Hey Jim, It is my sincere wish to get "god" results from my test equipment. Alas, regardless of equipment cost, I usually wind up somewhat lower. The 8593EM is now on the top of my wish list. ;-)
As to the price issue, it is very conceivable that a relatively small investment in a single feature piece of add-on equipment can yield the equivalent performance of a unit costing magnitudes more in that single feature area. Sophisticated, feature rich systems, pile on the sprinkles to justify the high price tag. If we want or need enough of those features, we buy the system. There aren't too many instances where you cannot find a relatively low tech, less expensive, way to accomplish a given test goal if you are willing to put in the time to integrate the system yourself and understand the science involved. On the other hand, who has the time. Hope you have a sense of humor! Dave Spencer Compliance Engineer Oresis Communications P.S. I wish the tooth fairy didn't exist...up here he's giving it away faster than any of us can make it. -----Original Message----- From: Knighten, Jim L [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, March 24, 2000 9:10 AM To: Colgan, Chris; 'Emc-Pstc' (E-mail) Subject: RE: Receivers and spectrum analysers Chris, I am experienced in performing pre-compliance measurements with a spectrum analyzer and preamp. I use a Hewlett Packard 8593EM Spectrum Analyzer and an HP 8447D Pre-Amplifier with god results. As mentioned by another responder, the spectrum analyzer is designed to function as an "EMI Analyzer," not just a spectrum analyzer and allows storing of the preamp's gain factors to allow direct reading of the signal magnitude. If noise floor is a problem in some band, you always have the option of decreasing the bandwidth of the measurement to increase signal-to-noise. This is usually very effective, in my experience. The new Agilent EMI analyzers (digital, rather than analog) come equipped with an internal preamp. I hope to buy one. Since I no longer believe in the Tooth Fairy, I find it hard to come to grips with statements to the effect that the addition of a $2-20K add-on to a $20-40K spectrum analyzer yields the equivalent of a $100-$250K receiver. Nevertheless, you can do quite well with the spectrum analyzer. Since you are interested in pre-compliance, you can measure at conditions that are not standard and gain the understanding of the product that you desire. Good Luck, Jim ________________________________________________________ Dr. Jim Knighten e-mail: [email protected] <[email protected]> Technical Consultant - Design NCR 17095 Via del Campo San Diego, CA 92127 http://www.ncr.com <http://www.ncr.com> Tel: 858-485-2537 Fax: 858-485-3788 -----Original Message----- From: Colgan, Chris [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, March 24, 2000 1:34 AM To: 'Emc-Pstc' (E-mail) Subject: Receivers and spectrum analysers Greetings all I have an Advantest spectrum analyser with a quasi peak detector that I use for pre compliance work. I am having trouble with the high noise floor and I am concerned about my measurements reading low due to overloading the detector (no input attenuation due to the high noise floor etc etc). I have been told (mainly by sales reps) that by using a preamplifier (cheap, not a problem to buy) and a preselector (expensive, could be a problem) I can obtain results that are virtually equivalent to a receiver (very expensive). Has anyone tried the analyser/preselector approach and if so, how have you got on? Regards Chris Colgan EMC & Safety TAG McLaren Audio Ltd mailto:[email protected] ===================================================== Authorised on 03/24/00 at 09:35:59; code 37f48bf3B1A8A7D9. ********************************************************************** The contents of this E-mail are confidential and for the exclusive use of the intended recipient. If you receive this E-mail in error, please delete it from your system immediately and notify us either by E-mail, telephone or fax. You should not copy, forward or otherwise disclose the content of the E-mail. 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To cancel your subscription, send mail to: [email protected] with the single line: unsubscribe emc-pstc For help, send mail to the list administrators: Jim Bacher: [email protected] Michael Garretson: [email protected] For policy questions, send mail to: Richard Nute: [email protected] ------------------------------------------- This message is from the IEEE EMC Society Product Safety Technical Committee emc-pstc discussion list. To cancel your subscription, send mail to: [email protected] with the single line: unsubscribe emc-pstc For help, send mail to the list administrators: Jim Bacher: [email protected] Michael Garretson: [email protected] For policy questions, send mail to: Richard Nute: [email protected]
