The time domain functionality is provided by a chirp-Z transform (in most cases) of the available frequency domain data for that parameter. Since the transform simply treats the frequency domain values as input data, any parameter can be transformed (including mixed-mode and differential S-parameters). Unratioed parameters are less useful since they do not contain phase information that the transform relies upon.

The chirp-Z transform is, in a macro sense, very similar to the Fast Fourier Transform with the exception that the output range can be variable. This allows the ability to specify an arbitrary time range to look at while maintaining the desired point count. A different algorithm is used with dispersive media, such as waveguide and microstrip where the time-frequency relationship is more complex, but the functionality remains the same.

Defects can be considered to be impulse functions in the time domain. This sum of impulses transforms to a sum of complex exponential in the frequency domain. While these produce the characteristic ripples seen in frequency domain data of mismatched systems, the frequency domain data can be hard to interpret as to the location of the defects causing the ripples. This is the value of a time domain analysis.

One question that arises is whether the time (or distance) plotted represents a one-way or round trip time, particularly in the case of reflection measurements. The time definition menu, shown in Figure: TIME DEFINITION Menu, controls this behavior. When in Auto, the system will always display one-way times and detects whether the measurement parameter is reflection or transmission to help sort that out. If using user-defined parameters or unusual loop-access configurations, going to manual control may be needed. The transform itself will generate a round-trip time for reflection and a one-way time for transmission without any intervention from the system.