Spectrum analyzer technology fundamentals

R&S®ESSENTIALS | Spectrum analyzer fundamentals

Basics of spectrum analyzer measurements

Master key measurements with our step-by-step guides

The spectrum analyzer is an essential instrument on an electronics bench. It detects signals in a selected spectrum range and represents them in a graphical display as magnitude vs. frequency. This allows users to characterize electronic devices by identifying frequency peaks, signal harmonics, interference patterns, etc.

The articles on this page walk you through the fundamentals of spectrum analyzer measurements, with topics covering:

Basic spectrum analyzer operation
RF measurements and applications
How to conduct specific measurements

Want to talk to our experts about your specific spectrum analysis test cases? Please get in touch with us.

Learn about spectrum analyzers

Understanding RF

What is RF and where is it used? Learn more about RF and applications that it is used in.

More information

Understanding basic spectrum analyzer operation

Learn how to use a spectrum analyzer and perform basic measurements with it.

More information

RF test and measurement equipment

Every device which uses RF, from TV and radios to Wi-Fi, cell phones, GPS, etc. was created using RF T&M instruments. Learn here which ones.

More information

Understanding channel power measurements

Learn here what channel power is and the three most common ways that channel power is measured.

More information

Displayed average noise level (DANL)

Learn what Displayed Average Noise Level (DANL) is and how it reflects the internal noise of a spectrum analyzer, affecting its measurement sensitivity.

More information

Understanding harmonic distortion measurement

Learn how to measure harmonic distortion using a spectrum analyzer and why identifying unwanted harmonics is important for evaluating signal integrity.

More information

Measuring phase noise

Learn how to measure phase noise using a spectrum analyzer, understand its impact on RF system performance, and why controlling short-term phase variations is critical for signal integrity.

More information

Understanding noise figure

Improving noise figure is an easy and cost-effective way of increasing signal to noise ratio (SNR).
Learn how to measure noise figure using spectrum analyzer.

More information

Understanding noise power ratio measurement

Learn how to measure Noise Power Ratio (NPR) and its importance in assessing the performance of modern multi-carrier RF transmission systems.

More information

Understanding error vector magnitude (EVM)

Learn how Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) quantifies modulation quality by measuring the difference between reference and received symbols, typically using spectrum analyzers and vector signal generators.

More information

Understanding adjacent channel leakage ratio (ACLR)

Learn how to measure Adjacent Channel Leakage Ratio (ACLR) to quantify signal leakage beyond assigned frequency channels and prevent interference in wireless communications.

More information

Spectrum analysis method for measuring phase noise

Understanding Phase noise and spectrum analysis

Learn how traditional spectrum analyzers measure phase noise using 1 Hz bandwidth power comparisons, and why bandwidth correction, dynamic range, and specialized tools matter for accurate results.

More information

Understanding dynamic range

Learn what dynamic range is and how it determines a spectrum analyzer’s ability to accurately measure both weak and strong signals simultaneously.

More information

Spectrum analyzer technology fundamentals

Basics of spectrum analyzer measurements

Master key measurements with our step-by-step guides