The following is a list of suggestions for speeding-up your test plan times while minimizing the changes to your initial (functional) test plan that cost time and/or money.
Typical time needed for measurement:
VCC changes and DC measurements are performed in approximately 2 msec
RF measurements are performed in approximately 30 msec
RF Frequency moves are performed in approximately 20 msec
Fast RF Measurements: S parameters, RF Power & Phase
Slow RF Measurements: ACPR, Noise Figure, Intermodulation Distortion, Harmonics (do less frequently)
Minimize/eliminate RF Mechanical Switch changes
Changing RF Ports from Source to Receive or Receive to Source mode requires a switch change
Changing RF Source 1 & 2's RF Attenuator settings requires a switch change
Minimize RF Source & RF Receiver Frequency changes
Replace Narrow IF Filter measurements with WIDE IF Filter measurements (much faster)
Use 16 or less Averages for RF measurements and 32 or less Averages for DC measurements
Setting a parameter to a Local Variable value is slow - it requires a mini-compile to occur
Oscope vs. Receiver measurements
If the RF Receiver can make the measurement, use the Receiver
The Oscope is designed to measure pulse characteristics: Rise/Fall Time, Period, Duty Cycle, etc.
The Receiver is designed to measure Complex Signals: Amplitude, Phase, Noise, Power, Frequency
The Receiver has better Frequency Range, Dynamic Range & measurement speed
Items to set in Global Defaults
Set Receiver Frequency Tracking to Source 1 or System
Set Test Head Parameter to b2
Set RF Ports Receive or Source settings
Set Receiver IF Gain
Set Source 1 Frequency & Level to first RF stimulus signal
Set Source 2 Frequency & Level to first IM stimulus signal
Set Source 3 Frequency & Level to first LO stimulus signal
Switch Source 1 Mode to noise is faster than turning on and off a RF Source
Source12 Attenuation: Use the Source 1 Mode button to further isolate Source 1 & 2 from the DUT
LO Leakage at the DUT's RF input: Use b1 to measure
Analyze Compiled Delta Settings: Receiver & Source RF Frequency, Attenuator settings, Test Head settings, etc.
Intermod measurements- leave RF Source 1 at the standard stimulus frequency, this saves 2 frequency moves
Minimize Test State changes by making test conditions exactly the same for as many measurements as possible:
RF Stimulus levels, frequencies, Receiver settings, DC levels, current limits, ranges, etc.
Notes:
The Optimizer only optimizes the tests within a Test Section.
DC measurements set the Receiver and the RF sources to their default frequency