We've just acquired a N9342C analyzer (as a replacement for an aging N1996A) partly because of its fast zero span sweep capability - it claims to sweep down to 600ns - which we use to observe fast-changing single-frequency signals.
However, it looks as if the N9342C's sample rate is fixed at 600ns, so as the zero span sweep rate gets faster the horizontal resolution deteriorates. At 10us sweep the display comprises about a dozen horizontal points and when set to 600ns sweep the display comprises just two points joined by a straight line! Even the old cheap-and-cheerful N1996A was better.
Is there any way to increase the sample rate or number of horizontal points?
Edited by: cmkessell on Mar 20, 2013 4:38 AM
However, it looks as if the N9342C's sample rate is fixed at 600ns, so as the zero span sweep rate gets faster the horizontal resolution deteriorates. At 10us sweep the display comprises about a dozen horizontal points and when set to 600ns sweep the display comprises just two points joined by a straight line! Even the old cheap-and-cheerful N1996A was better.
Is there any way to increase the sample rate or number of horizontal points?
Edited by: cmkessell on Mar 20, 2013 4:38 AM
As you have observed on the N9342C, when you increase the sweep time, the sample number(and horizontal points) will increase.
The sample number can't be manually adjusted when you confirmed the sweep time.
That's right the sweep time under zero span will down to 600 ns, but the the sample number is the least.
Anyhow, N9342C will have better sweep speed than N9342C.
Can it meet your test requirement?