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Oscilloscopes are designed to view a time-domain waveform (amplitude versus time). Spectrum
analyzers are designed to view a frequency-domain waveform (amplitude versus frequency). One
advantage of using a spectrum analyzer is its ability to graphically display the composition of
COMPLEX WAVEFORMS.
TIME-DOMAIN REFLECTOMETERS work on a principle similar to that used in radar. A
precise signal is produced by the time-domain reflectometer and injected into the device under test
(usually a transmission line); and the resulting reflections are displayed to discover such things as
