3 Functions and Measurements
56 N9342C/43C/44C User’s Guide
Making an Average Power Measurement
Average power measurements provide a key metric 
in transmitter performance.
Base station transmit power must be set accurately 
to achieve optimal coverage in wireless networks. If 
the transmit power is set too high due to 
inaccurate power measurements, undesired 
interference can occur. If the transmit power is set 
too low, coverage gaps or holes may occur. Either 
case may affect system capacity and may translate 
into decreased revenue for service providers.
Average power can be measured for the channel of 
interest while the base station is active. All other 
channels should be inactive. Average power is a 
broadband measurement. If other signals are 
present the analyzer will also measure their power 
contributions.
The analyzer supports the U2000 Series USB power 
sensors.
The U2000 Series USB power sensors do not need 
manual calibration and zero routines performed. 
Calibration and zeroing are performed without 
removing the power sensor from the source, 
through internal zeroing. With internal zeroing of 
U2000 Series USB power sensors, there is no need 
to disconnect the sensor or power-off the DUT. 
The U2000 Series do not require 50 MHz reference 
signal calibration, allowing the factory calibration 
to ensure measurement accuracy. To ensure 
accuracy, users are recommended to perform 
CAU-CAUTION
The maximum power for the RF IN port and the RF OUT 
port of the analyzer is +20 dBm. The maximum power for 
the Power Sensor port is +24 dBm. When directly coupled 
to a base station, the test set can be damaged by exces-
sive power applied to any of these three ports.
To prevent damage in most situations when directly 
coupling an analyzer to a base station, use a high power 
attenuator between the analyzer and the BTS.