Washington Street Melrose, MA 02176 - TestEquipmentDepot.com
Version DateSoftware Version
1.0 April 2016152.100.100
- 0 MI2756 -
USER'S MANUAL VERSION
Page 2
SAFETY RULES
Safety Instructions
During each stage of operation of this instrument, please always observe the
following safety instructions. Not taking any safety precautions or following the
instructions will violate the safety standards of design, manufacturing and
application of these instruments. In no case will PROMAX bear the responsibilities
for consequences incurred by violation of the following instructions.
General
This product is a Safety Class 1 instrument. The protective features of this
product may be impaired if it is used in a manner not specified in the operation
instrument.
Environmental conditions
It is designed to operate at a maximum relative humidity of 95% and at altitudes
of up to 2000 meters. Refer to the specifications tables.
Before applying power
Verify that the product is set to match the available line voltage, the correct fuse
is installed, and all safety precautions are taken. Note the instrument’s external
markings described under Symbols.
Do not operate in an explosive atmosphere
Do not operate the instrument in the presence of flammable gases or fumes.
Do not remove the instrument cover
Operating personnel must not remove instrument covers. Component replacement
and internal adjustments must be made only by qualified service personnel.
Instrument that appears damaged or defective should be made inoperative and
secured against unintended operation until they can be repaired by qualified
service personnel.
Electrical safety precautions
If you need to ensure that the equipment completely off, unplug the power line
and remove the battery.
Warning
Only using the AC/DC power adapter in the room.
The equipment should be placed where the surrounding air can flow freely.
Do not operate equipment in the flammable gas or near the smoke.
Do not operate equipment if any part of outer surface (upper cover panel, etc.)
damaged, To avoid the electric shock.
Only approved professional personnel can open and debug and maintenance or
repair the equipment when its power supply is turned on.
Even turn off the power supply, equipment still be in a charged state over a
period of time due to internal capacitor.
Page 3
* Symbols related with safety:
Descriptive Examples of Over-Voltage Categories
Cat I Low voltage installations isolated from the mains.
Cat II Portable domestic installations.
Cat III Fixed domestic installations.
Cat IV Industrial installations.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
1
GENERAL INFORMATION ...................................................................... 5
1.1 Scope of this information................................................................ 5
1.2 Unpacking and Inspection............................................................... 5
Thank you for purchasing Promax instrument. Please read this manual carefully
before using any of Promax instrument. Always observe the warnings and
cautions appearing throughout this manual.
This manual contains the information necessary for proper operation and
maintenance of AC-726 instrument, troubleshooting instructions as well as
information regarding obtaining services.
1.2
1.3
Unpacking and Inspection
This instrument has been carefully packed in accordance with standard shipping
procedures. Examine the instrument for damage that may have occurred during
shipment. If you find any damage or the instrument is not working, or if any of
the following items are not included, please contact your representative of
Promax.
Product Introduction
AC-726 product is portable, easy to learn and use. Has the characteristics of
powerful function, fast operation, integrated intelligent etc.
AC-726 product is equipped with a large and easy to read color LCD which can
display the measurement data, trace and figure. This product has rich peripheral
interface, users can easily backup or upload data. It is also equipped with a
special PC software with which users can analyze, print, record and archive
measuring data and report with PC management and analysis software. Large
capacity battery, support more than 8 hours of continuous work if charged fully.
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2 EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION
2.1
The head cover
Figure 1.
The head cover contains a variety of interface. A detailed description of the
following.
RF connector: To connect cable and antenna unit to be tested.
RJ45 LAN: Reserved.
Ear socket: Reserved.
USB Device port: To connect PC, then users can run special software to
analyze and manage measurement data.
USB host port: To connect flash disk.
Adapter socket: To connect external AC-DC adapter.
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2.2
Front panel
Screen display area
Indicator LED
Power ON (short press) / OFF (long press)
Keypad
Pen holder
Description for indicator lights:
Position State Meaning
Left
Right
Figure 2.
Red Battery Charging…
Green Battery Charge fully
Off Power off
Green Power on
Red Measuring…
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Description for hard keyboard:
Adjust the display screen brightness, there are four
levels.
Switch display mode (black and white, normal, night
vision, and high contrast).
Preview, save the measurement picture.
Save calibration and measurement curve.
Popup or down the right menu.
Quick start measurement.
Backspace.
Return to the previous interface.
Left and right move marker line.
Up and down move limit line.
Enter key.
Digital key, input 0-9.
* Decimal point.
# Minus sign.
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3 USER INTERFACE AND MENU INSTRUCTIONS
3.1
Turn on the instrument
Press , equipment will display the boot picture. During startup, the right light
turns red, the system will initialize DSP system, self check system state, etc.
When main interface appear, the boot process end, the right light turns green.
Figure 3.: Main interface
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3.2
Main interface
Click “MEASUREMENT” Icon, 5 sub-icons appear, corresponding to the five
measurement modes: DTF (distance fault) return loss, DTF-VSWR, Frequency
return loss, Frequency-VSWR, cable loss. Click the icon, the system will go into
the corresponding measurement interface.
Figure 4.: Main interface
NOTE: Click other icons in the main interface (CALIBRATION, SETTINGS, HELP),
system will enter the corresponding operation interface.
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3.3
Measurement Interface
Figure 5.
Measurement interface mainly consists of the following parts:
No. Name Position Function and Description
1 Status bar Top
2
3
4
5
Function
menu
Function
menu
Message
bar
Display
area
Right
Bottom For details see later chapter.
Left
Middle For details see later chapter.
Display the system status and
measurement information.
For details, see the later chapter.
Note: If some menu are selected, this
part may will refresh.
Frequency, distance, measuring points
etc.
If the user wants to zoom in the display area, can click the arrow
or “Nav”
key. Click again the area will zoom out.
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Detailed description:
Function Function and Description.
Power management mode: standard and power saving
mode.
Measurement state: idle and measuring.
Time: year/month/date/hour/minute.
The adapter and battery state:
1. Connect an external adapter, without battery display adapter icon;
2. Connect an external adapter, with battery charging
- display charging icon;
Status bar
3. Connect an external adapter, with battery full display adapter icon;
4. Without adapter, only battery - display battery icon,
divided into 5 levels. If battery is low voltage
system will alarm.
Measurement
information
Function
menu 1
Calibration state: (valid)On or (unvalid) off
Note: Only when calibration is valid (on), user can start
measurement.
Marker information.
Limit line information.
Measurement points: 137, 275, 551, 1103.
Start and stop frequency and distance.
Cal mode: enter calibration interface.
Parameter: enter parameter setting menu. If user in the
freq-return loss/ freq-VSWR/cable loss measurement
mode, it will go into frequency parameter setting menu; If
user in the DTF-return loss/DTF-VSWR measurement
mode, it will go into DTF parameters menu, more
parameters and information will be included in this menu.
Display: For details see later chapter.
Data-> Mem: Save current data to memory.
Note: only one data can be save to the memory.
Auto Run: Start continuous measurement, clicks again to
stop.
Note: While measuring and Auto Run state is on, some
functions are prohibited. If users want to use these
function again, need to click the menu once again and
check the state is off.
Single run: Start single measurement, the system enters
the idle state after measurement.
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RL/SWR: fast switching between the return loss and VSWR
measurement.
Marker: For details see later chapter.
Function
Limit: For details see later chapter.
menu 2
Scale: For details see later chapter.
Smooth/Average: turn on/off Smooth/Average function.
User can utilize these function to observe and analyze
measurement dat.
File: For details see later chapter.
Main display
area
Display the measurement results and other information.
3.4
The function menu description
3.4.1
Marker
In all five measurement mode users can use mark function. The user click
"marker" menu, new mark menu will appear on the right side of screen.
Figure 6.
The system supports 5 marker lines (M1, M2, M3, M4, M5), each marker can be
independent turn on/off and edited. The user can also close all markers.
The user clicks on "MX", the MX marker automatically is activated. The status will
be shown on the top status bar. Users click on the "Edit" menu, the edit menu
will show on the left side of the main display area.
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Figure 7.: Marker setting menu
Figure 8.: Marker setting menu
The user can define the position of marker line by the following ways:
► The soft keyboard to enter digital value.
► The hard keyboard to enter digital value.
► Touch screen directly with touch pen to move and define the location.
► Left and right arrow key of hard keyboard to fine adjust and define the
location.
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After the location of the mark line is determined, users need to confirm the
operation (soft keyboard "Enter
" key or hard keyboard "OK" key).
Users also can click on the "mark to the peak" or "mark to the valley" to
determine the location of the mark line.
For M2~M5, the system also supports difference marker relative to M1. Users
click on the "MX-M1", the system will go into the difference marker mode. The
status displayed in the status bar is the difference between X and Y direction, i.e.
(MX2~5-MX1; MY2~5-MY1).
3.4.2
Limit Line
In all five measurement mode users can use limit line function. The user click on
the "limit
click on the “[On]/off
"menu, the limit menu will appear on the right side of screen. The user
” menu and activate this function. The limit line status
information will display on the top of the screen.
Figure 9.: Limit menu
System supports single section and multi section limit line.
The user clicks on edit box of limit line status(x, y independently), the new edit
menu will pop-up on the left of the screen.
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Figure 10.: Limit setting menu
The user can define the limit line position by the following ways
► The soft keyboard to enter digital value
► The hard keyboard to enter digital value
► Touch screen directly with touch pen to move and define the location
► Up and down arrow key of hard keyboard to fine adjust and define the
location
After the location of the limit line is determined, users need to confirm the
operation (soft keyboard "Enter
Users can also enable the limit line alarm function. If this function is enabled,
once the measurement data exceeds the limit line, limit line color will turn red
(the default is green).
" key or hard keyboard "OK" key).
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3.4.3
Scale
Scale function is mainly used to adjust the Y axis, convenient for users to view
data.
Figure 11.: Scale menu
Figure 12.: Manual scale setting menu
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Name Function and Description
Default Y axis coordinate go back to the default value.
Return Loss 0~60.
VSWR 1~65.
Cable Loss 0~30.
Auto Adjust Y axis automatically to adapt current measurement
data.
Manual Users can edit upper and lower line of Y axis coordinate
manually.
NOTE: The upper and lower coordinate can only be edited if “manual
activated.
3.4.4
File
The user can save measurement data or picture to PC; also can recall
measurement data from PC to AC-726. This function facilitate users to
analyze the measurement data later.
” menu is
Figure 13.: File menu
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Figure 14.: Save file interface
Figure 15.: Image preview interface
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Figure 16.: File import interface
Figure 17.: File delete interface
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Name Function and Description
Save Data The default file type is .csv format.
The default file name includes the measurement mode, frequency,
measuring points, the time information.
users can choose to save in the local memory or external memory
Only support measurement and calibration data.
Save
Picture
The default file type is the.JPG format.
The default file name includes the measurement mode, frequency,
measuring points, the time information.
users can choose to save in the local memory or external memory
Only support measurement data.
Screenshot only support the curve of measurement data.
Recall
Data
The target file can be stored in the local memory or external
memory.
Import file must be.csv type and the format must be correct.
Delete Delete the files.
NOTE: User must return to the superior interface before removing the external
disk.
3.4.5
Display
The display menu is mainly used for data analysis. Users can save current data
(either current measurement data or recalled history data) to the memory, then
compare the current measured data and memory data.
Figure 18.: Display menu
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Figure 19.: Display setting menu
Name Function and Description
Save current data to memory.
Data->Mem
Note: Only one data can save.
The data can be the current measurement data, can also be a
historical data. It can recall from local or external disk.
Only Data Display the current measurement data.
Only Memory Display the memory data.
Display the current measuring data and memory data at the
Data &
Memory
same time.
Note: the format of two data must be same , such as the
mode of measurement, frequency, measuring points, the
distance information etc.
Data +
Memory
Data Memory
Display “the current measuring data plus the memory data”.
Note: the format of two data must be same , such as the
mode of measurement, frequency, measuring points, the
distance information etc.
Display “the current measuring data - the memory data”.
Note: the format of two data must be same , such as the
mode of measurement, frequency, measuring points, the
distance information etc.
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3.4.6
Average/Smooth
Figure 20.: Average/Smooth menu
Name Function and description.
Smooth For a single curve do smooth operation.
Average For 2 relative curve do average operation.
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3.5
Calibration interface
The user need to calibrate before the measurement. This instrument use open
short load (OSL) calibration. Users need to follow the instruction and connect
open / short/50 Ohm load respectively to the RF port and do calibration.
Figure 21.: Calibration interface
The calibration interface is similar to measurement interface. On the left-top of
screen including frequency information, On the left-bottom of screen including
calibration information.
The user can save current calibration data to the local or external disk, or Import
history calibration data to AC-726.
Before calibration, the user need to set the correct parameters, Mainly refer to
the frequency and measurement points. The completion calibration, the
corresponding curve will display on the screen. If calibration is valid, the status
on the left-bottom will become “cal On”. If calibration is invalid or unfinished, the
status will be “cal off”.
After the calibration, the user can return directly to the measurement interface
for measurement.
System support different calibration kit only if user know the exact electrical
length of open/short load. Users can input this parameters in the e parameter
menu.
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Is the electrical
length of open
and short cal kit
same?
Is the exact
electrical length of
open and short cal
kit known?
Return
Loss/VSWR/cable
Loss measurement
Phase/Impedenc-e
measurement
yes unknown support do not support
yes know support support
know support support
The return loss of 50 ohms cal kit need to be > 42.
The VSWR of open/short cal kit need to be >100.
If the user does not focus on phase and impedance characteristics, cal kit from
other manufacturers can be directly used (usually short and open cal kit have
same electrical length).
Figure 22.: Calibration setting menu
NOTE: The electric length is measured at 1GHz frequency, the unit is degree.
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3.6
System Settings Interface
In the system settings interface, users can do all kinds of system configuration.
Figure 23.: Language setting interface
Figure 24.: Clock setting interface
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Figure 25.: Back light setting interface
Figure 26.: Display mode setting interface
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Figure 27.: Fan mode setting interface
Figure 28.: Power mode setting interface
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Figure 29.: File manager interface
NOTE:
1. Please make sure that the external memory has been inserted before
operating “File Management”;
2. User must return to the superior interface before removing the external
disk to make sure files performed.
Figure 30.: Load default setting interface
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Name Function and Description
Language Support English / Spanish
Clock Year, month, date, hour, minute and second.
Back Light Support 4 levels brightness adjustment.
4 modes:
Default:
Display Mode
Black-white: used for printing
High-contrast:
Night vision: used in night environment
Three modes: Auto; Always On; Always Off.
Fan Mode
The default is Auto mode. If temperature higher than 45
degrees, fan is turned on; if below 35 degrees fan is
turned off.
Two modes: standard modes (default); power saving
mode.
Power Mode
If working in the power saving mode, the relative RF
circuits will be power on until measurement. It can save
power’s consumption and protect circuits, but its
disadvantage is the measurement time will be a little long.
For file management of both local disk and the external
disk.
File management
Support file copy and delete functions.
Support following file type: measurement data(.csv),
measurement image (.Jpg), calibration data (.csv).
Touch screen Cal
To calibrate the touch screen. Users Can exit by pushing
any hard key.
Default Restore to default value.
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3.7
Help Interface
Figure 31.: Version information interface
Figure 32.: Device information interface
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Figure 33.: Disk information interface
Figure 34.: Battery information interface
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Figure 35: Firmware update interface
On the help menu, the user can view a variety of instruments information;
meanwhile users can upgrade the firmware.
Name Function and Description
Version Info
Device Info
Incluyes hardware version software version instrument
serial number, etc.
Includes: board temperature, battery voltage and
instrument subsystems statue, etc.
Includes: the information of local disk and a built-in SD
Disk Info
card.
Note: the local disk refer to flash memory, the different
version of the program will have different residual space.
Battery Info
Showing the working status and residual power of the
battery and other information.
The user insert the U-disk to the instrument, select the
correct version file; the instrument will automatically
Update Firmware
upgrade.
After the upgrade is complete, the instrument
automatically restarts.
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4 COMMON OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
4.1
Set frequency parameter
The user needs to properly set the frequency parameter before testing. In the
following ways users can enter the frequency setting interface.
Figure 36: Calibration setting interface
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Figure 37: DTF setting interface
Figure 38: Frequency setting interface
35 April 2016
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► In the "calibration" interface, click on the "parameter" button
► In the "frequency return loss" or "frequency VSWR" or "cable loss
"measurement interface, click on the "parameter"
button
► The user can also input frequency parameters in "DTF parameter setting"
interface
After entering frequency setting interface, the user can set start frequency and
stop frequency through the following ways
► Select pre-defined Signal standard
► Manual input frequency parameter
Users can click on edit box to edit the parameter of frequency, system will pop up
the soft keyboard. The user also can directly press the digital keys of hard
keyboard.
The users need to select measurement points. System supports 4 options: 137,
275, 551, 1103.
If the measurement point is set to 1103, compared with the set to 551, it will
take about 2 times longer measurement time. And so on.
NOTE: The minimum frequency interval is 1 MHz.
The start frequency range is 25~3999 MHz; The stop frequency range is
26~4000 MHz.
The user can modify the pre-defined signal standard through PC software.
4.2
Set DTF parameter
The user needs to properly set the DTF parameter before DTF testing. In the
following ways users can enter the DTF setting interface.
Enter the "DTF-return loss" or "DTF-VSWR" measurement interface, select
"parameter
" menu.
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Figure 39 DTF setting interface
The user can complete the following functions at the DTF parameter setting
interface.
► Enter frequency information and measure points.
► Enter the distance information.
► Enter the cable parameters.
► Select the window function.
► Set unit (support metric and Imperial).
NOTE: The user can modify the pre-defined cable parameters through PC software.
4.2.1
Distance parameters need to satisfy the testing needs, but also associated with
the following parameters
Set Distance parameter
► The operating frequency range (F1, F2).
► The number of measured points (N).
► Cable propagation velocity (Vp).
Once the user set the operating frequency, the number of measured points, cable
propagation velocity, the maximum allowed cable length (D
) has be decided.
max
1
**8^10*150*max
=
37 April 2016
VpND
12
FF
−
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For the convenience of users, the system will automatically display the relevant
information (the maximum allowed cable length: Dmax; resolution Δ D) in the
upper right corner.
For example: N = 551; Vp = 0.85; F1 = 25 MHz, F2 = 4000 MHz. The
corresponding Dmax is 17.64 meters, Δ D is 0.03 meters;
Do not change the frequency, if users want to increase the allowed cable length,
can increase the number of measuring points, the corresponding test time can
also be longer.
NOTE: Due to the calculation of DTF, the minimum frequency interval is (N-1)
*100 kHz. If the measurement points is 551, corresponding minimum
frequency interval is 55 MHz.
The minimum distance interval is 1 meters (inch) or 1 feet (inch).
Start distance range is: 0~Max-1; stop distance range is 1~Dmax.
4.2.2
Set Cable parameter
Users can manually input cable parameters (velocity; cable loss) or select the
type of cable known.
The propagation velocity of electromagnetic wave in the cable is less than the
vacuum speed (300M meters /second). Propagation constant is 0.85, meaning
that the actual propagation velocity of the electromagnetic wave in the cable is
the 0.85*300M meters / second.
When the user in the fault distance analysis, often want to know the return loss
or VSWR of one exact connector. At that position, the cable loss and connector
return loss will be mixed together, systems need to remove cable loss impact in
the calculation connector return loss. The unit of cable loss is dB/ meter.
Users can select cable from pre-defined cable list. Usually the cable loss will vary
with frequency .System will automatically calculate the cable parameters
According to the cable parameters and working frequency.
If the user does not know any cable information and parameters, but have a
cable at hand, users can use the system tools ("cable" cal) to get these
parameters.
Click on the "cable cal" button in the DTF parameter interface, system will pop up
one window. Users enter the measured actual length of cable (0.5~10 m); one
end of the cable is connected to the RF port, the other end connected to open
load or connected to nothing. Once the calibration is completed, the cable
parameters will automatically refresh in DTF parameter interface.
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Figure40.
4.2.3
In the distance to the fault analysis, if the location of the two connectors are
close, because of the influence of spectral leakage, two connectors will be
influenced each other. If return loss of one connector is much smaller than
another one, most probably it will be lost and can’t be recognized. In this case
users should choose to use the window function.
Set Window Function
System support four types window function: rectangle window, Hamming
window, Keyser window, Blackman window.
4.3
OSL Calibratrion
The user needs to confirm the system is in "calibration valid" state before a test.
Before one test, system need to know beforehand the 3 known load (open
/short/50Ohm) test results. The user can import the previous calibration data; or
do OSL calibration before test.
The user can enter the calibration interface by the following ways.
► In the main interface, click on "calibration" mode icon.
► In the measurement of interface, click on the button "cal mode".
The OSL calibration procedure is as follows.
► Set the frequency parameter.
► Set up calibration parameters (optional).
► Calibrate the first load.
Connect the load to the RF ports, click on the corresponding button.
The system will pop up a small window, click on the “OK”.
System start calibration.
Once calibration is completed the screen will display the curve.
► Calibrate other loads.
► If all calibration of three loads completed, the green "cal on" will shown at
the lower left corner of the screen.
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Users can directly calibrate at the RF port, also can calibrate with a high
performance cable connected to RF port. If the former, usually, the calibration
curve of 50 ohm load will be significantly lower than the other two.
If calibration is completed, the user can start measurement.
The user can also select the file menu to save the calibration data in the local or
external disk.
After the system boot, the default calibration data will be recent one.
The user clicks on the "file" menu, click "import", can recall previous calibration
data. If the environment is similar, the previous calibration data can be used
directly.
NOTE: Need to re calibration if frequency changed or measurement points increased
Need to re calibration if temperature changes a lot
Do not need re calibration if measuring points reduced.
Do not need re calibration if distance, cable parameters, window function
changed.
The measurement can be used to verify the power matching of the port or the
loss of the cable .X axis coordinate is frequency, Y axis coordinate are VSWR, or
the return loss, or loss of cable separately.
In the following ways users can enter the measurement interface.
In the main interface, click on the "measurement
" icon, and then click the
corresponding icon.
In the measurement interface, the user can do a variety of measuring operation.
NOTE: Need to set proper frequency parameters before test
Need to confirm that the system is in "calibration valid" state before test
The minimum frequency interval is 1MHz
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4.5
DTF-VSWR, DTF-Return Loss measurement
The measurement can be used to verify the power matching performance of
different position of cable and antenna system, then user know a certain position
joint connection quality. X axis coordinate is distance, Y axis coordinate is VSWR,
or return loss.
In the following ways users can enter the measurement interface.
In the main interface, click on the "measurement
" icon, and then click the
corresponding icon.
At the measurement interface, the user can do a variety of measuring operation.
NOTE: Need to set proper frequency, distance, cable parameters and window
function before test.
Need to confirm that the system is in "calibration valid" state before test.
The maximum measuring range and accuracy associated with frequency
parameters, the propagation velocity of cable.
The minimum frequency interval :(N-1) *100 kHz (N: measurement points).
The user can set the unit in the DTF parameters window units (metric and
Imperial).