Siglent SDS7000A-RFA Spectrum Analyzer mode, RTSA / DDC / signal analysis (software)
Siglent SDS7000A-RFA is a Spectrum Analyzer mode: real-time spectrum analysis, digital down-conversion and on-board SigVSA — A models only. For the SDS7000A. ( license option )
SDS7000A-RFA — Spectrum Analyzer mode, RTSA / DDC / signal analysis (software), A models
Spectrum Analyzer mode: real-time spectrum analysis, digital down-conversion and on-board SigVSA — A models only.
Supplied as a licence key issued against the instrument's serial number. There is no hardware to fit and nothing to return: the code is entered in the instrument's own menu and the function is available immediately, on the instrument you already own.
What this option does
What it does
Switches an A-model SDS7000A into a real-time spectrum analyser on any of C1 to C4: 125 MHz, 250 MHz, 500 MHz or 1 GHz of analysis bandwidth, FFT lengths to 8 M, density, spectrogram and 3D views, a frequency-mask trigger, and a probability of intercept of 1.76 µs at 500 MHz. The digital down-converter delivers I/Q records of 2 k to 8 M points that the built-in SigVSA software analyses on the instrument, from BPSK to 4096QAM, LTE, 5G NR and WLAN.
What you use it for
An EMI hunt, a modulation check or a transient in a crowded band without unplugging the bench and fetching an analyser — and the prerequisite for every SigVSA demodulation licence (LTE, 5G NR, WLAN, Bluetooth, HRP-UWB, frequency hopping).
In practice
A radio module drops its link once a minute. The spectrogram over 50 s shows a short interferer sweeping through the channel; the frequency-mask trigger then catches the next occurrence and the time-domain capture beside it points at the switching regulator that causes it.
⚠ A models only (SDS7304A, SDS7404A, SDS7604A and SDS7804A H12). The AP models do not offer Spectrum Analyzer mode. The SigVSA demodulation licences are sold on the SigVSA product and unlock only when SDS7000A-RFA is installed.
Spectrum Analyzer mode at a glance
From the SDS7000A data sheet EN04A.
| Models | A models only — SDS7304A, SDS7404A, SDS7604A, SDS7804A H12 |
| Source | C1–C4 |
| Analysis bandwidth | 125 MHz, 250 MHz, 500 MHz, 1 GHz |
| FFT length | RTSA on: 2 k · RTSA off: 2 k to 8 M |
| FFT windows | Rectangular, Blackman, Hanning, Hamming, Flattop, Blackman-Harris, Gaussian |
| RTSA | Sweep time 30 ms to 50 s · views: density, spectrogram, 3D, 3D + spectrogram, density + spectrogram · POI 1.76 µs at 500 MHz bandwidth |
| Traces and detectors | Clear write, max hold, min hold, average, view, blank · positive peak, negative peak, average, sample |
| Triggers | RTSA on: free run, frequency-mask trigger · RTSA off: free run, IF magnitude |
| DDC output | I/Q, 2 k to 8 M points, saved or analysed directly by the built-in SigVSA |
| Signal analysis | Built-in SigVSA; demodulation licences (LTE, 5G NR, WLAN, Bluetooth, HRP-UWB, hopping) sold separately |
Compatibility
Spectrum Analyzer mode is an A-model function. The two AP models are listed so the difference is visible, not because the key fits them.
| Model | Bandwidth / channels | SDS7000A-RFA |
|---|---|---|
| SDS7304A H12 | 3 GHz · 4 ch · A model (H12) | Compatible |
| SDS7404A H12 | 4 GHz · 4 ch · A model (H12) | Compatible |
| SDS7604A H12 | 6 GHz · 4 ch · A model (H12) | Compatible |
| SDS7604AP | 6 GHz · 4 ch · AP: 20 GSa/s on all channels | Not for this model |
| SDS7804A H12 | 8 GHz · 4 ch · A model (H12) | Compatible |
| SDS7804AP (on request) | 8 GHz · 4 ch · AP: 20 GSa/s on all channels | Not for this model |
The SDS7804AP is listed in Siglent’s price list and data sheet; ask us for price and availability.
Related options and accessories
Questions about SDS7000A-RFA
Does it work on the SDS7604AP or SDS7804AP?
No. Spectrum Analyzer mode is available on the A models only — SDS7304A, SDS7404A, SDS7604A and SDS7804A H12. The AP models do not offer it.
Do I need this for SigVSA?
To run SigVSA on the instrument, yes: the SigVSA demodulation licences (LTE/LTE-A, 5G NR, WLAN, Bluetooth, HRP-UWB, frequency hopping) are sold on the SigVSA product and unlock only when SDS7000A-RFA is installed. Basic vector signal analysis, custom OFDM and digital modulation analysis come with SigVSA itself.
How wide is the real-time bandwidth?
Up to 1 GHz of analysis bandwidth with a probability of intercept of 1.76 µs at 500 MHz (data sheet EN04A). The density, spectrogram and 3D views and the frequency-mask trigger are what make short, intermittent signals visible.
How is the licence delivered?
Supplied as a licence key issued against the instrument's serial number. There is no hardware to fit and nothing to return: the code is entered in the instrument's own menu and the function is available immediately, on the instrument you already own. Add the instrument’s serial number to your order, or send it to us afterwards — the key is issued against it.
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 which key you need, ask us first — with your serial number we can confirm it.
Not sure this is the right key?
Send us your serial number and what you want to measure. We will confirm the exact option before you order.