The manual operating concept of the R&S SMA enables the user to make settings as intuitively as possible and at the same time gives a permanent overview of characteristics of the generated signal and of the current instrument state. Numerous online help functions support user settings.
The block diagram is the core of the operating concept.
A graphics display shows the current configuration and the signal flow in the form of a block diagram. All graphical elements can be accessed for operation. An element is selected by means of the arrow keys and the associated setting function is called by pressing Enter. Required menus and graphs are displayed on the block diagram which is displayed again in the foreground whenever the DIAGRAM (CTRL+D) key is pressed.
The main characteristics of the RF signal, frequency and level, are permanently displayed in the header section of the screen and can be directly set in the display fields after the FREQ (CTRL+F) or LEVEL (CTRL+L) key is pressed. Status messages for the output signal are displayed in addition to frequency and level.

- Functional blocks
Menus are assigned to the specific function blocks in the block diagram. The function blocks represent elements of signal generation. Function blocks displayed with a blue frame can be directly switched on and off by means of the TOGGLE ON/OFF (CTRL+T) key. The menus of the highlighted function blocks can be called by pressing the ENTER key.– Example:
The "Modulation" block contains all menus required for modulation signal configuration.
In this block all modulations can be selected. - Signal flow
The signal flow between the function blocks and the employed inputs and outputs are also shown. - Menu tree
The menu tree can be opened and closed with the MENU (CTRL+M) key. The menu tree is organized in the same way as the directories under Windows. The function blocks correspond to the first directory level, the menus to subdirectories.
To offer the user a familiar environment, operation is very similar to operation of Windows user interfaces. All menus and tables are made up of known elements, such as selection lists, check boxes and entry fields.
A blue frame indicates that the selected item is active. In the highlighted element, entries can be made.
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Operation is possible via front-panel keys, an external keyboard and the mouse. However, most of the settings can be easily made with the rotary knob:
- Turning the rotary knob shifts the entry focus to the target element.
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- Pressing the rotary knob activates the selected entry field.
Depending on the parameter, the submenu is called, the numeric value varied, the list entry selected or the check box activated or deactivated. - If a value is entered, the entry is stored by another click on the rotary knob and the editing mode is exited.
A separate window is opened for each dialog and subdialog. The dialogs can be operated independently of each other, i.e. none of the dialogs requires that settings in other dialogs be completed before it can be closed. This ensures flexible operation at all times.
Most keys on the front panel of the R&S SMA directly perform a simple function.
Since a great number of settings can thus be made by a keystroke, operation is easy. For instance, the CLOSE (ESC) key closes the active menu; with the RF ON/OFF (CTRL+R) key the RF output signal can be switched on or off.
An exception are keys that call a menu such as the MENU (CTRL+M) key which opens the complete menu tree of the instrument, the SETUP (CTRL+E) key which opens the menus for general instrument settings or the FILE (CTRL+S) key which opens the menu for file management.
Numerous help functions support the user in signal configuration.
- Value ranges
The valid setting range is displayed for each numeric parameter. This requires a short wait after activation of the entry field. The range is then displayed automatically after a few seconds.
If the entered value is outside the permissible range, the next permissible value is automatically set and a message is output. - Context-sensitive help
Context-sensitive help for each parameter can be called with the HELP or F1 key. - Comprehensive online help
Each help page is part of a comprehensive online help function which can be called by means of an index, a content tree or the "Previous/Next" buttons.
A great variety of different messages such as status messages, error messages, warnings or information are displayed in the header field of the screen. With the aid of the INFO (CTRL+I) key, help pages can be called for most of the messages. They provide background information on the message and indicate operating steps that may be required. All messages are explained in the online help which can be called with the HELP (F1) key.

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