ICX-FieldHawk-U / ICX-FieldHawk-N Product Manual

Branding & verification notes. This manual is rebranded from the source SAE/NXE series spectrum analyzer documentation. The following assumptions were applied; please confirm before publication.

Model mapping. The numeric part is the maximum frequency in GHz times 10 and is preserved exactly. USB models (SAE series) map to ICX-FieldHawk-U with a U suffix: SAE-90 → ICX-090U, SAE-200 → ICX-200U. LAN / Ethernet models (NXE series) map to ICX-FieldHawk-N with a proposed N suffix: NXE-90 → ICX-090N, NXE-200 → ICX-200N. The "-N" LAN suffix is a proposed convention. verify.
Software rename. The source control software is renamed throughout to SpecICX-gen3, Berkeley Nucleonics' spectrum analysis firmware. Described functionality is unchanged.
Antenna accessories. External antennas are presented as accessories, not options, drawn from the ANT-100G / ANT-200G family. Confirm the part number. verify.
Specifications. All spec values are reproduced identically from the source for the same 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 2 and 3 still show the source vendor wordmark in the application title bar. Relabel to the BNC / SpecICX-gen3 mark when the screenshots are recaptured. verify.

1Overview

Figure 1-1. ICX-FieldHawk-U and ICX-FieldHawk-N real-time spectrum analyzers.

The ICX-FieldHawk-U and ICX-FieldHawk-N are high-performance real-time spectrum analyzers that deliver strong RF performance in a compact package. They integrate cleanly into automated test systems, hold spectral purity under demanding conditions, and cut both deployment and operating cost. That combination makes them well suited to space- and cost-constrained applications where a full benchtop instrument would be impractical.

Connectivity

The two lines differ in how they connect. The ICX-FieldHawk-U line (USB) supports USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 over a single Type-C interface. The ICX-FieldHawk-N line (LAN) connects over Ethernet and is compatible with 1000M and 100M networks. Beyond the host interface, the instruments are functionally aligned.

Unified API

Every series and model shares one consistent API. You can migrate from one unit to another, or from USB to Ethernet, without changing application code. Development is supported in C/C++, C#, Python, MATLAB, Qt, and LabVIEW, on both Windows and Linux. The instruments also speak the standard SCPI protocol.

Measurement functions

A rich set of advanced measurements ships as standard, including channel power, occupied bandwidth, X dB bandwidth, harmonic measurement, spectrum emission mask (SEM), AM and FM demodulation, and automatic phase noise analysis.

Key features

Frequency range: 9 kHz to 9.5 GHz (ICX-090U / ICX-090N) or 9 kHz to 20 GHz (ICX-200U / ICX-200N)
DANL at 1 GHz: -166 dBm/Hz
Phase noise at 1 GHz: better than -100 dBc/Hz at 10 kHz offset
Analysis bandwidth: 100 MHz
ICX-FieldHawk-U supports USB 3.0 / 2.0 over Type-C
ICX-FieldHawk-N supports 1000M / 100M Ethernet
Highly compatible, hardware-portable API
Windows 11 / 10 / 8 / 7 (x86, x64, AArch64). AArch64 is available on the ICX-FieldHawk-N (networked) line only.
Debian 12 / 11 / 10 (x64, AArch64)
Ubuntu 24.04 / 22.04 / 20.04 / 18.04 (x64, AArch64)
Standard SCPI protocol support

2Operating 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 in SpecICX-gen3. — Figure 2-5. 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.

3Measurement Functions

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

Power and channel measurements

SpecICX-gen3 screenshot: Channel Power. — Figure 3-1. Channel Power.

SpecICX-gen3 screenshot: OBW (Occupied Bandwidth). — Figure 3-2. OBW (Occupied Bandwidth).

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

SpecICX-gen3 screenshot: IM3 (Third-Order Intermodulation). — Figure 3-4. IM3 (Third-Order Intermodulation).

Mask and modulation analysis

SpecICX-gen3 screenshot: SEM (Spectrum Emission Mask). — Figure 3-5. SEM (Spectrum Emission Mask).

SpecICX-gen3 screenshot: AM Demodulation. — Figure 3-6. AM Demodulation.

SpecICX-gen3 screenshot: FM Demodulation. — Figure 3-7. FM Demodulation.

SpecICX-gen3 screenshot: Pulse Detection (option). — Figure 3-8. Pulse Detection (option).

Correction and tooling

SpecICX-gen3 screenshot: Antenna Factor. — Figure 3-9. Antenna Factor.

SpecICX-gen3 screenshot: Amplitude Offset. — Figure 3-10. Amplitude Offset.

SpecICX-gen3 screenshot: Signal Track. — Figure 3-11. Signal Track.

SpecICX-gen3 screenshot: Peak Table. — Figure 3-12. Peak Table.

SpecICX-gen3 screenshot: Data Record and Playback. — Figure 3-13. Data Record and Playback.

SpecICX-gen3 screenshot: Multiple Unit Display. — Figure 3-14. Multiple Unit Display.

4Frequency Specifications

Parameter	ICX-090U / ICX-090N	ICX-200U / ICX-200N
Frequency range	9 kHz to 9.5 GHz	9 kHz to 20 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

5Spectrum Purity

SSB phase noise (dBc/Hz)

Offset	ICX-090U / 090N · 1 GHz	ICX-090U / 090N · 9.5 GHz	ICX-200U / 200N · 1 GHz	ICX-200U / 200N · 20 GHz
1 kHz	-95.2	-91.5	-91.2	-80.6
10 kHz	-101.6	-98.5	-99.7	-90.6
100 kHz	-100.6	-99.7	-101.1	-96.2
1 MHz	-120.9	-116.2	-121.6	-111.5

Residual response (dBm)

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

Frequency band	090U / 090N · R.L. 0 dBm	090U / 090N · R.L. -50 dBm	200U / 200N · R.L. 0 dBm	200U / 200N · R.L. -50 dBm
9 kHz to 1 GHz	-83	-120	-90	-120
1 GHz to 3 GHz	-83	-120	-80	-120
3 GHz to 9.5 GHz	-90	-130	-90	-120
9.5 GHz to 20 GHz	-	-	-90	-120

Image rejection (dBc), typical

Frequency band	090U / 090N · standard	090U / 090N · bypass	200U / 200N · standard	200U / 200N · bypass
90 MHz to 3 GHz	>90	>76	>90	>79
3 GHz to 9.5 GHz	>90	>60	>90	>68
9.5 GHz to 20 GHz	-	-	>90	>60

IF rejection and spurious (dBc), typical

Parameter	Spur reject enhanced	Bypass
IF rejection	>90	>80
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	090U / 090N · 1 GHz	090U / 090N · 9.5 GHz	200U / 200N · 1 GHz	200U / 200N · 20 GHz
R.L. = 20 dBm	46.1 / 83.2	40.5 / 92.8	45.5 / 82.6	35.3 / 93.6
R.L. = 0 dBm	26.7 / 85.0	19.2 / 90.3	25.5 / 81.1	21.0 / 89.0
R.L. = -20 dBm	10.5 / 82.2	2.0 / 49.3	7.9 / 81.5	-4.5 / 55.3

6Amplitude

Parameter	Value	Condition
Max. input power (CW)	23 dBm	50 MHz to 9.5/20 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
Amplitude accuracy	±2.0 dB	9 kHz to 9.5 GHz
Amplitude accuracy	±3.0 dB	9.5 GHz to 20 GHz
IF in-band flatness	±2.0 dB
Reference level (R.L.)	-50 dBm to +23 dBm
RF preamplifiers	Automatic on, or forced off
VSWR	<2.0:1	90 MHz to max. frequency

7Display Average Noise Level (DANL)

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

Frequency band	090U / 090N · R.L. -20 dBm	090U / 090N · R.L. -50 dBm	200U / 200N · R.L. -20 dBm	200U / 200N · R.L. -50 dBm
9 kHz to 1 MHz	-143.0	-152.4	-143.6	-152.6
1 MHz to 90 MHz	-152.0	-159.2	-151.8	-160.0
90 MHz to 3.0 GHz	-146.0	-167.5	-149.7	-166.3
3.0 GHz to 9.5 GHz	-153.6	-167.0	-151.4	-157.5
9.5 GHz to 20 GHz	-	-	-156.1	-160.6

8Standard 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-090U / ICX-090N	ICX-200U / ICX-200N
RBW = 250 kHz, FPGA, spur reject = bypass	1.1 THz/s	665.6 GHz/s
RBW = 250 kHz, FPGA, spur reject = standard	561.7 GHz/s	324.6 GHz/s
RBW = 50 kHz, FPGA, spur reject = bypass	209.8 GHz/s	161.6 GHz/s
RBW = 1 kHz, CPU, spur reject = bypass	4.0 GHz/s	3.3 GHz/s

9IQ Recording

Parameter	ICX-090U / ICX-090N	ICX-200U / ICX-200N
Continuous recording bandwidth	Maximum 50 MHz	Maximum 6.25 MHz
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

10Power Detection Analysis

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

11Real-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 us
N = 32, D = 1	3,906,250 times/sec	0.512 us

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

12General and Physical

Input and output

Parameter	ICX-090U	ICX-200U	ICX-090N	ICX-200N
RF input	SMA (F)	2.92 mm (F)	SMA (F)	2.92 mm (F)
Impedance	50 Ω
Power	Type-C, 5V 2A supply capacity. Voltage range 4.75 to 5.25 V, ripple less than 200 mVpp.		Type-C, 12V 2A supply capacity. Voltage range 9 to 12 V, ripple less than 200 mVpp.
Host port	Type-C, USB 3.0 (USB 2.0 bandwidth limited). Requires 5V 0.9A power 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	ICX-090U	ICX-200U	ICX-090N	ICX-200N
Weight	383 g	408 g	680 g	658 g
Size (D × W × H)	131 × 70 × 30 mm	139 × 68 × 31 mm	167 × 117 × 30 mm
Power consumption	10 to 14 W		13 to 16 W
GNSS type	External		Internal
GNSS 1PPS sync accuracy	Opt21 ±100 ns; Opt22 ±75 ns; opt23 ±50 ns		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
System requirements	Windows 11/10/8/7 (x86, x64, AArch64; AArch64 only on the ICX-FieldHawk-N networked line). 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

Specification conditions. Specifications apply under the following conditions: (1) startup and warm-up for 10 minutes; (2) ambient temperature 25 °C, core temperature 50 °C; (3) standard spectrum analysis mode with spurious rejection set to standard; (4) adequate heat dissipation so that ambient and core temperatures stay within the rated range simultaneously; (5) sweep speed and DANL tested with firmware MCU 0.55.57, FPGA 0.55.22, API 0.55.61.

13Options & Accessories

Options

Functional upgrades to the analyzer.

Code	Description	Type
OPT-010	Built-in OCXO reference clock	Built-in hardware
OPT-220	Internal high-precision GNSS	Built-in hardware
OPT-221	Built-in GNSS-disciplined reference clock	Built-in hardware
OPT-310	AUXIO I/O expansion board	Accessory
OPT-230	External GNSS	Accessory
OPT-231	External high-precision GNSS	Accessory
OPT-232	External GNSS-disciplined OCXO reference clock	Accessory
OPT-040	T1 temperature class	Built-in hardware
OPT-041	T2 temperature class (core only)	Built-in hardware
OPT-410	Basic digital demodulation	Software
OPT-420	Pulse detection	Software

Accessories

Antennas and physical add-ons drawn from the Berkeley Nucleonics antenna line.

Accessory	Description	Type
ANT-100G	Directional antenna, 500 MHz to 10 GHz	Antenna accessory
ANT-200G	Directional antenna, 500 MHz to 20 GHz	Antenna accessory
Omnidirectional antenna	External omnidirectional antenna, 400 MHz to 8000 MHz, gain <2 dBi	Antenna accessory

Antenna accessories. For BNC-supplied directional antennas, see the ANT-100G family (ANT-100G and ANT-200G). Confirm part numbers before quoting. verify.

14Model and Software Reference

Model mapping

BNC ICX model	Product line	Interface	Frequency range
ICX-090U	ICX-FieldHawk-U	USB 3.0 / 2.0 (Type-C)	9 kHz to 9.5 GHz
ICX-200U	ICX-FieldHawk-U	USB 3.0 / 2.0 (Type-C)	9 kHz to 20 GHz
ICX-090N	ICX-FieldHawk-N	1000M / 100M Ethernet	9 kHz to 9.5 GHz
ICX-200N	ICX-FieldHawk-N	1000M / 100M Ethernet	9 kHz to 20 GHz

The numeric part of each model number is the maximum frequency in GHz multiplied by 10. The U suffix denotes the USB (ICX-FieldHawk-U) line; the N suffix denotes the LAN / Ethernet (ICX-FieldHawk-N) line. The "-N" suffix is a proposed convention pending final approval.

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 2 and 3 are SpecICX-gen3 screenshots.

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-U / ICX-FieldHawk-N Real-Time Spectrum Analyzers