Agilent Technologies 8719ES User Manual page 406

Operating Concepts
Noise Reduction Techniques
Another difference between sweep-to-sweep averaging and variable IF bandwidth is the
sweep time. Averaging displays the first complete trace faster but takes several sweeps to
reach a fully averaged trace. IF bandwidth reduction lowers the noise floor in one sweep,
but the sweep time may be slower. The difference in noise floor between a trace measured
with a 3000 Hz IF bandwidth and with a 10 Hz IF bandwidth is illustrated by
Figure 7-20 IF Bandwidth Reduction
Hints
NOTE
Another capability that can be used for effective noise reduction is the marker
statistics function, which computes the average value of part or all of the
formatted trace.
If your instrument is equipped with Option 085 (High Power System),
another way of increasing dynamic range is to increase the input power to the
test device using a booster amplifier.
7-36
Figure 7-20.