Atec IDA-3106 User Manual

IDA-3106

Interference Analyzer

Interference and
Direction Analyzer

Portable signal analyzer for radio monitoring and interference analysis
from 9 kHz to 6 GHz. Active directional antennas with embedded electronic
compass for emission location from 20 MHz to 6 GHz

Extremely fast sweep time at 12 GHz/s
Real-time bandwidth of up to 32 MHz

for intercepting short term signals

Direction Finding Mode with

automatic azimuth determination

Embedded GPS receiver and electronic

compass for easy emitter location

SmartDF manages triangulation

results and automatically calculates
emitter positions

Rugged and highly size-efficient low weight

package (less than 3 kg)

OPTIONAL

Mapping capabilities with onboard

maps stored on microSD card

High resolution oscilloscopic

view for signal classification

I/Q demodulation recorder

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IDA-3106 Analyzer with Directional Antenna

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DESCRIPTION

IDA-3106 is a highly sensitive signal analyzer combining excellent RF
signal selectivity with high speed monitoring capabilities and built-in
geolocation tools including dual-compass and mapping software. The
system is designed for portable use and outdoor field applications as
well as for indoor emitter location and is the ideal solution when high
mobility and rapid deployment are essential.
The main tasks for IDA-3106 are detecting, classifying and localizing RF
signals. The unique directional antenna set with embedded electronic
compass and data communication between antenna and analyzer
makes these jobs very easy. Outstanding for a portable device are such
features as Horizontal Scan with automatic azimuth determination and
SmartDF for auto calculation of emitter positions.
The rugged, ergonomic design withstands mechanical stress, foul
weather conditions and very high RF exposure.

Outdoor localization of radio transmitters

APPLICATONS

Further rapid growth in the use of mobile wireless technologies is
certain. The risk of RF interference due to unintended emissions will
increase as a result. IDA-3106 has been developed to quickly detect
and find any kind of RF emission. Some example applications are:

Detecting interference caused by industrial facilities
Securing communication at mega events
Localization of emergency transmitters
Jammer location
Radio monitoring tasks
Security-critical missions
Localization of miniature transmitters
Signal monitoring for border patrols
Close range reconnaissance
Detection of improvised explosive devices (IED)

Interference may be generated by sources at a shared
antenna site

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Securing communication on events

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OPERATING MODES

Detecting, classifying and localizing emissions successfully greatly
depends on result visualization. IDA-3106 meets this requirement,
thanks to its various operating modes and impressive presentation of
measurement results. The following operating modes are available:

SPECTRUM
DIRECTION FINDING
MULTI CHANNEL POWER
LEVEL METER
SCOPE and IQ Demodulation (option)

Spectrum

Spectrum mode provides extremely fast scans across the entire
frequency range, ideal for detecting, monitoring and analyzing all
kinds of signals. A full 6 GHz spectrum scan is performed in less
than 500 ms, even for high-resolution results (RBW = 500 kHz, 250
kHz marker resolution).
The extremely low noise level down to -30 dBµV/m in conjunction
with Narda Directional Antennas allows the detection even of very
low-power devices.
Resolution bandwidths range from 10 Hz to 20 MHz to match any
modern communications equipment or even of pulsed signals.
Maximum (Max), average value (Avg) and minimum (Min) traces
allow initial classification of the nature of a signal.
Suspect signals can be isolated using convenient marker functions,
can be quickly zoomed in on and directly transferred to the other
operating modes for in-depth analysis.

SPECTROGRAM (Waterfall) view is ideal for long-term surveillance

f the RF spectrum and identification of permanent, transient and

o
frequency-hopping signals. This view also allows identification of
emitters with varying power and/or varying bandwidths.
An outstanding feature is the capability of simultaneously recording
RMS, +Peak and -Peak traces of the spectrogram.

The large 7-inch color display presents the results as

a spectrum,
a spectrogram,
a spectrum and spectrogram,
or as a table of highest peaks

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Spectrum view for detection purposes

Spectrum view for initial classification of signals

Spectrum and Spectrogram view for transient detection

Direction Finding

(requires Narda directional antennas)

Manual Bearing

Once the signals of interest have been identified, bar graph and
numerical representation of the signal level make it easy to
determine the direction (maximum level). Alongside the screen
information, an audible tone dependent on field strength is available
to enable location of hot spots without looking at the monitor. The
current antenna orientation is displayed on the IDA screen, and is
updated continuously with the aid of an embedded electronic
compass. Supplemented by the position measured by the
integrated GPS receiver, this provides ideal support for classical
direction finding.

Horizontal Scan

Horizontal Scan provides accurate and automatic determination of
the azimuth of the targeted emitter. For each frequency of interest a
scan is started and stopped by pushbutton on the antenna handle,
with the antenna being smoothly rotated horizontally during the
scan. A transmitter table of frequencies can be created to simplify
and speed up scanning of multiple signals.

The measurement results of a horizontal antenna scan are shown in
a polar diagram. Based on this information, IDA calculates the most
likely direction of the emitter. Continuous or discrete point scans
can be performed. Audio indication helps to keep the antenna
levelled to avoid polarization or elevation errors. As soon as the
scan result has been saved, SmartDF handles further processing.

SmartDF

Localization can be performed by triangulation from at least two
direction-finding results. An additional estimation of the distance to
the emitter can be made by considering the signal attenuation vs.
distance. The SmartDF algorithm determines latitude and longitude
of the targeted emitter based on the saved Horizontal Scan or
Manual Bearing results. Positions and directions are displayed as a
graph, underlaid with an optional map. No more need for paper
maps, compass and pencil. For indoor use (e.g. in conference
rooms) SmartDF supplies an editable room plan display.

Direction finding using Manual Bearing

Horizontal scan is a quick direction finding tool

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Optional maps support localization of an emitter

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Multi Channel Power

MCP mode is perfect for a very fast overview of specified frequency
bands or channels. Service tables can be defined containing up to
500 freely selectable channels each with a dedicated RBW and
service name.
Simultaneous representation of maximum (Max), average (Avg) and
minimum (Min) values allows immediate distinction between
permanent and non-permanent signals.

Level Meter

Level Meter mode allows selective measurements at a defined
frequency (Fcent) e.g. for monitoring a specific channel (Zero Span
operation). Resolution bandwidth (RBW) can be set according to the
channel width in the range of 100 Hz to 32 MHz. The steep filter
characteristics provide precise separation from adjacent channels.
Peak detector values (for short pulsed) and RMS detector values
(for fluctuating signals) are displayed simultaneously. Level Meter
mode provides gapless and interruption-free measurements.

Scope and IQ Demodulation (Option)

Multi Channel Power for an overview of who is on air

Level Meter for gapless signal measurements

Scope mode provides an oscilloscopic view of signals. Almost all
details can be made visible in this mode to allow rapid classification.
The minimum resolution time of 32 ns even allows analysis of high­speed data transmissions or pulsed signals such as radar.
A top sweep time of 24 hours allows full-day power monitoring of a
single carrier. Extensive trigger functions allow for triggering and
subsequent display of burst signals including a pre-trigger view.
RF signals can be completely described by I/Q data. The I/Q
Demodulation Recorder enables the user to store I/Q data on the
instrument and transfer it to PC for analysis.

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Scope view for detailed analysis versus time

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