Save and Recall a File


You can save and recall files to and from an internal or external storage device in a variety of file formats.

Other Data Outputting topics

How to Save Instrument State and Calibration Files

Using Hardkey/SoftTab/Softkey

  1. Press Save Recall > Save State or Save Other.

 

Save State Softtab help

Learn all about VNA Instrument State files.

Save State - Immediately saves the VNA state, possibly calibration data and link to the selected filename by depends on the Save Type. The selected filename is automatically generate in the storage when you performed a save.

Auto Save - Saves state, calibration data and link to the storage. Saves state and calibration data to the internal storage in the D: folder. A filename is generated automatically using the syntax "atxxx"; where xxx is a number that is increment by one when a new file is Auto Saved. The filename is depends on the Save Type to save it in ".sta", ".csa" or ".cst".

Save State As... - Starts the Save As dialog box. (Not available on M948xA and E5080A.)

Save Register - Immediately saves the specified register (Register 1 to 8) to the selected filename by depends on the Save Type. The selected filename is automatically generate in the storage when you performed a save on selected register.

Save Type

State - Save VNA state in .sta filename.

State + Cal Data - Save VNA state and calibration data in .csa filename.

State + Cal Link - Save VNA state and calibration link in .cst filename.

 

Save Other Softtab help

Save Calset... & Save Screen... - Starts the Save As dialog box.

Save Data... - Starts the Save Data As dialog box.

Save User Preset... - Start the User Preset dialog box.

 

Save As dialog box help

Save Allows you to navigate to the directory where you want to save the file.

File name  Displays the filename that you either typed in or clicked on in the directory contents box.

Note: Filenames (not including the path name) MUST be limited to 64 characters.

Save as type

The following file types save Instrument states and Calibration data.   You can save, and later recall, instrument settings and calibration data for all channels currently in use on the analyzer. These file types are only recognized by Keysight VNA analyzers.

Learn more about these file types.

  • *.csa - save Instrument state and actual Cal Set data (cal/state archive) Default selection.

  • *.cst - save Instrument state and a link to the Cal Set data.

  • *.sta - save Instrument state ONLY (no calibration data)

  • *.cal - save actual Calibration data ONLY (no Instrument state)

Note: To save the screen as .bmp, .jpg, or .png graphics file types, click File / Print to File.  Learn more.

Save  Saves the file to the specified file name and directory.

 

Save VNA Measurement Data

How to Save Measurement Data

Using Hardkey/SoftTab/Softkey

  1. Press Save Recall > Save Other > Save Data....

Save Data As  Saves the current trace(s) to the specified type of file.

Note: This dialog now contains the settings previously selected from the old Define Data Save dialog.

Save Data As dialog box help

Note: Before saving measurement data, always trigger a single measurement, and then allow the channel to go into Hold.  This ensures that the entire measurement trace is saved.

Note: Memory traces can NOT be saved to any file type (PRN, SNP, CTI, CSV, MDF).

Save in Allows you to navigate to the directory where you want to save the file.

File name  Displays the filename that you either typed in or clicked on in the directory contents box.

Note: Filenames (not including the path name) MUST be limited to 64 characters.

Save as type  Choose from: (click each to learn more about each file type):  *.prn, *.SNP, *.SNPX. *.cti (citifile), *.csv, *.mdf.

  • FCA, GCA data can be saved to a special csv format. Learn how (FCA, GCA )

  • To save the screen as .bmp, .jpg, or .png graphics file types, click File / Print / Print to File.  Learn more.

  • Save Uncertainty (Opt S93015A) data (*.u*p, *.dsd, *.sdatcv). Learn more.

Data Scope

Determines what traces are saved to a file. Available ONLY with *.cti, *.csv, and *.mdf.

  • Auto

    • When correction is OFF, saves the specified trace.

    • When correction is ON, saves all corrected parameters associated with the calibrated ports in the Cal Set.

    • For GCA channels, saves the active trace only.

  • Single Trace - Saves the active trace.

  • Displayed Traces - Saves all displayed traces for all channels.

  • Channel Traces - Saves all displayed traces for active channels.

Format

Determines the format of the data. Available with (CTI Formatted, CSV, SNP, MDIF)

  • Auto - Data is saved in LogMag or LinMag if one of these is the currently selected display format. If format is other than these, then data is saved in Real/Imag.

  • LogMag/Angle (dB/deg), LinMag/Angle (unit/deg), Real/Imaginary - Select output format.

  • The imaginary portion for all LogMag and LinMag data is saved in degrees (dB/deg).

  • Real/Imaginary data is never smoothed.

  • Displayed Format (CSV and MDIF only) - Data is saved in the format of the displayed trace.

Note: .prn files can only save the active trace in the displayed format.

Save  Saves the file to the specified file name and directory.

Cancel - Closes the dialog.

Help - Displays Save Data As dialog box help.

 

Recall a file

How to Recall (open) a file

Using Hardkey/SoftTab/Softkey

Using a mouse

  1. Press Save Recall > Recall.

  1. Click on File
  2. Select Recall Data...

Save Recall > Recall Softtab Help

Recall State - Recall the specified filename.

Recall State - Select from a list of files shown on softkeys. The list can be sorted by 'most recently used' or alphabetically depending on a preference. The preference setting appears at the bottom of the second page of softkeys listing files to be recalled or on the Preference dialog.

Recall State... - Starts the Recall dialog box.

Recall Register - Recall the register (Register 1 to 8) which is saved in the D:\ drive (Only the saved register will enable to recall).

Recall Calset... - Starts the Recall dialog box.

Recall Data... - Starts the Recall dialog box.

Recall Order - A list of files for recall can arrange according to NAME or RECENT files.

 

Recall dialog box help

Look in  Allows you to select the directory that contains the file that you want to recall.

Filename  Displays the filename that you either typed in or clicked on in the directory contents box.

Files of type  Allows you view and select files that are listed in categories of a file type. The following types of files can be recalled into the analyzer: All State files, Citi files, SNP files.

Recalling instrument state files

When an Instrument State file is recalled, the current state of the instrument is overwritten with the recalled state. A *.cal file does not contain an instrument state, but only calibration data. Learn more about Instrument States.

See also Power ON and OFF during Save / Recall, User Preset, and Preset.

Recalling Data files

Citi files and SNP files can be recalled and viewed in the analyzer.

  1. Click File then Recall.  

  2. Select Citifile Data or Snp.

  3. Select the file to recall

  4. Click Recall.

Note: Citi files that were saved in CW Time sweep can NOT be recalled into the VNA.

Note: Filenames (not including the path name) that are longer than 64 characters will NOT be recalled.

Recalled data is ALWAYS displayed using LogMag format, regardless of how the file was stored.

The channel is placed in Trigger Hold. If triggering is resumed, the data will be overwritten.

SNP files are recalled as traces into a single window and channel, beginning at the highest available channel number allowed on the analyzer.  For multi-port SNP files (greater than 4 ports), if the number of S parameters in the file is beyond the maximum number of traces in a window, then new windows will be created.

Citi files are recalled into the same window and channel configuration as when they were saved. However, the new recalled channel numbers begin with the highest channel number allowed on the analyzer and decrement for each additional channel.

For example, when a citi file is saved, two traces are in window 1, channel 1 and two additional traces are in window 2, channel 2. When recalled into a factory preset condition (1 trace in window 1, channel 1), the first two recalled traces appear in window 2, highest channel number, and the second two traces appear in window 3, (highest channel number -1). See also Traces, Channels, and Windows.

Recall  Recalls the file displayed in the file name box.

Instrument State / Calibration Files

You can save, and later recall, instrument settings and calibration data for all channels currently in use on the analyzer.

An Instrument State contains almost every analyzer setting. The following settings are NOT saved and recalled with Instrument State:

The following file types are used to save and recall instrument states and Cal Set information:

File Types

Information that is stored for each channel

.csa

.cst

 

.sta

 

Instrument State Information

 

 

Channels/Traces

Averaging

 

 

Windows

Markers

 

 

Triggering

Math/memory

 

 

Format

Limits

 

 

Scale

More...

 

 

Stimulus Information:

 

 

Frequency range

Alternate sweep

 

 

Number of points

Port powers

 

 

IF bandwidth

Source attenuators

 

 

Sweep type

Receiver attenuators

 

 

Sweep mode

Test Set port map

.cal

 

 

Cal Set Information

 

 

GUID (Globally Unique Identifier)
provides link to Cal Set

 

 

 

Name, Description, Modify date

 

 

 

Stimulus Information:

 

 

 

Frequency range

Alternate sweep

 

 

 

Number of points

Port powers

 

 

 

IF bandwidth

Source attenuators

 

 

 

Sweep type

Receiver attenuators

 

 

 

Sweep mode

Test Set port map

 

 

 

Error Terms: Directivity, Crosstalk, Source match, Load match, Reflection tracking, Transmission tracking

File Type Descriptions and Recall

The following describes each file type, and what occurs when the file type is recalled.

Instrument states can have the following suffixes: .sta, .cst, and .csa.

Common to all of the instrument state files is the state of the instrument including the quantity and content of channels, traces, windows, markers, limit lines, etc.

What is different about the instrument state files is the way they handle the calset - a calset is the set of data that results from having executed a calibration on a channel.

*.sta files

This instrument state file is saved without any calset data. You might choose to use this type of save file if you are concerned about disk space or specifically do not want to store calibration data that tends to have a shelf life. That is, calibrations become less accurate as cables move and temperature changes. Perhaps you want to force a new calibration when the instrument state is used.

*.cst files

Note: Before saving a .cst file, be sure that a User Cal Set (NOT a Cal Register) is being used for the calibration. Cal Registers are overwritten with new data whenever a calibration is performed, and may not be accurate cal data when the .cst file is recalled. Learn more about Cal Sets.

*.cal files

*.csa files

A .csa file is an instrument state and a collection of calset data. Every channel that has an active calibration (that is, has a calset selected and applied to the channel) stores its calibration data into the .csa file. For example, let's say you have a calset called “mycalset” and you are using that calset on channel 1. You save a .csa file called MyState. If you then perform another calibration and save that calibration to “mycalset”, the data in “mycalset” will not be the same as the calibration data in the MyState file. Consequently, when you recall MyState the old calset called “mycalset” will overwrite the new calset “mycalset”. When this is about to occur, you are given a warning. If this is  a problem for you, you might prefer to use a .cst file.

 

Note: *.pcs files are the internal file format used for storing cal sets. These files should never be accessed or copied by the user.

Measurement Data Files

Measurement data is saved as ASCII file types for use in a spreadsheet or CAE programs.

Note: Before saving measurement data, always trigger a single measurement, and then allow the channel to go into Hold.  This ensures that the entire measurement trace is saved.

Note: Memory traces can NOT be saved to any file type (PRN, SNP, CTI, CSV, MDF).

The following file types can be saved by the analyzer:

*.prn Files

Prn files have the following attributes:

How to Save PRN Trace Data (*.prn)

Using Hardkey/SoftTab/Softkey

  1. Press Save Recall > Save Other > Save Data....

  2. Under Save as type, select PRN Trace Data (*.prn).

 

Example:

"S11 Log Mag"

 

"Frequency (Hz)",

"dB"

3.000000e+005    ,

-3.528682e+001  ,

4.529850e+007    ,

-2.817913e+001  ,

9.029700e+007    ,

-3.216808e+001  ,

1.352955e+008    ,

-3.101017e+001  ,

.SNP Format (*.s1p, *.s2p, *.s3p. *.s4p, and so forth)

Before saving measurement data, always trigger a single measurement, and then allow the channel to go into Hold.  This ensures that the entire measurement trace is saved.

*.SNP files and other analyzer settings

What is Saved

*.SNP data is generally used to gather all S-parameters for a fully corrected measurement.

The analyzer saves the data that is available on the channel of the active measurement.

File Type

# of Ports

# of S-parameters saved

*.s1p

1

1 S-parameter

*.s2p

2

4 S-parameters

*.s3p

3

9 S-parameters

*.s4p

4

16 S-parameters

...

...

...

*.SNP

N

N^2 S-parameters

How to Save .SNP Format (*.s1p, *.s2p, *.s3p. *.s4p)

Using Hardkey/SoftTab/Softkey

  1. Press Save Recall > Save Other > Save Data....

  2. Under Save as type, select Trace (*.s1p, *.s2p, *.s3p or *.s4p).

.SNP Data Output

.SNP files contain header information, stimulus data, a response data pair for EACH S-parameter measurement. The only difference between .s1p, s2p, and so forth, is the number of S-parameters that are saved.

The following is a sample of Header information:

!Keysight Technologies,E8362B,US42340026,Q.03.54

!Keysight E8362B: Q.03.54

!Date: Friday, April 25, 2003 13:46:41

!Correction: S11(Full 2 Port SOLT,1,2) S21(Full 2 Port SOLT,1,2) S12(Full 2 Port SOLT,1,2) S22(Full 2 Port SOLT,1,2)

!S2P File: Measurements:S11,S21,S12,S22:  

# Hz  S RI R 50

Note: Although the following shows Real / Imag pairs, the format could also be LogMag / Phase or LinMag / Phase

*.s1p Files

Each record contains 1 stimulus value and 1 S-parameter (total of 3 values)

Stim  Real (Sxx)  Imag(Sxx)

 

Example:

*.s2p Files

Each record contains 1 stimulus value and 4 S-parameters (total of 9 values)

Stim  Real (S11)  Imag(S11)  Real(S21)  Imag(S21)  Real(S12)  Imag(S12)  Real(S22)  Imag(S22)

 

Example:

*.s3p Files

Each record contains 1 stimulus value and 9 S-parameters (total of 19 values)

Stim   Real (S11)  Imag(S11)  Real(S12)  Imag(S12)  Real(S13)  Imag(S13)

          Real (S21)  Imag(S21)  Real(S22)  Imag(S22)  Real(S23)  Imag(S23)

          Real (S31)  Imag(S31)  Real(S32)  Imag(S32)  Real(S33)  Imag(S33)

 

Example:

*.s4p Files (and so forth...)

Each record contains 1 stimulus value and 16 S-parameters (total of 33 values)

Stim   Real (S11)  Imag(S11)  Real(S12)  Imag(S12)  Real(S13)  Imag(S13)  Real(S14)  Imag(S14)

          Real (S21)  Imag(S21)  Real(S22)  Imag(S22)  Real(S23)  Imag(S23)  Real(S24)  Imag(S24)

          Real (S31)  Imag(S31)  Real(S32)  Imag(S32)  Real(S33)  Imag(S33)  Real(S34)  Imag(S34)

          Real (S41)  Imag(S41)  Real(S42)  Imag(S42)  Real(S43)  Imag(S43)  Real(S44)  Imag(S44)

 

Example:

 

.S2PX Data Output

*.S2PX files are used for Segmented Mixer Data. Learn more.

The following ADDITIONAL columns precede parameter data:

SegIndex,InputFreq,OutputFreq,LO1Freq,InputPower,LO1Power, <parameter data>

 

Choose ports for SNP File dialog box help

This dialog appears when any of the following conditions exist while attempting to save data to an *snp file:

  • you request less data than is available

  • you want data for more than 4 ports

  • a balanced measurement is active

Number of ports  Select the number of ports for which data will be saved.

The following buttons appear ONLY when a Balanced measurement is displayed.

Normal  Click to save normal (single-ended) port data.

Mixed Mode  Click to save balanced (logical) port data. Choices are based on the topology selection for current active parameter:

  • SE-Bal:  Choose from S1, D2, C2 (Single-ended port 1, Differential port 2, Common port 2)

  • SE, SE, Bal: Choose from S1, S2, D3, C3 (Single-ended port 1, Single-ended port 2, Differential port 3, Common port 3)

  • Bal-Bal: Choose from D1, C1, D2, C2 (Differential port 1, Common port 1, Differential port 2, Common port 2)

For example, with SE-Bal topology, choose 2 ports, S1 for first, and D2 for second. The following 4 parameters are saved: Sss11, Ssd12, Sds21, Sdd22.  

Arrow buttons  Click to Add or Remove ports from or to the following columns:

Available Ports  All test set ports are listed. There may NOT be valid data available for all of these ports. Learn more.

Chosen Ports  When OK is clicked, SNP data is saved for these ports.

OK  Becomes available when the number of Chosen ports = the Number of ports to save. Click to save to SNP file.

With Number of ports = 2, .s2p data is saved; with Number of ports = 3, .s3p data is saved, and so forth. Learn more about SNP files

.cti CitiFiles

Citifile format is compatible with the Keysight 8510 Network Analyzer and Keysight's Microwave Design System (MDS).

You can do the following using citifiles :

How to Save Citifile Formatted Data (*.cti)

Using Hardkey/SoftTab/Softkey

  1. Press Save Recall > Save Other > Save Data....

  2. Under Save as type, select Citifile Formatted Data (*cti).

*.csv files contain:

The above image is a Citifile opened in Notepad. There are two traces in separate channels - one is an FCA trace. Each trace has 3 data points. The save settings = Displayed Traces Content, and Auto Format.

Format is identified by DBANGLE (log mag), MAGANGLE (Lin Mag), or RI (real, imaginary - NOT shown)  

On the data access map, Formatted data is taken from location 2 or 4.

 

How to Save Citifile Unformatted Data (*.cti)

Using Hardkey/SoftTab/Softkey

  1. Press Save Recall > Save Other > Save Data....

  2. Under Save as type, select Citifile Data Data (Real,imag) (*cti).

On the data access map, Unformatted data is taken from the block just before Format.

Citifiles can be recalled and viewed in the analyzer. Learn more.

*.csv Files

CSV files are read by spreadsheet programs such as Microsoft Excel.

 

How to Save CSV Formatted Data (*.csv)

Using Hardkey/SoftTab/Softkey

  1. Press Save Recall > Save Other > Save Data....

  2. Under Save as type, select CSV Formatted Data (.csv).

*.csv files contain: header information and the following Comma-Separated Values.

*.mdf Files

MDIF files are compatible with Keysight ADS (Advanced Design System). Learn more at the Keysight website.

 

How to Save MDIF Data (*.mdif)

Using Hardkey/SoftTab/Softkey

  1. Press Save Recall > Save Other > Save Data....

  2. Under Save as type, select MDIF Data (*.mdif).

*.mdf files contain: header information and space-separated data:

Define Data Saves

Note: Although these settings are still supported, they are no longer necessary to save data files. The Save Data As dialog box contains these settings.

How to select Define Data Saves

Using Hardkey/SoftTab/Softkey

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

  2. Click the Data Saves... button on the Preferences dialog box.

Define Data Saves dialog box help

Note: Although these settings are still supported, they are no longer necessary to save data files. The Save Data As dialog box contains these settings.

The following settings survive an Instrument Preset and Shutdown.

CitiFile, CSV, and MDIF Contents

Determines what is saved to a .cti file.

Auto - Saves the active trace. Additional traces are saved if correction is ON. For Full 2-port calibration, 4 traces are saved; for Full 3-port calibration, 9 traces are saved, and so forth.

Single Trace - Saves the active trace.

Displayed Traces - Saves all displayed traces for all channels.

Citifile and CSV Format

Auto - Data is saved in LogMag or LinMag if one of these is the currently selected display format. If format is other than these, then data is saved in Real/Imag.

LogMag, LinMag, Real/Imag - Select output format.

  • The imaginary portion for all LogMag and LinMag data is saved in degrees.

  • Real/ Imag data is never smoothed.

SnP Format (.s1p, .s2p, .s3p)

Learn more about SnP files.

Auto - Data is saved in LogMag or LinMag if one of these is the currently selected format. If format is other than these, then data is saved in Real/Imag.

LogMag, LinMag, Real/Imag - Select output format.  The imaginary portion for all LogMag and LinMag data is output is in degrees.

 

Manage Files without a Mouse

How to Manage Files without a Mouse

Using Hardkey/SoftTab/Softkey

  1. Press Save Recall > Save Other.

  2. Click Manage Files... and then D:\ drive folder dialog box appears.

OR

  1. Press System > Main.

  2. Click Manage Files... and then D:\ drive folder dialog box appears.

Manage Files dialog box help

The Manage Files dialog box is designed to be used from the front panel. It performs the same function as Windows Explorer, but can be used without the use of a mouse or keyboard.