Technical data

12 Chapter 1
What is the Sequence Analyzer?
Sequence Analyzer Introduction
What is the Sequence Analyzer?
Analyzer List Sequencer
The analyzer list sequencer provides a large amount of flexibility in the capture of an RF signal and the
number of measurements that can be made. Because of this, there are many parameters that the user can
set up to suit particular measurement requirements. The parameters are described in detail in Chapter 2 .
In this section, the higher level concepts are explained with the use of sequence examples.
A sequence for the analyzer list sequencer defines one or more data acquisitions (conventionally
represented by a red bar in diagrams). The sequence also defines, within each acquisition, one or more
analysis intervals (time windows for measurement, conventionally represented by a blue bar in
diagrams). Figure 1-2 shows an example of a sequence with two acquisitions (each of which contains
several analysis intervals).
Figure 1-2 Data Sequence
Although one acquisition must end before the next acquisition in the sequence can begin, the analysis
intervals within a given acquisition can overlap as needed. The start and stop times for an analysis
interval can be placed anywhere within the acquisition, so that the measurements associated with that
analysis interval are made only on the desired portion of the acquired data. In this example, the power
level of the measured signal is being stepped downward during the acquisitions, and the analysis
intervals are defined so that some of them occur during a period of unchanging power, while others
include a rising or falling edge.
The need to start a new acquisition arises when there is a change to any of the settings which have been
defined for that acquisition (radio standard, radio band, and so on). If no such changes are made, a single
acquisition is sufficient for the entire sequence.
The need for more than one analysis interval typically arises when two measurements cannot use the
same start and stop times. If one time window within an acquisition is acceptable for all measurements, a
single analysis interval is usually sufficient for the entire acquisition.