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Common Measurement Settings
R&S
®
ESW
170
User Manual 1177.6298.02 ─ 08
Risk of damage to the input mixer
Do not overload the input mixer.
Overloading the input mixer can damage it. The following topics contain advice on how
to avoid an overload of the input mixer. Read them carefully before applying a signal.
Protecting the input mixer
Protecting the input mixer from damage should always be considered first when setting
up a measurement.
This is especially true for receiver measurements, which often measure unknown sig-
nals that contain pulses with possible strong signal levels.
The input mixer of the R&S
ESW is equipped with an overload protection mechanism.
If you apply a signal whose power exceeds the specified limit (see datasheet), the con-
nection between the RF input and the input mixer is cut off. The R&S
ESW displays a
corresponding message in the status display.
Note that pulses have different level characteristics. Refer to the data sheet for more
information on the allowed maximum pulse energy.
The signal level at the input mixer is calculated as follows.
Mixer Level = Input Level - atten gain
RF input protection
The R&S
ESW is equipped with an overload protection mechanism. This mechanism
becomes active as soon as the signal level at the input mixer exceeds the specified
limit. It ensures that the connection between RF input and input mixer is cut off.
In this case, you must decrease the level at the RF input connector and then close the
message box. Then measurements are possible again.
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10.7.1.1
Using the RF Attenuator
The first tool provided by the R&S
ESW to control measurement sensitivity is the RF
attenuator.
The RF attenuator is available in all hardware configurations of the R&S
ESW.
Attenuation has the following effects on the measurement:
●
High attenuation protects the input mixer: the main purpose of the attenuator is to
protect the input mixer.
●
High attenuation makes sure that the measurement results are reliable (signals
that are stronger than allowed can distort the results)
Amplitude and Vertical Axis Configuration