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How to use a Spectrum Analyzer

- key essentials and tutorial about using a spectrum analyzer: how to use it to make radio frequency tests and measurements.

Spectrum analyzer tutorial includes: Spectrum analyzer basics Spectrum analyzer types Superheterodyne / sweep analyzer FFT spectrum analyzer Real time spectrum analyzer Using a spectrum analyzer Spectrum analyzer specifications Spectrum analyzer tracking generator

Spectrum analyzers are an invaluable item of electronic test equipment used in the design, test and maintenance of radio frequency circuitry and equipment. Spectrum analysers, like oscilloscopes are a basic tool used for observing signals. However, where oscilloscopes look at signals in the time domain, spectrum analyzers look at signals in the frequency domain. Thus a spectrum analyser will display the amplitude of signals on the vertical scale, and the frequency of the signals on the horizontal scale. In view of the way in which a spectrum analyzer displays its output, it is widely used for looking at the spectrum being generated by a source. In this way the levels of spurious signals including harmonics, intermodulation products, noise and other signals can be monitored to discover whether they conform to their required levels. Additionally using spectrum analysers it is possible to make measurements of the bandwidth of modulated signals can be checked to discover whether they fall within the required mask. Another way is using a spectrum analyzer is in checking and testing the response of filters and networks. By using a tracking generator - a signal generator that tracks the instantaneous frequency being monitored by the spectrum analyser, it is possible to see the loss at any given frequency. In this way the spectrum analyser makes a plot of the
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frequency response of the network.

Spectrum analyzer
The purpose of a spectrum analyzer is to provide a plot or trace of signal amplitude against frequency. The display has a graticule which typically has ten major horizontal and ten major vertical divisions. The horizontal axis of the analyzer is linearly calibrated in frequency with the higher frequency being at the right hand side of the display. The vertical axis is calibrated in amplitude. Although there is normally the possibility of selecting a linear or logarithmic scale, for most applications a logarithmic scale is chosen. This is because it enables signals over a much wider range to be seen on the spectrum analyser. Typically a value of 10 dB per division is used. This scale is normally calibrated in dBm (decibels relative 1 milliwatt) and therefore it is possible to see absolute power levels as well as comparing the difference in level between two signals. Similarly when using a linear scale is used, this is often calibrated in volts to enable absolute measurements to be made using the spectrum analyzer.

Setting the spectrum analyzer frequency

To set the frequency of a spectrum analyser, there are two selections that can be made. These are independent of each other. The first selection is the centre frequency. As the name suggests, this sets the frequency of the centre of the scale to the chosen value. It is normally where the signal to be monitored would be located. In this way the main signal and the regions either side can be monitored. The second selection that can be made on the analyzer is the span, or the extent of the region either side of the centre frequency that is to be viewed or monitored. The span may be give as a given frequency per division, or the total span that is seen on the calibrated part of the screen, i.e. within the maximum extents of the calibrations on the graticule. Another option that is often available is to set the start and stop frequencies of the scan. This is another way of expressing the span as the difference between the start and stop frequencies is equal to the span.

Adjusting the gain

There are many other controls on a spectrum analyser. Most of these fall into one of two categories. The first is associated with the gain or attenuation of sections within the spectrum analyzer. If sections are overloaded, then spurious signals may be generated within the instrument. If this occurs then false readings will be given. To prevent this happening it is necessary to ensure that the input stages in particular are not overloaded and an RF attenuator is used. However if too much attenuation is inserted, additional gain is required in the later stages (IF gain) and the background noise level is increased and this can sometimes mask lower level signals. Thus a careful choice of the relevant gain levels within the spectrum analyzer is needed to obtain the optimum performance..

Filter bandwidths
Other controls on the spectrum analyzer determine the bandwidth of the unit. There are two main controls that are used: IF bandwidth: The IF filter, sometimes labelled as the resolution bandwidth adjusts the resolution of the spectrum analyzer in terms of the frequency. Using a narrow resolution bandwidth is the same as using a narrow filter on a radio receiver. Choosing a narrow filter bandwidth or resolution on the spectrum analyzer will enable signals to be seen that are close together. It will also reduce the noise level and enable smaller signals to be seen. Video bandwidth: The video filters enable a form of averaging to be applied to the signal. This has the effect of reducing the variations caused by noise and this can help average the signal and thereby reveal signals that may not otherwise be seen. Adjustment of the IF or resolution bandwidth and the video filter bandwidths on the spectrum analyzer has an effect on the rate at which the analyzer is able to scan. The controls should be adjusted together to provide a scan that is as accurate as possible as detailed below.

Scan rate
The spectrum analyser operates by scanning the required frequency span from the low to the high end of the required range. The speed at which it does this is important. The slower the scan, obviously the longer it takes for the measurements to be made. As a result, there is always the need to ensure that the scans are made as fast as reasonably possible. However the rate of scan of the spectrum analyzer is limited by a number of factors: IF filter bandwidth: The IF bandwidth or resolution bandwidth has an effect on the rate at which the analyzer can
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scan. The narrower the bandwidth, the slower the filter will respond to any changes, and accordingly the slower the spectrum analyzer must scan to ensure all the required signals are seen. Video filter bandwidth: Similarly the video filter which is used for averaging the signal as explained above. Again the narrower the filter, the slower it will respond and the slower the scan must be. Scan bandwidth: The bandwidth to be scanned has a directly proportional effect on the scan time. If the filters within the spectrum analyzer determine the maximum scan rate in terms of Hertz per second, it follows that the wider the bandwidth to be scanned, the longer the actual scan will take. Normally the processor in the spectrum analyzer will warn if the scan rate is too high for the filter settings. This is particularly useful as it enables the scan rate to be checked without undertaking any calculations. Also if the scan appears to be particularly long, an initial wide scan can be undertaken, and this can be followed by narrower scans on identified problem areas.

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