Handheld analyzer for 120 MHz IQ streaming

Keysight Technologies has unveiled the N99xxD FieldFox handheld analyzer, designed to assist engineers operating in congested RF environments. This innovative device supports 120 MHz gap-free IQ streaming and high-speed 10 GbE data transfer for wideband signal capture directly on site. It is tailored for spectrum monitoring, interference hunting, and field verification tasks that would typically rely on benchtop instruments.

For readers of eeNews Europe, the N99xxD FieldFox could prove invaluable for RF design and test teams in Europe looking to characterize 5G, radar, satellite, and emerging 6G signals closer to deployment. Additionally, it may be of interest to spectrum regulators and defense users seeking portable tools that seamlessly integrate into lab-grade workflows.

FieldFox D-Series: A Focus on Wideband RF Troubleshooting

The N99xxD-Series expands Keysight’s FieldFox family with a specific emphasis on wideband signal analysis in challenging RF environments, ranging from commercial networks to mission-critical systems. This platform combines the ruggedness expected of a field unit with measurement performance that rivals lab analyzers, aiming to minimize the risk of overlooking transient or intermittent events.

Key features include 120 MHz gap-free IQ streaming with integrated SFP+ interfaces for 10 GbE links, facilitating uninterrupted data capture and efficient offload to storage or analysis back-ends. The wideband analysis and playback capabilities are designed to support tasks such as spectrum utilization monitoring, interference hunting, and the characterization of complex modulation schemes.

The N99xxD-Series comprises 14 handheld analyzer models, available in combination and spectrum-only variants, with maximum frequencies ranging from 14 to 54 GHz. Over 25 software-defined applications are offered, including vector network analysis, real-time spectrum analysis, noise figure, EMI diagnostics, pulse analysis, and direction-finding based on angle of arrival and time difference of arrival.

Enhancing Field and Lab Workflows with Gap-Free IQ Streaming

Keysight positions the FieldFox D-Series as a crucial link between field measurements and lab analysis. The 120 MHz gap-free IQ streaming, combined with tools to replicate real-world scenarios on benchtop instruments, can aid European labs in validating designs against conditions observed on 5G, satellite, or defense sites.

The handheld analyzer is integrated with Keysight Spectrum Management Software (KSMS S9910A) and a machine-learning model (S9916A) that classifies major wireless standards like LTE, 5G NR, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. This AI-assisted workflow aims to expedite time-to-resolution in congested or contested spectrum, a key area of interest for regulators and defense users in Europe.

Eric Taylor, General Manager and Vice President of Keysight Aerospace, Defense, and Government Solutions, expressed, “Keysight is dedicated to providing robust, efficient tools that empower customers to tackle demanding field tasks. With high-speed interfaces, gap-free streaming, and secure Linux operations, the new FieldFox D-Series redefines portable RF analysis — offering capabilities such as signal sensing, geolocation, and spectrum management in a rugged handheld platform."