On the other hand, spectrum analyzers can cover frequency ranges of up to 85 GHz and beyond. Such capability is currently beyond the reach of any signal and spectrum analyzer on the market. In fact, some of the oscilloscopes available today have a remarkable bandwidth of up to 16 GHz and are capable of directly acquiring a nominal 8 GHz RF signal with a bandwidth of 16 GHz. This technological advancement allows for unprecedented analysis bandwidth ranges. With the integration of a high-bandwidth analog front-end, modern oscilloscope architecture allows for the direct sampling of high-frequency signals without requiring analog down-conversion.
The latest high-end oscilloscopes now come equipped with high-speed A/D converters that allow them to explore frequency ranges that were once only accessible with a spectrum analyzer. So, what are the limitations of an oscilloscope, and in what scenarios is a signal and spectrum analyzer still the preferred instrument?
This development raises the question of whether an oscilloscope can replace an analyzer entirely. Modern oscilloscopes have advanced to the point where they can now directly capture microwave and millimeter wave signals, a task that was traditionally reserved for signal and spectrum analyzers.
