Features

Specifications

Frequencies

Software

FAQs

Falcon PN Scanner

The Falcon™ is a flexible and economical real-time PN scanner systems suitable for identifying pilot signals for any and all IS-95A base stations. The system includes an internal high stability time base that is disciplined by an internal GPS receiver. The Falcon outputs data via serial port connection to a laptop PC, and weighs less than 5 pounds. Falcon Data Logger™ display presentation software is included with each system and runs in Windows 95. CDMA correlated signal strength (Ec/Io) is measured and reported up to 30 times per second.

Download Falcon data sheet

Download Falcon manual from the Technical Support section

Download Falcon software updates

Download Falcon related articles

• Absolute base station indentification
• A precision instrument priced for moderate budgets
• Fast updates of base stations
• Internal high stability time base
• Internal GPS receiver
• Data output via serial port connection to PC
• Falconeye software runs in Windows 95
• CDMA correlated signal strength (Ec/Io) energy is measured and reported up to 30 times/second
• Compact 10 3/4" wide x 9 3/4" high x 5" deep rugged case

RF SPECIFICATIONS

Frequency Range	1930-1990 MHz PCS (bands A through F) 868-897 MHz EAMPs (Forward cellular)
Frequency Accuracy	+25 ppb (0° C - 50° C)
IF Bandwidth	1.25 MHz
Aging of TXCO	+1.0 ppm/year

AMPLITUDE

Accuracy:	±1.0 dB (20° - 30° C) ±2.0 dB (0° - 50° C)
LNA Noise Figure	< 1.5 dB
Receiver Noise Figure	< 7.5 dB
1 dB Compression Point	-10 dBm
Adjacent Channel Desensitization	-20 dBm

SENSITIVITY

Antenna input sensitivity	> -90 dBm
Maximum safe input	+10 dBm

CDMA PROCESSING

PN generation	IS-95 I and Q sequences
Minimum Ec/Io	-20 dB
Correlation length	1024 chips for I and Q PN
Minimum pilot power detectable	-20 dB (Ec/Io)
Primary base station measurement updates	6 measurements per second
Single base station update (64 chips) rate	37.5 measurements per second
Simultaneous normal and single update rate	6 measurements per second
Absolute measurement timing accuracy	Locked to GPS time
Base station identification	Absolute (not relative)
PN resolution in single mode	1 chip (820 ns)

CONNECTORS

Antenna	Type-N Female (50 )
Computer	RS-232 (DB 9) Male
GPS	SMA female
Power	DC power jack 4 pin

ENVIRONMENTAL

Operating Temperature Range	0° C - 50 ° C
Storage Temperature Range	-40° C - 70° C
Dimensions	10 3/4". x 9 3/4" x 5"
Weight	< 5.0 Lbs
Power	11 to 24 V DC (1 amp, 10 watts maximum)

• PCS 1930-1990 MHz
• Cellular 868-896 MHz
• ISM 2.4-2.485 GHz

GENERAL SOFTWARE HIGHLIGHTS:

Windows 95 data capture application for extraction of scan information

Display and logging of Pilot and Base station data in real-time

Real-time GPS information updates for position, date/time and heading

Able to focus on specific measurements for trouble areas of coverage

PILOT MEASUREMENTS:

Ec/Io and separate Ec measurements for all 512 base stations

Measures multipath components

Identifies PN offset position ±1 chip to find "island PNs"

Real-time display of measured data as well as playback of scanned data

Configure parameters to set Ec/Io threshold, PN search range and CDMA channel

RSSI MEASUREMENTS:

Measure channel power for any specified frequency range

Spectrum analyzer function allows sweeping entire or part of PCS or Cellular band

TOP BASE STATIONS:

View strongest base stations in bar chart form in real-time

Configure Ec/Io threshold and PN range for filtering data

EXPORT DATA:

Output measured data in ASCII, Mapinfo Excel or Maptitude formats

Filter scanned data for sampling rates and averaging

OTHER:

Ability to set PN offset increments and base station scan lists

RECOMMENDED COMPUTER HARDWARE:

The Falcon can be used with existing computer hardware, provided the computer meets the following minimum requirements:

Pentium or Pentium II processor

Windows 95

RS-232 (DB9) serial port

16 MB RAM

6 MB disk space for software installation

200 MB disk space recommended for data

CD-ROM drive recommended

640 x 480 display resolution

Data can be flexibly exported to a file for use in another application, such as mapping software or additional post-processing software. Compatible data export formats are:

Comarco Workbench
EDX SignalPro
Expert Wireless MaXPlan
Generic ASCII
Grayson IQ Analyzer
MapInfo (w/dB Planner)
Microsoft Excel
MLJ PathPro
MSI Planet
SafCo OPAS32
TEC Cellular Wizard
Teleworx PlotworX

How is the Falcon different from other Berkeley PN scanners?

The Falcon is significantly less expensive and lighter than the Eagle and Super Eagle. In addition, the Falcon includes a unique software package to exploit its features more fully.