What is A Spectrum Analyzer? It’s Working, Pros and Cons!

Spectrum Analyzer is essential testing equipment for measuring radio frequency and various other parameters. It can be used to measure the strength of the spectrum of known and unknown signals to test various circuits and systems operated at the radio frequency levels. In the realm of instrumentation and measurement, a signal spectrum analyzer can be configured in a variety of ways to meet a variety of needs.

What is a Spectrum Analyzer?

By definition, a spectrum analyzer is a device for checking various aspects of a circuit or system within the radio frequency band. Here, standard testing equipment would analyze the amplitude to time relationship of the quantity in question to determine its value. For instance, a voltmeter would measure the voltage amplitude based on the time domain. Due to this, we get a sinusoidal curve of AC voltage or a straight line for DC voltage. But the whole frequency range of a 3GHz spectrum analyzer can be used to measure the input signal’s amplitude as a function of frequency.

The input signal that a Spectrum Analyzer may analyze is an electrical signal; however, the spectral composition of other signals, such as acoustic pressure waves and optimal light waves, can be evaluated by employing an appropriate transducer. It is possible to observe a signal that is difficult to identify in time domain waveforms by evaluating several parameters of the spectra of electrical signals, including the dominant frequency, power, distortion, harmonics, bandwidth, and various other spectral components. These parameters help characterize electronic devices, like wireless transmitters, signal spectrum analyzers, etc.

How does the spectrum analyzer work?

An attenuator receives the signal to be analyzed as in, and it sends the finest possible version of that signal onto the mixer component. The optimum and input signals are merged in this step to produce an intermediate frequency signal. This signal is also used as input to the IF filter, and the output is then sent to the detector. In this, the signal undergoes detection at the desired frequency level. Finally, the signal from the spectrum analyzer’s display shows the amplitude level and controls the vertical axis of the shown graph.

The relationship between the local oscillator and the sweep generator provides a frequency response, which results in the development of amplitude versus frequency graph on the spectrum analyzer display.

Pros and cons of Spectrum Analyzer-

The pros of Spectrum Analyzer are –

. A swept-type analyzer can function up to a few GHz frequency levels.

. Using the FT Analyzer, we quickly analyze the signals and examine each sample independently. In addition to this, it records and decodes the signal’s phase information.

. The spectrum analyzer is less expensive when compared with the oscilloscope.

The cons of Spectrum Analyzer are –

. Swept-type Analyzers are limited to analyzing continuous wave signals and are unable to pick up any information relating to phase.

. Due to sample level limitations of converters, a Fourier transform analyzer can only operate across a relatively high-frequency range. Additionally, there are bandwidth limitations.

So, the aforementioned is some of the information about the spectrum analyzer. So, if you are planning to buy a suitable one, look no further than Avcom. We are one of the leading manufacturers of high-quality commercial spectrum analyzer and signal monitoring products across the US.

Consult our experienced team at (804) 794–2500 with your requirement.