Dynamic Range; Gain Compression; Db Gain Compression Point (Two-Tone) - Keysight M9290A Manual

Dynamic Range

Gain Compression

Description
1 dB Gain Compression Point
abc
(Two-tone)
10 kHz to 7.5 GHz
7.5 to 26.5 GHz
a.
Large signals, even at frequencies not shown on the screen, can cause the analyzer to incorrectly measure on-screen
signals because of two-tone gain compression. This specification tells how large an interfering signal must be in order
to cause a 1 dB change in an on-screen signal.
b.
Specified at 1 kHz RBW with 1 MHz tone spacing.
c.
Reference level and off-screen performance: The reference level (RL) behavior differs from some earlier analyzers in
a way that makes this analyzer more flexible. In other analyzers, the RL controlled how the measurement was
performed as well as how it was displayed. Because the logarithmic amplifier in these analyzers had both range and
resolution limitations, this behavior was necessary for optimum measurement accuracy. The logarithmic amplifier in
this signal analyzer, however, is implemented digitally such that the range and resolution greatly exceed other
instrument limitations. Because of this, the analyzer can make measurements largely independent of the setting of the
RL without compromising accuracy. Because the RL becomes a display function, not a measurement function, a
marker can read out results that are off-screen, either above or below, without any change in accuracy. The only
exception to the independence of RL and the way in which the measurement is performed is in the input attenuation
setting: When the input attenuation is set to auto, the rules for the determination of the input attenuation include
dependence on the reference level. Because the input attenuation setting controls the tradeoff between large signal
behaviors (third-order intermodulation, compression, and display scale fidelity) and small signal effects (noise), the
measurement results can change with RL changes when the input attenuation is set to auto.
d. Mixer power level (dBm) = input power (dBm)  input attenuation (dB).
28
Specifications Supplemental Information
Maximum power at mixer
+6.00 dBm (nominal)
+4.00 dBm (nominal)
d