USB-SA44B use as an audio spectrum analyzer

I am interested if anyone has used the USB-SA44B as an audio frequency spectrum analyzer. I currently use an HP 3580A but would like to have a high end SA that runs off my PC and a USB port. Any experience that anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

The SA44B has sufficient real time bandwidth (250kHz) and certainly covers the audio frequency range (1Hz to 4.4GHz).
The low end detection of -151dBm is more than capable of picking up low level signals.

The only issues I see are:
– you must block any and all DC
– its an RF device so its input impedance is 50ohms. Not 1Meg//28pF like the HP unit.
– you should probably put an in-line attenuator to make sure the input doesnt exceed +10dBm (into 50R)

So the answer is yes, in theory. In practice it may be more involved…

Hope this helps,
Regards,
Jared

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