Real-time Applications Of Spectrum Analyzers

Real-time Applications Of Spectrum Analyzers

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Over the last 50 years, spectrum analyzers have come a long way, starting as tools to measure vibrational frequency for the United States Air Force in the 1950s. As the technology behind the analysis developed and matured, so did the uses, ease of use, and general availability. They were quickly found in all United States Navy boats and submarines, where they provided real-time radar displays. The same technology was soon found on planes in the United States as well as ground installations, where it led to the development of passive radar.

Spectrum analysis works by measuring different power spectra over a wide variety of frequencies. This typically produces a rather dense graph, which can be Fourier transformed into an easily understood and analyzed model. Modern analysis allows a user to specify the frequencies over which the spectra are measured, look for and isolate peaks, both maximum and minimum, and manage the measurement's specific metrics.

These types of spectrum measurements over given frequencies have very interesting telecommunications applications, with cellplanners using the analysis of the precise frequencies used by their phones to find spots of interference, indicating geographical areas that will have difficulty receiving service. Spectrum analysis is also used to troubleshoot circuitry, by closely comparing the input and output data, and measuring any unexpected changes to frequency or power.

Even forensic science can put the analysis to use. By carefully measuring an individual's speech patterns, a verbal fingerprint can be identified, identifying a speaker based on certain specific timbre changes in some words. This has allowed law enforcement agencies to identify people with only an audio recording of an incident.

The 1990s saw some of the most meaningful changes to the technology behind spectral analysis by making the actual hardware much cheaper to manufacture and upkeep, and much easier to use. It was during this decade that the machines became readily available to academicians, musicians, and general hobbyists. The measurable bandwidth increased to over 100 kHz, a marked increase over the 40 kHz machines that were common up until then. The software behind the actual analysis has also matured, allowing for very complex calculations to be done quickly and easily on a home personal computer. This enables simple comparisons between samples, and allows for easily tweaking the specifications behind the next set of measurements.

The future of spectrum analysis is exciting indeed, with modern manufacturers producing software tools that allow for the measurements from over a dozen pieces of hardware - this will save time in training users as the human interface will remain constant while opening up the measurement possibilities tenfold. Both analog and digital analyzers will have their place, but as these tools become so readily available, it is likely that the digital analyzer (using the Fourier transformation) will remain extremely popular in a variety of venues, including college laboratories, where they assist in analyzing everything from vibrations to circuitry, boats and airplanes, where they provide the passive radar so ubiquitous, and musicians' studios, both amateur and professional.

About the Author:
We offer a wide range selection of New, Used and Refurbished Test and Measurement equipment from manufacturers like Agilent/HP, Tektronix, Anritsu, Rohde & Schwarz, Fluke, Keithley and JDSU/Acterna. We also supply equipment for short and long term rental. We rent Oscilloscopes, Spectrum Analysers, Network Analysers and Network Test Equipment.



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