User`s guide

5-20 Agilent E6432A Microwave Synthesizer User’s Guide
Applications and Example Programs
Synthesizer Switching Speeds
Synthesizer Switching Speeds
Synthesizer switching speed is a combination of the assist processor
time, switch/blanking time, settling time, and dwell time parameters.
NOTE These times are defined as the times that occur once the synthesizer
receives a new function from an external host computer. The time that
it takes an external host computer to generate such a function and send
it to the synthesizer are separate issues and can not be controlled by
the synthesizer.
There are four times that affect synthesizer switching speeds:
• Assist Processor Time
• Switch/Blanking Time
• Settling Time
• Dwell Time
Assist Processor Time
When using the synthesizer in either set-spot mode or list mode, an
assist processor time of between 15 us to 20 us is added each time a
change is made to frequency or power or both.
Switch/Blanking Time
Switch/blanking time is the period of time required to change between
frequencies or power or both.
•
If the RF output is being blanked, the RF output is turned off during the
switch/blanking time. Although the RF output can be optionally blanked
when changing frequency or power or both, it is always blanked when the
10 dB step attenuator (Option 1E1) is changed.
• If the RF output is not being blanked, the RF output is turned on
during the switch/blanking time and may be affected by spurious
signals, harmonics, or other glitches.
Whether or not the RF output is turned off (blanked), there is always
a switch/blanking time. Switch/blanking time is the period of time,
prior to the user-definable settling time, that is required by the
synthesizer to change between frequencies or power or both.
Switch/blanking time can not be turned off.