The purpose of this chapter is to provide a starting point for making basic spectrum measurement setups. This chapter describes general instrument setup, including setting up frequency, bandwidth, amplitude, span, limit lines, and markers. After measurements are taken, refer to “File Management” section of Instrument Overview chapter of the user guide and Saving and Recalling Measurements for a detailed description of saving, recalling, and managing measurement files. For detailed information about other specific measurements, refer to the appropriate chapter in this guide.

This spectrum analyzer measurements chapter includes sections that describe resolution bandwidth, video bandwidth, sweep, and attenuator functions. For example, resolution bandwidth is determined by the intermediate frequency (IF) filter bandwidth. The spectrum analyzer traces the shape of the IF filter as it tunes past a signal. If more than one IF filter is used in a spectrum analyzer, then the narrowest one dominates and is considered the resolution bandwidth.

Spectrum analyzer measurements include the use of additional functions beyond frequency, span, amplitude, and marker functions. Setting Up Advanced Measurements through Carrier-to-Interference cover field measurements and additional smart measurements provided by various options.