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 Network Analyzers using S4VNA software

A marker is a tool for numerical readout of a stimulus value and value of the measured parameter in a specific point on the trace. Up to 16 markers can be activated on each trace. A trace with two markers is shown in the figure below.

Marker figure 6.1

Trace with two markers

The markers allow to perform the following tasks:

Reading absolute values of a stimulus and a measured parameter in selected points on the trace.

Reading relative values of a stimulus and a measured parameter related to the reference point.

Search for specific points on the trace (minimum, maximum, target level, etc.).

Determining trace parameters (statistics, bandwidth, etc.).

Editing stimulus parameters using markers.

Markers can have the following indicators:

1

Symbol and number of the active marker on a trace.

Δ

2

Symbol and number of the inactive marker on a trace.

symbol of active marker

Symbol of the active marker on a stimulus axis.

Δ

Symbol of the inactive marker on a stimulus axis.

The marker data field contains the marker number, stimulus value, and the measured parameter value. The number of the active marker is highlighted in an inverse color.

The marker data field contents vary depending on the display format (rectangular or circular):

In rectangular format, the marker shows the measurement parameter value plotted along Y-axis in the active format (See the table below).

Format Type Description

Label

Data Type (Y-axis)

Measurement Unit (Y-axis)

Logarithmic Magnitude

Log Mag

S-parameter logarithmic magnitude: ,

Decibel (dB)

Voltage Standing Wave Ratio

SWR

Dimensionless value

Phase

Phase

S-parameter phase from –180° to +180°:

Degree (°)

Expanded Phase

Expand Phase

S-parameter phase, measurement range expanded to from below –180° to over +180°

Degree (°)

Group Delay

Group Delay

Signal propagation delay within the DUT: ,,

Second (sec.)

Linear Magnitude

Lin Mag

S-parameter linear magnitude:

Dimensionless value

Real Part

Real

S-parameter real part:

Dimensionless value

Imaginary Part

Imag

S-parameter imaginary part:

Dimensionless value

 

In circular format, the marker shows two or three values listed in the table below.

Label

Marker Readings (Measurement Unit)

Reading 1

Reading 2

Reading 3

Smith (Lin)

Linear magnitude

Phase (°)

Smith (Log)

Logarithmic magnitude (dB)

Phase (°)

Smith (Re/Im)

Real part

Imaginary part

Smith (R + jX)

Resistance (Ω)

Reactance (Ω)

Equivalent capacitance or inductance (F/H)

Smith (G + jB)

Conductance (S)

Susceptance (S)

Equivalent capacitance or inductance (F/H)

Polar (Lin)

Linear magnitude

Phase (°)

Polar (Log)

Logarithmic magnitude (dB)

Phase (°)

Polar (Re/Im)

Real part

Imaginary part

Marker Addition

Markers

Add marker

To enable a new marker, use the following softkeys:

Markers > Add Marker

 

 

 


note

The new marker appears as the active marker in the middle of the stimulus axis. The input field for the marker stimulus value is activated.


Marker Deletion

Markers

Remove Marker

Remove All markers

To delete a marker, use the following softkeys:

Markers > Remove Marker

To delete all the markers, use the following softkeys:

Markers > Remove All Markers

Marker Activation

Select marker 1

Marker 1 softkey

...

Marker 15 softkey

To activate a marker by its number, use the following softkeys:

Markers > Select > Marker n

Markers

Select next softkey

To activate a marker from the list of markers, use the following softkeys:

Markers > Select Next

 

 

 


note

A marker can be activated by clicking on it.


Marker Stimulus Value Setting

The active marker must be selected before setting the marker stimulus value. The stimulus value must be set by entering the numerical value from the keyboard, by arrows, by dragging the marker using the mouse (See Marker Stimulus Value Setting), or by enabling the search function (See Marker Position Search Functions).

Markers

Edit stimulus

To set the marker stimulus value, use the following softkeys:

Markers > Edit Stimulus

or click on the stimulus value field using the mouse.

Then, enter the value using the numerical keys on the keypad, by «↑», «↓» arrows.

 

 

 

 

Rev.:  22.4