VMA Simple Spectrum Analyser - Download the latest version here!

VMA Simple Spectrum Analyser

Please read the whole contents of this page before sending any e-mail!

My e-mail address is: v m a @ n o r c a m . p t

Feature List

• Sweep Spectrum Analyser supporting ADF4350, ADF4351 and MAX2870 based devices 
• Free selectable span range
• Two markers
• 8 user defined predefined spectrum settings
• Automatic amplitude adjustment
• Min/Max/Avg live spectrum traces
• Line/Shaded spectrum rendering
• Waterfall display
• Save/Load spectrum mask
• Record/Play spectrum
• GPS and time stamp for on the road measurements
• Frequency logger from live or recorded spectrum at desired freqeuncy
• Trigger function with user defined mask and automatic alarm e-mail message
• Google Maps rendering of logger files
• Signal source
• Sweep generator
• Power meter
• Special measurements
• Marker 1&2 bandwidth
• Marker 1&2 power difference
• Bandwidth Measurement
• Channel Power Measurement
• Transponder Frequency Measurement
• Math functions applied on traces
• SWR Measurement
• Satellite Identification through transponder pattern recognition

Current software download link:

Version 2023-01-14

Mediafire

Link does not work? Please write a comment!

Current manual download link:

English Version 2017-10-15

Mediafire

Link does not work? Please write a comment!

Deutsche Version 2016-12-27

Mediafire

Vielen Dank an Femi für die Unterstützung zur Erstellung der deutschen Bedienungsanleitung!

Link does not work? Please write a comment!

Change log:

2023-01-14; Fixed error when starting software without valid license

2021-09-28: Fixed bug in Trigger Mask

2021-07-16: Several bug fixes: MEM trace was zeroed after first sweep and other minor bugs

2021-06-16: Several bug fixes for LTDZ devices

2021-06-15: Added "Marker 1 Peak Search" and "Marker 1 -> Center" buttons

2021-06-14: Further protocol fixes for LTDZ devices - signal generator modes shouls now work 

2021-06-11: Changed serial protocol for better compatibility with LTDZ devices

2021-01-09: Fixed bug affecting some LTDZ

2020-11-15: Setting marker 1 or 2 will copy the respective frequency to the Clipboard

2019-10-19: Adjusted frequency range of NWT6000 to 21MHz-6200MHz
2019-10-03: Bug fixes related with decimal symbol configuration in
            Regional Settings ("," or ".")
2019-08-30: Improved and bug fixed new Error Map Compensation
            Calibration settings are stored in Registry
2019-08-22: Added Calibration with Error Map Compensation
2019-08-18: Fixed Power Meter for LTDZ 35-4400M (Banggood)
2019-07-22: Added support for LTDZ 35-4400M (Banggood)
2019-05-30: Added GPS support for GLONASS and GALILEO receivers
2019-04-22: Added new "notch filter" algorithm to remove notches from signals with
            less than 1MHz bandwidth
2019-03-07: Fix to support new NWT4000 clone - D6 JTGP-1033
            "Spectrum Analyzer General Cirbcuit Board VER: 2.03 by Azeroth WindWhisper"
2019-01-27: Added GPS Time information in Spectrum Tab
2019-01-15: Fixed startup bug on new installations
            Added support for AD9857 (untested)
            GUI improvements - signal generator tabs START button in green when
            active
            Added friendly message when trying to activate signal source while
            spectrum is running (not allowed)
2018-06-12: Fixed bug in Sweep Generator - Steps in kHz would break the frequency
            value to compiler math error
2018-05-18: Fixed bug in Signal Source - Frequencies < 1GHz did not work
2018-04-29: Improved "Harmonics Signal Source"
            Permanent License shown instead of "december 2099" - will work beyond
            that date, too
            Fixed Trigger Alarm for Negative LOF
2018-04-27: Added "Harmonics" selector to Sweep Generator
2018-04-26: Added "Harmonics Signal Source" which allows generating test signal
            up to 22GHz(ADF)/30GHz(MAX) - thanks to John & Mark for the ideas!
2018-04-23: Added option to automatically save Waterfall Diagram as PNG to
            program folder, the file name includes a time stamp
2018-04-22: Added option in Setup tab to allow memorizing frequency settings
            in "VMA Simple Spectrum Analyser.ini"
2018-04-21: Added frequency correction - create "calibration.ini" and write in
            first line the frequency error to be compensated
2018-01-25: Fixed a bug in the Sweep Generator, which would not
            produce frequencies lower than 100MHz
2018-01-15: Added TRACE selection ComboBox - all measurements are done relative
            to the selected trace
2017-10-14: Small fixes to Reflectometer Measurement GUI
2017-10-12: Implemented extended Preset list - user can create custom
            "presets.ini" file with up to 255 presets
            Implemented v/c calculation for Reflectometer Measurement
2017-10-11: Implementation of Reflectometer Measurement
2017-10-09: Finished Impedance Measurement - Thanks DL2KHP!
2017-10-08: Initial implementation of Impedance Measurement - v2
2017-10-07: Improved MEM trace - now stored in full resolution, allowing improved
            MATH operations, too
2017-10-06: Bug hotfix: Software would fail to start if colour scheme was not
            predefined in Registry
2017-10-05: Added Custom Colour Scheme configuration - select your preferred
            spectrum colours in the Setup Tab
2017-10-03: Bug Fix: Corrected Signal Generator limits to correctly work within
            selected device's range
2017-10-01: Added function to show user defined transponder names. Transponder
            frequency and name has to be written in "transponder names.txt" file
            Bug fix: Transponders are now saved with three decimal places
            (100.000 MHz instead of 100MHz)
            Improvement: Frequency input form, as well as other pop-up forms
            are now shown in the centre of the main form
            Improvement: Frequency input form now accepts m/M, k/K and a/A as key
            shortcuts for MHz, KHz, Accept for faster keyboard operation
2017-08-27: Added *.ini file to store Windows position and COM port - this allows
            to run separate instances in parallel for multiple SMA devices - just
            keep one software folder for each instance
2017-05-30: Added "Wait" parameter, which allows to set a pause between capturing
            each sample
2017-02-28: Added initial support for AD9951 and AD9858 synthesizer
            (FA-NWT and NWT500)
            NOTE: AD9951 and AD9858 are used by FA-NWT and NWT500,
            but as it turns out, these device do not work with my software.
            I will remove the respective options in next release.
2017-02-27: Added 10 Markers for Math Trace
2017-02-26: Added CSV export for Traces
2017-02-25: Bug fixing and improvents on SWR Measurement
2017-02-23: First experimental SWR Measurement implementation
            Further improvement on Math Operations functionality
2017-02-21: Added Math Operations for LIVE trace
2017-02-19: Added Channel Power Measurement in Automatic Bandwidth Measurement
            mode
2017-02-18: Added support for MAX2870 synthesizer (i.e. NWT6000)
2017-02-13: Added Automatic Bandwidth Measurement in inverted spectrum
            (negative LOF)
            Several minor bug fixes
2017-02-12: New function: Automatic Bandwidth Measurement
2017-02-11: Added direct frequency input for marker 1 and 2
            Fixed bug in center frequency when changing span value
2017-02-10: Additional bug fixes due to 10 Bit resolution upgrade
2017-02-09: IMPORTANT BUG FIX! Increased Amplitude Resolution from 8 Bit to
            10 Bit
            Fixed error on AVG Trace
2017-02-03: Added current frequency display in Sweep Generator
            Fixed START/STOP buttons in Signal Source
2017-01-10: Added a STOP button on the Signal Source tab - it will stop any
            signal output
            Bug fixes:
            - Step value of sweep generator could not be changed
            - Centre frequency was wrong when increasing/decreasing span beyond
              frequency range
            - RBW was displaying only integer valures, hence often just a zero
            appeared
2017-01-03: Implemented variable curve thickness according to selected sample
            rate
            Fixed small bug with minimum frequency input and maximum span
2016-12-29: Finished implementation of input form for all input fields, including
            on Setup tab
            Switched to x86 binary (should make it compatible with Windows XP)
            Activated new style GUI
2016-12-28: Improved GUI: orange fields cannot be edited, blue field can be
            edited
            All numeric input fields (except in Setup tab) are now input through
            input form and values are validated/checked
            Corrected centre frequency input
            Implemented COM-port verification - software does not hang if wrong
            port is selected
2016-12-25: Fixed broken Log on Maps function
            Implemented user selectable MAC Address for licensing
2016-12-24: Increased size of mouse frequency box and change tool tip to box
            style
2016-12-23: Implemented Signal Source Preset Buttons
            Implemented frequency input check
2016-12-22: Implemented Zero Span functionality2016-12-20: Decimal places setting
            now stored in registry
            If decimal places switched off, frequencies are rendered in bigger
            font
            Tooltips shown for better readability on frequency settings and
            presets
2016-12-19: Bug fixes for Satellite Identification on C-Band
            Moved LOF input field from Frequency Presets group to Marker
            group, thus allowing LOF to be changed during playback
2016-12-18: User configurable SR treshold for Ku- and C-Band Satellite
            Identification in Setup Tab
            Fixed bug: Satellite Identification was not working when
            playing back recorded spectrum log
            Grid lines are drawn with dashed lines, improving readability
2016-12-17: Improved satellite identification speed and added support for
            circular polarisation in C-band
2016-12-15: Added keyed input on frequency input form
2016-12-14: Added frequency input form, allowing frequency input in KHz or
            MHz - this fixes unverified user input crashing the software
            Frequency is now shown in MHz with 3 decimal places
2016-12-13: Satellite identification shows missed transponders in red
            Added colour map with 256 colours for Log on Maps
2016-12-12: Improved automatic satellite identification
2016-12-11: Added automatic satellite identification
2016-12-10: Added transponder pattern recognition
2016-12-05: Added e-mail alarm alert on trigger
2016-12-04: Added TRIGGER functionality
2016-12-02: Added PRINT SCREEN button to print the entire Form to the default
            printer (only available on the Spectrum Tab)
            Added PRINT MAP button to print single frequency signal power map
            on LOG ON MAPS tab
2016-12-01: Added time stap and GPS position to recorded spectrum
            Frequency log can be created from recorded spectrum, including GPS
            data
            Enhanced GPS functionality
2016-11-29: Frequency log with GPS position and display on Google Maps
2016-11-28: Added initial GPS functionality
2016-11-27: Added recording and playback of the whole spectrum
2016-11-25: Added MINIMIZE button to hide main window, while spectrum keeps
            running
2016-11-23: Added Min, Max & Avg measurement with optional horizontal line
            display
2016-11-22: Corrected Power Meter calculation
2016-11-13: Implemented Auto Scale in Y
2016-11-10: Fully implemented inverted spectrum - if a negative LOF is entered,
            the spectrum is drawn inverted
            Inverted the changelog - new changes on top for better visibility
2016-11-09: Small bug fixes:
            Frequency of mouse position now without negative sign for inverted
            spectrum
            Spectrum load window only shows *.ssa files
2016-11-08: Increased preset buttons to a total of 9
            Implemented option to have frequency grid with 3 decimal places
            Implemented new field to show the frequency at mouse position with
            3 decimal places
2016-11-06: Implemented LOF configuration for frequency grid and marker
2016-11-05: Implemented 6 user configurable frequency preset buttons
            Implemented functionality to save and load spectrum, allowing the
            overlay of a saved spectrum
            Optimized screen width
2016-10-30: Changed screen layout, mainy for use with smaller resolutions
            Added ComboBox to select between ADF4350 and ADF4351 variants
            (138MHz-4.4GHz or 35MHz-4.4GHz)
2016-10-12: Added user defined CENTER FREQUENCY field
            Added user defined SPAN field
2016-10-10: Converted small graphic window to new graphics engine
2016-10-04: Implemented new graphics engine - best fit curve instead of line
            segments
            Implemented line/shaded spectrum option
            Corrected waterfall diagram colour map
2016-10-02: Added RBW information
2016-08-31: Removed single spectrum run
            Removed single marker dBm measurement
            Implemented improved graphics engine
            Implemented new markers: circles instead of vertical lines
            Implemented dBm indication at marker 1 & 2
            Implemented Delta dBm between marke 1 & 2
            Cleaned up source code for easier maintenance and speed
2016-08-30: Corrected dBm calibration for improved precision
            Implemented new function: Powermeter - not sure if it is correctly
            implemented
            Implemented new graphics engine
            Spectrum/Waterfall in main image can be saved as PNG
            Introduced change log
            Cleaned up GUI (Setup screen)
            Cleaned up some code
            Added a SET button on Sweep Generator (less prone to crash due to
            open RS232 port)
2016-08-22: Fixed bug in activation routine
2016-08-21: Implementation of activation routine

Minimum hardware requirements:

The bottleneck is the SMA device itself! The software works well on any fairly modern computer, laptop or tablet. No matter if Intel Atom or Intel Core i7, expect a good performance. No special graphics card is needed.

You do need to have one free USB port to connect the SMA device! 

Operating System requirements:

The software only runs on Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1 and Windows 10.

No installer is used - just uncompress the archive to a folder and run the executable.

Licencing:

The software is closed source and requires a license. There are two types of licenses:

1. Free temporary license - exiry date always set for the closest of these dates:
1. March, 31st,
2. June, 30th,
3. September, 30th
4. December, 31st
2. Permanent license, provided to donators (10€, 10£ or 10US$ - instructions inside the software and in the manual)

New temporary licenses can be requested for free after expiry for free.

One user can request several personal licenses (free or permanent) within a reasonable amount, to allow running the software on PC, laptop and tablet.

Supported SMA devices:

• 138MHz-4.4GHz USB SMA Signal Source Signal Generator Simple Spectrum Analyzer
• 35MHz-4.4GHz USB SMA Signal Source Signal Generator Simple Spectrum Analyzer
• 23.5MHz-6GHz USB SMA Signal Source Signal Generator Simple Spectrum Analyzer
• NWT4000-1 138MHz-4.4GHz Sweep Simple Spectrum Analyzer Signal Generator
• NWT4000-2 35MHz-4.4GHz Sweep Simple Spectrum Analyzer Signal Generator
• NWT4000-3 50KHz-4.4GHz Sweep Simple Spectrum Analyzer Signal Generator
• NWT6000 25MHz-6GHz Sweep Simple Spectrum Analyzer Signal Generator
• AliExpress D6 JTGP-1033
• Banggood LTDZ

The first two are low-cost models (60-70 Euro) featuring only one ADF4350 or ADF4351 synthesizer chip.
The third one is a low-cost model (110-130 Euro) featuring only one MAX2870 synthesizer chip.

The NWT4000 models (160-350 Euro) have two  ADF4350 or ADF4351 synthesizer chips.

The NWT6000 model (300-350 Euro) has two MAX2870 sythesizer chips

These devices can be purchased on eBay - search for "SMA Source/Signal Generator/Simple Spectrum Analyzer", "NWT4000" or "NWT6000".

Note: Currently the software only supports a maximum frequency range of 23.5MHz to 6GHz.

Archived versions download link (might be useful when running with Windows XP or Wine under Linux):

Updated 2016-12-29

Mediafire

Link does not work? Please write a comment!