Agilent Technologies Signal Analyzer N9030a - Manual (Page 1126)

6 RLC Swept SA Measurement Front-Panel & SCPI Reference
Source
This alias is for the ESA tracking generator. It specifies the source output power level at the
start of the power sweep, just as does :SOURce:POWer.
Initial S/W Revision A.06.01
Modified at S/W
Revision A.10.01
Power Sweep
Allows you to set up a Power Sweep. Power Sweep is useful for measuring saturation behavior in
a test device, such as a power amplifier.
Pressing the key sets the power-sweep function to On or Off. The value of the power-sweep range
is displayed in the active function block, and can be adjusted, when set to On.
The source will sweep the power between the start power defined by the Amplitude function and
the stop power = start power + power sweep value:
l
Source (start) amplitude = Amplitude – Amplitude Offset
l
Source (stop) amplitude = Amplitude – Amplitude Offset + Power Sweep
If an external source is used, the analyzer controls the source with step sweep mode, which
provides a linear progression from one selected frequency, amplitude, or both, to another, pausing
at linearly spaced points (steps) along the sweep. The analyzer continues to sweep the specified
frequency range when power sweep is on, although generally Power Sweep is performed in Zero
Span.
With options T03, T06 and SCT, the hardware is capable of continuous power sweeps. This
makes it possible to use the swept sweep time rules and should be employed for faster sweeps.
Care should be taken to limit the sweep time you use as there are no sweep time couplings to
Power Sweep settings. The recommended minimum sweep time depends on the RBW and power-
sweep range. Start by computing (1.28/RBW)* (abs(startPower – stopPower)/(5 dB)). The
recommended minimum sweep time is the larger of this value and 50 ms.
Some external Sources have mechanical attenuators, which are not used in Power Sweep in order
to save wear on the attenuators. To allow an acceptable range of Power Sweep without changing
the mechanical attenuation, the Sources are put in a mode that allows the Source to handle a
wide amplitude range without switching the attenuators. When the Power Sweep settings put the
Source in an amplitude range that requires the mechanical attenuators, the analyzer displays a
condition warning message:
Settings Alert;Src pwr ramp>ALC range
1126 Remote Language Compatibility Measurement Application Reference