RFExplorer calibration.

[anthony mcdevitt]

Not sure if this has already been covered, but I recently purchased an RFExplorer and wanted to know about calibration. Is there a significant benefit from it and/or is it necessary directly from the manufacturer? What do you use as a source for the calibration?

Thanks, 

Anthony 

[Ariel Rocholl]

Hi Anthony,

All units RF Explorer 3G and 6G units are factory calibrated in frequency and amplitude. However, we are constantly improving that to make the tolerance tighter. We do not have a program yet to calibrate customer units yet, but offer some guidelines on how to do it yourself. Please check here.

At some point later this year we may start offering calibration services from a selected list of distributors worldwide.

Let me know if this answers your question.

Regards

[Andrew Papastephanou]

Hi Ariel,

    I've owned my RF Explorer for a couple of years now and its starting to show signs of drift (which I expected with age). Would the RF Gen be a good solution for calibrating my RF Explorer? Will the generator ever drift like the RF Explorer does? 

Otherwise would it be acceptable to use an In Ear Monitor transmitter to calibrate the unit? If so, should I just do it over the air rather than connecting the output with an SMA adapter? The units we use output 10mw and I'm concerned about blowing out the RF Explorer. 

[Ariel Rocholl]

Hi Andrew,

The RF Explorer Signal Generator has a TCXO one order of magnitude more stable than the XTAL included in RF Explorer Spectrum Analyzers. So it is a perfect reference, as it will drift much less than the analyzers (everything drift, and that is why we need regular calibration, but we can certify the Signal Generator will not drift at the range the Spectrum Analyzer does).

10mW will be too much for direct connection to RF Explorer. You can do over the air to attenuate the signal but you need reception to be very stable, better use a 30-40dB SMA attenuator and direct connection

[Mike G]

I calibrated my 3G Combo using the YouTube video as a guide.  Used the RF Explorer Signal Generator at -36dBm, ATN: 1, sw: 0.  Cal screen shows -37.5dBm. 
So I would adjust offset dB on RF Explorer by +1.5dB?  But I see the offset dB only adjusts in integer units (1,2, etc).  Is there a way to get that extra 0.5dB of accuracy?

[Graham]

I also like numbers to be neat and tidy... to a fault, even. :), but I think it would be a misdirected use of resources (manpower and ROM space) to increase the precision of an adjustment when the base accuracy is almost an order of magnitude higher.

The numerous factors that affect the SA's displayed signal strength cause much more variation than 0.5dBm. Your calibration to this level would only be valid for that specific frequency at the same RBW.

I have noticed the difference between the SigGen set output value and the SA received signal varies from 0 dBm ro -4dBm over the span 25 MHz - 2600 MHz and even more if I cause the RBW to change.

Graham

(deleted original post to edit out extraneous quote)

[Graham]

Not doing well typing tonight :(

Previous post should have read "

On Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at 9:00:28 PM UTC-5, Graham wrote:

I also like numbers to be neat and tidy... to a fault, even. :), but I think it would be a misdirected use of resources (manpower and ROM space) to increase the precision of an adjustment when the base accuracy is almost an order of magnitude LOWER.

Graham 

[Mike G]

Really appreciate your advice and time  Graham.   For my purposes, a half dBm is not important.   I'm still getting to know these instruments and trying to understand them better. So my question was intended more towards learning how to use them than a need for better accuracy.   Rest those fingers.  :)

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