VNA Help
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Global Source

Global Source allows any internal or external source to be set globally and retain its settings even after an instrument preset.

How to access the Global Source dialog

Using Hardkey/SoftTab/Softkey

Using a mouse

  1. Press Sweep > Source Control > Global Source...o

or

  1. Press System > System Setup > Preferences....

  2. Press Global Sources... button.

  1. Click Stimulus.

  2. Select Sweep.

  3. Select Source Control.

  4. Select Global Source.

Global Source dialog box help

Note: For NA520xA PNA-X Pro models, each port has its own unique RF source, allowing more flexibility in path configurations, such as when using combiners.

Additionally, Option 2SS/4SS enables simultaneous sources, that is, the ability to turn on 2 or 4 sources at the same time. If you set a source ON and the number of simultaneous sources is exceeded, then the VNA automatically disables other sources and displays a warning in the status bar. If sources must be automatically disabled, the first sources to be disabled will be those currently in AUTO mode.

The following source selections are available:

  • Port 1
  • Port 2
  • Port 3
  • Port 4
  • Port 1 Src3
  • Port 2 Src4

Power On (All Channels) - Check to enable source power for all channels.

Global Sources Ignore "Power ON" Setting - This setting is a preference. Sources set to Global are not turned off when Power On (All Channels) is checked. Users of high power systems often turn off the RF Power to avoid damaging the system or the DUT. However, they may not want to turn off Global Sources being used as the clock signal for synthesizers.

Name - Lists the names of the sources.

Global - Set the state of the source.

  • OFF  Do not set as a global source.

  • Global  Set as a global source and set to a fixed frequency and power level defined in this dialog. Once a source is set to Global, It becomes "locked" and its settings cannot be controlled by any channel settings (frequency, power, RF on/off): It will be unaffected even if sweeps are disabled and if there are no channels defined for the VNA. The Recall feature will not change the Global Source setting. If Global Source is ON and a state saved with Global Source OFF is recalled, then Global Source will remain ON and the state will not be completely recalled and the VNA displays the warning message: The Recall is incomplete because Global Source is ON. When the GUI is exited, the Global Sources will be turned OFF.

    The following shows Source3 has been set to Global.

State - Turns source power on and off.

Frequency - Sets source frequency.

Power - Sets the power level at the output of the source.

Modulation - Enables/disables modulation on an internal source corresponding to the selected VNA port. Click in this field then click the Edit button to load an existing modulation file. Learn more.