8 Hints for

Better Spectrum Analysis

Application Note 1286-1
 The Spectrum Analyzer

The spectrum analyzer, like an When digital technology first became To get better spectrum analyzer
oscilloscope, is a basic tool used for viable, it was used to digitize the measurements the input signal must
observing signals. Where the oscillo- video signal, as shown in Figure 2. be undistorted, the spectrum analyzer
scope provides a window into the As digital technology has advanced settings must be wisely set for appli-
time domain, the spectrum analyzer over the years, the spectrum analyzer cation-specific measurements, and
provides a window into the frequency has evolved to incorporate digital the measurement procedure opti-
domain, as depicted in Figure 1. signal processing (DSP), after the final mized to take best advantage of the
IF filter as shown by the dotted box, specifications. More details on these
Figure 2 depicts a simplified block to be able to measure signal formats steps will be addressed in the hints.
diagram of a swept-tuned super- that are becoming increasingly
heterodyne spectrum analyzer. complex. DSP is performed to provide
Superheterodyne means to mix or improved dynamic range, faster
to translate in a frequency above sweep speed and better accuracy.
audio frequencies. In the analyzer,
a signal at the input travels through
an attenuator to limit the amplitude
of the signal at the mixer, and then
through a low-pass input filter to
eliminate undesirable frequencies.
Past the input filter, the signal gets
mixed with a signal generated by the
local oscillator (LO) whose frequency Time domain Frequency domain
is controlled by a sweep generator. measurements measurements

As the frequency of the LO changes,

Figure 1. Measurement domain
the signals at the output of the mixer,
(which include the two original
signals, their sums and differences
and their harmonics), get filtered by Preselector Resolution
Digital signal processor
the resolution bandwidth filter (IF Input or input bandwidth Log Envelope
attenuator filter Mixer filter IF gain amp detector
filter), and amplified or compressed
in the logarithmic scale. A detector
then rectifies the signal passing
through the IF filter, producing a
Video
DC voltage that drives the vertical filter
portion of the display. As the sweep Local
generator sweeps through its oscillator
frequency range, a trace is drawn A/D
across the screen. This trace shows Sweep
generator
the spectral content of the input
signal within the selected frequency Display
range.

Figure 2. Block diagram of a superheterodyne

spectrum analyzer

2
Hint 1. Selecting the Best Resolution Bandwidth (RBW)

The resolution bandwidth (RBW) However, the narrowest RBW setting

setting must be considered when is not always ideal. For modulated
concerned with separating spectral signals, it is important to set the RBW
components, setting an appropriate wide enough to include the sidebands
noise floor and demodulating a of the signal. Neglecting to do so
signal. will make the measurement very
inaccurate.
When making demanding spectrum
measurements, spectrum analyzers Also, a serious drawback of narrow
must be accurate, fast and have RBW settings is in sweep speed. A
high dynamic range. In most cases, wider RBW setting allows a faster
emphasis on one of these parameters sweep across a given span compared
adversely impacts the others. Often- to a narrower RBW setting. Figures 4
times, these tradeoffs involve the and 5 compare the sweep times Figure 5. Sweep time of 26.79 s for 3 kHz RBW
RBW setting. between a 10 kHz and 3 kHz RBW
when measuring a 200 MHz span. It is important to know the funda-
One advantage of using a narrow mental tradeoffs that are involved in
RBW is seen when making measure- RBW selection, for cases where the
ments of low-level signals. When user knows which measurement
using a narrow RBW, the displayed parameter is most important to
average noise level (DANL) of the optimize. But in cases where meas-
spectrum analyzer is lowered, increas- urement parameter tradeoffs cannot
ing the dynamic range and improving be avoided, the modern spectrum
the sensitivity of the spectrum ana- analyzer provides ways to soften
lyzer. In Figure 3, a -95 dBm signal or even remove the tradeoffs. By
is more properly resolved by changing utilizing digital signal processing
the RBW from 100 kHz to 10 kHz. the spectrum analyzer provides for
a more accurate measurement, while
at the same time allowing faster
measurements even when using
Figure 4. Sweep time of 7.626 s for 10 kHz RBW narrow RBW.

Figure 3. Displayed measurement of 100 kHz

RBW and 10 kHz RBW

3
 Hint 2. Improving Measurement Accuracy

Before making any measurement, signal according to these corrections. In the modern spectrum analyzer,
it is important to know that there In Figure 8, the unwanted attenuation you can also directly store different
are several techniques that can be and gain of the signal delivery net- corrections for your antenna, cable
used to improve both amplitude and work have been eliminated from the and other equipment so calibration
frequency measurement accuracies. measurement, providing for more will not be necessary every time a
accurate amplitude measurements. setting is changed.
Available self-calibration routines
will generate error coefficients (for One way to make more accurate
example, amplitude changes versus frequency measurements is to use
resolution bandwidth), that the ana- the frequency counter of a spectrum
lyzer later uses to correct measured analyzer that eliminates many of the
data, resulting in better amplitude sources of frequency uncertainty,
measurements and providing you such as span. The frequency counter
more freedom to change controls counts the zero crossings in the IF
during the course of a measurement. signal and offsets that count by the
known frequency offsets from local
Once the device under test (DUT) is oscillators in the rest of the conver-
connected to the calibrated analyzer sion chain.
the signal delivery network may
degrade or alter the signal of interest, Total measurement uncertainty
which must be canceled out of the Figure 7. Original signal involves adding up the different
measurement as shown in Figure 6. sources of uncertainty in the spectrum
One method of accomplishing this analyzer. If any controls can be left
is to use the analyzer’s built-in unchanged such as the RF attenuator
amplitude correction function in setting, resolution bandwidth, or
conjunction with a signal source reference level, all uncertainties
and a power meter. Figure 7 depicts associated with changing these
the frequency response of a signal controls drop out, and the total
delivery network that attenuates the measurement uncertainty is mini-
DUT’s signal. To cancel out unwanted mized. This exemplifies why it is
effects, measure the attenuation or important to know your analyzer.
gain of the signal delivery network For example, there is no added
at the troublesome frequency points error when changing RBW in the
in the measurement range. Amplitude high-performance spectrum analyzers
correction takes a list of frequency that digitize the IF, whereas in
and amplitude pairs, linearly connects Figure 8. Corrected signal others there is.
the points to make a correction
“waveform,” and then offsets the input

Spectrum analyzer

DUT

Signal delivery network

• Cables
• Adapters
• Noise

Shift reference plane

Figure 6. Test setup

4
Hint 3. Optimize Sensitivity When Measuring Low-level Signals

A spectrum analyzer’s ability to An amplifier at the mixer’s output To achieve maximum sensitivity, a
measure low-level signals is limited then amplifies the attenuated signal preamplifier with low noise and
by the noise generated inside the to keep the signal peak at the same high gain must be used. If the gain
spectrum analyzer. This sensitivity point on the analyzer’s display. In of the amplifier is high enough (the
to low-level signals is affected by addition to amplifying the input noise displayed on the analyzer
the analyzer settings. signal, the noise present in the increases by at least 10 dB when the
analyzer is amplified as well, raising preamplifier is connected), the noise
Figure 9, for example, depicts a the DANL of the spectrum analyzer. floor of the preamplifier and analyzer
50 MHz signal that appears to be combination is determined by the
shrouded by the analyzer’s noise The re-amplified signal then passes noise figure of the amplifier.
floor. To measure the low-level signal, through the RBW filter. By narrowing
the spectrum analyzer’s sensitivity the width of the RBW filter, less In many situations, it is necessary to
must be improved by minimizing the noise energy is allowed to reach the measure the spurious signals of the
input attenuator, narrowing down the envelope detector of the analyzer, device under test to make sure that
resolution bandwidth (RBW) filter, lowering the DANL of the analyzer. the signal carrier falls within a
and using a preamplifier. These certain amplitude and frequency
techniques effectively lower the Figure 10 shows successive lowering “mask”. Modern spectrum analyzers
displayed average noise level (DANL), of the DANL. The top trace shows provide an electronic limit line capa-
revealing the low-level signal. the signal above the noise floor after bility that compares the trace data
minimizing resolution bandwidth to a set of amplitude and frequency
and using power averaging. The (or time) parameters. When the signal
trace that follows beneath it shows of interest falls within the limit line
what happens with minimum atten- boundaries, a display indicating
uation. The third trace employs PASS MARGIN or PASS LIMIT (on
logarithmic power averaging, lowering Agilent analyzers) appears. If the
the noise floor an additional 2.5 dB, signal should fall out of the limit line
making it very useful for very boundaries, FAIL MARGIN or FAIL
sensitive measurements. LIMIT appears on the display as shown
on Figure 11 for a spurious signal.

Figure 9. Noise obscuring the signal

Increasing the input attenuator setting

reduces the level of the signal at the
input mixer. Because the spectrum
analyzer’s noise is generated after
the input attenuator, the attenuator
setting affects the signal-to-noise
ratio (SNR). If gain is coupled to the
input attenuator to compensate for Figure 10. Signal after minimizing resolution
any attenuation changes, real signals bandwidth, input attenuator and using Figure 11. Using limit lines to detect spurious
remain stationary on the display. logarithmic power averaging signals
However, displayed noise level
changes with IF gain, reflecting the
change in SNR that result from any
change in input attenuator setting.
Therefore, to lower the DANL, input
attenuation must be minimized.

5
 Hint 4. Optimize Dynamic Range When Measuring Distortion

An issue that comes up with meas- order intermodulation distortion, fundamental at the mixer, the SHD
uring signals is the ability to distin- and displayed average noise level increases 2 dB. However, since
guish the larger signal’s fundamental (DANL) specifications of the spectrum distortion is determined by the
tone signals from the smaller distor- analyzer. From these specifications, difference between fundamental and
tion products. The maximum range a graph of internally generated distortion product, the change is
that a spectrum analyzer can distin- distortion and noise versus mixer only 1 dB. Similarly, the third-order
guish between signal and distortion, level can be made. distortion is drawn with a slope of
signal and noise, or signal and phase 2. For every 1 dB change in mixer
noise is specified as the spectrum Figure 12 plots the -75 dBc second- level, 3rd order products change
analyzer’s dynamic range. harmonic distortion point at -40 dBm 3 dB, or 2 dB in a relative sense.
mixer level, the -85 dBc third-order The maximum 2nd and 3rd order
When measuring signal and distortion, distortion point at a -30 dBm mixer dynamic range can be achieved by
the mixer level dictates the dynamic level and a noise floor of -110 dBm setting the mixer at the level where
range of the spectrum analyzer. The for a 10 kHz RBW. The second- the 2nd and 3rd order distortions
mixer level used to optimize dynamic harmonic distortion line is drawn are equal to the noise floor, and
range can be determined from the with a slope of 1 because for each these mixer levels are identified
second-harmonic distortion, third- 1 dB increase in the level of the in the graph.

TOI SHI
0

–10

–20
er
ord

–30
er
rd
3rd
do
2n

–40

–50
No
(dBc)

ise
(1
0k
–60 Hz
BW
)

–70
Maximum 2nd order
dynamic range

–80
Maximum 3rd order
dynamic range

–90 Optimum
mixer levels

–100
–60 –50 –40 –30 –20 –10 0 +10
Mixer level (dBm)

Figure 12. Dynamic range versus distortion and noise

6
To increase dynamic range, a nar-
rower resolution bandwidth must be –30

er
rd
er
used. The dynamic range increases

do
o rd

2n
3rd
when the RBW setting is decreased
–40
from 10 kHz to 1 kHz as showed in
Figure 13. Note that the increase is
5 dB for 2nd order and 6+ dB for –50 No
ise
3rd order distortion. (1

(dBc)
0k
Hz
BW
–60 Noi )
Lastly, dynamic range for intermod- se
( 1k
ulation distortion can be affected Hz
BW
by the phase noise of the spectrum –70 )

analyzer because the frequency 2nd order

dynamic range improvement
spacing between the various spectral
–80
components (test tones and distortion
3rd order
products) is equal to the spacing dynamic range improvement
between the test tones. For example, –90
test tones separated by 10 kHz,
using a 1 kHz resolution bandwidth
sets the noise curve as shown. If the –60 –50 –40 –30 –20 –10 0 +10
phase noise at a 10 kHz offset is Mixer level (dBm)

only -80 dBc, then 80 dB becomes

Figure 13. Reducing resolution bandwidth improves dynamic range
the ultimate limit of dynamic range
for this measurement, instead of a
maximum 88 dB dynamic range as
shown in Figure 14.
–60
(dBc)

–70

Phase noise
–80
Dynamic range (10 kHz offset)
reduction due
to phase noise
–90

–100

–110
–60 –50 –40 –30 –20 –10 0 +10
Mixer level (dBm)

Figure 14. Phase noise can limit third order intermodulation tests

7
 Hint 5. Identifying Internal Distortion Products

High-level input signals may cause

internal spectrum analyzer distor-
tion products that could mask the
real distortion on the input signal.
Using dual traces and the analyzer’s
RF attenuator, you can determine
whether or not distortion generated
within the analyzer has any effect
on the measurement.

To start, set the input attenuator so

that the input signal level minus the
attenuator setting is about -30 dBm.
To identify these products, tune to Figure 15. Internally generated distortion Figure 16. Externally generated distortion
the second harmonic of the input products products
signal and set the input attenuator
to 0 dBm. Next, save the screen data If the responses in Trace A and In Figure 16, since there is no
in Trace B, select Trace A as the Trace B differ, as in Figure 15, then change in the signal level, the
active trace, and activate Marker ∆. the analyzer’s mixer is generating internally generated distortion has
The spectrum analyzer now shows internal distortion products due to no effect on the measurement.
the stored data in Trace B and the the high level of the input signal. In The distortion that is displayed is
measured data in Trace A, while this case, more attenuation is present on the input signal.
Marker ∆ shows the amplitude and required.
frequency difference between the
two traces. Finally, increase the RF
attenuation by 10 dB and compare
the response in Trace A to the
response in Trace B.

8
Hint 6. Optimize Measurement Speed When Measuring Transients

Fast sweeps are important for Depending on the use, the modern span in one measurement cycle.
capturing transient signals and high-performance spectrum analyzer When using FFT analysis, sweep
minimizing test time. To optimize RBW can be decreased (in fine time is dictated by the frequency
the spectrum analyzer performance steps) to meet the necessary sweep span instead of the RBW setting.
for faster sweeps, the parameters speed, sensitivity and/or selectivity. Therefore, FFT mode proves shorter
that determine sweep time must be Figure 2 shows a 7.626 s sweep sweep times than the swept mode
changed accordingly. speed for a 10 kHz RBW compared in narrow spans. The difference in
to 26.79 s for a 3 kHz RBW setting speed is more pronounced when the
Sweep time for a swept-tuned super- shown in Figure 3. RBW filter is narrow when measur-
heterodyne spectrum analyzer is ing low-level signals. In the FFT
approximated by the span divided A good balance between time and mode, the sweep time for a 20 MHz
by the square of the resolution sensitivity is to use fast fourier span and 1 kHz RBW is 747.3 ms
bandwidth (RBW). Because of this, transform (FFT) that is available in compared to 24.11 s for the swept
RBW settings largely dictate the the modern high-performance spec- mode as shown in Figure 18 below.
sweep time. Narrower RBW filters trum analyzers. By using FFT, the For much wider spans and wide
translate to longer sweep times, analyzer is able to capture the entire RBW’s, swept mode is faster.
which translate to a tradeoff between
sweep speed and sensitivity. As
shown in Figure 17, a 10x change
in RBW approximates to a 10 dB
improvement in sensitivity.

Figure 17. A 10x change in RBW approximates

to a 10 dB decrease in sensitivity

Figure 18. Comparing the sweep time for FFT and swept mode

9
 Hint 7. Selecting the Best Display Detection Mode

Modern spectrum analyzers digitize Negative peak detection mode dis- Average detection can provide the
the signal either at the IF or after plays the lowest power level in each average power, voltage or log-power
the video filter. The choice of which bucket. This mode is good for AM or (video) in each bucket. Power
digitized data to display depends on FM demodulation and distinguishes averaging calculates the true average
the display detector following the between random and impulse noise. power, and is best for measuring the
ADC. It is as if the data is separated Negative peak detection does not power of complex signals. Voltage
into buckets, and the choice of which give the analyzer better sensitivity, averaging averages the linear voltage
data to display in each bucket although the noise floor may appear data of the envelope signal measured
becomes affected by the display to drop. A comparative view of what during the bucket interval. It is often
detection mode. each detection mode displays in a used in EMI testing, and is also
bucket for a sinusoid signal is shown useful for observing rise and fall
in Figure 20. behavior of AM or pulse-modulated
signals such as radar and TDMA
Higher performance spectrum ana- transmitters. Log-power (video)
lyzers also have a detection mode averaging averages the logarithmic
called Normal detection, shown in amplitude values (dB) of the envelope
Bucket Figure 21. This sampling mode signal measured during the bucket
number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 dynamically classifies the data point interval. Log power averaging is best
as either noise or a signal, providing for observing sinusoidal signals,
Figure 19. Sampling buckets a better visual display of random especially those near noise because
noise than peak detection while noise is displayed 2.5 dB lower than
Positive peak, negative peak and avoiding the missed-signal problem its true level and improves SNR for
sample detectors are shown in of sample detection. spectral (sinusoidal) components.
Figure 20. Peak detection mode
detects the highest level in each
bucket, and is a good choice for One bucket

analyzing sinusoids, but tends to Positive peak

over-respond to noise. It is the
fastest detection mode.

Sample detection mode displays the

Sample
center point in each bucket, regard-
less of power. Sample detection is
good for noise measurements, and
accurately indicates the true ran- Negative peak
domness of noise. Sample detection,
however, is inaccurate for measuring Figure 20. Trace point saved in memory is based on detector type algorithm
continuous wave (CW) signals with
narrow resolution bandwidths, and
may miss signals that do not fall on
the same point in each bucket.

Figure 21. Normal detection displays maximum values in buckets

where the signal only rises or only falls

10
Hint 8. Measuring Burst Signals: Time Gated Spectrum Analysis

How do you analyze a signal that In a time gated measurement, the Two other types of time-gating
consists of a bursted (pulsed) RF analyzer senses when the burst available in the modern high-
carrier that carries modulation when starts, then triggers a delay so the performance spectrum analyzer are
pulsed on? If there is a problem, how resolution filter has time to react to gated-LO and gated-FFT. Gated-LO
do you separate the spectrum of the the sharp rise time of the pulse, and sweeps the local oscillator during
pulse from that of the modulation? finally stops the analysis before the part of the pulsed signal so several
Analyzing burst signals (pulses) burst ends. By doing this, only the trace points can be recorded for
with a spectrum analyzer is very information carried by the pulse is each occurrence of the signal.
challenging because in addition to analyzed, as is shown in Figure 24. Whereas gated-FFT takes an FFT of
displaying the information carried It is now clear that our pulse con- the digitized burst signal removing
by the pulse, the analyzer displays tained a 40 MHz carrier modulated the effect of the pulse spectrum.
the frequency content of the shape by a 100 kHz sinusoidal signal. Both provide advantages of
of the pulse (pulse envelope) as well. increased speed.
The sharp rise and fall times of the
pulse envelope can create unwanted Digital signal processor
Preselector Resolution
frequency components that add to Input or input bandwidth Log Envelope
attenuator filter Mixer filter IF gain amp detector Gate
the frequency content of the original
signal. These unwanted frequency
components might be so bad that
they completely obscure the signal
Video
of interest. filter
Local
oscillator
Figure 22, for example, depicts the
frequency content of a pulse carrying A/D

a simple AM signal. In this case, the Ramp

generator
AM sidebands are almost completely
Display
hidden by the pulse spectrum.

Figure 23. Spectrum analyzer block diagram with gated video time-gating

Figure 22. Signal without time-gating

Time gated spectral analysis permits

analysis of the contents of the pulse Figure 24. Signal with time-gating
without the effect of the envelope of
the pulse itself. One way of performing
time-gating is to place a gate (switch)
in the video path of the spectrum
analyzer as shown in Figure 23.
This method of time-gating is called
gated video.

11
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Related Literature Agilent Open

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www.agilent.com/find/open
Spectrum Analysis Basics, Agilent Open simplifies the process of connecting and
Agilent ESA Series Application Note 150, literature programming test systems to help engineers design,
number 5952-0292 validate and manufacture electronic products. Agilent
offers open connectivity for a broad range of system-ready
The ESA Series spectrum analyzers instruments, open industry software, PC-standard I/O
Optimizing Spectrum Analyzer
provide scalable basic and mid- and global support, which are combined to more easily
Measurement Speed, Application integrate test system development.
performance spectrum analysis,
Note 1318, literature number 5968-
for general-purpose or application For more information on Agilent Technologies’ products,
3411E
focused measurements from cellular applications or services, please contact your local
communications to wireless net- Optimizing Dynamic Range for Agilent office.
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available as an Express Analyzer Note, literature number
with a two-week availability and 5980-3079EN United States: Korea:
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for Your Needs, Selection Guide, lit- Europe: Countries:
(tel) 31 20 547 2111 (tel) (65) 6375 8100
erature number 5968-3413E Japan: (fax) (65) 6755 0042
(tel) (81) 426 56 7832 Email: [email protected]
PSA Series Swept and FFT Analysis, (fax) (81) 426 56 7840 Contacts revised: 05/27/05
Product Note, literature number
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www.agilent.com/find/contactus
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