Receiver Gain

The receiver gain can be fixed. When the receiver gain is lower than expected, for example due to an unexpected spurious signal, this function allows you to fix the gain level to improve the dynamic range. The measurement speed is almost the same even if the range is fixed.

Note: Receiver Gain is not available only on Standard measurement class.

How to make Receiver Gain settings

Use one of the following methods to set port power. The softkey is available on standard measurement class only.

Using Hardkey/SoftTab/Softkey

Using a mouse

  1. Press Setup > Internal Hardware > Receiver Gain....

  1. Click Instrument > Setup  > Internal Hardware> Internal Hardware > Receiver Gain...

The analyzer has the independent error terms for high and low receiver settings. Each error terms can be monitored in Cal Set Viewer. A Cal Set has error terms without gain settings.

Note: The wideband/reference calibration set must have the same switched gain settings as the user cal set.

Calibration Time Reduction (Fixed Gain Calibration)

When receiver gain settings includes AUTO or combination of High and Low, the analyzer measures the error terms for both high and low settings automatically. Hence, the analyzer make sweeps three times in the calibration.

When receiver gain settings are all FIXED (high or low) and have same state for each source port, the VNA takes sweep for the calibration only one time for specified gain setting in order to reduce the calibration time.

For example, the following setting can reduce the calibration time.

Receiver gain setting

Receiver port

1

2

Source Port

1

Low

High

2

Low

High

 

Receiver gain setting

Receiver port

1

2

Source Port

1

Low

High

2

Low

High

 

Receiver Overload / ADC Overflow

When the receiver gain is set at Auto, the pre-measurement is done to select the proper range (HIGH or LOW). SENSe<cnum>:SOURce<sport>:RECeiver<rport>:GAIN:LIST? returns the information which range is used at each test point.

The receiver overload/ADC overflow may occur in the following conditions when the receiver gain is set at HIGH (including HIGH in AUTO setting)

Receiver overload can be turned off in the preference.

 

Receiver Gain dialog box help

This dialog provides basic control receiver for a specific port.

This table consists of source port rows and receiver port columns. Each cell is corresponded to measurements in the active channel. (e.g. ‘Receiver port 1 – Source port 3’ is corresponded to S13, a1,3 and b1,3.)

The each cell sets the setting by the following drop down list.

  • Auto - (Default) Receiver gain is controlled automatically for each measurement points according to the input signal level.

  • High - Fix the gain setting at high

  • Low - Fix the gain setting at low

Set All Gains - Sets all cells at one time.

 

Receiver Gain for Segment Sweep dialog box help

In Sweep Segment Table Dialog, Check the check box of Receiver Gain.

This dialog provides basic control receiver gain of the specified segment for a specific port in the segment sweep. The receiver gain in Segment Table dialog box should be turned on, then click Edit under Rev Gain column in the Segment Table,

Select your required segment to define the setup in the selection at the top of dialog box.

 

This table consists of source port rows and receiver port columns. Each cell is corresponded to measurements in the active channel. (e.g. ‘Receiver port 1 – Source port 3’ is corresponded to S13, a1,3 and b1,3.)

The each cell sets the setting by the following drop down list.

  • Auto - (Default) Receiver gain is controlled automatically for each measurement points according to the input signal level.

  • High - Fix the gain setting at high

  • Low - Fix the gain setting at low

Set All Gains - Sets all cells at one time.