INTRODUCTION

when
A spectrum in the practical sense is a collection of sine waves,
combined properly produces the required time domain signal.
The frequency domain also has its measurement strengths.
The frequency domain is better for determining the harmonic content of a
signal.
Amplitude frequency
(power)

time
Time domain
Measurements
Frequency Domain
Measurements
 Sto

SPECTRUM ANALYZER
Aspectrum analyzer is a device used to
examine the spectral composition of
some electrical , acoustic or optical
wavefom.
Mostly it finds its application in
measurement of power spectrum.

An analog spectrum analyzer us

uses
either a variable band pass filter whose
mid-frequency is autómatically tuned
(shifted. swept) through the range of
frequencies of which the spectrum is to
heterodyne
be measured or a super oscillator
receiver where the local is
swept through a range of frequencies.

A digital spectrum analyzer computes

the Fast Fourier transform (FF), aa
mathematical process that transforms
wavefom into the components of its
frequency spectrum
Spectrum Analysis
In various field operations involving
nature of the signal at several signals there is need to ascertain the
points.
Signal characteristics affect the
parameters of operation of a system.
Spectrum analysis mostly involves study of the signal
produced by it. entering a system or that
Spectrum analyzers usually display raw, unprocessed signal
as voltage, power, period, wave shape, information such
provide you with a sidebands, and frequency. They can
clear and precise window into the frequency spectrum.
The basic types Parallel filters measured
simultaneously
A
FFT Spectrum Analyzer
The Fourier analyzer basically takes a
time-domain signal digitizes it using
digital sampling, and then performs the
mathematics required to convert it
the frequency domain, and display the
resulting spectrum. fi f f
Swept Spectrum Analyzer Filter 'sweeps' over
The most common type of spectrum range of interest
analyzer is the swept-tuned receiver. It
the most widely accepted, general
purpose tool for frequency-domain
measuirements. The technique nost
widely used is superheterodynme.
 Stos

FFT Spectrum Analyzer

THE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM

- The analyzer is looking at the entire frequency range at the same time using
parallel filters measuring simultaneously.
It is actually capturing the time domain information which contains all the
frequency information in it.
With its real-time signal analysis capability, the Fourier analyzer is able to
capture periodic as well as random and transient events.
It also can provide significant speed improvement over the more traditional
swept analyzer and can measure phase as well as magnitude.
 Theorvof Operation
Spectrum Analyzer Block Diagram

RF input
attenuator IF filter
IF gain detector
mixer
Input
signal
Pre-Selector
Or Low Pass Amp
Filter video
filter
local
oscillator
sweep
generator

Crystal
Reference CRT display
THERF INPUT ATTENUATOR
The RF inpuut atteniuator is a step attenuator located
between the input connector and the first mixer. It is
also called the RF attenuator.
This is used to adjust the level of the signal incident
upon the first mixer.
This is important in order to prevent mixer gain
compression and distortion due to high-level and/or
broadband signals.
MIXER
Amixer is a device that converts a signal from one frequency to another.
It is sometimes called a frequency-translation device.
A mixer is a non-linear device (frequencies are present at the output that were
not present at the input).
- The output of a mixer consists of the two original signals (Fig and o) as well
as the sum (fotf) and diference (fLo-fi) frequencies of these two signals.
In aspectrum analyzer, the difference frequency is actually the frequency of
interest. The mixer has converted our RF input signal to an IF (Intermediate
Frequency) signal that the analyzer can now filter, amplify and detect for the
purpose of displaying the signal on the screen.
INTERMEDIATE FREQUENCY GAIN (IF GAIN)
The IF gain is located after the mixer but before the IF, or RBW, flter.
This is used to adjust the vertical position of signals on the display without
affecting the signal level at the input mixer.
When it is changed, the value of the reference level gets changed
accordingly.
The IF gain will automatically be changed to compensate for input attenuator
changes, so Signals remain stationary on the CRT display, and the reference
level is not changed.
IF FILTER
- The IF ilter is a bandpass filter which is used as the "vwindow" for detecting
signals.
. It's bandwidth is also called the resolution bandwidth (RBW) of the analyzer
of the analyzer.
and can be changed via the front panel
By giving a broad range of variable resolution bandwidth settings , the
instrument can be optimized for the sveep and signal conditions, letting
trade-off frequency selectivity (the ability to resolve signals), signal-to-noise
ratio (SNR), and measurement speed.
As RBWis narrowed, selectivity is improved (we are able to resolve the tw
input signals). This will also often improve SNR.
DETECTOR DETECTOR

amplitud

"bins" Positive detection: largest value

in bin displayed
Negative detection: smallest value
in bin displayed
* Sample detection: last value in bin
displayed
DETECTOR
The analyzer must convert the IF signal to a baseband or video signal so it
can be viewed on the instrument's display. This is accomplished with an
envelope detector which then deflects the CRT beam on the y-axis, or
amplitude axis
Many modern spectrum analyzers have digital displays which first digitize
the video signal with an analog-to-digital converter (ADC).
The positive-peak detector mode captures and displays the peak value of the
Signal over the duration of one trace element
The negative-peak detector mode captures the minimum value of the signal
for each bin.
In sample detection mode. arandom value for each bin" of data(also called
a trace element) is produced This is the best mode for computing the rms
value of noise or noise-like sgnals but it may miss the peaks of burst
Signals and narOwband signals when the RBW is narOwer than the
irequency spacing of the bins.
For displaying both SIgnals and noise a detector mode called normal
detection mode is used
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THE AUXILLARIES

The local oscillator is a Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) which in effect

tunes the analyzer.
The sweep generator actually tunes the LO so that its frequency changes in
proportion to the ramp voltage.
This also deflects the CRT beam horizontally across the screen from left to
Tight, creating the frequency domain in the x-axis.
 St

WORKING PRINCIPLE:
- First of all, the signalto be analyzed is connected to the input of the spectrum
analyzer. This input signal is then combined with the LO through the mixer.
to convert (or translate) it to an intermediate frequency (IF).
These signals are then sent to the IF filter.
The output of this filter is detected, indicating the presence of a signal
component at the analyzer's tuned frequency. The output voltage of the
detector is used to drive the vertical axis (amplitude) of the analyzer display.
The sweep generator provides synchronization between the horizontal axis of
the display (frequency) and tuning of the LO. The resulting display shows
amplitude versus frequency of spectral components of each incoming signal.
The horizontal arrOWS are intended to illustrate the "sweeping" of the
analyzer. Starting with LO at 3.6 GHz, the output of the mixer has four
Signals, one of which is at 3.6 GHz (fo).
IF flter is also at 3.6 GHz (it's shape has been imposed onto the frequency
graph for clarity). Therefore, we expect to see this signal on the display. At
0 Hz on the CRT, we do indeed see a signal - this is called"LO
Feedthrough".
Sweep generator moving to the right, causes the LO to sweep upward in
frequency. As the LO sweeps, so two will three of the mixer output signals
(the input signal is stationary). nt
As the LO Feedthrough moves out of the IF flter bandwidth, we see it taper
off on the display. As soon as the difference frequency (f_o-f) comes into
the envelop of the IF filter. we start to see it.
When it is at the center (e.g. 3.6 GHz) we see the full amplitude of this signal
on the display.
And. as it moves further to the right, it leaves the filter envelop. and no signal
Is seen on the display.
The signal is being swept through the fixed IF filter. and properly displayed
on the analyzer screen.
 Theory of Operation
How it all works together
Signal Range LORang
fo fof,
IF filter
detector
2 3 4 5
mixer
S 3.6 6.5
input 3.6

ff
Sweep generator A

1 2 3 (GHz)
CRT display
3.6 6.5
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FRONT PANEL OPERATION

Primary functions
(Frequency, Amplitude,
Span)
Softkeys
ODDO
DDO00000
DDOO 00
00
DDOO

Controlfunctions
(RBW, sweep time,
VBW)

RFInput Numeric
keypad
VIDEO FILTER
The video filter is a low-pass filter that is located after the
envelope detector and before the ADC. This filter
determines the bandwidth of the vide0 amplifier. and is
used to average or smooth the trace seen on the screen.
By changing the video bandwidth (VBW) setting, we can
decrease the peak-to-peak variations of noise.

VIDEO
FILTER