Agilent Technologies n5181a - Step Sweep

28 Agilent N5181A/82A MXG Signal Generators User’s Guide
Basic Operation
Configuring a Swept Output
Step Sweep
Step sweep provides a linear or logarithmic progression from one selected frequency, or amplitude, or
both, to another, pausing at linearly or logarithmically spaced points (steps) along the sweep. The
sweep can progress forward, backward, or manually.
Example: Configuring a Continuous, Linear Step Sweep
1. Preset the instrument and open the Sweep/List menu: Press Preset > SWEEP.
Because continuous is the default sweep repeat selection, and linear is the default step spacing
selection, you do not need to set these parameters.
2. Open the step sweep menu: Press Configure Step Sweep.
3. Set the following parameters:
4. Sweep both frequency and amplitude: Press Return > Return > Sweep > Freq Off On > Amptd Off On.
A continuous sweep begins, from the start frequency/amplitude to the stop frequency/amplitude.
The SWEEP annunciator displays, both the CW frequency and the amplitude display blank
(indicating that both are sweeping), and the progress bar shows the sweep progress.
5. Turn the RF output on: Press RF On/Off.
The RF LED lights, and the continuous sweep is available at the RF Output connector.
Output: A signal that continuously sweeps from 500 to 600 MHz and from −20 to 0 dBm, with a
dwell time of 500 ms at each of six equally−spaced points.
Start frequency 500 MHz: Press Freq Start > 500 > MHz
Stop frequency 600 MHz: Press Freq Stop > 600 > MHz
Amplitude at the beginning of the sweep, −20 dBm: Press Amptd Start >
−20 > dBm
Amplitude at the end of the sweep, 0 dBm: Press Amptd Stop > 0 > dBm.
6 sweep points: Press # Points > 6 > Enter
Dwell time at each point, 500 milliseconds: Press More > Step Dwell > 500 > msec
Dwell Time = the time that the signal is settled and you can mak
e
a measurement before the sweep moves to the next point.
(Point-to-point time is the sum of the value set for the dwell plu
s
processing time, switching time, and settling time.)
Lin = steps equally spaced over the sweep; the output changes
linearly.
Log = step spacing increases logarithmically over the sweep; the
output changes exponentially.
Step Sweep and List Sweep dwell times are set independent
ly.
For details on each key, use key help
as described on page 23.