VectorStar™ MS4640A Series Microwave Vector Network Analyzers : Frequency Menus : Frequency Menus
 
Frequency Menus
The frequency menus and associated field toolbars allow the user set various frequency start, stop, span, point, and CW mode parameters. The settings on the Frequency menu apply to the currently active channel.
There is a single menu for frequency that appears in six (6) variants depending on the setting on the SWEEP TYPES menu.
FREQUENCY Menu Changes
The buttons present, button availability, and the menu name of the FREQUENCY menu change depending on the setting of the SWEEP TYPES menu. Detailed descriptions of each menu and the contained buttons are in the sections below. The six (6) different frequency menus are described below.
FREQUENCY Menu with Frequency-Based Sweep (Linear)
If Sweep Types is set to Frequency-Based Sweep (Linear), the full eight (8) button FREQUENCY menu (described in the sections below) is available.
Available buttons are Start, Stop, Center, Span, # of Points, Step Size (read-only display), CW Mode, and CW Frequency.
The availability of these buttons depends on whether CW Mode is on or off.
FREQUENCY Freq. Based Linear Sweep Menu
SWEEP Menu Information:
SWEEP TYPES Menu
MAIN | Sweep Setup | SWEEP SETUP | Sweep Types | SWEEP TYPES
FREQUENCY Menu with Frequency-Based Sweep (Log)
If Sweep Types is set to Frequency-Based Sweep (Linear), the full eight (8) button FREQUENCY menu (described in the sections below) is available.
Available buttons are Start, Stop, Center, Span, # of Points, Step Size (read-only display), CW Mode, and CW Frequency.
The availability of these buttons depends on whether CW Mode is on or off.
FREQUENCY Freq. Based Log Sweep Menu
SWEEP Menu Information:
SWEEP TYPES Menu
MAIN | Sweep Setup | SWEEP SETUP | Sweep Types | SWEEP TYPES
FREQUENCY Menu with Segmented Sweep (Frequency-Based)
If the SWEEP TYPE is set to Segmented Sweep (Frequency-Based), the FREQUENCY menu changes to six (6) button menu with three active buttons and three read-only displays.
The three (3) active buttons are Start Range, Stop Range, and Maximize Range
The three read-only buttons are Display Start, Display Stop, and Data Points.
FREQUENCY Freq. Based Segmented Sweep Menu
SWEEP Menu Information:
SWEEP TYPES Menu
MAIN | Sweep Setup | SWEEP SETUP | Sweep Types | SWEEP TYPES
FREQUENCY Menu - INDEX. SEG. SWP Menu with Segmented Sweep (Index-Based)
When the SWEEP TYPE is set to Segmented Sweep (Index-Based), the FREQUENCY menu name changes to INDEX. SEG. SWP and the menu changes to a six (6) button menu with three active buttons and three read-only displays.
The three (3) active buttons are Start (Index), Stop (Index), and Maximize Range
The three read-only buttons are Display Start (Index), Display Stop (Index), and Data Points.
Both links go to the same location.
INDEX. SEG. SWP Index Based Segmented Sweep Menu
FREQUENCY Index Based Segmented Sweep Menu
SWEEP Menu Information:
SWEEP TYPES Menu
MAIN | Sweep Setup | SWEEP SETUP | Sweep Types | SWEEP TYPES
FREQUENCY Menu with Power Sweep (CW Frequency)
When the SWEEP TYPE is set to Power Sweep (CW) Sweep, the FREQUENCY menu has only two buttons consisting of a read-only display button for CW Mode, and a CW Frequency field button.
FREQUENCY Power Sweep CW-Based Menu
SWEEP Menu Information:
SWEEP TYPES Menu
MAIN | Sweep Setup | SWEEP SETUP | Sweep Types | SWEEP TYPES
FREQUENCY Menu with Power Sweep (Swept Frequency)
When the SWEEP TYPE is set to Power Sweep (Swept Frequency), the FREQUENCY menu changes to an eight (8) button menu with seven (7) active buttons and one read-only display.
The three (3) buttons of Start Index, Stop Index, and Maximize Range are available.
The three (3) read-only buttons of Display Start Index, Display Stop Index, and Data Points are displayed.
The availability of these buttons depends on whether CW Mode is on or off.
FREQUENCY Power Sweep Swept Freq Menu
SWEEP Menu Information:
SWEEP TYPES Menu
MAIN | Sweep Setup | SWEEP SETUP | Sweep Types | SWEEP TYPES
FREQUENCY Freq. Based Linear Sweep Menu
Menu Identification and Variants
The appearance and button availability of the FREQUENCY menu depends on settings on the SWEEP TYPE menu.
FREQUENCY Menu Changes
Consult the section above for menu identification and prerequisites.
Prerequisites
If the SWEEP TYPE is set to Frequency Sweep (Linear), the FREQUENCY menu changes to an eight (8) button menu with seven (7) active buttons and one read-only display.
SWEEP TYPES Menu
SWEEP TYPES Menu
MAIN | Sweep Setup | SWEEP SETUP | Sweep Types | SWEEP TYPES
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MAIN MENU
Navigation
MAIN | Frequency | FREQUENCY
 
FREQUENCY Freq. Based Linear Sweep Menu  
Start (Frequency)
Displays the Start (Frequency) field toolbar and allows the user to enter a starting frequency on a per-channel basis.
Stop (Frequency)
Displays the Stop (Frequency) field toolbar and allows the user to enter a stop frequency on a per-channel basis.
Center (Frequency)
The Center (Frequency) button displays the Center (Frequency) field toolbar and allows the user to enter a center frequency on a per-channel basis.
Span (Frequency)
The Span (Frequency) button displays the Span (Frequency) field toolbar and allows the user to enter a span frequency on a per channel basis.
# of Points
The Number of Points button displays the # of Points field toolbar and allows the user to enter the number of points for the frequency span, allowing separate parameter point settings for CW Mode ON and CW Mode OFF.
Step Size (Frequency)
A read-only field displays the calculated frequency step-size based on the requested frequency span and the number of points selected in the buttons above. If the CW Mode (below) is set to ON, the read-only field displays 0 (zero) Hz (shown at left).
CW Mode (Off/On)
The Continuous Wave (CW) toggle button, on a per-channel basis, toggles the CW function off and on. The default setting is off. If CW Mode is ON, the Step Size (Frequency) display (described above) is set to 0 (zero) Hz and the # of Points setting changes to what has been set for the CW Mode.
CW Frequency
The CW Frequency button displays the CW Frequency field toolbar and allows the user to set the required CW frequency. Input the required frequency value and select GHz, MHz, kHz, or Hz. If a calibration is active, the VNA will choose the closest CW frequency point from the active calibration points. If the requested CW frequency is a calibrated point, the VNA will assign the entered value. Note that the CW Frequency must fall within the range set by the Start/Stop buttons above.
FREQUENCY Freq. Based Log Sweep Menu
Menu Identification and Variants
The appearance and button availability of the FREQUENCY menu depends on settings on the SWEEP TYPE menu.
FREQUENCY Menu Changes
Consult the section above for menu identification and prerequisites.
Prerequisites
If the SWEEP TYPE is set to Frequency Sweep (Linear), the FREQUENCY menu changes to an eight (8) button menu with seven (7) active buttons and one read-only display.
SWEEP TYPES Menu
If the SWEEP TYPE is set to Frequency Sweep (Log), the FREQUENCY menu changes to an eight (8) button menu with seven (7) active buttons and one read-only display.
SWEEP TYPES Menu
MAIN | Sweep Setup | SWEEP SETUP | Sweep Types | SWEEP TYPES
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MAIN MENU
Navigation
MAIN | Frequency | FREQUENCY
 
FREQUENCY Freq. Based Log Sweep Menu
Start (Frequency)
Displays the Start (Frequency) field toolbar and allows the user to enter a starting frequency on a per-channel basis.
Stop (Frequency)
Displays the Stop (Frequency) field toolbar and allows the user to enter a stop frequency on a per-channel basis.
Center (Frequency)
The Center (Frequency) button displays the Center (Frequency) field toolbar and allows the user to enter a center frequency on a per-channel basis.
Span (Frequency)
The Span (Frequency) button displays the Span (Frequency) field toolbar and allows the user to enter a span frequency on a per channel basis.
 
# of Points (Number)
The Number of Points button displays the # of Points field toolbar and allows the user to enter the number of points for the frequency span.
This button allows separate parameter point settings for CW Mode ON and CW Mode OFF.
Step Size (Frequency)
If the SWEEP TYPES menu is set to Freq Sweep (Log), the Step Size display defaults to N/A in Log Sweep.
MAIN | Sweep Setup | SWEEP SETUP | Sweep Types | SWEEP TYPES
CW Mode (Off/On)
The Continuous Wave (CW) toggle button, on a per-channel basis, toggles the CW function off and on. The default setting is off.
If CW Mode is ON, the Step Size (Frequency) display (described above) is set to 0 (zero) Hz and the # of Points setting changes to what has been set for the CW Mode.
CW Frequency
The CW Frequency button displays the CW Frequency field toolbar and allows the user to set the required CW frequency. Input the required frequency value and select GHz, MHz, kHz, or Hz. Note that the CW Frequency must fall within the range set by the Start/Stop buttons above.
FREQUENCY Freq. Based Segmented Sweep Menu
Menu Identification and Variants
The appearance and button availability of the FREQUENCY menu depends on settings on the SWEEP TYPE menu.
FREQUENCY Menu Changes
Consult the section above for menu identification and prerequisites.
Prerequisites
If the SWEEP TYPE is set to Segmented Sweep (Frequency-Based), the FREQUENCY menu changes to six (6) button menu with three active buttons and three read-only displays.
SWEEP TYPES Menu
SWEEP TYPES Menu
MAIN | Sweep Setup | SWEEP SETUP | Sweep Types | SWEEP TYPES
Previous
MAIN MENU
Navigation
MAIN | Frequency | FREQUENCY
 
FREQUENCY Freq. Based Segmented Sweep Menu  
Start Range (Frequency)
Select displays the Start Range (Frequency) toolbar with frequency values and units of GHz, MHz, kHz, and Hz.
Stop Range (Frequency)
Select displays the Stop Range (Frequency) toolbar with frequency values and units of GHz, MHz, kHz, and Hz.
Maximize Range (Frequency)
Select maximizes the start and stop value to the maximum of the instrument. Note that when clicked, any previously entered Start and Stop value are overwritten and cannot be recovered unless a preset save was done.
Display Start (Frequency)
A read-only display of the Start Range frequency.
Display Stop (Frequency)
A read-only display of the Stop Range frequency.
Data Points (Number)
A read-only display of the calculated number of data points in the set frequency range.
INDEX. SEG. SWP Index Based Segmented Sweep Menu
FREQUENCY Index Based Segmented Sweep Menu
INDEX-BASED SEGMENTED SWEEP Menu
FREQUENCY INDEX-BASED SEGMENTED SWEEP Menu
Full Name
Index-Based Frequency Segmented Sweep
Menu Identification and Variants
The appearance and button availability of the FREQUENCY menu depends on settings on the SWEEP TYPE menu.
FREQUENCY Menu Changes
Consult the section above for menu identification and prerequisites.
Prerequisites
When the SWEEP TYPE is set to Segmented Sweep (Index-Based), the FREQUENCY menu name changes to INDEX. SEG. SWP and the menu changes to a six (6) button menu with three active buttons and three read-only displays.
SWEEP TYPES Menu
SWEEP TYPES Menu
MAIN | Sweep Setup | SWEEP SETUP | Sweep Types | SWEEP TYPES
Previous
MAIN MENU
Navigation
MAIN | Frequency | FREQUENCY
 
INDEX. SEG. SWP (FREQUENCY) Index-Based Segmented Sweep Menu  
Start (Index Number)
Select displays the Start (Index Number) toolbar allowing the selection of a starting index number for the sweep.
Stop Index (Number)
Select displays the Stop (Index Number) toolbar allowing the selection of an ending index number for the sweep.
Maximize Range (Index Number)
Select maximizes the start and stop value to the maximum of the instrument. Note that when clicked, any previously entered Start and Stop value are overwritten and cannot be recovered unless a preset save was done.
Display Start (Index Number)
A read-only display of the Start Index number.
Display Stop (Index Number)
A read-only display of the Stop Index number.
Data Points (Number)
A read-only display of the calculated number of data points in the swept frequency range.
 
FREQUENCY Power Sweep CW-Based Menu
Full Name
Frequency Power Sweep CW-Based Menu
Menu Identification and Variants
The appearance and button availability of the FREQUENCY menu depends on settings on the SWEEP TYPE menu.
FREQUENCY Menu Changes
Consult the section above for menu identification and prerequisites.
Prerequisites
When the SWEEP TYPE is set to Power Sweep (CW Frequency), the FREQUENCY menu changes to a two (2) button menu with one active button and one read-only display.
SWEEP TYPES Menu
SWEEP TYPES Menu
MAIN | Sweep Setup | SWEEP SETUP | Sweep Types | SWEEP TYPES
Previous
MAIN MENU
Navigation
MAIN | Frequency | FREQUENCY
 
FREQUENCY Power Sweep CW Freq. Menu  
CW Mode (Off/On)
The CW Mode toggle button is set to a read-only value of ON for a per-channel basis.
CW Frequency
The CW Frequency button displays the CW Frequency field toolbar and allows the user to set the required CW frequency. Input the required frequency value and select GHz, MHz, kHz, or Hz. Note that the CW Frequency must fall within the range set by the Start/Stop buttons above.
 
FREQUENCY Power Sweep Swept Freq Menu
Menu Identification and Variants
The appearance and button availability of the FREQUENCY menu depends on settings on the SWEEP TYPE menu.
FREQUENCY Menu Changes
Consult the section above for menu identification and prerequisites.
Prerequisites
If the SWEEP TYPE is set to Power Sweep (Swept Frequency), Frequency Sweep (Linear), the FREQUENCY menu changes to an eight (8) button menu with seven (7) active buttons and one read-only display.
Power sweep (swept frequency) is a limited multi-dimensional sweep mode that allows the evaluation of gain compression across swept frequency.
SWEEP TYPES Menu
SWEEP TYPES Menu
MAIN | Sweep Setup | SWEEP SETUP | Sweep Types | SWEEP TYPES
Previous
MAIN MENU
Navigation
MAIN | Frequency | FREQUENCY
 
FREQUENCY Power Sweep Swept Frequency Menu
Start (Frequency)
Displays the Start (Frequency) field toolbar and allows the user to enter a starting frequency on a per-channel basis.
Stop (Frequency)
Displays the Stop (Frequency) field toolbar and allows the user to enter a stop frequency on a per-channel basis.
Center (Frequency)
The Center (Frequency) button displays the Center (Frequency) field toolbar and allows the user to enter a center frequency on a per-channel basis.
 
Span (Frequency)
The Span (Frequency) button displays the Span (Frequency) field toolbar and allows the user to enter a span frequency on a per channel basis.
Span (Frequency) Field Toolbar
# of Points (Number)
The Number (#) of Points button displays the # of Points field toolbar and allows the user to enter the number of points for the frequency span. When the sweep is set to Power Sweep (Swept Frequency) on the SWEEP TYPES menu, the number of points is limited to no more than 401, subject to the CW Mode setting below.
MAIN | Sweep Setup | SWEEP SETUP | Sweep Types | SWEEP TYPES
The # of Points setting depends on the CW Mode:
If CW Mode is OFF, the range for the number of points is from 2 to 401.
If CW Mode is ON, the number of points is 1 (one).
Step Size (Frequency)
Read-only display. If CW Mode is ON, the step size is set to 0 (zero) Hz.
CW Mode (Off/On)
The Continuous Wave (CW) toggle button, on a per-channel basis, toggles the CW function off and on. The default setting is off.
If CW Mode is ON:
The Step Size (Frequency) display (described above) is set to 0 (zero) Hz
The # of Points setting is set to 1 (one) point.
CW Frequency
The CW Frequency button displays the CW Frequency field toolbar and allows the user to set the required CW frequency. Input the required frequency value and select GHz, MHz, kHz, or Hz. Note that the CW Frequency must fall within the range set by the Start/Stop buttons above.