Accession Number:

AD0460579

Title:

SPECTRUM ANALYZER MYTHS.

Descriptive Note:

Technical note,

Corporate Author:

NAVAL AIR DEVELOPMENT CENTER WARMINSTER PA AERONAUTICAL ELECTRONIC AND ELECTR ICAL LAB

Personal Author(s):

• Cushman, R. W.

Report Date:

1965-02-15

Pagination or Media Count:

38.0

Abstract:

Conventional explanations of spectrum analyzer operation, which are based on mathematical concepts, have led to misconceptions of the physical time domain phenomena involved. This technical note, using a physical approach, describes the transients that pulsed signals produce in spectrum analyzer circuits, and interprets the resulting spectrum displays. By using a narrow-band communications receiver, it is shown that spectral lines, as generally conceived, do not exist physically. The displays are shown to be a measure of transient responses of the spectrum analyzer I-F amplifier, rather than indicators of the frequency distribution of a radar transmitter output. Proper interpretation of spectrum analyzer displays as time domain action provides useful information concerning pulsed radar transmitter performance. Author

Descriptors:

• (*SPECTRUM ANALYZERS
• LINE SPECTRA)
• (*RADAR EQUIPMENT
• TEST SETS)
• PULSE ANALYZERS
• NARROWBAND
• TRANSIENTS
• INTERMEDIATE FREQUENCY AMPLIFIERS

Subject Categories:

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE