Hi John,
I do this all the time. Its a simple comparative test so antenna choice only needs to be something that covers the frequency range of interest. It simply has to remain in the same relative location/orientation.
Simply run the SA44B with a couple of traces – one in max hold and the other in average mode across the frequency range of interest. An EMC analyser peak mode is the same as max-hold, and quasi-peak will be less than peak but not less than average.
You just need to run each test for a little while to get a build up of most of the spikes or transients.
I then export the ambient (your DUT off) and DUT active respective traces out as CSV and post process with Excel/Matlab etc. This method is usually sufficient, however it can miss burst events due to the sweep times, and if your unit has any emissions in the region of persistent signals (FM radio for example) these may be masked. You can use the same method with the real time mode though to narrow in on any peculiarities. If this is going to be a common occurance for you and your product, then, if budget allows, the BB60C may be better (Spike includes the EMC Precompliance tools for BB series).
I’d still like to see the EMC tools opened up for the SA series, just with a disclaimer around its shortcomings. I’d still have to run a compliance test anyway, it would just be more convenient.
