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Spectrum analyzer nf-5020
* Australian Government Department of Defence,Edingburgh, Australia
* Daimler Chrysler AG, Bremen, Germany
* Eurocontrol (Flug berwachung), Belgium
* DLR (Deutsches Zentrum f r Luft- und Raumfahrt), K ln, Germany
* BAM (Bundesanstalt f r Materialforschung und Pr fung), Berlin, Germany
* BUND (Bundeswehr/Bundesministerium der Verteidigung), Leer, Germany
* Nieder sterreichische Landesregierung (Gesundheit & Soziales), St. P lten, Austria
* Max-Planck-Institut f r Radioastronomie, Bonn, Germany
* Carl Zeiss Jena GmbH, Jena, Germany
* ThyssenKrupp, Stuttgart, Germany
* Siemens AG, Konstanz & Erlangen, Germany
* PHILIPS Forschungslaboratorien, Aachen, Germany
Measurement of electric and magnetic fields in this price range has never been this PROFESSIONAL.
The highly complex calculations in spectrum analysis incl. exposure limit calculation is being performed, unnoticed in the background, by a high-performance DSP (digital signal processor). This ultra-fast processor even allows, depending on the settings, REAL-TIME display with a NF-5020 (could you ask for more?). Simply amazing!
Fast, handy, cost-effective, beautiful exterior and PRECISION - what more could you ask ?
Affordable PRO measurement equipment: SPECTRAN 10xx
Professional EMF measurement devices use a frequency dependant measurement approach, the so-called spectrum analysis. In a certain frequency range, the individuals signals and their respective strengths are being broken down, for example into a "bargraph" display (see SPECTRAN screenshot on the right). The height of the individual bars represents the corresponding signal strength. For the 3 strongest signal sources, SPECTRAN can automatically displays the frequency and signal level, thanks to its "Auto Marker" feature. Of course, you can also setup the filter width and the frequency range to be analysed as you like.
In the EMF (LF) spectrum shown here, a frequency range of approx. 20Hz to 60Hz from left to right is being analysed. During analysis, the Auto Marker feature has determined - fully automatic - two main signal sources:
Signal#2=50 (mains power) at 75 T
The very common low cost BROADBAND MEASUREMENT DEVICES (especially common among novice users) do not give you too valuable information at all. You do receive a measurement result (for example, 500nT), but what is the frequency ? Of how many radiation sources is this result composed? What causes the radiation ? Are there multiple sources ? Is the reading maybe even composed of several signal sources ? What is the corresponding exposure limit for this reading ? What IS the exposure limit if a mixture of several frequencies is present ? Questions and yet more questions WITHOUT an answer. In contrast, using a SPECTRUM ANALYSER, you will ALSO consider the frequency of the signal sources, as the frequency is JUST as important as the signal strength itself. ONLY using the frequency information, a radiation source can be isolated reliably, and ONLY using the frequency, calculation of frequency-dependant exposure limits can be accomplished.
display starting with NF-1010E
LF spectrum display and automatic multi-marker display on the digital screen of SPECTRAN (Screenshot)
LONG-TERM MEASUREMENT (Data logging feature)
SPECTRAN measurement devices with data logger allow long-term recordings of measurement results over a freely adjustable period of time. This is particularly indispensable for SERIOUS evaluation of exposure by appliances and machinery which have a changing power consumption or radiation strength over time. Examples for these include railroads, power lines and plants, but also home appliances and their respective power cables, and various high-frequency transmission facilities like mobile phone transmission towers, mobile phones, radar etc. Depending on the time of day, CONSIDERABLE variation of exposure can occur (see attached graphics). WITHOUT long-term recordings, MASSIVE misinterpretation of total exposure can occur. With long-term data logging using SPECTRAN , the daily variation of exposure can be recorded and analysed. Thus, the ACTUAL total exposure can be evaluated precisely.
With this functionality, you can even discover sporadic EMC problems which would otherwise be very hard to detect.
Even though SPECTRAN units "only" last 4 or 7 (depending on model) hours with one battery charge, the intelligent "Powerdown mode" enables much longer data logging and measurement timespans. Finally, if this is not enough, the external power supply can be used to extend the recording timespan infinitely.
Long-term recording with SPECTRAN units is particularly INDISPENSIBLE with measurements of appliances and their cabling if their power output or radiation varies considerably with time. The attached screenshots show the EXTREME variations which can occur in the course of a day. This is a fact widely unknown by many users. In the worst case, measured at the "wrong" time of day, very low levels could be measured, even though the exposure, not to talk about peak exposure, might be higher by a factor of ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND (this is NOT an error) at a different time of day. Great caution needs to be taken, especially if measurement is performed as a commercial service: The very common practice of short-term measurements (being more cost-effective) often cannot evaluate the ACTUAL daily level of exposure.
daily variation magnetic field of heat pump, traction power etc. in a
Daily variation of various radiation sources discloses MASSIVE variation in exposure
Exposure limit calculation used to be a complex and awkward procedure even for the professional, as most of the time, a chaotic mixture of an abundance of different frequencies, modulations and signal strengths is present.
The indispensible, highly complex calculation of frequency-dependant exposure limits can ONLY be performed CONFORMING TO STANDARDS by a spectrum analyser with high-performance software. Not a problem for SPECTRAN units: They can calculate even several authoritative exposure limits, precautionary limits and recommendations (simply selectable via a button) and display these as a practical bargraph display (including convergence display in percent!), while the measurement is running.
The attached SPECTRAN screenshot demonstrates how it works: At the push of a button, the ICNIRP exposure limit has been chosen among the various available exposure limits. SPECTRAN now automatically calculates convergence or excess of this limit. For achieving this, often thousands of complex calculations have to be performed per second, and a steady scan of the entire frequency range needs to be performed. A true nightmare for every processor. In our test case, the graphic display shows an approximation towards the ICNIRP limit by 6,06%. If you use a NF-5030 you can even cover the total ICNIRP-banwidth (depending on frequency). Hence, even the novice can perform exposure limit calculations ACCORDING TO STANDARDS without having to use complex tables and calculators.
It really can't get any simpler.
The very common low cost BROADBAND MEASUREMENT DEVICES (especially common among novice users) do not give you too valuable information at all. Due to the MISSING frequency reference with low cost broadband units, DRAMATIC misinterpretations can arise: when exposure limits are calculated, these can be wrong by MORE than a factor of 1000!! (this is NOT an error, we do really mean ONE THOUSAND).
Frequency-dependant exposure limits demand complex calculations
Graphic display of frequency-dependant exposure limits. They disclose the INDISPENSIBLE consideration of signal frequency
Dead-easy exposure limit calculation with SPECTRAN units SPECTRAN displays exposure limits both as percentage as well as a bargraph display. Our example shows approximation to the ICNIRP exposure limits by 6,06%. (Screenshot)
The new standard: 3D MEASUREMENT
3D magnetic field measurement:
Mismeasurement caused by wrongly adjusting the measurement device in space or troublesome and complex 3D calculations with a calculator are a problem of the past from now on, thanks to SPECTRAN EMF (LF) measurement devices. All SPECTRAN EMF measurement devices can measure magnetic fields directly in 3D! Starting with the SPECTRAN NF-1010E, field strengths of the individual X, Y and Z axes can even be shown seperately. This has become possible thanks to the newest development from the Aaronia laboratories: Our high-tech REAL 3D miniature sensor coil. Consisting of a specially crafted nylon base with 3 independant windings made of ultra-thin, 0,05 mm! wire, it impresses with its extremely high sensitivity. It allows measurement of magnetic fields in all 3 spacial dimensions. The signal processor (DSP) of the SPECTRAN performs the resulting highly complex calculations. You receive 3D measurement results which can otherwise only be achieved by using highly professional equipment.
Units commonly found on the market which are particularly in use by novices for "EMF measurement" can, for the most part, ONLY measure magnetic fields in ONE dimension. Hence, by misaligning the measurement device in space, SERIOUS mismeasurement can occur: in extreme cases, no magnetic field might be shown at all even though an extremely high exposure is present. Tedious and complex 3D measurements are often not performed at all, or wrongly (especially by the novice). In contrast, SPECTRAN can performs magnetic field measurements in 3D and thus offers PROFESSIONAL measurement right from the start!
Aaronia REAL-3D magnetic field sensor
The huge, high resoution digital LC display more than 80x60 mm in size! It has been developed especially for SPECTRAN by Aaronia. Needless to say, is uses FSTN quality for crystal clear display. It covers a vast amount of display capabilities (listed from top to bottom):
* Big graphics display (pixel display) with 51x25 pixels (can be used for complex spectrum and exposure limit display, convenient menu navigation, etc.)
* HUGE numeric display (4 digits, max. 9999)
* Large, high-resolution bargraph (50 segments) for very responsive trend display
* Various function and mode indication display blocks (AUDIO, MODE, MEMORY etc.)
* Large multi-function text display (6 text fields / e.g. for displaying units, service information, etc.)
* Three further big numeric displays (4 digits each, each max. 9999 / e.g. for simultaneous display of MIN, MAX, AVG values, 3 marker values, etc.)
* Triple multi-function text displays (Next to each of the previously described numeric displays / 3x3 text fields each / used e.g. for unit display for markers, etc.)
* Three more multi-function text displays (directly beneith the previously described displays / 3x6 text fields each / e.g. ADDITIONAL values AND unit display for markers, etc.)
* Battery status and charging display (incl. "CHARGING" and "LOW")
* 6 numerical displays for flexible bargraph scaling (incl. multiplication factor and percentage display)
Thanks to the vast amount of flexible display options, this device can display various readings, a bargraph AND a spectral display (starting from NF-1010E resp. HF-2025E) SIMULTANEOUSLY, without bothersome switching back and forth.
Using SPECTRAN , the user is supplied with virtually ALL information AT ONCE, without the hassle of switching back and forth. Where else can you find such luxury at a similar price ?
The COMPLETE digital multifunction display of SPECTRAN at a glance
Lots of power: The rechargable Aaronia NiMH and LiPo Power-Battery
Starting with the SPECTRAN NF-1010E or SPECTRAN HF-2025E, respectively, the rechargable Aaronia NiMH battery is supplied as standard. It has been developed specifically for the SPECTRAN devices and is optimally suited for their requirements. Thanks to NiMH technology, the dreaded "Memory effect" is now a thing of the past, as with this power battery, maximum quality and long life have been our primary goals. Another reason why such a battery technology is necessary is the high power demand of the high-performance DSP used in all SPECTRAN units, especially in the RF versions, which furthermore include very demanding RF receiving circuitry. Still, it is astounding that even when using the standard version of the Aaronia battery (1300mAh), continuous operation of the SPECTRAN for approx. 3 hours is possible. The special Lithium Polymer version with 3000mAh (available at an extra charge) bumps this up to a stunning 8,5 hours! This is certainly a new all-time record for portable, battery-supplied spectrum analysers, or do you know a portable spectrum analyser which even remotely provides 8,5 hours of continuous operation with a single battery charge ?
Naturally, the necessary battery charger is also included. At the same time, it can be used for operating the SPECTRAN units with mains power. The battery charger is integrated into all SPECTRAN units, thus SPECTRAN models NF-1010 and HF-2025 can also subsequently be extended with an Aaronia LiPo battery (STRONGLY recommended!).
INCLUDED WITH DELIVERY / Recommended ACCESSORIES / OPTIONS
* LF spectrum analyser SPECTRAN NF-50xx
* Sturdy aluminum-design carrycase (with custom padding!)
* 1300mAh Aaronia battery without charger
* Exhaustive manual with lots of basic information, hints, background information and exposure limit tables
* Rechargable Aaronia 3000mAh LiPo power battery
