The USB spectrum analyzer is a new way of testing signals that are either being transmitted by a device or running through it. The dongle is no doubt a lot cheaper and more compact, but it also provides better performance through enhanced virtual controls and amplitude. But perhaps a brief introduction to spectrum analyzers is required here before the benefits of the dongle can be understood.
Analysis of spectra has traditionally been done on the large bench instruments that look just like oscilloscopes. Electrical signals get broken down into amplitude and frequency components and are then displayed on the CRT screen. Frequency is displayed on the horizontal axis and amplitude on the vertical one.
It can be used to observe the dominant frequency and the power and voltage of the signal, along with other characteristics. By comparing output and input signals from a device, the noise and distortions present can be minimized and adjacent channel interference is eliminated. Aside from electrical signals, it can likewise be used to analyze optical and RF transmissions.
The USB spectrum analyzer does pretty much the same thing, using software and the PC screen. It monitors a specific frequency band used by the device in question. Signals in that band are displayed on screen, and it will also isolate and show any existing interference.
The usefulness of a mobile dongle-based analyzer is hard to overstate, since it opens up a vast array of fields where it can be applied. One such application is in the field of wireless networking, where the dongle can be used to track radio activity. It will immediately pinpoint sources of unwanted signals, clear up adjacent channel interference and show which channel is best for the network data.
It can also be used as an oscilloscope. Another big application is in communication, where audio data has to be modulated on to higher frequency carriers. The dongle can help provide a visual comparison of differently modulated signals, which should help to calibrate them more precisely.
All said and done, a USB spectrum analyzer is a value investment when compared to the cost of traditional bench analyzing instruments. But before buying from a specific vendor, do consider the frequency resolution, range and accuracy it provides, as this will determine what application it can be used for. Easy and automatic installation upon plug-in is a standard trait, so there isn't much to worry about on that front.
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