RF-EXPLORER/3
ELECTRONICS FOR SPECIALISTS
ELECTRONICS FOR SPECIALISTS
Max Hold: Simultaneous display of the present levels
and the maximum levels.
(This mode is shown with
.)
MxH
Normal: No calculation, continuous display of the cur-
rent levels.
(This mode is shown with
.)
nOR
Top / Bottom dBm: Herewith the measuring range of
the level is adjusted. "Top dBm" for the upper meas-
ured value of the Y axis and "Bottom dBm" for the lower
value. The difference between the two values cannot be
inferior to 10 dBm.
Iterations: Indicates the number of scan sweeps to cal-
culate the peak values (calculator: max) or the average
values (calculator: average), adjustable from 1 to 16. The
higher the iteration value, the more exact the calculation,
but the slower the display.
Offset dB: Moves the measured level by the value ad-
justed (±100 dB).
Example: A level of –76 dB is measured at a certain
frequency at a place in the room. With an offset of +76 dB
the RF-EXPLORER shows 0 dB in this case. For measure-
ments at other places in the room, the level deviation to
the place of reference is directly shown in dB.
Units: The unit dBm or dBμV can be selected for the
Y axis with the button ENTER. In the spectrum display,
the selected unit is shown by "dBm" or "dBV" on the
left next to the Y axis.
For a simple test change the upper dBm value to –70 dBm.
Then press the button RETURN to return to the spectrum
display. The level range indicated is now smaller and thus
the signal on the display is higher, especially the noise
floor.
-50
434.999
-70
USB
USB
-45.0
5/s
5/s
dBm
dBm
nOR
nOR
FIR
FIR
-110
-110
433.750M
435.500M
437.250M
433.750M
435.500M
Fig. 12 Upper dBm value reduced by 20 dB
As the upper dBm value is very frequently changed, this
value can be increased by 5 dBm with the button and
be reduced by 5 dBm with the button when the spec-
trum is displayed. Together with the buttons and
to change the center frequency, these shortcuts are very
useful for configuration adjustments in real time as there
is no need to call a menu.
Copyright
ELECTRONICS FOR SPECIALISTS
4.4 Configuration menu
RF EXPLORER offers some configuration facilities to adjust
the unit as desired or according to application. Press the
button ENTER repeatedly until the configuration menu
is displayed.
CONFIG MENU
Backligh: Max
Contrast: 3
USB Bauds: 500kbps
Draw Mode: Vectors
Marker: Peak
DSP: Auto
Fig. 13 Configuration menu
The options in this menu can be selected with the buttons
and and be adjusted by pressing the button ENTER
repeatedly.
Backlight: Backlight for the display: OFF, Low, Med,
High, Max. The RF EXPLORER offers good visibility indoors
and outdoors, even in direct sunlight. With a low back-
light the battery is preserved.
Contrast: 10 contrast levels for the display are available.
USB Bauds: The presetting is 500 kbits / s which is also
recommended. When problems occur during data trans-
fer to the PC which is quite rare, change to the slower
speed of 2.4 kbits / s. However, this is not recommended
as the connection becomes very slow. The speed of data
transfer of the RF EXPLORER must match the speed of the
PC to obtain a correct connection.
Draw Mode: In case of the adjustment "Vectors" a level
curve for the scanned frequency range is displayed, in
case of the adjustment "Fill" individual columns show
the level.
Marker: Place a marker to read frequency and level
at this point.
434.999
None: no marker
-47.0
Peak: automatic marking of the frequency with the
highest level
Manual: The marker can be moved in the scan range
437.250M
with the buttons and .
DSP: The digital signal processor of the RF-EXPLORER
is equipped with a subprogram which filters unwanted
signals occurring in case of signal processing (e. g. image
frequencies). However, for an extensive filtering, the
measuring process will become slower and short wanted
signals (e. g. WiFi signals) cannot be recognized due to
the high calculating effort.
by MONACOR INTERNATIONAL. All rights reserved.
©
ELECTRONICS FOR SPECIALISTS
ELECTRONICS FOR SPECIALISTS
To measure short wanted signals, the adjustment
Fast should be selected (is shown by
trum display) and for exact measurements free of interfer-
ence select the adjustment Filter (indication
setting Auto, the unit will automatically select the most
suitable measuring method (
5 WiFi Analyser Mode
This mode serves to display the 13 WLAN channels in
the 2.4 GHz range. To be able to switch on the mode,
the frequency range "15 – 2700M" must be selected in
the line "Module" of the frequency menu (chapter 4.2).
To switch on, press the button MENU repeatedly until
the menu OPERATIONAL MODE (fig. 5) ap pears. Select
the line "WiFi Analyzer" with the button or . Then
press the button ENTER.
-50
USB
24/
7
5
11
4
8 9
1
6
dBm
2 3
10
12 13
MxH
FIR
-110
2412.000M
2442.000M
2472.000M
Fig. 14 WiFi Analyser mode
6 PC Software
On our homepage you will find a software for Windows
which allows to operate the RF EXPLORER from your com-
puter. At the same time you also receive a software for
possible firmware updating (RF Explorer Firmware Update
Loader).
http: // www.monacor.com
RF-EXPLORER / 3
Services
(Please note that "Microsoft
Profile" must be installed.)
Windows is a registered trademark of the Microsoft Corporation in the
USA and other countries.
Licence
The firmware included in the RF EXPLORER is protected by
copyright © by Ariel Rocholl, 2010 – 2013.
RF Explorer PC Client is a free software under GPL v3,
therefore you are free to modify, distribute and use it
according to GPL terms.
ELECTRONICS FOR SPECIALISTS
ELECTRONICS FOR SPECIALISTS
7 Specifications
in the spec-
FST
Display: � � � � � � � � � � � high contrast LCD display with
). In the
FIR
Measuring ranges: � � � � � � � � 15 – 2700 MHz
or
).
FST
FIR
Amplitude resolution: � � � � � 0�5 dBm
Dynamic range: � � � � � � � � � � –120 dBm to 0 dBm
Absolute max� input power
left antenna jack
(240 – 960 MHz): � � � � � +5 dBm
right antenna jack
(15 – 2700 MHz): � � � � � +30 dBm
Medium noise level: � � � � � � � –115 dBm (typical)
Frequency stability
and accuracy: � � � � � � � � ±10 ppm (typical) ≙ 0�001 %
Amplitude stability
and accuracy: � � � � � � � � ±3 dBm (typical)
Frequency resolution: � � � � � � 1 kHz
Resolution bandwidth (RBW): automatic 2�6 – 600 kHz
Antenna connections: � � � � � SMA, 50 Ω
Power supply: � � � � � � � � � � � rechargeable lithium polymer
DOWNLOADS
Dimensions: � � � � � � � � � � � � 71 × 122 × 25 mm
.NET Framework v4Client
®
Weight: � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 210 g
Subject to technical modification.
A-1409.99.04.07.2018
English
ELECTRONICS
backlight,
128 × 64 pixels
matching calibrated
50 Ω antennas supplied
battery, 1000 mAh,
operating time approx� 16 h,
rechargeable via the USB port
6