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Making Measurements
Measuring Amplifiers
Measuring Amplifiers
The analyzer allows you to measure the transmission and reflection characteristics of many amplifiers and
active devices. You can measure scalar parameters such as gain, gain flatness, gain compression, reverse
isolation, return loss (SWR), and gain drift versus time. Additionally, you can measure vector parameters
such as deviation from linear phase, group delay, complex impedance and AM-to-PM conversion. You can
also make high power measurements.
Figure 1-42 Amplifier Parameters
When you are measuring a device that is very sensitive to absolute power level, it is important that you
accurately set the power level at either the device input or output. The analyzer is capable of using an
external GPIB power meter and controlling source power directly. Refer to
Chapter 6 , "Calibrating for
Increased Measurement Accuracy" for information on power meter calibration.
This section contains the following measurement examples:
• "Measuring Harmonics (Option 002)" on page 1-53
• "Measuring Gain Compression" on page 1-58
• Measuring Gain and Reverse Isolation Simultaneously
• Making High Power Measurements
— Option 014 Configuration