Communications analyzers offer measurement capabilities including precision return loss/VSWR, cable loss and distance-to-fault (DTF) measurements.

A communication analyzer is a tool (hardware or software) used to capture and analyze signals and data traffic over a communication channel. It usually can collect and store a large amount of this data. Certain conditions can often be programmed to automatically start and stop the packet capture process. Electronics and software engineers frequently use communication analyzers to diagnose problems with computer networks, storage devices and new circuit designs. 

A network communication analyzer or sniffer can also help trace security breaches on a wired or wireless network. Each type of communication protocol has a different tool to collect and analyze signals and data.