Understanding Spectrum Analyzer: What it is and How it Works
Spectrum Analyzer Market size is Expected to Reach USD 2.6 Billion with 8.2% CAGR by 2030.
A spectrum analyzer is a tool that measures and displays the frequency and amplitude of signals. It provides a visual representation of an electrical signal’s spectral energy distribution, characteristics, and frequencies.
This article provides a comprehensive overview of spectrum analyzer, its uses, and how it works.
The History of Spectrum Analyzer
The first spectrum analyzer was invented by Joseph Fourier in the early 19th century. The Fourier Transform, one of the critical mathematical algorithms that allow the spectrum analyzer, was created by Joseph Fourier in 1822. The Fourier Transform is the foundation of modern signal processing.
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In the 1920s, the radio industry began using spectrum analyzers for the measurement and analysis of electromagnetic signals. During World War II, spectrum analyzers gained popularity for detecting enemy communications.
The Introduction of Digital Spectrum Analyzers
The introduction and commercialization of digital signal processing (DSP) and digital hardware in the late 1970s drastically changed spectrum analyzers. Digital spectrum analyzers replaced analog spectrum analyzers and allow for processing and modifying signals.
With the transition to digital technology, spectrum analyzers now provide a wide range of analytical options when compared to analog spectrum analyzers.
How Spectrum Analyzer Works
A spectrum analyzer works by receiving a signal, separating its frequency components, and displaying them on a screen. The signal is collected using a transducer such as an antenna. The signal’s frequency components are then separated by passing the signal through a filter bank.
Analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) sample and digitize the signals. The data then goes through digital signal processing, such as Fourier Transformations, which convert the time-domain signal into the frequency domain.
The result is a spectrum plot, which shows the frequency components of the signal plotted against their amplitude. The plot is divided into one or more discrete frequency bands or bins, each of which displays information on the amplitude of the signal at that frequency.
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Uses of Spectrum Analyzer
Spectrum analyzers are used in a wide range of industries where electromagnetic signals are present, including:
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Telecommunications: Spectrum analyzers are used to analyze electromagnetic signals to improve wireless network performance and troubleshoot network issues.
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Audio and Acoustic Analysis: Spectrum analyzers are used in audio engineering, music production, and acoustics to measure and analyze musical instrument sounds, room acoustics, and speaker frequency response.
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Medical and Scientific Research: Spectrum analyzers are used to analyze biological signals such as electroencephalograms (EEGs),