A spectrum analyzer measures the magnitude of an input signal versus frequency within the instrument’s full frequency range. The primary objective is to quantify the magnitude of the spectrum of both known and unknown signals. The spectral compositions of other signals, such as acoustic pressure waves and optical light waves, can be taken into account using an appropriate transducer, although the input signal that most common spectrum analyzers measure is electrical. Other forms of signals are also analyzed by spectrum analyzers, such as optical spectrum analyzers, which employ direct optical techniques, such as monochromatic, to conduct measurements.
