Measuring Signal Distortion - ADInstruments DSA2016 User Manual

4.2 Measuring Signal Distortion

This selection introduces how to recognize and measure signal distortion.
Recognize the distortion produced by spectrum analyzer.
The high level input signal may cause the distortion signal produced by spectrum
analyzer. This distortion signal will cover the true signal that needs to be measured in
the input signal. The user can recognize these signals through trace and RF attenuator.
If yes, this distortion is produced inside the instrument. In this case, we use a signal
output by a function generator as signal source to recognize whether the harmonic
distortion component is produced by spectrum analyzer.
1. Connect function generator to RF IN of spectrum analyzer. Set the input
frequency and amplitude of signal source as 200MHz, -10dBm.
2. Set center frequency and span of spectrum analyzer.
l Press [PRESET] (to restore factory settings) •
l Press [FREQ] → 400MHz
l Press [SPAN] → 700MHz
The harmonic distortion component produced by this signal at the inputmixer of
spectrum analyzer (arranged in turn with original 200MHz signal at 200MHz
interval).