In electronic laboratories or some field areas, they are one of the most vital electric equipment used very regularly. Both Spectrum analyzer and oscilloscope are essential tools for analyzing and viewing electric signals. They serve a purpose in viewing and analyzing signals from a microphone, radios, TVs, cell phones or other electronic devices. Before we understand the difference between a spectrum analyzer and an oscilloscope, let’s first see what are the functions they both perform.
What is a spectrum analyzer?
A spectrum analyzer is used to determine the magnitude of an input signal versus frequency. It is in the form of electronic equipment that measures the magnitude of an input signal against the frequency range of the instrument. This means it measures the spectrum powers of both the known and unknown signals in electrical equipment.
A spectrum analyzer can be used for different types of measurements in field services or in test laboratories.
What is an oscilloscope?
An Oscilloscope is an electric equipment that measures the magnitude of an input signal versus time. The primary purpose of an oscilloscope is to give a signal’s voltage Vs time graph. Mainly, it gives all-inclusive information about the timing relationships of various identified signals.
It finds out the relative delay of timings between two separate signals.
Difference between Spectrum Analyzer and Oscilloscope
When you want to identify all characteristics of an electric signal, the oscilloscope is not ideal electronic equipment. To identify and analyze the characteristics of mixers, detectors, amplifiers, frequency, spectrum analyzers are needed by the engineers. However, the oscilloscope is the most preferred choice for real-time bandwidth measurement.
Spectrum analyzers Vs Oscilloscope functionalities
A spectrum analyzer is used to determine the magnitude of an input signal versus frequency. It is in the form of electronic equipment that measures the magnitude of an input signal against the frequency range of the instrument. This means it measures the spectrum powers of both the known and unknown signals in electrical equipment.
A spectrum analyzer can be used for different types of measurements in field services or in test laboratories.
What is an oscilloscope?
An Oscilloscope is an electric equipment that measures the magnitude of an input signal versus time. The primary purpose of an oscilloscope is to give a signal’s voltage Vs time graph. Mainly, it gives all-inclusive information about the timing relationships of various identified signals.
It finds out the relative delay of timings between two separate signals.
Difference between Spectrum Analyzer and Oscilloscope
When you want to identify all characteristics of an electric signal, the oscilloscope is not ideal electronic equipment. To identify and analyze the characteristics of mixers, detectors, amplifiers, frequency, spectrum analyzers are needed by the engineers. However, the oscilloscope is the most preferred choice for real-time bandwidth measurement.
Spectrum analyzers Vs Oscilloscope functionalities
- Oscilloscope measures amplitude in volts
- It can evaluate low voltage and frequency.
- An oscilloscope can measure transient signals.
- Preferable for real-time bandwidth measurement
- Spectrum analyzers evaluate amplitude in DBM
- Used for measuring long-term short term frequency stability.
- It may not be suitable to measure some transient signals.
- Spectrum analyzers are superior when it concerns with higher sensitivity
To know when to use these two, you should be familiar with the functions of each equipment.
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