1. · Basic Spectrum Analyzer Display 0 dBV 100 kHz 10 dB/div / 10 kHz
Reference Level (dBV)
Dot Frequency (Hz)
0 dBV
100 kHz
Dot
10 dB/div / 10 kHz
10 kHz
Vertical Scale (dBV/div) / Horizontal Scale (Hz/div)
Resolution Bandwidth

2. · Basic Spectrum Analyzer Display: Reference Level 0 dBV 100 kHz
The reference level identifies the top line level in dBVs. All levels are read in reference to this level according to the vertical span/div. The peak level of the signal indicated is thus -40 dBV.
0 dBV
100 kHz
Level = Ref Level –
(# div)*(Vert Span / div)
= 0 dBV – 4*10 dBV
= -40 dBV
10 dB/div / 10 kHz
10 kHz
Vertical Scale (dBV/div)

3. · Basic Spectrum Analyzer Display: Dot Frequency 0 dBV 100 kHz
Dot Frequency (Hz)
Dot
The dot frequency indicates the frequency corresponding to the dot’s horizontal location. All frequencies are read from this reference point according to the horizontal scale (span/div). This signal’s center frequency is at 110 kHz.
0 dBV
100 kHz
Frequency = Dot Frequency ±
(# div)*(Horiz Span / div)
= 100 kHz + 1*10 kHz
= 110 kHz
10 dB/div / 10 kHz
10 kHz
Horizontal Scale (Hz/div)

4. · Basic Spectrum Analyzer Display: Resolution Bandwidth 0 dBV 100 kHz
The resolution bandwidth indicates the bandwidth used to measure the power level. The specific power level corresponding to a specific frequency is the total power integrated over the resolution bandwidth centered at that specific frequency. A narrower resolution bw gives more precision in the display, but the display takes longer to produce. A wider resolution bw reduces precision but allows for faster display sweeps.
0 dBV
100 kHz
10 dB/div / 10 kHz
10 kHz

5. Reference Level _________
Dot Frequency _________
Vert span/div _________
Horiz span/div _________
Resolution BW _________