About Averaging

Averaging minimizes the effects of noise. When averaging is on, the current trace is averaged, point-by-point, with the averaged results of preceding traces. Subsequent traces are included in the average in the same way, until the VSA reaches the number of averages specified in the Count field.

Averaging is performed using the data block represented by the displayed trace, not the trace itself.

For example, suppose 3 averages are specified. For the first average, the VSA clears previous trace data and obtains a new trace. The second average is the average of the next trace and the first trace. The third average is the average of the third trace with the averaged results of the first two traces.

The VSA updates the display after each average. In this example, the VSA would update the display three times, once for each average (even though the first trace really isn't "averaged").

During averaging, the status area (very bottom of the application window) shows the messages "Average in Progress" and then "Average Complete." Also, the type of average and the number of the current average are shown above the top center of the grid.