DANL (Displayed Average Noise Level)

Caution:
- Density data is decimated from the original FieldFox data. Refer to the FieldFox for more complete density data.
- The displayed *.sta data is not supported if any setting is changed (e.g., start/stop frequencies, span, or other changes in the middle of recording the data).

IMPORTANT:

To use this feature you must have Data Link version 7.0 or greater. If you do not have the correct version of Data Link, download the Data Link software from www.keysight.com/find/fieldfox.

This topic assumes you are familiar with: Open and Save Files, Record Playback Trace Recording Tool (Command Line Help, Creating Session Folders Data), Viewing Playback Data, and Setup LAN Instrument.

In this topic:

Learn how to use the DANL feature using SA and RTSA modes.

NOTE: It is recommended that you review the UI  Features, Menu Bar, and Status Bar sections, before using the Procedure.

• Using Data Link's Displayed Average Noise Level (DANL) Features

• Procedure for using an AutoSession (High Level)

• UI  Features

• DANL Tool Menu Features

• Recording

• Data - Using copy lines, Copying Waterfall data, Working with *.dls files

• Markers

• Status Bar

• Icon Descriptions

Using Data Link's Displayed Average Noise Level (DANL) Feature

NOTE: Recorded measurements from the FieldFox are required to be used with the DANL tool.

The DANL feature displays recorded SA and RTSA Spectrogram, spectrum, spectrum sequences, density or combined measurements.

NOTE: For information on how to use the FieldFox's Record/Playback features to create *.sta files, refer to the FieldFox Chapter 18/19 Interference Analyzer (SA Mode) - Option 236 and Chapter 9/10 RTSA (Real-time Spectrum Analyzer Mode- Option 350) A-Series N9927-90020, the B-Series N9938-90006, and A-Series N9915-90020 (Unabridged) User's Guides.

NOTE: It is recommended that you review the UI  Features, Menu Bar, and Status Bar sections, before using the Procedure.

Procedure for using an AutoSession (High Level):

NOTE: To learn more about opening DANL AutoSession files or if you want to convert session playback file to a *.csv, refer to Open and Save Files.

Suggested Settings:

• Positive Peak Detector

• RBW 1 kHz (i.e., without preamplifier)

• Attenuator 0 dB

• Without external offset

1. On the FieldFox: Create an Autosession (n) /10 (.sta) session file by:

• Using the FieldFox A-Series N9927-90020, B-Series N9938-90006, or C-Series N9915-90020 (Unabridged) User's Guides or

• Saving a file as a AutoSession file to an *.sta file.  Refer to Open and Save Files.

2. On the Menu Bar, click Tools > Playback > Open Binary Session to select your Autosession (n) (*.sta) to open in Data Link: Click File > Open... > Autosession02 (example)

Refer to Figure 1.

Figure 1. The Data Link Menu

3. In the Open Session window that opens:

1. Click Open Session... (See figure 2).

2. Click on a session to open (See figure 2 and figure 3).

3. Click Done. Learn more, see Open and Save Files.

NOTE: The DANL Tools Menu appears above the standard Data Link Tools Menu.

Figure 2. Open a Session...

4. Then choose from the following:

• Click on Markers and set up markers and delta markers.

• Click on File > Preferences... and use the Preferences Dialog Box to change the range of the Zoom In/Out mouse behavior.

• Zoom In/Out using the Waterfall pane and your left mouse but or scroll wheel to drag up or down. See DANL Display - Density, Spectrogram, and Waterfall View (And Waterfall Mouse Behavior).

• Click on File > Load /Save to load or save a data link saved (.dls) file to save your data and marker choices.

• Learn more by referring to DANL UI Features and DANL Tools Bar Features.

UI Features:

• Open Session Dialog Box

• DANL Tool Menu

• DANL Display - Density, Spectrogram, and Waterfall View (And Waterfall Mouse Behavior)

• Recording

• Preferences Dialog Box
• Markers
• Data
• Status Bar
• Icon Descriptions

Figure 3. Open Session Dialog Box

• After clicking Done, the DANL menu that appears above the standard Data Link menu (Refer to Figure 4):

Figure 4. The DANL Tool Menu opens above the standard Data Link menu

Display - Density, Spectrogram, and Waterfall View Features

Caution:
- Density data is decimated from the original FieldFox data. If desired, refer to FieldFox for more complete density data.
- The displayed DANL data is not supported if any setting is changed (e.g., start/stop frequencies, span, or other changes in the middle of recording the data).

In this section:

• Zoom In/Out

• Power and

• Percent Gauges

Zoom In/Out (See Figure 5 below)

Use your mouse to the change view (See also, Icon Descriptions):

NOTE: Mouse wheel can be used to Zoom In/Out..

• Zoom In - Left click drag down to right. Zooms the Waterfall and Spectrogram panes, but does not affect the Density pane.

• Zoom Out - Left click drag up to left corner. Returns Waterfall pane to originally displayed view, before zooming in.

Power (dB) Gauge - Indicates the color gradient of minimum to maximum power. Enables of disables the Waterfall data. Power gauge may be moved to anywhere in the data view using the left mouse click.

Percent Gauge - Power density/spectrum percentage. Percent gauge may be left mouse moved to anywhere in the data view.

NOTE:

- You can only Zoom In/Zoom Out in the Waterfall data pane and the effect can be seen in the Spectrogram and Density panes.

- Mouseover the figure below and click to go to descriptions in this topic.

Figure 5. DANL Display Features and Contract the Waterfall view using the Left Mouse Button

DANL Tools Menu Features

This section contains the following:

• Recording

• Save...

• Load...

• Go to trace /Go to time stamp...

• Report..

• Procedure for creating AutoSession (n) reports

• To print a Report

• Preferences...

• Markers

• Data

Recording

Save... - Saves a data link save (dls) file with the current markers and settings.

NOTE: "Save..." is only active when Data > Copy data has been used to create a copy of the current AutoSession (n). See also, Data.

Load... - Load a previously saved data link save (dls) file.

Go to trace /Go to time stamp... - In the current trace being displayed, this dialog box enables you to choose a trace or a time stamp to view.

• Go to trace number - Enter a trace number from 0 to n to view. Then click Go! button to go to trace number.

• Go to time stamp - Enter a time stamp for the displayed trace to view. Then click Go! button to go to time stamp.

• Start - this button moves the dashed-white vertical line to the start of the current DANL signal

• End - this button moves the dashed-white vertical line to the end of the current DANL signal

• Page Down - Starts playing the DANL signal from the end.

• Page Up - Starts playing the DANL signal from the beginning.

Figure 6. Go to trace or Go to time Stamp

Report... - Use the Report dialog box to add technician, measurement description, and other details.

CAUTION: To avoid losing data entered into the Report dialog box, verify that you have saved a copy of your current Report. See Procedure for creating AutoSession (n) reports and To print a Report.

NOTE: The Report dialog box auto-populates: Data Source, Number of Points Per Trace, Resolution Bandwidth, Video Bandwidth, Center Frequency, and Span information.

Figure 7. Report Dialog Box

CAUTION:
- To avoid losing data entered into the Report dialog box, verify that you have printed a copy of your current Report. See also, Procedure for creating AutoSession (n) reports and To print a Report.
- Also, if a *.dls file is saved, then a copy of your Report is saved.  See also, Procedure for defining a Waterfall data area and saving as a *dls file.

Procedure for creating AutoSession (n) reports:

1. Click Recording > Report…
2. Fill in the Report window to any detail required.

CAUTION: Avoid closing the Report window or your data will be lost. See To print a Report.

To print a Report:

1. Click to move the Report window, so you can click on the AutoSession or AutoSession Copy (i.e., the Report window is now behind the AutoSession copy).
2. Click File > Print… to open a Print window and select your printer Name.

NOTE: When you close the Report window, the data is cleared.

Preferences... - Opens a Preferences dialog box.

• Click on the Density buttons: High and Mid (Middle) to change the colors on the power levels.

• Click on the Spectrogram (colors) drop down box and choose from:

• FieldFox Colors (default) - Enables the colors that are available on the instrument.

• Warm Colors

• Cool Colors

• Grey Scale

• High Contrast

• Custom - Opens a Custom Color Palette window that enables you to choose your own colors and to additional levels of power level colors (i.e., Medium-High, Medium, Medium-Low, and Low).

• Click Apply to enable color changes to Spectrogram trace.

• Click to Enable Max Hold Trace to enable/disable the maximum hold trace on the Density trace.

• Click to Enable Legends to enable/disable the displayed Power (dBm) and Percent (dBm) legends.

• Click to Enable Grid, Y axis and Markers.

• Click to Enable time values on spectrogram axis (i.e., number of traces is the default displayed Y-axis values).

NOTE: 24-Hour Time Format is only active when Enable time values on spectrogram axis is checked.

• Click on 24-Hour Time Format to enables/disables 24 hour to 12 hour time-format or vice versa (default == 12 hour).

• Click on Min Power Level (dBm) to set the minimum power level (up to -150 dBm).

• Click on Max Power Level (dBm) to set the minimum power level (up to 150 dBm).

• Click on Transport Speed during Playback to down arrow to select 1x, 2x, 5x, or 10x (default == 1x).

• Click on Transport Jump Reverse and Forward to 1 to 32767  (default == 5).

• Click on Spectrogram Window to change to increase /decrease the information displayed in the Spectrogram pane (1 to 8000, default == 8000, not settable).

• Click on Density Window to change to increase /decrease the FFT window overlap to reduce side lobes of the information displayed in the density pane (1 to 8000, default == 100).

 NOTE: 24-Hour Time Format is only active when Enable time values on spectrogram axis is checked.

• Click in the Technician Name box and enter the technician making the measurement.

• Click in the Phone Number box to enter contact information on the technician.

Figure 8a. Preferences Dialog Box Buttons

Figure 8b. Spectrogram Colors Drop-down Box

Figure 8c. Custom Color Palette

Markers

• Add - Clicking Add creates a marker at the intersection of the X and Y axis white dashed lines. But, if the X-axis dashed line is in the default position at the bottom of the Waterfall image as shown in Figure 9, Figure 10, and Figure 11 then the marker is displayed in the center of the Y-axis dashed line.

• Delete - Click to select the marker and then Delete.

NOTE: You can delete the default initial marker at the bottom center of the displayed data.

• Set delta -

• Clear delta - Deletes the currently selected delta marker value (i.e., use left mouse to select).

• To create a delta marker left:

1. Click Markers > Add

2. Click the marker you want in the Waterfall pane.

3. Optional: Click and drag to different location in the Waterfall pane.

4. Repeat a thru c.

5. Click on the marker you want to reference.

6. Right click the other marker to create a delta marker.

• Peaks - Opens a PeakSearch dialog box to choose: Peak Left, Peak, Peak, Right, or Cursor to Center. 

Figure 9. Markers: AutoSession (n) - Example for AutoSession01

Table 1. Delta Marker - Legend

This table describes the different types of delta marker icons that are used in the DANL feature.

To select a delta marker you must have two markers displayed click the marker you want to be the delta marker and:

• On the DANL Tool Menu Bar, click Markers > Set Delta Marker. Repeat this action to confirm delta marker choice.

NOTE: You can only have one active (selected) delta marker (orange) and one black delta marker at the same time. Attempting to set a third delta marker clears the other two delta markers.

Delta Flag Type	Description
	Orange stable (not flashing) - Stable delta marker indicates the current active (selected) delta marker. Orange delta marker (flashing) - When flashing, something has been changed in the DANL display and you must re-select to make this the active marker or choose another marker as the delta marker. Click the orange icon and then on the DANL Tool Menu Bar, click Markers > Set Delta Marker. Repeat this action to confirm delta marker choice.
	Solid white or gray/white flashing icon indicates the current delta marker has been reselected and needs to be confirmed by clicking.
	Gray delta marker with icon indicates another marker has been clicked and the delta marker is in the process of being reset. Click Markers > Set Delta Marker to make this the active delta marker.
	Black delta marker indicates a second delta marker is currently selected .

Figure 10. Delta Marker Position - Active Delta Marker

Figure 11. Marker PeakSearch Dialog Box

• Click Peak Left, Peak, or Peak Right to select the nearest peak power point.

Note: If there is not Peak Left or Peak Right data point, the white-dashed vertical bar indicates the new peak power position.

Data

This section contains the following:

• Procedure for defining a Waterfall data are and saving as a *dls file

• Procedure for Restoring copy lines to a session and Deleting last selected pair

Figure 12. Data - Insert copy line, Delete copy lines, Delete last selected pair, Copy Data, and Restore copy lines to session.

Data choices:

Insert copy line - Add a copied initial line to define the Waterfall data area. Two copied lines are required to define the Waterfall data area. to be copied See also, Copy data.

Delete copy lines - Deletes all inserted copy lines.

Delete last selected pair - Click a AutoSession (n) copy, click Data > Data delete last selected pair,

Refer to "Procedure for defining a Waterfall area..."

Copy data - Copy an initial Waterfall data area defined by a pair of copy lines.

Restore copy lines to session - This activates the previously copied area of the AutoSession (n) that was defined by a pair of copy lines and enables editing of those copy lines.

Caution: Restore copy lines to session is only active when a AutoSession Copy is selected by clicking.

Note: Activated area defined by a pair of copy lines is visible in the AutoSession (n) displayed data and is indicated by a change in the color of the copied lines.

Procedure for defining a Waterfall data area and saving as a *dls file:

1. Open an AutoSession (n).
2. Make any changes to current view to optimize for defining the Waterfall data area (i.e., using Preferences, etcetera).
3. Click Data > Insert copy line... for the first Waterfall data area boundary.
4. Click double arrow () to move the copy line where you want a boundary for the area to be copied.
5. Repeat steps 3. and 4. to complete the Waterfall data boundary area desired.
6. Click Copy Data. A new AutoSession (n) of the copied data is displayed.
7. Saving data as a *.dls file: Click Recording > Save...
8. A "Collecting data, please wait..." window is displayed. Click OK.
9. A Window opens choose file location and to name the *.dls file.

See also, Opening a *.dls File.

Procedure for Restoring copy lines to a session and Deleting last selected pair

NOTE: Learn more, refer to Example - Insert Copy Lines.

1. Open an AutoSession (n).
2. Make any changes to current view to optimize for defining the Waterfall data area (i.e., using Preferences, etcetera).
3. Click Data > Insert copy line... for the first Waterfall data area boundary.
4. Click double arrow () to move the copy line where you want a boundary for the area to be copied.
5. Repeat steps 3. and 4. to complete the Waterfall data boundary area desired.
6. Click Copy Data. A new AutoSession (n) of the copied data is displayed.
7. Click on the AutoSession (n) Copy to bring forward.
8. Click Data > Restore copy lines to session
9. In the AutoSession (n) that had the inserted copied lines, you will see a pair of the copy lines change color that correspond to the restored copy, lines.
10. You can manipulate these restored copy lines as desired by:

• clicking the double arrow (), or
• by clicking Data > Delete last selected pair to delete the last copy moved, or
• clicking Delete copy lines to remove all copied lines.

Status Bar:

Reverse /Play /Forward - To move the Waterfall data in time. The speed and amount of the Reverse /Forward time changes are set in the Preferences Dialog Box.

Frequency - Is the Center frequency of the current *.csv file that is loaded into Data Link.

Time - 12 hour /24 hour

Delta - Is the value of the current delta marker displayed in the Waterfall pane.

NOTE: If you have a delta marker visible on the display, but no delta marker value is displayed in the bottom right corner (see )

Icon Descriptions:

- indicates mouse pointer is near an area of the image that can be changed via left mouse click and drag.

- Horizontal scroll left mouse drag. Available at the bottom left side of the Waterfall, Density, and Spectrum panels.

- Vertical scroll left mouse drag. Available at the bottom left side of the Waterfall, Density, and Spectrum panels.

- Use the left mouse cursor and this double arrow with a vertical bar marker to move the Waterfall pane's X and Y axis white dashed lines.

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