The Level OFFSET menu provides a means to compensate for a test device on the signal generator's RF output at a point of interest. For example, the power level at the test device may be less or more than the displayed power level because of the loss through an external transmission line or the gain of an amplifier located between the MG362x1A RF output and the test device. Using the level offset function, you can apply a constant to the displayed power level that compensates for this loss or gain. The displayed power level will then reflect the actual power level at the test device. The OFFSET menu provides power level adjustment for a device on the signal generator's output. The Offset menu is shown in Figure: OFFSET Menu.

Press: LEVEL | OFFSET

Enter an offset value and apply it to the displayed power level.

Press: LEVEL | OFFSET

Then press the LEVEL OFFSET parameter button. This opens the offset parameter for editing as shown in Figure: Edit Level Offset.

Edit the current offset value using the cursor control keys, rotary data knob, or enter a new offset value using the keypad and appropriate termination soft key. Switch the Offset State on to apply the offset to the displayed power level. When Offset State is selected on, the message Offset On is displayed on the menu bar to remind you that a constant offset has been applied to the displayed power level as shown in Figure: Level Offset On.

Press ZERO to set the level offset to zero.

Press Offset State again to switch offset off. The Offset On message will disappear from menu bar.

With step attenuators, the ALC and attenuator work in conjunction to provide leveled output power up 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.

In MG362x1A signal generators equipped with Option 2 step attenuators, the ALC and attenuator work in conjunction to provide a leveled output power range of –130 dB. The Attenuator menu is shown in Figure: Attenuator Menu. For more on power leveling and step attenuator settings, see Power Level Operation.

Press: LEVEL | ATTENUATOR