Merlin MK4 Spectrum Analyzer
Merlin MK4 Shearwater portable spectrum analyzer with scan speed up to 52 [THz/s], frequency range from 10 [KHz] to 30 [GHz] and functionality suitable for TSCM – Technical Surveillance Counter Measures (Environmental Sweeps, Electronic Sweeps, Bug Sweeps).
Price: on request
Description
Merlin Mk4 is the latest version of Shearwater’s ultra-fast spectrum analyzer. With an acquisition rate of 52 terahertz per second, the system features Ethernet control, making it ideal for remote use.
2D and 3D waterfall visualizations can be recorded and played back, providing both temporal and frequency data.
Equipped with two integrated quad-core computers, the operator has a graphical interface. The unit comes standard with a tablet, but any type and size of device can be used: Mac, PC (desktop or laptop), or mobile devices such as iPhone.
Equipped with two external monitors supplied as standard, in addition to the Ethernet cable connection, a wireless connection is provided for quick start-up.
The unit can be powered by battery or AC power. The battery system is hot-swappable; four removable batteries and a dual rapid charger are included as standard.
Both analog and digital video demodulation are available. Scanning for Bluetooth transmissions occurs simultaneously with RF spectrum scanning for other types of transmissions. Identification (ID/MAC address) and real-time signaling allow Bluetooth device location.
An external antenna can be used; a portable (or tripod-mountable) directional antenna is included for source location (Direction Finding).
Probe input for mains/cables with switchable F/N, F/T, N/T interface.
Automatically switching antenna system – HF / VHF / UHF / SHF; selectable antennas – Log-Periodic; Directional; Wire; Power Line Probe.
Modular digital superheterodyne receiver, upgradeable firmware; one Quad-Core PC for receiver control; one Quad-Core PC for scanning software; 256 GB SSD internal memory; 3 x USB, VGA, RJ45 input/output; accessory connectors for future development; user-installable upgrades.
Unit dimensions 350 x 280 x 95 [mm]; weight 9.0 [kg].
Technical Specifications
- Spectrum capture and recording from 50 [kHz] to 30 [GHz]
- Demodulation with SDR radio
- Recording and playback of RF signals
Spectrum recording and capture from 50 [kHz] to 30 [GHz] - Analog/digital sampling rate 160 Msps – millions of samples per second
- Analog/digital receiver resolution 16 bit
- Tuning range from 50 [kHz] to 30 [GHz]
- Tuning resolution 10 [Hz]
- Signal acquisition at 52 Terahertz per second
- Resolution Bandwidth (RBW) 5 [kHz] to 5 [MHz]
- RF input range from +5 [dBm] to displayed average noise level (DANL)
- Displayed Average Noise Level (DANL):
50 [kHz] to 1 [MHz] -130 [dBm]
1 [MHz] to 5 [MHz] -140 [dBm]
5 [MHz] to 60 [MHz] -155 [dBm]
60 [MHz] to 6 [GHz] -160 [dBm]
6 [GHz] to 30 [GHz] -140 [dBm] - RF amplitude accuracy ± 2.0 [dB]
- LO Leakage to RF Input< -95 [dBm]
- System clock spurious (> 200 [MHz)]< -120 [dBm]
- System clock spurious (< 200 [MHz])< -85 [dBm]
- Residual Responses (RF Input -20 [dBm], Attenuation 0 [dB])< -90 [dBm]
- Spurious and image rejection (-30 dBm at Aux input, 0 dB attenuation, maximum RF gain):
< -90 [dBc] (50 [kHz]÷60 MHz)
< -80 [dBc] (60 [MHz]÷6 [GHz])
< -45 [dBc] (6 [GHz]÷30 [GHz]) - Frequency stability (50 MHz TCXO reference) ± 1 [ppm]
SDR demodulation - IF demodulation bandwidth 625 [kHz] to 40 [MHz] (one octave increments)
- Spurious rejection and images< -90 [dBc]
- Demodulation modes AM, FM Narrow (narrow band), FM Wide (wide band), USB, LSB (custom modes available upon request)
- Mode bandwidth from 1 [kHz] to 300 [kHz], adjustable in 1 [Hz] steps; built-in presets for common modes and bandwidths (custom bandwidths available upon request)
- Demodulation tuning range – Merlin center frequency ± IF bandwidth
- Tuning resolution 10 [Hz]
- Audio recording and playback
Real-time recording and playback of RF signals with SDR demodulation - Real-time RF bandwidth (record or playback) from 625 [kHz] to 40 [MHz] (one-octave increments (80 MHz option)
- RF center frequency from 312.5 [kHz] to 30 [Hz]
- RF tuning resolution 10 [Hz]
- RF amplitude resolution 16 bit
- Real-time recorded data formats – 16-bit raw RF samples (two’s complement); 16-bit I/Q RF samples (two’s complement) (default recording mode); optional VITA 49 standard
- Exporting the recording for external analysis
- Simultaneous SDR recording and demodulation
- Recording time limited only by hard drive capacity. Real-time RF spectrum recording time is limited only by the capacity of the internal or external hard drive. Approximately 7 hours of recording on a 4TB hard drive with I/Q data acquisition at 40MHz bandwidth and 160Mbps.
Video signal demodulation - TV Modes PAL AM, FM Positive, FM Inverted, DVBT, ATSC optional
- Tuning range 40 [MHz]÷30 [GHz]
- Tuning resolution 10 [Hz]
- FM lock range ± 5 [MHz]
- Video recording and playback
Bluetooth Directional Search and Radiogonometry - Bluetooth 4.1 standard
- Bluetooth Search Mode – LAP/MAC search in Master mode; LAP/MAC search in Pager mode
- Tuning range: 2.38 to 2.52 [GHz]
- Tuning resolution 100 [kHz]
- Background noise level (typical) -95 [dB]m
- Non-standard frequency search – manual and automatic with 100 [kHz] steps
- Single frequency scan
- Single LAP scan for Direction Finding – real-time signal, noise, and signal-to-noise ratio readings
with signal/noise bar graph for Direction Finding operations - Simultaneous Bluetooth search and MerlinMK4 spectral scan
- Simultaneous Bluetooth search and MerlinMK4 SDR demodulation
- Standard Bluetooth active search
Bluetooth/Wi-Fi Spectral Monitoring - 2.4 to 2.5 GHz Spectrum Analyzer – Real-time display of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi spectrum
- Typical background noise level -95 [dBm]
- Simultaneous Bluetooth and MerlinMK4 Spectral Scanning
- Simultaneous MerlinMK4 SDR demodulation and Bluetooth spectrum
- Bluetooth Spectrum Recording
Accessories
- Tablet PC
- Mains Carrier
- Directional antenna (Log Periodic)
- 21″ touch screen monitor
- 16″ USB Monitor
- Keyboard
- Mouse
- Headphones
- Batteries (4)
- Battery Charger
- Omnidirectional RF, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi antennas
Product Composition
- Spectrum Analyzer
- Accessories
- Users Manual
- Safety suitcase