AirSleuth
RF Spectrum Analyzer Software for RTLSDR (RTL2832U) (Cost: Free)
RTL-SDR (Software Defined Radio using Realtek RTL2832U) is a popular and affordable tool for receiving and processing a wide range of radio frequencies. The RF receiver relies on an inexpensive DVB-T dongle based on the Realtek RTL2832U chipset (that supports a USB interface) for receiving wideband RF trace data. As a wideband RF receiver that spans the frequency range of 24-1766 MHz, the device has many applications when combined with supporting software.
AirSleuth software turns data collected from RTLSDR receivers into highly graphical charts and displays, enabling users to more readily visualize the RF environment, monitor RF signals, troubleshoot RF issues, and detect sources of RF interference.
Performance is comparable to RF spectrum analyzers that cost many times more -- including excellent dynamic range, sensitivity, and resolution bandwidth.
AirSleuth runs natively under Windows and MacOS architectures -- both Intel x64 and Apple Silicon (M1/M2). The software is free -- however, it does require that you acquire a license key by going through the normal checkout process. No credit card information is collected -- only an email address to send the license key to. When you register a license key it becomes associated with the serial number (S/N) of a specific PC. Each PC (i.e. serial number) requires its own license key.
AirSleuth offers a variety of diagnostic views of the data captured by the RTLSDR receiver. Employing multiple views of the data enhances your ability to gain a better understanding of the local, RF landscape.
RTLSDR receivers -- such as the NESDR SMArt device from Nooelec -- are amazing RF receivers and very inexpensive. Combined with AirSleuth software you now have an RF diagnostic tool unmatched in price and performance. Armed with the ability to monitor RF signals, detect RF interference and view all RF activity that occurs in your environment, solving wireless problems just got a whole lot easier.
Free License Key & Download
The AirSleuth software is free -- however, it does require that you acquire a license key by going through the normal checkout process. No credit card information is collected -- only an email address to send the license key to. When you register a license key it becomes associated with the serial number (S/N) of a specific PC. Each PC (i.e. serial number) requires its own license key.
| AirSleuth Software | |
|---|---|
| Free ($0 USD) | |
| Digital license key for software registration. |  |
| Download Windows |  |
| Download MacOS (Apple Silicon) | |
| Download MacOS (Intel Core) | |
| Purchase Nooelec's NESDR SMArt RTLSDR Receiver | RTLSDR Receiver |
Documentation
Documentation for AirSleuth can be found here.
Spectrum Trace View
Continuously scans and samples the relative signal strength (dB) of frequencies in the range the user has specified. In the 'Spectrum Trace' view the signal strength data (in dB) is displayed as a function of frequency. Views with / without MaxHold are available.
Without MaxHold
With MaxHold
Waterfall History
Provides a color-based visualization of the RF level and activity over time. As signal levels for specific frequencies or frequency ranges increase and decrease, the waterfall map varies its colors. This feature provides a quick glance back into the sweep history to identify aberrations or fluctuation in frequency levels.
Density Map
Displays accumulated RF energy as a function of frequency. The power of the signal strength in relative dB is shown across the frequency span. Over time, this spectral view will approximate the steady-state RF energy signature of a given environment.
Threshold Trace
Highlights those frequencies whose signal strength exceeds a user-defined threshold. This feature is especially useful for visually emphasizing strong signals (and deemphasizing weak ones), where the user gets to define 'strong' and 'weak' according to where they set the threshold.
Delta Trace
Used to view small (or large) changes in the RF spectrum over time. Plotting the data in this way makes it easy to detect RF changes that occurred since the initial 'snapshot'.
