Unwanted transmitters generally degrade network capacity and subscriber QoE, making interference hunting a key issue for mobile network operators and regulators. Rohde & Schwarz has now introduced a new handheld R&S MNT100 RF interference locator that uses receiver technology and intelligent processing to quickly detect, analyze and locate even complex pulsed interference signals. The launch of the interference locator provides a new, expert approach to the challenge of locating and identifying sources of RF interference in mobile networks.
The new handheld instrument is optimized to detect, analyze and locate sources of interference from 600 MHz to 6 GHz. Easy to use, it automatically locates interferers significantly faster than existing solutions on the market by using a real-time FFT receiver and fast automatic direction finding. The R&S MNT100 further enhances the extensive mobile network testing portfolio from Rohde & Schwarz for interference hunting that includes spectrum analyzers, PIM testers, scanning receivers and direction-finding antennas and software.
The wide-ranging RF pre-selection allows the R&S MNT100 to be used with antennas in dense spectrum environments. Under such demanding conditions, it makes it possible to detect very low-level signals thanks to its exceptionally high spurious-free dynamic range. It also features the fastest real-time signal processing in its class and, thanks to its fast gap-free real-time FFT, can detect extremely short emissions. Even signals that are transmitted for 20 ns are detected with 100 percent probability of intercept (depending on signal level).
The instrument’s polychrome display enables resolution of superimposed pulsed signals, making it possible to detect and differentiate complex signal bursts that cannot be seen with traditional swept-tuned spectrum analyzers. Optionally, an innovative handheld dual-mode antenna (R&S HE400CEL) featuring normal or delta mode can be used for accurate manual direction finding. Moreover, adding a magnet-mounted direction-finding antenna with the PC-based R&S MobileLocator software to the R&S MNT100 enables fast automatic direction finding.
The R&S MNT100 is available in various RF interference locator packages: a standard locator package for manual handheld interference hunting, an automatic locator package for automatic mobile direction finding and the complete locator package comprising basic and automatic locator equipment.
