Channel and Trace Display Setting

The Analyzer supports 16 channels, each of which allows for measurements with stimulus parameter settings different from the other channels. The parameters related to a logical channel are listed in Table 7.

Channel Allocation

A channel is represented on the screen as an individual channel window. The screen can display from 1 to 16 channel windows simultaneously. By default one channel window opens. If you need to open two or more channel windows select one of the layouts shown below.

To set the channel window layout, use the corresponding softkeys.

The available options of number and layout of the channel windows on the screen are indicated on the softkeys. In accordance with the layouts, the channel windows do not overlap each other. The channels open sequentially starting from the smaller numbers.

The measurements are executed for open channel windows sequentially. Measurements for any hidden channel windows are not performed.

Number of Traces

Each channel window can contain up to 16 different traces. Each trace is assigned a measured parameter (S-parameter), display format and other parameters. The parameters related to a trace are listed in .

Traces can be displayed in one graph, overlapping each other, or in separate graphs within a channel window. The trace settings are made in two steps: trace number and trace layout within the channel window. By default the channel window contains one trace. If you need to enable two or more traces, set the number of traces as described below.

To set the number of the traces, use the softkeys. All traces are assigned individual names, which cannot be changed. The trace name contains its number. The trace names are as follows: Tr1, Tr2 ... Tr16.

Each trace is assigned some initial settings: measured parameter, format, scale, and color, which can be modified by the user.

• The measured parameters of the first four traces default to the following values: S₁₁, S₂₁, S₁₂, S₂₂. After that the measurement defaults repeat in cycles.
• By default the display format for all the traces is set to logarithmic magnitude (dB).
• The scale parameters by default are set as follows: division is set to 10 dB, reference level value is set to 0 dB, and the reference level position is in the middle of the graph.
• The trace color is determined by its number. You can change the color for all the traces having the same number.
• |Item|Description| |---|---| | Note | The full cycle of trace update depends on the S-parameters measured and the calibration method. For example, the full cycle might consist of a single sweep with either Port 1 or Port 2 as the source, or might include two successive sweeps, of Port 1 then of Port 2. To have two traces (S₁₁ and S₂₂) measured, two successive sweeps will be performed. Two successive sweeps are also performed when full 2-port calibration is employed, independently of the number of the traces and S-parameters measured. |

Trace Allocation

By default races are displayed overlapping one other in the channel window. If you wish to display the traces in separate graphs, set the number and layout of the graphs in the channel window as shown below.

To allocate the traces in a channel window, use the Trace Allocation Softkeys.

Unlike channel windows, the number of traces and their allocation into a number of graphs can be set independently.

• If the number of traces and the number of graphs are equal, all the traces will be displayed separately, each in its individual graph.
• If the number of traces is greater than the number of graphs, traces will be assigned successively (beginning from the smallest trace number) to the number of available graphs. When all the graphs are utilized, the process will continue from the first graph (the following in succession traces will be added in the graphs).
• If the number of traces is smaller than the number of graphs, empty graphs will be displayed.

If two or more traces are displayed in one graph, the vertical scale will be shown for the active trace.

If two or more traces are displayed in one graph, markers data will be shown for the active trace.

The stimulus axis is the same for all the traces of the channel, except for the case when time domain transformation is applied to some of the traces. In this case the displayed stimulus axis will correspond to the active trace.

Table 7: Channel parameters

Table 8: Trace parameters

Selection of Active Trace/Channel

The control commands selected by the user are applied to the active channel or the active trace, respectively.

The boundary line of the active channel window is highlighted in a light color. The active trace belongs to the active channel and its title is highlighted in an inverse color.

Before you set the parameters of a channel or trace, first you need to activate that channel or trace, respectively.

To activate a trace/channel, use the softkeys or click with your mouse on the trace/channel to activate.

Active Trace/Channel Window Maximizing

When there are several channel windows displayed, you can temporarily maximize the active channel window to full screen size. The other channel windows will not be visible, but this will not interrupt measurements in those channels.

Similarly, when there are several traces displayed in a channel window, you can temporarily maximize the active trace. The other traces will not be visible, but this will not interrupt measurement of those traces.

To enable/disable active channel maximizing function, use the Maximize Channel softkey or double click on the channel/trace.