The tinySA contains all the components of a conventional heterodyne swept spectrum analyzer and an RF signal generator
The components used in input mode are:
- In input mode the signal enters the tinySA through the RF SMA connector
- A switch selects between an LNA or a 0-31dB step attenuator
- A switch selects either a 800MHz low pass filter to eliminate aliases, bypasses the LPF for ULTRA mode or bypasses the LPF, mixer and BPF for direct mode.
- A local oscillator to do the scanning of the selected frequency range.
- Mixer that mixes the output from the second switch with the local oscillator to create the high IF.
- Band pass filter at 980MHz for the high IF that eliminates spurs and cleans the output from the mixer before the downconversion.
- A switch to route the output of the BPF to the RX
- And RX containing
- Second LO and mixer to downconvert the high IF to a low IF at 870kHz.
- Selectable resolution filters between 200Hz and 800kHz.
- Power detector with 120dB dynamic range after the resolution filter.
The components used in output mode are:
- TX block with Local oscillator generating 980MHz
- A switch to route the TX output to the Band Pass Filter
- Band pass filter removing the harmonics of the 980MHz local oscillator or directly to the second switch
- The LO determining the output frequency.
- Mixer that mixes the output from the band pass filter with the second local oscillator to create the desired output frequency with limited harmonics
- Switch that optionally selects a low pass filter to remove unwanted mixer products
- Switch that enables the attenuator to optionally reduce the output level
- The generated signal leaves the tinySA through the RF SMA connector
The calibration generator:
- 30MHz temperature controlled crystal oscillator
- Selectable dividers to create 30, 15, 10, 4, 3, 2 or 1 MHZ
- Fixed voltage output driver
- High accuracy attenuator to create a 30MHz fundamental of -36.5dBm into 50 ohm as power reference connected to the CAL SMA.