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What does "Average Type" Refer To in Siglent SVA1032X "BW" Menu ???

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starlite4321:
Totally confused !  I just bought an SVA1032X (word of advice, don't ever buy anything from Liberty Test Equipment - terrible !).  There is a setting in the "BW" menu called "Average Type" with no useable explanation of which "averaging" operation in the device it actually controls.  The manual says, "When Trace Average is on, the average type is shown on the left side of the display".  However the average type selected there is ALWAYS shown on the left side of the display no matter what is turned on and off - anywhere.  And there's no "Average" setting IN the BW menu, just this "Average Type" setting.  Does anyone know what this setting is actually DOING ?  Which average function does it pertain to ?  Why is it ALWAYS shown in the display ?  I've been trying to get the simplest answers from Siglent support here in the US but they are absolutely USELESS !!  There doesn't appear to be any competent source of support for Siglent questions and problems.  I'm almost beginning to wish I'd never heard of Siglent for confusion like this !

newbrain:
The manual, in chapter 2.2.1.4, will tell you what the average types are and what kind of measuremente they are best suited for:

--- Quote ---2.2.1.4 Average Type
Choose one of the following averaging types: log power (video), power (RMS), or voltage averaging.
When trace average is on, the average type is shown on the left side of the display.
1. Log Power
Select the logarithmic (decibel) scale for all filtering and averaging processes. This scale is "Video"
because it is the most common display and analysis scale for the video signal within analyzer. This
scale is excellent for finding Sine/CW signals near noise.
2. Power Average
In this average type, all filtering and averaging processes work on the power (the square of the
magnitude) of the signal, instead of its log or envelope voltage. This scale is best for real-time power
measurement of complex signals.
3. Voltage Average
In this Average type, all filtering and averaging processes work on the voltage of the envelope of the
signal. This scale is suitable for observing rise and fall behavior of AM or pulse-modulated signals such
as radar and TDMA transmitters.
--- End quote ---

Each trace can be set to different modes, according to chapter 2.2.2.2:

--- Quote ---1. Clear Write [...]
2. Max Hold [...]
3. Min Hold [...]
4. View [...]
5. Blank [...]
6. Average
Set the averages times of the selected trace.
More averages can reduce the noise and the influence of other random signals; thus highlighting the
stable signal characteristics. The larger the averages times is, the smoother the trace will be. Enabling
averaging will take more time to collect the full spectral information because the analyzer needs to
sweep the set average count. The displayed data is averaged in a first-in-first-out fashion.
--- End quote ---

When a trace is set to Average mode, the calculation of the average is done according to the selected Average Type and number of sweeps (1..999).

Disclaimer: I do not own this instrument, I just read the manual...

starlite4321:
Hello newbrain,

Thanks for the reply.  Of course, I read the manual too as you can clearly see from my post.  And it is absolutely NOT clear that the average "Types" in the "BW" menu refer to an averaging function you indicate provided over in the "Detect" menu anymore than the averaging parameters set over in the "Trace" menu or anywhere else.  It seems to be referring to some averaging bandwidth associated with the detection function that the menu the setting is actually IN - the BW menu - is related to though that's not explained.  And there's no explanation at all of the statement "When Trace Average is on, the average type is shown on the left side of the display" when the average type selected there is ALWAYS shown on the left side of the display no matter what is turned on and off - anywhere.  For example, when the item you list is NOT set to "Average Video" - say "Pos Peak" - the average "Type" is still shown on the left side of the display.  What is being averaged then ?  Sorry, I don't think your explanation actually explains this at all.

But thanks for trying anyway - much appreciated !

tautech:
Which firmware version are you on starlite ?
Latest is 6.2R5

BW averaging AFAIK is to do with the acquisition method as we see some setting change with the type.

A few screenshots so we are all on the same page....

starlite4321:
Hi Tautech, thanks for the reply.

I just got it a few days ago and immediately updated to the latest version, v3.2.2.6.2R5 as you say.  (by the way, take my advice and don't ever buy anything from "Liberty Test Equipment" - horrible retailer.  Run for your life !)

Yeah, you can definitely see differences among trace types with different "Average Type"s set, including those other than the average setting which is another reason I know the previous response is incorrect.  But this happens when the SVA is in heterodyne mode where there are filters both before and after the detector, but there isn't supposed to be any averaging.  The way this works sort of implies there IS some kind of averaging ALWAYS going on whether you like it or not.  If Siglent's support weren't so useless it might be possible to get an answer from them.  But unfortunately...

Again, thanks for the reply !

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