> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.intuitibits.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Use a spectrum analyzer > Visualize RF spectrum information and correlate it with 802.11 data in WiFi Explorer Pro 3. *WiFi Explorer Pro 3* provides a spectrum analysis integration that lets you visualize RF information and correlate it with 802.11 data. This integration is not meant to be a substitute for dedicated spectrum analysis software; however, the level of detail should allow you to quickly identify non-802.11 energy sources and better understand the effects of interference and channel utilization on your wireless network. *** ## Choose a spectrum analyzer The following devices are compatible for spectrum analysis: | Make & Model | 2.4 GHz | 5 GHz | 6 GHz | Dual-Band1 | Remote2 | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | :-----: | :---: | :---: | :-------------------: | :----------------: | | [MetaGeek Wi-Spy 2.4x (Version 2)](http://www.metageek.com/products/hardware/) | ✔︎ | | | | ✔︎ | | [MetaGeek Wi-Spy DBx](http://www.metageek.com/products/hardware/) | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | | [NetAlly NXT-2000](https://www.netally.com/wp-content/uploads/NXT-Portable-Spectrum-Analyzer.pdf) | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | | ✔︎ | | [Oscium WiPry 2500x](https://www.oscium.com/spectrum-analyzers/wipry-2500x) | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | | ✔︎ | | | [Oscium WiPry Clarity](https://oscium.com/) | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | | [Oscium Wi-Spy Lucid](https://oscium.com/products/wi-spy-lucid/) | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | ✔︎ | *1. Dual-band refers to performing spectrum analysis across the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands within a single pass. For the Wi-Spy DBx and WiPry 2500x, WiFi Explorer Pro 3 achieves this by quickly alternating between the two bands during the sweep, as the hardware cannot capture both bands in a single pass.* *2. Remote refers to using a spectrum analyzer connected to a [sensor](/wifiexplorerpro3/connect-to-a-sensor). Remote spectrum analysis using the Wi-Spy 2.4x or Wi-Spy DBx spectrum analyzer requires [spectools](https://www.kismetwireless.net/static/spectools/) to be installed on the sensor. For the Wi-Spy Lucid and WiPry Clarity, [wipry\_raw](http://github.com/intuitibits/wipry_raw) is required.* When you connect a supported device, the device will appear as a menu item under the *Spectrum Analysis* menu. You can use the device's menu item to turn the device on or off. You can also change the device's sweep profile. You can use multiple devices simultaneously. For example, you can use a Wi-Spy 2.4x to sweep the 2.4 GHz band and a Wi-Spy DBx to sweep the 5 GHz band, or two Wi-Spy DBx devices, one for each band. *** ## Select different spectrum analysis views and traces The spectrum analysis integration provides different views and traces that overlap with the Wi-Fi information displayed in the *WiFi Explorer Pro 3*'s Spectrum view. You can choose the various views and traces from the *Spectrum Analysis* menu. ### Density View The *Density View* shows how signal strength varies over time at each frequency using percentile bands. The horizontal axis represents frequency, and the vertical axis represents signal level (in dBm). Each colored layer represents a percentile range of signal levels observed over time: 0–10% (gray), 10–30% (teal), 30–50% (yellow), 50–70% (orange), and 70-100% (red). Lower-percentile bands highlight occasional or weak signals, while higher-percentile bands indicate stronger signal levels that appear more frequently. ### Waterfall View The *Waterfall View* shows historical energy levels across the selected frequency band. The horizontal axis is used to represent frequency and the vertical axis represents time. Color is used to represent energy levels, where blue is used for weaker signals, green and yellow to show mid-level signals, and red for stronger signals. ### Live Trace The *Live Trace* shows current RF energy levels across the selected frequency band. The horizontal axis is used to represent frequency, and the vertical axis represents energy levels (dBm). ### Average Trace The *Average Trace* shows average RF energy levels across the selected frequency band. The horizontal axis is used to represent frequency, and the vertical axis represents energy levels (dBm). ### Maximum Trace The *Maximum Trace* shows maximum RF energy levels across the selected frequency band. The horizontal axis is used to represent frequency, and the vertical axis represents energy levels (dBm). ### Utilization Trace The *Utilization Trace* shows the average percentage of time the ambient RF signal around a Wi-Fi channel is higher than the selected signal threshold. To set the signal threshold, go to *WiFi Explorer Pro 3* > *Settings* > *Spectrum Analysis* and change **Utilization Threshold**. For channels in the 2.4 GHz band, the average is calculated using a 5 MHz width around the channel's center frequency. For example, for channel 6, utilization is averaged in the 2434.5-2439.5 MHz range. For channels in the 5 and 6 GHz bands, the average is calculated using a 20 MHz width around the channel's center frequency. For example, for channel 44, utilization is averaged in the 5210-5230 MHz range. *** ## Remote spectrum analysis The NXT-2000, Wi-Spy 2.4x (Version 2), Wi-Spy DBx, Wi-Spy Lucid, and WiPry Clarity spectrum analyzers can be used with a sensor over SSH. To use the Wi-Spy 2.4x (Version 2) or Wi-Spy DBx spectrum analyzers for remote spectrum analysis: 1. Install the [`spectools`](https://www.kismetwireless.net/static/spectools/) package. In Debian-based systems, including Ubuntu and Raspberry Pi, you can install `spectools` using `apt`: ```bash theme={null} sudo apt install spectools ``` 2. Enable the SSH user to run `/usr/bin/spectool_raw` with **`sudo` without entering a password**. To use the Wi-Spy Lucid or WiPry Clarity spectrum analyzers for remote spectrum analysis: 1. Install the [`wipry_raw`](https://github.com/intuitibits/wipry_raw) utility. 2. Enable the SSH user to run `/usr/bin/wipry_raw` with **`sudo` without entering a password**. For more information about setting up a sensor and configuring permissions to run `spectool_raw` or `wipry_raw` with `sudo` without entering a password, see [Configure passwordless sudo](/wifiexplorerpro3/connect-to-a-sensor#configure-passwordless-sudo). When you choose a sensor for scanning, *WiFi Explorer Pro 3* automatically adds a new *Remote NXT-2000*, *Remote Wi-Spy DBx / 2.4x*, and *Remote Wi-Spy Lucid / WiPry Clarity* device under the *Spectrum Analysis* menu, even if a spectrum analyzer is not connected to the sensor. Similarly, *WiFi Explorer Pro 3* will automatically add both 2.4 and 5 GHz bands as options for the *Remote Wi-Spy* device, even though it may not support the 5 GHz band. *WiFi Explorer Pro 3* will show an error if you start spectrum analysis remotely and haven't connected a spectrum analyzer to the sensor. *WiFi Explorer Pro 3* will show an error if you choose a band that the remote spectrum analyzer doesn't support. To do remote spectrum analysis while doing a remote scan for wireless networks, connect a compatible spectrum analyzer to the sensor, then go to *Spectrum Analysis* and choose the desired frequency band under the corresponding remote spectrum analyzer menu option. *** ## Configure additional spectrum analysis options The spectrum analysis integration in *WiFi Explorer Pro 3* offers additional options that you can configure to help correlate RF energy levels with Wi-Fi information. To change these options, see [Change Spectrum Analysis settings](/wifiexplorerpro3/spectrum-analysis-settings). ## See also * [Find networks using the built-in Wi-Fi adapter](/wifiexplorerpro3/find-networks-using-built-in-adapter) * [The Zigbee inspector](/wifiexplorerpro3/the-zigbee-inspector) * [Change Spectrum Analysis settings](/wifiexplorerpro3/spectrum-analysis-settings)