With some spectrum analyzers, the user has control over sweep time (the elapsed time of each sweep, sometimes called scan time). An analyzer cannot be swept arbitrarily fast while maintaining its specified accuracy, but will have a sweep rate limitation depending upon the resolution bandwidth, video bandwidth, and frequency range selected. The sweep rate is not usually chosen by the user but is determined by the frequency range swept divided by the sweep time. The limitation on sweep rate comes from the settling or response time of the resolution and video bandwidth filters. If an analyzer is swept too quickly, the filters do not have time to respond, and the measurement is inaccurate. Under such conditions, the analyzer display tends to have a “smeared” look to it, with the spectral lines being wider than normal and shifted to the right and at a lower amplitude than is correct.

Fortunately, the Anritsu products are designed to relieve the user from having to calculate the sweep speed or experiment to discover a sweep speed that yields accurate results. When changing the RBW and VBW, the sweep speed automatically changes to the fastest sweep speed that will yield accurate results. The sweep speed will be faster for a wide RBW or VBW and slower for a narrow RBW or VBW. The sweep speed can also be changed manually, by pressing the Sweep key and selecting the Sweep Time submenu key. Enter a sweep time from 10 μs to 600 seconds. If the minimum sweep time entered by the user is less than the value needed to assure accurate results, the value that delivers accurate results will be used. Regardless of the minimum sweep time setting, the instrument will never sweep faster than the RBW and VBW settings will allow. The instrument is designed to ensure that no uncalibrated measurement conditions will occur.

The Spectrum Analyzer includes a step attenuator at the RF input. This attenuator is used to reduce large signals to levels that make best use of the analyzer’s dynamic range. Normally, the input attenuation automatically adjusts as a function of Reference Level. In the Amplitude menu, the Attn Lvl submenu allows manual setting of the attenuator. In Auto Atten mode, as the reference level is increased, the attenuation is increased. In Manual mode, the input attenuation can be adjusted using the keypad, the up or down arrow keys, or the rotary knob.