Years ago when few could afford a spectrum analyser we used an absorption wavemeter to detect harmonics - and it was barely a piece of measuring apparatus - more "indicating apparatus". So nowadays a proper spectrum analyser is a little closer to being achievable (on some people's hobby budgets) - but we also have the TinySA which is way more affordable - and way more useful than an absorption wavemeter. We surely should consider it in those terms - instead of comparing it directly with a Rigol and expecting the same performance. It may not be the accurate measuring device of a big ticket SA, but it does get us much closer for pocket money expense.
I was kinda hopeful with this one, seeing as specans are so pricey. I guess it goes to show that there's a reason they're expensive. I could deal with the slow updates for cheap, but innacurate or noisy is a deal breaker.
Thanks for the video! I think you are not visualizing what you expect because of the huge harmonix! It means that either the generator or the analyzer is saturated heavily. You can try to lower the power (-10dBm is a lot for a cheap RF frontend), and you should see better. The harmonix should lower 2dB/1dB of input power, and 3dB/1dB of input power respectively.
12:57 Hmm - I don't really know what I'm talking about, but you're sure they're not exhibiting the equivalent of a rolling shutter effect? Like, the device scans from low to high, and so it reads the primary frequency, then you adjust the freq, then it reads the higher harmonics (which have shifted).
sorry, but you don't know what you are talking about. RF engineers call them birdies. I don't recommend you buy this old design. Get the new model called the TinySA ULTRA. It fixes many of the old problems.
The presence of false harmonics is a telltale sign that a square wave generator is being used as the internal reference of this device. Had the same issue with a SA based on the ADF4351. On the other hand, I wouldn't be surprised if this is based on the NanoVNA but without the tracking generator.
W.r.t. the slow scan speed at lower RBW you could explore the DISPLAY/SWEEP SETTINGS and enable FAST scanning. You lose a bit on accuracy but scanning can be (depending on the level of FAST SPEEDUP) 3 or more times faster.
I just did testing below -30dbm and am impressed. everything is looking good now. no harmonics and I can resolve side bands down to 3khz. I will be posting a new video
I’m about to pull the trigger and finally purchase a Tiny SA but have a quick question . I’ve noticed recently the the TinySa’s are being advertised with upgraded firmware(v0.3.1). From pictures in various ads, the main difference from those Tinys featured in your videos , is the addition of what appears to be a “waterfall” display at the bottom of the regular screen. Do you have any insight into the new firmware or features? I looked through your extensive library of topics related to the in and outs of the Tiny SA but didn’t come across any info pertaining to the new firmware . As always, thanks for your time and all the time and effort you put into your videos. They are an excellent resource .
Is there an external, peripheral component or device that can be used with a TinySa to detect frequencies higher than what it’s rated for? You did a video on an rf detector board a while back, could something like that be used with the TinySa to extend detection range? Thanks for all the great videos!
TIME TO OPEN IT, ADD SHIELDING, TO START. Too much coupling taking place. What mixer is used? SA602AD, or SA612AD by chance? Is there a firmware update available?
Helo Do you think that this small gadget can be used for installing TV antennas for he best signal ? can it cover all the UHF band in a full sweep and be relatively fast ?
Hey, didn't you get the fake one? It seems the legit one has the naming on the surface in white transparent. On the left, it also seems to have something printed between "HIGH" and "LOW". You can check the firmware version and reflash the device's firmware using your computer. Then, run the self-test again. If it fails, it is surely a fake equipment.
This was from a true source: tinysa.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Main.Buying It was one of the very first units sold. If you are looking to buy one. I suggest you get the new ULTRA unit. new hardware, new software
Nice video and I like the look of the TinySA Spectrum Analyzer, for the price its appears to be okay. I wonder if the device will improve over time with software updates or this it is limited by its own hardware?
The first IF filter is two SAW 433.9MHz filters in series. Not great but OK. The second mixer and filter is inside a receiver IC and so no control of changing it except in DSP code. The narrow filter seems like it needs improvement and I don't have enough info do know if they can 'fix it in software'. It may be also limited by the phase noise of the RF generator used for the Lo in both the first and second IF sections.
Hi - this video initially put me off on purchasing the TinySA. Yyou may want consider re-doing it or at least noting in the description that many of the issues you identified have to do with drive levels. I did find your later video that makes that clear - but, at this point, this video is misleading.
I'll do that in a later video. The HP8921 has the capability to generate a two tone modulation. It has a hard time with just one tone. I will be posting a video soon.
the tiny has a built in level calibration but a true calibration is not done at the factory. the errors shown here are due to input levels too high for the tiny to operate well. levels below -30dBm are better but there are still system limitations that the 'auto' mode will not address. I have more videos showing this. it is posible to do a 10 point frequency/level calibration on the tiny that will improve accuracy but not fix any issues
@@IMSAIGuy Great...thank you for running us through this. For 50 bucks to get you a ball park representation is perfect...as opposed to the 2000 dollar gnats ass view!
Years ago when few could afford a spectrum analyser we used an absorption wavemeter to detect harmonics - and it was barely a piece of measuring apparatus - more "indicating apparatus".
So nowadays a proper spectrum analyser is a little closer to being achievable (on some people's hobby budgets) - but we also have the TinySA which is way more affordable - and way more useful than an absorption wavemeter.
We surely should consider it in those terms - instead of comparing it directly with a Rigol and expecting the same performance.
It may not be the accurate measuring device of a big ticket SA, but it does get us much closer for pocket money expense.
And you can put it in your pocket, that's pretty amazing
I was kinda hopeful with this one, seeing as specans are so pricey. I guess it goes to show that there's a reason they're expensive. I could deal with the slow updates for cheap, but innacurate or noisy is a deal breaker.
I'd like to see the display side by side with another analyzer.
Cool. Would be interesting to see it against a known good SA. Tnx for the video. Appreciated.
Stay tuned. I will try to post a video tonight comparing to a good SA
InTeReStInG !
Thank You 👍😎
💙
So.CALIF
Thanks for the video! I think you are not visualizing what you expect because of the huge harmonix! It means that either the generator or the analyzer is saturated heavily. You can try to lower the power (-10dBm is a lot for a cheap RF frontend), and you should see better. The harmonix should lower 2dB/1dB of input power, and 3dB/1dB of input power respectively.
Massive expectations for a 50$ toy
This is getting crazy. NanoVNA, tinySA, etc..
Amazing what can be done now..
check out the Miniware products
12:57 Hmm - I don't really know what I'm talking about, but you're sure they're not exhibiting the equivalent of a rolling shutter effect? Like, the device scans from low to high, and so it reads the primary frequency, then you adjust the freq, then it reads the higher harmonics (which have shifted).
sorry, but you don't know what you are talking about. RF engineers call them birdies. I don't recommend you buy this old design. Get the new model called the TinySA ULTRA. It fixes many of the old problems.
The presence of false harmonics is a telltale sign that a square wave generator is being used as the internal reference of this device. Had the same issue with a SA based on the ADF4351.
On the other hand, I wouldn't be surprised if this is based on the NanoVNA but without the tracking generator.
No it is a new design. I'll have to do a video on the system architecture
@@IMSAIGuy I'm looking forward to it. Thanks!
W.r.t. the slow scan speed at lower RBW you could explore the DISPLAY/SWEEP SETTINGS and enable FAST scanning. You lose a bit on accuracy but scanning can be (depending on the level of FAST SPEEDUP) 3 or more times faster.
I just did testing below -30dbm and am impressed. everything is looking good now. no harmonics and I can resolve side bands down to 3khz. I will be posting a new video
This is kind of like on of the Red Rocket Crystal Sets.... if you get anything you think it;s amazing, untill you realize it isnt !
Thanks for the Demo...I *WON'T* be buying one of those!
I wonder why you couldn't use this as a frequency counter to keep your vintage signal generator honest.
I’m about to pull the trigger and finally purchase a Tiny SA but have a quick question . I’ve noticed recently the the TinySa’s are being advertised with upgraded firmware(v0.3.1). From pictures in various ads, the main difference from those Tinys featured in your videos , is the addition of what appears to be a “waterfall” display at the bottom of the regular screen.
Do you have any insight into the new firmware or features? I looked through your extensive library of topics related to the in and outs of the Tiny SA but didn’t come across any info pertaining to the new firmware . As always, thanks for your time and all the time and effort you put into your videos. They are an excellent resource .
Get the TinySA ULTRA, new and improved. I will release a video tomorrow
You failed to Calibrate by connecting The Cable across HUGH and LOW
Is there an external, peripheral component or device that can be used with a TinySa to detect frequencies higher than what it’s rated for? You did a video on an rf detector board a while back, could something like that be used with the TinySa to extend detection range? Thanks for all the great videos!
ua-cam.com/video/xQv6eDNuYhU/v-deo.html
and this: ua-cam.com/video/GS78SYPK3xI/v-deo.html
Thanks for sending the links. I must have overlooked them. Your video library is extensive, to say the least. Thanks again
Nice demo
TIME TO OPEN IT, ADD SHIELDING, TO START.
Too much coupling taking place.
What mixer is used?
SA602AD, or SA612AD by chance?
Is there a firmware update available?
the mixer I believe is Mini-circuits ADE-25MH. Yes there is firmware (I already flashed my unit). see the links I have in the description
Helo Do you think that this small gadget can be used for installing TV antennas for he best signal ? can it cover all the UHF band in a full sweep and be relatively fast ?
probably
Hey, didn't you get the fake one? It seems the legit one has the naming on the surface in white transparent. On the left, it also seems to have something printed between "HIGH" and "LOW".
You can check the firmware version and reflash the device's firmware using your computer. Then, run the self-test again. If it fails, it is surely a fake equipment.
This was from a true source: tinysa.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Main.Buying
It was one of the very first units sold. If you are looking to buy one. I suggest you get the new ULTRA unit. new hardware, new software
Nice video and I like the look of the TinySA Spectrum Analyzer, for the price its appears to be okay. I wonder if the device will improve over time with software updates or this it is limited by its own hardware?
The first IF filter is two SAW 433.9MHz filters in series. Not great but OK. The second mixer and filter is inside a receiver IC and so no control of changing it except in DSP code. The narrow filter seems like it needs improvement and I don't have enough info do know if they can 'fix it in software'. It may be also limited by the phase noise of the RF generator used for the Lo in both the first and second IF sections.
Not bad for 49 dollars.
Hi - this video initially put me off on purchasing the TinySA. Yyou may want consider re-doing it or at least noting in the description that many of the issues you identified have to do with drive levels. I did find your later video that makes that clear - but, at this point, this video is misleading.
video description has links to update videos
Would this be good for audio? Between 0hz to 20khz. I wasn't sure if the minimum was 100khz.
100khz min
You should have done a two-tone test. It would have revealed many things with one test.
I'll do that in a later video. The HP8921 has the capability to generate a two tone modulation. It has a hard time with just one tone. I will be posting a video soon.
@@IMSAIGuy And you'll need a coupler.
Phase noise looks horrendous, but astounding performance for $50.
Only looking at th every top of FM band if you're at 100 to 110 mhz.Left out most of FM band.
Fumble around much ? Most of your complaints were user error.
Is a calibration needed?
the tiny has a built in level calibration but a true calibration is not done at the factory. the errors shown here are due to input levels too high for the tiny to operate well. levels below -30dBm are better but there are still system limitations that the 'auto' mode will not address. I have more videos showing this. it is posible to do a 10 point frequency/level calibration on the tiny that will improve accuracy but not fix any issues
@@IMSAIGuy Great...thank you for running us through this. For 50 bucks to get you a ball park representation is perfect...as opposed to the 2000 dollar gnats ass view!
You are a great instructor and very much appreciated. AD6AE
Thank you
Hola: yo quiero uno, donde lo puedo comprar. Gracias por su enseñanza....
tinysa.org/wiki/pmwiki.php?n=Main.Buying
it's a "tiny NOT Spectrum Analyzer", a toy at best
Looks like a piece of junk as-is now. Maybe they will fix it in the next version when this one does not sell very well?
Kinda disappointing. FPS too low, too inaccurate measurements, resolution too low, too noisy. Result: Useless, sorry. 😐