The Hewlett-Packard 3588A is a swept-tuned spectrum analyzer with a frequency range of 10 Hz to 150 MHz. As such, the instrument is a general-purpose design tool for measurement and evaluation of many electronic devices. In addition, a built-in source (tracking generator) lets you perform scalar network analysis for filters, amplifiers, and other devices. You can also operate the analyzer remotely, via the HP-IB, to make automated measurements—a feature that’s particularly useful for repetitive tasks (such as those encountered in production-line testing). The HP 3588A offers two measurement types—Swept Spectrum and Narrow Band Zoom. Both provide excellent resolution and operate at speeds far greater than conventional analyzers. Swept spectrum measurements provide the performance and features found in traditional Hewlett-Packard swept-tuned analyzers, but incorporate very sharp digital IF filters to provide improved frequency resolution (down to 1.14 Hz). For narrow band zoom measurements, the analyzer uses an implementation of the Fast Fourier Transform to provide faster measurements with even greater resolving power. Faster measurements are possible with swept spectrum measurements since the analyzer uses digital IF filters With selectivity nearly twice that of analog filters, digital filters offer faster measurements while still resolving low-level carrier sidebands. Additionally, the inherent predictability of digital filters permits the analyzer to sweep even faster, using a built-in correction algorithm. This provides increased measurement speed (up to four times faster than conventional swept-tuned analyzers for comparable measurements), with no additional amplitude error or resolution loss. Narrow Band Zoom provides the fastest spectrum measurements (more than thirty times faster than swept-tuned analyzers for comparable measurements), with resolution performance unequalled by traditional technologies. Narrow Band Zoom can be used for spans of 40 kHz and less, and is ideal for narrowband analysis of close-in sidebands.