News: Real-Time RF Analysis added to handheld PSA Series 4

Aim-TTi has introduced the PSA2704RT, a 2.7GHz handheld real-time spectrum analyzer that adds continuous FFT-based signal capture to the company's PSA Series 4 platform. Developed for engineers working on modern RF systems, wireless devices, interference investigations and field measurements, the analyzer is designed to reveal short-duration and frequency-agile signals that may be missed by conventional swept spectrum analysis.

The PSA2704RT extends the fourth-generation PSA Series 4 with real-time signal capture while retaining swept and fast-swept FFT modes in a compact, battery-powered instrument. Covering 1MHz to 2.7GHz, it addresses applications including telecommunications debugging, interference analysis, antenna alignment, signal-strength mapping, spurious-emission checks, and EMC site or pre-compliance surveys.

Real-Time Capture for Transient RF Events

In Real-Time mode, the PSA2704RT provides a continuous observation window with up to 80,000 FFTs per second and a real-time bandwidth from 1.35kHz to 10.8MHz. The instrument offers a 100% probability of intercept for events as short as 37.5µs, allowing users to detect burst transmissions, pulsed signals, intermittent interference and hopping carriers without relying solely on repeated swept measurements.

For wider-span work, swept FFT stitching provides faster coverage than conventional swept operation while preserving flexible analysis control. Resolution bandwidth is defined by frequency bin width and selectable window functions, enabling users to optimize measurements for speed, selectivity and amplitude accuracy. Display options include live trace, waterfall and heatmap views in full-screen, combined or split-screen layouts.
 

Technical Highlights

• 1MHz to 2.7GHz frequency range for RF, wireless and communications measurements.
• Real-time FFT analysis with up to 80,000 FFTs per second.
• 1.35kHz to 10.8MHz real-time signal-capture bandwidth on the PSA2704RT.
• 100% probability of intercept for transient events down to 37.5µs.
• Swept FFT analysis with seamless FFT stitching alongside conventional swept mode.
• Resolution bandwidth defined by frequency bin width with selectable window functions.
• Six window functions and seven detector modes for application-specific analysis.
• Live trace, waterfall and heatmap displays with full-screen, combined and split-screen views.
• Zero-span operation with AM and FM audio demodulation.
• Smart markers with selectable peak tracking and a 1Hz-resolution frequency counter.
• Limit lines, limit patterns, comparator functions and data logging for unattended capture.
• Battery-powered handheld format for bench, production and field measurements.

For field engineers, the PSA2704RT is intended to shorten the path from detection to diagnosis. Engineers can move from a broad-spectrum view to time-correlated displays, use markers and peak tracking to isolate signals of interest, and apply demodulation or zero-span analysis to investigate modulation behaviour and intermittent activity.

“Real-time capture is becoming increasingly important as RF environments become denser and more dynamic. The PSA2704RT gives engineers a portable way to visualize and capture fast-moving spectral events while retaining the swept-analysis workflows they already know.”

Availability

The Aim-TTi PSA2704RT Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer is available now through Aim-TTi and authorised distribution partners. Further technical information, accessories, software resources and local pricing are available from Aim-TTi or authorised distributors.