VectorStar™ MS464xB Series Microwave Vector Network Analyzer User Interface Reference : System Menus : SnP Files Setup
 
SnP Files Setup
The SnP files setup configuration user interface varies depending on the VNA port mode and can be either a 2-Port or 4-Port dialog box.
For 2-Port VNAs, see SnP SETUP Dialog Box – 2-Port VNAs.
For 4-Port VNAs, see SnP SETUP Dialog Box – 4-Port VNAs.
SnP SETUP Dialog Box – 2-Port VNAs
Prerequisites
The VNA is in 2-Port Mode
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MISC. SETUP Menu
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MAIN | System | SYSTEM | Setup | SETUP | Misc. Setup | MISC. SETUP | SnP Files Setup | SnP SETUP Dialog
SnP FILES SETUP Dialog – 2-Port VNAs
 
Per System Area:
Frequency Units Area Selections:
GHz
Select sets the units for the SnP file output to GHz.
MHz
Select sets the units for the SnP file output to MHz.
kHz
Select sets the units for the SnP file output to kHz.
Hz
Select sets the units for the SnP file output to Hz.
Output Format Area Selections:
In the Output Format area of the menu, the three (3) radio buttons form a group where the selection of one de-selects the other two.
Linear Magnitude & Phase
Select sets the data file output format to record linear magnitude and phase information.
Log Magnitude & Phase
Select sets the data file output format to record log magnitude and phase information.
Real & Imaginary
Select sets the data file output format to record real and imaginary information.
Per Channel Area:
Passivity and Causality Enforcement Area:
Make Passive Checkbox
When selected, during the .SnP file save process, the following occurs:
At each frequency point, evaluates the eigenvalues of the S matrix. If the largest magnitude of eigenvalues is <1, does nothing and proceeds to the next frequency. If the largest exceeds 1, scales all S-parameters at that frequency in a self-consistent way to ensure the maximum eigenvalue magnitude is <1.
Passivity Tolerance
Describes how close to 1 (in magnitude) the largest eigenvalue is allowed to get before action is taken (1-sqrt(tolerance) is the limit used). This may need to be changed if the VNA data is being used in a simulator/model analyzer with a different numerical definition of passivity (based on resolution, convergence requirements, etc.). The default value is 0.00001. Generally values are not used outside the range of 0.0000001 to 0.001.
Passivity First Checkbox
When both 'Make Passive' and 'Make Causal' boxes are checked, this checkbox determines which process is done first. The default is to perform 'Make Passive' first.
Make Causal Checkbox
When selected, during the .SnP file save process, the following occurs:
A transform process is applied on each parameter to ensure minimal energy is present in the signal before the equivalent time t=0. Kramers-Kronig relations are enforced which does require reasonably fast decay of the parameter magnitude with frequency and certain aspects of analyticity. See the Calibration and Measurement Guide for more information. It is recommended to only use this function if there are observed problems when using saved data in a time domain simulator.
Interpolation Options (for Loaded SnP Files) Area
Choose between Auto, Always Spline (default), and Always Linear.
Others Area:
Save Gated Data Checkbox
When toggled ON, saves gated data into the SnP file. The Default value is OFF. This option is not available in power sweep modes.
Save Trace Math Checkbox
When toggled ON, saves trace math to the applicable .SnP file. The Default value is OFF.
SnP SETUP Dialog Box – 4-Port VNAs
The controls in the SnP SETUP dialog box allow for configuration of file output for all SnP file types.
Prerequisites
The VNA is in 4-Port Mode
Previous
MISC. SETUP Menu
Navigation
MAIN | System | SYSTEM | Setup | SETUP | Misc. Setup | MISC. SETUP | SnP Files Setup | SnP SETUP Dialog Box
SnP SETUP Dialog Box – 4-Port VNAs
Per System Area
Frequency Units Area Selections:
GHz
Select sets the units for the SnP file output to GHz.
MHz
Select sets the units for the SnP file output to MHz.
kHz
Select sets the units for the SnP file output to kHz.
Hz
Select sets the units for the SnP file output to Hz.
Output Format Area Selections:
In the Output Format area of the menu, the three (3) radio buttons form a group where the selection of one de-selects the other two.
Linear Magnitude & Phase
Select sets the data file output format to record linear magnitude and phase information.
Log Magnitude & Phase
Select sets the data file output format to record log magnitude and phase information.
Real & Imaginary
Select sets the data file output format to record real and imaginary information.
Per Channel Area
S1P Port Selection
On a per-channel basis, allows the S1P single port to be selected as:
Port 1
Port 2
Port 3
Port 4
S2P Port Selection
On a per-channel basis, allows the S2P port pair to be selected as:
Port 1-2
Port 1-3
Port 1-4
Port 2-3
Port 2-4
Port 3-4
S3P Port Selection
On a per-channel basis, allows the S2P port triad to be selected as:
Port 1-2-3
Port 1-2-4
Port 1-3-4
Port 2-3-4
Passivity & Causality Enforcement
Make Passive Checkbox
When selected, during the .SnP file save process, the following occurs:
At each frequency point, evaluates the eigenvalues of the S matrix. If the largest magnitude of eigenvalues is <1, does nothing and proceeds to the next frequency. If the largest exceeds 1, scales all S-parameters at that frequency in a self-consistent way to ensure the maximum eigenvalue magnitude is <1.
Passivity Tolerance
Describes how close to 1 (in magnitude) the largest eigenvalue is allowed to get before action is taken (1-sqrt(tolerance) is the limit used). This may need to be changed if the VNA data is being used in a simulator/model analyzer with a different numerical definition of passivity (based on resolution, convergence requirements, etc.). The default value is 0.00001. Generally values are not used outside the range of 0.0000001 to 0.001.
Passivity First Checkbox
When both 'Make Passive' and 'Make Causal' boxes are checked, this checkbox determines which process is done first. The default is to perform 'Make Passive' first.
Make Causal Checkbox
When selected, during the .SnP file save process, the following occurs:
A transform process is applied on each parameter to ensure minimal energy is present in the signal before the equivalent time t=0. Kramers-Kronig relations are enforced which does require reasonably fast decay of the parameter magnitude with frequency and certain aspects of analyticity. See the Calibration and Measurement Guide for more information. It is recommended to only use this function if there are observed problems when using saved data in a time domain simulator.
Interpolation Options (for Loaded SnP Files) Area
Choose between Auto, Always Spline (default), and Always Linear.
Others Area:
Save Gated Data Checkbox
When toggled ON, saves gated data into the SnP file. The Default value is OFF. This option is not available in power sweep modes.
Save Trace Math Checkbox
When toggled ON, saves trace math to the applicable .SnP file. The Default value is OFF.