We tested the device with Agilent instruments, and we were pleasantly surprised by its truly excellent performance.
Obviously it is much slower in measurements compared to instruments with a much higher cost.
The only problem we found is in using it as a generator in FM Modulation. Ingatti the modulation has a huge distortion (45%) at 1 KHz (25%) at 300Hz and is reduced to 3% at 100Hz.
Probably the DDS is not fast enough to follow the sinusoid at a frequency of 1KHz.
For the rest the quality/price ratio is surprising!
tinySA Ultra+ ZS-407 spectrum analyser
Details
Tip:
The ZS-407 ships with a basic SMA whip antenna. To pick up signals across the full frequency range, upgrade with our ZA-048 antenna. It's tuned for the ultra+'s range and screws straight onto the SMA input.
The tinySA ultra+ (ZS-407 version) is a handheld 100kHz - 8GHz spectrum analyser designed, developed and now sold from Eindhoven, The Netherlands. The tinySA ultra+ ZS-407 version is a new variant in the tinySA lineup with spectrum analysers. The model overview below describes the differences between tinySA, tinySA ultra+ (ZS-406), and the tinySA ultra+ (ZS-407) spectrum analysers.
The ultra+ features a 4.0-inch resistive touch colour display with 450 scan points across the full frequency range. It includes a 5000mAh battery, providing up to three hours of portable use. The analyser operates in two modes: normal and ultra, with built-in options like a switchable bandpass filter and a low-input step attenuator. It also covers the 868MHz ISM band and can function as a signal generator for sine or square waves when not in use as a spectrum analyser.
The analyser can be fully controlled by a PC through a USB cable. It also features an automatic self-test and self-calibration through the built-in signal generator.
The tinySA, tinySA ultra+ (ZS-406 version) and tinySA ultra+ (ZS-407 version) developer has set up a very extensive wiki page with all necessary information, manuals, operating limits, and explanations. This wiki can be found here.
We sell the original version, be aware of many clones on the market!
CAUTION: The input of the ZS-407 is very sensitive to ESD discharges and excessive input power. This product should be used with great care. A faulty input will never be repaired or replaced under warranty. We advise to check these pages about first use and transmitters before first use. We also advise you to purchase an attenuator.
Buy your attenuator here
Model overview
| Model | tinySA | tinySA ultra+ (ZS-406 version) | tinySA ultra+ (ZS-407 version) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | Resistive touch, 2.8", 320x240 pixels | Resistive touch, 4.0", 480x320 pixels | Resistive touch, 4.0", 480x320 pixels |
| Modes | Low input, High input, Low output, High output | Normal mode, Ultra mode | Normal mode, Ultra mode |
| Max. input frequency | 960 MHz | 5.4 GHz | 7.3 GHz |
| Max. output frequency | Sinus up to 800 MHz, Square wave up to 4.4 GHz | Sinus up to 900 MHz, Square wave up to 4.4 GHz | Sinus up to 900 MHz, Square wave up to 6.0 GHz |
| DANL degrading in ultra mode | 10 dB above 3 GHz, 25 dB above 5.3 GHz | 5 dB above 3 GHz, 20 dB above 5.4 GHz | 5 dB above 5 GHz, 24 dB above 7.3 GHz |
| Phase noise | -83 dBc/Hz | -92 dBc/Hz | -100 dBc/Hz |
| Displayed point per scan | Max 290 | Max 450 | Max 450 |
| SD card slot | Not available | Micro SD card | Micro SD card |
| Audio output | Not available | 3.5 mm headphone plug | 3.5 mm headphone plug |
| Price |
Specifications
| Power supply | 5 V USB (1.3 A Max) |
| Battery operation | 3 hours operation if fully charged (5000 mAh) |
| ESD protection | Yes |
| Spectrum analyser | |
| Frequency range | 100 kHz - 900 MHz (normal mode) 100 kHz - 7.3 GHz (ultra mode) |
| Absolute maximum input level | +6 dBm with 0dB internal attenuation |
| Input impedance | 50 Ω (input attenuation > 10dB) |
| Compression point | 1 dB at - 1 dBm with 0 dB internal attenuation |
| Phase noise | -90 db/Hz at 100 kHz offset, and -115 dB/Hz at 1MHz offset |
| Dynamic range | Spur free when using 30 kHz RBW of 70 dB |
| Absolute Power level accuracy | +/- 2 dB (after calibration) |
| Resolution filters | Manual (0.2, 1, 3, 10, 30, 100, 300, 600 and 850 kHz), or automatic |
| Signal generator | |
| Frequency range | Sine wave output: 100 kHz - 900 MHz Square wave output: up to 6.0 GHz when not used as a spectrum analyser |
| Shape | Sine wave |
| Harmonics | below -40 dB of fundamental from 100 kHz - 900 MHz |
| Functionalities | AM, narrow FM and wide FM modulation |
| Level accuracy | +/- 2 dB up to 900 MHz between -72 dBm and -18 dBm, less accuracy below -72 dBm |
| Output frequency resolution | 44 Hz below 900 MHz |
| Reference generator | |
| Frequency | Can be set to 1 MHz, 2 MHz, 4 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz or 30 MHz. |
| Shape | Square wave with fundamental at -35.6 dBm connected to cal output |
Accessories
The tinySA ultra+ (ZS-407) version includes:
- tinySA ultra+ (ZS-407 version) spectrum analyser
- Two SMA connection cables
- Barrel connector
- Antenna with SMA connector
- USB-C charging cable
- 32 GB micro SD card
Support
The tinySA ultra+ is an open-source product with support from the community. Most questions are answered in the Wiki, for further problems you can go here. By default, the ultra mode is disabled, but the ultra mode can be enabled by following the instructions described on the Wiki. Therefore we do not provide technical support on the tinySA ultra+. Warranty on the hardware is of course provided by Eleshop.
Pros and cons
- Excellent price/quality ratio
- Ultra mode has a frequency range up to 8 GHz
- Improve phase noise (-100dBc/Hz instead of -92dBc/Hz)
- Built-in audio jack
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