Agilent Technologies 8719D User Manual page 401

Figure 6-67. Low Pass Step Measurements of Common Gable
Transmission Measnrements In Time Domain Low Pass
Measuring small signal transient response using low pass step. Use the low pass mode to
analyze the test device's small signal transient response. The transmission response of a device
to a step input is often measured at lower frequencies, using a function generator (to provide
the step to the test device) and a sampling oscilloscope (to analyze the test device output
response). The low pass step mode extends the frequency range of this type of measurement to
the maximum frequency of the analyzer.
The step input shown in Figure 6-68 is the inverse Fourier transform of the frequency domain
response of a thru measured at calibration. The step rise time is proportional to the highest
frequency in the frequency domain sweep; the higher the frequency, the faster the rise time.
The frequency sweep in Figure 6-68 is from 50 MHz to 1 GHz.
Figure 6-68 also illustrates the time domain low pass response of an amplifier under test. The
average group delay over the measurement frequency range is the difference in time between
the step and the amplifier response. This time domain response simulates an oscilloscope
measurement of the amplifier's small signal transient response. Note the ringing in the
amplifier response that indicates an under-damped design.
Application and Operation Conoepts 6-127