Rohde and Schwarz FPC1500 – Spectrum Analyzer with Tracking Generator (5kHz – 1GHz)

Rohde and Schwarz FPC1500 – Spectrum Analyzer with Tracking Generator (5kHz – 1GHz)

The Rohde and Schwarz FPC1500 (order # 1328.6660.03) is a spectrum analyzer with frequency range of 5kHz – 1GHz, a tracking generator and built in VSWR bridge. The FPC1500 is easily upgraded via software keycode with a variety of options including a preamplifier, vector reflection measurement, modulation analysis and much more. Frequency is also upgradeable to 2 GHz and 3 GHz.
 

R&S FPC Spectrum Analyzer At a glance

Outstanding quality and innovation does not have to come with a high price tag. The R&S FPC spectrum analyzer provides unexpected performance at a budget-friendly price. It is engineered in Germany and designed to the same quality standards as high-end instruments.

Investment protection, high resolution and easy control – these traits make the R&S FPC spectrum analyzer a perfect tool for university laboratories, research institutions as well as production and service facilities.

The R&S FPC has the Value of Three: it is the only spectrum analyzer on the market that provides the value of three instruments. Incidentally, these are the three most commonly used instruments on an RF engineer’s workbench, for instance in IoT device development.

1. Spectrum analyzer
The R&S FPC is a spectrum analyzer that provides investment protection through software frequency upgrade capability. It features class-leading RF performance engineered in Germany. In addition, PC and mobile remote control options are available.

2. Vector network analyzer
The R&S FPC is a vector network analyzer that utilizes an integrated VSWR bridge to achieve one-port vector network analysis, with a Smith chart display available. Having an integrated VSWR bridge means there is no need to mount/dismount an external bridge during test operation.

3. Signal generator
The R&S FPC is a signal generator due to the unique independent source principle. Not only does it provide standard tracking generator functionality, it can also be used in free or coupled CW modes.

By combining the Value of Three instruments, the R&S FPC is truly unique. The advantages of this three-in-one concept reach further than having only one bench space occupied. A single instrument also means that to obtain the specified measurement performance, only a single investment and a single calibration are required.
 

Spectrum Analyzer

Investment protection
The R&S FPC is future-proof thanks to the unique Rohde & Schwarz upgrade path. The base unit covers a frequency range from 5 kHz to 1 GHz, with keycode-activated upgrades available.

The R&S FPC can be upgraded by simply entering a software keycode. All options are in place and can be enabled by the user. The unique Rohde & Schwarz upgrade path eliminates the need for additional upgrade calibration.

High resolution
The R&S FPC has the largest, highest-resolution display of any entry level spectrum analyzer. More horizontal plus more vertical display size and resolution means more signal details in unprecedented clarity. This class-leading display of the R&S FPC visualizes the outstanding quality of the signal measurements.

The quality of RF measurements strongly depends on suitable resolution bandwidth settings. Finer resolution bandwidth means more resolved spectral detail. High sensitivity is critical in many applications, e.g. when measuring extremely weak signals. The R&S FPC provides an extraordinarily low noise floor of typ. -150 dBm with 1 Hz resolution bandwidth setting.

The optional R&S FPC-B22 preamplifier increases sensitivity even further, to typ. -165 dBm. While most entry level spectrum analyzers can measure up to +20 dBm (100 mW), the R&S FPC is able to measure high-power signals of up to +30 dBm (1 W).

The combination of low noise floor and high max. input power provides an exceptionally wide measurement dynamic range in the R&S FPC.
 

The high measurement resolution of the R&S FPC fully utilizes the 10.1″ WXGA display.

Network Analyzer

Internal VSWR bridge
Due to its unique design utilizing an internal VSWR bridge, the R&S FPC1500 can perform one-port vector reflection measurements. This feature makes it possible to take impedance measurements on RF antennas or RF circuits with the Smith chart display or distance-to-fault measurements to detect faulty locations over a long RF cable.

Thanks to the built-in internal VSWR bridge, it is no longer necessary to mount/dismount an external VSWR bridge when switching between the measurement modes, e.g. from the spectrum analyzer mode to the vector network analyzer mode or vice versa.

One-port vector network analyzer
One-port vector network analysis is used for impedance matching on components or networks, such as antennas or filters.

Impedance matching is an integral part of RF engineering, used to adjust transmission bandwidth and balance power transmission. With its integrated VSWR bridge, the R&S FPC1500 becomes a one-port vector network analyzer that can perform all of these measurements.

Another application of measurements is distance-to-fault (DTF) measurement. It displays RF return loss or VSWR data versus distance. It reveals poor connections, damaged cables or faulty antennas quickly and provides information on physical distance from the calibration point to the faulty location.

Should calibration be needed to eliminate the effects of additional cables or adapters used to connect the analyzer to the device under test (DUT), the R&S ZN-Z103 automatic calibration unit performs the calibration in a single step.
 

R&S FPC1500 scalar transmission measurement with the R&S FPC-K42 option.
 

Smith chart
The Smith chart visualizes the complexreflection. In other words, it shows how resistive, capacitive or inductive a load is across the frequency range. With this information, it is easy to tune network components to optimize impedance matching.
 

R&S FPC1500 magnitude measurement with the R&S FPC-K42 option.
 

R&S FPC1500 Smith chart with the R&S FPC-K42 option.

Signal generator

Tracking generator
RF engineering often requires testing of passive or active RF circuits that do not produce any RF signal on their own, such as amplifiers, filters or even RF cables. A stand-alone spectrum analyzer is not sufficient here, a signal generator is required. The R&S FPC1500 features tracking generator functionality, which makes scalar transmission measurements possible, for example frequency response measurements on RF filters.

Independent signal source
The R&S FPC1500 can do even more, using its integrated signal source in an independent mode. This unique capability enables the R&S FPC1500 to act as a continuous wave (CW) signal generator. The source can be used e.g. as a LO signal for mixer measurements or as an input signal for amplifier gain measurements.
 

Typical university lab setup with the R&S FPC1500, oscilloscope and power supply.