RigExpert AA-520 Antenna Analyzer 1 to 520 MHz

RigExpert AA-520 is a powerful antenna analyzer designed for testing, checking, tuning or repairing antennas and antenna feedlines in 1 to 520 MHz range.

Mainly, this is SWR (Standing Wave Ratio) and impedance measurement instrument (impedance analyzer).

Easy-to use measurement modes, as well as additional features such as memory storage and connection to a personal computer, make the AA-520 attractive for professionals and hobbyists. It is quite important that graphical display of various parameters over a wide frequency range is a key feature of this analyzer which significantly reduces the time required to adjust an antenna.

The new MultiSWR mode is unique for this antenna analyzer. Please refer to the MultiSWR Mode tab.

The following tasks are easily accomplished by using RigExpert AA-520:

• 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 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-520 order:

• RigExpert AA-520 analyzer
• Battery
• Soft case with straps
• Battery charger
• USB cable
• User's manual
• CD with drivers and software

RigExpert AA-520 Specifications

Frequency range: 1...520 MHz

Display modes:

• SWR at single frequency
• SWR, R, X, Z, L, C at single frequency
• SWR graph
• R, X graph

Single- and multi-frequency measurement:

• Frequency resolution: 1 kHz
• SWR only mode: easily-readable bar
• SWR range: 1…10
• SWR display for: 50 Ohm systems
• R, X range: 0…250 Ohm

SWR and R, X graphs:

• 100 points plot
• Sweep width: 1...520 MHz
• Frequency resolution: 1 kHz
• SWR range: 1…10
• SWR display for: 50 Ohm systems
• R, X range: 0…200 Ohm
• 100 Memories to store and recall graphs
• Presets for radio amateur bands

RF output:

• Connector type: N
• Power: typ. +5 dBm

Power:

• 4.8V, 1800 mA•h, Ni-MH battery
• Max. 3 hours of continuous measurement
• Max. 2 days in stand-by mode
• External 9...14V, 500 mA charger
• Full charge time: 10...12 hours

Interface:

• 128x64 graphical LCD with backlit
• 6x3 keys on the water-proof keypad
• Multilingual menus and help screens
• USB connection to a personal computer

Dimensions: 22 x 10 x 5.5 cm

Operating temperature: 0…40 °C

Weight: 650g

MultiSWR™

MultiSWR mode

RigExpert Antenna Analyzers have a unique ability to display SWR for up to five different frequencies at a time.

You may use this feature to tune multi-band antennas. Use the up and down cursor keys to select a frequency to be set or changed. Press the 0 key to switch between SWR bars and numerical representation of these parameters.

How it works?

Structure diagram

The structure diagram of the RigExpert AA-520 Antenna Analyzer is located below:

The "brain" of the analyzer is Atmel ATMEGA128 8-bit RISC microcontroller. It controls two PLL synthesizer chips which produce signals in 1.2-1.4 and 1.4-1.7 GHz range. The signals are mixed to form a signal of lower frequency of 1 to 520 MHz, which is low pass filtered and amplified. 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. The detector, AD8307, measures differential power level at its two inputs. The resulting signal is then fed into the CPU for further processing.

The 128x64 graphical LCD and the 6x3 keys keypad are connected directly to the CPU. Also, it is equipped with 512K of external Flash memory to store measurement results. The USB interface chip allows connecting the analyzer to the PC.

The power circuits are responsible for generating a number of voltage levels needed for the rest of the analyzer. It also charges the built-in battery when the external 12V DC source is applied.

Close look at the bridge

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

The detector chip measures signal levels in three of four possible positions of the switches which are controlled by the CPU. First, voltage at the unknown load is measured. Then voltage at the 50 Ω resistor and offset voltage is taken. When the load is totally active and its resistance is 50 Ω, the bridge is balanced and there is no offset voltage. This eliminates the need of calibration of the analyzer, also giving very good precision near SWR=1.

The output of the detector chip is connected to the analog-to-digital converters which are built into the microcontroller.

Download Manual

• RigExpert AA-230/AA-230PRO/AA-520 User's manual