Signal Hound, a developer of highly optimized solutions for RF signal test and measurement, has announced the SM435B – a 43.5 GHz RF spectrum analyzer and monitoring receiver. This new product indicates the company’s entry into millimeter-wave spectrum analysis. With broad applications ranging from 5G cellular, to military, aerospace, and a host of other uses, this next-level production unit expands the company’s reach into this next tier of the market.
Bruce Devine, CEO of Signal Hound, stated that they have taken a big step in the development of the SM435B. Investment into 50 GHz test equipment, refining layout and design at a higher millimeter wave frequency, and stepping up their PCB technology were all part of bringing this unique product to their market segment. The addition of millimeter wave analysis capabilities with the SM435B further expands the resources available to RF industry professionals.
As the needs of RF analysis and spectrum monitoring continues to increase, engineers, production line managers, and technicians need access to robust tools. The affordability of the SM435B opens the door to industry professionals who previously were unable to attain this power in a compact and economical package.
“Our competition simply cannot touch this functionality at this price point,” said Clint Burgess, Signal Hound Marketing Director. The performance enhancements, coupled with advanced features found in this exceptional new product, will surprise and excite those who have been waiting for just such an innovation from Signal Hound.
Upgraded Specifications
The SM435B tunes from 100 kHz to 43.5 GHz, boasts 160 MHz of instantaneous bandwidth (IBW), a high dynamic range of 110 dB, a sustained sweep speed of 1 THz/s, a built-in sub-octave preselector from 100 kHz MHz to 43.5 GHz, and ultra-low phase noise – introducing no more than 0.1% error to EVM measurements. This low level of phase noise rivals the most expensive spectrum analyzers on the market. Its system noise figure ranges between 12 dB and 15 dB between 700 MHz and 15.2 GHz.
Efficient Design
The minimalist design of the SM435B brings only the essentials, cutting out the cruft and providing a small form-factor that fits seamlessly into a testbed or production-line scenario. The streamlined and portable design makes it the perfect choice for the bench, garage or anywhere else it may be required. The unit measures 10.45 x 7.2 x 2.15 inches (265 x 183 x 55 mm) and weighs 9.51 lbs. (with passive cooling, AC desktop adapter, and power cord).
This next-generation spectrum analyzer and monitoring receiver has a fully-documented API, supporting features such as spectrum sweeping, setting record-on-event triggers, real-time analysis, and 40 MHz of calibrated I/Q streaming data. It comes paired with Signal Hound’s Spike spectrum analysis software, featuring real-time analysis, WLAN modulation, digital demodulation, and interference hunting measurements, among others.
Digital signal distribution from the SM435B for high-speed RF signal analysis is possible via an on-board Intel 10AX027 FPGA and an external PC with an Intel Core i7 processor (available USB 3.0 port and 4th Gen processor required). This flexibility gives users the option to scale to any current or future configuration. The unit includes built-in GPS for automatic time and geolocation stamping of the received signals.
The SM435B is available for pre-order now, with a U.S. retail price of $22,000. It can be purchased direct from Signal Hound or from one of their world-wide distributors. A company-issued PO is required for pre-order. The ship date is of this product is mid-October 2021.
Signal Hound has a virtual booth at IMS 2021 this week. Visit the online event to learn more about this product.
Click here to see everything RF's coverage of IMS 2021.
