vector signal analyzer (VSA)
Vector signal analyzers (VSA) can be compared to spectrum analyzers, but are suitable for measurements that go beyond spectrum analysis. Vector signal analyzers are either stand-alone analyzers or software tools that extend spectrum and signal analyzers. These extension tools can also be application-specific, for example for special mobile radio systems or WLAN standards.
The advanced measurement capabilities of a vector signal analyzer include flexible, time-gated spectrum analysis, measurement of power bandwidth, Cumulative Complementary Distribution Function (CCDF), adjacent channel signal power, or peak carrier signal power. VSAs can precisely demodulate signals modulated in amplitude modulation, frequencymodulation, or phase modulation, thereby analyzing standards-compliant modulation schemes and demodulation methods. The representation can be frequency-related, time-related or symbol-related. The latter is used, for example, for the vector representation of phase stars.
To enable VSAs to work as integral components of automated measuring stations, they are equipped with appropriate interfaces such as the USB interface, connection to Fast Ethernet or LAN Extensions for Instrumentation( LXI).