Which parameters does a spectrum analyzer typically display?

A spectrum analyzer is primarily designed to measure and display the frequency spectrum of signals. It provides a visual representation of the magnitude of signals as a function of frequency, allowing a technician to analyze the frequency components of a signal.

The magnitude refers to the strength or amplitude of the signal at various frequencies, which is crucial in observing how different frequency components contribute to the overall signal behavior. Frequency is the independent variable on the x-axis of the display, showing the various frequencies present, while magnitude is often displayed on the y-axis. This specific focus enables technicians to identify dominant frequencies, analyze bandwidth, and assess signal distortion or interference.

While other parameters like voltage, current, resistance, capacitance, phase, and gain can be important in different contexts of electronic measurement, they do not represent the primary focus of a spectrum analyzer's function, which is the analysis of signals in terms of their frequency content.