resolution Spectrogram display mode for identifying signals with different frequency and time characteristics. With a time resolution as fine as 1 µs, LTE frame structures can be displayed and any underlying dissimilar signals are immediately apparent, and even tracked through frequency hopping. The Magnitude display mode shows the level characteristic versus time and is useful for identifying signals using their time structures, for setting triggers, and lastly for locating their source.
For more information on the IDA 2 and its many benefits and capabilities, download the datasheet. Download the application note for an example on how the IDA 2 makes payload and interference signals clear.