Signal Analyzer

Hellow

Basicaly it is a Advanced Version of Oscilloscope

But fundamental difference b/w Oscilloscope is time domen instrument ,Spectrum is Frequency domine instrumrnts

The spectrum analyzer looks for individual frequencies in a complex signal. BASIC it is a narrow bandpass filter which you can sweep from a low fq to a high. When the filter detects a signal, it will measure its value. The display will show the signal in a X -Y diagram as "peaks" on the Y-axis for the individual frequencies. The value of the peak is the value of the signal for the actual fq.

A spectrum analyser works on the same principle as a radio set...

You can tune into certain frequencies at will and measure the amplitude at that particular frequency.

A spectrum analyser works using mixers, local oscillators, if strips and linear to log convertors to display the result on a screen as amplitude versus frequency.

It can be manually tuned or automatically swept frequency, the amplitude calibrated in dBm or rarely in volts.

They can cover the frequency range from sub audio to microwave.

John.

FFT (fast Fourier transforn) analyzer is what spectrum analyzers are sometimes called, which is the principle behind them. Find an engineering math handbook for more information.

To answer your question a Spectrum Analyser is a Tuned Reciever. It has a Display that's calibrated in Frequency, horizontally and Amplitude, vertically. This allows you to view the RF Spectrum over a large frequency range to a fine detail.

So what do we see when we do this? well ultimatly "Noise". So it's used in Communications. You can attach it to a Motion Transducer and so the bumps in an Automobile.

Neat thing about a Spectrum Analyser is you can choose to tailor it to what ever you want to do. I used to attach an antenna to an old NF-105 EMI set and listen to the radio station when the game was on.

Funny story is one of the first really wide - out to 12 GHz machines design was "lifted" from a government contract for a spy reciever. Neat machines, especially the old HP's if you find one.