The name spectrum analyzer is used to refer to the spectral analyzer instrument which is employed to measure a waveform spectrum – that applies to the waveforms of the optical waveform, the acoustic waveform, and the electrical waveform. At times, the spectrum analyzer might also be used to gauge the power spectrum.

Basically, a spectrum analyzer can either be of the analog variety, or of the digital variety. It is an extremely sensitive measuring equipment that functions like a car radio since it can detect waveform frequencies (though your radio can only identify radio waves) and then uses a display to show these incoming frequencies to you.

When you have an analog spectrum analyzer on the job, it measures spectrum frequencies using either the variable band-pass filter, or the superheterodyne receiver instrument.

The digital spectrum analyzer relies on a mathematical process dubbed the discrete Fourier transform (or DFT) to interpret a waveform into its respective frequency spectrum parts.

A new variation on these two basic spectrum analyzer categories is the hybrid method for analyzing spectrum frequencies. A hybrid spectrum analyzer system can rely on syperheterodyne methods to down-convert the signal input so that it becomes transformed into a lower frequency, which then is studied using the FFT (fast fourier transformation) methods.

When an incoming signal is perceived and is to be measured, the spectrum analyzer will show what the frequency of the signal is through the display. The display should be able to indicate the fluctuation of the signal input over a certain period of time. The display tells us the degree of strength of the incoming signal – when we get past the incoming signal, our spectrum analyzer will reflect low-level noise and not a signal.

A digital spectrum analyzer is believed to be superior to an analog spectrum analyzer, because a digital spectrum analyzer can produce better frequency resolution over the prescribed acquisition time frame.)

A spectrum analyzer is used to check how strongly and frequently your transmitter can send out signals and how well these signals can be perceived. A spectrum analyzer can also check for the presence of interference (which can be a powerful signal in the area that blocks the signals you are transmitting) or if the frequency bandwidth you chose to transmit in is congested already.

Your spectrum analyzer might also be useful for a host of other test applications such as component characterization tests, test alignment of microwave and satellite antenna frequencies, intermodulation, how much bandwidth is occupied, checking power of adjacent channels, co-channel interference, and antenna isolation.

If you purchase the less expensive spectrum analyzers, you may get an instrument geared for limited frequencies or use only specific bands. There are also portable (or hand-held spectrum analyzers) which are powered by batteries.

One important concept in use of spectral analyzers is the signal-to-noise ratio concept. Signal- to-noise ratio will measure how strong your signal is being transmitted and received compared to the level of noise present in the environment. If your signal is strong enough, the background noise can be drowned out and be negligible.