Real-time spectrum analysers and antennas for greater security

Aaronia AG will present the latest USB real-time spectrum analysers, professional antenna technology and its entire spectrum dominance product portfolio alongside the world's leading drone detection system, Aartos, at Satellite 2025.

Fast and, if required, broadband measurements are becoming increasingly important, particularly in satellite communications, radar or wireless networks. Problems can only be detected, localised and eliminated with real-time analysers that can quickly scan large frequency ranges if needed. Since we are operating in the microwave range here, conventional electrical cables may no longer function efficiently. They suffer relatively high losses and can also distort the signal. Waveguides, on the other hand, are specially designed to transport such high-frequency signals effectively. This means that the signal received by the spectrum analyser used for the measurement remains virtually unchanged.

With the SPECTRAN V6 real-time spectrum analysers of the XPR family, equipped with sweep speeds of >3THz/s and state-of-the-art waveguide technology, high-frequency and rapidly changing signals in the microwave range can be reliably analysed and evaluated. For example, the SPECTRAN V6 PLUS XPR 250XB-WR12 provides 10dB NF at 77GHz. This makes it ideal for radar measurements, for instance, in the automotive sector (76GHz to 81GHz). In addition, the V6 XPR series is an attractively priced solution despite its ability to stream IQ data continuously and without gaps. Thanks to the waveguide connection of the real-time spectrum analysers from the company, it may be possible in the future to connect your own amplifier and splitter systems to meet the respective requirements.

The SPECTRAN V6 real-time spectrum analysers allow extremely precise signal acquisition via Ultra Wide Band Panorama Spectrum Monitoring over a wide frequency range. "In this way, frequency interference in complex communication environments, for example, can be detected at an early stage. By adding Real-Time Direction Finding (rtDF), they can be determined quickly and precisely in real-time and, if necessary, countermeasures can be initiated – a must-have not only for critical infrastructure," explains Peter May, technical manager of Measurement Technology at Aaronia AG.

With the SPECTRAN V6 Command Center, the company presents the world's fastest real-time spectrum analysis solution. The system allows fast broadband frequency monitoring with simultaneous detailed analysis, including data recording. Any signal can be displayed in a wide variety of ways. The demodulation or decoding of many signal types can also be carried out without any problems. This makes the Command Center the basis for many solutions in frequency regulation, signal localisation or drone detection.

The system has 128GB of RAM and 8TB of SSD data storage. If needed, this can be expanded to up to 120TB to store raw I/Q data of short signal pulses or long-term SPECTRA data. A virtually ' unlimited ' recording time is available thanks to the Smart Buffering solution, which overwrites the oldest data with new information. The mobile real-time spectrum analyser is equipped with two 24" 4K monitors and is housed in a robust, outdoor-suitable case with wheels for easy transportation. The two widescreen monitors provide a combined resolution of 3840 x 4320 pixels and are designed to display the entire frequency range or to monitor several frequency bands simultaneously in real-time.

To fully exploit the performance of the SPECTRAN V6 real-time spectrum analysers, the company will also be presenting its broadband antenna range. This includes the new PowerLOG horn antennas up to 70GHz and various real-time direction-finding solutions based on the improved and further developed IsoLOG DF DF and tracking antenna.

The IsoLOG DF 16-10180 has a frequency range of 1GHz-18GHz, while the IsoLOG DF 16-20400 has a frequency range of 2GHz-40GHz. Thanks to its extremely high direction-finding accuracy of up to 1° when using the SPECTRAN real-time spectrum analysers, the IsoLOG 3D DF series is the ideal solution for frequency monitoring or drone detection systems. The 360° coverage is accomplished without mechanically rotating components within the antennas, which minimises wear and failure. At the same time, switching speeds of up to 8μs ensure reliable detection of even extremely short signals. By combining several systems, larger safety-critical areas such as airports can be additionally protected. In addition to the vehicle integration of such systems, the company also provides solutions for spectrum monitoring of entire regions, as needed by frequency regulators, for example.

Visit the company Satellite 2025, booth A2911, from 10-13 March 2025 or afterwards at IWCE Las Vegas on 19-20 March 2025.