ESMD

Specifications

High performance wide-band monitoring receiver. Digital configuration, frequency range 0.008-26500 MHz, all-mode. Recording and reproduction of IQ components with temporal resolution on the order of nanoseconds for post-analysis through waterfall diagram. Ideated in Germany.

Reference market : professional

ESMD specifications

General

Frequency coverage
0.0080 ~ 3600.0000 MHz [1] 0.0080 ~ 26500.0000 MHz [2] 20.0000 ~ 3600.0000 MHz [3] 20.0000 ~ 26500.0000 MHz [4]
Mode
CW / LSB / USB / ISB / AM / FM / WFM / PM / PAL
Tuning step
1 Hz

Receiver

Sensitivity
CW [8]	0.25 uV (0.4~3600 MHz, 10dB SINAD)
SSB [9]	0.5 uV (0.4~3600 MHz, 10dB SINAD)
AM	1.0 uV (0.4~2000 MHz, 12dB SINAD) 1.3 uV (2000~3000 MHz, 12dB SINAD) 1.4 uV (3000~3600 MHz, 12dB SINAD)
FM-N	1.0 uV (0.4~2000 MHz, 20dB SINAD) 1.3 uV (2000~3000 MHz, 20dB SINAD) 1.4 uV (3000~3600 MHz, 20dB SINAD)
Selectivity
CW	0.1~9.0 KHz (-3dB)
SSB / ISB	0.1~9.0 KHz (-3dB)
AM / FM	0.1~20000 KHz (-3dB)
PM	0.1~20000.0 KHz (-3dB)
RF attenuator
5 / 10 / 15 / 20 / 25 dB (0.008~32 MHz) 0~40 dB with 1 dB steps (20~3600 MHz)
NF (Noise Figure)
12 dB (0.4~30 MHz, normal mode) 16 dB (30~32 MHz, normal mode) 9 dB (20~3600 MHz, low noise mode) 12 dB (3600~6000 MHz, preamplifier OFF, YIG filter ON) 10 dB (6000~7500 MHz, preamplifier OFF, YIG filter ON) 13 dB (7500~11000 MHz, preamplifier OFF, YIG filter ON) 15 dB (11000~16000 MHz, preamplifier OFF, YIG filter ON) 16 dB (16000~23500 MHz, preamplifier OFF, YIG filter ON) 20 dB (23500~26500 MHz, preamplifier OFF, YIG filter ON)
IP2 (2nd order intercept point)
+75 dBm (1~32 MHz, low distortion mode) +65 dBm (1~32 MHz, normal mode) +55 dBm (20~3600 MHz, low distortion mode) +75 dBm (3600~26500 MHz, preamplifier OFF, YIG filter ON)
IP3 (3rd order intercept point)
+35 dBm (1~32 MHz, low distortion mode) +23 dBm (20~3600 MHz, low distortion mode, F<100 MHz) +27 dBm (20~3600 MHz, low distortion mode, F>100 MHz) +17 dBm (3600~26500 MHz, preamplifier OFF, YIG filter ON)
Image rejection
120 dB typ (20~3600 MHz) 100 dB typ (3600~26500 MHz)
IF rejection
90 dB min (20~3600 MHz) 70 dB typ (3600~4200 MHz) 70 dB min (4200~26500 MHz)
AGC (Automatic Gain Control)
Fast, default, slow
Frequency stability
± 0.1ppm base ESMD ± 0.001ppb with GPS unit [5]
Synthesizer settling time
1 ms typ

Features

Memory
10000 regular memories
Display
1 Hz frequency resolution
Antenna
2 x 50Ω (0.008 ~ 32 MHz) 2 x 50Ω (20 ~ 3600 MHz) 50Ω (20 ~ 26500 MHz) 50Ω (0.008 ~ 26500 MHz)
Power supply
12 ~ 32 VDC external, 12 V nominal
Power consumption
95 W 300 W [6]
Audio output
Jack 6.35 mm headphone
I/Q output
80 MHz bandwidth [7]
Connections
USB LAN x 2 (1 Gbit, remote control, I/Q) BNC (NMEA time/frequency reference input) BNC (IF output)

Mechanical and environmental data

Operating temperature
from 0°C to +50°C
Dimensions
19'' Rack, W 1, H 4
Weight
18Kg

With ESMD-HF frequency range extension.
With ESMD-HF and ESMD-SHF frequency range extension.
ESMD base unit.
With ESMD-SHF frequency range extension.
With ESMD-IGT optional external unit.
With all optional equipment installed.
With ESMD-RR, GX465, GX410, AMLAB optional units.
600 Hz bandwidth.
2400 Hz bandwidth.

ESMD description :

The ESMD is the flagship monitoring receiver of the Rohde & Schwarz, with the ESMD-HF and ESMD-SHF options the frequency coverage of the receiver extends without interruption from 8 KHz to 26.5 GHz thus embracing the VLF-HF-VHF-UHF-SHF bands in a single unit. The performance as well as the range of functions available to the device are such as to meet the most stringent needs of professional users and as a measuring instrument is fully compliant with ITU standards for the detection of the modulation index, occupied bandwidth, phase deviation of the tuned emission. The circuit configuration in the signal chain is of the digital type with direct sampling with 16 bit ADC for input frequencies up to 32 MHz, beyond this value a frequency conversion constitutes the front end at the next digitization. Internally there may be the inclusion of several optional modules. This device, as usual, can be directly or remotely controlled using a LAN line.

The bandwidth values are available in 34 settings from a minimum of 100 Hz to a maximum of 20 MHz as shown in the following table:

Mode / Selectivity
CW, LSB, USB, ISB	100 / 150 / 300 / 600 Hz 1 / 1.5 / 2.1 / 2.4 / 2.7 / 3.1 / 4 / 4.8 / 6 / 9 KHz
AM, FM, PM, Video	100 / 150 / 300 / 600 Hz 1 / 1.5 / 2.1 / 2.4 / 2.7 / 3.1 / 4 / 4.8 / 6 / 9 / 12 / 15 / 30 / 50 / 120 / 150 / 250 / 300 / 500 / 800 KHz 1 / 1.25 / 1.5 / 2 / 5 / 8 / 10 / 12.5 / 15 / 20 MHz

As regards the form factor of the filters that determine the selectivity the values are shown in the following table:

Bandwidth / Form-factor
100Hz to 2MHz	1:1.7 max 3/60 dB
5MHz	1:1.6 max 3/50 dB
8 to 20MHz	1:1.7 max 3/50 dB

Many the ESMD features, among them: Notch audio filters, noise reduction, bandpass, de-emphasis for Europe-USA-PMR FM standards. BFO adjustable within ±8 kHz. Band-pass preselector filter between 0.02-1.5 GHz. YIG preselector filter between 3.6-26.5 GHz. Signals analysis in the frequency and time domain within an instantaneous 20 MHz bandwidth, expandable to 80 MHz, with a FFT resolution of 0.625 Hz at 2 MHz for a frequency span from 1 KHz to 20 MHz, also expandable to 80 MHz. Visualization of the panoramic scan spectrum analyzer with freely definable parameters. Demodulated signals spectrum for subcarriers search, call tone detection for DTMF, CCIR, CTCSS, ZVEI of all emissions within the bandwidth acquired (ESMD-SL option), multi-channel output to monitor up to 128 frequencies. Recording and reproduction of IQ components with temporal resolution on the order of nanoseconds for post-analysis through waterfall diagram (cascade spectrogram), taking advantage of the internal memory only these are some examples of the length of the recording as a function of the bandwidth acquired:

Span / Maximum recording time
2 MHz	~2.5 minutes
10 MHz	~42 seconds
40 MHz	~10 seconds
80 MHz	~5 seconds

As a measuring instrument, the ESMD detects the signal strength between -30 dBuV to 120 dBuV with 0.1 dB of resolution. Mean, peak, fast and RMS detection modes are also available. Through the optional ESMD-IM unit, measurements on amplitude, frequency and phase modulation indices are also possible.

ESMD review

Manuel G. Samuel

Best receiver ever in the history of mankind!

[End post]

Your opinion on merits, defects, experiences, with this radio set is welcome. Write your review, after a technical evaluation by our staff if found suitable will be published on this page. We thank you for your precious contribution.