With step attenuators, the ALC and attenuator work in conjunction to provide leveled output power to
–110 dB. In the normal (coupled) leveling mode, when the desired power level is set, the correct combination of ALC level and attenuator setting is determined by the instrument firmware. In some applications, such as receiver sensitivity testing, it is desirable to control the ALC level and attenuator setting separately by decoupling the step attenuator from the ALC.