#119

This is a tutorial and demonstration of the basics of the Resolution BW (RBW) and Video BW (VBW) functions in a Spectrum Analyzer. You may wish to review the "Basics of a Spectrum Analyzer" video if you are unfamiliar with the basic functions and block diagram of a swept spectrum analyzer. Here is the link for that video:
• #22: Spectrum Analyzer...
This video covers the definition of these terms, where they exist in the analyzer, what they do, and the effects they have on the displayed results.

[@harbselectronicslab3551]

For years I have still been referring trainee's to this video.....that cutout demo is still the best teaching aid I have ever seen........

[@ALEngineer30]

it really is. brilliant and very simple.

[@toxicricardo]

I’ve used spectrum analyzers for years and have always had to spend 30 mins remembering what VBW and RBW were now that’s I’ve seen this video I know I will only spend a max of 8mins and 37 seconds

[@WizardVespian]

This is the most concise, helpful explanation I have ever found for RBW and VBW filters. I've been using spectrum analyzers for years and I'm quite familiar with their setup and use, but I've never understood what those filters actually did under the hood so to speak... until today. Thank you, and please keep making videos. Those of us who take the time to search out this information (the small crowd that we are) really do appreciate the time and energy you put into making them. Thumbs up!

[@w2aew]

Thank you. Be sure to let me know if you have a topic you'd like to see in a future video.

[@WizardVespian]

I'm sure I'll have lots of questions when I start college. I intend to get into RF engineering, provided I can make the grades. For now I'm just a curious satcom tech with all together too much time on my hands, and I'm thoroughly enjoying the wealth of knowledge available on KZbin, the EEVblog (thanks Dave) and other forums. I really enjoy the in depth technical focus of your videos. I do have one question about this video. Why do we have to convert Vpp to Vrms in order to do a dBv measurement? Is there a technical reason for it, or is it just convention?

[@w2aew]

It's because the dB values always relate to power, and power is computed from rms values.

[@WizardVespian]

That makes perfect sense combined with the tidbits I just learned from some other videos on the difference between Vpp and Vrms (specifically how Vrms is calculated, and why). Thanks!

[@germibestia]

when somebody knows his stuff very well, he is able to explain it in a simple, easy to understand and yet complete way. Here we have the perfect example.

[@ebarnes442]

I've been teaching people how to use a spectrum analyzer and what RBW and VBW filters do for a couple of decades. This is easily the best , simplest description of it I've ever seen. Thanks!

[@Automotive-Velocity]

These are the best electronics videos on YT. Concise and well presented.

[@ka1wht]

A very articulate and detailed explanation to help understand spectrum analyzer operation. Thank you, Alan.

[@DucatiMTS1200]

Today’s a better day sir because you helped clearly explain the workings of RBW and VBW filtering to me. I am most appreciative 🤗.

[@chetangaonkar7251]

This is one of the best explanations of any RF fundamentals I have come across. Thank you!

[@w2aew]

Thanks - I hope you like more of my RF (and other) videos.

[@John_L]

I finally scratched a very long-standing itch by buying my own spectrum analyser a few weeks back. It's fascinating to run it in the shack on wide bandwidth (up to 1.5GHz) with a small telescopic antenna and see all the spectrum mush in a modern home! Your videos are an excellent way for me to rediscover the nuances of my new toy some 40 years after I last used a spectrum analyser professionally. Thank you and 73 de G3WGV.

[@jayeshsukumaran]

Thank you for very clearly explaining what the RBW and VBW filters are. Really appreciate the time and energy you put into making such wonderfully informative videos.

[@trumannevercry]

Great video. Explain the concepts of VBW and RBW in an easy way. Definitely recommend this video for anyone want to understand the spectrum analyzer more.

[@aeronothis5420]

As a SATCOM guy, I thank you for the service these videos you make provide.

[@w2aew]

Your welcome - thank you for saying so.

[@rysend]

You are one of the best teachers on youtube. Clear, concise, zero BS, visual, interesting. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!!

[@WestCoastMole]

Well Done Alan...The new generation of entry level Spec Analyzers are priced down to a level where a whole new group of people can obtain them. This creates a need for tutorials for both the Theory of Operation and How to Use the device and get the most out of it. This video is an excellent example of how to clearly and concisely address the matter. Thanks again

[@cny02253]

Alan, you really know how to come up with simple and elegant visual aids. Masterful, concise video showing the relatively simple concept behind the oblique phrase "Resolution Bandwidth" and the application of filters. I love filters. You can't do enough videos about filters, "Q", all that cool stuff.

[@geperezg]

Very good video. After 3 years in the instrumentation industry, I have finally found something to solidify these principles in my head.

[@berkol1407]

thanks for the great explanation 10 years ago!

[@mjlorton]

Brilliant explanation Alan...just starting to play with my MDO analyser..searched for "frequency analyzer rbw" and look who I find?! ;-) Cheers, Martin.

[@w2aew]

Martin, while the principles are largely the same, the SA in the MDO operates differently. There is no "sweep". It uses a discrete Fourier Transform (actually a Chirp-Z transform to be exact) to compute the spectrum from direct sampled data. Thus, there is no VBW function, and 'sweep time' is replaced with 'spectrum update rate.' The RBW determines the time-duration of the data record that is sent to the Chirp-Z transform.

[@mjlorton]

***** Thanks for the info Alan.

[@conesillyvalley7182]

Another great example of American way of teaching by super talented yet humble masters. Thank you!

[@jimcervantes5659]

What is "American way of teaching"?

[@conesillyvalley7182]

@@jimcervantes5659 glad u asked. American way Of teaching is: 1) spoken by someone with both theory and practical knowledge 2) taught using actual hardware and NOT text book or black board 3) spoken from years of personal experience and not just parroting 4) taught humbly, simply, and to the point using fewest words

[@jimcervantes5659]

Baki Pest - Why do you refer to it as American?

[@conesillyvalley7182]

@@jimcervantes5659 because America is number 1 in high-tech. From moon landing to smart phones, and just about anything me/you use is invented in America, definitely much more advanced than mine (india) or your (Mexico, spain?) country

[@jimcervantes5659]

Baki Pest - I am a US citizen and have received all of my education in the US, including a BS in electrical engineering. Nothing in your description seems inherently American, nor necessarily optimal depending on the circumstance. I have seen a lot of American teaching and don't recognize what you are talking about. Oh well.

[@gonzik2675]

Amazing videos! As a studying engineer seeing how things work in the real world is worth more than you can imagine. Thanks for your hard work and comprehensive tutorials!

[@buffteethr]

Excellent video. I am currently debugging my DUT for CE compliance and this is the best explanation I have seen for VBW and RBW. Good job.

[@keena1326]

Man...best explanation of these two subjects I've come across yet.

[@w2aew]

K1MGY - good questions. I'll answer them using your numbers: 1) It is an Advantest U3461 2) VBW reduces the variation in the trace due to noise, it doesn't reduce the noise floor. It won't reduce the amplitude of the signals as long as the sweep speed is slow enough to allow the filter to fully charge. This is usually taken care of automatically. 3) Reducing VBW will help uncover things that are standing "in the grass" by flattening the noisy grass around the signal. Reducing RBW will help even more by reducing the noise floor, uncovering signals that were buried below the noise. 4) Sweep time (sweep speed) is typically linked to RBW and VBW. RBW is typically linked to SPAN. Narrow SPAN = narrow RBW = slower sweep speeds. Yes, slower sweep speeds in a swept analyzer make it easier to find transients. Alan

[@DanielRojas-pf1pw]

***** Hey Allan, Thanks a lot for the great videos, as always. What practical difference is there between reducing the VBW and just plain averaging? I know that reducing the VBW is actually filtering the higher frequencies, as opposed to just plain averaging. Leaving the math aside, I notice that both approaches increase the sweep time and don't have an effect on the noise floor. Can you comment on the differences of both? When would I use one or the other? Thanks!

[@w2aew]

Daniel Rojas You can think of the VBW as a trace smoothing filter. Thus, if you had a low level signal buried in the grass, the smoothing would likely hide the signal - while averaging would smooth out the grass but not clip the tiny signal.

[@ernieschatz3783]

This is excellent. "Yes, slower sweep speeds in a swept analyzer make it easier to find transients." I have to take periodic measurements of pulsed microwave (RADAR transmitters to be exact) signals. With one of our handheld analyzers (Agilent N9344C), I have to play with the sweep speed, or the signal will pop in and out of view, or it won't display at all. The analyzer is basically DC to 20GHz and has no problem reading CW signals at any of the frequencies we check (anywhere from 700MHz to about 9 GHz). We sometimes borrow a Rohde and Schwarz FSH20 handheld that displays any signal we want to see without touching any settings. I'm wondering if there was something I missed in the spec sheet when I acquired the Agilent, or is the Rohde and Schwarz just more refined?

[@jonesthesteamuk]

Best KZbin video I've seen on how a spectrum analyser works. Clear simple description. Great stuff keep it coming!

[@nickpenacl]

This is just the video that I was looking for a long time ago . Wonderful

[@davidbeauchesne7399]

Just purchased my first spectrum analyzer and was confused by the difference between RBW and VBW. Your video explained it very well. Thank you!

[@goldfisch9199]

Your videos are amazing. I don't understand why teachers can't expalin it that well

[@JohnRaschedian]

Teachers can usually only teach. They usually don't understand the real meaning of what they teach. Most of them time, they simply memorize things.

[@robertsomerset6630]

I think this just helped me understand why my duplexer tuning was never as good as it could've been. Lowering the RBW would help me see the filters individually when they are right next to each other. Thank you!!!

[@garysavage4121]

I had never seen a description of RBW using a mask (to represent the RBW filter) over a drawing of the measured spectrum. It was very easy to understand.

[@omgkingdano]

These are excellent fundamental refresher videos. Very well thought out and explained. Backed by excellent examples on real world equipment. Very nice.

[@lorimeyers3839]

Im familiar with RF and spec ans and I’ll tell you what - it’s a very good video for a novice to watch. I think repetition and doing so every so often (it’s easy to forget setups/applications). In my line of work, I try to familiarize myself with Markers, Min and Max holds. Measuring channel and composite power. Eb/no, signal to noise, etc. Runnings sweeps on cables. Spec ans are also used in conjunction with signal generators (sig-gen) when testing RF equipment, fiber shelves or RF antenna paths. Blah blah.

[@petepnut]

Very useful and concise information, and very applicable to modern SA's such as Rigol and Siglent. Thanks! Peter G6EPN

[@ronaldlijs]

EXCELLENT explanation Alan!!! Much appreciated on this end. I have just bought a spectrum analyzer off eBay and I think I will love it!! Keep it up!!!

[@dhananjayw502]

Wow ! .... Very nicely explained. It cleared my doubts and will definitely help me. Thanks a lot.

[@dougn7bfs]

your visual examples coupled with your explanation as you go makes this a great tutorial, thanks!!

[@keithcoltron3171]

Wish I'd bumped into w2aew years ago, great teacher, great content, many, many thanks for all.

[@jipra]

Such a brilliant demonstration video! Very informative! Thanks w2aew, you're the best!

[@DAVET38]

Hello Alan. Another very useful, clear video. Found it very helpful in the use of my new spectrum analyzer; allowing me to use the equipment more effectively and more 'knowingly'. Thanks

[@richarddomingos1423]

Thanks from Brazil, i'm working with BK Precision by micronix, and that video helps me a lot!!!! I´ll see the others videos to learn more about it!!! Thank you!

[@thumbsup3096]

Hey there, Insanely good. Your video just helped me out a lot. Good work man, and thanks. Greetings from Germany

[@shivbhalodia9711]

Thank you for such clear & concise explanation! You've saved me so much time and effort at work.

[@satyamjayanti2642]

Amazing explanation. I have never seen such a great tutorial of a SpecAn. Thanks !!

[@gus_siles]

What a brilliant explanation!! Congratulations!.. this goes straight to my classroom and lab.

[@TruongNguyen-yo8qr]

The block diagram, teaching materials and your way of explanation are very succinct. You are very knowledgeable. I am hoping for Oscilloscope operating tutorial video clips when you have a chance. Thank you very much.

[@w2aew]

I have MANY videos on operating oscilloscopes. Here's a playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PL746BF38BC2E068E0

[@TruongNguyen-yo8qr]

@@w2aew Thank you very much for the information. Please excuse me for not searching about Oscilloscope tutorials thoroughly before requesting. No matter how complex a piece of equipment, you make it so simple to understand

[@jeffj2010]

Excellent video to detail how RBW works.

[@BinaBhatt]

Very helpful explanation, particularly with the paper prototype (Wide Band and Narrow Band). Thank you.

[@NexxuSix]

Thank you for the explanation. I’m still learning a few tips and tricks from you combined with my operator’s manual on my newly acquired SA (HP8560E). I have learned a lot from you =)

[@raindrop2407]

Thank you so much. It's helping me a lot in my EE courses. Your videos are so unique and informative!

[@w2aew]

Very glad to hear that my videos are helping in your coursework!

[@wxfreak]

Great demonstration really helped me understand what is happening! Thank you!

[@bachger4289]

The best explanation I've ever heard before. Thanks.

[@randydireen3566]

Love how clear this was

[@jianjiao542]

Thank you! Very clear both in theory and practical. Solved my confusion for a long time.

[@sudhansunithmr]

This is a pretty decent knowledge bank video. Thanks for uploading and so lucidly explaining the concepts.

[@marcosbarros8069]

Excellent explanation; concise and clear: direct to the point. Thank you!

[@jojojoy4395]

Great presentation and illustrations. Thank you very much.

[@paulamiroy953]

Very innovative way of explaining ! Great work !

[@Rcschim]

Super well explained with just a pen and cutout cardboard. Like it a lot! thanks!

[@famossfla]

Thanks Alan Another great informative video. Nice explanation of interaction of RBW and VBW..

[@raccoonnyc]

I've never seen this explained so well.

[@positivevibes179]

Very nice presentation & explanation of the resolution bandwidth

[@bhavemanojs]

Thanks for the clear and concise explanation!

[@perrooceaniko2005]

yes, you deserve 10 times more views …. my respect !

[@Sam-lc1lo]

This is an awesome explanation

[@mklengel]

Great tutorial. Thanks for producing this videos. Please keep on with it.

[@saintlouis999]

Amazing video!!! Simple, concise and super clear!!!!! Thanks a lot.

[@volcanowb]

I get so much from your sessions! Thank you!

[@alvaropalomonavarro6177]

I just shared this with my students. Great job.

[@w2aew]

That's great! Feel free to share any of my videos with them that you might find useful. I have lots of circuit tutorials, component tutorials, test & measurement topics, and much more on my channel.

[@vladorlov1207]

Thank you from Russia! More happiness to your life!

[@rpbale]

Love you videos. Along the lines of filters, Tek made a notch filter plugin for calibrating their low noise oscillator years ago. The notch filter attenuated the target Freq by about -60db with a very sharp Q factor. I’d like to make one of these but don’t really I stand how to get such a narrow but deep attenuation. I bet you could make this into a great video. The Tek device was the Tektronix 067-0938-00 Notch Filter Calibration Fixture for calibrating the Tek SG505 low freq oscillator.

[@w2aew]

High Q narrowband notch filters are tricky to make. Resonant cavities are one way - check out my video on tuning a notch type duplexer.

[@rohinparkar]

Hi w2aew .. Excellent explanation .. Nobody ever explained it this way to me.

[@AM-uw6br]

Excellent video! Both precise and coherent

[@luisaruquipac.381]

Best video ever! You are a hero !

[@luisaruquipac.381]

It was the last question in my last oral exam of my master degree. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@ianchong7422]

THANK YOU!!! Now I understand the different.

[@sciottos]

Wonderful explanation and demonstration of R&V BW...3 Cheers!

[@g0fvt]

Someone below asked why spectrum analysers are so expensive, my one uses basically an oscilloscope mainframe but with a spectrum analyser "plugin". One of the expensive to replace parts of a spectrum analyser is the mixer, they are easily destroyed but probably the most vulnerable component. The mixers have to have a broad, flat frequency response and tend to use exotic diodes within them. Sadly I have seen spectrum analysers effectively written off due to mixer damage. I am sure the precision attenuators are not cheap either!

[@RojoKiller]

Thank you so much for this ilustrative explanation, it helped me a lot!

[@dougspurell2387]

Very concise and nicely conveyed. Well done.

[@JohnSmith-he5xg]

Great videos. Thanks for taking the time to make these :)

[@tarun5632]

Fascinating, Knowledgeable and clears all doubts Thanks

[@yTb2801082331]

Thank you veeeeery much for this very useful video!!!!!

[@ericntsama5833]

Excellent !, thank you for the detailed explanation and live demonstration

[@Rainbient]

Amazing video!!! Thank you

[@montecri]

Wow! What an explanation! Thank you sir!

[@mostlypostie1]

Sensational videos. 73!

[@phillipng7331]

Very intuitive demo

[@hercai10]

Awesome explanation!

[@khangau4844]

just 1 word: beautiful !!!!

[@k1mgy]

Alan, fascinating. A few questions from this presentation: 1. What is model of analyzer for demo? 2. If video bandwidth is reduced the amplitude of noise is also reduced and as it is a low pass filter is there a slight reduction in overall amplitude (and therefore accuracy)? 3. You mentioned reducing video bandwidth might uncover stuff that would be masked in the noise. You mean a transient that does not go above the noise floor (of previous wider bandwidth)? 4. Would reducing the sweep span (I should watch prior video as term is not known) reduce horizontal sweep time and therefore increase resolution of transients? Many thanks for considering my questions! /k1mgy

[@pmblsmft2]

Absolutely superb explanation. Thank you!!

[@actyon20]

Sir, you are a God!

[@hiranthini1]

Excellent explanation, well presented

[@ironic4love]

This was great , Thank you so much

[@martinmassitti9791]

Excelente video! Muy completo, y gracias a esto me permitio reforzar conocimientos. Gracias

[@Aligreta]

Very very smart explanation :). Btw did u have any issues with these advantest sa's? Mine was similar model but some day noise appeared around all carriers even the LO leakage was noisy and the level droped all down... I suspect mixer said enough for this life, i wish yours last long because advantest people does not share any service manual

[@SoddingaboutSi]

So is the video bandwidth similar to the averaging on a digital scope? Very informative video, thankyou.

[@damianlawrence8430]

Thanks for sharing mate. Good job

[@jancenj2218]

Can I ask you a few questions? In measuring the output power of a radio transmitter, which will give me a more accurate measurement? A power meter or a Spectrum Analyzer? Also, is the power I'm measuring peak or average? I was told using a zero span will give a better peak power measurement instead of a bigger span. Why is that?

[@w2aew]

In general, a proper RF power meter will give you a more accurate power result than a spectrum analyzer. They are available for both average and peak power measurement. Zero span on a spectrum analyzer will give you a decent result as long as the RBW is wider than the bandwidth of the signal you're measuring.

[@vampifrog]

it looks like the narrow rbw filter would generate some plateaus, since the given tones stay in it for a while when it sweeps them, so the graph at the bottom would not be sharp at the top, but rather flat, but still narrower than the graph above it.

[@w2aew]

Well, not really. In reality, the filters typically have a Gaussian shape, and resulting spectrum trace of a single frequency tone will show the shape of the filter.

[@papayeyaz]

Thank you for posting this video I do now Understand the purpose of it.

[@lancerfan12]

Brilliant work!