RigExpert AA-1000 - Antenna Analyzer (0.1 to 1000 MHz)

RigExpert AA-1000 is a powerful antenna analyzer designed for testing, checking, tuning or repairing antennas and antenna feedlines.

Easy-to-use measurement modes, as well as additional features such as connection to a personal computer make RigExpert AA-1000 attractive for professionals and hobbyists.

The following tasks are easily accomplished by using RigExpert AA-1000:

• Rapid check-out of an antenna
• Tuning an antenna to resonance
• Antenna SWR and impedance measurement and comparison before and after specific event (rain, hurricane, etc.)
• Making coaxial lines or measuring their parameters
• Cable testing and fault location
• Measuring capacitance or inductance of reactive loads

For the latest software updates, please refer to the manufacturer's website

The following items are included with each RigExpert AA-1000 order:

• RigExpert AA-1000
• Soft case with straps
• Battery charger
• USB cable
• User's manual
• CD with drivers and software

RigExpert AA-1000 Specifications

Frequency range: 0.1 to 1000 MHz

Frequency entry: 1 kHz resolution

Measurement for 25, 50, 75 and 100-Ohm systems

SWR measurement range: 1 to 100 in numerical mode, 1 to 10 in graph mode

SWR display: numerical or easily-readable bar

R and X range: 0…10000, -10000…10000 in numerical mode, 0…1000, -1000…1000 in graph mode

Display modes:

• SWR at single or multiple frequencies
• SWR, return loss, R, X, Z, L, C at single frequency
• SWR graph, 80 points
• R, X graph, 80 points
• Smith chart, 80 points
• TDR (Time Domain Reflectometer) graph

Optional open-short-load calibration in SWR, R,X or Smith chart graph modes.

RF output:

• Connector type: N
• Output signal shape: rectangular, 0.1 to 200 MHz. For higher frequencies, harmonics of the main signal are used.
• Output power: -10 dBm (at 50 Ohm load)

Power:

• Three 1.5V, alcaline batteries, type AA *
• Three 1.2V, 1800…3000 mAh, Ni-MH batteries, type AA *
• Max. 3 hours of continuous measurement, max. 2 days in stand-by mode when fully charged batteries are used
• When the analyzer is connected to a PC or a DC adapter with USB socket, it takes power from these sources

Interface:

• 320x240 color TFT display
• 6x3 keys on the water-proof keypad
• Multilingual menus and help screens
• USB connection to a personal computer

Dimensions: 22•10•5.5 cm

Operating temperature: 0…40 °C

Weight: 650g

* Batteries are not included with the analyzer.

How it works?

Structure diagram

The structure diagram of the RigExpert AA-1000 Antenna Analyzer is located below:

The "brain" of the analyzer is Atmel 8-bit RISC microcontroller. It controls a AD9958 DDS chip running at 500 MHz and generating two sinusoidal signals. Both signals are low-pass filtered and then put through pulse shapers, producing two rectangular signals with LVDS levels. Resistive brigde was chosen to measure parameters of a load because of its simplicity and good frequency response. The switch commutates two outputs of the bridge. After the switch, the signal is mixed with the second channel output to produce audio frequency of 2 kHz. A variable attenuator is used to maintain the audio signal level in the desired range. This signal is then filtered and fed through the 16-bit ADC to the microcontroller. There is a simple relationship between the measurement frequency, DDS frequencies and attenuator division ratio:

The 320x240 color TFT display and the 6x3 keys keypad are connected directly to the CPU. The analyzer is equipped with 128K of external Flash memory to store measurement results, as well as with 32K of the fast external FRAM. The USB interface chip allows connecting the analyzer to the PC.

Close look at the bridge

This is a diagram of the resistive bridge and its connection to the detector:

The switch which is controlled by the CPU feeds the signal from the certain side of the bridge to the mixer chip. When the load is totally active and its resistance is 50 Ω, the bridge is balanced and the switch outputs the same signal in both positions. This eliminates the need of calibration of the analyzer, also giving very good precision near SWR=1.

Download Manual

• RigExpert AA-1000 User's manual