Return Loss is used to characterize RF components and systems. The Return Loss indicates how well the system is matched by taking the ratio of the reflected signal to the incident signal, and measuring the reflected power in dB.

The DTF measurement displays return loss values versus distance. If the frequency measurements fail or indicate a problem in the system, the DTF measurement can be used to identify and pinpoint the exact location of the problem. The DTF measurement shows the return loss value of all the individual components including connector pairs and cable components.

The cable loss test verifies the signal attenuation level of the cable.

Press the VSWR submenu key to view the impedance match in VSWR. VSWR is a ratio of voltage peaks to voltage valleys.

Press this submenu key to display VSWR values versus distance. If the frequency measurements fail or indicate a problem in the system, the DTF measurement can be used to identify and pinpoint the exact location of the problem. The DTF measurement shows the VSWR value of all the individual components including connector pairs and cable components.

 

See the next page for Advanced and Display Format options.

 

Press this submenu key to view the measurement results in a Smith Chart. The Smith Chart is a graphical tool that is used to plot the impedance of the device connected to the Site Master. It converts the measured reflection coefficient data into impedance data and displays it in a manner that makes the Smith Chart a useful tool for determining and tuning input match. This complex impedance plot reveals which matching elements are necessary to match a device under test to the reference impedance (which can be set in the Amplitude menu to either 50 Ω or 75 Ω).

Press this submenu key to display the phase of the reflection measurement of the device connected to the RF port. The Phase display range is from –450 degrees to +450 degrees.

The 1‑port phase measurement is most useful when making relative measurements (comparing the phase of one device to the phase of another) by utilizing the Trace Math function (Trace – Memory).

Press this submenu key to measure through the DUT. The Transmission measurement between the RF port and an External USB Sensor is used to measure the loss (or gain) in dB of a device. This measurement requires that one port of the device be connected directly (or through a test port cable) to the RF port of the Site Master. The second port of the device connects to the External USB Sensor.

 

Press this submenu key to toggle the sweep window to show one trace (Single) or
two traces (Dual). In dual display format, the active trace is framed with a red border. You can touch either trace to make it the active trace.