Sunday 5 January 2020

How To Select Spectrum Analyzer Software?

Are you in a dilemma about which spectrum analyzer to choose? Apart from testing the parameters of spectrum analyzers, you need to keep in mind its architectural types. With the technology advancements, spectrum analyzers have also evolved. There are many different types of spectrum analyzer software systems designed using different technologies. Although the goal of each spectrum is the same, the functionality is different.

For choosing the right spectrum for your application, you need to understand the types available. Compare and see their individual work and then decide what suits your application the best.


Swept spectrum analyzer: A swept spectrum analyzer is a test instrument that has been using analog techniques in its functionality. It dominated the market for almost 50 years. They work on a simple principle that is measuring each frequency sequentially. The current types of swept spectrum analyzers make use of digital techniques in the main. The earlier swept types still operate on analog techniques.

FFT spectrum analyzer: As compared to analog techniques, digital technologies have better performances. In fact, they are more affordable than the spectrum analyzers using analog techniques. FFT spectrum analyzer software applies digital technology where all the signals change into digital formats and the analysis of signals is done by FFTs (fast Fourier transform).

After this, the signals are converted into a display format or a format that can be analyzed.

Real-time spectrum analyzer: In real-time spectrum analyzers, the performance of FFTs is very fast, that means, virtually in real-time. Because of this, the signals that might not be visible can be detected. It can capture temporary as well as fast signals more quickly. This type of analyzer collects data in the time domain and further converts it into the frequency domain through FFTs.

USB spectrum analyzer: As the name tells, this spectrum analyzer can be connected to a computer via a USB interface. They are also cost-effective. Also, you can see the processing on a computer screen.

While choosing spectrum analyzer software, there are also other factors that need to be considered. For example, cost, performance or attainability. So keep all these points in mind before choosing the right instrument.