Agilent Technologies 53150A, 53152A Power Correction Theory of Operation, Using Power Correction

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter

Using Power Correction

Power Correction Theory of Operation

When the Counter interpolates between data points to determine the amount of correction to apply to the current measurement, it computes the correction based on a straight line plotted between the frequency values in the two closest data points. Therefore, a graph of a power-correction profile would show a “curve” that consists of two to nine straight-line segments, rather than a true curve, as shown below.

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	F r e q u e n c y
NOTE	When the frequency value of a signal is beyond either end of the curve
	specified by the values in the currently selected profile’s data points,
	the Counter computes a correction by extending the straight line defined
	in the last two data points in the profile.
	As the graph above shows, the Counter never computes power-correction
	values for loss above the zero axis. Conversely, corrections are never
	computed for gain below the zero axis. When the Counter interpolates for
	frequencies that are above or below the range of frequencies specified in
	the currently selected profile, it never computes a value that would fall on
	the opposite side of the zero axis from the closest specified frequency.
	In other words, if there are two or more data points that contain loss
	values, the Counter never computes or applies a correction that would be
	indicative of gain. Conversely, if there are two or more data points that
	contain gain values (negative loss values), the Counter never applies a
	correction that would be indicative of loss.

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Operating Guide 2-31