A spectrum analyzer is an electronic testing device used to measure the magnitude of an input signal versus frequency within the full frequency range of the instrument. The primary use is to measure the power of the spectrum of known and unknown signals.
The first spectrum analyzers were introduced in the 1960s and were swept-tuned instruments. Following the discovery of the fast Fourier transform (FFT) in 1965, the first FFT-based analyzers were introduced in 1967. Today, there are three basic types of analyzer: the swept-tuned spectrum analyzer, the vector signal analyzer, and the real-time spectrum analyzer.
Spectrum analyzer types are distinguished by the methods used to obtain the spectrum of a signal. There are:
Spectrum analyzers tend to fall into four form factors:
The display of a spectrum analyzer has frequency displayed on the horizontal axis and the amplitude on the vertical axis. To the casual observer, a spectrum analyzer looks like an oscilloscope, which plots amplitude on the vertical axis but time on the horizontal axis.
A spectrum analyzer typically has the following functionality:
Spectrum analyzers have a wide range of applications, including:
In conclusion, spectrum analyzers are powerful tools used to measure the magnitude of an input signal versus frequency. They have a wide range of applications and are available in different form factors, including benchtop, portable, handheld, and networked. By understanding the theory of operation and typical functionality of spectrum analyzers, users can make informed decisions when selecting a spectrum analyzer for their specific needs.
Learn more about oscilloscopes Learn more about signal processing Visit the official Wikipedia page for spectrum analyzers
