7-11
Operating Concepts
Sweep Time
Sweep Time
The softkey selects sweep time as the active entry and shows whether
the automatic or manual mode is active. The following explains the difference between
automatic and manual sweep time:
•Manual sweep time. As long as the selected sweep speed is within the capability of
the instrument, it will remain fixed, regardless of changes to other measurement
parameters. If you change measurement parameters such that the instrument can no
longer maintain the selected sweep time, the analyzer will change to the fastest sweep
time possible.
•Auto sweep time. Auto sweep time continuously maintains the fastest sweep speed
possible with the selected measurement parameters.
Sweep time refers only to the time that the instrument is sweeping and taking data, and
does not include the time required for internal processing of the data, retrace time, or band
switching time. A sweep speed indicator ↑ is displayed on the trace for sweep times longer
than 1.0 second. For sweep times equal to or faster than 1.0 second, the ↑ indicator appears
in the status notations area at the left of the analyzer's display.

Manual Sweep Time Mode

When this mode is active, the softkey label reads . This mode is
engaged whenever you enter a sweep time greater than zero. This mode allows you to
select a fixed sweep time. If you change the measurement parameters such that the
current sweep time is no longer possible, the analyzer will automatically increase to the
next fastest sweep time possible. If the measurement parameters are changed such that a
faster sweep time is possible, the analyzer will not alter the sweep time while in this mode .

Auto Sweep Time Mode

When this mode is active, the softkey label reads . This mode is
engaged whenever you enter as a sweep time. Auto sweep time continuously
maintains the fastest sweep time possible with the selected measurement parameters.

Minimum Sweep Time

The minimum sweep time is dependent on the following measurement parameters:
• the number of points selected
• IF bandwidth
• sweep-to-sweep averaging in dual channel display mode
• error-correction
• type of sweep
SWEEP TIME [ ]
SWEEP TIME [MANUAL]
SWEEP TIME [AUTO]
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