robismyname
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According to this article:
https://www.edn.com/design/test-and...ge-specification-in-modern-spectrum-analyzers
Dynamic Range is defined as "the difference between the highest and the lowest power signals that you can simultaneously measure on a spectrum analyzer"
Dynamic range as I know it to be has a different meaning.
1) As in a receiver the dynamic range is the lowest signal that the receiver can detect in the presence of the larger signal
2) As in the case of dynamic range testing two tone/signals entering an amplifier creates a 3rd order inter-modulation that can be calculated mathematically to exist at the same center frequency of your desired signal. As you increase the two tone/signals you also increase the 3rd order inter-mod product (not linear in relationship). There comes a point where the 3rd order inter-mod product amplitude becomes large enough that the receiver can no longer detect the wanted signal. So the dynamic range would be the difference between the 3rd order inter-mod level and the level of your wanted signal ( that is being 3dB above reference sensitivity).
So my question are:
1) As the DR testing is concerned. Is it the increased amplitude of the two tone signal or the increased amplitude of the 3rd order inter-mod that cause the wanted signal to go undetected by the receiver?
2) Is my definitions of DR more accurate than the articles definition of DR?
3) Is my definition/understanding of dynamic range flawed?
4) Is the articles definition of DR accurate enough to be considered correct?
5) Does the definition of DR change based on the application? For instance is the definition of DR for a SA different than the definition of DR for a radio transceiver?
6) My transceiver DR was measured as 60dB, should my SA have a better DR than my transceiver?
7) What is the typical DR of a SA?
https://www.edn.com/design/test-and...ge-specification-in-modern-spectrum-analyzers
Dynamic Range is defined as "the difference between the highest and the lowest power signals that you can simultaneously measure on a spectrum analyzer"
Dynamic range as I know it to be has a different meaning.
1) As in a receiver the dynamic range is the lowest signal that the receiver can detect in the presence of the larger signal
2) As in the case of dynamic range testing two tone/signals entering an amplifier creates a 3rd order inter-modulation that can be calculated mathematically to exist at the same center frequency of your desired signal. As you increase the two tone/signals you also increase the 3rd order inter-mod product (not linear in relationship). There comes a point where the 3rd order inter-mod product amplitude becomes large enough that the receiver can no longer detect the wanted signal. So the dynamic range would be the difference between the 3rd order inter-mod level and the level of your wanted signal ( that is being 3dB above reference sensitivity).
So my question are:
1) As the DR testing is concerned. Is it the increased amplitude of the two tone signal or the increased amplitude of the 3rd order inter-mod that cause the wanted signal to go undetected by the receiver?
2) Is my definitions of DR more accurate than the articles definition of DR?
3) Is my definition/understanding of dynamic range flawed?
4) Is the articles definition of DR accurate enough to be considered correct?
5) Does the definition of DR change based on the application? For instance is the definition of DR for a SA different than the definition of DR for a radio transceiver?
6) My transceiver DR was measured as 60dB, should my SA have a better DR than my transceiver?
7) What is the typical DR of a SA?