Measurement Optimization

You can set IF bandwidth, averaging and smoothing parameters inside the Average softkey submenu.

IF Bandwidth Setting

The IF bandwidth setting allows the user to define the bandwidth of the test receiver. The IF bandwidth runs through the following sequence of numbers: 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 5, 7 within the range of the instrument capability.

Narrowing the IF bandwidth reduces self-noise and widens the dynamic range of the Analyzer, but the sweep time increases. Narrowing the IF bandwidth by 10 will nominally reduce receiver noise by 10 dB.

The IF bandwidth should be set for each channel independently. Before you set the IF bandwidth, first activate the channel.

To set the IF bandwidth, use the IF Bandwidth softkey.

Averaging Setting

Averaging is performed at a measurement point over several previous sweeps. The benefits of the averaging function are similar to IF bandwidth narrowing. It allows for reduction of self-noise and widening the dynamic measurement range of the Analyzer.

Averaging of each measurement point is made across multiple sweeps in accordance with the following equation:

– i-sweep averaging result;

– i-sweep measurement parameter (S-parameter) value;

– averaging factor is set by the user from 1 to 999; the higher the factor value the stronger the averaging effect.

When the averaging function is enabled, the current number of iterations and the averaging factor, e.g. «9/10», will appear in the channel status bar. The averaging process is considered stable when the two numbers are equal.

The averaging should be set for each channel individually. Before you set the averaging, first activate the channel.

To toggle the averaging function on/off, use the softkeys.

Smoothing Setting

Smoothing of the sweep result averages adjacent points of the trace as determined by the moving aperture. The aperture is set by the user as a percent of the total number of trace points.

Smoothing does not increase the dynamic range of the Analyzer, nor does it does affect the average level of the trace. Smoothing helps to reduce noise bursts. Smoothing is set for each trace independently. Before you configure smoothing, first activate the trace.

To toggle the smoothing function on/off, use the softkeys.