# Signal Type Setup

Subtopics

- Pattern Length and Symbol Patterns
- Provided NRZ Pattern Files
- Provided PAM3 Pattern Files
- Provided PAM4 Pattern Files

Use the Signal Type Setup dialog box to specify the type of signals for each valid channel. Signals can be NRZ, PAM3, PAM4, or Unspecified. Certain types of analysis depend on a correctly identified signal type.

You can also specify the signal type by clicking the Advanced in the Channels dialog box.

Sources for these signals include channels, common mode channels, differential channels, and functions.

When PAM4 is selected, the Gray Code check box lets you specify whether symbols are Gray Coded or uncoded. When patterns are specified, the pattern should match this selection.

## Pattern

See Pattern Length and Symbol Patterns.

## Channels / Differentials tab

Use the Channels/Differentials tab to specify the signal type for each available channel, differential, or common-mode signal. These settings are coupled to the identical settings that are in the Channel N Advanced Setup and Differential (or Common-Mode) N Advanced Setup dialog boxes. You can make these selections in either location.

You can specify a signal type by selecting Unspecified, NRZ, PAM3, or PAM4. Certain types of analysis depend on a correctly identified signal type.

## Functions tab

Use the Functions tab to specify the signal type of available functions. These settings are coupled to the identical settings that are in the Function Setup dialog box. You can make these selections in either location. Select Automatic to have a function's output signal type follow the function's input signal types. Unlike channel, common mode, and differential waveforms, a function's output signal type is not detected but instead tracks the input signal types. If an input signal type changes, the function's signal type tracks. Consider the examples of signal tracking in the following table. The Add function is shown simply to show a dual-input function. Automatic is the default setting. When tracking is set to Manual, the function's output signal type no longer tracks the inputs. Instead, you specify the function's output signal type in the drop-down list. The Auto Detect Channels/Differentials button does not apply to Functions.

Examples of Signal-Type Tracking
Example | Input Signal Types | Example Function | Output Signal Type
--- | --- | --- | ---
1 | Input 1: PAM4 Input 2: PAM4 |  | PAM4
2 | Input 1: PAM4 Input 2: NRZ | Unspecified
3 | Input 1: NRZ Input 2: constant | NRZ

## Memories tab

Use the Memories tab to specify the type of signal for a waveform memory or Eye (color-grade/gray-scale) memory. These settings are coupled to the identical settings that are in the Waveform Memories dialog box or the Color-Grade/Gray Scale Memory dialog box. You can make these selections in either location.

If you save a waveform or color-grade gray-scale waveform to a file, the signal type is noted within the saved file: unspecified, NRZ, PAM3, or PAM4. If the file is then loaded into waveform or color-grade gray-scale memory the signal type setting is loaded along with the data.

Of course, you can always manually set the signal type. This setting is configured at the time that a waveform is loaded into memory. If the waveform is loaded from a channel or function, the signal type is copied from the waveform. If the waveform is loaded from a waveform file, the signal type is copied from the file.

The Auto Detect Channels/Differentials button does not apply to Memories.

## Location of Signal Type Settings

In addition to this dialog box, the Signal Type settings are also located in the various setup dialog boxes listed in the following table. If the PAM-N Analysis license is installed, also use the Signal Types Tab of the PAM-N Analysis Setup dialog box. The following table shows the dialog boxes and remote commands for controlling signal type selection and detection.

Commands for Setting and Detecting Signal Types
Waveform Source | Global Dialog Box | Local Dialog Boxes | Remote Command
--- | --- | --- | ---
Channel Signals | Signal Type Setup | Electrical Advanced Setup, PAM-N Analysis Setup | `:CHANnel:SIGNal:TYPE`
Common-Mode Signals | PAM-N Analysis Setup | `:CMODe:SIGNal:TYPE`
Differential Signals | Differential Advanced Setup, PAM-N Analysis Setup | `:DIFF:SIGNal:TYPE`
Functions | Function Setup, PAM-N Analysis Setup | `:FUNCtion:SIGNal:TYPE`
`:FUNCtion:SIGNal:TYPE:TRACking`
Eye Memory | Eye Memory, PAM-N Analysis Setup | `:CGMemory:SIGNal:TYPE`
Waveform Memory | Waveform Memory, PAM-N Analysis Setup | `:WMEMory:SIGNal:TYPE`

## See Also

- PAM-N Analysis