3 Short-Range Comms & IoT Mode
3.8 SEM Measurement
Remote Command
[:SENSe]:POWer[:RF]:ATTenuation <rel_ampl>
[:SENSe]:POWer[:RF]:ATTenuation?
Example
:POW:ATT 20
Dual-Attenuator configuration: sets the mechanical attenuator to 20dB
Single-Attenuator mode: sets the main attenuation to 20dB (see below for definition of “main”
attenuation)
In either case, if the attenuator was in Auto, it is set to Manual
Dependencies Some measurements do not support Auto setting of Mech Atten. In these measurements, the
Auto/Man selection is not available, and the Auto/Man toggle function is not available
In Dual-Attenuator configurations, when the electronic attenuator is enabled, the mechanical
attenuator has no auto setting, and the Auto/Man toggle function is not available. The state of
Auto/Man is remembered and restored when the electronic attenuator is once again disabled. This is
described in more detail in "Elec Atten" on page 1641
See "Attenuator Configurations and Auto/Man" on page 1045 for more information on the Auto/Man
functionality
Couplings If the RF Input Port is the RF Input:
–
If the USB Preamp is connected to USB, use 0dB for Mech Atten
–
Otherwise compute the auto-selected value of Mech Atten based on Reference Level, Int Preamp,
External Gain, Ref Level Offset, Max Mixer Level, µW Path Control and IF Gain settings. Limit this
value to be no less than 6dB (total attenuation below 6dB can never be chosen by Auto)
–
In N9041B, if the RF Input Port is RF Input2, use the formula above and subtract the value of "Full
Range Atten" on page 1638 from the result to determine the Mech Atten. Limit the value so that it
is never lower than 0dB and so that total attenuation, including Full Range Atten, is never less
than 6dB (total attenuation, including Full Range Atten below 6dB, can never be chosen by Auto)
In External Mixing and BBIQ, where the attenuator is not in the signal path, the attenuator setting
changes as described above when Mech Atten is in Auto, but no changes are made to the actual
attenuator hardware setting until the input is changed back to the RF Input
For CXA-m with Option FSA (Fine-Step Attenuator or 2dB steps), the FSA-like behavior is only
available when the frequency setting is <=7.5GHz. So, when the frequency is changed from below
7.5GHz to above 7.5GHz, the attenuation setting changes to a multiple of 10dB that is no smaller
than the previous setting. For example, 4dB attenuation changes to 10dB
Preset Auto
The Auto value is 10dB
State Saved Saved in instrument state
Min 0dB
The attenuation set by this control cannot be decreased below 6dB with the knob or step keys. Values
below 6dB must be directly entered from the keypad or via SCPI. This protects against setting a
dangerously small attenuation value, which can put the instrument at risk of damage to input circuitry.
If the current mechanical attenuation is below 6dB, it can be increased with the knob and step keys,
but not decreased
1044 Short Range Comms & IoT Mode User's &Programmer's Reference