A block diagram with an unusually high-frequency IF system, resulting in a high-performance spectrum analyzer, is described. The phase noise and short-term frequency stability are not seriously degraded, and the sensitivity is enhanced at high center frequencies. This technique also has applications in modern receivers. Although advanced technology has been applied to all the noted characteristics of spectrum analyzers, the greatest gain has been made with the high local oscillator (LO) frequency. This has been accomplished without degrading overall phase noise or short-term frequency stability.
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