The Auto Set RF Levels feature allows the RF level settings on the test set's analyzer to be set automatically, depending on the values of other parameters which affect the sequence.
When Auto Set RF Levels is set to On and Include Mech Atten is selected, the List Sequencer measurement algorithm controls instrument gain and mechanical attenuation. The Instrument Gain setting (as defined in the Acquisition setup) and the Mech Atten setting are ignored.
When Auto Set RF Levels is set to On and Exclude Mech Atten is selected, the List Sequencer measurement algorithm controls instrument gain but not mechanical attenuation. The Instrument Gain setting (as defined in the Acquisition setup) is ignored, but the Mech Atten setting is used.
When Auto Set RF Levels is set to Off, the List Sequencer measurement algorithm does not control instrument gain or mechanical attenuation. Both the Instrument Gain setting (as defined in the Acquisition setup) and the Mech Atten setting are used.
Select the mechanical attenuation value from the dropdown list (the values range from 0 to 70 dB in 2 dB increments). This value is not available for selection when Auto Set RF Levels is set to On and Include Mech Atten is selected; in that case the Mech Atten value is set automatically by the List Sequencer measurement algorithm.
In order to take full advantage of the RF dynamic range of the test set's analyzer, a switched IF amplifier with approximately 10 dB of gain can be toggled. If it can be turned on without an overload, the dynamic range is always better with it on than off. Select LOW to turn the IF amplifier off, or HIGH to turn it on. This value is not available for selection when Auto Set RF Levels is set to On; in that case the IF Gain value is set automatically by the List Sequencer measurement algorithm.
If Auto Set RF Levels is On, and Exclude Mech Atten is selected, the List Sequencer measurement algorithm does not control mechanical attenuation. Instead, mechanical attenuation is controlled by the Mech Atten setting.
If Auto Set RF Levels is Off, Exclude Mech Atten has no effect and is not available for selection.
If Auto Set RF Levels is On, and Include Mech Atten is selected, the List Sequencer measurement algorithm controls mechanical attenuation; therefore, the Mech Atten setting has no effect and is not available for selection.
If Auto Set RF Levels is Off, Include Mech Atten has no effect and is not available for selection.
If Auto Set RF Levels is On, this parameter is fed into the List Sequencer measurement algorithm, and is used to determine how far from the analyzer's noise floor the ranging will go. In other words, the parameter specifies a minimum margin for signal/noise ratio; it should be selected to allow data to be fully demodulated with minimum error. The default value of 15 dB is typically used for a capture length of 1 ms. The longer the capture, the more averaging is performed, which impacts the SNR required.
If Auto Set RF Levels is Off, Min SNR Margin has no effect and is not available for setting.
If Auto Set RF Levels is On, this parameter is fed into the List Sequencer measurement algorithm, and is used to specify a difference between expected peak power and full scale, after the ranging is done. This margin is intended to accommodate the output power uncertainty of the DUT. If the default value of 5 dB is used, an overload warning will be issued only if the actual power exceeds expected peak power by 5 dB or more.
If Auto Set RF Levels is Off, Peak Power Margin has no effect and is not available for setting.