Microwave Journal
www.microwavejournal.com/articles/21751-agilents-vector-signal-analysis-software-now-offers-proprietary-signal-analysis-capabilities

Agilent's VSA software now offers proprietary signal analysis capabilities

Software/EDA

March 6, 2014

Agilent Technologies Inc. announced that its 89600 VSA software has been enhanced with custom IQ modulation analysis. The analysis capability speeds time to insight by allowing R&D engineers to more easily test proprietary signals forsatellite and military communication applications.

Due to security concerns, engineers developing SATCOMand MILCOMapplications typically use proprietary and non-standardized signals. Testing these signals using a general-purpose tool can be very time-consuming. Engineers often have to develop their own algorithms, which must then be modified for each domain (e.g., analog, digital and RF) and different hardware drivers.

Agilent’s new custom IQ modulation analysis simplifies this process by allowing engineers to create custom signal mapping that can be used to verify transmitters and also serves as a reference receiver for proprietary signals, enabling more accurate measurements. In addition, because the VSA software works across multiple platforms, there is no need rewrite code to accommodate different formats and drivers, further streamlining signal measurements.

“As a demonstrated leader in vector signal analysis, Agilent consistently innovates the 89600 VSA software to meet customers’ needs,” said Jim Curran, marketing manager of Agilent’s Microwave and Communications Division. “With the addition of custom IQ modulation analysis, we’re addressing the complex proprietary signal requirements of R&D engineers who design and troubleshoot applications in the A/D and satellite industries.”

Agilent’s 89600 VSA software is a comprehensive set of tools for signal demodulation and vector signal analysis that provide simultaneous views of virtually every facet of complex signals. This critical information enables engineers to achieve the clarity needed to find the root cause of signal problems. The software runs on a PC or inside PC-based instruments. It works with spectrum analyzers, signal analyzers, oscilloscopes, logic analyzers and modular instrument systems, as well as simulation software.

U.S. Pricing and Availability

The new custom IQ modulation analysis option (BHK) for the 89600 VSA software is now available for $4,000. A 45-day free trial of a fully featured version of the 89600 VSA, with no functionality restrictions, can be downloaded from the Trials and Licenses tab on at www.agilent.com/find/89600.

More information on the software and its new analysis capability is available at www.agilent.com/find/vsa_enhancements. An image of the analysis capability is available at www.agilent.com/find/89600vsa_images.