HP 8712C, User Manual, Page: 62 / 559

Making Measurements
Measuring with Your Network Analyzer
When to
Attenuation
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For accurate measurements, use external attenuation to limit the power at
the RF IN port to + 10 (for narrowband measurements) or + 16
(for broadband measurements).
C A U T I O N
use attenuation on the TRANSMISSION RF IN port if your test
device’s output power exceeds the receiver damage limit of or
Vdc.
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Use attenuation on the RF IN port to reduce mismatch errors. See
“Reducing Mismatch Errors” in Chapter 5 for more information.
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In an AM delay measurement (Options and only), use attenuation
directly the DUT if the device’s input power must be less than
the 10 minimum detector level. (If you reduce the input
power to the DUT by lowering the analyzer’s source power, the reference
detector, X, will be below its specified range.)
Use attenuation directly
after
the DUT if the device’s output power is
greater than the + 13 maximum detector level.
When to Use
Amplification
l
For accurate measurements, may be needed on the analyzer’s
RF OUT port. Use amplification when your test device requires input
power that exceeds the analyzer’s maximum specified output power.
The maximum specified output power is highly dependent upon the
model and option configuration of your analyzer as well as the frequency
range of your test setup. It ranges from
to + 16 See “Source
Specifications” in Chapter 10 to determine the maximum output
power of your analyzer.
l
In an AM delay measurement (Options and only), use
directly
before
the DUT if the device’s input power must be
greater than the maximum power available at the power splitter output.
Use directly
after
the DUT it the device’s output power is less
than the -10 minimum level needed by the test detector
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