Berkeley Varitronics Systems BumbleBee-TABLET User Manual

BumbleBee-TABLET

Tablet PC Spectrum Analyzer

manual version 1.6

BumbleBee-TABLET Interface Hardware user’s manual

BumbleBee-TABLET/BumbleBee-TABLET Interface Hardware

Unpacking Your BumbleBee-TABLET.................................................................................... 2

About Your BumbleBee-TABLET........................................................................................... 3

Powering Your BumbleBee-TABLET...................................................................................... 3

OpeningYour BumbleBee-TABLET........................................................................................ 3

Optional Direction Finding Antenna Specifications................................................................... 4

BumbleBee-TABLET Accessories Sheet................................................................................. 5

BumbleBee-TABLET Data Sheet.......................................................................................... 5

BumbleBee-TABLET Interface Software user’s manual

1. Establishing connection between BumbleBee Receiver and BumbleBee Tablet Software....... 7

2. Description of Toolbar buttons……………………………………………………................. 8

3. Description of the Tab Options……………………………………………………..........…. 14

3.1 Frequency Control ……………………………………………………........……… 14

3.2 Power Trigger Mode…………………………………………………………........... 15

3.3 Reference Level……………………………………………………………….......... 18

3.4 Resolution Bandwidth……………………………………………………............... 19

3.5 Markers………………………………………………………………………........... 20

3.6 Peak Hold……………………………………………………………........………… 22

3.7 Trace Averaging……………………………………………………………….......... 23

3.8 Bin Averaging………………………………………………………………….......... 24

3.9 Presets…………………………………………………………………………........ 25

4. Channel Power Measurements………………………………………...........……........ 27

4.1 Using Markers……………………………………………………………….…... 27

4.2 Using the Selection Tool……………………………………………………….... 27

4.3 Examples of Channel Power Measurement Capabilities……………………….. 30

4.4 Using the Trigger Mode………………………………………………………..... 33

5 Recording and Replaying a Spectrum Log File……………………...........…………………... 32

6 User-defined Presets……………………………………………………...........………………. 33

7 IMPORTANT NOTES ON THE BUMBLEBEE TABLET PC…….…..……………...........…………… 35

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Please disable the Wireless LAN Radio and the Bluetooth Transmitter on the Tablet PC to minimize interference with the
BumbleBee Receiver before you establish a connection.

1

Unpacking Your BumbleBee-TABLET

BumbleBee-TABLET protective case
& Panasonic Toughbook Tablet

Documentation includes software (CD or SD
card), user’s manual and claibration certificate

Unpack and assemble your BumbleBee-TABLET unit as shown. Your BumbleBee-TABLET is a self-contained spectrum analyzer. The user interface
(Panasonic Toughbook Tablet ), antenna and power connections are all accessible, but there is usually no need to open the protective, yellow rubber
casing. The tablet may be disconnected and removed and batteries changed by users but the other components should only be accessed by Berkeley
technicians. Removing such components will void your hardware warranty. Please consult the included Samsung Q1 documentation for complete
operating instructions, troubleshooting and tips of tablet PC. When you open your yellow, hard, protective case you will see the
unit with receiver hidden below it, included

tion card, tablet power/charging adapter and BumbleBee receiver Ni-MH battery charger.

BumbleBee-TABLET available options shown below

antenna (frequency depending upon model ordered), spare Ni-MH AA batteries, CF serial communica-

Panasonic Toughbook Tablet & BumbleBee­TABLET user’s manual and software

BumbleBee-TABLET

2

SMA Male Antenna Input

Warning: Maximum input 0 dBm NO DC Input

BumbleBee-TABLET FRONT VIEW

BumbleBee-TABLET
Receiver USB Cable

3

Optional Direction Finding Antenna Specications

900 MHz Direction Finding Yagi

Frequency 890-960 MHz
Gain 9 dBi
Polarization Horizontal or Vertical
Horizontal Beam Width 54°
Vertical Beam Width 48°
Front to Back Ratio 14 dB
Impedance 50 Ohm
Max. Input Power 100 Watts
VSWR < 1.5:1 avg.
Elements 5
Weight 1.5 lbs. (0.7 kg)
Length 19.6 in. (0.5 m)
Mounting 2 in. (50.8 mm) diameter

mast max.
Operating Temperature -40° C to to 85° C
(-40° F to 185° F)

Lightning Protection DC Short
Connector N-Female

2.4 GHz Direction Finding
Corner Reflector

900 MHz Omni-Directional (9.5” long)

2.4 GHz Omni-Directional (7.5” long)

4.9/5 GHz Direction Finding
Corner Reflector

4.9/5 GHz Omni-Directional (5.5” long)

4

Accessories for your

OPTIONAL

OPTIONAL

OPTIONAL

OPTIONAL

STANDARD

STANDARD

STANDARD

STANDARD

STANDARD

OPTIONAL

OPTIONAL

OPTIONAL

OPTIONAL

12VDC to 110VAC car cigarette
lighter power inverter
75 Watts output
P/N BB-12V

$ 35.00

900 MHz DF Yagi Antenna with
mounting bracket, cable & SMA male
9 dBi gain
P/N 900-Y
$ 125.00

Bumble Bee-TABLET

Ni-MH Fast-Charger
4 AA 6 V
P/N NIMH-001
$ 55.00

Rugged Carrying Case
ABS Plastic
P/N P-CASE
$ 100.00

Data Playback Windows PC
Software
$ 250.00

4.9/5 GHz Direction Finding Antenna
with mounting bracket, cable & SMA
male
9 dBi gain
P/N 5NE
$ 250.00

30 dB attenuator pad for use with
directional antennas (between
DF antenna & BumbleBee) SMA
male to female
P/N bbpad30
$ 30.00

Honeycomb
Interference Mapping Software

Ask for a Quote

2.4 GHz Omni Antenna
SMA male swivel
P/N S151AM-2450S

$ 25.00

900 MHz Omni Antenna
SMA male swivel
P/N C191AM-925
$ 25.00

2.4 GHz Direction Finding
Antenna with mounting brack­et, cable & SMA male
9 dBi gain
P/N 2ND

$ 250.00

4.9/5 GHz Omni Antenna
SMA male swivel
Co-Linear Dipole 5 dBi VSWR 1.8:1
P/N K181AM-5250S

5

$ 25.00

TM

C

HONEYCOMB

RF Interference-Mapping Site Surveys

Create Survey Maps:

HoneyComb Projector (PC)

1

Import any image file of a floorplan or site

Create a distance projection

Add simple objects to image

Add custom objects to floorplan

Scale and crop image

Save for use in Collector and Analyzer

Honeycomb™ allows
either BumbleBee­TABLET users or

Use Yellowjacket

802.11b/g PLUS
receiver hardware
for handheld sur-
veys anywhere in the
world.

BumbleBee handheld
(iPAQ) users to map
interference using BVS
receiver technology.

HoneyComb™ is Windows XP (Tablet/PC or iPAQ/PC) interference-

mapping software designed for use with the BumbleBee™-TABLET

spectrum analyzer system. It consists of three parts: Projector, Collector,

and Analyzer. Sources of interference can be separated from 802.11

WLAN signals, allowing the user to graph severity of interference,

percentage of channel capacity remaining and other significant

interference related quantities. HoneyComb

jamming interference, unintentional interference and network

intrusion as well as channel verification. HoneyComb

map all likely signal sources and strengths for helping to clear

“RF free zones.” Floorplans or site maps can be used as a

reference to collect data leaving the resulting interference

maps to be overlayed onto floorplans for easy identification

of interference prone areas.

H NEY

M

B

™

aids in locating

™

will also

Instant RF Surveys:

Honeycomb Collector (iPAQ)

2

Save multiple data files while using same projection file

Ability to choose up to 26 802.11b/a/g channels

Adjust duration of scan

Adjust period of scan for each channel

Automatically saves data to file

Take screen snapshots of any site

Saves data for further analysis in HoneyComb™ Analyzer

Shows walk/drive path

Access information on any point at any time

Plot Interference Analysis:

Honeycomb Analyzer (PC)

3

Imports data from other Honeycomb applications

Detect/Separate interference from Wi-Fi signals

Interference severity and channel

Plot and view interference-related problems

Wi-Fi channel capacity for intrusion detection

Plot and view “RF free zones”

Print and export plots into bmp files

Create a HTML report for any survey area

OPTIONAL SOFTWARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR BUMBLEBEE

7

1. Establishing a Connection with the receiver:

Double click the BumbleBee Tablet icon on the desktop to start the software.

Ensure that the USB cable is properly connected to both, the Tablet PC and the BumbleBee Receiver.

Once this is done, click on the toolbar to connect to the BumbleBee Receiver. The connection box

pops up with the USB device listed in the list box.

Fig 1: USB Connection

Select the listing which indicates that the product is a BUMBLEBEE TABLET and click OK.

On clicking OK, the software will establish a connection with the BumbleBee Receiver. Once connection

is successful, the receiver will be set in the default spectrum mode which is centered at 2425 MHz and

spans 50 MHz with a Resolution Bandwidth of 50 KHz and a Receiver reference level of –20 dBm.

.

8

2 Description of Tool Bar Buttons:

2.1 Connection:

This button is establishes a connection with the hardware as discussed above.

2.2 Snapshot:

This button takes a snapshot of the application window. The snapshot can be saved either as a jpeg

or a bmp at any location.

2.3 Selection Tool:

This button is used to select an area on the Display to measure spectral power within the selected

area or to zoom into the selected area.

This button is first clicked, then the mouse is dragged while keeping the Left Button down, over the
desired Spectral Region and that area is highlighted. Spectral Power within this selected region is
calculated and displayed as shown:

2.4 Zoom In:

This button zooms into a selected area.

2.5 Zoom Out:

This button zooms out from a previously zoomed in region.

Fig 2: Spectrum Selection

9

2.6 Record/ Log Spectrum:

Once in the Spectrum Mode or the Trigger Spectrum Mode, the Spectrum Data being viewed on
the Screen may be logged by clicking this button. The Logged File is saved with the spl extension.

2.7 Replay the Logged Spectrum for post-processing/analysis:

This button selects BumbleBee Tablet Log Files (with extension spl) and replays them for post-

processing and analysis. Once the playback begins, this button changes in appearance to . Clicking

this changed button freezes the playback and the button becomes in appearance again. Click this
button again to resume normal playback.

2.8 Stop Recording/Playback:
Stop the current recording or playback.

2.9 Fast Forward:
The replay speed is doubled. Click this button again to resume normal playback.

2.10 Rewind:
The play back is reversed at doubled speed. Click this button again to resume normal playback.

NOTE: For detailed explanation on Logging and re-playing a Spectrum Log File, see page29

2.11 Print Preview & Print.

This prints out the current Spectrum Display. The Display can be printed out either in True Color:

A true snapshot of the Display screen is printed as seen on the Display (with the Black Background); or in

Econo Color: A snapshot of the Display is taken and printed against a white background or in Black and
White: A Black and White print out is taken (i.e. Black foreground against a white background). The

options can be changed in the File menu by Clicking on “Print Color Options”. Once clicked, the

following Dialog Box pops up. Then select the option of choice and then click OK and click see a
preview of the screen.

Fig 3: Print Color Selection Options Dialog

10

Fig 4: A Print Preview for a Black and White (Monochrome) print out.

Fig 5: An Econo Color Print Preview Option

11

Microwave oven. Spread Spectrum Signal; from an 802.11b AP

2.12 Spectrogram Display:

Fig 6: A true Color Print

Fig 7.1: Burst of Microwave Energy from a Fig 7.2: Persistence of a Direct Sequence

12

The Spectrogram Display shows the power gradient of the last 100 spectral sweeps. The Power Gradient is

plotted with Past Instances vs. the Current Span. The spectrogram is displayed using the colors given on

the Color Bar. The Colors in the Color Bar represent the power values between the defined Maximum and

Minimum power values. By selecting either or the corresponding values can be

changed by clicking the buttons. Any power value greater than the Maximum Power value set

is represented by WHITE color in the spectrogram while, any power value lesser than the set Minimum

Power value is represented by BLACK. The Spectrogram can also be displayed for Spectrum being

replayed from BumbleBee Tablet Log Files.

2.13 Histogram Display:

This displays the Histogram Display for the current waveform. The Histogram displays the percentage of

time that the power in each frequency bin is above the threshold.

Fig 8: Histogram Display of an RFID waveform.

13

2.14 Interference Analyst:

The Interference Analyst is a collection of waveforms of most commonly used digital modulation and

transmission techniques in the 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz and 5.8 GHz frequency bands. The Interference Analyst

provides visual representation and description of waveforms of Direct Sequency Spread Spectrum

(DSSS), Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing

(OFDM), Microwave oven Power Leakage. It also provides visual images of what the Spectrum looks like

when one transmission scheme interferes with another. The Interference Analyst is very useful for users

who do not have a good understanding of the above mentioned digital modulation and transmission

schemes. It can be a handy feature for them to detect and identify the type of device transmitting on a

particular channel.

Fig 9: Interference Analyst Display of a Narrow Band waveform.

2.15 Create a User defined Spectrum Preset by saving a Spectrum Context File.

2.16 Re-Open a saved Spectrum Context File to trigger a User-defined Spectrum Preset.

14

3. Tab Options:

The Tabs on the Left and Right hand edge of the application window form the Control and Data Panel for

the BumbleBee Tablet PC Software. Tapping on a Tab with the Stylus will make it pop out on the screen.

Tapping outside the Tab will cause the popped up Tab to slide back and hide.

3.1 Frequency Control Panel:

Fig 10: Frequency Control Panel

The Frequency Control Panel allows the user to set the Center Frequency and the Span of the Spectrum
Analyzer.

To set the Center Frequency

1. Click the Radio Button for the Center Frequency.

2. Click “Clear” to delete the value shown.

3. Enter the Center Frequency value in the Text Box.

4. Select the units (KHz/MHz).

3. Click “Set”.

To set the Span, repeat the steps 2 through 5 after clicking selecting Span.

15

IMPORTANT NOTE:

1. The Center Frequency has to be within the Frequency Band supported by the BumbleBee Receiver.

2. The Span is divided equally on both the sides of the Center Frequency.

3. The software performs “Span Checking” to make sure that the span does not exceed the bounds of

the Frequency Band supported by the BumbleBee Receiver. For example: For a BumbleBee which
supports the 2400 MHz – 2500 MHz frequency band, if the current center frequency is 2480 MH,.
the maximum span which can be set would be 40 MHz.

The Legend on the bottom of the window is explained as below:

3.2 Trigger Mode:

The Swept Spectrum Mode can be slow in detecting and measuring bursts of signal energy. This is

because when the receiver scans a certain portion of the spectrum, it will miss a burst of signal energy

such as a frequency hop of a Frequency Hopping device on a nearby frequency. In the Swept Spectrum

Mode, the only time the receiver will detect and measure signal energy is when the burst of signal energy

occurs at the frequencies the BumbleBee receiver is currently scanning. This problem can be particularly

compounded if the Sweep Span is large and the resolution bandwidth is small. As a solution to this

problem, the BumbleBee Receiver has a Power Trigger Mode. In this mode, the user can set a power

threshold for the receiver to trigger on, every time the channel power exceeds this threshold. This way, the

receiver captures bursts of signal energy occurring over a 20 MHz channel bandwidth whenever the

Channel Power within this 20 MHz channel exceeds the Power Threshold. In addition to this, the user can

set a delay so that the receiver will measure the channel power only after the amount of specified delay

following a trigger. This setting ensures that the RF energy of the desired portion of the data packet is

measured.

16

Fig 11: Trigger Mode Settings: The Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum Waveform above shows the
presence of an 802.11 B Access Point.

To Set the Receiver to Trigger on a Channel Power greater than the Power Threshold:

1. Set the Receiver Reference Level.

2. Set the center frequency of the channel. This can be done either using the Frequency Control panel or

the Preset Panels. IMPORTANT: The Span must be set to 20 MHz.

3. Tap the stylus on the Trigger Tab to pop up the Trigger Panel.

4. Set the Trigger Threshold power to within 20 dB of the current Reference Level1.

5. Click “Set Trigger” to Set the BumbleBee Receiver to Trigger on a Channel Power greater than the

Power Threshold.

6. To change any Spectrum parameter when the unit is in trigger mode, Stop the Trigger, make the

desired setting and then click “Set Trigger” again.

7. A Trigger Delay in Micro Seconds can be entered to set the receiver to measures the spectrum after the

delay following the channel power exceeding the power threshold.

17

IMPORTANT NOTES:

1. The Trigger is only applied for a maximum Span of 20 MHz. Set the Center Frequency to a

suitable value and then set the Span to 20 MHz.

2. The Trigger Threshold Power must be within 20 dB of the Reference Level. If the Threshold

value is below 20 dB of the Reference Level, the BumbleBee Receiver will not trigger. To adjust

the threshold level greater than 20 dB below the reference level, lower the reference level and then

adjust the trigger threshold.

3. Stop the Trigger by clicking “Stop Trigger” to exit the Trigger Mode and resume the normal

Spectrum Mode.

IMPORTANT TIPS WHILE USING THE TRIGGER MODE:

The trigger mode will trigger when the power in a 20 MHz channel exceeds the set power threshold.

The presets can be very helpful in conjunction with the trigger mode.

• Select a channel using the Preset tabs.

• Set the Reference Level and the Resolution Bandwidth.

• Set a threshold value to be within AT MOST 20 dB below the reference level.

• Start the trigger. The receiver will now trigger on the preset channel.

• Click “Stop Trigger” to stop the trigger.

18

3.3 Reference Level:

The Dynamic Range of Power measurement of the BumbleBee can be changed by varying the Reference

Level of the Receiver. The Reference Level Settings for the BumbleBee Receiver can be changed from –

20 dBm to –70 dBm in steps of 10 dB. For measuring very strong signals the reference level can be set to

a high value like –20 dBm while low power signals can be measured by setting the reference level to –70

dBm. Hence when the Reference level has been set to –20 dBm, the receiver can measure signals with a

maximum value of –20 dBm. If the reference level is a low value compared to the value of the received

signal, the signals are subjected to clipping as seen in Fig 13.

Fig 12: Reference Level Settings

IMPORTANT NOTE:

When using the Trigger Mode, the Reference Level setting must be at most 20 dB above the set
Power Threshold value otherwise the BumbleBee Receiver will not trigger.

19

3.4 Resolution Bandwidth:

The BumbleBee measures the energy present within the frequency bins. The width of each bin is equal to
the Resolution bandwidth.

Fig 13.1 Burst of Signal Energy as observed using a 100 KHz resolution bandwidth.

Fig 13.2 Burst of Signal Energy as observed using a 500 KHz resolution bandwidth.

The Resolution Bandwidth of the trace shown in Fig 14.2 is 500 KHz. Each point in the spectrum above

represents the total energy present in a frequency bin 500 KHz wide. A lower Resolution Bandwidth is

very useful in accurately capturing and measuring individual frequency components within the spectrum.

However, for a large span, a smaller Resolution Bandwidth would result in a longer sweep time. A higher

Resolution Bandwidth can be used for a large span to reduce the sweep time. A Resolution Bandwidth

greater than or equal to the bandwidth of the signal can be used to measure the Channel Power.

20

3.5 Markers/Delta Markers

Fig 14: Markers/Delta Markers Settings

This Tab Panel can be used to set Markers/Delta Markers on the Spectral waveform at desired frequencies

to measure power at that frequency. The Marker/Delta can be positioned either on the Active Trace, the

Peak Hold Trace or the Average Trace provided those traces are active and not frozen

IMPORTANT: The Selection feature must be disabled. If the button is , then click the

button again to restore it to and disable the Selection feature.

In order to set the Marker and the Delta:

1. Click on the Marker Tab Panel to set the Marker.

2. Then tap the stylus on the spectrum at the point of interest. This will set the Marker ( ) at the

desired point.

3. Click on the Marker Panel to set the Delta.

4. Then again tap the stylus at some point away from the Marker to place the Delta at that point.

5. The Frequency and the Power at the Marker and the Delta will be displayed just above them as

shown below.

6. If the Markers need to be placed on the Peak Hold or the Average Trace, click the respective

button on the Marker Settings Panel. This will cause the markers to shift from the Active

SpectrumTrace to the selected Trace. To set the Markers back to the Active Spectrum Trace, click

“Active Spectrum Trace” on the Marker Settings Panel.

21

7. If the Marker/Delta have been positioned on the Peak Hold Trace or the Average Trace, the

markers will shift on the Active Spectrum Trace the moment the Peak Hold or the Average Trace

is disabled.

8. Click to position the markers on the Peak value of the trace on which they have been set.

9. Click to position the markers on the Center Frequency of the trace on which they have

been set.

10. Click to shift the Marker/Delta to the left and click to shift the Marker/Delta on the

right of the trace on which they have been set.

Fig 15.1: Marker/Delta Marker Fig 15.2. Marker/Delta Info

Fig 15.2 shows the measurements between the Maker and the Delta. The Red Marker/Delta pair is 2.51

MHz apart with the Delta being 6 dB above the Marker. The Channel Power between the Marker and the

Delta marker is –58.62 dBm. Similarly the Blue Marker/Delta marker pair is 15.35 MHz apart, with the

Delta being 41 dB below the Marker. The Channel Power between them is –105.33 dBm.

22

Up to four traces, each, which traces the Peak Power in the Live Sweep waveform, can be set.

3.6 Peak Hold Traces:

However, only one of these four traces can be active at a given time. An active trace can be frozen by
clicking the “Freeze” button for further analysis. If a peak trace is frozen, a new trace can be
activated by clicking the corresponding check box, without disabling the frozen trace. Clicking
“Hide” check box can hide the traces. Fig 4 shows the Peak traces in detail.

Fig 16 Peak Traces

23

3.7 Trace Averaging:

When ‘Trace Averaging’ is selected, a dialog box as shown on the left hand will pop-up. The desired

Trace Averaging is useful to obtain a trace, which is the average of the last N traces. This is helpful in
reducing Noise in signals that are continuous to obtain a smooth trace with fewer variations. Non­continuous signals can be filtered with Adjacent Bin Averaging discussed later.

number of traces to be averaged can be increased or decreased using the up/down arrow buttons. Fig

5 shows the trace averaged over the last 7 sweeps

Fig 17.1: The trace in OLIVE color is the trace representing NO Averaging.

Fig 17.2: The above trace contains points which are an average of the last 5 trace points.

24

Adjacent Bin Averaging is also called Video Smoothing. This technique uses the adjacent-point averaging

3.8 Adjacent Bin Averaging:

to reduce the amount of fluctuation in the measured trace due to the noise. N points of a trace are averaged
together to produce each point. This reduces fluctuations in Noise and smoothes the trace. However, the
user has to apply good judgment over the amount of smoothing to be applied as excessive smoothing could
lead to loss of the desired information, with the waveform conveying nothing. Fig 18.2 displays the live
trace smoothed over 6 consecutive adjacent bins.

Fig 18.1: The White trace represents a waveform with no adjacent bin averaging

25

Fig 18.2: The White trace represents the average trace over 6 consecutive adjacent bins of the active

Presets allow the user to set the spectral parameters for channels of interest without manually setting all

channel.

trace.

The above figure demonstrates the use of Video Averaging. The Fig 18.3 shows the waveform with no

averaging; Fig 18.4 shows a waveform with 4 adjacent bin averaged, while Fig 18.5 shows a waveform

with 8 adjacent bins averaged. It must be noted that lack of good judgment while using Video Averaging

can cause a loss of information. This can be seen in Fig 18.5 which seems to be “over-averaged”. The Fig

18.4 shows a good use of the video averaging feature with 4 adjacent bins being averaged. This not only

eliminates the rapid noise fluctuations, but also retains the signal amplitude, which happens to be the

information of interest.

3.9 Presets:

the parameters. Presets are a ‘One Button Selection’ for changing channels for various wireless
standards. The figure below shows the Presets for the 802.11 B/BG standard. Check the desired

IMPORTANT TIPS WHILE USING THE TRIGGER MODE:

The trigger mode will trigger when the power in a 20 MHz channel exceeds the set power threshold.

The presets can be very helpful in conjunction with the trigger mode.

• Select a channel using the Preset tabs.

• Set the Reference Level and the Resolution Bandwidth.

• Set a threshold value to be within AT MOST 20 dB below the reference level.

• Start the trigger. The receiver will now trigger on the preset channel.

• Click “Stop Trigger” to stop the trigger.

26

Fig 19: 802.11 B/G Channel Presets

4. Channel Power Measurements using the BumbleBee Tablet software

Measurement of channel power is an important application of the BumbleBee Tablet software and this can

be done in three different ways.

4.1 Using Frequency Markers and Delta Markers:

By setting the Markers and Delta Markers as described in 4.4 on page 11, power will be calculated

in the Spectrum between the marker and the delta marker.

4.2 Selecting a portion of the Spectrum Display:

By selecting a portion of the Display using the Selection tool as described on page 10,

The spectral power within the selected region is calculated and displayed within the selection in the color

corresponding to the trace whose power it represents. The measurement is only made on the live trace

27

(GREEN). Power for the Peak and Average Traces is not measured. Measurement stops if the selected

region is cleared.

Examples of Channel Power Measurement Capabilities:

Fig 20.1: Wideband FM Signal centered at 2451 MHz with a power of –31.55 dBm

The Figure above shows a Wideband Frequency Modulated signal with a center frequency of 2451 MHz

and a span of approximately 11 MHz. The Channel Power can be measured by clicking on and then

dragging the stylus across the spectrum. It should be noted that when you click , the button will

change to . To assign a channel to the selected region, tap and hold the stylus on the screen for a

couple of seconds. A pop-up menu will drop down and when you click “Channel 1”, for example, the

selected region will be set to channel 1. This will ensure that if you tap the stylus on the display thereafter,

the selected region for Channel 1 will not get disrupted until you again tap the stylus on the screen and

check off “Channel 1” from the pop-up menu. To stop selections, click which will then disable the

selection tool and return the button to .

28

Fig 20.1: Narrowband unmodulated Signal with a peak power of –31 dBm.

Upon turning the Frequency Modulation off, it can be seen that the spectrum consists of a single peak at

the center frequency of the previous Frequency Modulated signal. The Red Marker on the Peak indicates a

Peak power of –31 dBm. This is in agreement to the principles of modulation that the power in the

modulated signal is the same as the power in the unmodulated signal.

Fig 20.2: power measurement of a 3 channel multicarrier CDMA waveform.

The Figure above shows the power measurement of a 3 channel, multicarrier CDMA waveform. For

demonstration purposes, this is simulated using a CDMA signal source within the 2.4GHz frequency band.

The signal generated has a total channel power of –40 dBm. The BumbleBee Tablet PC accurately

captures and measures this signal power as can be seen below.

29

Measurement of Power from a GSM Signal in the 900 MHz frequency band.

The BumbleBee Tablet PC software can accurately capture and measure power from a GMSK modulated

GSM Signal in the 900 MHz band. A GSM Signal is narrow band signal (~ 200 KHz), the following

procedure should be followed to capture and measure GSM Signals:

1. Set the span to a low value: about 2 – 3 MHz.

2. Center the frequency to the frequency of the desired channel.

3. Set the Resolution bandwidth to either 50KHz or 100 KHz.

4. After setting the Reference Level to a desirably suitable value, set the receiver to trigger on a

certain power threshold.

5. Turn the Peak trace on. You will then gradually be able to see the spectral envelope of the GSM

signal, which alternates between several narrow band signals in the 200 KHz bandwidth.

6. By clicking , drag the stylus across the Peak GSM Signal. Hold the stylus for a couple of

seconds on the screen to be able to set the selected region to Channel 1.

7. The Signal power will then be displayed within the selected region.

30

4.3 Power Trigger Mode:

The Power Trigger Mode is a useful mode, in which, the receiver triggers only when the channel power

exceeds a certain threshold, which is set by the user. If the user has set a value for the measurement delay,

the receiver will take measurements only after that delay time. The device will trigger when the detected

channel power exceeds the set power threshold. This mode is useful in detecting activity from non-

continuous transmission sources such as Beacon packets from an AP or Frequency Hopping Spread

Spectrum (FHSS) Packets from a Bluetooth device or any other Narrow band or CW signal.

Important Note: The trigger mode can be set only for a 20 MHz channel.

Fig 21: The Power Trigger Mode: A Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum Signal Possibly from an

802.11 B Access Point. The BumbleBee receiver has been set to trigger at –50 dBm with no delay in

measurement.

31

5.1 Recording/Creating a Spectrum Log File for Future Playback:

Fig 22: Creating and Saving a Spectrum Log File.

Once in the Spectrum Mode or the Trigger Spectrum Mode, the Spectrum being observed on the display

can be logged in a Log File for future analysis. This is done by clicking the (Record) button on the
toolbar. Save the Log File at a desired location.

NOTE: The log file will be created and stored with a .spl extension.

Once logging begins, the Current Log File size (in Bytes) and the Current duration (in Minutes) of the file
logged on the Display portion of the Spectrum are shown:

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To stop the logging, simply click the (Stop) Button. This does not stop the current spectrum display.

5.2 Replaying the Logged File:

Fig 23: Replaying a previously Logged File.

A previously logged file (with extension spl) can be replayed by clicking the (playback) button. The
replay begins and the replay progress can be seen as a red progress bar on the bottom left of the display as
shown in the Fig 3.2 above and the figure below:

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Using the and buttons, the playback can be “forwarded” or “rewound” respectively at higher
speeds, so as to jump to points of interest within the logged spectrum display quicker. To stop the

playback, click the (Stop) button.

5.3 User-defined Presets:

A particular spectral context of interest can be saved in a file at the click of the above tool-bar button for

future access. This provides for user-defined presets for quck-access in situations when certain spectral

settings need to be changed frequently. Upon clicking the Save Context button the software displays

the current spectrum analyzer settings which can be saved in a file:

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Fig 24: Create a user-defined preset by saving a Spectrum Context to a file.

Upon clicking the “Set Context” button on the settings display dialog, the settings can be saved to a file at

a desired location. This saved context file can later be invoked by clicking the button on the toolbar

to set the BumbleBee spectrum analyzer to operate in that context. This way, the user can store frequently

visited contexts and later revisit them conveniently without having to change the settings often.

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IMPORTANT NOTES

• In order to eliminate known sources of interference with the BumbleBee Tablet Receiver, please

ensure that the Wireless LAN Radio and the Bluetooth transmitter are disabled before using the

software.

• The Software, along with the Billionton CF Card Drivers are installed on the Tablet at the

following location: C:\ProgramFiles\BVS\BumbleBee Tablet Edition.

• If there is ever any problem in getting the software to talk to the BumbleBee Receiver, please

uninstall and re-install the Billionton CF Card Drivers.

• Before replaying of a Previously logged spectrum file begins, if the software is talking to the

receiver, the software will terminate the connection to the Receiver through the CF Card. In

order to begin active spectrum analysis again, the connection will have to be re-established as

discussed in the manual.

• When the BumbleBee receiver is being used with Batteries, the software will monitor the battery

charge and will terminate the application if the batteries drop low on charge. A notification

message will be displayed before the software terminates. This is done to protect the batteries

from draining completely.

• The CF Card must be securely connected to the cable and the cable must be securely connected

to the BumbleBee Receiver through the round connector. Loose cable connection can be a major

problem while using the BumbleBee Tablet Software.

• Please remove the CF card from the CF Card slot on the BumbleBee Tablet before replacing the

batteries on the BumbleBee Receiver.

• Use Fully charged batteries in the BumbleBee Receiver and charge the BumbleBee Tablet before

running the software for a longer duration of usage. When the batteries in the BumbleBee

Receiver fall low on charge and need to be recharged, the BumbleBee Tablet software will shut

down after a 30 second warning message.

• When using the BumbleBee with an external power supply, ensure that the Green power

indicator LED turns on when the power supply is connected.

• The default power settings cause the Tablet PC to turn off and hibernate after 15 minutes.

For better performance, set the Tablet PC power options to optimize performance. This can be

done by: Start Menu>>Control Panel>>Power Options.