Magnitude Trigger Style (Trigger)

The Magnitude trigger style is available when using baseband time data (real data) or when using complex I+jQ data where the hardware supports triggering on the magnitude of I+jQ. The Magnitude trigger only triggers when the signal is within the specified frequency span, as shown in the following block diagram:

$image\trig_magnitude_wmf.jpg$

The Magnitude trigger is usually used with amplitude modulated (AM Amplitude Modulation - CW modulation using amplitude variation in proportion to the amplitude of the modulating signal. Usually taken as DSB-LC for commercial broadcast transmissions and DSB-SC for multiplexed systems.) or burst signals. This trigger style triggers the VSA when the input signal is within the current span, AND the input signal is varying in amplitude, AND the trigger conditions are met. The trigger conditions that can be specified are level, slope, delay, and hold-off.

With Magnitude trigger, the magnitude of the signal must vary to trigger the VSA. The magnitude of the signal varies when the input signal switches on and off or if the input signal is AM modulated.

Trigger hold-off is often used with Magnitude trigger. If using a burst to trigger the VSA and the burst contains more than one valid trigger edge, use trigger hold-off to ignore all but the first trigger edge.