The Marconi IFR Aeroflex 3550 is a portable, touch-screen radio communications test system engineered for field and laboratory RF characterization of analog and digital radio systems. This compact instrument delivers spectrum analysis, RF generation, tracking generator, oscilloscope, and demodulation measurements across AM, FM, DMR (MOTOTRBO™), P25, NXDN™, dPMR, and ARIB T98 technologies in a single platform weighing just 8.3 lbs.
Technical Specifications
• Display: Capacitive touch-screen (3550); resistive touch-screen (3550R)
• Weight: 8.3 lbs / 3.75 kg (magnesium alloy construction)
• Battery Life: Up to 4.5 hours per charge
• Operating Temperature: 0°C to 50°C (3550); −20°C to +55°C (3550R, MIL-PRF-28800F Class 2)
• Timebase Accuracy: 0.15 ppm with external “Freq-Flex” frequency reference
– Key Features
RF Measurements
• Spectrum analyzer with −140 dBm DANL and “Touch and Find” marker interface
• Tracking generator for filter and antenna sweep, VSWR/return loss measurement, cable fault location, and duplexer alignment
• Multi-function oscilloscope with markers for demodulated audio and timing/level measurements
• RF generator for receiver performance characterization with internal modulation sources
• Analog demodulation: SINAD and distortion measurements to −125 dBm; FM deviation analysis (4% typical accuracy, 0.0 dB flatness)
• Digital demodulation: Modulation fidelity, symbol deviation, and BER sensitivity testing for DMR, dPMR, P25, and NXDN
Cable and Antenna Analysis
• Distance to Fault measurements with rapid acquisition
• RF power measurement via external USB wideband thru-line sensor (Bird 5017B/5017D compatible): 500 mW to 500 W, 25 MHz to 1000 MHz, ±0.5 dB typical accuracy; supports peak and true average power, VSWR, return loss, reflection coefficient, crest factor, and CCDF calculations
– Typical Applications
Receiver sensitivity and selectivity testing; transmitter power and modulation analysis; antenna and transmission line characterization; digital protocol validation; field service and maintenance; interference detection and localization.
– Compatibility & Integration
Supports external USB wideband power sensors. Compatible with standard RF test signal generation and digital modulation patterns per TIA-102.CAAA-C for P25 systems.
