Active channel

Channel belonging to the active trace. The active channel is highlighted in the channel list below the diagram. The active channel is not relevant in remote control where each channel can contain an active trace.

Active marker

Marker that can be changed using the settings of the Marker menu (Delta Mode, Ref. Mkr -> Mkr, Mkr Format). The active marker is also used for the Marker Functions. It appears in the diagram with an enlarged marker symbol and font size and with a dot placed in front of the marker line in the info field.

Active menu

The menu containing the last executed command. If the softkey bar is displayed (Display - Config./View - Softkey Labels on), then the active menu is indicated on top of the softkey bar.

Active trace (manual control)

Trace that is selected to apply the settings in the Trace menu. The active trace is highlighted in the trace list of the active diagram area. It can be different from the active trace in remote control.

Active trace (remote control)

One trace of each channel that has been selected as the active trace (CALCulate[Ch]:PARameter:SELect ). Many commands (e.g. TRACE...) act on the active trace. It can be different from the active trace in manual control.

Cal pool

The cal pool is a collection of correction data sets (cal groups) that the analyzer stores in a common directory. Cal groups in the pool can beapplied to different channels and setups.

Calibration

The process of removing systematic errors from the measurement (system error correction). See also TOSM, TOM, TRM, TRL, TNA.

Calibration kit

Set of physical calibration standards for a particular connector family.

Calibration standard

Physical device that has a known or predictable magnitude and phase response within a given frequency range. Calibration standards are grouped into several types (open, through, match,...) corresponding to the different input quantities for the analyzer's error models.

Calibration unit

Integrated solution for automatic calibration of 1 to 4 ports (accessory ZV-Z41). The unit contains calibration standards that are electronically switched when a calibration is performed.

Channel

A channel contains hardware-related settings to specify how the network analyzer collects data. Each channel is stored in an independent data set. The channel settings complement the definitions of the Trace menu; they apply to all traces assigned to the channel.

Compression point

The x-dB compression point of an S-parameter or ratio is the stimulus signal level where the magnitude of the measured quantity has dropped by x dB compared to its value at small stimulus signal levels (small-signal value).

Confirmation dialog box

Standard dialog box that pops up to display an error message or a warning. The current action can be either continued (OK) or cancelled (Cancel) on closing the dialog box.

Crosstalk

The occurrence of a signal at the receive port of the analyzer which did not travel through the test setup and the DUT but leaks through other internal paths. Crosstalk causes an isolation error in the measurement which can be corrected by means of a calibration.

CW frequency

Continuous Wave frequency; fixed stimulus frequency used in Power, CW Time and CW Mode sweeps.

Data trace

Trace filled with measurement data and updated after each sweep (dynamic trace).

Diagram area

Rectangular portion of the screen used to display traces. Diagram areas are arranged in windows; they are independent of trace and channel settings.

Directivity error

Measurement error caused by a coupler or bridge in the analyzer's source port causing part of the generated signal to leak through the forward path into the receive path instead of being transmitted towards the DUT. The directivity error can be corrected by means of a full one port calibration or one of the two-port calibration methods (except normalization).

Discrete marker

The stimulus value of a discrete marker always coincides with a sweep point so that the marker does not show interpolated measurement values.

Excursion

Difference between the response values at a local maximum (minimum) of the trace and at the two closest local minima (maxima) to the left and to the right.

Forward

A measurement on a two-port DUT is said to be in forward direction if the source signal (stimulus) is applied to port 1 of the DUT.

Harmonic

Integer multiple of the fundamental frequency. The fundamental is the first harmonic, the nth harmonic is n times the frequency of the fundamental.

Harmonic distortion

The production of harmonic frequencies (harmonics) by an electronic system when a signal is applied at the input.

Harmonic grid

A set of equidistant frequency points fi (i = 1...n) with spacing Delta(f) and the additional condition that f1 = Delta(f). A harmonic grid is required for low pass time domain transforms.

Isolation error

Measurement error caused by a crosstalk between the source and receive port of the analyzer.

Limit check

Comparison of the measurement results with the limit lines and display of a pass/fail indication. An acoustic warning can be generated in addition if a limit is exceeded.

Limit line

A limit line is a set of data to specify the allowed range for some or all points of a trace. Typically, limit lines are used to check whether a DUT conforms to the rated specifications (conformance testing).

Load match error

Measurement error caused by a mismatch of the analyzer's receive (load) port causing part of the signal transmitted through the DUT to be reflected off the receive port so that it is not measured there. The load match error can be corrected by means of a two-port calibration (except normalization).

Marker

Tool for selecting points on the trace and for numerical readout of measured data. A marker is displayed with a symbol (a triangle, a crossbar or a line) on the trace; its coordinates are shown in the marker info field.

Mathematical trace

Trace that is calculated according to a mathematical expression, e.g. the one defined in the Define Math dialog. The expression is a mathematical relation between constants and the data or memory traces of the active setup.

Measurement point

Result of the measurement at a specified stimulus value (frequency/power/time).

Measurement result

Set of all measurement points acquired in a measurement (e.g. a sweep). The measurement result is displayed in a diagram area and forms a trace.

Memory trace

Trace that is associated to a data trace and stored in the memory. Data traces and the associated memory traces share the same channel and scale settings. Alternatively, memory traces can be imported from a file.

Mixer

Device that converts an RF signal at one frequency into a signal at another frequency. The frequency that is to be shifted is applied at the RF input and the frequency shifting signal (from a local oscillator, LO) is applied to the RF mixer's LO port, resulting in an output signal at the mixer's Intermediate Frequency (IF) port.

Partial measurement

Measurement at a specified stimulus value maintaining definite hardware settings. Depending on the measurement type, several partial measurements may be needed to obtain a measurement point. A full n-port S-parameter measurement requires n partial measurements with n different drive ports.

Peak

Local maximum or local minimum (dip) on the trace. In the Trace - Search menu, it is possible to define a minimum excursion that both types of peaks must have to be considered valid.

Power calibration

Correction method that eliminates frequency response errors in the signal path and in the receiver and ensures accurate power levels and readings; see source power calibration and receiver power calibration.

Receiver power calibration

Correction method that the power readings at a specified input port of the analyzer agree with the source power level calibrated at an arbitrary reference plane. Typically, the reference plane is at the input of the receiver so that the calibration eliminates frequency response errors in the calibrated receiver.

Reflection tracking error

Frequency-dependent variation of the ratio of the reflected wave to the reference wave at a test port when an ideal reflection coefficient (= 1) is measured. The reflection tracking error can be corrected by means of a reflection normalization or one of the more sophisticated calibration methods.

Reverse

A measurement on a two-port DUT is said to be in reverse direction if the source signal (stimulus) is applied to port 2 of the DUT.

Setup

A setup comprises a set of diagram areas with all displayed information that can be stored to a NWA setup file (*.zvx). Each setup is displayed in an independent window.

Source match error

Measurement error caused by a mismatch of the analyzer's source port causing part of the signal reflected off the DUT to be reflected again off the source port so that it is not measured there. The source match error can be corrected by means of a full one-port calibration or a two-port calibration (except normalization).

Source power calibration

Correction method that ensures accurate power levels of the generated wave at an arbitrary reference plane in the measurement path. The source power calibration eliminates frequency response errors in the signal path between the source and the reference plane.

Stimulus value

Value of the sweep variable (frequency/power/time/point number) where a measurement is taken. Also termed sweep point.

Sweep

Series of consecutive measurements taken at a specified sequence of stimulus values = series of consecutive measurement points.

Sweep point

Value of the sweep variable (stimulus value: frequency/power/time) where a measurement is taken.

Sweep range

Continuous range of the sweep variable (frequency/power/time) containing the sweep points where the analyzer takes measurements. In a Segmented Frequency sweep the sweep range can be composed of several parameter ranges or single points.

Sweep segment

Continuous frequency range or single frequency point where the analyzer measures at specified instrument settings (generator power, IF bandwidth etc.). In the Segmented Frequency sweep type the entire sweep range can be composed of several sweep segments.

TNA

A calibration type using a through, a symmetric network and an attenuation standard. The properties of the network and the attenuation don't have to be known exactly. Like TRL and TRM, TNA is especially useful for DUTs in planar line technology.

TOM

A calibration type using three fully known standards (through, open, match), recommended for 2-port measurements on coaxial systems.

Topology

Assignment of the physical ports of the NWA to the logical ports used for the measurement of mixed mode S-parameters (balance-unbalance conversion).

TOSM

A calibration type using four known standards (through, open, short, match), also called SOLT or 12-term error correction model. TOSM calibration is available for 2, 3 and 4-port measurements.

Trace

A trace is a set of data points that can be displayed together on the screen. The trace settings specify the mathematical operations used to obtain traces from the collected data. They complement the definitions of the Channel menu. Each trace is assigned to a channel. The channel settings apply to all traces assigned to the channel.

Trace point

Point on the screen which is an element of the displayed trace. The trace points for ratios and wave quantities can be derived from the entire set of measurement points using different detector settings.

Transmission tracking error

Frequency-dependent variation of the ratio of the transmitted wave to the reference wave at a test port when an ideal transmission coefficient (= 1) is measured. The transmission tracking error can be corrected by means of a transmission normalization or one of the more sophisticated calibration methods.

TRL

A calibration type using a through and a line standard plus a possibly unknown reflect standard. The calibration range is limited. Like TNA and TRM, TRL is especially useful for DUTs in planar line technology.

TRM

A calibration type using a through and a match standard plus a possibly unknown reflect standard. Like TRL and TNA, TRM is especially useful for DUTs in planar line technology.

Window

Rectangular portion of the screen showing all diagram areas of a particular setup. Windows are limited by a blue frame with several icons. The analyzer uses standard windows provided by the operating system.