Spectrum analyzer tracking generator
- tracking generators can be used with many spectrum analyzers to enable them to be used as a scalar RF network analyzer.
SPECTRUM ANALYZER TUTORIAL INCLUDES
Spectrum analyzer basicsSpectrum analyzer typesSuperheterodyne / sweep analyzerFFT spectrum analyzerReal time spectrum analyzerSpectrum analyzer specificationsSpectrum analyzer tracking generatorUsing a spectrum analyzerMeasuring phase noiseMeasuring noise figurePulse spectrum analysis
A tracking generator provides spectrum analyzers with additional measurement capability beyond that of the basic spectrum analyser.
The tracking generator enables some basic network measurements to be made, therby providing additional capability beyond basic spectrum analysis.
In view of this a tracking generator considerably extends the applications for which a spectrum analyzer can be used, making them more flexible and versatile.
Tracking generator basics
Normally spectrum analyzers are what may be termed passive instruments, making measurements of signals applied to them. Typically they may be used for measuring the spectra of oscillators, transmitters or other signals in RF systems. They measure signals in the frequency domain rather than the time, and this makes them ideal for looking at many RF signals.
In their basic form, analyzers are not able to make response or network measurements. These types of measurements require signals to be applied to a particular device or network under test, and then measuring the response or output.
In order to make a network measurement like this, it is necessary to have a source to stimulate the device under test, and then a receiver is needed to measure the response. In this way it is possible to make a variety of network measurements including frequency response, conversion loss, return loss, and other measurements such as gain versus frequency, etc..
There are two items of test equipment that can be made to make these stimulus-response measurements. Possibly the most obvious type of test equipment is an RF network analyzer and the other is a spectrum analyzer with a tracking generator. If phase information is required, then it is necessary to use a vector network analyzer, but it possible to use a spectrum analyzer tracking generator arrangement for many other measurements. As many laboratories will already use a spectrum analyzer, the tracking generator approach is particularly attractive. In addition to this, tracking generators are incorporated into many spectrum analyzers as standard. This means that it is possible to use these test instruments to make many network measurements at no additional cost.
What is a tracking generator?