Segment Types
- Updated2023-02-21
- 2 minute(s) read
You can specify the following types of segments in the configuration file: startStop, startStep, and zeroSpan.
Each segment type corresponds to a possible frequency definition in the NI-VNA Soft Front Panel (SFP). Refer to the following table for information about which segment type corresponds to which NI-VNA SFP frequency definition.
| Segment Type | NI-VNA SFP Frequency Definition |
|---|---|
| startStop | Start & Stop |
| startStep | Start & Step Size |
| zeroSpan | CW |
You must specify all required parameters for the first segment in the segments list. However, you can implicitly use previously defined values for the AveragingFactor, IFBW, and portPower parameters in any subsequent segment of the first segment in the segments list. Refer to the Specifying Setting Parameters topic for more information about implicitly using previously defined values.
startStop Segment Type
The startStop segment type allows you to specify the beginning and end of a frequency range as well as the number of ports.
Refer to the following table for information about which parameters are required or invalid for the startStop segment type.
| Parameter Name | Required or Invalid? |
|---|---|
| AveragingFactor | Required |
| freq | Invalid |
| freqStart | Required |
| freqStop | Required |
| IFBW | Required |
| numPoints | Required |
| portPower | Required |
| stepSize | Invalid |
| type | Required |
startStep Segment Type
The startStep segment type has similar functionality as the startStop type; however, instead of specifying the end frequency, you specify the stepSize along with the start of the frequency range. This segment type is useful if, for example, you're interested in something that occurs every 10 MHz starting after 4 GHz.
Refer to the following table for information about which parameters are required or invalid for the startStep segment type.
| Parameter Name | Required or Invalid? |
|---|---|
| AveragingFactor | Required |
| freq | Invalid |
| freqStart | Required |
| freqStop | Invalid |
| IFBW | Required |
| numPoints | Required |
| portPower | Required |
| stepSize | Required |
| type | Required |
zeroSpan Segment type
The zeroSpan segment type sweeps a single frequency, specified with the freq parameter.
Refer to the following table for information about which parameters are required or invalid for the zeroSpan segment type.
| Parameter Name | Required or Invalid? |
|---|---|
| AveragingFactor | Required |
| freq | Required |
| freqStart | Invalid |
| freqStop | Invalid |
| IFBW | Required |
| numPoints | Required |
| portPower | Required |
| stepSize | Invalid |
| type | Required |