Stimulus    Related Topics

The Stimulus submenu defines the sweep range in the current channel, depending on the sweep type.

The Marker Functions provide a convenient alternative to the manual entry of the sweep range parameters. Use the paste marker list for convenient entry of Start and Stop values.

Some of the Stimulus parameters and the STOP SPAN key are not provided for all sweep types; see Stimulus and Sweep Types.

Equivalence
of settings:

For a frequency sweep the Start and Stop frequencies or the Center frequency and Span are alternative settings:

Remote control:

[SENSe<Ch>:]FREQuency:STARt
[SENSe<Ch>:]FREQuency:STOP
[SENSe<Ch>:]FREQuency:CENTer
[SENSe<Ch>:]FREQuency:SPAN

Stimulus and Sweep Types

The function and input values of the Start, Stop, Center and Span softkeys depend on the sweep type:

Sweep type

Start [dimension]

Stop [dimension]

Center [dimension]

Span [dimension]

Equivalent hotkey


(press twice)


(press twice)

Lin. Frequency
Log. Frequency
Segmented Frequency

Start frequency [Hz]

 

Stop frequency [Hz]

 

Center frequency [Hz]

 

Frequency span [Hz]

 

Power

Start power [dBm]

 

Stop power [dBm]
 

–

–

Time

–

 

Total sweep time [s]

 

–

 

–

 

CW Mode

–

 

Number of points [1]

 

–

–

 

The ranges of numerical values must be compatible with the instrument model.

If a frequency sweep is selected, then the START CENTER and STOP SPAN are both toggle keys. In Time or CW Mode sweep mode the Start, Center and Stop softkeys are inactive, still you can use the START CENTER hardkey to select the fixed CW frequency.

The conditions for the stimulus range depend on the sweep type:

  • Lin. Frequency/Log. Frequency/Segmented Frequency

    The frequency range depends on the instrument type; see SCPI command reference. The Stop frequency must be greater than the Start frequency; the Span must be 1 Hz. If a Stop frequency smaller than the current Start frequency is set, then the Start frequency is adjusted and vice versa).

    A sweep must contain at least two different sweep points.

  • Power

    Start and Stop power are entered in absolute units (dBm) and over a wide range. The Center and Span softkeys are not active.

    Start and Stop power must be different, the Stop power must be larger than the Start power. If a Stop power smaller than the Start power isset, then the Start power is adjusted automatically and vice versa.

    The power corresponds to the actual output power at the test port that supplies the stimulus for the active channel or at the calibrated reference plane.

  • Time

    The Stop value represents the total sweep time. Start and the other parameters are not active as the sweep time is relative to the beginning of the sweep which starts immediately after the entry of the Stop value.

    The sweep time is entered in seconds and must be positive; see also Time sweep.

  • CW Mode

    The Stop value represents the number of trigger events during the measurement. Each trigger event triggers one measurement point. Start and the other softkeys are not active as the first trigger event is the one immediately after the beginning of the sweep which starts after the entry of the Stop value.

    The behavior is thus analogous to the Time sweep type.

The selected sweep range applies to all source ports and (in the case of a frequency sweep) to all receiver ports of the analyzer. Use the Port Configuration dialog to modify the selected sweep ranges and assign individual ranges to the analyzer ports.  

CW Frequency

Opens the numeric entry bar to set the fixed frequency for the sweep types Power, Time and CW Mode.

 Setting up a sweep

Remote control:

SOURce<Ch>:FREQuency<Pt>:CW|FIXed
[SENSe<Ch>:]SWEep:CW|FIXed