Segmented Capture (Input)

Menu Path:Input > Capture

The Segmented Capture parameters let you enable and configure time-domain parameters for segmented time-captures. See Segmented Data Acquisition for more information about fixed length and variable length segmented capture.

For Pulse Demodulation, segmented capture parameters can also be set in the Time tab of the Pulse Demod Properties dialog. See Segmented Capture (Pulse) for more information.

The Segmented Capture parameters are:

Segmented Capture checkbox: Enables/disables segmented capture. This feature is only available when a segmented recording is loaded or the currently selected hardware configuration supports segmented capture (see Measurement Platforms for more information about your hardware).

For Pulse Demodulation, Segmented Capture mode can also be enabled in the MeasSetup > Pulse Demod Properties > Time tab.
Segment Type: Selects between fixed-length and variable-length segmented capture.
- Fixed: Segmented capture acquires a fixed amount of data. Capture starts when the signal crosses the defined trigger threshold, and stops after a fixed amount of data is acquired (based upon the current VSA measurement setup). Segments continue to be acquired until the specified segment count is reached. See Fixed Length Segmented Capture for more information.
- Variable: Variable length segmented capture uses gated acquisition to control the start and stop of each segment based on gating criteria. For example, you can use IF Magnitude triggering to start capturing data when the rising edge of a pulse crosses the IF Magnitude threshold, and to stop capturing on the falling edge of the pulse. You can capture additional data before and after the pulse using the Gate Start Delay and Gate Stop Delay parameters. This method of segmented capture removes long stretches of undesired "off" time from the acquisition, which can dramatically reduce memory usage. See Variable Length Segmented Capture for more information.
Capture Length Type: Selects the measure used to set the length of the capture sequence.
- Count: Segmented capture occurs for the number of segments specified by Segment Count (Fixed Segment Type) or Desired Segment Count (Variable Segment Type).
- Duration: Segmented capture occurs for the length of time specified by Desired Capture Duration. This selection is always available in Playback mode (Input > Data From > Recording). It is also available when hardware is connected that supports duration-based segmented capture.
- Count & Duration: The measurement capture length is specified by a segment count and an observation duration (whichever is met first ends the capture).
- Count & Timeout: (only available when using variable length segmented capture and only supported when using X-Series signal analyzers with VSA) The measurement capture length is specified by a segment count and a timeout duration (whichever is met first ends the capture). When selected, there is a timeout that can be specified in seconds in addition to the desired segment count to capture. If the number of segments desired is not available within the timeout period then the measurement will still finish but only with the number of segments that it has captured so far, even if it is less than the desired number of segments to capture.
Segment Count (Segment Type = Fixed): Sets the number of segments to be captured in the acquisition.

Main Time Length has priority over Segment Count. Setting Segment Count will not affect Main Time Length, but setting Main Time Length will reduce Segment Count if necessary to achieve the set Main Time Length.
Desired Segment Count (Segment Type = Variable): Sets the desired number of segments to be captured. With segments of varying length, it may be difficult to know for sure if the number of segments you want to capture will occur in the acquisition. As many segments as possible will be captured up to the specified number.

Main Time Length has priority over Segment Count. Setting Segment Count will not affect Main Time Length, but setting Main Time Length will reduce Segment Count if necessary to achieve the set Main Time Length.
Desired Capture Duration (Segment Type = Variable): Sets the desired length of time (in seconds) for the capture.With segments of varying length, it may be difficult to know for sure how many segments will occur in the desired capture duration. As many segments as possible will be captured within the desired capture duration.
Selected Segment: Determines which segment to show in the Main Time and Spectrum traces in Vector mode. To see all segments in a single trace, select Trace > Data > Segmented Main Time.