Muriel: The biggest difference is the first stage of the spectrum analyzer. The typical SA presents the signal (possibly through a bandpass filter and attenuators) to the first stage mixer. A receiver typically has a tuned RF section, which improves selectivity. A SA thus has a higher noise figure, and it is more vulnerable to overload and mixer burn-out.
Now, if your SA has a tunable pre-selector, it starts to look a lot like a receiver. And, if your receiver can be swept in frequency, it begins to look like a SA. Modern SA's and receivers are not all that different in performance. More importance is being given to processing beyond the RF/IF signal chain, and BOTH now look more like computers than anything else. Regards, Ed Ed Price [email protected] Electromagnetic Compatibility Lab Cubic Defense Systems San Diego, CA USA 858-505-2780 (Voice) 858-505-1583 (Fax) Military & Avionics EMC Is Our Specialty Shake-Bake-Shock - Metrology - Reliability Analysis >-----Original Message----- >From: Muriel Bittencourt de Liz [mailto:[email protected]] >Sent: Wednesday, September 25, 2002 11:51 AM >To: Lista de EMC da IEEE >Subject: Difference between Receivers and Spectrum Analyzers > > > >Hello Group, > >For EMC measurements (conducted and radiated emissions), >electromagnetic >fields measurements (via antennas), what is the difference >between using a >EMI Receiver or a Spectrum Analyzer?? > >Some guesses that I've been thinking are: > >- The Receiver is more accurate than the Spectrum Analyzer, so >it is more >suitable for EMC measurements that aim to respect the EMC standards. > >- For measuring electromagnetic fields (eg electric field) for >safety (human >safety standards for man-made electromagnetic fields, like ICNIRP) the >Receiver is suitable because it can give an accurate value to >a particular >frequency that is being studied. > >- The spectrum analyzer is "qualitative", i.e. it gives an >idea of how the >spectra measured is distributed in the frequency range. The receiver is >"quantitative", i.e. it gives accurate amplitude for each >frequency swept. > >Well, I think this subject is very controversial, and it will >generate a lot >of discussions, that will be good for us all. > >Best Regards, > >Muriel B. de Liz > > ------------------------------------------- This message is from the IEEE EMC Society Product Safety Technical Committee emc-pstc discussion list. Visit our web site at: http://www.ewh.ieee.org/soc/emcs/pstc/ To cancel your subscription, send mail to: [email protected] with the single line: unsubscribe emc-pstc For help, send mail to the list administrators: Ron Pickard: [email protected] Dave Heald: [email protected] For policy questions, send mail to: Richard Nute: [email protected] Jim Bacher: [email protected] All emc-pstc postings are archived and searchable on the web at: http://ieeepstc.mindcruiser.com/ Click on "browse" and then "emc-pstc mailing list"
