Using mixers with BB60C and Spike + other

I downloaded the latest version of Spike(3.5.5) and this appears to have caused about an 80KHz shift in the frequency when using the BB60C’s internal oscillator. It was far more accurate prior to changing the software. Is this expected?

I updated the software in hopes that you would now support using external mixers to perform down converting. I don’t see where there is any ability to rescale the frequency, only the gain. Could you please confirm this?

Another feature I would like to see at some point is if the marker is set to Peak Search and peak tracking is active, then To Center is selected, the peak is close to the center. There is a slight offset. When selecting a narrow span the peak will require re-centering. Once centered at the narrowest span, you may widen and narrow the span without centering. It would be nice if this would autotrack.

[Andrew]

Hi Joe,

Which version of software did you update from? The last couple of versions have not introduced BB60C changes.

Can you provide a screenshot of the frequency offset including all settings? I can try to recreate the issue on my end.

We haven’t introduced a frequency offset setting yet in Spike.

The reason you see the “To Center” behavior is because the RBW is changing as you decrease the span. The frequency accuracy is subject to the RBW. As you decrease span, the frequency accuracy gets better, which is why you see an offset as you decrease span.

Feel free to follow up with me via email and we will look at your BB60C frequency offset issue.
aj at signalhound dot com

Regards

• This reply was modified 5 years, 8 months ago by Andrew.

I had been using the 64-bit 3111 with driver v2.12.00.

It odd as the unit has been very stable since I was able to get it running. I went to try to repeat the test and the software could not find the device. I have not seen this since I first bought the unit.

I tried it a few times and pulled the cable which I never have to do anymore. Eventually, it did located the device and started working. I rolled the drivers and software back to 3111, then tried to use the GPS reference that is used for all of my other equipment. I select the DC option and its now 992KHz off. I would expect it to be within 1Hz.

Whats really odd the more that I look at it, even using the internal oscillator, it seems to hop around. I’m not normally using it for narrow band work and maybe it always behaved this way.

Oh well, it seems like it’s back to being stable. Good enough.

Hi Joe,

The v2.12.00 driver you are referring to is for the SA and TG devices. It does not affect the BB60C device. The BB60C USB driver is installed during installation and has not changed since release of the BB60C.

Again, if you would like to dig deeper into this issue, feel free to email me.

Regards,
Andrew

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