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Channel power measurement with Spectrum analyzer and RF power meter

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arr_baobao

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Hi all,

Which one are the more accurate way to measure channel power of a transmitter, spectrum analyzer channel power measurement function or using a RF power meter.
What are the different test methodology behind this two measurement.
why when using RF power meter, we dont have to set the start and stop frequency of the channel?

thanks.
 

Generally power meters are wide band (unless they have an option for narrow band measurements).
By definition, spectrum analyzers are narrow band, and for accurate power measurements you have to take into account the RBW of the analyzer.
Power meters usually have less than 0.2dB power measurement accuracy, when spectrum analyzers have less than 1dB accuracy.
 
vfone said:
Generally power meters are wide band (unless they have an option for narrow band measurements).
By definition, spectrum analyzers are narrow band, and for accurate power measurements you have to take into account the RBW of the analyzer.
Power meters usually have less than 0.2dB power measurement accuracy, when spectrum analyzers have less than 1dB accuracy.
Click to expand...


when u said its wide band for power meters, will it capture the harmonics generated from the transmitter and show it as power reading to the tx?
 

Channel Power is always measured by Spectrum Analyzers due to limited Channel Bandwith.
Power Meters measure everything in their frequency band.( harmonics,spurs, etc)
 

BigBoss said:
Channel Power is always measured by Spectrum Analyzers due to limited Channel Bandwith.
Power Meters measure everything in their frequency band.( harmonics,spurs, etc)
Click to expand...

then it would be not accurate right if its capture in those spurs and harmonics?
 

arr_baobao said:
then it would be not accurate right if its capture in those spurs and harmonics?
Click to expand...
Absolutely..
The definition of Channel Power expresses itself.The Total Power ( or Average Power) in a limited Band-with.
Otherwise, it doesn't make sense to measure whole spectrum.
 

With Spectrum Analyzer, u can select the band to view and look at that band for Channel Power; i.e. if you select the band with harmonics inside, it will measure them too; not if select only main lobe.

With RF Power meter, you dont have that selection. It just examines the whole band in front of it.
 

vfone said:
Generally power meters are wide band (unless they have an option for narrow band measurements).
By definition, spectrum analyzers are narrow band, and for accurate power measurements you have to take into account the RBW of the analyzer.
Power meters usually have less than 0.2dB power measurement accuracy, when spectrum analyzers have less than 1dB accuracy.
Click to expand...


sorry, meaning power meter have better accuracy or spectrum analyzer?
 

Power meter have better accuracy..
 

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