High Accuracy Power Meter Measurement Guide (HIPM) (Option19) : High Accuracy Power Meter (Option 19) Overview : High Accuracy Power Meter GUI Overview
 
High Accuracy Power Meter GUI Overview
This section illustrates the main graphical displays and status panel menu presented for the high accuracy power meter. For a basic power measurement example, refer to General Measurement Setup. For a general overview of the instrument and its user interface, refer to “Instrument Overview” chapter of the user guide. The screenshot below shows the GUI display of microwave/high accuracy RF power sensors.
High Accuracy Power Meter Display
1. The status panel provides quick access to common settings used for power meter measurements. Refer to Status Panel.
2. The current power measurement (in dBm or watts) or the current relative power in dB or percentage. The number here tracks the analog meter pointer for normal USB power sensors.
3. The MAX HOLD marker indicated by a brown arrow head indicates the maximum power value. The max hold value is also displayed in the table below the meter.
4. The limits indicated by red/blue transitions on the meter denote the upper and lower limit values. When the pointer is in the blue region it indicates that the measured power is under the set limits and the measurement is passing; when the pointer is in the red region, the measurement is failing the limit.
5. The connected sensor model number and status is displayed here.
6. The setup menu provides access to the main measurement setup parameters. Refer to SETUP Menu.
7. The measurement table shows the current and max hold power measurements in both dBm and watts, or relative power in dB and percent (%). for normal USB power sensors.
8. The measurement table border is shown in red for failing limits or green for passing limits.
 
The screenshot below shows the GUI display of inline peak power sensor and specifically MA24103A as an example.
High Accuracy Power Meter Display - Inline Power Sensor 
1. The status panel provides quick access to common settings used for power meter measurements. Refer to Status Panel (Inline Power Sensors).
2. The summary table toggle when turned on lists most of the forward and reverse measurements except burst average auto and CCDF. Note that Forward and Reverse measurements tiles are disabled when the toggle is turned on.
3. The limits indicated by red/blue transitions on the meter denote the upper and lower limit values. When the pointer is in the blue region it indicates that the measured power is under the set limits and the measurement is passing; when the pointer is in the red region, the measurement is failing the limit.
4. The current power measurement number (in dBm or watts) or the current relative power in dB or percentage. The number here tracks the analog meter pointer for normal USB power sensors.
5. The connected sensor model number and status is displayed here.
6. The setup menu provides access to the main measurement setup parameters. Refer to SETUP Menu (inline power sensor) for inline power sensors.
 
 
Status Panel
The status panel and features illustrated in this section are unique to power sensors only. Select the Chevron icon to collapse the status panel and view the corresponding minimized status panel.
 
High Accuracy Power Meter Status Panel with Minimized Status Panel
 
CAL FREQUENCY
Sets the measurement frequency. The frequency value is sent to the power sensor to apply the appropriate calibration factor.
REL POWER
Toggles relative power On or Off. This measurement shows the relative level of the desired base power level input to your instrument. For example, if you are measuring a 10 dBm signal, and REL POWER is enabled, then a drop to 7 dBm will show as –3 dB and 50 %. Relative power is disabled when working with inline power sensors.
MAX HOLD
Max Hold retains the highest power level measurement.
APERTURE
Aperture is defined as the total time the power sensor observes the input signal in order to complete one power measurement. This tile applies to MA24108/MA24118/MA24126A models only. For MA24106A power sensor models APERTURE MODE is displayed. Refer to SETUP Menu.
AVERAGES
Sets the number of measurements to be averaged.
AVERAGE SWEEP COUNT
It is the total number of average sweep count. The value is incremented after every sweep until it becomes equal to the set Averages value.
Status Panel (Inline Power Sensors)
The status panel and features illustrated in this section are unique to inline power sensors only. Select the Chevron icon to collapse the status panel and view the corresponding minimized status panel.
High Accuracy Power Meter Status Panel with Minimized Status Panel
 
CAL FREQUENCY
Sets the measurement frequency. The frequency value is sent to the power sensor to apply the appropriate calibration factor.
MAX HOLD
Max Hold retains the highest power level measurement.
FORWARD MEAS
Sets forward measurement mode for inline power sensors (MA24103A, MA24105A). Select an appropriate measurement from the list.
REVERSE MEAS
Sets reverse measurement mode for inline power sensors (MA24103A, MA24105A). Select an appropriate measurement from the list.
AVERAGES
Sets the number of measurements to be averaged.
AVERAGE SWEEP COUNT
It is the total number of average sweep count. The value is incremented after every sweep until it becomes equal to the set Averages value.