PowerXpert™ Help : Using the MA24x08A, MA24x18A, and MA24126A : Optimizing the Readings
 
Optimizing the Readings
This section presents information on how to get the fastest readings from the power sensor when using the Anritsu PowerXpert application or operating under remote control (refer to Programming Commands for Power Master for specific remote programming command descriptions). Measurement speed depends greatly on the type of measurement, the power level, and stability of the signal. Stability of a measurement is influenced by noise and signal modulation. If high resolution is required, averaging must be increased.
Table: MA24108A, MA24118A, MA24126A Sensor Averaging Table (continuous mode, default settings, 20 ms aperture time) describes the number of averages needed for the MA241xxA sensors to attain a certain noise level for a particular power level measurement.
Table: MA242x8A Sensor Averaging Table (continuous mode, default settings, 20 ms aperture time) describes the number of averages needed for the MA242x8A sensors to attain a certain noise level for a particular power level measurement.
Note 
The values in the following table are typical and should be used as reference only.
MA24108A, MA24118A, MA24126A Sensor Averaging Table (continuous mode, default settings, 20 ms aperture time)
Input Power (dBm)
Input Power (mW)
Number of Averages Needed for
< ±0.20 dB Noise
Number of Averages Needed for
< ±0.15 dB Noise
Number of Averages Needed for
< ±0.10 dB Noise
Number of Averages Needed for
< ±0.05 dB Noise
Number of Averages Needed for
< ±0.01 dB Noise
20
100.000
1
1
1
1
1
15
31.623
1
1
1
1
1
10
10.000
1
1
1
1
1
5
3.162
1
1
1
1
2
0
1.000
1
1
1
1
13
–5
3.162E–01
1
1
2
5
121
–10
1.000E–01
1
1
1
1
1
–15
3.162E–02
1
1
1
1
1
–20
1.000E–02
1
1
1
1
4
–25
3.162E–03
1
1
1
2
31
–30
1.000E–03
1
2
4
13
303
–35
3.162E–04
8
14
31
123
3025
–40
1.000E–04
79
139
309
1222
30248
Noise Calculations:
 
 
 
 
where:
Continuous Average Mode:
Scope Mode:
Power = Power level being measured in dBm
Points = 1
Time = Aperture time in milliseconds
N = Number of averages
Power = Power level being measured in dBm
Points = The number of data points on the scope graph
Time = Capture time in milliseconds
N = Number of averages
Note 
The values in the following table are typical and should be used as a reference only.
MA242x8A Sensor Averaging Table (continuous mode, default settings, 20 ms aperture time)
Input Power (dBm)
Input Power (mW)
Number of Averages Needed for
< ±0.20 dB Noise
Number of Averages Needed for
< ±0.15 dB Noise
Number of Averages Needed for
< ±0.10 dB Noise
Number of Averages Needed for
< ±0.05 dB Noise
Number of Averages Needed for
< ±0.01 dB Noise
20
100.000
1
1
1
1
1
15
31.623
1
1
1
1
1
10
10.000
1
1
1
1
1
5
3.162
1
1
1
1
8
0
1.000
1
1
1
1
1
–5
3.162E–01
1
1
1
1
1
–10
1.000E–01
1
1
1
1
1
–15
3.162E–02
1
1
1
1
10
–20
1.000E–02
1
1
1
1
1
–25
3.162E–03
1
1
1
1
1
–30
1.000E–03
1
1
1
1
2
–35
3.162E–04
1
1
1
1
15
–40
1.000E–04
1
1
2
6
147
–45
3.162E–05
4
7
15
60
1465
–50
1.000E–05
39
68
150
592
14644
–55
3.162E–06
383
673
1495
5912
146437
–60
1.000E–06
3824
6721
14950
59116
1464363
Noise Calculations:
2 sigma noise
 
2 sigma noise
 
2 sigma noise
where:
Continuous Average Mode:
Scope Mode:
Power = Power level being measured in dBm
Points = 1
Time = Aperture time in milliseconds
N = Number of averages
Power = Power level being measured in dBm
Points = The number of data points on the scope graph
Time = Capture time in milliseconds
N = Number of averages