---
title: What is a spectrum analyzer
description: Red Pitaya offers two input channels which can be used as a spectrum analyzer using a DFT (Discrete Fourier Transform) algorithm.
---

[Red Pitaya Blog](https://content.redpitaya.com/blog)

# [What is a spectrum analyzer](https://content.redpitaya.com/blog/what-is-a-spectrum-analyzer)

 Written by [Red Pitaya Technical Editorial Team](https://content.redpitaya.com/blog/author/red-pitaya-technical-editorial-team) | Jul 29, 2022 12:11:40 PM

A spectrum analyzer is a device for measuring the magnitude of different frequencies in a signal across the frequency range of the instrument.

We use spectrum analyzers when we are interested in the spectral composition of a signal, which can be difficult to see from the waveform that an oscilloscope would display.

If we observe the complex voltage signal above, with a spectrum analyzer we would see the following:

Instead of a waveform of voltage over time, we get a display of amplitude on the Y axis and frequency on X axis. If we analyze the outputs of a spectrum analyzer we can learn about the dominant frequency, power, distortion, harmonics, bandwidth and other spectral components.

Spectrum analyzers usually come in one of four form factors:

- **Benchtop** spectral analyzers are used where they can be plugged into AC power and their larger size and weight are not a factor
- **Portable** spectral analyzers are smaller than benchtop ones and are equipped with a battery which allows for use outside the laboratory.
- **Handheld** spectrum analyzers are used whenever there is a need for the instrument to be lightweight and mobile.
- **Networked** spectrum analyzers do not include a screen and are commonly used for monitoring geographically distant locations. To allow for this, they tend to be more affordable and smaller in size.

Red Pitaya Spectrum Analyzer

[Red Pitaya](https://www.redpitaya.com/Catalog/p20/stemlab-125-14-starter-kit?cat=c99) offers two input channels which can be used as a spectrum analyzer using a DFT (Discrete Fourier Transform) algorithm. Similar to networked spectrum analyzers, Red Pitaya does not have a screen and buttons, so all the interaction is done through a web interface and a dedicated '[Spectrum Analyzer](https://www.redpitaya.com/f135/spectrum-analyzer)' application.

[View full post](https://content.redpitaya.com/blog/what-is-a-spectrum-analyzer)

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