Switch Between Multiple Measurements


If you need to make multiple measurements to characterize a device, you can use various methods to increase throughput. Experiment with these methods to find what is best for your measurement application needs.

Other topics about Optimizing Measurements

Set Up Measurements for Increased Throughput

To achieve optimum throughput of devices that require multiple measurements, it is helpful to know the operation of the analyzer. This knowledge allows you to set up the measurement scenarios that are best for your applications.

Learn more about Traces, Channels, and Windows

Arrange Measurements in Sets

If you arrange measurements to keep the complete set of device measurements in one instrument state, you can save them so that you can later recall a number of measurements with one recall function.

See Pre-configured Measurement Setups for more information.

Use Segment Sweep

Segment sweep is helpful if you need to change the following settings to characterize a device under test.

The segment sweep allows you to define a set of frequency ranges that have independent attributes. This allows you to use one measurement sweep to measure a device that has varying characteristics.

See Segment Sweep for more information.

Trigger Measurements Selectively

You can use the measurement trigger to make measurements as follows:

For example, if you had four channels set up as follows:

You would want to constantly monitor only the measurement data that you use for tuning the filter. If you continuously update all of the channels, this could slow the response of the analyzer so that you would not be able to tune the filter as effectively.

Note: You must either trigger the infrequent measurement manually or with remote interface commands.

 

To trigger measurements selectively:

This procedure shows you how to set up two different measurements with the following behavior:

  1. Press Setup > Quick Start.

  2. At the Quick Start dialog box, click Create in new channel.

  3. Frequency Sweep dialog box shows. Enter the preferred sweep setting.

Set Up a Measurement Trigger for Continuous Updates

  1. Press Trigger > Trigger Source and select Internal.

  2. Press Trigger > Trigger....

  3. At the Trigger dialog box under Channel Trigger State, select Channel 1, and click Continuous.

Set Up a Measurement Trigger for Occasional Updates

  1. At the Trigger dialog box under Channel Trigger State, select Channel 2, and click Single, OK.

  2. Press Trigger > Restart.

Update the Measurement

  1. Click on the lower window to make Channel 2 the active channel.

  2. On the active entry toolbar, click the type of trigger you set up.

Note: A trace must be active for you to initiate a trigger for that measurement.

Automate Changes Between Measurements

If there are slight differences between the various measurements that you need to characterize a device, you may find that it is faster to change the measurement settings using programming.

Recall Measurements Quickly

The most efficient way to recall measurements is to recall them as a set of measurements (instrument state).

See Save and Recall Files for more information.