The main menu is designed in a easy to use, hierarchical layout on the right-side of the device screen as depicted in below screen.

The main screen includes standard spectrum analyzer graph with captured data from RF Explorer handheld analyzer or IoT module and the right-side menu with all options to use the application easily.

The data screen is a high speed data representation of Spectrum Analyzer Frequency vs Amplitude.

The X axis represents frequency in MHZ and Y axis display actual received power in dBm, dBuV or Watt (selectable).

You can use two finger gestures to zoom and pan frequency or amplitude.

• Zoom in/out - change Frequency Span: Apply two finger gesture towards the horizontal axis to increase or decrease span.
• Amplitude pan: Move two fingers up or down to pan amplitude
• Frequency pan: Move two fingers left or right to pan frequency 

The navigation bar provides full control to review any past sweep event and also replay sweeps at original captured speed.

This can be used with recently captured data or stored data files.

• [<<]: Go back multiple sweeps (about 10%)
• [ < ]: Go back to previous sweep
• Navigation bar: Point and move to desired sweep. While the scrollbar actuator is being moved, sweep captured date will be updated realtime but spectrum analyzer screen will be updated after releasing the bar.
• [ > ]: Go forward one sweep
• [>>]: Go forward multiple sweeps (about 10%)
• [Play]: Replay captured activity using original captured speed
• [ || ]: Pause spectrum analyzer activity on screen, but the RF Explorer device continues capturing and storing data
• [ Hold ]: Fully stop spectrum analyzer activity and data capture. This is the only valid state when using data from file
• [ Live ]: Restore spectrum analyzer activity and data capture

Some parameters can be easily configured by screen touch or click marked with red areas in picture above.

Press each of these regions to change:

• Amplitude Top/Bottom - Change with numeric dialog
• Start/Center/Stop frequency - Change with numeric dialog
• Graph title - Set current preset. Note this is not available for Full Screen mode
• Amplitude Offset - Change with numeric dialog
• Amplitude Units - Menu Config -> Display
• Spectrum Analyzer Firmware Version, Model and Input Stage - Menu Config -> Device
• Signal Generator Firmware Version and Model - For information purposes only
• Frequency Offset - Change with numeric dialog
• Span Frequency - Change with numeric dialog
• Sweep Resolution - Menu Config -> Device
• Upgrade Available - Update RF Explorer Touch software and device firmware version to the latest one available online.

This special mode in the Spectrum Analyzer screen displays WiFi channels for 2.4Ghz and 5GHz - only available in RF Explorer devices supporting the specific frequency range.

Display view for channels 1-13 including center channel frequency and channel power.

The higher power channel detected is depicted in a different color.

Display view for 28 channels defined for 20MHz width, including center channel frequency and channel power.

On top of 20MHz channels, 40MHz, 80MHz and 160MHz channels are displayed.

• Red - 20MHz channels
• Green - 40MHz channels
• Blue - 80MHz channels
• Magenta - 160MHz channels

This is a powerful, high performance 2D/3D visualization of historical sweeps, displaying the most recent captured sweep in front, with older sweeps in the background.

It is a very efficient and practical way to display intermittent or time-changing signals that may not be easy to detect any other way.

The color map used by the Waterfall screen is defined by the Top and Bottom amplitude signals configured on the spectrum analyzer.

Signal peaks that are close to the top will show red region whereas signals close to the bottom will display blue, with a color gradient in between.

The "heat" of the display color code can be dynamically adjusted by changing the Top and Bottom amplitude settings anytime.

Right click on the waterfall screen anytime to enable a context sensitive menu.

Signal Type

• Real Time: Show real time captured activity.
• Max Hold: Show maximum value of all captured samples.

Perspective

You can choose between 4 different perspectives, including a 2D view that is best suited for accurate signal research.

History Sweeps Time

Determine historical time to be displayed as last 30, 60 or 120 seconds.

Transparent

Define 3D graphics as transparent when selected, or opaque when unselected.

Visible Floor

Display a gray, opaque grid floor when selected.

Visible Draw Time

Sometimes useful to know the performance of the graphics card representing frames per second (FPS) of the waterfall display.

Save Waterfall Screenshot

Store Waterfall screen to an PNG image file.

Some parameters can be easily configured by screen touch or click marked with red areas in picture above.

Press each of these regions to change:

• Measure Data - Change with selection dialog
• Generator Power - Change with dialog
• Sweep Average - Change with numeric dialog
• Sweep Speed and Points - Change tracking sweep steps with numeric dialog

Power

Select RF Explorer Signal Generator power for tracking SNA

Measure

Select display option to correctly interpret tracking sweep data

Average

Total number of sweeps to average samples, larger numbers improve noise rejection

Start

Start frequency sweep

Stop

Stop frequency sweep

Steps

Tracking SNA steps. The more steps you use, the longer the sweep will take. Recommended values are from 50 to 200 steps for a good compromise of speed and resolution.

Standard SNA requirement to rule out any cable, connector or environmental imperfection. The application will properly measure the response of your setup and will consider that 0dB response in order to refer any measurement to it.

Perform/Finalize SNA for continuous tracking sweep. Screen will be updated with SNA results every few seconds.

The Start button is available when normalization process done successfully

The Stop button is available while performing tracking process

Alphanumeric Keypad

Define preference to use a virtual alphanumeric keyboard, useful in touch capable tablets and laptops.

Numeric Keypad

Define preference to use a virtual numeric keyboard, useful in touch capable tablets and laptops. Note Frequency and Amplitude numeric dialogs are always active.

Dark Mode

Set a black background skin, closer to desktop instruments and easier to read in certain environments.

Iterations

The number of sweep data iterations to perform calculations on including Average and MaxPeak (not available for Tracking SNA mode).

Fill Trace

Display a filled area in all signal shapes except Realtime signal.

Smooth

Use soft splines to join data sweep points in order to present a calculated soft curve

Thick Trace

Display trace with extra width

Show Grid

Show grid inside spectrum analyzer graph

Realtime

Raw data as captured with no post-processing.

Average

Arithmetic media of all the last iterations sampled.

Max Peak

Maximum value of all the last iterations sampled.

Max Hold

Maximum value of all captured samples regardless Iterations value.

Minimum

Minimum value of all the last iterations sampled.

Amplitude Units

Select amplitude units between dBm, dBµV or Watt to display data in analyzer graph.

Stop Auto Average

Automatically stop SNA tracking after <Average> specified number of sweeps

Insertion Loss (dB)

Evaluate signal insertion loss in dB

Return Loss (dB)

Evaluate the ratio of the reflected power to the incident power in dB

Return loss (VSWR)

Evaluate the ratio of the maximum to minimum voltage on a loss-less transmission line

Enable Remote Max Hold Buffer

Enable this to increase chances of fast changing signal capture, such as WiFi. Disable for extra accurate signal capture.

Automatic LCD Off

Automatically switch the LCD off for faster updates and help increase LCD lifetime. This option only will be enabled for RF Explorer devices with screen (Not supported for RF Explorer IoT).

Automatic Amplitude Update

Use this option to force the RF Explorer device to update amplitude visual range, or disable for fast local updates with no need to remote updates. This option is only available for RF Explorer devices with embedded screen (Not supported for RF Explorer IoT).

Enable RF Connector

• Left SMA: Use this option to enable remote device port on the left RF connector (Main board).
• Right SMA: Use this option to enable remote device port on the right RF connector (Expansion board). (Not supported for RF Explorer IoT).

Input Stage

Select input stage to enable Direct, Attenuator or LNA.

Sweep Points

Resolution data points for each captured sweep in spectrum analyzer device. This feature is currently supported in PLUS, ProAudio and IoT models only.

Supported values:

• Windows, Linux and MacOS: 112, 240, 512, 1024, 2048, 3072 and 4096 points
• Raspberry Pi: 112, 240, 432, 1024, 2048, 3072 and 4096 points

Reinitialize Data Buffer

Internally re-initialize the MaxHold buffers used for cache data inside the RF Explorer device.

Record Manager

Provides functions to store in computer sweeps stored in internal spectrum analyzer memory. For more details visit:

Frequency Calibration

Procedure to easily tune the RF Explorer Spectrum Analyzer with a reliable and accurate RF source to get the best possible frequency accuracy.
For more details visit:

Reference

Reference frequency point used to calibrate device. Recommended 910MHz (range available from 250 to 950MHz)

Calibrate...

Performs frequency calibration for supported models

Save RFE Data File on Close

Save a RFE data file every time application is closed. If “Enable Continuous Log” option is enabled, this feature will be enabled automatically.

Enable

Enable continuous log to save RFE data or CSV files periodically in seconds as selected in “Auto Save Delay (s)” option. Also this option save a RFE data file in each configuration change in device and when application is closed.

Auto Save RFE Data

If “Enable” option checked, save a RFE data file every number of seconds selected in “Auto Save Delay (s)” option.

Auto Save CSV

If “Enable” option checked, save a CSV data file every number of seconds selected in “Auto Save Delay (s)” option.

Auto Save Delay (s)

Number of second for Auto-Save feature.

Auto Delete (Days)

Number of days for Auto-Delete old and unused files in user folder

Auto Save Folder Path

Directory where .RFE and CSV files will be stored if Auto Save feature is active

Field Separator

Delimiter to use for CSV file generation.
Supported separators: Comma, Division, Semicolon, Space or Tabulator.

Decimal Separator

Delimiter to use as decimal separator.
Supported separators: Comma or Dot.

End of Line

End of line to use in for CSV file generation.
Supported end of lines: Line Feed (\n) or Carriage Return and Line Feed (\r\n).

WSM Sennheiser Compatible

When option is checked, CSV files generated can be imported directly in WSM Sennheiser software.

CSV Trace

Selected data trace used to generate the CSV file. There are multiple traces available (such as Real Time or Average) so it is important to select the right one for your needs.

CSV Header

Insert descriptive header inside generated CSV files.

Fields included are: 

• Receiver
• Date/Time      
• RFUnit
• Owner
• ScanCountry 
• CRC

Feature custom definition of Radio Standard channels. 

You can now import standards or define your own channels to be included in the Spectrum Analyzer graph of RF Explorer Touch.

Each channel in a Radio Standard will display:

All parameters of a Radio Standard can be configured in the menu option Config -> Radio Standards -> [Configure...]

This will open a configuration dialog to setup parameters, select which Radio Standards are visible (up to 10 at any given time), import new Radio Standard definitions, etc.

These files are text files you can edit or create with the tool of your choice (e.g. notepad – although we recommend some better editor such as Notepad++)

To configure Radio Standard display options go to Config -> Radio Standard and click on [Display Options…] button.

Appearance

“Show Channel Shape” option: Enable/Disable Radio Standard channel shape display.

“Show Background” option: Enable/Disable shadow among channel bandwidth display.

“Line Style” option: Define how channels will be drawn. Values:

• Solid Line
• Dashes Line
• Dotted Line
• Dash and Dot line

Text Settings

“Text Name Channels” option: Enable/Disable channel name display.

“Text Amplitude Values” option: Enable/Disable channel power values display.

“Size” option: Select channel text font size

An advanced and powerful tool in the spectrum analyzer mode is the ability to work with Minimum and Maximum Limit Lines.

These are fully configurable, visual and optionally audible alarm feature with multi-data point lines to determine power limits.

Operative Limit Line

Limit Lines are fixed thresholds, and only one pair of Max / Min limit lines can be specified at any given time.

These settings apply to one limit line type at a time: maximum or minimum. Use to define or change parameters of each limit line as required.

Different limit lines can be loaded from file or generated from a signal trace anytime.

Limit line type

• Max: select to apply changes to maximum limit line.
• Min: select to apply changes to minimum limit line.

Build from signal

Generate maximum or minimum limit line from a currently selected signal trace specifying a positive offset in dB. This offset will be added or subtracted depending on limit line type selected

Save to file

Save maximum or minimum limit line to a limit line file (.rfl).

Read from file

Load maximum or minimum limit line from a limit line file (.rfl).

Remove

Remove maximum or minimum limit line from spectrum analyzer screen.

Common

These settings apply in common to both maximum and minimum limit line

Sound alarm

To enable or disable an audio alarm for as long as the condition is not met

Grips

To enable or disable circle gripped in limit line traces. For high resolution mode, circles might make it hard to see how close limit line trace from signal trace is.

Create a compressed ZIP file with activity logs, configuration files and report files in order to diagnose application issues. Only required if requested by RF Explorer Tech Support. 

Show application, Operating System and, if connected, device details

Set frequency and amplitude values for device.

This can be modified if RF Explorer device is connected only.

Click on [Frequency] and click on desired parameter to set in device.

For more details see:

Click on [Amplitude] and click on desired parameter to set in device.

For more details see:

Click on [Frequency] and click on desired parameter to set in device.

For more details see:

Click on [Amplitude] and click on desired parameter to set in device.

For more details see:

Configuration parameters to display markers in Spectrum Analyzer mode or Tracking SNA graphs and markers panel.

Main Marker ID

Marker Identification number. Check “Enable Marker” option to set a marker.

Frequency (MHz)

Marker frequency (Only allowed for markers 2 to 10).

Delta Marker ID

Delta Marker Identification number. Check “Enable Marker” option to set a delta marker.

Offset (MHz)

Frequency difference in MHz between delta marker and its reference marker.

Offset Locked

Enable a dynamic follow-up of the Delta ID to the Marker ID selected. It will follow the reference Marker if it changes position.

Track Marker 1

Define trace that marker 1 follow in visual representation

Marker 1 Peak Text

Show peak frequency and amplitude values for marker 1

Marker Panel

Show or hide markers panel to display visible markers table.

Presets are predefined configuration stored by name in the application to easily recall commonly used setups.

Parameters persisted are frequency, amplitude, enabled traces and markers.

Load

Action option to load stored preset values into current configuration.

Save

Action option to save current configuration into the selected preset. This option cannot be undone, care should be taken to not overwrite another valid preset.

Delete

Remove selected preset configuration. “Default” preset cannot be deleted.

Back

Return to main menu and current visual mode (Such as Spectrum Analyzer).

Contain different actions for files as Load, Save RFE data and Save CSV.

Load file

To load RFE file, go to File -> Load… and select desired file navigating through directories.

Click on [Load] button to finish action.

Save file

To save RFE file, go to File -> Save… and select desired directory to store file, typing a name for it.

Click on [Save] button to finish action.

This option is only available if there is a RF Explorer connected device and some data is actually received

Save CSV file

To save single CSV file, go to File -> Save CSV… and select desired directory to store file, typing a name for it. Click on [Save] button to finish action.

To change CSV file configuration parameters, such as field delimiter or end of line type, see:

Contain different actions for files as Load Normalization, Save Normalization, Save 1SP data and Save CSV.

To load Normalization file, go to File -> Load Normalization as… and select desired file navigating through directories.

Click on [Load] button to finish action.

To save Normalization file, go to File -> Save Normalization as… and select desired directory to store file, typing a name for it.

Click on [Save] button to finish action.

This option is only available if tracking normalization data is actually received

One port S-parameter data file.

To save tracking S1P file, go to File -> Save S1P as… and select desired directory to store file, typing a name for it.

Click on [Save] button to finish action.

To save tracking SNA single CSV file, go to File -> Save CSV… and select desired directory to store file, typing a name for it. Click on [Save] button to finish action.

To change CSV file configuration parameters, such as field delimiter or end of line type, see:

In order to make it simpler to enter data in environments where a physical keyboard may not be available, these specific, context sensitive virtual touch keyboards are included in the RF Explorer Touch application.

Numeric Keyboard

This keyboard will appear when application require numeric data. When available, a physical keyboard can be used to edit numeric value as well.

This keyboard can be shown/hidden based on Config/Display setting, except Amplitude and Frequency which are always available.

• [X]: Close keyboard ignoring changes.
• [<DEL]: Delete a left digit from current cursor position.
• [CLEAR]: Remove all text in edit box.
• [dBm], [-dBm], [dBµV], [Watt], [µWatt], [pWatt]: Validate inserted data in the specific units. Other configurations may show GHz, MHz, KHz, etc.
• [W/dB]: Switch amplitude units between dB and Watts
• Range label: Show current magnitude type used to enter value. For amplitude it may show dBm,.

Alphanumeric Keyboard

This keyboard will appear when application require text information. When available, a physical keyboard can be used to edit alphanumeric value as well. This keyboard can be shown/hidden based on Config/Display setting.

• [CLEAR]: Remove all text in edit box.
• [ESC]: Close keyboard ignoring changes.
• [CAPS]: Type with capital letters.
• [<DEL]: Delete a left character from current cursor position.
• [DONE]: Close keyboard saving typed text.
• [<]: Move cursor to the left.
• [>]: Move cursor to the right.

Some advanced configuration settings are available for expert users tune-up.

This should be modified only if you are comfortable changing XML files and understanding XML syntax.

The advanced configuration parameters are stored in file RFETouch.xml. This file can be found in following locations depending on OS:

RF Explorer Touch software check every time it is started if a new software version or connected device firmware version is available to upgrade from our online secure server.

If a software or firmware upgrade is available, label “Update Available” will display on Spectrum Analyzer graph or the first time CONFIG menu is entered.