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RF Detection and Identification of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or drones, are no longer just for military and hobbyists. According to the FAA, 369,528 commercial drones are registered in the United States as of 12/31/20231. As commercialized use cases for UAVs continue to expand, the need for aerial surveillance also increases. Of particular importance is protecting the safety of military

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EMC Precompliance with a Real Time Spectrum Analyzer Part 2 — How PC-Driven USB RTSAs Enable Low-Cost And Efficient EMC Precompliance

This is the second post in a series where we take a look at EMI and EMC precompliance using real time spectrum analyzers. Recent advances in PC-driven USB Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers (RTSAs) have enabled low-cost and efficient EMC precompliance testing and EMI identification with just a few simple tricks. All you would need is an

EMC Precompliance with a Real Time Spectrum Analyzer Part 1 — What Is EMC/EMI And EMC Precompliance?

This is the first post in a series where we take a look at EMI and EMC precompliance using real time spectrum analyzers. Virtually every electronic device, and many non-electronic and natural phenomenon, produce electromagnetic radiation. This radiation can, intentionally or otherwise, interfere with proper electronics operation—electromagnetic interference (EMI). Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is the study

Blog Series: EMC Precompliance with a Real Time Spectrum Analyzer

If you’re building electronic hardware or devices intended for public use, you’ll need to pass a certification of some sort that verifies your device is within the electromagnetic interference (EMI) guidelines established by your country. Without this certification your device will legally never make it to market. Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is the overarching engineering concerned

Practical Real Time Spectrum Analyzer Applications Part 3 — Capturing Digital Signals with RTSAs and Vector Signal Analysis Tools

This is the third and final post in a multi-part blog series where we take a look at a few practical applications of spectrum analyzers. All wireless telecommunication signals undergo modulation in order to impart a data stream within the RF/microwave carrier. Many modern devices rely on digital modulation techniques in order to efficiently transfer

Review of Signal Hound’s EMC Precompliance Testing Capabilities by Southwest EMI

Glen Gassaway of Southwest EMI in Mesa, Arizona, recently reviewed the new EMC precompliance analysis mode in our Spike software. The verdict? Well, we like this quote: “Throughout the evaluation, I had absolutely no issue with the software hanging up or lagging. All measurements I took seemed very reasonable. The EMC module is well written

Spike 3.1.0 Now Includes EMC Precompliance Analysis Mode

Today marks a significant day in the lifespan of our Spike software. EMC Precompliance is now available as an “Analysis Mode” in the software when connected to a BB60C or BB60A spectrum analyzer. And… we hit version 3.1.0—our first major step up from Spike 3.0! EMC / EMI Precompliance Features in Spike Many of our

News Release: Signal Hound Introduces Free EMC Precompliance Tools in Spike

Signal Hound Introduces Free EMC Precompliance Tools in Spike Read the News Release (248k PDF)

Practical Real Time Spectrum Analyzer Applications Part 2 — RTSA Zero Span Mode For Pulsed Signal Analysis

This is the second post in a multi-part blog series where we take a look at a few practical applications of spectrum analyzers. Traditional spectrum analysis produces swept plots of power over frequency, revealing the strength of signals caught within the swept device’s analog resolution bandwidth filter. Though valuable for accurately describing continuous wave signals

Swing In, Say Hi at IMS 2016

These are our kind of people Our industry is an interesting one. Test and measurement equipment doesn’t quite reach the excitement levels of consumer electronics (wink wink), but without it, the consumer electronics probably wouldn’t make it out to, well, the consumers. If consumer electronics are a niche, then we’re definitely a niche within a

Practical Real Time Spectrum Analyzer Applications Part 1 — Basics Of Interference Hunting And Spectrum Monitoring

This is the first post in a multi-part blog series where we take a look at a few practical applications of spectrum analyzers. There are many cases where accidental or intentional EM interference occurs, which puts even greater burdens on an already crowded spectrum. The ability to capture, analyze, identify, and locate these harmful signals