Oscilloscope or Analyzer? Choosing the Right Instrument for Your App (Download)

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Modern high-end oscilloscopes contain high-speed analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), which allow them to cover frequency ranges that historically could only be investigated using a spectrum analyzer. By also integrating a high-bandwidth analog front end, modern oscilloscope architectures enable direct sampling of high-frequency signals without analog downconversion, leading to unprecedented analysis bandwidth ranges.

Some oscilloscopes in the market today have a bandwidth of up to 16 GHz and are capable of directly acquiring a nominal 8-GHz RF signal with 16-GHz bandwidth. As of now, this can’t be done with a signal and spectrum analyzer.