What is a Spectrum Analyzer and Measurements You Can Make - What the RF (S01E01)

Learn what a spectrum analyzer is and the various measurements you can make with one.
Click to subscribe: bit.ly/Labs_Sub
Learn more in the Spectrum Analysis Basics application note
► bit.ly/SpecAnBasics ◄
What is a spectrum analyzer and what measurements can it make? A spectrum analyzer displays received signals with respect to amplitude vs. frequency. This is called frequency domain analysis.
The terms spectrum analyzer and signal analyzer are used almost interchangeably, however, there are some slight differences. Spectrum analyzers, by definition, measure the phase of a signal. Signal analyzers, on the other hand, measure the amplitude and phase of the input signal at a single frequency.
If you transmit an RF signal from your device, a signal analyzer can down convert the signal to a digital signal and the signal analyzer can display your device’s signal in terms of constellations, spectrum, spectral masks, etc.
Basically, a signal analyzer analyzes both amplitude and frequency and phase of your signal of interest, which you can’t do on a spectrum analyzer.
The main use of a spectrum analyzer is to measure the power of a signal’s various frequency components like radio frequency and audio signals.
A spectrum analyzer allows you to analyze a device’s signal and circuit performance in a way that isn’t possible using other means, say, looking at it in the time-domain.
Spectrum and signal analyzers can make a large variety of measurements ranging from harmonic distortion tests for transmitters, WLAN and spectral masks for showing limits of unwanted emissions to two-tone tests on an RF power amplifier.
Because of how powerful a spectrum analyzer is, it’s practically owned across all engineering labs for design development and testing of engineers’ devices. If you need to see the frequency make-up of your signals a spectrum analyzer is a great tool to have.
Tune in for future What The RF (WTRF) episodes covering more spectrum analyzer capabilities and fundamental measurements to see how you can test more efficiently!
Like our Facebook page for more exciting content:
/ keysightrf
Check out our blog:
bit.ly/RFTestBlog
Check out our other awesome Keysight content:
Learn more about using oscilloscopes: oscilloscopelearningcenter.com
Check out the EEs Talk Tech electrical engineering podcast:
eestalktech.com
More about Keysight oscilloscopes:
bit.ly/SCOPES
Follow us on Twitter: @DanielBogdanoff
/ danielbogdanoff
Like our digital counterpart’s Facebook page:
/ keysightbench
The signal analyzer we used: bit.ly/EXASignalAnalyzer
(The Keysight X-Series EXA Signal Analyzer)
The X-Series signal analyzers allow you to visualize across the spectrum to see known and unknown signals. Choose from frequencies of 3 Hz - 110 GHz and 1 MHz - 1 GHz analysis bandwidth.
What the RF is hosted by Nick Ben. The video series covers when and how to use different applications and capabilities of the X-Series spectrum analyzers to make various RF measurements. You’ll gain familiarity with features that will help you save time in your measurement, further your analysis, and deepen your insight.
#rf #spectrumanalyzer #electricalengineer #signalanalyzer #keysight

[@tkyewub9724]

best lecture of last two decades

[@deepakmecheri4668]

Keysight really looks like a fun place to work at. The videos and the presentations are top notch. I think you'd attract a lot more viewers, especially students, if you could do videos on the common laboratory experiments they make you do in colleges. ✌

[@jimmysyar889]

thinking the exact same thing

[@N3uroTypical333]

I hereby make this post to prove that I was following you guys before you made it big time and got all those oscars and stuff. Remember the fans who loved you before you were huge. :)

[@cannaroe1213]

They're not huge they're fat-positive you bigot #2019

[@prabakaranr7661]

spectrum analyser basically analysis spectrum! that's how I answer when my teacher questions me.

[@thornsitha]

It's the best answer haha !

[@stefenieleger]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@dosgos]

Very clear!

[@ANoNIMkillir]

Hi, keysight! Isn't it more accurate to say, that spectrum analyzer is basically analyzes power vs frequency? Simple experiment: let's get sine signal 100 mV pk-pk and freq 10 kHz from signal generator. Amplitude of this signal is 50 mV by definition. So, if spectrum analyzer displays amplitude vs frequency we should see +34 dBmV (because 50 mV is 50 times more that 1 mV) at 10 kHz. In reality you only will see +31 dBmV. Why? Because it's displays RMS value which is 0,707*50=35,35 mV (and it's a 35,35 times more that 1 mV and it's roughly +31 dBmV). So it's not amplitude, at least RMS amplitude or power. What do you think?

[@nattaliemcshan9267]

Okay I see you Keysight!! I calibrate and use spec ans at my job all the time, definitely sharing this with my coworkers woooo

[@KeysightLabs]

Awesome! Let us know if you have any SA topics you'd like us to cover.

[@halimasumayya9890]

I like these type of educational videos... U are making the concept interesting... Thanks

[@KeysightLabs]

Thanks!

[@0mGFaiL5]

This was a funny and informative video

[@typeer]

thank you for the vid, helpful, audio could use a noise gate

[@immteam]

You guys are nuts! :)

[@JismalJamal]

Ya this video super cool. Thumb s up for the choreography

[@Reeshichohan]

Sr what is the difference b/w acoutic and analyzer.what we measure this machine

[@yavuzciftci8283]

hi all when we are measuring intermodulation using a spectrum analyzer. When we change input attenuation of the SA, why power of intermodulation products changes?

[@sebastianjuara]

you're awesome guys

[@chocholatemilkshake4799]

I love it!

[@manvendrasingh5853]

Could we use Spectrum Analyzer to catch signals from any frequency and give the frequency domain analysis of such signals? (Say LoRa signals with the carrier at 868 MHz).

[@KeysightLabs]

Absolutely!

[@manvendrasingh5853]

@@KeysightLabs Thank you. Our institution has recently brought one and I tested it to get the LoRa signal and I was able to receive them.

[@RobeenaShepherd]

Keysight has all the best engineers!

[@HoffmansHoopties]

True story!

[@electronicatutorial]

We are living the times that when you looking like you are wearing a toupee looks cool.

[@shobanagunasekaran6680]

This video is too good. The engineer did a great job. Would love to keep watching contents posted in the future

[@acex222]

Can you do a series or video on Logic Analysers?

[@KeysightLabs]

Good idea! We'll definitely consider it.

[@lyclycsms]

is spectrum analyzer the same thing as network analyzer manufactured by keysight?

[@KeysightLabs]

Good question! They are different. A SA generally only receives external signals, where a VNA sources and receives its own signals

[@meisam9592]

Then what is the reason for using a spectrum analyzer instead of FFT in an oscilloscope?

[@MrMaluin]

Mainly Bandwidth, and sensitivity I guess. Also a signal analysers does more than one way of displaying the harmonic signal.

[@christiancziezerski2291]

Frequency range (carrier frequency), real-time bandwidth, sensitivity and dynamic range (only 8-bit on an oscilloscope), displayed average noise level, phase noise and a whole slew of analysis functionality. Of course, with a very good oscilloscope (e.g. DSAV334A or a more modest DSOS804A) and Keysight's VSA software you definitely also can have a larger real-time bandwidth analyser (and more channels) but the dynamic range is not comparable to a real signal analyser. literature.cdn.keysight.com/litweb/pdf/5992-1242EN.pdf

[@KeysightLabs]

Christian and Maxime had great answers! Something else I would add is that signal analyzers have a better spurious-free dynamic range (SFDR).

[@Aethelbeorn]

I'll need to get me one of them analicers

[@steadfast9354]

Haha best start to a video ever

[@frankreiserm.s.8039]

I am an Electrical Engineer and I never heard of a signal analyzer before. Let's see if ebay has one. Frank

[@pamparampa3046]

Good job :) I didn't expect such a funny episode :)

[@BASANTABHATTARAI]

Hahaha wow great learning!!

[@xDevscom_EE]

Bit strange to see overly humorous videos (targeted to wide audience?) and hi-end equipment of good car pricetag (targeted to serious professional use).

[@AnunakiLAMDA]

"Real" engineers are strange. Most of the times we prefer to have a hi-end instrument to measure "things" than have a good car to go to work.

[@งานงอกไม่บอกชาวบ้าน]

Love you haha 😘

[@PeterMacansky]

❤️

[@yaghiyahbrenner8902]

1:41 easy dan save some for later. hahah!

[@rubygupta9770]

1:41 here people you can see a wild daniel in his natural habitat.

[@stonecold7945]

What the RF! How does Daniel eat that many pies!

[@KeysightLabs]

I really like pies.

[@stonecold7945]

Keysight Labs I can see

[@StandforAjdetray]

Brodcomm ❤

[@williammoney962]

What the RF is up with that hair? Nice video, very informative.

[@ahaanavin]

Hope i will get Job at keysight

[@dimitar4y]

Goof xD You clearly have enough time to live. Rather than living to live. I'm curious what stuff you've contributed to KS labs, WTRF?

[@KeysightLabs]

Thanks for the comment! Yes, we love what we do here in providing everyone great, quality content with sometimes a humorous kick to it. All of us on the team have engineering backgrounds - whether we are in R&D or marketing - and we love continuing to provide all of you informative content.

[@lorenzherr1140]

Too much

[@yaghiyahbrenner8902]

Have you ever seen the dry robotic humor at Rohde & Schwarz?

[@KeysightLabs]

Hi Lorenz, we appreciate the feedback as we start this next video series. We will take this into account as we film future episodes. Thanks!

[@user-jb5uo8dn7n]

あなたが好きなすべてのグループメンバーに投票することができます

[@TuLe-my9pz]

the sound is not good I am quite disappointed

[@colinmclaughlin5800]

Guy has great teeth.

[@SnoozeTheRecluse]

Why would anyone want this? What could you do with it? Just analyze spectrums?

[@KeysightLabs]

If you need to see the frequency make up of your device's signal, a spectrum analyzer is a good tool to have. Along with being able to do harmonic distortion tests for transmitters and spectral masks for showing limits of unwanted emissions, spectrum analyzers help you better discern signals of interest from unexpected signals. For more, check out the application note 'Spectrum Analysis Basics' in the description!

[@udhayakumara4033]

What the hell is this? Is it Keysight video? 😢😢😢

[@Kevin_KC0SHO]

Funny

[@Faxter313]

you went too far into terrible editing and bad jokes. Turn that down a lot and i might even enjoy this.

[@KeysightLabs]

We really appreciate the feedback as we start this next video series. We will take this into account as we film future episodes. Thanks!

[@electronicatutorial]

There are plenty of seriuos videos about this ALL OVER. Let them be, bro easy up!.

[@marceloalvarocoronelcastro3463]

It was unexpected and a bit exagerated but it wasn't bad. Too many "serious" videos out there, so a little change in dynamics is in fact enjoyable.

[@mikeburrello4396]

😂

[@TyTy-ye6nz]

He has a bogie in his left nose haha! it was very off putting none the less a good video

[@KeysightLabs]

hahaha darn! It's bothering me just as much now. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@Kevin_geekgineering]

wtf

[@caffairs6994]

Reduce your over action...when you are teaching some technical stuff... Instead of this you should explain the concept more depth. First do some research on content then video. Otherwise you are more suitable for entertainment but not for technical stuff

[@MDAlAmin-xn4vk]

he is very very mad

[@MDAlAmin-xn4vk]

i don't like

[@cyberyogicowindler2448]

Too much annoying slapstick... 👎

[@sasankarakshit6341]

Visit a doctor

[@Impedancenetwork]

They need to stop letting this guy do videos. I do not like this childish type of video.

[@harish4596]

Worst presentation

[@KeysightLabs]

Nick definitely has a vibe for this series, haha

[@MDAlAmin-xn4vk]

Please stop making this