Agilent E4445A Phase Noise Guide

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Page 1

Phase Noise Guide

Agilent Technologies

PSA Series Spectrum Analyzers

Option 226

Manufacturing Part Number: E4440-90328

Supersedes: E4440-90233

Printed in USA

May 2007

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Notice

The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.

Agilent Technologies makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Agilent Technologies shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.

Where to Find the Latest Information

Documentation is updated periodically. For the latest information about Agilent PSA Spectrum Analyzers, including firmware upgrades, software upgrades, application information, and product information, please visit the following Internet URL:

http://www.agilent.com/find/psa

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Contents

1. Getting Started

Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Installing Optional Measurement Personalities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Do You Have Enough Memory to Load All Your Personality Options? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

How to Predict Your Memory Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Loading an Optional Measurement Personality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Obtaining and Installing a License Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Viewing a License Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Using the Delete License Key on PSA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Ordering Optional Measurement Personalities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Starting the Phase Noise Personality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

2. Using the Phase Noise Personality

Using the Phase Noise Personality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Phase Noise Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Log Plot Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Spot Frequency Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Smoothing, Averaging and Filtering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Signal Tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Measurement Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Slowly Drifting Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

System Noise Floor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Cancellation and Log Plot Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Background Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Log Plot Cancellation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Creating a DANL Floor Reference Trace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Example Measurement -

Using a DANL Reference for Cancellation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Creating a Signal Phase Noise Reference Trace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Example Measurement -

Using a Phase Noise Measurement for Cancellation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Saving Traces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Restoring Traces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

3. Menu Maps

What You Will Find in This Chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Menus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Amplitude Menu - Log Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Amplitude Menu - Spot Frequency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

BW/Avg Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Det/Demod Menu - Log Plot and Spot Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Display Menu - Log Plot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Display Menu - Monitor Spectrum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Display Menu - Spot Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

File Menu (1 of 6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

File Menu (2 of 6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

File Menu (3 of 6) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

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Contents

Table of Contents

4. Front-Panel Key Reference

File Menu (4 of 6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

File Menu (5 of 6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

File Menu (6 of 6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Frequency/Channel Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Input Output Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Marker Menu - Log Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

Measure Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Meas Setup Menu - Log Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Meas Setup Menu - Monitor Spectrum. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Meas Setup Menu - Spot Frequency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Mode Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Mode Setup Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Span (X Scale) Menu - Log Plot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Span (X Scale) Menu - Monitor Spectrum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Span (X Scale) Menu - Spot Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Sweep Menu - Log Plot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Sweep Menu - Spot Frequency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Trigger Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Trace/View Menu - Log Plot. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Trace/View Menu - Monitor Spectrum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

Trace/View Menu - Spot Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Key Descriptions and Locations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

AMPLITUDE Y Scale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Monitor Spectrum Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Log Plot Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Spot Frequency Measurements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

BW/Avg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Det/Demod . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

FREQUENCY Channel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Input/Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Marker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Monitor Spectrum Measurements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Spot Frequency Measurements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Log Plot Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Meas Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

MEASURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

MODE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Mode Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Preset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

SPAN X Scale. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Monitor Spectrum Measurements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Log Plot Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Spot Frequency Measurements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Sweep Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Trace/View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Monitor Spectrum Measurements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

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Contents

Log Plot Measurements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Spot Frequency Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

5. Language Reference

CALCulate Subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

CALCulate:LPLot Subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

CALCulate:MARKers Subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

CONFigure Subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

Configure the Selected Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

Configure Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

DISPlay Subsystem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Set the Display Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Control the Display Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Set the Display Reference Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Set the Display Amplitude Scale. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

FETCh Subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Fetch the Current Measurement Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

FORMat Subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

Measurement Results format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

INITiate Subsystem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Take New Data Acquisition for Selected Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

INSTrument Subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Catalog Query . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Select Application by Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Select Application . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

MEASure Group of Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

CONFigure, FETCh, MEASure, READ Interactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Phase Noise Log Plot Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Monitor Spectrum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

Phase Noise Spot Frequency Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

MMEMory Subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

Load a Log Plot Reference Trace from Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

Store a Log Plot Reference Trace to Disk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

READ Subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Initiate and Read Measurement Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

SENSe Subsystem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

Display Average Noise Level—Measurement Method . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

Default Reset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

Frequency Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

Amplitude Commands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

Bandwidth Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

Detector Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130

Phase Noise Log Plot Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130

Monitor Band/Channel Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

RF Power Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

Spot Frequency Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

Table of Contents

6. Phase Noise Measurement Concepts

Page 6

Contents

Table of Contents

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148

What is Phase Noise? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149

Thermal Noise. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151

Other Noise Contributions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

AM Noise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

Residual FM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

Single-Sideband Noise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

Phase Noise Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157

Log Plot Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157

Spot Frequency Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157

Improving Phase Noise Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

Smoothing, Averaging and Filtering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

Signal Tracking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

Slowly Drifting Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

System Noise Floor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159

Advanced Features - AM Rejection and Overdrive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159

Additional Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160

7. If You Have A Problem

Agilent Customer Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

Page 7

List of Commands

:CALCulate:LPLot:DECade:TABLe[:STATe] OFF|ON|0|1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

:CALCulate:LPLot:DECade:TABLe[:STATe]? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

:CALCulate:LPLot:MARKer:TABLe[:STATe] OFF|ON|0|1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

:CALCulate:LPLot:MARKer:TABLe[:STATe]? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

:CALCulate:LPLot:MARKer[1]|2|3|4:MODE POSition|DELTa

:CALCulate:LPLot:MARKer[1]|2|3|4:MODE? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

:CALCulate:LPLot:MARKer[1]|2|3|4:TRACe <tracenum> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

:CALCulate:LPLot:MARKer[1]|2|3|4:TRACe? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

:CALCulate:LPLot:MARKer[1]|2|3|4:X <number> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

:CALCulate:LPLot:MARKer[1]|2|3|4:X? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

:CALCulate:LPLot:MARKer[1]|2|3|4:Y? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

:CALCulate:LPLot:TRACe:COPY[A][B] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

:CALCulate:LPLot:TRACe:SWAP[A][B] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

:CALCulate:LPLot:TRACe[1]|2|3:MODE? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

:CONFigure:<measurement>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

:CONFigure:MONitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

:CONFigure? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

:DISPlay:MONitor:WINDow:TRACe:Y:DLINe <ampl> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

:DISPlay:MONitor:WINDow:TRACe:Y:DLINe:STATe OFF|ON|0|1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

:DISPlay:MONitor:WINDow:TRACe:Y:DLINe:STATe? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

List of Commands

:DISPlay:MONitor:WINDow:TRACe:Y:DLINe? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

:DISPlay:MONitor:WINDow:TRACe:Y:RLEVel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

:DISPlay:MONitor:WINDow:TRACe:Y:RLEVel? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

:DISPlay:MONitor:WINDow:TRACe:Y[:SCALe]:PDIVision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

:DISPlay:MONitor:WINDow:TRACe:Y[:SCALe]:PDIVision?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

:FETCh:<measurement>[n]? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

:FETCh:LPLot[n]?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

:FETCh:MONitor[n] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

:FETCh:SFRequency[n]? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

Page 8

List of Commands

:FORMat:MEASure[:DATA] ASCii|REAL32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106

:FORMat:MEASure[:DATA]?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .106

:INITiate:<measurement>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107

:INSTrument:CATalog? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108

:INSTrument:NSELect <integer> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108

:INSTrument:NSELect?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .108

|TDSCDMA|TDDEMOD|EMC|DEMODULATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109

:INSTrument[:SELect]? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109

:MEASure:LPLot[n]? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

:MEASure:MONitor[n] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

:MEASure:SFRequency[n]? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118

:MMEMory:LPLot:LOAD:TRACe <tracenum>,<filename> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

:MMEMory:LPLot:STORe:TRACe <tracenum>,<filename> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .120

:READ:<measurement>[n]?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121

:READ:LPLot[n]? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

:READ:MONitor[n] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117

:READ:SFRequency[n]? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118

[:SENSe]:DANL:METHod ATTenuator|REMoval. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122

[:SENSe]:DANL:METHod? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122

[:SENSe]:DEFaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .122

[:SENSe]:FREQuency:CARRier <freq> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123

[:SENSe]:FREQuency:CARRier:SEARch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123

[:SENSe]:FREQuency:CARRier:SEARch:AUTO ON|OFF|1|0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123

[:SENSe]:FREQuency:CARRier:SEARch:AUTO? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .123

[:SENSe]:FREQuency:CARRier:SEARch:SPAN <freq>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124

[:SENSe]:FREQuency:CARRier:SEARch:SPAN?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124

[:SENSe]:FREQuency:CARRier:TRACk:DSPan <value> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124

[:SENSe]:FREQuency:CARRier:TRACk:DSPan?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124

Page 9

List of Commands

[:SENSe]:FREQuency:CARRier:TRACk:INTerval <value> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

[:SENSe]:FREQuency:CARRier:TRACk:INTerval? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

[:SENSe]:FREQuency:CARRier:TRACk:METHod INTerval|TOLerance|BOTH . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

[:SENSe]:FREQuency:CARRier:TRACk:METHod? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

[:SENSe]:FREQuency:CARRier:TRACk:TOLerance <value> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

[:SENSe]:FREQuency:CARRier:TRACk:TOLerance?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

[:SENSe]:FREQuency:CARRier:TRACk[:STATe] OFF|ON|1|0. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

[:SENSe]:FREQuency:CARRier:TRACk[:STATe]? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

[:SENSe]:FREQuency:CARRier? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

[:SENSe]:LPLot:AVERage:[:STATe] ON|OFF|1|0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

List of Commands

[:SENSe]:LPLot:AVERage:COUNt <integer> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130

[:SENSe]:LPLot:AVERage:COUNt?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130

[:SENSe]:LPLot:AVERage:TCONtrol?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

[:SENSe]:LPLot:AVERage[:STATe]? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

[:SENSe]:LPLot:BANDwidth|BWIDth:VIDeo:AUTO? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

[:SENSe]:LPLot:BANDwidth|BWIDth:VIDeo:RATio <numeric> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

[:SENSe]:LPLot:BANDwidth|BWIDth:VIDeo:RATio?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

[:SENSe]:LPLot:BANDwidth|BWIDth:VIDeo? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

[:SENSe]:LPLot:BANDwidth|BWIDth[:RESolution]:AUTO? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

[:SENSe]:LPLot:BANDwidth|BWIDth[:RESolution]?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

[:SENSe]:LPLot:CANCellation:DELTa <dB> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

[:SENSe]:LPLot:CANCellation:DELTa? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

[:SENSe]:LPLot:CANCellation:TRACe <tracenum> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

[:SENSe]:LPLot:CANCellation:TRACe? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

[:SENSe]:LPLot:CANCellation[:STATe] OFF|ON|0|1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

[:SENSe]:LPLot:CANCellation[:STATe]?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

[:SENSe]:LPLot:DETector[:FUNCtion]? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134

[:SENSe]:LPLot:DIAG:GRAPh:Y:REFerence <level>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134

[:SENSe]:LPLot:DIAG:GRAPh:Y:REFerence? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134

[:SENSe]:LPLot:FILTering:NONE|LITTle|MEDium|MAXimum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134

[:SENSe]:LPLot:FREQuency:OFFSet:STARt <freq> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134

Page 10

List of Commands

[:SENSe]:LPLot:FREQuency:OFFSet:STARt? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134

[:SENSe]:LPLot:FREQuency:OFFSet:STOP <freq> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135

[:SENSe]:LPLot:FREQuency:OFFSet:STOP? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135

[:SENSe]:LPLot:FREQuency:SPAN:BANDwidth

|BWIDth[:RESolution]:RATio <numeric> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135

[:SENSe]:LPLot:FREQuency:SPAN:BANDwidth

|BWIDth[:RESolution]:RATio:AUTO ON|OFF|1|0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136

[:SENSe]:LPLot:FREQuency:SPAN:BANDwidth

|BWIDth[:RESolution]:RATio:AUTO? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136

[:SENSe]:LPLot:FREQuency:SPAN:BANDwidth

|BWIDth[:RESolution]:RATio? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135

List of Commands

[:SENSe]:LPLot:METHod DANL|PN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136

[:SENSe]:LPLot:METHod? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136

[:SENSe]:LPLot:SMOoth <percentage> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136

[:SENSe]:LPLot:SMOoth? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136

[:SENSe]:MONiter:POWer[:RF]:RANGe:AUTo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .126

[:SENSe]:MONitor:AVERage:COUNt <integer> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137

[:SENSe]:MONitor:AVERage:COUNt? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137

[:SENSe]:MONitor:AVERage:TCONtrol EXPonential|REPeat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138

[:SENSe]:MONitor:AVERage:TCONtrol? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138

[:SENSe]:MONitor:AVERage[:STATe] OFF|ON|0|1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138

[:SENSe]:MONitor:AVERage[:STATe]?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138

[:SENSe]:MONitor:BANDwidth|BWIDth:VIDeo:AUTO?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128

[:SENSe]:MONitor:BANDwidth|BWIDth:VIDeo:RATio <value> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129

[:SENSe]:MONitor:BANDwidth|BWIDth:VIDeo:RATio? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129

[:SENSe]:MONitor:BANDwidth|BWIDth:VIDeo?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128

[:SENSe]:MONitor:BANDwidth|BWIDth[:RESolution]:AUTO? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128

[:SENSe]:MONitor:BANDwidth|BWIDth[:RESolution]? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .127

[:SENSe]:MONitor:DETector[:FUNCtion] . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130

[:SENSe]:MONitor:DETector[:FUNCtion]? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130

[:SENSe]:MONitor:FREQuency:SPAN <freq> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138

[:SENSe]:MONitor:FREQuency:SPAN:BANDwidth|BWIDth

[:RESolution]:RATio <value> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .129

Page 11

List of Commands

[:SENSe]:MONitor:FREQuency:SPAN:BANDwidth|BWIDth

[:RESolution]:RATio:AUTO ON|OFF|1|0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

[:SENSe]:MONitor:FREQuency:SPAN:BANDwidth|BWIDth

[:RESolution]:RATio:AUTO? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

[:SENSe]:MONitor:FREQuency:SPAN:BANDwidth|BWIDth

[:RESolution]:RATio? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

[:SENSe]:MONitor:FREQuency:SPAN:FULL. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

[:SENSe]:MONitor:FREQuency:SPAN:ZERO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

[:SENSe]:MONitor:FREQuency:SPAN? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

[:SENSe]:MONitor:POWer[:RF]:ATTenuation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

[:SENSe]:MONitor:POWer[:RF]:ATTenuation:AUTO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

[:SENSe]:MONitor:POWer[:RF]:ATTenuation:AUTO? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

[:SENSe]:MONitor:POWer[:RF]:ATTenuation?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

[:SENSe]:MONitor:SWEep:POINts? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

[:SENSe]:MONitor:SWEep:TIME <value> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

[:SENSe]:MONitor:SWEep:TIME:AUTO ON|OFF|1|0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

[:SENSe]:MONitor:SWEep:TIME:AUTO?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

[:SENSe]:MONitor:SWEep:TIME? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

[:SENSe]:POWer[:RF]:MIXer:RANGe[:UPPer] <power> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

[:SENSe]:POWer[:RF]:MIXer:RANGe[:UPPer]? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

[:SENSe]:SFRequency:AVERage:COUNt <integer>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

[:SENSe]:SFRequency:AVERage:COUNt? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

[:SENSe]:SFRequency:AVERage:TCONtrol EXPonential|REPeat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

List of Commands

[:SENSe]:SFRequency:AVERage:TCONtrol? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

[:SENSe]:SFRequency:AVERage[:STATe] ON|OFF|1|0. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

[:SENSe]:SFRequency:AVERage[:STATe]? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

[:SENSe]:SFRequency:BANDwidth|BWIDth:VIDeo:AUTO? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

[:SENSe]:SFRequency:BANDwidth|BWIDth:VIDeo:RATio <numeric>. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

[:SENSe]:SFRequency:BANDwidth|BWIDth:VIDeo:RATio? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

[:SENSe]:SFRequency:BANDwidth|BWIDth:VIDeo? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

[:SENSe]:SFRequency:BANDwidth|BWIDth[:RESolution]:AUTO?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

[:SENSe]:SFRequency:BANDwidth|BWIDth[:RESolution]?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

Page 12

List of Commands

[:SENSe]:SFRequency:DETector[:FUNCtion]?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143

[:SENSe]:SFRequency:METHod DANL|PN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143

[:SENSe]:SFRequency:METHod? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143

[:SENSe]:SFRequency:PNOFrequency <freq> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144

[:SENSe]:SFRequency:PNOFrequency:AUTO ON|OFF|1|0 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144

[:SENSe]:SFRequency:PNOFrequency:AUTO? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144

[:SENSe]:SFRequency:PNOFrequency? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144

[:SENSe]:SFRequency:SOFFset <value> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145

[:SENSe]:SFRequency:SOFFset:BANDwidth|BWIDth[:RESolution] :RATio <value> . . . . . . . . .145

[:SENSe]:SFRequency:SOFFset:BANDwidth|BWIDth[:RESolution] :RATio?. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145

List of Commands

[:SENSe]:SFRequency:SOFFset? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145

[:SENSe]:SFRequency:SWEep:TIME <value> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145

[:SENSe]:SFRequency:SWEep:TIME:AUTO ON|OFF|1|0. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146

[:SENSe]:SFRequency:SWEep:TIME:AUTO? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146

[:SENSe]:SFRequency:SWEep:TIME? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145

Page 13

1 Getting Started

Getting Started

Page 14

Getting Started

Introduction

The Option 226 Phase Noise Measurement Personality is a downloadable program (DLP) that is used with the PSA Series spectrum analyzers to make single sideband phase noise measurements. You need the following equipment to use the utility:

Table 1-1 Equipment/Upgrades Required for Using

Option 226

Analyzer Firmware

E4440A A.10.00 or later

E4443A A.10.00 or later

E4445A A.10.00 or later

The following procedures describe how to install the file and access the personality.

Getting Started

Specifications

Performance specifications can be found in the “PSA Series Specifications Guide”.

14 Chapter 1

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Getting Started

Installing Optional Measurement Personalities

When you install a measurement personality, you need to follow a three step process:

1. Determine whether your memory capacity is sufficient to contain all the options you want to load. If not, decide which options you want to install now, and consider upgrading your memory. Details follow in “Do You Have Enough Memory to Load All Your Personality Options?” on page 15.

2. Install the measurement personality firmware into the instrument memory. Details follow in “Loading an Optional Measurement

Personality” on page 19.

3. Enter a license key that activates the measurement personality. Details follow in “Obtaining and Installing a License Key” on page

19.

Adding measurement personalities requires the purchase of an upgrade kit for the desired option. The upgrade kit contains the measurement personality firmware and an entitlement certificate that is used to generate a license key from the internet website. A separate license key is required for each option on a specific instrument serial number and host ID.

For the latest information on Agilent Spectrum Analyzer options and upgrade kits, visit the following web location:

http://www.agilent.com/find/sa_upgrades

Do You Have Enough Memory to Load All Your Personality Options?

If you do not have memory limitations then you can skip ahead to the next section “Loading an Optional Measurement Personality” on page 19. If after installing your options you get error messages relating to memory issues, you can return to this section to learn more about how to optimize your configuration.

If you have 64 MBytes of memory installed in your instrument, you should have enough memory to install at least four optional personalities, with plenty of memory for data and states.

Getting Started

The optional measurement personalities require different amounts of memory. So the number of personalities that you can load varies. This is also impacted by how much data you need to save. If you are having memory errors you must swap the applications in or out of memory as needed. If you only have 48 MBytes of memory, you can upgrade your

Chapter 1 15

Page 16

Getting Started

Installing Optional Measurement Personalities

hardware to 64 MBytes.

Additional memory can be added to any PSA Series analyzer by installing Option 115. With this option installed, you can install all currently available measurement personalities in your analyzer and still have memory space to store more state and trace files than would otherwise be possible.

To see the size of your installed memory for PSA Series Spectrum Analyzers:

1. Ensure that the spectrum analyzer is in spectrum analyzer mode because this can affect the screen size.

Getting Started

2. Press

System, More, Show Hdwr.

3. Read Flash Memory size in the table. If Option 115 is installed (PSA only), the table will also show Compact Flash Type and Compact Flash Size.

PSA Flash Memory Size

64 Mbytes 32.5 MBytes 30.0 MBytes

48 Mbytes 16.9 MBytes 14.3 MBytes

PSA Compact Flash Memory Size

512 Mbytes (Opt. 115) 512 MBytes

Available Memory Without Option B7J and Option 122 or 140

Available Additional Memory for Measurement Personalities

Available Memory With Option B7J and Option 122 or 140

If you have 48 MBytes of memory, and you want to install more than 3 optional personalities, you may need to manage your memory resources. The following section, “How to Predict Your Memory Requirements” on page 17, will help you decide how to configure your installed options to provide optimal operation.

16 Chapter 1

Page 17

Getting Started

Installing Optional Measurement Personalities

How to Predict Your Memory Requirements

If you plan to install many optional personalities, you should review your memory requirements, so you can determine whether you have enough memory (unless you have a PSA Series with Option 115). There is an Agilent “Memory Calculator” available online that can help you do this, or you can make a calculated approximation using the information that follows. You will need to know your instrument’s installed memory size as determined in the previous section and then select your desired applications.

NOTE If you have a PSA Series analyzer with Option 115, there is adequate memory

to install all of the available optional personalities in your instrument.

To calculate the available memory on your PSA, see:

http://sa.tm.agilent.com/PSA/memory/

Select the “Memory Calculator” link. You can try any combination of available personalities to see if your desired configuration is compatible with your installed memory.

NOTE After loading all your optional measurement personalities, you should have a

reserve of ~2 MBytes memory to facilitate mode switching. Less available memory will increase mode switching time. For example, if you employ excessive free memory by saving files of states and/or data, your mode switching time can increase to more than a minute.

You can manually estimate your total memory requirements by adding up the memory allocations described in the following steps. Compare the desired total with the available memory that you identified in the previous section.

1. Program memory - Select option requirements from the table “Measurement Personality Options and Memory Required” on page 18.

2. Shared libraries require 7.72 MBytes.

3. Recommended mode swap space is 2 MBytes.

4. Screens - .gif files need 20-25 kBytes each

5. State memory - State file sizes range from 21 kB for SA mode to 40 kB for W-CDMA. The state of every mode accessed since power-on will be saved in the state file. File sizes can exceed 150 kB each when several modes are accessed, for each state file saved.

Getting Started

TIP State memory retains settings for all states accessed before the Save State

command. To reduce this usage to a minimum, reduce the modes accessed before the Save State is executed. You can set the PSA to boot into a selected mode by accessing the desired mode, then pressing the System, Power

On/Preset, Power On keys and toggle the setting to Last.

Chapter 1 17

Page 18

Getting Started

Installing Optional Measurement Personalities

Measurement Personality Options and Memory Required

Personality Options

for PSA Series Spectrum Analyzers

Option File Size

(PSA Rev: A.10)

cdmaOne measurement personality BAC 1.91 Mbytes

NADC and PDC measurement personalities (not

BAE 2.43 Mbytes

available separately)

W-CDMA or W-CDMA, HSDPA, HSUPA

BAF, 210

5.38 Mbytes

measurement personality

cdma2000 or cdma2000 w/ 1xEV-DV measurement personality

1xEV-DO measurement personality 204

GSM (with EDGE) measurement personality 202

Shared measurement library

Phase Noise measurement personality 226

Noise Figure measurement personality 219

Basic measurement personality with digital demod hardware

Programming Code Compatibility Suited (8560

B78, 214

4.00 Mbytes

5.61 Mbytes

3.56 Mbytes

n/a 7.72 Mbytes

2.82 Mbytes

4.68 Mbytes

B7J Cannot be deleted

(2.64 Mbytes)

266

1.18 Mbytes

Series, 8590 Series, and 8566/8568)

Getting Started

TD-SCDMA Power measurement personality 211

TD-SCDMA Modulation Analysis or TD-SCDMA

212, 213 1.82 Mbytes

5.47 Mbytes

Modulation Analysis w/ HSDPA/8PSK measurement personality

Flexible Digital Modulation Analysis 241

WLAN measurement personality 217

External Source Control 215

Measuring Receiver Personality

233

2.11 Mbytes

3.24 Mbytes

0.72 Mbytes

2.91 Mbytes

(available with Option 23A - Trigger support for AM/FM/PM and Option 23B - CCITT filter)

EMC Analyzer

239

4.06 Mbytes

a. Available as of the print date of this guide. b. Many PSA Series personality options use a 7.72 Mbyte shared measurement library. If

you are loading multiple personalities that use this library, you only need to add this

memory allocation once. c. Shared measurement library allocation not required. d. This is a no charge option that does not require a license key.

18 Chapter 1

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Getting Started

Installing Optional Measurement Personalities

Memory Upgrade Kits

The PSA 64 MByte Memory Upgrade kit part number is E4440AU-ANE. The PSA Compact Flash Upgrade kit part number is E4440AU-115.

For more information about memory upgrade kits contact your local sales office, service office, or see:

http://www.agilent.com/find/sa_upgrades

Loading an Optional Measurement Personality

You must use a PC to load the desired personality option into the instrument memory. Loading can be done from a firmware CD-ROM or by downloading the update program from the internet. An automatic loading program comes with the files and runs from your PC.

You can check the Agilent internet website for the latest PSA firmware versions available for downloading:

http://www.agilent.com/find/psa_firmware

NOTE When you add a new option, or update an existing option, you will get the

updated versions of all your current options as they are all reloaded simultaneously. This process may also require you to update the instrument core firmware so that it is compatible with the new option.

Depending on your installed hardware memory, you may not be able to fit all of the available measurement personalities in instrument memory at the same time. You may need to delete an existing option file from memory and load the one you want. Use the automatic update program that is provided with the files. Refer to the table showing “Measurement Personality Options and Memory Required” on page 18. The approximate memory requirements for the options are listed in this table. These numbers are worst case examples. Some options share components and libraries, therefore the total memory usage of multiple options may not be exactly equal to the combined total.

Obtaining and Installing a License Key

If you purchase an optional personality that requires installation, you will receive an “Entitlement Certificate” which may be redeemed for a license key specific to one instrument. Follow the instructions that accompany the certificate to obtain your license key.

Getting Started

To install a license key for the selected personality option, use the following procedure:

NOTE You can also use this procedure to reinstall a license key that has been deleted

during an uninstall process, or lost due to a memory failure.

Chapter 1 19

Page 20

Getting Started

Installing Optional Measurement Personalities

1. Press System, More, More, Licensing, Option to accesses the alpha editor. Use this alpha editor to enter letters (upper-case), and the front-panel numeric keys to enter numbers for the option designation. You will validate your option entry in the active function area of the display. Then, press the

Enter key.

2. Press

License Key to enter the letters and digits of your license key.

You will validate your license key entry in the active function area of the display. Then, press the

3. Press the

Activate License key.

Enter key.

Viewing a License Key

Measurement personalities purchased with your instrument have been installed and activated at the factory before shipment. The instrument requires a License Key unique to every measurement personality purchased. The license key is a hexadecimal number specific to your measurement personality, instrument serial number and host ID. It enables you to install, or reactivate that particular personality.

Use the following procedure to display the license key unique to your personality option that is already installed in your PSA:

Press

Personality key displays the personalities loaded, version

information, and whether the personality is licensed.

NOTE You will want to keep a copy of your license key in a secure location. Press

System, More, then Licensing, Show License, and print out a copy of the display that shows the license numbers. If you should lose your license key, call your nearest Agilent Technologies service or sales office for assistance.

System, More, More, Licensing, Show License. The System,

Getting Started

Using the Delete License Key on PSA

This key will make the option unavailable for use, but will not delete it from memory. Write down the 12-digit license key for the option before you delete it. If you want to use that measurement personality later, you will need the license key to reactivate the personality firmware.

NOTE Using the Delete License key does not remove the personality from the

instrument memory, and does not free memory to be available to install another option. If you need to free memory to install another option, refer to the instructions for loading firmware updates located at the URL :

http://www.agilent.com/find/psa/

1. Press System, More, More, Licensing, Option. Pressing the Option key will activate the alpha editor menu. Use the alpha editor to enter the letters (upper-case) and the front-panel numeric keyboard to enter the digits (if required) for the option, then press the

20 Chapter 1

Enter key. As you

Page 21

Getting Started

Installing Optional Measurement Personalities

enter the option, you will see your entry in the active function area of the display.

2. Press

Delete License to remove the license key from memory.

Ordering Optional Measurement Personalities

When you order a personality option, you will receive an entitlement certificate. Then you will need to go to the Web site to redeem your entitlement certificate for a license key. You will need to provide your instrument serial number and host ID, and the entitlement certificate number.

Required Information: Front Panel Key Path:

Model #: (Ex. E4440A)

Host ID: __________________

Instrument Serial Number: __________________

System, Show System

Getting Started

Chapter 1 21

Page 22

Getting Started

Starting the Phase Noise Personality

The phase noise personality can be started easily once the program has been licensed and installed.

Press

MODE, then Phase Noise to start the utility.

Getting Started

22 Chapter 1

Page 23

2 Using the Phase Noise

Personality

Using the Phase Noise Personality

Page 24

Using the Phase Noise Personality

This chapter includes the following:

“Phase Noise Measurements” on page 2-25

— Log Plot Measurements

— Spot Frequency Measurements

— Smoothing, Averaging, and Filtering

— Signal Tracking

“Measurement Considerations” on page 2-28

—Slowly Drifting Signals

— System Noise Floor

— Display Accuracy at 10 dB Per Division

“Cancellation and Log Plot Measurements” on page 2-29

— Creating a DANL Floor Reference Trace

— Using a DANL Reference for Cancellation - Example

Measurement

— Creating a Signal Phase Noise Reference Trace

— Using a Phase Noise Measurement for Cancellation - Example

Measurement

— Saving Traces

—Restoring Traces

Using the Phase Noise Personality

24 Chapter 2

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Using the Phase Noise Personality

Phase Noise Measurements

Log Plot Measurements

The log plot measurement approximates a logarithmic frequency sweep with a set of linear sweeps that are pieced together. This gives a display of dBc/Hz versus logarithmic frequency offset for the single sideband measurement. Trace 1, which is the yellow trace, displays the point-by-point data as measured. Trace 2, the cyan blue trace, displays a smoothed version of trace 1. The amount of smoothing is determined by the current setting of the smoothing parameter. With the default settings, marker 1 is set to a frequency offset of 10 kHz, and the phase noise at that frequency is displayed numerically.

NOTE The trace numbers, trace data and marker data referred to (above)

apply if you are using the factory default settings, but these can be changed.

If the analyzer is set up to perform single sweeps, the softkey or the

Restart key allow a measurement to be repeated with a

Measure Log Plot

single key press. This is useful for seeing effects of circuit changes where the carrier and offset frequencies of interest do not change. The analyzer can also be set up to perform continuous sweeps. In this case a new measurement will be started as soon as the previous one has completed. One way of setting continuous sweeps is to press the front-panel key followed by the

Meas Control and Measure (Cont).

press

Sweep (Cont) softkey. The other way is to

Sweep

Up to four markers can be used to display various parameters of the measurement, although the default display only shows data for one marker. Setting

Marker Table to On allows you to view the data from all

of your markers at once.

Phase noise measurement results can be integrated over a selected frequency range to get the total RMS (root mean squared) noise in a given bandwidth. The frequency limits used for integration may be selected by pressing

Marker then RMS Noise. Use the RPG knob or

front-panel keys to select the starting point of your frequency range, and then select whether to display the result in radians or in degrees, or in seconds if

RMS Jitter is selected. Now you can use the RPG knob or

front-panel keys to select the end point of your frequency range. The results are displayed in radians, degrees or seconds, depending on your previous selection.

Using the Phase Noise Personality

RMS Residual FM over a specified range can also be displayed using markers. Using a

Normal marker, use the RPG knob or front-panel keys

to position the marker at the start of your frequency range. Then press

Residual FM, and use the RPG knob (or the front-panel keys) to position

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Using the Phase Noise Personality

Phase Noise Measurements

the second marker at the end point of your frequency range. The display will show your frequency range and the measured RMS residual FM over this range. RMS phase noise measurements are based on the log plot data which is a single-sideband measurement. The RMS phase noise results are mathematically corrected to properly represent the true RMS phase deviations.

Spot Frequency Measurements

A spot frequency measurement is a single sideband measurement of the phase error at a specified offset frequency from the main carrier signal. The average value of the trace points displayed on the screen is indicated by a magenta pink line. The analyzer is normally set up to display a continuous sweep, although a single measurement can be performed by setting

The analyzer can be set up to track a drifting signal by pressing

FREQUENCY/Channel, Signal Track, On. When signal tracking is on, a

trace showing the change in frequency versus time is shown next to the spot frequency trace.

Sweep to Single.

Smoothing, Averaging and Filtering

Repeatability of the measurement can be improved in several different ways. Smoothing is used with log plot measurements while trace averaging is used with spot frequency measurements. Video filtering can be used with both types of measurements.

The smoothing process averages a number of adjacent trace points from the raw trace, typically Trace 1, and displays the smoothed result in the second trace, typically Trace 2, for a log plot measurement. Smoothing is faster than averaging or filtering, but less accurate than either. Loss of accuracy is particularly noticeable when a trace has sudden changes in amplitude, for example when a carrier has a large discrete signal such as a spurious sideband. To smooth a trace, choose the Smoothing softkey in using either the front-panel keys or the RPG knob. While inside the log plot measurement, each level of smoothing can be tried without having to make a new measurement.

The averaging process measures each frequency point multiple times, and then calculates and plots the average value.

Video filtering can be applied to the active trace when making measurements. Additional video filtering can increase the accuracy and repeatability of the measurement, but it will also make the measurement process slower. Filtering changes the ratio of the video bandwidth to the resolution bandwidth. Filtering is slower than smoothing or averaging, but is more accurate than either.

Meas Setup, and then adjust it between 0.00% and 16.0%

Using the Phase Noise Personality

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Using the Phase Noise Personality

Phase Noise Measurements

Signal Tracking

Signal tracking can be used in all measurements to track a slowly drifting signal. When it is enabled ( slowly drifting signal by periodically reacquiring the carrier signal.

How often the analyzer will retune to the drifting signal depends on the measurement being performed, and on analyzer settings such as tracking mode, drift span, and tolerance. Log Plot and Monitor Spectrum do not have tolerance or drift span settings.

If the signal is not tracked correctly (such as might happen with a rapidly drifting signal), the analyzer may not be completely compensating for the drift, causing the measured phase noise to appear either higher or lower than it actually is.

On), the measurement will follow a

Chapter 2 27

Using the Phase Noise Personality

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Using the Phase Noise Personality

Measurement Considerations

Slowly Drifting Signals

Spot frequency and log plot measurements can be made on slowly drifting signals by making use of the signal tracking function, although the measured value will be slightly inaccurate. The maximum drift rate that can be tracked will depend on analyzer settings such as

Span

and the tracking Mode, although it is unlikely that you will

approach these limits in practice.

System Noise Floor

The system noise floor can have a significant effect on low phase noise measurements such as those that will typically be found at large frequency offsets. The system noise floor can be measured using one of two methods. For greater accuracy, use the Removal method of measurement, and for greater convenience, use the Attenuation method. See Cancellation and Log Plot Measurements on page 29 for more details.

Using the Phase Noise Personality

28 Chapter 2

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Using the Phase Noise Personality

Cancellation and Log Plot Measurements

Many phase noise measurements do not benefit from cancellation. If the phase noise of your DUT is more than 10 dB higher than the analyzer noise, then cancellation has almost no effect on the calculated measurement data. The effectiveness of using the cancellation function also has a lower limit. When the phase noise of your DUT gets very close to the analyzer noise (within about 0.1 dB), the logarithmic nature of the calculation results in large, invalid cancellation values. The following table shows error cancellation values that will be applied to the measurement results for various DUT to analyzer phase noise ratios. Setting the threshold value limits the correction that will be

applied.

Phase Noise of DUT relative to Phase Noise of Analyzer

20 dB 0.043 dB 20.0 dB

10 dB 0.41 dB 10.41 dB

0 dB 3.01 dB 3.01 dB

−5.87 dB 6.87 dB 1.0 dB

−10 dB 10.41 dB 0.41 dB

−16.33 dB 16.43 dB 0.1 dB

−20 dB 20.04 dB 0.04 dB

−26.83 dB 26.84 dB 0.01 dB

Measurement Error Before

Cancellation

Threshold ∆ Required for

Maximum Cancellation

a. Only considers error due to additive affects of analyzer noise and

DUT noise.

Background Information

When you make a phase noise measurement on a given signal, the measurement result that you get is actually a combination of three different noise sources. The first source is the phase noise of the signal that you are measuring. If this noise is very small, it can be distorted or even hidden by the two other noise sources which are generated by the analyzer itself.

Using the Phase Noise Personality

The first internal noise source is the phase noise generated by the analyzer as a side-effect of measuring an input signal. The second source is the Displayed Average Noise Level (DANL) of the analyzer. The DANL is the internally generated noise of the analyzer regardless

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Using the Phase Noise Personality

Cancellation and Log Plot Measurements

of whether or not an input signal is present, so the DANL is derived from the noise figure of the analyzer. The DANL floor is broadly flat across the spectrum and represents the absolute noise level below which measurements cannot be made because the signal gets lost in the analyzer noise.

If you make a measurement without any input signal, that measurement represents the absolute noise floor (DANL) of the analyzer. If you reference this absolute noise floor to the carrier amplitude, the DANL floor becomes a relative limit below which phase noise sidebands cannot be measured.

At far offset frequencies, the analyzer’s phase noise is often below the analyzer’s noise floor (DANL). The DANL floor of an analyzer thus limits the range over which an analyzer can measure phase noise. By making a log plot measurement of the analyzer’s DANL noise floor, you are able to characterize the DANL limitation on phase noise

measurements.

Log Plot Cancellation

The Log Plot measurement accuracy on low phase noise DUTs can be improved by using the cancellation feature to remove the affects of the analyzer’s internal noise. This is done by comparing a stored reference measurement with the DUT’s measured phase noise.

The stored reference measurement can be generated two ways.

• If you have a signal source that has much better phase noise then the analyzer’s phase noise, then you can measure that source and know that the resulting trace represents the analyzer’s internal phase noise when an input signal is present.

• If you do not have a good low-phase noise source, you can make a reference measurement with no input signal. This gives you a measurement of the analyzer’s noise floor (DANL).

A reference trace from a good source that is relatively free of phase noise will let you compensate for both the phase noise and the DANL of the analyzer. A reference trace that is derived from the DANL only compensates for the DANL portion of the noise, but this may be adequate for measurement conditions where the analyzer DANL is the limiting factor (typically for offsets >1 to 10 MHz.)

This reference trace can be saved to the analyzer’s own internal file system (the C: drive) or to a floppy disk. It can then be automatically subtracted from any subsequent log plot measurement to give you a more accurate result.

Using the Phase Noise Personality

General Process

Step 1. Set up the analyzer as needed to measure the test signal’s phase noise.

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Using the Phase Noise Personality

Cancellation and Log Plot Measurements

(For example, use the same frequency range as needed for your intended DUT measurement.)

Step 2. Create and save a reference trace in Trace 3. Create either a DANL

reference or a signal phase noise reference. (See “Creating a DANL

Floor Reference Trace” on page 31 or “Creating a Signal Phase Noise Reference Trace” on page 34.)

Step 3. Set up the analyzer so it is making a log plot measurement of the DUT’s

phase noise and turn on the cancellation using the saved reference trace data.

Creating a DANL Floor Reference Trace

The reference trace must cover the same frequency range as your intended measurement.

Step 1. With the carrier signal connected, set up the analyzer to measure the

phase noise over the desired frequency range.

Step 2. Press

Step 3. Set up the DANL floor measurement. Press

Step 4. Press

Step 5. Press

Measuring a DANL Reference Trace

Step 1. With the test signal connected, set the analyzer to its startup condition

Measure, Log Plot.

Meas Setup, Meas Type,

DANL Floor.

Input/Output and DANL Method, to select either the Atten

(Attenuation) or the Removal method for making the DANL measurement. (The Removal method will prompt you for additional steps.)

Restart. You now have a reference trace available that you can

either use immediately or save for later use. See the information about saving and restoring traces later in this section.

Example Measurement Using a DANL Reference for Cancellation

by pressing

Preset.

Using the Phase Noise Personality

Step 2. Turn filtering on and set it to the maximum level. Press

Filtering and Maximum.

Step 3. Turn averaging on and set it to an appropriate level. Press

Avg Number (setting to On or Off), and enter an appropriate number if

setting Averaging

On.

Meas Setup,

Step 4. Select the frequency range that you want to use for your reference

trace. Press

Chapter 2 31

XScale and Start Offset to specify the start of the frequency

Page 32

Using the Phase Noise Personality

Cancellation and Log Plot Measurements

range, and XScale, Stop Offset to specify the end of the frequency range. The range must be the same range that you will be measuring on your test signal.

Step 5. Set up and make the DANL floor measurement. Press

Step 6. Select which of the two possible methods of DANL floor measurement is

Step 7. Press

Step 8. Once the measurement has completed, store the trace data in Trace

Applying Cancellation to a Log Plot Measurement

Meas Setup, Meas

Type

, DANL Floor and Restart.

to be made. Press

Input/Output, and then press DANL Method to select

either the Atten (Attenuation) or the Removal method.

Restart. If you selected the signal removal method of DANL

measurement, you will be asked to disconnect the input signal from the analyzer and to replace it with a 50Ω termination.

If you selected the attenuation method of measurement, the analyzer will effectively remove the input signal by automatically setting the attenuation to its maximum level of 70 dB. Whichever method is used, the analyzer will go through the measurement as if a signal was still present. The displayed average noise is measured and treated as phase noise, and normalized to the carrier amplitude. The DANL phase noise is then displayed as the phase noise trace.

number 3 by pressing

Trace/View, More 1 of 2, Operations and 2 -> 3. You

now have a reference trace stored in Trace 3.

Using the Phase Noise Personality

NOTE For a reference trace to be valid, it must be displayed in View mode, and

must cover the same frequency range as your intended measurement.

Step 1. Go to the Cancellation menu under the Meas Setup menu. To do this,

press

Meas Setup, More 1 of 2 and Cancellation.

Step 2. Select the trace that you wish to use as the reference trace (Trace 3).

Press

Ref Trace until the desired trace number is underlined. Trace

number 1 is yellow, Trace number 2 is cyan blue and Trace number 3 is magenta pink.

Step 3. Set the threshold, if required, although you will not normally need to

change this value. The noise cancellation measurement compares your current measurement with the reference trace on a point by point basis. At each point, the current measurement must exceed the reference trace by at least the threshold level. If the difference between the source trace and the reference trace is less then the threshold level, then the source trace is assumed to be exactly the threshold level above the reference level. To set the threshold level, press

32 Chapter 2

Meas Setup, More 1 of 2,

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Using the Phase Noise Personality

Cancellation and Log Plot Measurements

Cancellation and Threshold, and then set your threshold level in dB.

Step 4. Turn the cancellation

Cancellation and Cancellation again. Any trace that is displaying

On by pressing Meas Setup, More 1 of 2,

smoothed data will change immediately to reflect the noise cancellation.

Table 2-1 Parameters of Interest When Performing a DANL Measurement

Parameter Front Panel

Access

DANL Method

Max Mixer Level

Blanking the raw data trace

Input/Output, DANL Method

Input/Output, Advanced, Max Mixer Level

(When using the default settings) Trace/View, Trace 1, Blank

Description

Determines which of the two possible methods is used to measure the DANL floor.

Determines the amount of input attenuation to use, depending on the measured carrier amplitude and the particular offset being measured.

The trace of the raw data (normally the yellow trace) can sometimes get in the way when you are working with smoothed traces. The raw data trace can be blanked out to leave just the smoothed traces on the display.

Trace Zooming

Decade Table Meas Setup,

X Scale or Y Scale Ensure that the measurement is in

More 1 of 2, Decade Table

single sweep, and then use the RPG knob, the step keys or the numeric keypad to zoom in on a particular frequency range. As long as you are in Single Sweep mode, you do not need to make another measurement.

This displays a table of offset frequencies versus amplitude. It provides an easy way of comparing spot amplitudes on different traces.

Using the Phase Noise Personality

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Using the Phase Noise Personality

Cancellation and Log Plot Measurements

Creating a Signal Phase Noise Reference Trace

The reference trace must cover the same frequency range as your intended measurement.

Step 1. Set up the analyzer to measure the test signal phase noise over the

desired frequency range. Press

Step 2. Connect a low phase noise signal source to the input of your analyzer

and set it to the desired output frequency.

Measure, Log Plot.

Step 3. Measure the phase noise of your reference signal. Press

Step 4. You now have a reference trace available that you can either use

Measuring a Signal Phase Noise Reference Trace

Step 1. Set the analyzer to its startup condition by pressing

Step 2. Turn filtering on and set it to the maximum level. Press

Step 3. Turn averaging on and set it to an appropriate level. Press

Meas Setup,

Meas Type, Phase Noise and Restart. This measures and displays the

phase noise of your test signal.

immediately or save for later use. See the information about saving and restoring traces later in this section.

Example Measurement Using a Phase Noise Measurement for Cancellation

Preset.

Meas Setup,

Filtering and Maximum.

Meas Setup,

Avg Number (setting to On or Off), and enter an appropriate number if

setting Averaging

On.

Using the Phase Noise Personality

Step 4. Select the frequency range that you want to use for your reference

trace. Press range, and

XScale and Start Offset to specify the start of the frequency

XScale, Stop Offset to specify the end of the frequency range.

The range must be the same range that you will be measuring on your test signal.

Step 5. Connect a low phase noise signal source to the input of your analyzer

and set it to the desired output frequency.

Step 6. Measure the phase noise of your reference signal. Press

Meas Type, Phase Noise and Restart. This measures and displays the

Meas Setup,

phase noise of your signal. If you are using the analyzer’s default settings, the raw data is displayed by the yellow trace, and the smoothed data is displayed by the cyan blue trace.

Step 7. Copy the smoothed trace data in Trace 2 (cyan blue) to Trace 3

(magenta pink) for later reference. Press

34 Chapter 2

Trace/View, More 1 of 2,

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Using the Phase Noise Personality

Cancellation and Log Plot Measurements

Operations and 2 -> 3 to copy the trace data. You now have a reference

trace stored in Trace number 3.

Applying Cancellation to a Log Plot Measurement

NOTE For a reference trace to be valid, it must be displayed in View mode, and

must cover the same frequency range as your intended measurement.

Step 1. Go to the Cancellation menu under the Meas Setup menu. To do this,

press

Meas Setup, More 1 of 2 and Cancellation.

Step 2. Select the trace that you wish to use as the reference trace (Trace 3).

Press

Ref Trace until the desired trace number is underlined. Trace

number 1 is yellow, Trace number 2 is cyan blue and Trace number 3 is magenta pink.

Step 3. Set the threshold if required, although you will not normally need to

Cancellation and Threshold, and then set your threshold level in dB.

Meas Setup, More 1 of 2,

Step 4. Turn the cancellation

Cancellation and Cancellation again. Any trace that is displaying

smoothed data will change immediately to reflect the noise cancellation.

On by pressing Meas Setup, More 1 of 2,

Using the Phase Noise Personality

Chapter 2 35

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Using the Phase Noise Personality

Cancellation and Log Plot Measurements

Saving Traces

All traces, including the reference traces used for the noise cancellation measurement, can be saved to a floppy disk or to the analyzer’s own internal file system (C:). All traces are saved in binary format, and their format is independent of the analyzer on which they were saved.

NOTE Traces cannot be saved in older versions of Option 226 Phase Noise

Mode (firmware release A.07.xx or earlier).

Step 1. Select the trace you would like to save by pressing

Trace . Press Tr a ce until the trace you wish to save is underlined.

Step 2. Go to the

Load/Save menu which is under the Trace/View menu, and

Trace/View and then

select the drive on which you would like to save the trace. Press

Trace/View, More 1 of 2, Load/Save and Drive.

Step 3. Enter your filename. Press

Filename, and then use the alphabetic keys to enter your filename. The

Trace/View, More 1 of 2, Load/Save and

file extension .LPT will automatically be added to the filename that you enter.

Step 4. Save the trace by pressing

Trace .

NOTE Traces saved using this process in a Log Plot measurement are different

Trace/View, More 1 of 2, Load/Save and Save

than the “normal” analyzer traces. Traces saved from any other measurement (including measurements in Spectrum Analysis Mode) are not compatible with those saved under Log Plot measurements.

Restoring Traces

All traces, including the reference traces used for the noise cancellation measurement, can be loaded from a floppy disk or from the analyzer’s own internal file system (C:). All traces are saved in binary format, and their format is independent of the analyzer on which they were saved.

Using the Phase Noise Personality

NOTE Traces saved in Phase Noise Mode (Option 226) with older firmware

releases may not be transportable to the newer releases.

Step 1. Select the trace you would like to replace by pressing

Trace. Press Tra ce until the trace you wish to replace is underlined.

then

Step 2. Go to the

Load/Save menu which is under the Trace/View menu, and

Trace/View and

select the drive from which you would like to load the trace. Press

Trace/View, More 1 of 2, Load/Save, and Drive.

Step 3. Enter your filename. Press

Filename, and then use the alphabetic keys to enter your filename. The

Trace/View, More 1 of 2, Load/Save and

file extension .LPT will automatically be added to the filename that you

36 Chapter 2

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enter.

Using the Phase Noise Personality

Cancellation and Log Plot Measurements

Step 4. Load the trace by pressing

Trace .

The trace is automatically set to View mode so it does not get

Trace/View, More 1 of 2, Load/Save and Load

overwritten.

NOTE This method of saving and loading traces in a Log Plot measurement is

different from the normal method of saving traces. Traces saved from any other measurement (including measurements in Spectrum Analysis Mode) are incompatible with those saved under Log Plot measurements.

Chapter 2 37

Using the Phase Noise Personality

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Using the Phase Noise Personality

Cancellation and Log Plot Measurements

Using the Phase Noise Personality

38 Chapter 2

Page 39

Menu Maps

3 Menu Maps

This chapter provides a visual representation of the front-panel keys and their associated menu keys. Refer to Chapter 4 , “Front-Panel Key

Reference,” on page 73 for key function descriptions.

Page 40

Menu Maps

What You Will Find in This Chapter

This chapter provides menu maps for the front-panel keys having associated menus. The key menus appear in alphabetical order as follows:

AMPLITUDE Y Scale—Log Plot Page 41

AMPLITUDE Y Scale—Spot Frequency Page 42

BW/ Avg Page 43

Det/Demod Page 44

Display—Log Plot Page 45

Display—Monitor Spectrum Page 46

Display—Spot Frequency Page 47

File Page 48

FREQUENCY Channel Page 54

Input Output Page 55

Marker Page 56

MEASURE Page 57

Measurement Setup—Log Plot Page 58

Measurement Setup—Monitor Spectrum Page 59

Measurement Setup—Spot Frequency Page 60

MODE Page 61

Mode Setup Page 62

SPAN X Scale—Log Plot Page 63

SPAN X Scale—Monitor Spectrum Page 64

SPAN X Scale—Spot Frequency Page 65

Sweep—Log Plot Page 66

Sweep—Spot Frequency Page 67

Trig Page 68

Trace/View—Log Plot Page 69

Trace/View—Monitor Spectrum Page 70

Trace/View—Spot Frequency Page 71

40 Chapter 3

Page 41

Menus

Amplitude Menu - Log Plot

Menu Maps

Menus

Menu Maps

Chapter 3 41

Page 42

Menu Maps

Menus

Amplitude Menu - Spot Frequency

42 Chapter 3

Page 43

BW/Avg Menu

Menu Maps

Menus

Menu Maps

BW/

Avg

BW/Avg

Auto Man

* Grayed out in Spot Frequency and Log Plot measurements.

Res BW

3 MHz

Video BW

300 kHz

VBW/RBW

0.100000

Span/RBW

** Grayed out in Spot Frequency measurements.

Chapter 3 43

Page 44

Menu Maps

Menus

Det/Demod Menu - Log Plot and Spot Frequency

Det/

Demod

Det/Demod

* Read only parameter.

Always grayed out.

Average

Detector

44 Chapter 3

Page 45

Display Menu - Log Plot

Menu Maps

Menus

Menu Maps

Chapter 3 45

Page 46

Menu Maps

Menus

Display Menu - Monitor Spectrum

46 Chapter 3

Page 47

Display Menu - Spot Frequency

Menu Maps

Menus

Menu Maps

Chapter 3 47

Page 48

Menu Maps

Menus

File Menu (1 of 6)

File

pe856a

File

Catalog

Delete

Rename

Save

Load

Copy

1 of 2

Catalog

Save

Load

Delete

Copy

Rename

File

Create Dir

Delete All

2 of 2

Delete All

Delete All Now

Create Dir

Name

Dir Select

Now

Alpha Editor 2

Dir Up

48 Chapter 3

Page 49

File Menu (2 of 6)

Catalog

Menu Maps

Menus

Menu Maps

Catalog

pe857a

Type

State

Sort

‡

Dir Up

Dir Select

Type 1

Sort

Chapter 3 49

Page 50

Menu Maps

Menus

File Menu (3 of 6)

‡

Destination

pe859a

Load

Load Now

Type

State

Sort

Dir Up

Dir Select

Type 3

Sort

When Type = Trace:

Destination

Trace 1

Trace 2

Trace 3

When Type = Limits:

Source

Limit 1

Limit 2

Otherwise, Destination is

greyed out.

‡

Delete

Delete Now

Type

State

Sort

Dir Up

Dir Select

Type 1

Sort

‡

From

Copy

Copy Now

Type

State

Sort

Dir Up

Dir Select

Type 1

Sort

Dir

50 Chapter 3

Page 51

File Menu (4 of 6)

Menu Maps

Menus

Menu Maps

File (4)

Rename

Rename Now

Type

State

Sort

Name

Dir Up

Dir Select

Sort

Type 1

Sort

Alpha Editor 2

Sort

By Date

By Name

By Extension

By Size

Down

Order

Chapter 3 51

Page 52

Menu Maps

Menus

File Menu (5 of 6)

Save

pe858a

Save

Save Now

Type

State

Format

Trace + State

Source

All Traces

Name

Dir Up

Dir Select

Type 2

When Type = Trace:

Source

Trace 1

Trace 2

Trace 3

All Traces

When Type = Limits:

Source

Limit 1

Limit 2

When Type = Corrections:

Source

Antenna

Cable

Other

User

Otherwise, Source is greyed

out.

When Type = Screen:

Format

Bitmap

Reverse

Bitmap

When Type = Trace:

Format

Trace + State

CSV

Otherwise, Format is greyed

out.

Alpha Editor 2

52 Chapter 3

Page 53

Type 1

Used for Catalog, Copy, Rename and Delete

File Menu (6 of 6)

Type 2

Used for Save

Type 3

Menu Maps

Menus

Menu Maps

Used for Load

File (6)

Type

State

Trace

Limits

Screen

1 of 2

Type

All

Corrections

2 of 2

Type

State

Trace

Limits

Screen

1 of 2

Type

Corrections

2 of 2

Type

State

Trace

Limits

1 of 2

Type

Corrections

2 of 2

Chapter 3 53

Page 54

Menu Maps

Menus

Frequency/Channel Menu

FREQUENCY

Channel

Frequency

Carrier Freq

50.000000 MHz

Carrier Search

Search Span

10.000000 kHz

Auto Man

Signal Track

On Off

Tracking

* Grayed out in Monitor and Log Plot Measurements.

Available only in Spot Frequency measurements.

Tracking

Drift Span

Mode

Tolerance

Interval

Tolerance +/-

10.00 dBc/Hz

10%

Mode

Interval

Tolerance

Both

A bar on the left of two or more softkeys indicates that the keys are a set of

mutually exclusive choices.

54 Chapter 3

Page 55

Input Output Menu

Menu Maps

Menus

Menu Maps

Input/

Output

Input/Output

DANL Method

Atten

Removal

Advanced

Input/Output

Advanced

Max Mixer Lvl

4.00 dBm

Min Carrier Lvl

Corrections

To Base Instrument

Corrections menu

To Base Instrument

Input/Output menu

Chapter 3 55

Page 56

Menu Maps

Menus

Marker Menu - Log Plot

Marker

Peak

Marker ->

Freq

Count

Peak Search, Marker, and Freq Count keys are deactivated

Marker

Select Marker

1 2 3 4

Normal

Delta

RMS Noise

Residual FM

Off

1 of 2

Marker

Select Marker

1 2 3 4

Marker Trace

1 2 3

Marker Table

On Off

Marker All Off

2 of 2

RMS Noise

Degree

RMS Noise

Radian

RMS Noise

Jitter

A bar on the left of two or more softkeys indicates that the keys are a set of

mutually exclusive choices.

56 Chapter 3

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Measure Menu

Menu Maps

Menus

Menu Maps

Chapter 3 57

Page 58

Menu Maps

Menus

Meas Setup Menu - Log Plot

A bar on the left of two or more softkeys indicates that the keys are a set of

mutually exclusive choices.

58 Chapter 3

Page 59

Meas Setup Menu - Monitor Spectrum

Menu Maps

Menus

Menu Maps

Chapter 3 59

Page 60

Menu Maps

Menus

Meas Setup Menu - Spot Frequency

Meas

Setup

Meas Setup

Avg Number

On Off

Avg Mode

Exp

Meas Type

Phase Noise

Spot Freq

10.0000 kHz

Table Index

Repeat

(Result)

1 of 2

Meas Setup

Advanced

Restore Meas

Defaults

2 of 2

Advanced

% RBW /

Spot Offset

PhNoise Opt f

45k

Auto Man

Meas Type

Phase Noise

DANL Floor

A bar on the left of two or more softkeys indicates that the keys are a set of

mutually exclusive choices.

60 Chapter 3

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Mode Menu

Menu Maps

Menus

Menu Maps

Chapter 3 61

Page 62

Menu Maps

Menus

Mode Setup Menu

Mode Setup

Properties...

Restore Mode

Defaults

Brings up the Properties

menu that displays

versioning information. See

Chapter 4.

62 Chapter 3

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Span (X Scale) Menu - Log Plot

Menu Maps

Menus

Menu Maps

Chapter 3 63

Page 64

Menu Maps

Menus

Span (X Scale) Menu - Monitor Spectrum

SPAN

X Scale

Span

5 MHz

Full Span

Zero Span

64 Chapter 3

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Span (X Scale) Menu - Spot Frequency

SPAN X Scale

X Scale

Scale/Div

10.000000

Menu Maps

Menus

Menu Maps

Ref Value

Chapter 3 65

Page 66

Menu Maps

Menus

Sweep Menu - Log Plot

66 Chapter 3

Page 67

Sweep Menu - Spot Frequency

Menu Maps

Menus

Menu Maps

Chapter 3 67

Page 68

Menu Maps

Menus

Trigger Menu

68 Chapter 3

Page 69

Trace/View Menu - Log Plot

Menu Maps

Menus

Menu Maps

A bar on the left of two or more softkeys indicates that the keys are a set of

mutually exclusive choices.

Chapter 3 69

Page 70

Menu Maps

Menus

Trace/View Menu - Monitor Spectrum

70 Chapter 3

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Trace/View Menu - Spot Frequency

Menu Maps

Menus

Menu Maps

Chapter 3 71

Page 72

Menu Maps

Menus

72 Chapter 3

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Front-Panel Key Reference

4 Front-Panel Key Reference

This chapter details the front-panel keys and menu keys that appear on the menu-maps presented in the previous chapter. The front-panel keys are listed alphabetically and are described with their associated menu keys. The menu keys are arranged as they appear in your analyzer menus.

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Front-Panel Key Reference

Key Descriptions and Locations

This chapter provides information on Phase Noise mode functions only. Some keys are described that are either not available in Spectrum Analysis (SA) mode, or that provide functions which differ from those provided by the same keys in SA mode. Other keys are described which provide fewer functions than the same key in SA mode, but the functions that are provided are identical in both modes. For those keys not described here, refer to the PSA Series Spectrum Analyzers User’s

and Programmer’s Reference Volume 1.

AMPLITUDE Y Scale Page 75

BW/Avg Page 77

Det/Demod Page 78

Display Page 79

FREQUENCY Channel Page 80

Input/Output Page 82

Marker Page 83

Meas Setup Page 85

MEASURE Page 89

MODE Page 90

Mode Setup Page 91

Preset Page 92

SPAN X Scale Page 93

Sweep Menu Page 94

Trace/View Pa ge 95

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Front-Panel Key Reference

AMPLITUDE Y Scale

Activates the reference level function, if it is available, and accesses the amplitude menu keys. Amplitude menu keys are used for setting functions that affect the way data on the vertical axis is displayed or corrected.

Monitor Spectrum Measurements

Ref Level Allows the reference level to be changed. The reference level is the

amplitude (power or voltage) represented by the top graticule line of the display. Changing the reference level changes the absolute amplitude level (in the selected amplitude units) of the top graticule line.

Ref Level

can be changed using the step keys, the RPG knob, or the numeric keypad.

Attenuator Sets the input attenuation in 2 dB increments. The analyzer’s input

attenuator, which is normally coupled to the reference level control, reduces the power level of the input signal at the input mixer. The attenuator is recoupled when

man

can be changed using the step keys, the RPG knob, or the numeric

Attenuation, Auto is selected. Attenuation,

keypad.

Scale/Div Sets the logarithmic units per vertical graticule division on the display.

Scale/Div values can vary between 0.1 dB and 20 dB per division.

Optimize Ref Level Automatically optimizes the reference level and the attenuation

settings for the current signal. The attenuator is set to the lowest level that is needed to prevent damage to the input mixer, thus maximizing the signal’s dynamic range. The reference level is set such that the signal’s peak level is displayed in the top division of the graticule.

Front-Panel Key Reference

Log Plot Measurements

Scale/Div Allows you to specify the Y-scale units per division on the log plot

display. You can set the value using the step keys, the RPG knob, or the numeric keypad.

Ref Value Allows you to specify the value (in dBc/Hz) of the reference level of the

log plot display. (See

Ref Position The reference position on each trace is indicated by a small chevron (the

‘>’ and ‘<‘ signs) at either side of the graticule. The value in dBc/Hz of this reference position on the graticule is specified with the softkey. The

Ref Position softkey allows you to vary the position of the

reference trace between top, center, and bottom of the graticule. This softkey is only available in Log Plot measurements.

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Ref Position.)

Ref Value

Page 76

Front-Panel Key Reference

AMPLITUDE Y Scale

Top Sets the reference position to the top line of the

graticule. Its position is indicated by a small chevron on either side of the graticule.

Ctr Sets the reference position to the center of the

graticule. Its position is indicated by a small chevron on either side of the graticule.

Bot Sets the reference position to the bottom line of the

graticule. Its position is indicated by a small chevron on either side of the graticule.

Spot Frequency Measurements

Phase Noise When Signal Tracking is On and a Spot Frequency measurement is being

made, the screen is split vertically into two sections. The left half of the screen displays the right hand half, labelled ‘ the signal. This key allows you to control the appearance of the

Noise

display.

Scale/Div Sets the units per vertical graticule division on the

Phase Noise of the signal being measured, while the

Delta Freq’, shows the changes in frequency of

Phase

display.

Ref Value Sets the value of the reference line on the screen. The

reference line is shown in magenta pink.

Delta Freq When Signal Tracking is On and a Spot Frequency measurement is being

made, the screen is split vertically into two sections. The left half of the screen displays the right hand half, labelled ‘ the signal. This key allows you to control the appearance of the

Freq

display.

Scale/Div Sets the units per vertical graticule division on the

Phase Noise of the signal being measured, while the

Delta Freq’, shows the changes in frequency of

Delta

display.

Ref Value Sets the value of the reference line on the screen. The

reference line is shown in magenta pink.

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Front-Panel Key Reference

BW/Avg

This front-panel key accesses the menu keys that allow you to select different resolution and video bandwidth settings.

Res BW Allows you to select Auto or Man (manual) setting of the resolution

bandwidth. When set to front-panel keys or the RPG knob.

Man, you can change the Res BW using the

BW/Avg

Video BW Allows you to select Auto or Man (manual) setting of the video

bandwidth. When set to

Man, you can change the Video BW using the

front-panel keys or the RPG knob.

VBW/RBW Allows you to modify the ratio of video bandwidth to resolution

bandwidth.

Span/RBW Allows you to select Auto or Man (manual) setting of the span to

resolution bandwidth ratio. When set to

Span/RBW ratio.

Man, you can manually set the

Front-Panel Key Reference

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Front-Panel Key Reference

Det/Demod

This key is only accessible when making a Monitor Spectrum measurement. Its menu is grayed out at all other times. Please refer to the PSA Series Spectrum Analyzers User’s and Programmer’s Reference Vo lu m e 1 for further details.

Front-Panel Key Reference

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Front-Panel Key Reference

Display

This front-panel key accesses the menu keys that allow you to see and setup different measurement displays.

Full Screen Extends the measurement window over the entire analyzer display,

removing the softkey menu as it does so. To restore the softkey menu, press any key except

Print, Save, or any of the data entry keys.

Tolerance Limits When you are tracking a drifting signal and the tracking mode is

Toler a nce , you can choose to display or hide the lines corresponding to

the tolerance limits by using this key. This softkey is only available in Spot Frequency measurements.

View Avg Allows you to display or hide a line on the screen showing the moving

average value. The line represents the average value of the measurements showing on the screen. This softkey is only available in Spot Frequency measurements.

Preferences This displays a further menu giving you control over some aspects of

the display’s appearance.

Graticule Allows you to display or hide the graticule lines on the

display.

Annotation Allows you to display or hide some of the annotation

pertaining to the current display. This softkey is only available in Spot Frequency and Log Plot measurements.

Display Line Activates an adjustable horizontal line that is used as a visual reference

line. This line, which can be used for trace arithmatic, has amplitude values that correspond to its vertical position when compared to the reference level. To deactivate the display line, press

Off

. This softkey is only available in Monitor Spectrum measurements.

Display, Display Line

Front-Panel Key Reference

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Front-Panel Key Reference

FREQUENCY Channel

Accesses the menu of frequency functions.

Carrier Freq Allows you to specify the frequency of the signal whose phase noise is to

be measured. As long as the frequency you enter is within plus or minus 5% of the carrier signal’s true frequency, the analyzer will tune to it automatically.

Carrier Search Automatically tunes the analyzer to the strongest signal it can find. If

Search Span is set to Automatic, the search is performed from a lower

limit of 100 Hz to an upper limit of the analyzer’s maximum capabilities. When within the frequency range specified in current carrier frequency.

Search Span is set to Manual, the search is performed

Search Span, centered on the

Front-Panel Key Reference

Search Span Determines the spectral range that a

signal. This key toggles between when set to When

Manual, allows you to enter a frequency range manually.

Search Span is set to Automatic, the search is performed from a

Carrier Search will search for a

Automatic and Manual settings, and

lower limit of 100 Hz to an upper limit of the analyzer’s maximum capabilities. When

Search Span is set to Manual, the search is performed

within the frequency range specified here, centered on the current carrier frequency.

Signal Track Specifies whether or not the analyzer automatically tracks a slowly

drifting signal.

On When Signal Track is set to On, the analyzer repeatedly

measures the frequency of the carrier signal to check for any change that might have occurred, and retunes to the new frequency if necessary.

Off When this is set to Off, the analyzer makes its

measurement at a fixed frequency.

NOTE The repeated realignment with the signal when tracking is On causes

measurements to take longer than when tracking is Off.

Tracking Displays a menu which allows you to control exactly how signal

tracking is performed. Spot Frequency measurement only. (Grayed out for all other measurements.)

Drift Span Specifies the span, as a percentage of the carrier

frequency, within which the frequency drift will be tracked. For example, if a

Drift Span of 12% is specified,

the signal will be tracked as long as it remains within plus or minus 6% of the most recent frequency

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Front-Panel Key Reference

FREQUENCY Channel

measurement.The drift span is limited to a maximum of 50 MHz.

Mode Displays a menu that allows control over how signal

tracking operates. You can select from three modes of operation -

Interval, Toler a n ce or a combination of the

two.

Interval The analyzer will retune to the carrier

signal after every

Interval number of

measurements have been made.

Toler a nce The analyzer will retune to the carrier

signal whenever one phase noise measurement differs from the average value by

Both This is a combination of Interval and

Toler a nce modes. The analyzer will

Tolerance percent.

retune to the carrier signal after every

Interval number of measurements or

whenever the latest phase noise measurement deviates from the average by

Toler a nce percent,

depending on which occurs first.

Interval The analyzer will retune to the carrier signal after

every

Interval number of measurements have been

made.

Toler a n ce +/- The analyzer will retune to the carrier signal whenever

one phase noise measurement differs from the average value by

Tolerance percent. The tolerance limits are

displayed on the screen by parallel green lines.

Front-Panel Key Reference

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Front-Panel Key Reference

Input/Output

Displays a menu that allows you to control how noise levels are to be measured and gives you access to the advanced menu.

DANL Method Allows you to select one of two alternative methods of measuring the

Displayed Average Noise Level (

Atten The Attenuation method attenuates any incoming signal

to such an extent that it is almost lost within the background noise. The noise level can then be measured.

Removal The Removal method of measuring DANL requires the

input signal to be physically disconnected from the analyzer before the noise level is measured. The analyzer will tell you when to remove or disconnect the signal, and when to reconnect it afterwards.

DANL).

Front-Panel Key Reference

NOTE Every analyzer generates some noise of its own. By measuring this

noise level, you can compensate for it and thus obtain more accurate phase noise measurements. The

Attenuation method of DANL

measurement is accurate enough for most purposes and is generally more convenient, but the Removal method is the more accurate.

Advanced Gives you access to the

Max Mixer Level Allows you to control the maximum signal level at the

Advanced menu of Input functions.

mixer. For wide offset (greater than 1 MHz) phase noise measurements, increasing the maximum mixer level towards its compression point maximizes the measurement range.

Min Carrier Lvl Allows you to set the minimum level anticipated for

your measurement. This is particularly important when using an external mixer which has high conversion loss. The error message, “Carrier not found/peak not found” is displayed if the carrier level is below the

Corrections Allows you to set corrections.

Min Carrier Lvl setting.

Input/Output Displays the basic spectrum analyzer’s Input/Output menu. Refer to

the PSA Series Spectrum Analyzers User’s and Programmer’s Reference Vo lu m e 1 for more information.

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Front-Panel Key Reference

Marker

Displays a menu that allows you to set each of the four markers to mark, or display, a particular measurement.

Monitor Spectrum Measurements

Displays the basic spectrum analyzer’s Marker menu. Please refer to the

PSA Series Spectrum Analyzers User’s and Programmer’s Reference Vo l u me 1 for more information.

Spot Frequency Measurements

Marker functionality is not available for Spot Frequency measurements.

Log Plot Measurement

Front-Panel Key Reference

The following marker keys are available for Log Plot measurements:

Select Marker Allows you to select one of the four possible markers. Having selected

one of the markers, use the other softkeys on this menu to specify the type of marker or measurement.

Normal Sets the specified marker to be a normal marker. That is, it marks the

point of the frequency offset that you specify, and then the analyzer measures and displays the phase noise at this point.

Delta A delta marker is actually a pair of markers. By pressing

Delta, you set

a pair of markers at your current frequency offset. One of this pair of markers (indicated by an ‘R’ on the display) is fixed while the second of the pair can be moved using your RPG knob or the numeric keys. The frequency difference and the phase noise difference between these two points is displayed.

RMS Noise Displays a second menu allowing access to three RMS noise functions.

An RMS Noise marker is actually a pair of markers. By pressing

Noise Degrees

, you get a pair of markers at your current frequency

RMS

offset. One of this pair of markers (indicated by an ‘R’ on the display) is fixed while the second of the pair can be moved using your RPG knob or the numeric keys.

RMS Noise

Degrees

The root mean square (RMS) of the phase noise

between these two points is calculated, and is displayed in degrees.

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Front-Panel Key Reference

Marker

RMS Noise Radians The root mean square (RMS) of the phase noise

between these two points is calculated, and is displayed in radians.

RMS Noise Jitter The root mean square (RMS) of the jitter between these

two points is calculated, and is displayed in units of

-12

time, typically in picoseconds (‘ps’ or 10

-15

femtoseconds (‘fs’ or 10

sec).

sec) or

Residual FM A Residual FM marker is actually a pair of markers. By pressing

Residual FM, you set a pair of markers at your current frequency offset.

One of this pair of markers (indicated by an ‘R’ on the display) is fixed while the second of the pair can be moved using your RPG knob or the numeric keys. The root mean square (RMS) of the residual FM between these two points is calculated and displayed.

Off Switches the specified marker off.

Marker Trace Allows you to select which of the three traces your currently selected

marker is applied to.

Marker Table Allows you to display all of the data from all of your markers in a

tabular form. For every marker you have set, the table shows the number of the trace to which it has been applied, the marker’s position on the X axis, and its measured Y axis value. As an aid to interpretation, each marker’s trace number is displayed in the same color as the trace itself, that is yellow for trace 1, cyan blue for trace 2, and magenta pink for trace 3.

On Sets the marker table on. The table is displayed

beneath the graticule.

Off Sets the marker table display off.

Marker All Off Switches all markers off. All markers are removed from the graticule

display, and if the marker table is also displayed, all entries are removed from the table.

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Front-Panel Key Reference

Meas Setup

Displays a menu that allows you to enter custom setup parameters for a measurement. The setup menu displayed depends on whether the Monitor Spectrum, Spot Frequency or the Log Plot measurement was selected in the Spectrum Analyzer mode. Refer to the PSA Series Spectrum Analyzers User’s and Programmer’s Reference Volume 1 for more information on these keys.

MEASURE menu. Some keys are the same as in the basic

Avg Number Allows you to specify the number of measurements to be averaged.

After the specified number of average counts, the

Avg Mode setting

determines the averaging action. You can also set the averaging function to

On Enables the measurement averaging.

Off Disables the measurement averaging.

On or Off.

Avg Mode Allows you to select the type of termination control used for the

averaging function. This determines the averaging action after the specified number of measurements (average count) is reached. Available for Monitor Spectrum and Spot Frequency measurements only. This key is grayed out and set to “REPeat” for Log Plot measurements.

Exp After the average count is reached, each successive

data acquisition is exponentially weighted and combined with the existing average.

NOTE The Exponential average mode is not available when Phase Noise

optimization f Mode is On (see PhNoise Opt f) and the spot frequency offset is between 40 kHz and 60 kHz.

Front-Panel Key Reference

Repeat After the average count is reached, the averaging is

reset and a new average is started.

Restore Meas Defaults

Sets up the analyzer parameters for the measurement using the factory default analyzer settings. (This only affects measurement parameters for this measurement and does not affect any mode parameters.) If you have made any manual changes to the measurement parameters, restoring the measurement defaults will ensure valid measurements.

Meas Type Provides the menu keys that allow you to specify whether you want to

measure the

Phase Noise of a signal or the DANL Floor of the analyzer.

Available for Log Plot and Spot Frequency measurements only.

Phase Noise Specifies that the analyzer is to measure the phase

noise of an input signal.

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Front-Panel Key Reference

Meas Setup

DANL Floor Specifies that the analyzer’s DANL (Displayed Average

Noise Level) floor is to be measured.

Spot Offset Determines the frequency offset at which the phase noise is to be

measured. Available for Spot Frequency measurements only.

Table Index The analyzer can hold and display the last 101 phase noise

measurements. A subset of 22 of these 101 measurement values can be viewed as a table by selecting the menu. By specifying the

Tabl e I n d e x , you can determine which of the

Numerical option from the Trace/View

measurement results are displayed. Your selected measurement, referred to by its

Table Ind ex number, is highlighted in yellow. Available

for Spot Frequency measurements only.

Advanced Provides access to the Advanced menu of setup functions. Available for

Spot Frequency measurements only.

PhNoise Opt f Used to select the offset frequency (measured relative

to the carrier signal) at which the analyzer switches internal filters to make its phase noise measurement. If set to

Auto, the analyzer will repeat the phase noise

measurement with the crossover frequency both above and below your measurement offset, and will display the more accurate of the two measurements. You cannot improve on the measurement’s accuracy by setting this to

Manual, but you can improve the speed of

the measurement.

NOTE The analyzer uses one of two different filters when measuring phase

noise. One filter gives more accurate results at small offsets, and the other filter is more accurate at larger offsets. You can manually specify whether you wish the crossover point between these two filters to be above or below your measurement offset. If you make two measurements on the same signal, one with the crossover point below your measurement offset and the other one with it above your signal, the lower figure will be the more accurate.

RBW/Spot Offset

The resolution bandwidth is specified as a percentage of

the spot offset frequency. This key allows you to specify that percentage figure.

Smoothing Allows you to specify the amount of smoothing done to the trace after

the measurement has been performed. The amount of smoothing can be varied between 0.00% and 16.0%. By default, both the trace of the raw data and the smoothed trace are displayed. Available for Log Plot measurements only.

Filtering Allows you to specify whether or not to apply filtering to the signal. If

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Front-Panel Key Reference

Meas Setup

you do select filtering, there are four levels from which you can select:

none, little, medium, and maximum. Available for Log Plot measurements

only.

None No filtering is performed. The video bandwidth to

resolution bandwidth ratio (VBW/RBW) is fixed at

1.000.

Little A small amount of filtering is performed. The video

bandwidth to resolution bandwidth ratio (VBW/RBW) is fixed at 0.300.

Medium A moderate amount of filtering is performed. The video

bandwidth to resolution bandwidth ratio (VBW/RBW) is fixed at 0.100.

Maximum A large amount of filtering is performed. The video

bandwidth to resolution bandwidth (VBW/RBW) is fixed at 0.030.

NOTE Smoothing is faster than Filtering. However, there is a risk with

smoothing that you might hide sudden changes in amplitude that might occur over a very small frequency range.

Decade Table Allows you to toggle the Decade Table

On and Off. The Decade Table is a

table of measurements that shows, for each of the analyzer’s three traces (3 max.), the value in dBc/Hz at the point where the traces cross each decade line on the display. Available for Log Plot measurements only.

Cancellation If you have acquired a

DANL trace from the analyzer, or a trace taken

from a very clean source at the same frequency range that you are measuring, then you can automatically subtract this from your measurement. This softkey displays a submenu allowing you to perform this type of automatic noise cancellation. Available for Log Plot measurements only.

Front-Panel Key Reference

Cancellation Allows you to switch the automatic noise cancellation

feature

Ref Trace Allows you to specify which of the three traces holds the

On or Off.

reference trace data. This data is automatically subtracted from your phase noise measurement when

Cancellation is switched On.

NOTE For a trace to be used as a Ref Trace, it must be in Reference (View)

mode, and must cover the same range of frequencies as those currently being measured.

Threshold Allows you to specify the threshold level for noise

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Meas Setup

cancellation. This value represents the minimum difference that must exist at each frequency point between the reference trace and the measured trace for one to be subtracted from the other.

Front-Panel Key Reference

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Front-Panel Key Reference

MEASURE

Accesses menu keys that allow you to make Monitor Spectrum, Spot Frequency and Log Plot measurements.

Monitor

Displays the frequency spectrum.

Spectrum

Spot Frequency Measures the phase noise of the input signal at one discrete frequency

offset.

Log Plot Displays a logarithmic plot of the measured phase noise over a range of

frequency offsets.

Front-Panel Key Reference

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Front-Panel Key Reference

MODE

Accesses menu keys allowing you to select the measurement mode of your analyzer. Additional measurement personality software must be installed and activated in the analyzer for the other mode softkeys to be labeled and functional.

Front-Panel Key Reference

Spectrum

Accesses the spectrum analyzer menu keys and associated functions.

Analysis

Phase Noise Accesses the Phase Noise measurement personality menu keys and

associated functions. This allows you to setup and make valid Phase Noise measurements.

NOTE This menu will have additional entries if other personalities have been

installed, for example GSM Option 202 or cdmaOne Option BAC.

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Front-Panel Key Reference

Mode Setup

Accesses a menu allowing you to view information about the Phase Noise application and to set the phase noise measurement parameters back to their factory default settings.

Properties Displays the Phase Noise application version number.

Mode Setup

Restore Mode Setup Defaults

Sets up the spectrum analyzer’s parameters for the mode using the factory default mode settings.

Front-Panel Key Reference

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Front-Panel Key Reference

Preset

Provides a convenient starting point for making most measurements.

Depends on the preset type setting (user, mode, or factory) in the

System keys. If the preset type is set to Factory, pressing Preset results

in an immediate analyzer preset to the factory defaults. If it is set to

User, pressing Preset accesses a menu that allows you choose your

preset settings from either the factory default values or the settings you have previously defined as the

User Preset Restores the analyzer to a user defined state. The state was defined

from the selected and

System key menu when the Power On/Preset function was

Save, User Preset was pressed. If you did not save a user

state, then the current power-up state is stored as the user preset file for use when

Preset is pressed.

Factory Preset A full factory preset is executed so the analyzer is returned to the

factory default state. The preset type can be set to

Power On/Preset function in the System key menu.

User preset state.

Factory from the

Mode Preset Restores the mode defaults of the current mode, or of the mode that was

in use when the analyzer was turned off or powered down. See the PSA Series Spectrum Analyzers User’s and Programmer’s Reference Vo l u me 1 for more details.

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Front-Panel Key Reference

SPAN X Scale

Monitor Spectrum Measurements

Span Allows you to change the frequency span symmetrically about the

center frequency. To determine the frequency span per vertical graticule division, divide the frequency span by 10.

Full Span Sets the span back to the analyzer’s full range and adjusts the center

frequency accordingly. Pressing

Zero Span Changes the frequency span to zero. Pressing Zero Span turns Signal

Track

off.

Full Span turns Signal Track off.

Log Plot Measurements

Start Offset Allows you to specify the offset frequency at which your Log Plot

measurement will start.

Stop Offset Allows you to specify the offset frequency at which your Log Plot

measurement will stop.

Spot Frequency Measurements

Scale/Div Although the Spot Frequency display appears to be showing a

continuously moving plot, it is actually made up of a number of discrete individual measurements plotted over time. This softkey allows you to specify how many measurements will be plotted between each successive division on the graticule.

Front-Panel Key Reference

NOTE Scale/Div affects both the phase noise display and the delta freq display

simultaneously.

Ref Value The analyzer stores up to 101 measurement values which it updates

continually. These values are then used to generate the plot on the screen. If you are displaying fewer than the full 101 measurements (in other words, you have set Scale/Div (above) to less than 10), you can use this softkey to specify the measurement number with which your display is to start.

NOTE Ref Value affects both the phase noise display and the delta freq display

simultaneously.

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Front-Panel Key Reference

Sweep Menu

Sweep Time Allows you to specify the sweep time for your measurement. This key is

grayed out in Log Plot measurements as the best setting is automatically calculated for each linear segment.

Sweep Specifies whether the analyzer sweeps (or measures) continually, or

whether it performs a single sweep and then stops.

Single The analyzer performs one single measurement and

then stops. You have to press the time you want to make another measurement.

Cont The analyzer continuously measures the signal it is

receiving and repeatedly updates the plots and the measurements.

Auto Sweep Time Lets the analyzer automatically select the sweep time. Refer to the PSA

Series Spectrum Analyzers User’s and Programmer’s Reference Volume 1 for more information.

Restart button every

FFT & Sweep Allows you to select Manual or Swept for Monitor Spectrum and Spot

Frequency measurements. This key is grayed out in Log Plot measurements as the best setting is automatically calculated for each linear segment.

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Front-Panel Key Reference

Trace/View

Accesses the Trace/View menu keys that allow you to set the way the measurement result information is displayed. The menu options will vary depending on the measurement that is selected under the menu. If

Sig ID is On, the Trace/View menu is unavailable.

Monitor Spectrum Measurements

Measure

Refer to the PSA Series Spectrum Analyzers User’s and Programmer’s Reference Volume 1.

Log Plot Measurements

Trace Allows you to select any of the three traces to then specify its

characteristics.

Raw The trace selected in Trac e (above) records and displays the raw

measurement data.

Smoothed The trace selected in Trace (above) records and displays the smoothed

measurement data.

Reference (View) The trace selected in

its display on the screen. Trace 1 displays in yellow, trace 2 in cyan blue, and trace 3 in magenta pink.

Blank The trace selected in Tr ace (above) is blanked out on the screen so you

can no longer see it.

Operations Selects a menu allowing you to move data between traces.

Trace (above) is set to Reference (View). You can see

Front-Panel Key Reference

1 -> 2 Copies the data in Trace 1 to Trace 2.

1 -> 3 Copies the data in Trace 1 to Trace 3.

2 -> 1 Copies the data in Trace 2 to Trace 1.

2 -> 3 Copies the data in Trace 2 to Trace 3.

3 -> 1 Copies the data in Trace 3 to Trace 1.

3 -> 2 Copies the data in Trace 3 to Trace 2.

1 <-> 2 Swaps the data in Trace 1 and Trace 2.

1 <-> 3 Swaps the data in Trace 1 and Trace 3.

2 <-> 3 Swaps the data in Trace 2 and Trace 3.

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Front-Panel Key Reference

Trace/View

NOTE When data is stored in a trace, that trace is set to Reference (View)

mode.

Load/Save Accesses a menu allowing you to load stored trace data to the analyzer,

and to save trace data to files.

Trace Specifies which of the three traces you wish to save or

load.

Drive Specifies which drive (that is, which disk) you wish to

load data from or store data to. ‘Drive A:’ is a floppy disk and ‘C:’ is the analyzer’s hard disk.

Filename Displays the alphabetic editor allowing you to specify

the name of the file that you wish to load or save. The file extension .LPT is automatically added to the name you type.

Save Trace Saves the trace that you selected to the filename and

drive (disk) that you specified. The filename has the extension .LPT added automatically.

Load Trace Takes the filename from the drive (disk) that you

specified, and loads the data into the trace that you have selected.

Spot Frequency Measurements

Graphical Measurement data is displayed graphically, and only the most recent

measurement value is displayed numerically. If signal tracking has been switched on, a graphical display of the change in frequency is shown alongside the phase noise plot.

Numerical A subset of 22 of the 101 measurements is shown in a table to the left of

the display. The phase noise plot is still shown, but the delta frequency display is removed, regardless of whether signal tracking is switched on

or off.

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5 Language Reference

These commands are only available when the Phase Noise mode has been selected using analyzer :SELect or analyzer :NSELect. If the Phase Noise mode is selected, commands that are unique to another mode are not available.

Language Reference

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Language Reference

CALCulate Subsystem

This subsystem is used to perform post-acquisition data processing. In effect, the collection of new data triggers the CALCulate subsystem. In this instrument, the primary functions in this subsystem are markers and limits.

The SCPI default for the data output format is ASCII. The format can be changed to binary with FORMat:DATA which transports faster over the bus.

CALCulate:LPLot Subsystem

The Log Plot measurement shows a graph of the phase noise power plotted versus the log of the frequency offset from the carrier.

Decade Table On/Off

:CALCulate:LPLot:DECade:TABLe[:STATe] OFF|ON|0|1

:CALCulate:LPLot:DECade:TABLe[:STATe]?

The decade table shows the measured values for each plot at every point where the trace(s) cross(es) a decade line on the display. This command turns the decade table display on or off.

Example: CALC:LPL:DEC:TABL ON

Remarks: The LPLot keyword must be specified in the command.

Front Panel Access:

Language Reference

Co p y Trace A to Trace B

Meas Setup, More, Decade Table

:CALCulate:LPLot:TRACe:COPY[A][B]

Copies the contents of one trace [A] to another trace [B].

Remarks: There are no spaces in the command. In other

words, :COPY12 is a valid command that would copy Trace 1 and Trace 2. :COPY1 2 would be invalid as it contains a space.

Front Panel Access:

Trace/View, More, Operations

Trace M o de

:CALCulate:LPLot:TRACe[1]|2|3:MODE?

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Language Reference

CALCulate Subsystem

This determines the type of trace stored and displayed in the selected trace.

Factory Preset: Trace 1: Raw

Trace 2: Smoothed

Trace 3: Blank

Range: Raw, Smoothed, View or Blank

Front Panel Access:

Swap Trace A and Trace B

:CALCulate:LPLot:TRACe:SWAP[A][B]

Swaps the contents of two traces, [A] and [B]. Trace [A] data moves to Trace [B], while Trace [B] data moves to Trace [A].

Remarks: There are no spaces in the command. In other

words, :SWAP12 is a valid command that would swap Trace 1 to Trace 2 data. :SWAP1 2 would be invalid as it contains a space.

Front Panel Access:

Trace/View, More 1 of 2, Operations

CALCulate:MARKers Subsystem

Marker Mode

:CALCulate:LPLot:MARKer[1]|2|3|4:MODE?

This command specifies the calculation mode for each of the four markers.

• POSition - Sets the specified marker to be a ‘normal’ marker. That is, it measures the phase noise at your specified frequency offset.

• DELTa - Sets the specified marker to measure the difference in frequency between the first and the second marker.

• RMSDegree - Sets the specified marker to measure the RMS of the phase noise between the first and the second marker. The result is displayed in degrees.

• RMSRadian - Sets the specified marker to measure the RMS of the phase noise between the first and the second marker. The result is displayed in radians.

Language Reference

• RFM - Sets the specified marker to measure the RMS of the residual

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Language Reference

CALCulate Subsystem

FM between the first and the second marker. The result is displayed in Hertz.

• RMSJitter - Sets the specified marker to measure the RMS of the jitter between the first and the second marker. The result is displayed in units of time.

• OFF - Turns the marker off.

Example: CALC:LPL:MARK:MODE RMSD

Remarks: The LPLot keyword must be specified in the command.

Front Panel Access:

Marker

Marker Table On/Off

:CALCulate:LPLot:MARKer:TABLe[:STATe] OFF|ON|0|1

:CALCulate:LPLot:MARKer:TABLe[:STATe]?

Turns the marker table display on or off.

Example: CALC:LPL:MARK:TABL ON

Remarks: The LPLot keyword must be specified in the command.

Front Panel Access:

Marker, More 1 of 2, Marker Table

Marker Trace

:CALCulate:LPLot:MARKer[1]|2|3|4:TRACe <tracenum>

:CALCulate:LPLot:MARKer[1]|2|3|4:TRACe?

Language Reference

This command specifies the trace on which the specified marker will be placed.

Example: CALC:LPL:MARK:TRAC 3

Remarks: The LPLot keyword must be specified in the command.

Front Panel Access:

Marker, Select Marker, Marker Trace

Marker X Value

:CALCulate:LPLot:MARKer[1]|2|3|4:X <number>

:CALCulate:LPLot:MARKer[1]|2|3|4:X?

This command positions the selected marker at the specified position on

100 Chapter 5

Agilent E4445A Phase Noise Guide

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Phase Noise Guide

Table of Contents

List of Commands

1 Getting Started

Introduction

Specifications

Installing Optional Measurement Personalities

Do You Have Enough Memory to Load All Your Personality Options?

How to Predict Your Memory Requirements

Loading an Optional Measurement Personality

Obtaining and Installing a License Key

Viewing a License Key

Using the Delete License Key on PSA

Ordering Optional Measurement Personalities

Starting the Phase Noise Personality

Using the Phase Noise Personality

Using the Phase Noise Personality

Phase Noise Measurements

Log Plot Measurements

Spot Frequency Measurements

Smoothing, Averaging and Filtering

Signal Tracking

Measurement Considerations

Slowly Drifting Signals

System Noise Floor

Cancellation and Log Plot Measurements

Background Information

Log Plot Cancellation

Creating a DANL Floor Reference Trace

Creating a Signal Phase Noise Reference Trace

Saving Traces

Restoring Traces

3 Menu Maps

What You Will Find in This Chapter

Menus

Amplitude Menu - Log Plot

Amplitude Menu - Spot Frequency

BW/Avg Menu

Det/Demod Menu - Log Plot and Spot Frequency

Display Menu - Log Plot

Display Menu - Monitor Spectrum

Display Menu - Spot Frequency

File Menu (1 of 6)

File Menu (2 of 6)

File Menu (3 of 6)

File Menu (4 of 6)

File Menu (5 of 6)

File Menu (6 of 6)

Frequency/Channel Menu

Input Output Menu

Marker Menu - Log Plot

Measure Menu

Meas Setup Menu - Log Plot

Meas Setup Menu - Monitor Spectrum

Meas Setup Menu - Spot Frequency

Mode Menu

Mode Setup Menu

Span (X Scale) Menu - Log Plot

Span (X Scale) Menu - Monitor Spectrum

Span (X Scale) Menu - Spot Frequency

Sweep Menu - Log Plot

Sweep Menu - Spot Frequency

Trigger Menu

Trace/View Menu - Log Plot

Trace/View Menu - Monitor Spectrum

Trace/View Menu - Spot Frequency

4 Front-Panel Key Reference

Key Descriptions and Locations

AMPLITUDE Y Scale

Monitor Spectrum Measurements

Log Plot Measurements

Spot Frequency Measurements

BW/Avg

Det/Demod

Display

FREQUENCY Channel