Atec Agilent-PNA Series - Manual (Page 21)

21
System capabilities
Familiar graphical user interface
The PNA Series analyzer employs a graphical user
interface based on Windows
® 2000. There are two
fundamental ways to operate the instrument manually:
you can use a hardkey interface, or use drop-down-
menus driven from a mouse (or another standard
USB pointing device). Hardkey navigation brings up
active toolbars that perform most of the operations
required to configure and view measurements. Front-
panel navigation keys allow control of dialog boxes for
advanced features. In addition, mouse-driven pull-down
menus and dialog boxes provide easy access to features.
Built-in help system
Embedded documentation provides measurement
assistance in five different languages (English, French*,
German*, Japanese*, and Spanish*). A thorough index
of help topics and context-sensitive help available from
dialog boxes. (* available early 2001)
Limit lines
Define test limit lines that appear on the display for
pass/fail testing. Lines may be any combination of
horizontal, sloping lines, or discrete data points.
Time-domain (Option 010)
With the time-domain option, data from transmission
or reflection measurements in the frequency domain
are converted to the time domain using a Fourier
transformation technique and presented on the display.
The time-domain response shows the measured
parameter value versus time. Markers may also be
displayed in electrical length (or physical length if
the relative propagation velocity is entered).
Time stimulus modes
Two types of time excitation stimulus waveforms can
be simulated during the transformations, a step and an
impulse.
Low-pass step
This stimulus, similar to a traditional time-domain
reflectometer (TDR) waveform, is used to measure
low-pass devices. The frequency-domain data is
extended from DC (extrapolated value) to a higher
value. The step response is typically used for reflection
measurements only.
Low-pass impulse
This stimulus is also used to measure low-pass devices.
The impulse response can be calibrated for reflection or
transmission measurements.
Bandpass impulse
The bandpass impulse simulates a pulsed RF signal
(with an impulse envelope) and is used to measure
the time-domain response of band-limited devices.
The start and stop frequencies are selectable by the
user to any values within the limits of the instrument.
Bandpass time-domain responses are useful for both
reflection and transmission measurements.
Time-domain range
The "alias-free" range over which the display is free of
response repetition depends on the frequency span and
the number of points. Range, in nanoseconds, is deter-
mined by:
Time-domain-range = (number-of-points - 1)/
frequency-span [in GHz]
Range resolution
The time resolution of a time-domain response is relat-
ed to range as follows:
Range-resolution = time-span/(number-of-points - 1)
Windows
The windowing function can be used to modify (filter)
the frequency-domain data and thereby reduce over-
shoot and ringing in the time-domain response. Kaiser
Beta windows are available.
Gating
The gating function can be used to selectively remove
reflection or transmission time-domain responses. In
converting back to the frequency-domain the effects of
the responses outside the gate are removed.