Agilent Technologies Signal Analyzer N9030a - Manual (Page 523)

6 RLC Swept SA Measurement Front-Panel & SCPI Reference
AMPTD Y Scale
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Mechanical Attenuator Transition Rules
When the Electronic Attenuator is enabled, the Mechanical Attenuator transitions to a state that
has no Auto function. Below are the rules for transitioning the Mechanical Attenuator. NOTE that
the information below ONLY applies to the dual attenuator configurations, and ONLY when the
Electronic Attenuator is installed:
When the Electronic Attenuation is enabled from a disabled state:
•
The Mechanical Attenuator is initialized to 10 dB (this is its optimal performance setting). You
can then set it as desired with SCPI, numeric keypad, step keys, or knob, and it behaves as it
normally would in manual mode
•
The Auto/Man state of (Mech) Atten is saved
•
The Auto/Man line on the (Mech) Atten key disappears and the auto rules are disabled
•
The Electronic Attenuator is set to 10 dB less than the previous value of the Mechanical
Attenuator, within the limitation that it must stay within the range of 0 to 24 dB of attenuation.
Examples in the dual attenuator configuration:
•
Mech Atten at 20 dB. Elec Atten enabled, Mech Atten set to 10 dB, and Elec Atten set to 10 dB.
New total attenuation equals the value before Elec Atten enabled.
•
Mech Atten at 0 dB. Elec Atten enabled, Mech Atten set to 10 dB, and Elec Atten set to 0 dB.
New total attenuation does not equal the value before Elec Atten enabled.
•
Mech Atten at 40 dB. Elec Atten enabled, Mech Atten set to 10 dB, and Elec Atten set to 24 dB.
New total attenuation does not equal the value before Elec Atten enabled.
When the Electronic Attenuation is disabled from an enabled state:
•
The Elec Atten key is grayed out
•
The Auto/Man state of (Mech) Atten is restored
•
If now in Auto, (Mech) Atten recouples
•
If now in Man, (Mech) Atten is set to the value of total attenuation that existed before the Elec
Atten was disabled. The resulting value is rounded up to the smallest value possible given the
(Mech) Atten Step setting - (That is, 57 dB changes to 58 dB when (Mech) Atten Step is 2 dB.)
Using the Electronic Attenuator: Pros and Cons
The electronic attenuator offers finer steps than the mechanical attenuator, has no acoustical
noise, is faster, and is less subject to wear.
Remote Language Compatibility Measurement Application Reference 523