The Tektronix WCA280A Spectrum Analyzer delivers multi-domain signal analysis across frequency, time, code, and modulation domains in a single instrument. It captures and analyzes time-varying transient RF signals from DC to 8 GHz with 1 Hz frequency resolution and ±2.5 ppm reference accuracy. The analyzer eliminates the need for multiple measurement setups, making it ideal for RF and microwave circuit testing and troubleshooting across communication and electronic applications.
Technical Specifications
Frequency Performance
• Frequency range: DC to 8 GHz (spectrum analyzer mode); 9 kHz to 8 GHz (alternate specification)
• Frequency resolution: 1 Hz
• Frequency reference accuracy: ±2.5 ppm
• Frequency aging: 1 × 10⁻⁹ per day (after 30 days); 1 × 10⁻⁷ per year (after 30 days)
• Temperature drift: 1 × 10⁻⁷ (10 to 40 °C)
• Total frequency error: 2 × 10⁻⁷ (within one year of calibration)
• Reference output level: >0 dBm
• External reference input: 10 MHz, –10 dBm to +6 dBm
Spectrum Analyzer Mode
• Frequency span: 50 Hz to 3 GHz (start frequency ≥40 MHz); 0 Hz to 40 MHz (stop frequency <40 MHz)
• Resolution bandwidth (RBW): 1 Hz to 10 MHz, auto or user-selectable
• RBW accuracy: Within 6.0% ±0.1%
• RBW shape characteristic: Gaussian with 100 dB
• Third-order intermodulation (IM3): –74 dBc
Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer (RTSA) Mode
• Frequency span: 100 Hz to 15 MHz (RF); 0 Hz to 20 MHz (baseband)
• Real-time capture bandwidth: 15 MHz (RF), 20 MHz (baseband), 20 MHz (IQ with Option 03)
Acquisition
• A/D converter: 51.2 MS/s, 14-bit
• Memory: 16.4 Msamples standard; 65.6 Msamples with Option 02 (Deep Memory)
• Record lengths: Up to 2.56 s at 15 MHz span, 40.96 s at 1 MHz span, 4096 s at 10 kHz span (with Deep Memory)
Windowing & Triggering
• Window types: Rectangular, Parzen, Welch, Sine-Lobe, Hanning, Sine-cubed, Sine-to-the-4th, Hamming, Blackman, Rosenfield, Blackman-Harris variants, FlatTop
• Trigger modes: Free run, triggered, single, continuous
• Trigger sources: Power (span BW), frequency mask (Option 02), external
• Pre-/post-trigger position: Settable 0 to 100% of acquisition length
– Key Features
• Frequency mask triggering for precision event-based capture
• Multiple window functions for spectral analysis flexibility
• Extended record lengths with optional deep memory expansion
• Selectable or automatic resolution bandwidth
– Typical Applications
• RF and microwave circuit testing and troubleshooting
• Communication system signal analysis
• Transient RF signal capture and characterization
• Multi-domain signal examination without reconfiguration
