Measurement range of signal analyzers

Hi,

the following description is taken from a document of signal analyzers:

A spectrum analyzer with a 24-dB noise figure will have an average displayed noise level of ?110 dBm in a 10-kHz resolution bandwidth. If the 1-dB compression point for that analyzer is 0 dBm, the measurement range is 110 dB.

As far as I understand, the lowest signal input is -110 dBm because it equals to the noise level of this signal analyzer and the highest signal input is 0 dBm because this tends to bring 1-dB compression at the mixer. Is it correct?

Senmeis

Yes this is correct as it is exactly correspond to the dynamic range definition. But in order to be accurate on low signals, your signal power should be 15 dB more than the noise level (e.g -95 dBm) to not suffer from over-gain losses.
Also, while looking at high power signals, be aware of the span you are measuring on,meaning - a peak signal of 0 dBm can be mistaken if the overall span band power (power measured on the entire input span) is more than 0dBm, than the input signal can be saturated