ICX-FieldHawk-R Rugged Spectrum Analyzer Manual

Branding & verification notes. This manual is reconciled from the source SAE/NXE series real-time spectrum analyzer documentation. The source documents two frequency variants over USB and networked interfaces. The assumptions below were applied; confirm each before publication.

Model mapping. The numeric part is the maximum frequency in GHz times 10 and is preserved exactly. The line covers three bands: 9.5 GHz, 20 GHz, and 40 GHz. These map to ICX-090R (9 kHz to 9.5 GHz), ICX-200R (9 kHz to 20 GHz), and ICX-400R (9 kHz to 40 GHz). The R suffix marks the FieldHawk-R rugged line. The 40 GHz ICX-400R RF specifications, including its 2.4 mm (M) RF input, are drawn from the 40 GHz product documentation; rugged-enclosure attributes remain to be confirmed. verify.
Rugged-specific claims not in the source. The source SAE/NXE documentation describes compact USB and networked modules. It does not state an IP68 rating, MIL-STD-810H qualification, a built-in display or touch screen, an internal battery, or an on-board AI compute platform. The 40 GHz ICX-400R and its 2.4 mm (M) RF input are taken from the 40 GHz product documentation. Any rugged-enclosure, connector, display, battery, or AI-platform specification for the FieldHawk-R must come from the FieldHawk-R hardware datasheet, not this source. verify.
Software rename. The source control software is renamed throughout to SpecICX-gen3, Berkeley Nucleonics' spectrum analysis firmware. Described functionality is unchanged.
Specifications. All spec values are reproduced identically from the source for the same RF hardware. Tables were lightly regrouped for readability. Values remain preliminary pending verification against the published BNC datasheet. verify.
In-software branding. The SpecICX-gen3 screenshots in sections 3 and 4 carry the SpecICX-gen3 mark in the application title bar, relabeled from the source vendor wordmark. Recapture against released firmware before publication. verify.

1Overview

ICX-FieldHawk-R real-time spectrum analyzer modules from the source product documentation — Figure 1-1. The ICX-FieldHawk-R real-time spectrum analyzer, shown as the source SAE (USB) and NXE (networked) modules. Source product photo; the housings carry the original vendor wordmark and series labels, to be relabeled to the BNC / ICX-FieldHawk mark when recaptured. **verify.**

The ICX-FieldHawk-R is a high-performance real-time spectrum analyzer that delivers strong RF performance in a field-deployed package. It integrates cleanly into automated test systems, holds spectral purity under demanding conditions, and cuts both deployment and operating cost. That combination makes it well suited to space- and cost-constrained measurement where a full benchtop instrument would be impractical.

RF coverage spans 9 kHz to 9.5, 20, or 40 GHz depending on model, with a standard 100 MHz analysis bandwidth. A high-speed FPGA FFT engine delivers gapless real-time monitoring and sweep speeds beyond 1 THz/s. The SpecICX-gen3 API supports C/C++, C#, Python, MATLAB, Qt, and LabVIEW on Windows and Linux for secondary development and integration, and the instrument speaks the standard SCPI protocol.

Key features

Frequency range: 9 kHz to 9.5 GHz (ICX-090R), 9 kHz to 20 GHz (ICX-200R), or 9 kHz to 40 GHz (ICX-400R).
Analysis bandwidth: 100 MHz.
1 GHz DANL: down to -167.5 dBm/Hz (R.L. -50 dBm, 90 MHz to 3 GHz band).
1 GHz phase noise: better than -100 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset.
Real-time FFT engine: FPGA-based, gapless and overlap-free.
Unified API: hardware-portable, with C/C++, C#, Python, MATLAB, Qt, and LabVIEW support.
Windows support: 11 / 10 / 8 / 7 (x86, x64, AArch64).
Linux support: Debian 12 / 11 / 10 and Ubuntu 24.04 / 22.04 / 20.04 / 18.04 (x64, AArch64).
Standard SCPI protocol support.

2Model Selection

Two models share the same SpecICX-gen3 software and RF architecture. They differ only in frequency ceiling. Pick the band that covers your highest signal of interest.

Model	Frequency range	Analysis bandwidth
ICX-090R	9 kHz to 9.5 GHz	100 MHz
ICX-200R	9 kHz to 20 GHz	100 MHz
ICX-400R	9 kHz to 40 GHz	100 MHz

RF connector. The source documents SMA (F) on the 9.5 GHz hardware and 2.92 mm (F) on the 20 GHz hardware (see General & Physical). The 40 GHz ICX-400R uses a 2.4 mm (M) RF input per the 40 GHz product documentation. Each rugged FieldHawk-R connector should be confirmed against the FieldHawk-R datasheet. verify.

3Operating Modes

SpecICX-gen3, Berkeley Nucleonics' spectrum analysis firmware, offers seven main operating modes: Standard Spectrum Analysis, IQ Streaming, Power Detection Analysis, Real-Time Spectrum Analysis, Phase Noise Measurement, Digital Demodulation (option), and Harmonics Analysis. Each mode reuses the same acquisition hardware, so switching between them takes no rewiring.

Standard Spectrum Analysis

This mode provides a wide range of measurement functions, including full-span spectrum sweep, channel power, OBW, ACPR, IM3, and SEM. It also supports spectrum recording and playback. Combined with auxiliary tools such as signal tracking, the peak table, and amplitude correction, it gives you a one-stop platform for thorough spectrum inspection.

IQ Streaming

This mode supports up to 100 MHz of analysis bandwidth and acquires IQ data through multiple trigger methods. It provides IQ time-domain waveform display, spectrum and spectrogram views, AM and FM demodulation, and digital down conversion (DDC).

Power Detection Analysis

This mode detects and analyzes time-domain signals within the analysis bandwidth. It suits applications focused on in-band power versus time, such as pulse signal measurement.

Real-Time Spectrum Analysis

This mode is powered by a high-speed, FPGA-based FFT engine. The FFT is strictly gapless and overlap-free, so the instrument achieves true real-time monitoring across the full bandwidth with no samples lost between frames.

Digital Demodulation (option)

This optional mode supports 2ASK, 2FSK, 4FSK, GMSK, BPSK, QPSK, 8PSK, 16QAM, 64QAM, 128QAM, and 256QAM signals.

SpecICX-gen3 screenshot: Digital Demodulation mode — Figure 3-5. Digital Demodulation mode in SpecICX-gen3.

Harmonics Analysis

This mode detects and measures up to 10 harmonic components, reporting harmonic peaks, harmonic channel power, and total harmonic distortion.

Phase Noise Measurement

This mode covers offset ranges from 1 Hz to 10 MHz for evaluating carrier phase stability. A built-in automatic carrier search quickly locates the target carrier, so no manual tuning is needed.

4Measurement Functions

The following functions are available within SpecICX-gen3. Each is illustrated with a representative measurement screenshot from the source material.

Power and channel measurements

SpecICX-gen3 screenshot: Channel Power — Figure 4-1. Channel Power.

SpecICX-gen3 screenshot: OBW (Occupied Bandwidth) — Figure 4-2. OBW (Occupied Bandwidth).

SpecICX-gen3 screenshot: ACPR (Adjacent Channel Power Ratio) — Figure 4-3. ACPR (Adjacent Channel Power Ratio).

SpecICX-gen3 screenshot: IM3 (Third-Order Intermodulation) — Figure 4-4. IM3 (Third-Order Intermodulation).

Mask and modulation analysis

SpecICX-gen3 screenshot: SEM (Spectrum Emission Mask) — Figure 4-5. SEM (Spectrum Emission Mask).

SpecICX-gen3 screenshot: AM Demodulation — Figure 4-6. AM Demodulation.

SpecICX-gen3 screenshot: FM Demodulation — Figure 4-7. FM Demodulation.

SpecICX-gen3 screenshot: Pulse Detection (option) — Figure 4-8. Pulse Detection (option).

Correction and tooling

SpecICX-gen3 screenshot: Antenna Factor — Figure 4-9. Antenna Factor.

SpecICX-gen3 screenshot: Amplitude Offset — Figure 4-10. Amplitude Offset.

SpecICX-gen3 screenshot: Signal Track — Figure 4-11. Signal Track.

SpecICX-gen3 screenshot: Peak Table — Figure 4-12. Peak Table.

SpecICX-gen3 screenshot: Data Record and Playback — Figure 4-13. Data Record and Playback.

SpecICX-gen3 screenshot: Multiple Unit Display — Figure 4-14. Multiple Unit Display.

5Frequency

Parameter	ICX-090R	ICX-200R	ICX-400R
Frequency range	9 kHz to 9.5 GHz	9 kHz to 20 GHz	9 kHz to 40 GHz
Reference clock	Internal or external
Frequency accuracy, TCXO (std.)	<1 ppm, manual correction available
Frequency accuracy, OCXO (opt 01)	<1 ppm, manual correction available
Frequency accuracy, GNSS-disciplined OCXO (opt 23/06)	<0.05 ppm when locked to GNSS
Aging & temp. stability, TCXO (std.)	<1 ppm/year, <1 ppm
Aging & temp. stability, OCXO (opt 01)	<1 ppm/year, <0.15 ppm
Aging & temp. stability, GNSS-disciplined OCXO (opt 23/06)	<1 ppm/year, <0.05 ppm

6Spectrum Purity

SSB phase noise (dBc/Hz)

Offset	ICX-090R · 1 GHz	ICX-090R · 9.5 GHz	ICX-200R · 1 GHz	ICX-200R · 20 GHz	ICX-400R · 1 GHz	ICX-400R · 40 GHz
1 kHz	-95.2	-91.5	-91.2	-80.6	-99.0	-78.4
10 kHz	-101.6	-98.5	-99.7	-90.6	-107.5	-85.7
100 kHz	-100.6	-99.7	-101.1	-96.2	-107.7	-85.1
1 MHz	-120.9	-116.2	-121.6	-111.5	-122.7	-100.8

Residual response (dBm)

Conditions: spur reject = bypass, RBW = 1 kHz, PosPeak detector.

Frequency band	090R · R.L. 0 dBm	090R · R.L. -50 dBm	200R · R.L. 0 dBm	200R · R.L. -50 dBm	400R · R.L. 0 dBm	400R · R.L. -50 dBm
9 kHz to 1 GHz	-83	-120	-90	-120	-72	-103
1 GHz to 3 GHz	-83	-120	-80	-120	-72	-103
3 GHz to 9.5 GHz	-90	-130	-90	-120	-72	-103
9.5 GHz to 20 GHz	—	—	-90	-120	-91	-115
20 GHz to 40 GHz	—	—	—	—	-85	-103

Image rejection (dBc), typical

Frequency band	090R · standard	090R · bypass	200R · standard	200R · bypass	400R · standard	400R · bypass
90 MHz to 3 GHz	>90	>76	>90	>79	>90	—
3 GHz to 9.5 GHz	>90	>60	>90	>68	>90	—
9.5 GHz to 20 GHz	—	—	>90	>60	>90	—
20 GHz to 33 GHz	—	—	—	—	>90	—
33 GHz to 40 GHz	—	—	—	—	>58	—

IF rejection and spurious (dBc), typical

Parameter	Spur reject enhanced	Bypass
IF rejection	>90	>80
IF rejection (ICX-400R)	>68 (8.2 to 21.75 GHz); >90 (other bands)	—
Local oscillator related spurious	<-65 dBc at center frequency ± (N/M) × 125 MHz, where N, M = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5…

IIP3 / IIP2 (dBm)

Reference level	090R · 1 GHz	090R · 9.5 GHz	200R · 1 GHz	200R · 20 GHz	400R · 1 GHz	400R · 40 GHz
R.L. = 20 dBm	46.1 / 83.2	40.5 / 92.8	45.5 / 82.6	35.3 / 93.6	40.3 / 75.5	31.7 / 88.6
R.L. = 0 dBm	26.7 / 85.0	19.2 / 90.3	25.5 / 81.1	21.0 / 89.0	27.4 / 45.3	10.3 / 86.1
R.L. = -20 dBm	10.5 / 82.2	2.0 / 49.3	7.9 / 81.5	-4.5 / 55.3	8.7 / 25.2	4.8 / 66.6

7Amplitude

Parameter	Value	Condition
Max. input power (CW)	23 dBm	50 MHz to 9.5 / 20 / 40 GHz, preamplifier off
Max. input power (CW)	10 dBm	9 kHz to 50 MHz, or preamplifier on
Max. DC voltage	±10 VDC
Display range	DANL to 23 dBm	ICX-090R / ICX-200R
Display range	DANL to 20 dBm	ICX-400R
Amplitude accuracy	±2.0 dB	9 kHz to 9.5 GHz
Amplitude accuracy	±3.0 dB	9.5 GHz to 20 / 40 GHz
IF in-band flatness	±2.0 dB
Reference level (R.L.)	-50 dBm to +23 dBm	ICX-090R / ICX-200R
Reference level (R.L.)	-50 dBm to +20 dBm	ICX-400R
RF preamplifiers	Automatic on, or forced off
VSWR	<2.0:1	90 MHz to max. frequency (ICX-090R / ICX-200R)
VSWR	<2.0:1 / <3.0:1	ICX-400R: 90 MHz to 16 GHz / 16 GHz to 40 GHz

8Display Average Noise Level (DANL)

Units: dBm/Hz. Condition: RBW = 1 kHz.

Frequency band	090R · R.L. -20 dBm	090R · R.L. -50 dBm	200R · R.L. -20 dBm	200R · R.L. -50 dBm	400R · R.L. -20 dBm	400R · R.L. -50 dBm
9 kHz to 1 MHz	-143.0	-152.4	-143.6	-152.6	-136.0	-145.8
1 MHz to 90 MHz	-152.0	-159.2	-151.8	-160.0	-153.7	-158.0
90 MHz to 3.0 GHz	-146.0	-167.5	-149.7	-166.3	-154.1	-159.9
3.0 GHz to 9.5 GHz	-153.6	-167.0	-151.4	-157.5	-154.1	-159.9
9.5 GHz to 19 GHz	—	—	-156.1	-160.6	-156.8	-161.5
19 GHz to 20 GHz	—	—	-156.1	-160.6	-145.2	-149.3
20 GHz to 40 GHz	—	—	—	—	-145.2	-149.3

9Standard Spectrum Analysis

Parameter	Specification
Detector	PosPeak, NegPeak, Sample, Average, RMS, MaxPower
RBW	0.1 Hz to 10 MHz
VBW	0.1 Hz to 10 MHz
Data chart	SpecICX-gen3 provides spectrum, spectrogram, and historical trace views
Measurements	Channel power, OBW, X dB bandwidth, adjacent channel power ratio, IM3

Sweep speed

Condition	ICX-090R	ICX-200R	ICX-400R
RBW = 250 kHz, FPGA, spur reject = bypass	1.1 THz/s	665.6 GHz/s	(verify)
RBW = 250 kHz, FPGA, spur reject = standard	561.7 GHz/s	324.6 GHz/s	(verify)
RBW = 50 kHz, FPGA, spur reject = bypass	209.8 GHz/s	161.6 GHz/s	(verify)
RBW = 1 kHz, CPU, spur reject = bypass	4.0 GHz/s	3.3 GHz/s	(verify)

ICX-400R sweep speed. Per-model sweep-rate figures for the 40 GHz ICX-400R are not in the source documentation. They are marked (verify) pending the published BNC datasheet.

10Detection Analysis

Parameter	Specification
Lowest time resolution	8 ns
Max. analysis bandwidth	100 MHz
Detector	PosPeak, NegPeak, Sample, Average, RMS, MaxPower

11IQ Recording

Parameter	ICX-090R	ICX-200R	ICX-400R
Continuous recording bandwidth	Maximum 50 MHz	Maximum 6.25 MHz	(verify)
Burst recording bandwidth	Maximum 100 MHz. Built-in memory depth is 128 Mbytes.
IQ sample rate	Maximum 125 MSPS. Decimate factor: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024, 2048, 4096.
External trigger response	Maximum frequency response: 500 times/s

12Real-Time Spectrum Analysis

The FFT engine is implemented in the FPGA. Frame compression and trace detection are supported, and there are no missing samples between FFT frames. The frame update rate and probability of intercept (POI) follow these relations:

FFT frame update rate = 10^9 ns / (N × D × 8 ns)
POI = 2 × N × D × 8 ns

where N is the FFT point count (2048, 1024, 512, 256, 128, 64, 32) and D is the decimate factor (1, 2, 4, 8, ...).

Typical setting	FFT refresh rate	POI
N = 2048, D = 1	61,035 times/sec	32.768 µs
N = 32, D = 1	3,906,250 times/sec	0.512 µs

Parameter	Specification
Max. analysis bandwidth	100 MHz
Window function	B-Nuttall, Flat-top, LowSideLobe
RBW	14.73 MHz to 3.59 kHz (Flat-top); 7.81 MHz to 1.90 kHz (B-Nuttall); 13 grades for each window type
Amplitude resolution	0.75 dB

13General & Physical

Interface and form-factor note. The source documents these general specifications across four hardware variants: a USB form (SMA / 2.92 mm, Type-C powered) and a networked form (RJ45, 12 V), each at 9.5 GHz and 20 GHz. The values below are reproduced verbatim from the source by frequency band, with the USB and networked variants shown side by side. Connector, power, enclosure, display, and battery details for the FieldHawk-R rugged form factor must be confirmed against the FieldHawk-R hardware datasheet rather than this source. verify.

Input and output

Parameter	ICX-090R / 200R (USB form)	ICX-090R / 200R (networked form)
RF input	SMA (F) at 9.5 GHz; 2.92 mm (F) at 20 GHz; 2.4 mm (M) at 40 GHz (verify)	SMA (F) at 9.5 GHz; 2.92 mm (F) at 20 GHz; 2.4 mm (M) at 40 GHz (verify)
Impedance	50 Ω
Power	Type-C, 5V 2A supply capacity. Voltage range 4.75 to 5.25 V, ripple <200 mVpp.	Type-C, 12V 2A supply capacity. Voltage range 9 to 12 V, ripple <200 mVpp.
Host port	Type-C, USB 3.0 (USB 2.0 bandwidth limited). Requires 5V 0.9A supply.	RJ45: 1000 Mbps × 1, 100 Mbps × 1
External trigger input	Integrated in AUXIO, 3.3 V CMOS, high impedance	MMCX (F), 3.3 V CMOS, high impedance
Trigger output	Integrated in AUXIO, 3.3 V CMOS	MMCX (F), 3.3 V CMOS
Analog IF output	MMCX (F), maximum output power -25 dBm, impedance 50 Ω, 307.2 MHz ± 50 MHz
External reference clock input	MMCX (F), amplitude ≥ 1.5 Vpp, impedance 330 Ω
Reference clock output	Integrated in AUXIO, 3.3 V CMOS, programmable on/off

Physical and environmental

Parameter	9.5 GHz (USB / networked)	20 GHz (USB / networked)	40 GHz (USB / networked)
Weight	383 g (USB) / 680 g (networked)	408 g (USB) / 658 g (networked)	(verify)
Size (D × W × H)	131 × 70 × 30 mm (USB); 167 × 117 × 30 mm (networked)	139 × 68 × 31 mm (USB); 167 × 117 × 30 mm (networked)	(verify)
Power consumption	10 to 14 W (USB form); 13 to 16 W (networked form)
GNSS type	External (USB form); Internal (networked form)
GNSS 1PPS sync accuracy	USB form: Opt21 ±100 ns, Opt22 ±75 ns, opt23 ±50 ns. Networked form: Std ±100 ns, Opt05 ±75 ns, Opt06 ±50 ns.
Packaging and accessories	Flash disk × 1, USB 3.0 cable × 2, power adapter × 1	Flash disk × 1, USB 2.0 cable × 1, power adapter × 1	(verify)
System requirements	Windows 11/10/8/7 (x86, x64, AArch64; AArch64 on the networked line only). Debian 12/11/10 (x64, AArch64). Ubuntu 24.04/22.04/20.04/18.04 (x64, AArch64).
Operating / storage temperature (ambient), T0 class (std.)	0 to 50 °C / -20 to +70 °C
Operating / storage temperature, T1 class (opt40)	-20 to +65 °C / -40 to +85 °C
Operating / storage temperature, T2 class (opt41)	-40 to +65 °C / -40 to +85 °C
Operating relative humidity	5 to 75% at ambient 0 to 40 °C; 5 to 45% at ambient above 40 °C

14Test Conditions

Specifications apply under the following conditions:

Startup. Start up and warm up for 10 minutes.
Temperature. Ambient temperature 25 °C (core temperature 50 °C).
Mode. Standard spectrum analysis mode, spurious rejection set to standard.
Cooling. Adequate heat dissipation is provided so that ambient and core temperatures stay within the rated range simultaneously.
Firmware. Sweep speed and DANL tested with MCU 0.55.57, FPGA 0.55.22, API 0.55.61.

15Options

The following option codes are reproduced from the source documentation. Each is a built-in hardware option, an accessory, or a software license. The option-numbering scheme and antenna part numbers are inherited from the source and should be reconciled to the Berkeley Nucleonics catalog before quoting. verify.

Code	Description	Type
Built-in hardware
01	Built-in OCXO reference clock	Built-in hardware
05	Internal high precision GNSS	Built-in hardware
06	Built-in GNSS disciplined reference clock	Built-in hardware
40	T1 temperature class	Built-in hardware
41	T2 temperature class, only available for core	Built-in hardware
Accessories
20	AUXIO I/O expansion board	Accessory
21	External GNSS	Accessory
22	External high precision GNSS	Accessory
23	External GNSS disciplined OCXO reference clock	Accessory
34	External omnidirectional antenna, 400 MHz to 8000 MHz, gain <2 dBi	Accessory
35	External active directional antenna, 0.5 to 10 GHz, gain <5 dBi (amp off), <25 dBi (amp on)	Accessory
Software
71	Basic digital demodulation	Software
72	Pulse detection	Software

Antenna options. Options 34 and 35 are the external antennas listed in the source. For Berkeley Nucleonics directional antennas, see the ANT-100G family. Confirm part numbers before quoting. verify.

16Model & Software Reference

Model mapping

BNC ICX model	Product line	Frequency range
ICX-090R	ICX-FieldHawk-R (rugged)	9 kHz to 9.5 GHz
ICX-200R	ICX-FieldHawk-R (rugged)	9 kHz to 20 GHz
ICX-400R	ICX-FieldHawk-R (rugged)	9 kHz to 40 GHz

The numeric part of each model number is the maximum frequency in GHz multiplied by 10. The R suffix denotes the FieldHawk-R rugged line. The line covers three frequency variants (9.5, 20, and 40 GHz). The 40 GHz ICX-400R, including its 2.4 mm (M) RF input, is specified from the 40 GHz product documentation; rugged-enclosure attributes remain to be confirmed. verify.

Software

All measurement modes and functions described in this manual run in SpecICX-gen3, Berkeley Nucleonics' spectrum analysis firmware. SpecICX-gen3 runs on Windows and Linux and pairs with the unified API for automated control. The figures in sections 3 and 4 are SpecICX-gen3 screenshots.

Packaging

Each unit ships with a flash disk, the appropriate USB cable set, and a power adapter, as listed under General & Physical. Rugged-case packaging contents for the FieldHawk-R should be confirmed against the FieldHawk-R datasheet. verify.

Contact and ordering

To request a quote, arrange a demonstration, or confirm configuration and options for your application, reach the Berkeley Nucleonics team at info@berkeleynucleonics.com or 800-234-7858. Berkeley Nucleonics Corporation, 2955 Kerner Blvd, San Rafael, CA 94901.

ICX-FieldHawk-R Rugged Real-Time Spectrum Analyzer