Siglent SSA5000-IQA IQ data acquisition (software license)
Records the signal itself instead of a trace: complex I/Q samples, 4 bytes each, in a 1 GByte memory — 125 million I/Q pairs to analyse afterwards.
SSA5000-IQA — I/Q data acquisition
Records the signal itself instead of a trace: complex I/Q samples, 4 bytes each, in a 1 GByte memory — 125 million I/Q pairs to analyse afterwards.
A trace is a summary: the detector and the resolution filter have already decided what to keep. I/Q data is the signal before those decisions — amplitude and phase, sample by sample. With it you can demodulate a format the analyser does not know, re-run an analysis with different settings, or keep a one-off event.
What this option does
What it does
Adds I/Q data acquisition: the analyser tunes to a centre frequency, digitises the span and stores the complex baseband samples. On screen, the IQ Acquisition measurement shows I and Q against time.
What you use it for
Custom demodulation and algorithm development, proprietary and non-standard signals, and archiving a transient for later analysis in your own tools.
In practice
A telemetry link uses a modulation no analyser option covers. A capture at the carrier gives the raw samples; the demodulator is then developed on a PC against real data rather than a simulation.
Siglent’s documentation of this option is short: the data sheet gives the memory figures below, the price list calls it “real-time data capture”, and the user manual describes the on-screen IQ Acquisition measurement (sample rate 1 kHz to 20 MHz, measuring time 1 µs to 10 s). If your work depends on a particular file format, on capture length at a given span, or on transfer to a PC, ask us before ordering and we will check it with Siglent.
From the data sheet and the manual
1 GByte
Storage depth for one acquisition.
125 million pairs
I and Q are 4 bytes each, so 8 bytes per I/Q pair.
Capture length
Samples ÷ (span × 1.25), nominal: the narrower the span, the longer the record.
I and Q on screen
The IQ Acquisition measurement plots both against time in zero span.
Sample rate
1 kHz to 20 MHz in the IQ Acquisition measurement (user manual).
Measuring time
1 µs to 10 s in the IQ Acquisition measurement (user manual).
Averaging
Exponential or repeat averaging of the displayed result.
By key
A software licence; nothing is fitted.
Specification
From the SSA5000A data sheet (EN02A) and user manual.
| Data packing | I = Q = 4 bytes |
| Storage depth | 1 GByte |
| Length in I/Q sample pairs | 125 million (1 GByte ÷ 8 bytes) |
| Length in time | Samples ÷ (span × 1.25), nominal |
| Example, by that formula | 2.5 s at 40 MHz span · 10 s at 10 MHz · 100 s at 1 MHz (nominal, full memory) |
| IQ Acquisition measurement: sample rate | 1 kHz to 20 MHz (user manual) |
| IQ Acquisition measurement: measuring time | 1 µs to 10 s (user manual) |
| Analysis bandwidth | 25 MHz standard · 40 MHz with SSA5000-B40 |
Compatibility and activation
Works on both models, over each model’s frequency range.
Supplied as a licence key issued against the analyser’s serial number — nothing to fit and nothing to return. Enter it under System → System → Load Option, or load the licence file from internal memory or a USB stick; the option is active after a restart.
Questions about SSA5000-IQA
How long can a capture be?
The data sheet gives 125 million I/Q pairs and the formula samples ÷ (span × 1.25). That is nominally 10 s at a 10 MHz span. The user manual limits the on-screen IQ Acquisition measurement to 10 s.
Which file format does it write?
Siglent’s data sheet and manual do not say. If you need a particular format for MATLAB, Python or a vector signal analysis package, tell us and we will confirm it before you order.
What is the difference from the modulation analysis options?
AMA, DMA and BT analyse the signal inside the analyser and show results. IQA gives you the samples, for formats and methods the analyser does not offer.
Do I need the real-time option for it?
Siglent states no dependency. IQA is listed as an option of its own in the ordering information.
How is the licence delivered?
Supplied as a licence key issued against the analyser’s serial number — nothing to fit and nothing to return. Enter it under System → System → Load Option, or load the licence file from internal memory or a USB stick; the option is active after a restart. Add the analyser’s serial number to your order, or send it to us afterwards.
Can I return a licence?
Software licences and activation keys are delivered electronically and are excluded from the 14-day EU return right once the key has been issued. If you are unsure, ask us first.
Planning an SSA5000A measurement?
Tell us the signal, the frequency range and what you need to measure. We will confirm the model and the options you need before you order.