The System menu provides functions to return to a defined instrument state, reverse operations, access service functions and define various system-related settings.
The System menu contains the following functions:
System Config opens a dialog to define various system-related settings.
Measurement Wizard calls up a series of dialogs providing a guided standard measurement.
Print opens a submenu to generate a copy of the current screen.
Int. Reference selects the internal reference clock for synchronization.
Ext. Reference selects an external clock signal for synchronization.
GPIB Address opens the numeric entry bar to define the analyzer's GPIB address.
Service Function opens a dialog to access the service functions of the instrument.
Preset performs a preset of all instrument settings (i.e. all open setups) or of the active setup.
Undo reverses the previous operation.
Redo reverses the action of the Undo command.
External Tools opens a submenu with various demo setups and editing tools.
Opens a dialog to define various system-related settings.
The System Config dialog is divided into the following tabs:
The System Configuration settings are global and not affected by a preset of the instrument (Preset or *RST).
Provides user interface configurations and other general settings.
The settings in the General tab are arranged in several panels.
The check boxes in the User Interface panel switch the instrument messages, acoustic messages, or transparent info fields for markers and trace statistics on or off. Sounds are generated when the analyzer generates a notice/status message or a warning (alarm sounds) or during calibration. The settings are also valid if the instrument is remote-controlled. Transparent info fields do not hide an underlying trace.
Dialog Transparency varies the transparency of all dialogs on a scale between 0% and 100%. 0% transparency means that dialogs completely hide the diagram area in the background. With a maximum transparency of 100%, the dialogs are still visible but clearly show the underlying traces and display elements.
Short Bandfilter Info reduces the size and contents of the bandfilter info field; see Search Markers and Result Off: Results are described in abbreviated form; values are rounded to 5 decimal places.
Password for Frequency Info allows you to enter a password to permanently suppress all frequency information in the dialogs (including the channel list, the marker info fields, and the marker tables). The same password is used to de-activate the password protection. If no password is set, Display – Display Config – Frequency Info displays or hides the frequency information.
Restart Behavior
configures the sweep behavior after
a restart (Channel –
Sweep –
Restart). Keep Previous Measurement means
that the previous measurement results are maintained until they are replaced
by new, valid results. Set all Traces to 0 means
that the restart deletes all previous results and sets the traces to zero.
The zeros are progressively replaced by the new, valid results. The setting
is also valid for remote-controlled operation.
If a single sweep is interrupted and restarted while Set all
Traces to 0 is active, then the sweep
segment with zero trace data indicates the previous (interrupted) sweep
range. A typical scenario is a sweep in external trigger mode, where the
triggered measurement sequence is a sweep segment or point: The sweep
will be interrupted when the analyzer receives no more trigger pulses.
Calculation
of Bandfilter Center Frequency as selects the definition of the
center frequency for the bandfilter search; see Bandfilter
parameters.
The center frequency fCenter
is calculated from the measured Lower
Band Edge (LBE) and Upper Band
Edge (UBE) values. If Geometric
mean is selected, fCenter =
sqrt (fLBE * fUBE).
On a logarithmic frequency scale, this ensures equal spacing from the
band edges. If Arithmetic mean
is selected, fCenter = (fLBE + fUBE)/2.
The arithmetic mean value is always larger than the geometric mean
value. Both values are close if the bandwidth is small compared to the
center frequency.
Operating System selects the priority of the running NWA application. Normal priority is the recommended setting for most measurements. Raise the priority for remote-controlled measurements which produce large amounts of data that the network analyzer must process synchronously and without interruption. Note that a higher priority of the NWA application can adversely affect the performance of other processes running on the analyzer.
Remote control |
SYSTem:SOUNd:ALARm[:STATe] |
Provides general system errgor correction (calibration) settings.
The Calibration tab provides the following settings:
Keep Measurement Data for >Repeat Previous Cal< causes the raw measurement data of the standards to be stored after the calibration is completed. This function is equivalent to the parameter in the Measure Standards dialog of the calibration wizard (see detailed description there) but applies to all calibrations.
Automatic Power Reduction for Calibration Unit sets the source power at all test ports to –10 dBm while an automatic calibration using the calibration unit R&S ZV-Z5x is active. Applying this source power to the ports of the calibration unit ensures best accuracy of the automatic calibration. The source powers are reset to their original values after the calibration is completed. The automatic power reduction can be deactivated in case that the test setup introduces a large attenuation.
Fast Multiport Correction activates an approximate but faster algorithm for the correction of measurement results based on the system error correction data. The fast algorithm is used for measurements with more than 2 ports. Select Fast Multiport Correction to speed up the measurement, especially if you use 4 or more analyzer ports and if your network analyzer is equipped with an FMR6 front module controller. Depending on the test scenario, the exact algorithm (Fast Multiport Correction: Off) can improve the measurement accuracy.
No of Sliding Match Positions defines the maximum number of different positions to be measured if a sliding match standard (sliding load) is used for calibration. The different positions appear in the Measure Standards dialog of the calibration wizard. A sliding match calibration is valid after three calibration sweeps at different match positions; however, calibration sweeps at additional positions can still improve the accuracy. In general 4 to 6 positions are recommended.
Directory for
Additionally Available Cal Kits and Conn Types shows
the name and path of a special directory for cal
kit files
(*.calkit). All cal kit files in the special directory will be (re-)loaded
automatically as predefined kits (i.e. read-only kits which cannot be
modified) every time the NWA application is started. It is possible to
select the default cal kit directory C:\Rohde&Schwarz\NWA\Calibration\Kits
or any other directory. None
means that no cal kit files are loaded
on start-up.
Use the special directory to make sure that you do not have to import
kits manually, even after terminating the NWA application improperly,
in which case previously imported cal kit files will not be stored to
the setup file.
Remote control |
[SENSe<Ch>:]CORRection:COLLect[:ACQuire]:RSAVe:DEFault
|
Provides source power settings.
The Port Power Limits limit the source power at the analyzer ports or at the output ports of previously configured external generators. The limits are also valid for measurements with variable source power.
Is any Direct Generator or Receiver Access in Use? should be selected if the additional connectors of option R&S ZVB-B16, Direct Generator and Receiver Access, are used and if an automatic level control (ALC) is active. With this scenario, the ALC is limited to +1 dB so that the active port power limits cannot be exceeded by more than 1 dB.
RF Off Behavior configures the behavior of the RF Off switches in the Channel – Power Bandwidth Average menu and in the Source section of the Port Configuration dialog. In the factory default configuration, only the RF source signal is turned off; the RF amplifiers are still power supplied. In the alternative configuration, the power supply of the RF amplifiers is turned off, too. This further reduces the broadband noise at the source port, however, the required switch-on and settling times introduce an additional delay.
Use port power limits if you want to ensure that sensitive DUTs are protected from excess input levels. Keep in mind that you have to disable the limits explicitly if you want to use the full output level range of your analyzer again. Note that the port power limits are ignored while an ALC loop is active. A small ALC control range will ensure low signal levels.
Remote control |
SOURce<Ch>:POWer<Pt>[:LEVel][:IMMediate]LLIMit[:STATe]
|
The tab specifies the preset behavior of the network analyzer.
The Preset Scope defines whether a Preset affects the Active Setup or all open setups (Instrument). A preset does not change any of the properties listed in the Resets tab of the System Config dialog.
In the Preset Configuration panel, it is possible to specify whether the System – Preset command will perform a factory preset or restore the settings stored in a user preset file. A user preset file is an arbitrary setup (.zvx) file, to be stored using the File – Save... command. If the current user preset file is not found (e.g. because it was deleted or moved), System – Preset initiates a factory preset.
Press Browse... to select a user preset file. The analyzer performs a user preset as long as the file name is displayed in the Preset Configuration panel.
Press Set Factory Preset to select a factory preset. In the panel, a possible user preset file name is replaced by Factory Preset.
In the Remote Preset Configuration panel, it is possible to control the behavior of the *RST and SYSTem:PRESet commands; see below.
In remote control, a user-defined preset can be initiated using the commands in the SYSTem:PRESet:USER... subsystem. *RST and SYSTem:PRESet restore the factory preset settings. If Align *RST to User Defined Preset is selected and a valid user preset file is available, *RST and SYSTem:PRESet restore the user-defined settings.
Remote control |
Sets a channel-dependent four-bit binary value to control four independent output signals at the USER CONTROL connector (lines 8, 9, 10, 11). The output signals are 3.3 V TTL signals which can be used to differentiate between up to 16 independent analyzer states. For an application example refer to the detailed remote control description. Setting the channel bits does not change the analyzer state.
Remote control |
Provides several buttons to reset global instrument settings and properties. Global settings (e.g. the data related to global resources) are not affected by an instrument Preset.
Provides an input field for the option key code supplied with each option. A new software option for the network analyzer is enabled by entering the option key and pressing Install as described in the dialog.
Alternatively, it is possible to load the option key from the option key (*.xml) file. Use one of the following methods:
Copy the *.xml file to the root directory of a memory stick accessible from your analyzer and press Install.
Copy the *.xml file to the directory C:\Rohde&Schwarz\Nwa of the analyzer's hard disk and press Install.
You can use several *.xml files in order to enable several options simultaneously. *.xml files on the storage medium that are no option key files are ignored.
Provides settings for the remote control (RC) interface of the analyzer.
The Remote Language for the analyzer is specified in the upper part.
The DEFAULT language corresponds to the instrument control commands reported in this help system; see SCPI Command Reference.
PNA, HP8510, HP8720, HP8753 ... denote command sets for network analyzers from other manufacturers.
Remote Language settings other than DEFAULT are intended for remote control of the analyzer. A mixed approach, with part of the instrument configuration defined via the GUI, is possible but may cause unexpected results in some instances.
Wait forData Ready after Single Sweep
The ID String and the OPT String of the analyzer are adjusted to the selected Remote Language. The strings can be queried via *IDN? and *OPT?, respectively.
If the DEFAULT language is activated, the factory ID string Rohde&Schwarz,ZVB<Max. Freq.-Ports>Port,<Serial_no>,<FW_Version> (e.g. Rohde&Schwarz,ZVB8-4Port,1145101010100001,1.70.5) is set. The OPT string is a comma-separated list of all installed software and hardware options, e.g. ZVAB-K2, ZVB-K3. The bit order for transferred binary data is swapped.
If the PNA language is activated, Agilent-compatible ID and OPT strings are set. The bit order for transferred binary data is normal.
If one of the HP xxxx languages is activated, HP xxxx-compatible ID and OPT strings are set. Binary data is transferred in a device-specific bit order, however, the bit order can be changed using HP xxxx-specific commands.
The ID and OPT strings can be changed or reset to the R&S factory ID string.
Show Error Messages activates a information popup box (tooltip), to be displayed whenever the parser encounters an remote control command error. The tooltip appears at the bottom of the remote or manual screen; it is not displayed for SCPI errors no. –113, Undefined header:
The tooltip is to provide information that can be useful for program development and optimization; it does not necessarily indicate that a remote control script is faulty or non-executable.
Remote control |
SYSTem:LANGuage |
Configures external power meters with their connection type and device address.
Use of external power meters, examples
An external power meter can serve different purposes:
Extended measurement functionality: Each external power meter represents an additional receive port. External generators increase the number of RF output signals of a DUT that the analyzer can measure simultaneously. They can also provide accurate results for signals at inaccurate or unknown frequencies. A typical example is a mixer measurement with an unknown LO signal (and therefore unknown IF output frequency).
Power calibration: An external power meter can measure the exact signal power at an arbitrary point in the test setup (reference plane) and thus provide the reference values for a power calibration. A typical example is a source power calibration for an arbitrary analyzer port.
Configured external power meters can be selected as additional receivers in the Port Configurationand in the power calibration dialogs.
To control external power meters via LAN
or GPIB interface, it is necessary to install the Virtual Instrument Software
Architecture (VISA) library on the network analyzer. VISA provides the
programming interface between the hardware and the analyzer's application
environment.
The VISA I/O Library is available
from Rohde & Schwarz, order no. 1161.8473.02.
Use the USB-to-IEC/IEEE Adapter
(option R&S
ZVAB-B44)
to control devices equipped with a GPIB interface.
The External Power Meters dialog provides two tables and some additional buttons.
The upper table (Found:) shows all power meters that the analyzer detects to be on line (i.e. connected and switched on). All power meters in the table must have been configured previously, however, they can be deleted in the lower table.
The Add v and Add All v buttons copy the selected power meter in the upper table to the lower table so that it is possible to modify the power meter settings and select the power meters as receivers for measurements and power calibrations.
If Auto Config NRP-Zxx is selected, the analyzer automatically configures all NRP-Zxx power meters detected at any of the USB ports as Pmtr 1, Pmtr 2, ....
The lower table (Configured:) shows all configured power meters with their properties. The properties are defined in the Add/Modify External Power Meter dialog, to be opened by means of the Add Other... or Modify... buttons. All configured power meters are available as additional receivers for measurements and power calibrations.
An icon in the first columns of the tables indicates whether the power meters are currently available. The Found: table and the icons in the Configured: table are automatically updated each time the External Generators dialog is opened (to update explicitly use the Refresh Tables button). The remaining control elements are self-explanatory.
Unintentional
switchover to remote control
When using the NI-VISA library, ensure that the network analyzer itself
is not listed as a network device in the Measurement
& Automation Explorer. Otherwise, Refresh
Tables will send an identification query (*IDN?),
causing the analyzer to close the System
Configuration dialog (without executing Refresh
Tables) and to activate the remote screen.
Icons in the power meter tables
The following icons describe the status of a power meter:
The power meter is on-line (connected, switched on, ready to be used)
The power meter was detected (upper table) or configured (lower table) but is not on-line (VISA communication error)
The power meter list could not be refreshed, no communication with the power meter is possible
Selects and configures an external power meter.
The following control elements select the power meter type and its connection:
Name is an optional, arbitrary name associated with the power meter. Names appear in the power meter lists in the External Power Meters tab and in the selection dialogs for received signals (measurements and power calibration). If no name is specified, the power meters are listed as Pmtr 1, Pmtr 2...
Interface selects an interface/protocol type for the connection. In addition to the GPIB0 and VXI-11 interface types (for devices connected to the IEC Bus or LAN1/2 connectors on the rear panel of the analyzer, respectively), the analyzer supports any Other interface supported by the installed VISA library.
GPIB Address or Hostname or IP Address (depending on the Interface selection) contains the address for the current interface type. GPIB addresses must be unique for all devices connected to the GPIB bus (range: 0 to 30), GPIB and IP addresses must agree with the entries in the VISA library. For an Other interface type, the input field contains the Resource String from the installed VISA library.
Driver contains a list of all supported power meter driver types. The names in the list are identical with the name of the power meter driver files (*.pwm) stored in the resources\extdev subdirectory of the analyzer's program directory.
Identify Type sends an identification query (IDN?) to the specified device address in order to identify the power meter type and select an appropriate driver file. An error message is displayed if the identification fails.
Remote control: |
Configures external generators with their connection type and device address.
Use of external generators, examples
An external generator can serve different purposes:
Extended measurement functionality: Each external generator represents an additional source port. External generators increase the number of RF input signals for the DUT. A typical example is a mixer measurement with a 2-port analyzer, where an external generator provides the LO input signal.
Power calibration: An external generator can provide the reference signal for a source or receiver calibration. A typical example is a receiver power calibration using a measured wave b1.
Configured external generators can be selected as additional sources in the More Wave Quantities,More Ratios,Port Configuration, and in the power calibration dialogs.
To control external generators via LAN or
GPIB interface, it is necessary to install the Virtual Instrument Software
Architecture (VISA) library on the network analyzer. VISA provides the
programming interface between the hardware and the analyzer's application
environment.
The VISA I/O Library is available
from Rohde&Schwarz, order no. 1161.8473.02.
Use the USB-to-IEC/IEEE Adapter
(option R&S
ZVAB-B44)
to control devices equipped with a GPIB interface.
The External Generators dialog provides two tables and some additional buttons.
The upper table (Found:) shows all generators that the analyzer detects to be on-line (i.e. connected and switched on). All generators in the table must have been configured previously, however, they can be deleted in the lower table.
The Add v and Add All v buttons copy the selected generator in the upper table to the lower table.
The lower table (Configured:) shows all configured generators with their properties. The properties are defined in the Add/Modify External Generator dialog, to be opened by means of the Add Other... or Modify... buttons. All configured generators are available as additional sources for measurements and power calibrations.
An icon in the first columns of the tables indicates whether the generators are currently available; see below. The Found: table and the icons in the Configured: table are automatically updated each time the External Generators dialog is opened (to update explicitly use the Refresh Tables button). The remaining control elements are self-explanatory.
Unintentional
switchover to remote control
When using the NI-VISA library, ensure that the network analyzer itself
is not listed as a network device in the Measurement
& Automation Explorer. Otherwise, Refresh
Tables will send an identification query (*IDN?),
causing the analyzer to close the System
Configuration dialog (without executing Refresh
Tables) and to activate the remote screen.
The following icons describe the status of a generator:
The generator is on-line (connected, switched on, ready to be used)
The generator was detected (upper table) or configured (lower table) but is not on-line (VISA communication error)
The generator list could not be refreshed, no communication with the generator is possible
Selects and configures an external generator.
The following control elements select the generator type and its connection:
Name is an optional, arbitrary name associated with the generator. Names appear in the generator lists in the External Generators tab and in the selection dialogs for source signals (measurements and power calibration). If no name is specified, the generators are listed as Gen 1, Gen 2...
Interface selects an interface type for the connection. In addition to the GPIB0 and VXI-11 interface types (for devices connected to the IEC Bus or LAN1/2 connectors on the rear panel of the analyzer, respectively), the analyzer supports any Other interface supported by the installed VISA library.
GPIB Address or Hostname or IP Address (depending on the Interface selection) contains the address for the current interface type. GPIB addresses must be unique for all devices connected to the GPIB bus (range: 0 to 30), GPIB and IP addresses must agree with the entries in the VISA library. For an Other interface type, the input field contains the Resource String from the installed VISA library.
Driver contains a list of all supported generator driver types. The names in the list are identical with the name of the generator driver files (*.gen) stored in the resources\extdev subdirectory of the analyzer's program directory.
Identify Type sends an identification query (IDN?) to the specified device address in order to identify the generator type and select an appropriate driver file. An error message is displayed if the identification fails.
The following control elements provide hardware-related settings:
Fast Sweep enables or disables the fast sweep mode for external generators that support a frequency and level list mode (triggered mode).
10 MHz Ref switches the analyzer to either internal or external frequency reference.
Fast sweep mode and conditions
In the list mode the external generator steps through a predefined list of frequencies or signal powers. This mode can be used to accelerate the measurements involving external power meters.
If Fast Sweep is activated, the analyzer compiles a list of the stimulus values (frequencies and powers) in all channels and transfers it to the generator. The list is automatically updated and re-transferred whenever the channel settings are changed.
The analyzer uses a trigger handshake mechanism in order to control the generator's list mode:
The generator sends an EXT GEN BLANK signal to pin no. 22 of the USER CONTROLconnector on the rear panel of the analyzer to show that it is ready to step to the next frequency or power value in the list.
The analyzer transmits an EXT GEN TRG signal at pin no. 21 of the USER CONTROL connector in order to switch the generator to the next point in the list. Afterwards the analyzer waits for the next EXT GEN BLANK signal.
If the number of sweep points exceeds the maximum number of entries in the list (depending on the generator type), the analyzer must interrupt the sweep in order to send a new list and complete the stimulus information. This generally slows down the measurement.
To ensure frequency accuracy and frequency stability in a test setup where different devices represent the signal sources and receivers, it is generally advisable to use a common reference frequency. Accurate frequencies are particularly important if external generators are used for measurements with narrow measurement bandwidths.
A common reference frequency can be established in different ways:
Use the analyzer as master device: Set the analyzer to Internal reference frequency mode and operate all other devices in external reference mode using the reference clock signal from the 10 MHz REF connector on the analyzer's rear panel.
Use another device as master: Set the analyzer to External reference and synchronize it (and all other devices) to the master's reference clock signal, fed in at the 10 MHz REF connector on the analyzer's rear panel.
The 10 MHz REF settings in the Add External Generator dialog are generator-specific and not overwritten by a change of the global Internal Reference / External Referencesettings.
Remote control: |
Remote control: |
SYSTem:COMMunicate:RDEVice:GENerator<gen_no>:DEFine |
Configures and opens/closes a LAN connection to a switch matrix/multiport test set R&S ZV-Z81/82/83.
Switch matrices R&S ZV-Z81/-Z82 and multiport test set R&S ZV-83
The purpose of a switch matrix or a multiport test set is to extend the number of test ports.
E.g. the multiport test set R&S ZV-Z83 multiplies the number of network analyzer ports by four. If it is connected to a four-port network analyzer, the test set provides 16 "output" ports numbered A1, A2, A3, A4, B1 ... D4.
The multiport test set can be configured to provide several channel-specific port groups. The "input" ports (numbered 1 to 4) are connected to the corresponding network analyzer ports. The signal at each "input" port is routed to one of the "output" ports 1 to 4, to be connected to the DUT. Signal routing is channel-dependent, which makes it possible to connect and measure several DUTs in parallel.
Example: Create four analyzer channels no. 1 to 4. Use the "output" connectors A1, B1, C1, D1 for channel no. 1, A2, B2, C2, D2 for channel no. 2 and so forth. This configuration allows you to perform simultaneous four-port measurements on four DUTs.
The switch matrices are configured and operated using SCPI commands. A separate tool for LAN configuration is supplied with the switch matrices. For details refer to the relevant operating manuals.
The IP Address setting must correspond to the IP address of the multiport test set. Use the LANCONFIG.EXE tool (supplied with the switch matrix/multiport test set) to determine the current IP address. Press Save IP Address if you want to keep the current address for later connections.
Connect/Disconnect establishes or closes the connection.
The Connected box is checked while a connection is active. Unchecking the box is equivalent to Disconnect.
Remote control: |
n/a For
internal path configuration of the switch matrix/multiport test set: |
Selects the internal reference clock for synchronization. The analyzer provides a 10 MHz internal reference clock which can be tapped off at the 10 MHz REF connector at the rear of the instrument in order to synchronize other devices, e.g. signal generators or a second network analyzer of the ZVAB family. See also example for reference frequency settings for external generators.
Remote control: |
Selects an external reference clock signal for synchronization. The external 10 MHz reference clock signal must be applied to the 10 MHz REF connector at the rear of the instrument. The external reference signal must meet the specifications of the data sheet. The internal reference signal is synchronized to the external signal. See also example for reference frequency settings for external generators.
Remote control: |
Opens the numeric entry bar to define the analyzer's GPIB address.
The GPIB address must be in the range between 0 and 30.
Remote control: |
Opens a dialog to access the service functions of the instrument. Service functions are password-protected and should be used by a R&S service representative only. Refer to the service manual for more information.
If you press Enter twice without changing the name of the service function, the analyzer opens the internal On-Screen Keyboard. Use Shift + Enter to execute a service function repeatedly.
Remote control: |
SYSTem:PASSword[:CENable] |
Performs a preset of all instrument settings (i.e. all open setups) or of the active setup, depending on the settings in the System Config dialog.
Scope of the preset and exceptions
A preset may be a factory preset or a user-defined preset and affects either the active setup or all open setups.
It does not change the data related to global resources (cal pool, cal kit data), the position of dialogs, the color scheme of the diagram areas, and the directory and printer settings. All these properties can be reset in the Reset tab of the System Configdialog.
If you activate Preset by mistake, you can use Undo in order to restore your previous instrument settings.
Remote control: |
*RST; SYSTem:PRESet
(for factory preset) |
Reverses the last action, if possible. Otherwise, Undo is disabled (grayed).
You can use Undo even after a Preset, in order to restore your own instrument settings.
Reverses the action of the Undo command. If Undo was not used before, Redo is disabled (grayed).
Opens a submenu with various demo setups and editing tools:
Mouse Keyboard.lnk: Opens Windows XP's on-screen keyboard.
Demo*.vbs: Shows how to perform the settings for typical measurement tasks.
After running a *vbs file you can modify the demo setup according to your own needs and store it to a *.zvx file for later reuse.