48
R&S ZVL
GUI Reference
Trace Menu
Operating Manual 1303.6580.32-06
206
Calls up a standard Import File dialog to load a limit line from a trace file. The limit line import is
analogous to the import of traces. Trace files are ASCII files with selectable file format. After the
trace file is selected, the Properties of Imported Segments dialogwith further global import options
is opened.
Imported traces are polygonal curves with n points and n – 1 segments. The number of points n is set via
Channel – Sweep – Number of Points. The n – 1 segments are appended to the current segment table for
further editing. Existing limit line segments are not overwritten.
To import a limit line file (*.limit) you can also use the Windows Explorer and simply double-click the
file or drag and drop the file into the NWA application. You have to switch on the limit check separately.
Use the paste marker list for convenient entry of Start and Stop values.
Columns in the segment table
The table contains an automatically assigned current number for each segment plus the following editable
columns:
•
Type indicates whether the segment belongs to an Upper or a Lower limit line, or if the limit check
at the segment is switched Off. Switching off the limit check does not delete the segment but
changes its screen color.
•
Start Stimulus is the stimulus (x-axis) value of the first point of the segment (not necessarily
smaller than Stop Stimulus).
•
Stop Stimulus is the stimulus (x-axis) value of the last point of the segment (not necessarily larger
than Start Stimulus).
•
Start Response is the response (y-axis) value of the first point of the segment.
•
Stop Response is the response (y-axis) value of the last point of the segment.
The limit line segment is calculated as a straight line connecting the two points (<Start Stimulus>, <Start
Response>) and (<Stop Stimulus>, <Stop Response>); see Rules for Limit Line Definition.
Remote control:
CALCulate<Chn>:LIMit:CONTrol[:DATA]
CALCulate<Chn>:LIMit:DATA
CALCulate<Chn>:LIMit:SEGment<Seg>...
CALCulate<Chn>:LIMit:UPPer...
CALCulate<Chn>:LIMit:LOWer...
CALCulate<Chn>:LIMit:DELete:ALL
CALCulate<Ch>:LIMit:SEGMent:COUNt?
MMEMory:STORe:LIMit
MMEMory:LOAD:LIMit
Multi-Selection of Limit Line Segments
In the Define Limit Line dialog it is possible to edit several limit line segments at the same time. Selection
of two or more segments (use the left mouse key and the Shift key of an external keyboard) and a right-
click on the dark grey Seg. area opens a context menu:
38
R&S ZVL
GUI Reference
Trace Menu
Operating Manual 1303.6580.32-06
207
The context menu provides the following functions:
•
Modification of all entries in the segment table: Type, start and stop values for the stimulus and
response variable.
•
Definition of an offset for response and stimulus values in analogy to the Properties of Imported
Segments dialog.
•
Delete the selected segments.
•
Merge the selected segments to a single new segment. The start and stop values of the new
segment are given by the start values of the first selected segment and the stop value of the last
selected segment. The type is taken from the first selected segment. The new segment replaces
the selected segments.
Remote control: CALCulate<Chn>:LIMit:UPPer...
CALCulate<Chn>:LIMit:LOWer...
Rules for Limit Line Definition
The analyzer places very few restrictions on the definition of limit line segments. The following rules
ensure a maximum of flexibility:
•
Segments don't have to be sorted in ascending or descending order (e.g. the Start Stimulus value
of segment no. n doesn't have to be smaller than the Start Stimulus value of segment no. n+1).
•
Overlapping segments are allowed. The limit check in the overlapping area refers to the tighter
limit (the pass test involves a logical AND operation).
•
Gaps between segments are allowed and equivalent to switching off an intermediate limit line
segment.
•
Limit lines can be partially or entirely outside the sweep range, however, the limits are only
checked at the measurement points.
The following figure shows a limit line consisting of 3 upper and 2 lower limit line segments. To pass the
limit check, the trace must be confined to the shaded area.
35
R&S ZVL
GUI Reference
Trace Menu
Operating Manual 1303.6580.32-06
208
As a consequence of the limit line rules, the limit check will always pass a DUT if no limit lines are defined.
File Import Settings
The Properties of Imported Segments dialog appears before a trace is imported into the Define Limit Line
dialog.
The dialog assigns common properties to all limit line segments generated by the imported trace.
•
Offsets contains two input fields to define constant offset values for all imported segments. The
Response offset shifts all segments in vertical direction, the Stimulus offset shifts them in
horizontal direction. The offsets are added to the start and stop values of all segments.
•
Type defines whether the imported segments belong to the Upper or Lower limit line. A third option
is to import the segments but disable the limit check (Off).
Remote
control:
CALCulate<Chn>:LIMit:LOWer:FEED
<stimulus_offset>,<response_offset>[,<trace_name>]
CALCulate<Chn>:LIMit:UPPer:FEED
<stimulus_offset>,<response_offset>[,<trace_name>]
MMEMory:LOAD:LIMit
File Format for Limit Lines
The analyzer uses a simple ASCII format to export limit line data. By default, the limit line file has the
extension *.limit and is stored in the directory shown in the Export Limit Line and Import Limit Line dialogs.
The file starts with a preamble containing the channel and trace name and the header of the segment list.
The following lines contain the entries of all editable columns of the list.
Example of a limit line file
The limit line:
is described by the limit line file:
Remote control:
MMEMory:LOAD:LIMit "Trc_name","file_name"
MMEMory:STORe:LIMit "Trc_name","file_name"
36
R&S ZVL
GUI Reference
Trace Menu
Operating Manual 1303.6580.32-06
209
Horizontal Line
Shows or hides the horizontal line associated with the active trace in a Cartesian diagram area. A
checkmark appears next to the menu item when the horizontal line is shown.
The horizontal line (or display line) is a red line which can be moved to particular trace points in order to
retrieve the response values.
•
Pressing Horizontal Line for a first time shows the line for the active trace and opens the numeric
entry bar to define its position (response value). The (rounded) position is displayed near the left
edge of the screen.
•
Pressing Horizontal Line for a second time hides the horizontal line for the active trace.
Use the analyzer's drag-and-drop functionality to move the horizontal line symbol to the desired
position.
Remote control:
CALCulate<Chn>:DLINe:STATe ON | OFF
CALCulate<Chn>:DLINe
Global Limit Check On
Performs a composite limit check on all traces of the current setup. The result of the global check appears
in a popup box whenever Global Limit Check is pressed.
or
•
PASS represents pass for all traces for which the limit check is enabled. A trace without limit lines
or with disabled individual limit check always passes the composite limit check.
•
FAIL means that the limit checks for one or more traces failed.
Remote control:
CALCulate<Chn>:CLIMits:FAIL?
Ripple Test
Ripple Test
The commands in the second section of the Lines submenu define the ripple test. A ripple test is a special
type of limit test where the maximum difference between the largest and the smallest response value of
41
R&S ZVL
GUI Reference
Trace Menu
Operating Manual 1303.6580.32-06
210
the trace must not exceed the specified limit. This test is suitable e.g. to check whether the passband
ripple of a filter is within acceptable limits, irrespective of the actual transmitted power in the passband.
See also background information for Limit Lines.
(No direct access via front panel keys)
•
Global Check activates a global (composite) limit check on all traces in the active setup.
•
Show Ripple Limits displays or hides the limit line associated to the active trace.
•
Ripple Check On activates or deactivates the ripple limit check.
•
Define Ripple Test... opens a dialog to define, save or recall limit lines.
Ripple limit lines are available for all Cartesian diagram types (Trace – Format). For polar diagrams, the
functions of the ripple check (except the Global Check) are grayed. The limit lines are hidden and the
ripple limit check (except the global check) is disabled when a Cartesian trace format is replaced by a
polar diagram.
Global Check
Activates or deactivates the global limit check including upper/lower limits and ripple limits. The global limit
check is a composite limit check over all traces of the current setup. The result of the global check
appears in a popup box whenever Global Limit Check is pressed.
or
•
PASS represents pass for all traces with enabled limit check. A trace without limit lines or with
disabled individual limit check always passes the global check.
•
FAIL means that the limit check for one or more traces failed.
Remote control:
CALCulate<Chn>:CLIMits:FAIL?
Show Ripple Limits
Shows or hides the ripple limit lines associated with the active trace in a Cartesian diagram area. A
checkmark appears next to the menu item when the limit line is shown.
The vertical positions of the ripple lines are re-calculated after each sweep; only their stimulus range and
distance (the ripple limit) if fixed. The limit line colors are defined in the Define User Color Scheme dialog
(Nwa-Setup – Display Config. – Color Scheme...).
Display of the ripple limits and limit check are independent of each other: Hiding the limits does not
switch off the limit check.
38
R&S ZVL
GUI Reference
Trace Menu
Operating Manual 1303.6580.32-06
211
Remote control:
CALCulate<Chn>:RIPPle:DISPlay[:STATe] ON | OFF
Ripple Check On
Switches the ripple limit check of the active trace on or off. A checkmark appears next to the menu item
when the limit check is enabled.
When the limit check is switched on, an info field shows the pass/fail information and the measured ripple
in each ripple limit range. If the limit check fails in a particular ripple line range, the trace within the range
can change its color. The Limit Fail Trace color is defined in the Define User Color Scheme dialog (Display
–Display Config. – Color Scheme...).
Ripple limit check and display of the limit lines are independent of each other: With disabled limit
check, the limit line can still be displayed.
If no limit lines are defined for the active trace, the limit check can be switched on but will always
PASS the trace.
Remote control:
CALCulate<Chn>:RIPPle:STATe ON | OFF
CALCulate<Chn>:RIPPle:FAIL?
CALCulate<Chn>:RIPPle:SEGment<Seg>:STATe ON | OFF
CALCulate<Chn>:RIPPle:SEGment<Seg>:RESult?
Define Ripple Test...
Opens a dialog to define the ripple limits for the active trace on a range-by-range basis. A separate ripple
limit can be assigned to each range.
Defining ripple limits with minimum effort
Choose one of the following methods to efficiently create and handle ripple limit ranges:
•
To configure a limit test with only a few ranges, use Add Range and edit each range in the table
individually.
•
Use the Align All Ranges button to create non-overlapping, contiguous ranges of equal width.
•
Use the multiselection feature to edit several ranges at the same time.
•
Save your ripple ranges to a file so you can re-use or modify them later sessions (Save Ripple
Limit..., Recall Ripple Limit...).
48
R&S ZVL
GUI Reference
Trace Menu
Operating Manual 1303.6580.32-06
212
The Define Ripple Limit dialog contains a table to edit the individual ripple check ranges; see below. The
active trace is indicated in the title bar of the dialog. The buttons below the table extend, shorten, or re-
order the range list.
•
Add Range adds a new range to the list. The new range is and inserted after the previously
selected range. The current range numbers are adapted; the start and stop stimulus values are
set so that an overlap is avoided. Moreover, the ripple limit is estimated according to the
measured ripple of the trace in the created range. The analyzer places no restriction on the
number of ranges assigned to each trace.
•
Del. Range removes the selected range from the list.
•
Align All Ranges subdivides the entire sweep range into contiguous ripple limit ranges of equal
width. The ripple limits are estimated according to the measured ripple of the trace in the created
ranges.
•
Del All Ranges clears the entire range list so it is possible to define or load a new ripple limit line.
The buttons to the right of the table are used to import and export limit line data.
•
Recall Ripple Limit... calls up an Open File dialog to load a ripple limit line from a file. Ripple limit
files are ASCII files with the default extension *.ripple and a special file format.
•
Save Ripple Limit... calls up a Save As... dialog to store the current ripple limit configuration to a
ripple limit file. Ripple limit files are ASCII files with the default extension *.ripple and a special file
format.
To import a ripple limit file (*.limit) you can also use the Windows Explorer and simply double-click the
file or drag and drop the file into the NWA application. You have to switch on the limit check separately.
Use the paste marker list for convenient entry of Start and Stop values.
Columns in the range table
The table contains an automatically assigned current number for each range plus the following editable
columns:
•
Range On/Off indicates whether the ripple limit check in the range is enabled (On) or Off.
Switching off the ripple limit check does not delete the range but hides the entry in the info field.
•
Start Stimulus is the smallest stimulus (x-axis) value of the range.
•
Stop Stimulus is the largest stimulus (x-axis) value of the range.
•
Ripple Limit is the maximum allowed difference between the largest and the smallest trace value
in the range.
The ripple limit range is displayed as two parallel, horizontal lines in the diagram. Stop Stimulus – Start
Stimulus is the length of both lines; Ripple Limit is their distance; see Rules for Limit Line Definition.
48
R&S ZVL
GUI Reference
Trace Menu
Operating Manual 1303.6580.32-06
213
Remote control:
CALCulate<Chn>:RIPPle:CONTrol:DOMain
CALCulate<Chn>:RIPPle:DATA
CALCulate<Chn>:RIPPle:SEGment<Seg>...
CALCulate<Chn>:RIPPle:DELete:ALL
MMEMory:STORe:RIPPle
MMEMory:LOAD:RIPPle
Multi-Selection of Ripple Limit Ranges
In the Define Ripple Limit dialog it is possible to edit several limit ripple ranges at the same time. Selection
of one or more ranges (use the left mouse key and the Shift key of an external keyboard) and a right-click
on the dark grey Seg. area opens a context menu:
The context menu provides the following functions:
•
Modification of all entries in the range table: Range On/Off, stimulus start and stop values, ripple
limit.
•
Definition of an offset for response and stimulus values in analogy to the Properties of Imported
Ranges dialog.
•
Delete the selected ranges.
•
Merge the selected ranges to a single new range. The start and stop values of the new range are
given by the start values of the first selected range and the stop value of the last selected range.
The first range also provides the ripple limit and the information whether the merged range is on
or off. The new, merged range replaces the selected ranges.
Remote control:
CALCulate<Chn>:RIPPle:SEGMent<Seg>...
Rules for Ripple Limit Definition
The analyzer places very few restrictions on the definition of ripple limit ranges. The following rules ensure
amaximum of flexibility:
•
Ranges do not have to be sorted in ascending or descending order (e.g. the Start Stimulus value
of range no. n doesn't have to be smaller than the Start Stimulus value of range no. n+1).
•
Overlapping ranges are allowed. The limit check in the overlapping area is related to the tighter
limit (the pass test involves a logical AND operation).
•
Gaps between ranges are allowed and equivalent to switching off an intermediate ripple limit
range.
•
Ripple limit ranges can be partially or entirely outside the sweep range, however, the limits are
only checked at the measurement points.
The following figure shows a ripple limit test involving 3 ranges.
29
R&S ZVL
GUI Reference
Channel Menu
Operating Manual 1303.6580.32-06
214
As a consequence of the limit line rules, the limit check will always pass a DUT if no limit lines are defined.
File Format for Ripple Limit Lines
The analyzer uses a simple ASCII format to export ripple limit data. By default, the limit line file has the
extension *.ripple and is stored in the directory shown in the Save Ripple Limit and Recall Ripple Limit
dialogs. The file starts with a preamble containing the channel and trace name and the header of the
range list. The following lines contain the entries of all editable columns of the list.
Example of a limit line file
The ripple limit list:
is described by the ripple limit file:
Remote control:
MMEMory:LOAD:RIPPle "Trc_name","file_name"
MMEMory:STORe:RIPPle "Trc_name","file_name"
Channel Menu
The Channel menu provides all channel settings and the functions to activate, modify and store different
channels.
Channels
Achannel contains hardware-related settings to specify how the network analyzer collects data. The
channel settings can be divided into three main groups:
•
Control of the measurement process (Sweep, Trigger, Average)
•
Description of the test setup (internal source power, IF filters and step attenuators)
•
Correction data (Calibration, Offset)
Documents you may be interested
Documents you may be interested
