Self-Paced Course — TINYSA SPECTRUM ANALYZER CALIBRATION OVERVIEW
TM-INST-028 — Open Handout TM-INST-028 Estimated time: 2–3 hours (reading + practice + lab) Handout: TM-INST-028 (tinysa-spectrum-analyzer/tm.html) — keep it open throughout
What You Will Be Able to Do
TLO-1: Given the required reference standards and test equipment — calibrate the TINYSA SPECTRUM ANALYZER CALIBRATION OVERVIEW per TM-INST-028, achieving the error bounds stated in Chapter 7, with a completed calibration log entry.
TLO-2: Given measured and reference values — compute the measurement error in appropriate units (%, ppm, or absolute) and determine pass/fail against the stated criterion.
Scope
This guide describes a homebrew, no-calibration-needed method to calibrate a TinySA spectrum analyzer using public reference signals and first-principles checks. It borrows techniques from:
What You Need
Handout
- TM-INST-028 (TINYSA SPECTRUM ANALYZER CALIBRATION OVERVIEW) — open alongside this course
Equipment (needed for Unit 5 lab)
- Reference standards and instruments specified in Chapter 3
- Calculator
Course Units
| Unit | Topic | TM Chapters | Est. Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | Theory of Operation | Ch. 2 | 20 min |
| Unit 2 | Equipment and Test Setup | Ch. 3 | 20 min |
| Unit 3 | Setup Procedures | Ch. 4 | 15 min |
| Unit 4 | Calibration Procedure and Calculations | Ch. 5, App. A | 30 min |
| Unit 5 | Verification and Logging | Ch. 6, 7 | 45 min (lab) |
| Final Assessment | 15-question written test | All | 20 min |
How to Use This Course
- Work units in order.
- For each unit: read the assigned TM chapter first, then read the unit, then answer the self-check questions.
- Self-check answers are at the bottom of each unit — try before looking.
- The checkpoint at the end of each unit is a go/no-go.
- Complete the Unit 5 lab before taking the final assessment.
- Passing score: 13/15 (87%). All calculation questions must be correct regardless of total score.