Test Equipment Guide.com: Information on Network Analyzers & Spectrum Analyzers

Digital Test Equipment Glossary S-Z

Sampling – The conversion of a portion of an input signal into a number of discrete electrical values for the purpose of storage, processing and/or display.

Sample Point – The raw data from an ADC used to calculate waveform points.

Sample Rate – Refers to how frequently a network analyzer takes a sample of the signal, specified in samples per second (S/s).

Signal Source – A test device used to inject a signal into a circuit input; the circuit’s output is then read by a spectrum analyzer or oscilloscope. Also known as a signal generator.

Sine Wave – A common curved wave shape that is mathematically defined.

Single Shot – A signal that only occurs once (also called a transient event).

Slope – On a graph or an oscilloscope screen, the ratio of a vertical distance to a horizontal distance. A positive slope increases from left to right, while a negative slope decreases from left to right.

Sweep Speed – Same as the time base.

Time Base – Circuitry that controls the timing of the sweep. The time base is set by the seconds/division control.

Transient – A signal measured by an oscilloscope that only occurs once (also called a single–shot event).

Trigger – The circuit that references a horizontal sweep on a spectrum analyzer or oscilloscope.

Trigger Level – The voltage level that a trigger source signal must reach before the trigger circuit initiates a sweep.

Trigger Slope – The slope that a trigger source signal must reach before the trigger circuit initiates a sweep.

Vertical Sensitivity – how much the vertical amplifier in a spectrum analyzer can amplify a weak signal, measured in millivolts (mV) per division.

Wave – a signal that repeats regularly over time. Common types include: sine, square, rectangular, saw-tooth, triangle, step, pulse, periodic, non-periodic, synchronous, asynchronous.

Waveform – A graphic representation of a voltage varying over time.

Waveform Point – A digital value that represents the voltage of a signal at a specific point in time. Waveform points are calculated from sample points and stored in memory.

Writing Speed – The ability of a logic analyzer to provide a visible trace of the movement of a signal from one point to another. This ability is restrictive for low-repetition signals that have fast-moving details, such as digital logic signals.

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