Spectrum Analyzer Application
Elevate your signal analysis with the Red Pitaya Spectrum Analyzer, a professional-grade tool that transforms your Red Pitaya board into a powerful RF spectrum analyzer. Whether you’re an engineer, researcher, or hobbyist, this application provides unparalleled insights into signal frequencies, amplitudes, and distortions, all in real-time.
Advanced
Signal Analysis
The Spectrum Analyzer application leverages Red Pitaya's high-performance hardware to deliver precise and accurate measurements:
- Wide Frequency Range
- High Resolution
- Real-Time Processing:
This application will turn your Red Pitaya board into a 2-channel DFT spectrum analyzer. It is the perfect tool for educators, students, makers, hobbyists and professionals seeking affordable, highly functional test and measurement equipment. The DFT spectrum analyzer application enables fast and powerful spectrum analysis using a DFT algorithm. The frequency span is from DC up to 62.5MHz, where the frequency range can be arbitrarily selected. You can easily measure the quality of your signals, signal harmonics, spurious signals and power. All Red Pitaya applications are web-based and do not require the installation of any native software. Users can access them via a web browser using their smartphone, tablet or a PC running any popular operating system (Mac, Linux, Windows, Android, and iOS). The elements on the DFT spectrum analyzer application are arranged logically and offer a familiar user interface.
The graphical interface is divided into four main areas:
- Run/Stop and Export button: The “Run/Stop” button is used to start and stop measurements. With the “Export” button you can select in which format you want to download the measured data (plotted spectrum). Two formats are available: .png and .csv.
- Inputs / Cursors / Range / Axis control panel: This menu provides controls for inputs, cursors, and frequency range settings. Horizontal +/- buttons are used to select the span of the X (frequency) axis (zooming in/out). The vertical +/- buttons change the Y (amplitude) axis range.
- Graph area: Here, the currently calculated signal spectrum is plotted in the selected frequency range.
- Waterfall plots: Waterfall plots are a different form of signal spectrum representation, where the color on the plot defines the signal amplitude for a certain frequency. The waterfall plot is useful to enable the representation of a signal spectrum in a time dependency.
| STEMlab 125 – 10 | STEMlab 125 – 14 | SDRlab 122-16 | SIGNALlab 250-12 |
Input channels | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
Bandwidth | 0 – 50MHz | 0 – 62MHz | 300kHz – 62MHz | 0 – 62MHz |
Resolution | 10 bit | 14 bit | 16 bit | 12 bit |
DFT buffer | 16384 | 16384 | 16384 | 16384 |
Dynamic range | 70 dBm | 80 dBm | 96 dB | 74 dB |
Input range | 10dBm | 10dBm | 4dBm | 10dBm |
Input impedance | 1 MΩ / 10 pF | 1 MΩ / 10 pF | 50 ohm | 1 MΩ / 10 pF |
Input coupling | DC | DC | DC | DC |
Spurious frequency components | 70 dBFS Typically | 90 dBFS Typically | 90 dBFS Typically | 90 dBFS Typically |
The main features of the DFT spectrum analyzer are described below:
INPUTS:
Input controls are shown in the picture below. With the “SHOW” select button displaying the spectrum of the selected input can be enabled or disabled. The “FREEZE” button is used for stopping the measurements of the selected input. The “MIN” and “MAX” select buttons are used to enable/disable the persist mode for the spectrum plot. The “MIN” signal spectrum plot will show the lowest values of the signal spectrum taken after enabling the “MIN” button. The same logic is used for the “MAX” signal where the MAX values of the signal spectrum are shown. This feature is mostly used for detecting signal glitches and the max/min spectrum amplitude values during the measurement.
CURSORS:
The cursors are an additional vertical and horizontal pair of lines useful for extracting the values of the spectrum plots.
The cursors are interactive and they can be set on any part of the graph while the frequency value is shown corresponding to the place where the X cursors are set, and the amplitude value where the Y cursors are set. Cursor delta values are useful for measuring signal harmonics and relative ratios between amplitudes and frequencies.
RANGE:
The range settings are used to set a frequency span. This feature is useful when the frequency range of interest is smaller than the full frequency range of the spectrum analyzer application.
PEAK DETECTION:
During the measurement, peak values of the signal spectrum are measured and shown on the “Peak Values” field. Peak values are max values of the signal spectrum regardless of the selected frequency range. Peak detection prevents not seeing peak values which are outside the selected frequency span.
WATERFALL PLOTS:
Waterfall plots are a different form of signal spectrum representation where the color on the plot defines the signal amplitude for a certain frequency. The waterfall plot is useful when enabling the representation of the signal spectrum in a time dependency.
AXIS CONTROLS:
Horizontal +/- buttons are used to select the span of the X (frequency) axis (zooming in/out). The vertical +/- buttons change the Y (amplitude) axis range. The reset button resets the frequency and amplitude span to the default values.
Explore Our Models and Find Best Fit for Your Project
Choose the Red Pitaya board that fits your lock-in amplifier needs. Each board is designed for high performance and versatility, ensuring precise and reliable data acquisition for your projects.
Real-Time Data Visualization
Red Pitaya provides real-time, high-resolution data visualization, enabling users to view and interact with live signals directly. The platform’s user-friendly interface simplifies the analysis process, making it accessible for engineers, researchers, and hobbyists alike. Whether it’s RF analysis or general signal monitoring, Red Pitaya delivers clear, accurate data in real-time.
Interactive Graphical Interface
Red Pitaya’s intuitive graphical interface allows users to monitor and adjust signals on the fly. Zoom, pan, and analyze specific sections of the data with ease, offering deep insights into signal behaviors. This flexibility ensures that users can identify patterns, harmonics, and anomalies without needing external software.
Real-Time on Board Processing
With real-time data processing, Red Pitaya eliminates the delay in signal feedback. Engineers and developers can immediately adjust parameters, optimizing systems without interrupting the workflow. This capability is crucial for applications requiring real-time adjustments, such as RF testing or industrial automation.
Customizable for Any Project
Thanks to Red Pitaya's open-source architecture, users can modify or enhance the data visualization platform to meet specific project needs. Whether you're working in education, research, or industry, you can customize the platform using tools like Python or MATLAB, ensuring your project’s success with tailored solutions.
All-in-one board
that can replace different lab instruments
Red Pitaya Spectrum Analyzer: Transform Your Signal Analysis
Our platform supports both data acquisition and real-time data processing, making it a comprehensive tool for engineers, researchers, and educators. Red Pitaya’s flexible and scalable solutions enable you to acquire data from multiple sources and process it efficiently in real-time.
Wide Frequency Coverage
The Spectrum Analyzer offers extensive frequency coverage, capable of analyzing signals from DC up to 250 Msps, depending on your Red Pitaya board model. This flexibility makes it perfect for applications across telecommunications, electronics, and scientific research, where a broad frequency range is essential for detecting signal anomalies or harmonics.
High-Resolution Insights
With up to 16-bit resolution, Red Pitaya provides highly accurate and detailed signal representations. Whether you're monitoring low or high-frequency signals, the Spectrum Analyzer ensures you receive the precision needed to capture even the smallest frequency shifts or irregularities, providing confidence in your signal analysis.
Real-Time Data Visualization
Experience real-time signal visualization, giving you the ability to monitor and adjust parameters instantly. Red Pitaya's powerful processing capabilities enable continuous, uninterrupted signal analysis, making it an invaluable tool for applications where immediate feedback is necessary, such as RF design, troubleshooting, and system optimization.
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Technical Specialist at Red Pitaya
Our customers' testimonials
We did some tests with the SignalLAB 250-12. I have to say the device is surprisingly good: very low noise and high stability.
I have had the chance to have a Red Pitaya from the initial release. The device is my “go-to” desktop testing tool. Its capabilities far exceed its size. The best part is that the community is expanding as are the hardware and software options. The Red Pitaya is truly blossoming. I look forward to its future growth.
Red Pitaya has been critical in transitioning our system from a proof-of-concept, laboratory instrument to a field-hardened industrial tool.
Red Pitaya is exactly what I have been looking for: having one of the latest FPGAs combined with fast and broad AD- and DA-converters attached to that chip.
We are currently using Red Pitaya’s STEMlab 125-14 to check if communication signals are according to the specifications. We really value the versatility and portability of the board.
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