everything RF stopped by the Signal Hound booth at IMS 2026, where Senior Engineer Justin Crooks demonstrated three of the company's latest RF test and measurement solutions, including the PCR4200 multi-channel phase-coherent receiver, the VSG200 vector signal generator with Pulse Analysis Software, and the VNA400 vector network analyzer. The demonstrations highlighted Signal Hound's expanding portfolio for RF monitoring, radar pulse analysis, signal generation, direction finding, and high-frequency network measurements.
The PCR4200: Four-Channel Phase Coherent Receiver
Justin Crooks demonstrated the PCR4200, Signal Hound's multi-channel phase coherent receiver designed for RF monitoring, signal detection, geolocation, and direction-finding applications. During the demonstration, Crooks highlighted the receiver's four phase-coherent receive channels and dedicated calibration transmit channel. He explained how multiple PCR4200 units can be cascaded together to create systems with up to 16 phase-coherent receive channels. He also showcased the platform's flexible architecture, where channels can operate in phase-coherent mode or be independently tuned to monitor different frequencies simultaneously. One channel can additionally be configured as a sweeping receiver to support search-and-handoff workflows.
The PCR4200 is a high-performance receiver that covers frequencies from 100 kHz to 20 GHz and streams calibrated I/Q data over a VITA 49 interface. Each channel supports up to 40 MHz of bandwidth and can operate using either a shared local oscillator for phase-coherent measurements or dedicated local oscillators for independent tuning. The receiver includes a built-in 30 MHz to 20 GHz vector signal generator for system alignment and calibration, internal GPS functionality for timing and location synchronization, 110 dB of dynamic range, and support for wideband spectrum sweeping at speeds up to 200 GHz/s. Signal Hound positions the PCR4200 for applications including spectrum monitoring, SIGINT/COMINT/ELINT, emitter detection, drone detection, MIMO testing, and multi-channel transmitter analysis.
The VSG200: Vector Signal Generator and Pulse Analysis Software
Justin also demonstrated Signal Hound's new VSG200 vector signal generator alongside the company's recently released Pulse Analysis Software. During the demonstration, the VSG200 was paired with an SM435C spectrum analyzer to generate and analyze radar pulse signals. Crooks showed how the system can capture and characterize radar pulses while measuring pulse width, rise time, fall time, and modulation characteristics. The demonstration included analysis of linear FM chirps, continuous-wave signals, Barker sequences, and BPSK-modulated waveforms.
The VSG200 is a vector signal generator that operates from 100 kHz to 20 GHz and provides 40 MHz of real-time streaming bandwidth. The instrument features an agile low-phase-noise local oscillator with 200 μs switching time, arbitrary I/Q sample rates up to 51.2 MSPS, trigger synchronization capabilities, and streaming waveform generation from a connected PC. The generator supports a wide range of modulation formats including LTE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE, QAM, PSK, FSK, chirp, pulse, FM, AM, CW, and custom arbitrary waveforms.
The accompanying Pulse Analysis Tool Kit adds pulse and radar signal analysis capabilities to Signal Hound's Spike software platform. It supports pulse characterization, automatic detection of CW, linear chirp and Barker sequence pulse types, pulse compression, correlation testing, deinterleaving, pulse history analysis, and pulse measurements across Signal Hound's supported receiver and spectrum analyzer platforms. The software is designed for radar-system testing, transmitter troubleshooting, transient analysis, and electronic intelligence applications.
The VNA400: Vector Network Analyzer
Crooks presented the VNA400 Vector Network Analyzer as well and demonstrated its compatibility with Maury Microwave's uCal electronic calibration modules. During the presentation, he showed how users can perform electronic calibration without traditional mechanical calibration procedures. Crooks also highlighted Signal Hound's own mechanical calibration standards, which support both polynomial-coefficient calibration and database-based calibration methods, noting the measurement accuracy improvements possible with database calibration standards.
The VNA400 is a USB-powered, two-port vector network analyzer covering a frequency range from 40 MHz to 40 GHz. Designed for laboratory and field measurements, it provides sub-Hz frequency resolution, ±1 ppm frequency accuracy, and sweep speeds of up to 2,000 points per second. The analyzer supports S-parameter measurements for devices such as filters, amplifiers, attenuators, and antennas, while delivering high dynamic range and measurement accuracy across microwave and millimeter-wave frequencies. A fully featured software suite is included with the instrument.
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