The instrument displays the power values in both dBm and watts, and offers the following measurement features:
• Relative Power displays power changes with respect to a desired reference value in both dB and % (percent).
• Limit values can be turned on as needed to indicate if a measurement is within or outside specified limits.
• Averages provides a settable number of a running average count.
• Max Hold retains the highest power level measurement.
• External Gain and Loss setting allows power level compensation for passive losses (such as cable loss or attenuators) or active gains (such as RF power amplifiers).
• Zeroing the sensor improves accuracy by removing measured system noise. Refer to Table: Power Range for Improving Accuracy via Zeroing to Remove Noise for the power range in which accuracy is improved. Calibration factors can be used to correct both efficiency and mismatch loss.
• Inline power sensors enable forward and reverse measurements, forward/reverse upper/lower limits.
Caution
Ensure the power level that you are measuring does not exceed the input rating of the power sensor being used or damage may result. Additional attenuators can be used to ensure that the power does not exceed the specified measurement range.
Power Range for Improving Accuracy via Zeroing to Remove Noise
Sensor
Power Range
MA24103A
+3 dBm to +51.76 dBm
MA24105A
+3 dBm to +51.76 dBm
MA24104A
+ 3 dBm to + 13 dBm
MA24106A, MA24108A, MA24118A, MA24126A
–30 dBm to –40 dBm
MA24208A, MA24218A
–45 dBm to –60 dBm
MA24330A, MA24340A, MA24350A
–50 dBm to –70 dBm
Example Measurement Setup
This measurement example uses an Anritsu MA24106A power sensor and an attenuator for a high power measurement.
1. Connect the USB cable between the sensor and your instrument. When the sensor is connected, a notification in the top toolbar will identify the sensor model number.
2. Select the On/Off key to turn on your instrument.
3. Select the High Accuracy Power Meter by selecting the 9-dot icon or from the current application icon to display the available applications/modes (see Figure: Instrument Application and Modes). Select the HIPM_USB application, then touch the HIPM icon to load the new mode.
4. Open the ZERO/CAL menu and enter the CAL FREQUENCY, or select Signal Standards to select a particular standard. Calibration factors are stored in the power sensor for the corresponding measurement frequency.
Note
When using a signal standard, the channel number is not required because the calibration factor frequencies are rounded to the nearest 500 MHz.
5. With sensor RF input connector disconnected from any other device, press Zero to zero the sensor. This step is recommended when making power measurements below – 20 dBm.
6. Open the Amplitude menu and enter the EXTERNAL LOSS value of the attenuator.
Note
With no loss or gain offset, the maximum value for the display is the upper measurement range, which is +20 dBm. With an offset, such as with 10 dB of attenuation, the upper value can be set to +30 dBm. With an offset of xx dB, the upper value can be set to +20 dBm plus xx dB.
7. Connect the power sensor to the RF output of the device to measure and read the power level on the instrument display.