The Stimulus submenu defines the sweep range in the current channel, depending on the sweep type.
In Cartesian diagrams, the sweep range corresponds to the diagram width and defines the scaling of the x-axis.
In polar diagrams and Smith charts the stimulus axis is lost but the marker functions easily provide the stimulus value of any measurement point.
Start is the lowest value of the sweep variable (e.g. the lowest frequency measured) and corresponds to the left edge of the Cartesian diagram.
Stop is the highest value of the sweep variable (e.g. the highest frequency measured) and corresponds to the right edge of the Cartesian diagram.
Center corresponds to the center of the Cartesian diagram, i.e. (Start + Stop)/2.
Span corresponds to the diagram width, i.e. (Stop – Start).
Power defines the power of the internal signal source.
CW Frequency sets the fixed frequency for the sweep types Power, Time and CW Mode.
START CENTER opens the input field for the Start frequency, if the range is currently defined by Start and Stop. It opens the input field for the Center frequency, if the range is currently defined by Center and Span.
STOP SPAN opens the input field for the Stop frequency, if the range is currently defined by Start and Stop. It opens the input field for the Span, if the range is currently defined by Center and Span.
The Marker Functions provide a convenient alternative to the manual entry of the sweep range parameters. Use the paste marker list for convenient entry of Start and Stop values.
Some of the Stimulus parameters and the STOP SPAN key are not provided for all sweep types; see Stimulus and Sweep Types.
Equivalence |
For a frequency sweep the Start and Stop frequencies or the Center frequency and Span are alternative settings: |
Remote control: |
[SENSe<Ch>:]FREQuency:STARt SYSTem:FREQuency? (query frequency range of the network analyzer) |
The function of the Start, Stop, Center and Span softkeys depends on the sweep type:
Sweep type |
Start [dimension] |
Stop [dimension] |
Center [dimension] |
Span [dimension] |
Equivalent hotkey |
|
| ||
Lin. Frequency |
Start frequency [Hz]
|
Stop frequency [Hz]
|
Center frequency [Hz]
|
Frequency span [Hz]
|
Power |
Start power [dBm]
|
Stop power [dBm] |
– |
– |
Time |
–
|
Total sweep time [s]
|
–
|
–
|
CW Mode |
–
|
Number of points [1]
|
– |
– |
The ranges of numerical values must be compatible with the instrument model.
If a frequency sweep is selected, then the START CENTER and STOP SPAN are both toggle keys. In Time or CW Mode sweep mode the Start, Center and Stop softkeys are inactive, still you can use the START CENTER hardkey to select the fixed CW frequency.
The conditions for the stimulus range depend on the sweep type:
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The selected sweep range applies to all source and receive ports of the analyzer. The sweep range frequency is also used as the channel base frequency for frequency-converting measurements; see Port Configuration.
Opens the numeric entry bar to set the fixed frequency for the sweep types Power, Time, CW Mode, and Pulse Profile. The CW frequency is also used as the channel base frequency for frequency-converting measurements; see Port Configuration.
Remote control: |
SOURce<Ch>:FREQuency<Pt>:CW|FIXed |