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 device 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 in real time 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 with yellow areas in depicted graph.

Press each of these regions to change:

• Amplitude Top/Bottom - Change with numeric dialog
• Start/Center/Stop frequency - Change with numeric dialog
• Preset name - Set current preset. Note this is not available for Full Screen mode
• Amplitude Units - Menu Config -> Display
• Input Stage - Menu Config -> Device
• Frequency Offset - Change with numeric dialog
• Span Frequency - Change with numeric dialog
• Sweep Resolution - Menu Config -> Device
• RBW - Menu Config -> Device

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.

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.

This feature allows for rapid diagnostics and characterization of cables, filters, and amplifiers. When combined with a directional coupler, it can measure impedance and characterize antenna VSWR.

Some parameters can be easily configured by screen touch with yellow 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 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

For more details about performing tracking SNA visit:

This specific operating mode allows the measurement of power across a wide frequency range. In this mode, the power meter is designed to accurately measure the total power of signals that span a broad bandwidth, rather than focusing on specific frequencies or narrowband signals.

Wideband power meters are commonly used in applications where the frequency content of the signals being measured varies over a wide range. They are ideal for measuring the total power of wideband signals, such as broadband communication systems, wideband radar signals, and signals with frequency-hopping modulation schemes.

The wideband power meter mode typically provides a higher measurement speed and efficiency compared to narrowband power measurement modes, as it captures the total power across a wide frequency range in a single measurement.

Wideband Power Meter supports following modes:

Reference

Refers to the specific frequency chosen as the reference point for power measurements while capturing activity data

This specific operating mode allows the user to focus on a narrow frequency range, effectively setting the span to zero. This mode is particularly useful for analyzing and measuring signals with high frequency resolution within a limited frequency bandwidth, also it allows to examine the signal characteristics with high precision.

Zero Span mode is commonly used for tasks like measuring the power, frequency, and modulation characteristics of a specific signal or analyzing the spectral content of a single carrier signal without seeing the surrounding frequency spectrum.

Applications of Zero Span mode include measuring the frequency deviation of a modulated signal, characterizing frequency shifts or drifts, and examining the modulation quality of signals.

Zero Span supports following modes:

Reference

Refers to the specific frequency chosen as the reference point for power measurements while capturing activity data

Alphanumeric Keypad

Define preference to use a virtual alphanumeric keyboard.
Note if disabled user must display system keypad manually every time to type text.

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

Amplitude Units

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

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

Input Stage

Select input stage to enable Direct, Attenuator or LNA.

RBW (KHz)

The RBW references the internal filter used to discriminate the bandwidth of each sweep step, this is the frequency span of the final filter that is applied to the input signal

Supported values for Resolution Bandwidth in KHz:

• Auto: Best RBW definition is calculated over current frequency configuration to get faster sweep scans and is resolved by firmware, RBW manually adjust is not required every time frequency span is set
• 3, 5, 10, 30, 50, 100, 300, 500, 1000 and 2500

Threshold (dBm)

Refers to the minimum signal strength required to capture and display activity data.

Positive

It refers to the threshold, where, if it is positive, the captured signal must exceed the defined threshold to trigger the action. Otherwise, the signal should be lower.

Sample Time (us)

Refers to the time interval or duration between consecutive samples

Mode

• Once: The trigger action is launched once, and the device stops capturing data
• Continuous: The trigger is continuously evaluated, and if the threshold is reached, the data is captured and displayed on the graph

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.

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 device details

Also GPS data and status if available.

Set frequency and amplitude values for device

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 graphic top and bottom limits displayed

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 that control the display of markers in different operating modes including Spectrum Analyzer, Zero Span Trigger, Power Meter Trigger and Tracking SNA.

These settings allow to customize how markers are shown on the graphs and markers panel, providing valuable insights and enhancing your analysis capabilities.

Main Marker ID

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

Frequency (MHz) / Time (us)

Marker frequency/time (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) / Offset (us)

Frequency/time difference in MHz/us 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/time 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 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:

Context sensitive virtual touch keyboards are included in the RF Explorer Pro.

The Windows virtual keypad is disabled by default.

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.

Steps for the update process

1. Download the RF Explorer Pro installer externally such as a PC with internet conection available from the link provided below
2. Save the installer file to a USB device
3. Plug the USB device into your RF Explorer Pro system
4. Navigate to the location where you saved the installer file
5. Launch the "RFEPro_WinUpgrade.exe" file and follow the provided instructions.
6. Wait for the system to complete the upgrade process
7. The system will automatically reboot once the process is finished