Anritsu MS2840A series of precision laboratory spectrum analyzers up to 44.5 GHz

Brief description of the series

The Anritsu MS2840A series is a line of affordable spectrum analyzers with a wide frequency range (up to 44.5 GHz) and the best phase noise in its class. Most modern spectrum analyzers (for example MS2830A) support the wideband measurement and demodulation functions required for wireless networks (LTE, WiMAX, W-CDMA, etc.), however, only a small part of these solutions also support the high-quality narrowband measurements required in the production of microwave components, in wireless backbone networks and mobile radio communication systems of the VHF band.

The MS2840A series is specifically designed for such applications. It has many features, key among which are: an internal reference oscillator with significantly improved phase noise, support for high-performance waveguide mixers for millimeter-wave spectral measurements, and best-in-class phase noise at close carrier offsets. You can download a full description of all the characteristics of Anritsu MS2840A below on this page in the section Documentation. And the main differences between the four series of Anritsu laboratory spectrum analyzers and signals, look at this comparison.

All models of the series

The Anritsu MS2840A series consists of four models, which are presented in this interactive table. To see all the characteristics of certain models, add them to the comparison.

Main features of the series

Frequency: 9 kHz - 3.6 GHz (model MS2840A-040).
Frequency: 9 kHz - 6 GHz (model MS2840A-041).
Frequency: 9 kHz - 26.5 GHz (model MS2840A-044).
Frequency: 9 kHz - 44.5 GHz (model MS2840A-046).
Resolution (RBW): 1 Hz - 10 MHz.
Amplitude: +30 dBm to -166 dBm. Amplitude error: ±0.35 dB (up to 4 GHz).
Phase noise at 1 GHz: -123 dBc/Hz (10 kHz offset).
Phase noise on 79 GHz (with mixer MA2808A): -100 dBc/Hz (10 kHz offset).
Options: preamplifier, phase noise measurement, noise figure (noise factor) measurement, vector modulation signal analysis, analog signal analysis.
Screen 21.3 cm (resolution 1024 x 768). Interfaces: USB, Ethernet, IEEE-488 (GPIB).
Weight: 14.4 or 15.3 kg. Dimensions: 426 x 177 x 390 mm. Working temperature: from +0°С to +50°С.

Since the 2000s, most spectrum analyzers have been developed for mobile telecommunication applications, and their internal structure provides an optimal phase noise value at offsets of several MHz from the carrier. But for specialists who work with unmodulated signals or signals with a narrow modulation bandwidth, a spectrum analyzer is needed with good phase noise at small offsets from the carrier: 10 kHz or less.

Anritsu MS2840A analyzers provide excellent performance with both wideband modulated signals and unmodulated and narrowband signals. As an example, this figure shows a 1 GHz test signal measured by the Anritsu MS2840A analyzer with a Span of only 25 kHz. Notice the minimal distortion when measuring the test signal and the impressive dynamic range (around 120dB).

This set of capabilities allows the MS2840A Series to be used to design and manufacture a wide variety of equipment, including millimeter and microwave wireless systems, 79 GHz automotive radar transmitters, and high frequency local oscillators. If necessary, the frequency range can be extended up to 325 GHz using external mixers.

In addition, Anritsu produces a series of laboratory spectrum and signal analyzers MS2830A, which is optimized for measuring the parameters of equipment of wireless communication standards: LTE, GSM/EDGE, W-CDMA/HSPA+, TD-SCDMA, CDMA2000, EV-DO, HSDPA/HSUPA, WiMAX, WLAN (802.11), Bluetooth and others. This series supports demodulation and signal analysis up to 125 MHz.

Need more above specifications? Watch the series Anritsu MS269xA.
Need demodulation bandwidth up to 1 GHz? Watch the series Anritsu MS2850A.
It is necessary to measure the parameters of devices mobile communications? Watch the series Anritsu MS2830A.
Need ultra-portable analyzer up to 170 GHz? Watch the series Anritsu MS276xA.
Need portable and up to 54 GHz? Watch the series Anritsu MS2090A Field Master Pro.
Need real-time spectrum analyzer? Watch the series Tektronix RSA500A.
You need a spectrum analyzer combined with an oscilloscope? Watch the series Tektronix MDO4000C.
Want to see the full list? This page has everything you need to know to select a spectrum analyzer.

Special, optimized architecture

The Anritsu MS2840A analyzers have a completely new architecture, specially optimized for both wideband and narrowband signals. These analyzers provide excellent measurement capabilities even at a carrier offset as low as 10 Hz!

At a 10 Hz offset from a 1 GHz carrier, phase noise is at a record level of -80 dBc/Hz.

These graphs show phase noise levels for different carriers: 1 GHz, 6 GHz, 15 GHz, 20 GHz, and 40 GHz. Note that these values are provided as standard with the MS2840A Series analyzers. By installing the optional MS2840A-066, the phase noise of the 3.6 GHz and 6 GHz models can be further improved.

Built-in signal analyzer

Any MS2840A Series Spectrum Analyzer comes standard with signal analyzer with an analysis bandwidth up to 31.25 MHz (with the help of options this bandwidth can be extended up to 125 MHz). The following additional measurements are available in signal analysis mode: power vs. time, frequency vs. time, phase vs. time, CCDF/APD measurement, spectrogram.

In addition, the analyzed signal can be recorded in the instrument's internal memory and re-displayed on the screen at any time. The recording duration depends on the selected signal analysis bandwidth and ranges from 0.5 seconds (for the 125 MHz bandwidth) to 2000 seconds (for the 25 kHz bandwidth).

Phase Noise Measurement

When activating the MS2840A-010 option in the Anritsu MS2840A spectrum analyzer, it becomes possible to automatically measure the phase noise values of the devices under test at various offsets from the carrier. The figure below shows phase noise measurements with a 1 GHz test signal and carrier offsets ranging from 1 kHz to 10 MHz.

Measuring parameters of radar signals

By activating the MX284059A software option in the Anritsu MS2840A spectrum analyzer, it becomes possible to automatically measure the parameters of pulse modulated and linear frequency modulated (chirp) radar signals. Measured parameters include: power, frequency, pulse duration, pulse rise and fall time, frequency deviation, 40 dB bandwidth, etc. Please note that the MX284059A option can only be installed on the MS2840A analyzer model with a frequency of 26.5 GHz and 44.5 GHz.

This table summarizes the main features of the MX284059A option. For more information, see below on this page in the section Documentation.

Differences between Anritsu laboratory analyzers

Currently, the Japanese company Anritsu produces four series of laboratory spectrum and signal analyzers: Anritsu MS2830A, Anritsu MS2840A, Anritsu MS2850A and Anritsu MS269xA. All of them are made in a classic desktop case and have a unified user interface. However, these four series differ in terms of features (options), measurement accuracy and cost.

Series Anritsu MS2830A (up to 43 GHz) belongs to the middle class, both in terms of measurement accuracy and cost. It provides an excellent price / feature ratio and is well suited for a wide range of spectrum and signal analysis applications. It is worth emphasizing the excellent opportunities for working with commercial communication standards, for example: LTE, W-CDMA, GSM, WLAN, etc. (excluding 5G). The MS2830A Series instruments can analyze signals up to 125 MHz bandwidth, however, if the analysis bandwidth exceeds 31.25 MHz, then there must be no other signals outside the analyzed bandwidth, otherwise image frequencies will be generated.

Series Anritsu MS2840A (up to 44.5 GHz) has improved performance compared to the MS2830A, especially in terms of phase noise at small offsets from the carrier. Demodulation of commercial communication standards is not supported, but the MS2840A series is great for developing and configuring devices using proprietary digital modulations based on QAM, APSK, etc., as well as various analog modulations. Like the MS2830A Series, the MS2840A Series can analyze signals up to 125 MHz bandwidth, however, if the analysis bandwidth exceeds 31.25 MHz, then there must be no other signals outside the analysis bandwidth, otherwise image frequencies will be generated.

Series Anritsu MS2850A (up to 44.5 GHz) provides the same measurement accuracy as the MS2840A series, plus it can demodulate and analyze signals in a record-breaking 1 GHz bandwidth. This series is ideal for designing and customizing 5G equipment, as well as any devices that use wide modulation bandwidths, such as satellite communications systems or native broadband digital communications systems. Commercial standards (LTE, W-CDMA, GSM, etc.) are also supported. In addition, the MS2850A Series analyzers can record up to 3.9 GS/s of digitized signal to internal memory and transfer it to a computer for advanced analysis, while sampling rates can reach 1.3 GS/s, which allows you to analyze any signal in detail, including impulse.

Series Anritsu MS269xA (up to 26.5 GHz) belongs to the high class in terms of measurement accuracy, and costs a little more than the MS2840A series. The main feature of the MS269xA series is the ability to analyze signals with a bandwidth of up to 125 MHz without the appearance of mirror frequencies. Demodulation of commercial communication standards is supported: LTE, W-CDMA, GSM, WLAN, etc. 5G demodulation and analysis is also supported.

All series of Anritsu laboratory spectrum and signal analyzers can be equipped with a variety of additional options that solve various practical problems, for example: EMC preliminary tests, phase noise measurements, complex waveform generation with built-in vector generator, high-precision frequency measurements with built-in rubidium reference generator, etc. Please note that when using external mixers, the operating frequency range of some laboratory analyzers can be extended up to 325 GHz.

Automation of measurements

The Anritsu MS2840A Spectrum Analyzer comes standard with all popular remote control interfaces: USB, Ethernet and IEEE-488 (GPIB), which allow you to control the operation of the analyzer using a computer, as well as include it in automatic measuring systems. A detailed guide to remote control commands contains 1400 pages and is freely available for download in PDF format.

In addition to interfaces for connecting to a computer, there are several service connectors on the rear panel of the MS2840A, the main of which are:
- intermediate frequency output (IF Output) 1.875 GHz;
- reference frequency input 5 MHz, 10 MHz and 13 MHz;
- reference frequency output 10 MHz;
- external trigger input (Trigger Input).

Specifications of Anritsu MS2840A

This figure lists the main technical specifications of the Anritsu MS2840A Series analyzers. Detailed specifications span 48 pages in a PDF file and can be found below on this page in the section Documentation.

Anritsu MS2840A package contents

Options and accessories for Anritsu MS2840A

This section lists the hardware and software options for the Anritsu MS2840A series signal and spectrum analyzers. Hardware options are additional electronic modules that enhance the performance and extend the basic capabilities of the analyzers. Hardware options are usually installed during the manufacturing process of the instrument. Their list is contained in the table below.

The MS2840A comes standard with the option to analyze signals up to 31.25 MHz of modulation bandwidth. Other hardware options (rubidium reference oscillator, preamplifier, noise reduction, phase noise and noise figure measurements, analysis bandwidth extension up to 62.5 MHz or up to 125 MHz, etc.) are installed at the request of the device customer.

As standard, the MS2840A instruments allow you to perform all the basic functions of spectrum and signal analysis: display the spectrum, record a spectrogram of the required duration, measure power, frequency and phase versus time, etc. For a deeper analysis of various signals, there are special software options, for example, for the analysis of signals with vector modulation, you need to activate the option MX269017A, and for the analysis of radar pulses, the option MX284059A. All software options can be activated when ordering or after purchasing the device.

This table shows the main software options of the MS2840A Series analyzers. For a complete list of options with a detailed description, see below on this page in the section Documentation. You can choose accessories here: Measuring antennas and Microwave accessories.