The RF power reading on a CDMA radio is not accurate on which type of meter?

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Multiple Choice

The RF power reading on a CDMA radio is not accurate on which type of meter?

Measuring RF power from a CDMA transmitter requires a detector that can respond quickly to rapid changes in the signal. An analog power meter uses a moving-needle mechanism that responds slowly and averages the input over time. Because CDMA signals have fast amplitude variations and a high crest factor, the needle can’t follow those fluctuations, so the reading reflects a time-averaged value rather than the actual instantaneous power. That makes the analog meter readings unreliable for accurately assessing the RF power in CDMA. Digital power meters and spectrum analyzers use detectors and processing (fast sampling, true RMS or appropriate averaging) that capture the actual power level more accurately across the rapid variations of the CDMA signal. Digital multimeters, on the other hand, aren’t suitable for RF power because their bandwidth and sensing aren’t designed for RF signals. So, the analog meter’s slow, averaged response is the reason its RF power reading isn’t accurate for CDMA.

Measuring RF power from a CDMA transmitter requires a detector that can respond quickly to rapid changes in the signal. An analog power meter uses a moving-needle mechanism that responds slowly and averages the input over time. Because CDMA signals have fast amplitude variations and a high crest factor, the needle can’t follow those fluctuations, so the reading reflects a time-averaged value rather than the actual instantaneous power. That makes the analog meter readings unreliable for accurately assessing the RF power in CDMA.

Digital power meters and spectrum analyzers use detectors and processing (fast sampling, true RMS or appropriate averaging) that capture the actual power level more accurately across the rapid variations of the CDMA signal. Digital multimeters, on the other hand, aren’t suitable for RF power because their bandwidth and sensing aren’t designed for RF signals.

So, the analog meter’s slow, averaged response is the reason its RF power reading isn’t accurate for CDMA.

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