Narda DF Antennas - Datasheet
SignalShark IDA 2
Datasheet
To cover a wide frequency range with high sensitivity, Narda offers several directional antennas. Each antenna is optimized for their particular frequency range with regard to sensitivity and directivity, resulting in excellent bearing accuracy. The fact that their frequency ranges overlap each other by about 20% is of great tactical value.
Two Automatic DF Antennas (ADFA) in combination with the Narda Real-Time Handheld Analyzer SignalShark® support full automatic direction finding.
- Manual DF antennas from 9 kHz up to 8 GHz
- Active Antenna Handle with built-in Electronic Compass and Preamplifier
- Automatic antenna recognition
- Automatic polarization detection
- Automatic frequency response correction
- Automatic DF-Antenna 1: 200 MHz to 2.7 GHz
- Automatic DF-Antenna 2: 10 MHz to 8 GHz
Manual DF
DF Antenna Handle
Powered from basic unit. There is no need for additional batteries to power the active antenna handle. The handle simply draws its power from the basic unit SignalShark/IDA through the control cable. This makes the handle even lighter and there is no danger of losing power in the middle of a long-term measurement.
Automatic antenna and polarization detection
The basic unit automatically recognizes the antenna type and direction of polarization via the control cable. The typical antenna correction factor is applied automatically when used in conjunction with a basic unit.
Electronic Compass
There is a precision position-compensated electronic compass in the handle. Data from the compass is also transferred to the basic unit via the control cable. The compass is adjusted during production after it has been built in to the handle so it shows no deviation due to the handle. If required, you can numerically enter the local declination (angle between geographic and magnetic North) into the basic unit.
3D position detection
Furthermore, the handle contains position sensors that measure the elevation and roll (polarization) angles of the antenna. The elevation and polarization are important factors in determining the direction of a signal source when taking manual bearings. In contrast, the roll and elevation angles should be kept constant while turning the antenna for a Horizontal Scan.
Start/Stop button
The Start/Stop button makes it easy to start, stop, or correct a measurement with a thumb press on the antenna handle.
Manual DF Antennas
Loop Antenna - 9kHz to 30 MHz
This antenna is very helpful for interference finding in the area of power line communication and interference due to defective capacitors within power supplies.
Antenna 1 - 20 MHz to 250 MHz
Starting in the region of the ISM frequency of 27 MHz, it is also particularly suitable for interference and impairment searches in the UHF broadcast radio band and also includes the lower end of the VHF TV band including DAB.
Antenna 2 – 200 MHz to 500 MHz
Ideal for interference and impairment searches on all the communications services located in that band. It also covers the ISM frequency at 433 MHz.
Antenna 3 - 400 MHz to 8 GHz
It covers the entire range of mobile -communications services including LTE and WiFi. It also captures L-, S-, and C-band radar.
Specifications of manual DF Antennas
The following accessories can be used with SignalShark and IDA.
General Specifications - Antenna Handle and Directional Antennas
| Environmental | Operating temperature | 10 °C to +55 °C |
| Compliance | Humidity | < 29 g/m³ (< 93% RH at + 30 °C), non-condensing |
| Climatic | Storage: 1K3 (IEC 60721-3) extended to - 20 °C to + 70 °C Transport: 2K4 (IEC 60721-3) extended to - 20 °C to + 70 °C |
|
| Operating | 7K2 (IEC 60721-3) extended to - 10 °C to + 55 °C | |
| Mechanical | Storage | 1M3 (IEC 60721-3) |
| Transport | 2M3 (IEC 60721-3) | |
| Operating | 7M3 (IEC 60721-3) | |
| EMC European Union | Complies with EMC Directive 2014/30/EU and IEC/EN 61326 -1: 2013 | |
| Immunity | IEC/EN: 61000-4-2, 61000-4-3, 61000-4-4, 61000-4-5, 61000-4-6, 61000-4-11 Complete set tested up to 100 V/m (limited by the max. permissible field for the antennas) |
|
| Emissions | IEC/EN: 61000-3-2, 61000-3-3, IEC/EN 55011 (CISPR 11) Class B | |
| Safety | Complies with European Low Voltage Directive 2014/35/EU and IEC/EN 61010-1:2010 | |
| Dimensions (L x W x H), Weight (size without cable) | Handle: | 165 mm x 165 mm × 43 mm (6.5" x 6.5" x 1.7"), 470 g/1.04 lbs |
| Dir. Antenna 1: | 325 mm x 255 mm × 80 mm (12.8" x 10.0" × 3.1"), 400 g / 0.88 lbs | |
| Dir. Antenna 2: | 285 mm x 410 mm × 43 mm (11.2" x 16.1" x 1.7"), 300 g / 0.66 lbs | |
| Dir. Antenna 3: | 478 mm x 332 mm × 50 mm (18.8" x 13.1" x 2.0"), 350 g / 0.77 lbs | |
| Loop antenna 3100/14: | 430 mm x 370 mm × 42 mm (16.9" x 14.6" x 1.7"), 380 g / 0.84 lbs | |
| Country of origin | Germany | |
| Automatic frequency response correction | Typical antenna factor correction is applied automatically when used in conjunction with the SignalShark basic unit and Narda Active Antenna Handle |
Active Antenna Handle (3300/10) - with Electronic Compass and Preamplifier
| Frequency range | 9 kHz to 8 GHz |
| Preamplifier | Automatic frequency response correction Built-in, can be switched off Amplification typ. 16 dB, noise figure < 6 dB |
| Compass | Embedded electronic compass Azimuth uncertainty < 1.5° RMS for tilt < 15° Pitch and roll uncertainty < 3° RMS in the range of +/- 30° (RMS means the standard deviation of the specified error) |
| Connection cable to SignalShark basic unit | RF cable and control cable combined in a flexible tube, length 1 m |
| RF connector to basic unit | SMA-connector, male, 50 Ω (N-connector adapter included) |
| RF connector to Narda directional antennas | BMA 50 Ω (female on handle side) |
| Antenna connectivity | Horizontal or vertical polarization, type and polarization detected automatically |
| Power supply | From basic unit |
| Mounting | Connecting thread at the underside of the handle for tripod mounting |
Directional Antennas and Characteristics
Directional Antenna 1 (3100/11)
| Frequency range | 20 MHz to 250 MHz |
| Antenna type | Directional loop antenna |
| Antenna factor | 21 dB (1/m) typical @ 200 MHz (passive mode) |
Directional Antenna 2 (3100/12)
| Frequency range | 200 MHz to 500 MHz |
| Antenna type | Directional dipole antenna |
| Antenna factor | 21 dB (1/m) typical @ 350 MHz (passive mode) |
Directional Antenna 3 (3100/13)
| Frequency range | 400 MHz to 8 GHz |
| Antenna type | Log-periodic antenna |
| Antenna factor | 18.5 dB (1/m) typical @ 500 MHz (passive mode) |
Loop Antenna, H-FIELD (3100/14)
| Frequency range | 9 kHz to 30 MHz |
| Antenna type | Shielded loop antenna |
| Antenna factor / Radiation pattern |
Passive mode (preamp. off):
Radiation pattern (typ.) for a horizontal scan and vertical polarization (V) or horizontal polarization (H) |
Antenna Adapter, N Male (3100/15)
| Description | With an adapter the internal 3D compass, built-in switchable preamplifier, and automatic polarization detection can be used with third-party antennas. |
Full automatic DF System
SignalShark supports automatic DF antennas from Narda. An automatic DF Antenna translates signals from several antenna elements into a single channel DF signal. The antenna is controlled by SignalShark, which automatically calculates bearings, based on the single channel DF signals. Measurement results can be bearings, as well as omnidirectional level and spectrum values. Additionally SignalShark calculates the statistical distribution of bearing lines and provides transmitter localization visualized as a heat map.
The antenna can be used with a tripod, can be mounted to an antenna mast or can be attached to the rooftop of a vehicle via a magnetic mount adapter.
Fast automatic direction finding
In an automatic DF Antenna, there are elements of antenna arrays, an omnidirectional reference antenna, four phase shifters, a summing stage and a switch matrix. The SignalShark controls and synchronizes the switch matrix with its extremely fast internal measurement unit. A complete bearing cycle can be as short as 1.2 ms. During each bearing cycle also the omnidirectional channel power and the spectrum is measured.
This makes it possible to monitor changes in the signal level or spectrum concurrently with the bearings.
The antenna arrays of the automatic DF Antenna depend on the frequency range. At low frequencies, just a pair of crossed coils are used in combination with the Watson-Watt DF-method. At medium and high frequencies, a 9-element circular array is used for the correlative interferometer DF-method.
Build-In transmitter localization
The SignalShark simplifies localization of transmitters by autonomously evaluating all the available bearing results and plotting them on a map. It uses a statistical distribution of bearing lines that represents the uncertainty in the bearing. The result is a map on which the possible locations of the transmitter are plotted and color-coded according to their probability. Red corresponds to a very likely and blue to a very unlikely transmitter position. The SignalShark also draws an ellipse, which marks the area where the transmitter has a 95% probability of being located, and its center is the estimated position of the transmitter.
When bearings are taken under non-ideal conditions, such as in an urban environment, the uncertainty in the bearings is much more dependent on the environment than on the automatic DF Antenna. Nevertheless, if enough bearings are taken from enough locations, the localization algorithm of the SignalShark will generally result in a convergence on the actual location of the transmitter, even in urban surroundings. To speed up and optimize the localization process, an automatic DF Antenna can be attached to the rooftop of a vehicle to take random bearings in the estimated area.
Specifications of automatic DF Antennas
The automatic DF antennas can be used with SignalShark.
General Specifications - Automatic DF-Antennas
| Temperature | Storage: 40 °C to + 85 °C Operating: 40 °C to +55 °C |
| Humidity | < 29 g/m³ (< 93% RH at +30°C), non-condensing |
| Permissible wind speed | Max. 130 km/h |
| Ingress Protection | IP 55 |
Automatic DF-Antenna 1 (3360/01)
| Frequency range | 200 MHz to 2.7 GHz |
| Antenna type | Single channel, automatic direction finding antenna. |
| DF method | Correlative interferometer |
| Compass | Embedded electronic compass |
| GNSS | Embedded receiver and antenna |
| DF accuracy | 1° RMS (typ.) b |
| Automatic frequency response correction | Typical antenna factor correction is applied automatically when used in conjunction with the SignalShark basic unit. |
| VSWR | t.b.d. |
| Polarization | Vertical |
| Installation | on mast, tripod, magnet mount |
| Dimensions (Height x Diameter) | 219 mm x 480 mm (8.62" x 18.9") |
| Weight | 5.6 kg (12.3 lbs) |
| Country of origin | Germany |
Automatic DF-Antenna 2
| Frequency range | 10 MHz to 8 GHz |
| Antenna type | Single channel, automatic direction finding antenna. |
| DF method | Watson-Watt, correlative interferometer |
| Compass | Embedded electronic compass |
| GNSS | Embedded receiver and antenna |
| DF accuracy | 1° RMS (typ.) b |
| Automatic frequency response correction | Typical antenna factor correction is applied automatically when used in conjunction with the SignalShark basic unit. |
| VSWR | t.b.d. |
| Polarization | Vertical |
| Installation | on mast, tripod, magnet mount |
| Dimensions (Height x Diameter) | 219 mm x 480 mm (8.62" x 18.9") |
| Weight | t.b.d. |
| Country of origin | Germany |
Ordering Information
Your local Narda representative will inform you of all possible accessories and will be pleased to provide you with advice.
Accessories for SignalShark and IDA
| Accessory Description | Part number |
| Directional Antenna 1, 20 MHz - 250 MHz | 3100/11 |
| Directional Antenna 2, 200 MHz - 500 MHz | 3100/12 |
| Directional Antenna 3, 400 MHz - 8 GHz | 3100/13 |
| Loop Antenna, H-Field, 9kHz-30MHz | 3100/14 |
| Antenna Adapter, N Male for Handle 3100/10 and 3300/10 | 3100/15 |
| Arm Support for Active Antenna Handle | 3100/90.10 |
| Active Antenna Handle for IDA and SignalShark, 9kHz - 8GHz | 3300/10 |
Accessories for SignalShark only
| Accessory Description | Part number |
| Additional GNSS Antenna, external, active | 3300/90.05 |
| RF Adapter, N Male to SMA Female, 50 Ohm | 3300/90.13 |
| Automatic DF-Antenna 1, 200 MHz - 2.7 GHz | 3360/01 |
| RF-Cable, 9kHz-8GHz, N to SMA, 50 Ohm, 5 m | 3603/02 |
| RF-Cable, 9kHz-8GHz, N to SMA, 50 Ohm, 15 m | 3603/03 |
Recommended Analyzers
| SignalShark Basic Set | 3310/101 |
| IDA-3106 Basic Unit set | 3106/204 |
Narda Safety Test Solutions GmbH
Sandwiesenstraße 7
72793 Pfullingen, Germany
Phone: +4971219732-0
Fax: +4971219732-790
E-Mail: support.narda-de@L3T.com
www.narda-sts.com
Narda Safety Test Solutions
435 Moreland Road
Hauppauge, NY11788, USA
Phone: +1631231-1700
Fax: +1631231-1711
E-Mail: TestSolutions.INFO@L3T.com
www.narda-sts.com
Names and logo are registered trademarks of Narda Safety Test Solutions GmbH and L3 Communications Holdings, Inc.
Trade names are trademarks of the owners.
