5-16
Optimizing Measurement Results
Reducing Noise
Reducing Noise You can use two analyzer functions to help reduce the effect of noise on the data trace:
• activate measurement averaging
• reduce system bandwidth
• use direct sampler access configuratio n s (O ption 012 Only)
To Activate Averaging
The noise is reduced with each new sweep as the effective averaging factor increments.
1. Press .
2. Enter a value followed by .
3. Press .
Refer to "Averaging" on page 7-34 for more information.
To Change System Bandwidth
By reducing the system bandwidth, you reduce the noise that is measured during the
sweep. While averaging requires multiple sweeps to reduce noise, narrowing the system
bandwidth reduces the noise on each sweep, however, the sweep will be slower.
1. Press .
2. Enter the IF bandwidth value that you want, followed by .
Narrower system bandwidths cause longer sweep times. When in auto sweep time mode,
the analyzer uses the fastest sweep time possible for any selected system bandwidth. Auto
sweep time mode is the default (preset) analyzer setting.
NOTE Another capability that can be used for effective noise reduction i s the marker
statistics function, which computes the average value of part or all of the
formatted trace.
If your instrument is equipped with Option 085 (High Power System),
another way of increasing dynamic range is to increase the input power to the
test device using a booster amplifier.
Avg
AVERAGING FACTOR
x1
AVERAGING ON
Avg
IF BW
x1