Are DOCSIS spectrum analyzer the same as RF spectrum Analyzers?

[Dan44]

Hey, I've been trying to learn more about RF & RF equipment. I was wondering if DOCSIS cable meters (like the kind the comcast guy might come to your house with), for  example Trilithic 860 DSP is the same in a raw sense as a benchtop spectrum analyzer (albeit less functionality & accuracy).

[Bicurico]

While both measure the RF spectrum, a spectrum analyzer will normally support higher frequency range and configurable RBW/VBW, while a TV/CATV/SAT field meter will normally have no spectrum display or a simplified spectrum with fixed RBW/VBW (better ones allow for simple switching of these modes - "fast spectrum" vs "slow spectrum").

This does not mean field meter is bad: it is actually more suited, spectrum-wise, to visualize the transponders than a regular spectrum analyzer, plus they come with support to power amplifiers, switches and LNB's.

I would NOT recommend to get a TV/CATV/SAT field meter with spectrum analyzer capabilites as a cheap replacement for a spectrum analyzer, when you do want to do spectrum analisys.

Also, the accuracy of a field meter's spectrum is normally lower than the accuracy of a spectrum analyzer (which may cost a whole lot money).

Regards,
Vitor