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CALIBRATION PROCEDURE

PXIe-5665

3.6 GHz and 14 GHz RF Vector Signal Analyzer

This document contains the verification procedures for the National Instruments PXIe-5665 
RF vector signal analyzer (VSA). Refer to 

ni.com/calibration

 for more information about 

calibration solutions.

When not otherwise specified, the procedures in this document refer to both the PXIe-5665 
3.6 GHz VSA and the PXIe-5665 14 GHz VSA products. In places where the procedures differ 
between the two products, the appropriate device settings are specified. 

Note

PXIe-5665 tuned frequencies greater than 3.6 GHz and procedures with the 

preselector enabled for frequencies greater than 3.6 GHz apply only to the PXIe-5665 
14 GHz VSA.

NI warrants the PXIe-5665 to meet its published specifications if the individual modules are 
calibrated and operating within specifications. For more information about RF system 
calibration, visit 

ni.com/manuals

 and search for 

Letter of Conformance

.

Contents

Software.................................................................................................................................... 2
Documentation.......................................................................................................................... 2
Test Equipment......................................................................................................................... 3
Test Conditions......................................................................................................................... 10
System Options......................................................................................................................... 11
Initial Setup............................................................................................................................... 11
Characterizing the Test System ................................................................................................ 11

Zeroing and Calibrating the Power Sensor....................................................................... 11
Characterizing Power Splitter Reference Output ............................................................. 11
Characterizing Power Splitter Difference......................................................................... 12
Characterizing RF Source Power (Direct)........................................................................ 13
Characterizing RF Source Power (with Lowpass Filter).................................................. 15
Characterizing RF Source Power (Combined) for Frequencies

700 MHz..................... 17

Characterizing RF Source Power (Combined) for Frequencies >700 MHz..................... 19
Characterizing RF Source Power (Through Splitter) ....................................................... 21
Characterizing RF Source Power (with Splitter and Attenuator) ..................................... 23
Characterizing Spectrum Analyzer Response .................................................................. 25

As-Found and As-Left Limits................................................................................................... 27
Verification............................................................................................................................... 27

Verifying Reference Accuracy ......................................................................................... 27
Verifying Phase Noise ...................................................................................................... 27

Summary of Contents for PXIe-5665

Page 1: ...s if the individual modules are calibrated and operating within specifications For more information about RF system calibration visit ni com manuals and search for Letter of Conformance Contents Softw...

Page 2: ...oftware Calibrating the PXIe 5665 requires you to install the following software on the calibration system NI RFSA 2 5 or later NI Spectral Measurements Toolkit 2 5 or later You can download all requi...

Page 3: ...onal Instruments 3 Test Equipment Table 1 lists the equipment NI recommends for the performance verification procedures If the recommended equipment is not available select a substitute using the mini...

Page 4: ...0 5 Noise zero set and drift 0 5 full scale lowest range Reference power uncertainty 0 9 Reference output VSWR 1 04 1 Power sensors 2x Anritsu SC7400 Verifying frequency response Verifying absolute a...

Page 5: ...2 Anritsu MG3692C Options 2A 3 4 15A and 22 Verifying frequency response Verifying absolute amplitude accuracy Verifying LO related spurs Verifying image rejection Verifying third order intermodulatio...

Page 6: ...apabilities 50 termination three are included in the PXIe 5665 kit NI 778353 01 Verifying average noise level Verifying non input related residual spurs PXI Express chassis PXIe 1065 or PXIe 1075 PXI...

Page 7: ...0 GHz 20 dB 3 5 mm f to 3 5 mm f adaptor Huber Suhner 31_PC35 50 0 2 199_N Frequency range DC to 18 GHz Impedance 50 Return loss DC to 1 5 GHz 35 dB 1 5 GHz to 6 0 GHz 30 dB 6 0 GHz to 18 0 GHz 20 dB...

Page 8: ...ertion loss 8 5 dB 6 dB nominal Power rating 1 W Impedance 50 VSWR DC to 18 GHz 1 25 1 Equivalent output VSWR DC to 18 GHz 1 25 1 Connectors 3 5 mm f Anti distortion test fixture NI 166375A 01 Verifyi...

Page 9: ...frequency standard Frequency 10 MHz Frequency accuracy 1 10 9 Torque wrench Refer to Test Conditions for torque wrench specifications Included in the PXIe 5665 cable accessory kit Table 1 Recommended...

Page 10: ...ench appropriate for the type of RF connector that you are using NI recommends a 0 565 N m 5 lb in wrench for SMA connectors and a 0 90 N m 8 lb in wrench for 3 5 mm connectors Connect the frequency r...

Page 11: ...n Explorer MAX Characterizing the Test System You use the measured response of the test system during verification tests The power splitter and attenuation response is measured at the RF input frequen...

Page 12: ...shown in Figure 1 Figure 1 Power Splitter Difference Characterization Equipment Setup 4 Set the RF source 2 frequency to 4 GHz 5 Set the RF source 2 power to 0 dBm 6 Measure the signal at 4 GHz with b...

Page 13: ...2 Output Power Characterization Equipment Setup 2 Set the RF source 2 frequency according to the first row in Table 2 or Table 3 as appropriate 1 RF Source 2 2 SMA m to SMA m Cable 3 3 5 mm f to 3 5...

Page 14: ...racterization Frequencies Start Frequency Stop Frequency Step Size 100 033325 MHz 1 975033325 GHz 125 MHz 2 099966675 GHz 3 599966675 GHz 125 MHz 3 724966675 GHz 13 974966675 GHz 125 MHz 13 999966675...

Page 15: ...to power sensor B through the anti distortion test fixture The completed equipment setup is shown in Figure 3 Figure 3 RF Source Power with Lowpass Filter Characterization Equipment Setup 2 Disable t...

Page 16: ...er until this measured power is within 0 1 dB of the value listed in Table 4 The final RF source 2 power setting is the RF Source Power LPF for that frequency 7 Repeat steps 3 to 6 for all the frequen...

Page 17: ...er sensor B through the anti distortion test fixture The completed equipment setup is shown in Figure 4 Figure 4 RF Source Power Combined Characterization Equipment Setup Frequencies 700 MHz 2 Set the...

Page 18: ...sure the channel B power using the appropriate sensor calibration factor for the RF source 1 frequency 9 Repeat step 8 adjusting the RF source 1 power until the channel B power is within 0 1 dB of the...

Page 19: ...er sensor B through the anti distortion test fixture The completed equipment setup is shown in Figure 5 Figure 5 RF Source Power Combined Characterization Equipment Setup Frequencies 700 MHz 2 Set the...

Page 20: ...350 kHz 10 350 kHz 10 3598 95 MHz 350 kHz 10 350 kHz 10 3 6 GHz 13 8 GHz 200 350 kHz 10 350 kHz 10 13 99895 GHz 350 kHz 10 350 kHz 10 800 MHz 3 500 GHz 100 350 kHz 30 350 kHz 30 3598 95 MHz 350 kHz 3...

Page 21: ...channel B power using the appropriate sensor calibration factor for the RF source 1 frequency 9 Repeat step 8 adjusting the RF source 1 power until the channel B power is within 0 1 dB of the power in...

Page 22: ...s and the 3 5 mm f to 3 5 mm f adaptor The completed equipment setup is shown in Figure 6 Figure 6 RF Source Power Through Splitter Characterization Equipment Setup 1 RF Source 2 2 SMA m to SMA m Cabl...

Page 23: ...emaining frequencies in Table 8 Characterizing RF Source Power with Splitter and Attenuator Note Prior to starting this procedure zero and calibrate the power sensor and define the power splitter refe...

Page 24: ...0 dB attenuator The completed equipment setup is shown in Figure 7 Figure 7 RF Source Power with Splitter and Attenuator Characterization Equipment Setup 4 Set the RF source 2 power to 0 dBm 1 RF Sour...

Page 25: ...ormulas DUT to Power Meter through Attenuator Path Loss Channel A Power Channel B Power RF Source to DUT through Attenuator Path Loss Channel B Power 8 Repeat steps 5 to 7 for all remaining frequencie...

Page 26: ...cy 4 GHz Frequency span 0 Hz Reference level 0 dBm 7 Measure the power sensor A power 8 Correct the power sensor A measured power for the measurement frequency of 4 GHz 9 Correct the power sensor A me...

Page 27: ...val Verification The performance verification procedures assume that adequate traceable uncertainties are available for the calibration references In the event of a failure during the verification of...

Page 28: ...e 9 and Figure 10 Figure9 PXIe 56653 6 GHzVSAFrequencyResponseandAbsoluteAmplitudeAccuracy Verification Frequencies 10 MHz Equipment Setup 1 RF Source 2 2 Power Meter 3 SMA m to SMA m cable 4 Power Se...

Page 29: ...able property settings Preamp Enabled Disabled Device Instantaneous Bandwidth 300 kHz PXIe 5665 14 GHz VSA Preselector Enabled Disabled 1 RF Source 2 2 Power Meter 3 SMA m to SMA m cable 4 Power Senso...

Page 30: ...averages total indicate a test failure that you must diagnose 13 Calculate the Corrected Input Power using the following formula Corrected Input Power Measured Average Power DUT to Power Meter throug...

Page 31: ...ency Response only for PXIe 5665 center frequencies less than or equal to 3 6 GHz 18 Repeat steps 9 to 17 for all reference levels listed in step 7 19 Repeat steps 8 to 18 for an instantaneous bandwid...

Page 32: ...XIe 5665 14 GHz VSA 0 42 2 8 GHz to 3 6 GHz PXIe 5665 3 6 GHz VSA 0 45 0 35 PXIe 5665 14 GHz VSA 0 62 Refer to the As Found and As Left Limits section of this document for more information about as le...

Page 33: ...SA 0 35 0 25 PXIe 5665 14 GHz VSA 0 46 0 38 10 MHz to 100 MHz PXIe 5665 3 6 GHz VSA 0 95 0 60 PXIe 5665 14 GHz VSA 1 06 0 73 100 MHz to 1 7 GHz PXIe 5665 3 6 GHz VSA 0 70 0 50 PXIe 5665 14 GHz VSA 0 8...

Page 34: ...MHz to 100 MHz PXIe 5665 3 6 GHz VSA 1 10 0 80 PXIe 5665 14 GHz VSA 1 45 100 MHz to 2 8 GHz PXIe 5665 3 6 GHz VSA 0 80 0 60 PXIe 5665 14 GHz VSA 1 15 2 8 GHz to 3 6 GHz PXIe 5665 3 6 GHz VSA 0 80 0 60...

Page 35: ...Hz 5 V p p MAX REF OUT 10 MHz 1 5 V p p MAX REF OUT 100 MHz 1 5 V p p MAX LO3 800 MHz LO2 4 GHz LO1 3 2 GHz 8 3 GHz ESD SENSITIVE OUT ALL PORTS 50 ACCESS ACTIVE CLK IN CLK OUT PFI 1 ESD SENSITIVE TTL...

Page 36: ...ce Level 50 dBm Resolution Bandwidth 300 Hz RF Attenuation 0 dB FFT Window Type Blackman Harris PXIe 5665 14 GHz VSA Preselector Enabled Disabled 1 50 termination OUT NI PXIe 5653 Synthesizer REF IN 1...

Page 37: ...peat steps 4 to 10 for frequencies less than or equal to 3 6 GHz with the PXIe 5665 preamplifier enabled 12 PXIe 5665 14 GHz VSA Repeat steps 4 to 10 for frequencies greater than 3 6 GHz with the PXIe...

Page 38: ...3 6 GHz 148 150 3 6 GHz to 7 5 GHz 148 150 7 5 GHz to 8 5 GHz 146 147 8 5 GHz to 12 GHz 147 148 12 GHz to 14 GHz 145 146 Refer to the As Found and As Left Limits section of this document for more info...

Page 39: ...information about support resources or service requests Table 20 Average Noise Verification Test Limits Preamplifier Disabled PXIe 5665 14 GHz VSA Preselector Enabled Frequency As Found Limit dBm Hz A...

Page 40: ...10 MHz 5 V p p MAX REF OUT 10 MHz 1 5 V p p MAX REF OUT 100 MHz 1 5 V p p MAX LO3 800 MHz LO2 4 GHz LO1 3 2 GHz 8 3 GHz ESD SENSITIVE OUT ALL PORTS 50 ACCESS ACTIVE CLK IN CLK OUT PFI 1 ESD SENSITIVE...

Page 41: ...ith 25 MHz bandwidth Resolution Bandwidth 2 kHz RF Attenuation 0 dB Reference Level 60 dBm FFT Window Type Flat Top PXIe 5665 14 GHz VSA Preselector Enabled Disabled 1 50 Termination OUT NI PXIe 5653...

Page 42: ...us Level to the verification test limits in Table 21 10 Close the PXIe 5665 session If the non input related spurs residual spurs verification procedure determines that the PXIe 5665 is outside its li...

Page 43: ...t Setup 1 RF Source 2 2 Spectrum Analyzer 3 SMA m to SMA m cable 4 SMA m to SMA m cable 5 Power Splitter 6 3 5 mm m to 3 5 mm m Adaptor ACCESS ACTIVE CLK IN CLK OUT PFI 1 ESD SENSITIVE TTL 6 3 Vp p MA...

Page 44: ...V p p MAX REF OUT 10 MHz 1 5 V p p MAX REF OUT 100 MHz 1 5 V p p MAX LO3 800 MHz LO2 4 GHz LO1 3 2 GHz 8 3 GHz ESD SENSITIVE OUT ALL PORTS 50 NI PXIe 5605 Downconverter 20 Hz 14 GHz ACCESS ACTIVE CLK...

Page 45: ...nabled Disabled 6 Set the RF source 2 mode to Single Frequency 7 Connect the frequency reference source to the spectrum analyzer reference frequency input 8 Set the spectrum analyzer reference source...

Page 46: ...mplitudes to settle Note Settling times are a characteristic of the RF source device Refer to the Test Equipment section of this document for a list of NI recommended source devices and device specifi...

Page 47: ...500 Hz of an RF source 2 spurious response is considered to be from the RF source 2 because of this frequency spread 19 Eliminate any RF source 2 spurious responses from the list of target spurs a Tun...

Page 48: ...ession If the LO related spurs sideband spurs verification procedure determines that the PXIe 5665 is outside its limits refer to Worldwide Support and Services for information about support resources...

Page 49: ...Hz 5 V p p MAX REF OUT 10 MHz 1 5 V p p MAX REF OUT 100 MHz 1 5 V p p MAX LO3 800 MHz LO2 4 GHz LO1 3 2 GHz 8 3 GHz ESD SENSITIVE OUT ALL PORTS 50 ACCESS ACTIVE CLK IN CLK OUT PFI 1 ESD SENSITIVE TTL...

Page 50: ...MHz 25 MHz for the PXIe 5665 with 25 MHz bandwidth RF Attenuation 10 dB Reference Level 0 dBm PXIe 5665 14 GHz VSA Preselector Enabled Enabled 1 RF Source 2 2 SMA m to SMA m cable OUT NI PXIe 5653 Syn...

Page 51: ...at RF Test Frequency 375 MHz where Test Frequency is the PXIe 5665 center frequency 8 For each image and test frequency in the list from step 7 and the PXIe 5665 center frequency from step 5 set the...

Page 52: ...e Rejection at each of the image frequencies using the following equation Image Rejection Response Correction at test frequency Response Correction at each image frequency 13 Repeat steps 5 to 12 for...

Page 53: ...SMA m to SMA m cable OUT NI PXIe 5653 Synthesizer REF IN 10 MHz 5 V p p MAX REF OUT 10 MHz 1 5 V p p MAX REF OUT 100 MHz 1 5 V p p MAX LO3 800 MHz LO2 4 GHz LO1 3 2 GHz 8 3 GHz ESD SENSITIVE OUT ALL...

Page 54: ...test fixture to use the 700 MHz combiner path 1 RF Source 1 2 RF Source 2 3 SMA m to SMA m cable 4 SMA m to SMA m cable 5 Anti Distortion Test Fixture 6 SMA m to SMA m cable OUT NI PXIe 5653 Synthesi...

Page 55: ...owing four frequencies IMD Low Frequency Test Frequency 1 05 MHz P1 Frequency Test Frequency 350 kHz P2 Frequency Test Frequency 350 kHz IMD High Frequency Test Frequency 1 05 MHz where IMD is the int...

Page 56: ...r respectively 19 Calculate the upper and lower third order intercept TOI points using the following equations TOI Upper P1 Power P2 Power IMD High Power 2 TOI Lower P2 Power P1 Power IMD Low Power 2...

Page 57: ...VSA Third Order Intermodulation Frequencies 700 MHz Verification Equipment Setup 1 RF Source 1 2 RF Source 2 3 SMA m to SMA m cable 4 SMA m to SMA m cable 5 Anti Distortion Test Fixture 6 SMA m to SM...

Page 58: ...istortion test fixture to use the 700 MHz combiner path 1 RF Source 1 2 RF Source 2 3 SMA m to SMA m cable 4 SMA m to SMA m cable 5 Anti Distortion Test Fixture 6 SMA m to SMA m cable OUT NI PXIe 5653...

Page 59: ...lues Preamplifier disabled 10 dBm Preamplifier enabled 30 dBm 9 For each test frequency from Table 32 or Table 33 calculate the following four frequencies IMD Low Frequency Test Frequency 1 05 MHz P1...

Page 60: ...edure 16 Measure the power spectrum with the PXIe 5665 17 Find the highest peak within the measurement bandwidth This value is the IMD Low Power 18 Repeat steps 11 to step 16 for the PXIe 5665 center...

Page 61: ...information about support resources or service requests Table 34 TOI Frequencies 700 MHz Verification Test Limits Preamplifier Disabled PXIe 5665 14 GHz VSA Preselector Disabled Center Frequency As F...

Page 62: ...esizer REF IN 10 MHz 5 V p p MAX REF OUT 10 MHz 1 5 V p p MAX REF OUT 100 MHz 1 5 V p p MAX LO3 800 MHz LO2 4 GHz LO1 3 2 GHz 8 3 GHz ESD SENSITIVE OUT ALL PORTS 50 ACCESS ACTIVE CLK IN CLK OUT PFI 1...

Page 63: ...to use the 470 MHz Lowpass Filter path 1 RF Source 1 2 RF Source 2 3 SMA m to SMA m Cable 4 SMA m to SMA m Cable 5 Anti Distortion Test Fixture 6 SMA m to SMA m Cable OUT NI PXIe 5653 Synthesizer REF...

Page 64: ...rst row of Table 36 9 Configure the anti distortion test fixture to use the appropriate Lowpass Filter Path as shown in Table 37 10 Commit the PXIe 5665 settings to hardware Table 36 SHI Verification...

Page 65: ...andwidth BW This value is the Peak Power 16 Calculate the Noise Measurement BW and the Noise Center Frequency CF using the following equations 17 Calculate the Power in Band for the spectrum from step...

Page 66: ...uency MHz Stop Frequency Step Size 300 0333125 1 3000333125 GHz 200 MHz 1 800 Table 39 SHI Verification Test Limits Preamplifier Disabled PXIe 5665 14 GHz VSA Preselector Enabled Source Frequency Devi...

Page 67: ...is applied at the RF IN connector of the PXIe 5665 Note The power level you apply differs whether you are verifying the as found or as left limit Table 40 SHI Verification Test Limits Preamplifier En...

Page 68: ...3 Synthesizer REF IN 10 MHz 5 V p p MAX REF OUT 10 MHz 1 5 V p p MAX REF OUT 100 MHz 1 5 V p p MAX LO3 800 MHz LO2 4 GHz LO1 3 2 GHz 8 3 GHz ESD SENSITIVE OUT ALL PORTS 50 ACCESS ACTIVE CLK IN CLK OUT...

Page 69: ...1 RF Source 1 2 RF Source 2 3 SMA m to SMA m Cable 4 SMA m to SMA m Cable 5 Anti Distortion Test Fixture 6 SMA m to SMA m Cable OUT NI PXIe 5653 Synthesizer REF IN 10 MHz 5 V p p MAX REF OUT 10 MHz 1...

Page 70: ...te 11 Set the RF source 1 power to the RF Source 1 Programmed Power in Table 43 or Table 44 as appropriate 12 Set the PXIe 5665 reference level according to Table 43 or Table 44 as appropriate Table 4...

Page 71: ...er at the center frequency and record this value as the Small Tone First Measurement RF source 1 output disabled or as the Small Tone Second Measurement RF source 1 output enabled 17 Repeat steps 7 to...

Page 72: ...MHz As Found 1 8 As Left 1 9 1 Refer to the As Found and As Left Limits section of this document for more information about as left limits The device specification calls for less than or equal to 1 d...

Page 73: ...XIe 5653 Synthesizer REF IN 10 MHz 5 V p p MAX REF OUT 10 MHz 1 5 V p p MAX REF OUT 100 MHz 1 5 V p p MAX LO3 800 MHz LO2 4 GHz LO1 3 2 GHz 8 3 GHz ESD SENSITIVE OUT ALL PORTS 50 ACCESS ACTIVE CLK IN...

Page 74: ...ource 1 2 RF Source 2 3 SMA m to SMA m Cable 4 SMA m to SMA m Cable 5 Anti Distortion Test Fixture 6 SMA m to SMA m Cable OUT NI PXIe 5653 Synthesizer REF IN 10 MHz 5 V p p MAX REF OUT 10 MHz 1 5 V p...

Page 75: ...requency 10 Set the PXIe 5665 center frequency according to the values listed in Table 47 or Table 48 11 Set the RF source 2 power to the RF Source 2 Programmed Power from Table 49 or Table 50 as appr...

Page 76: ...s Left 9 1 1 701 GHz to 3 601 GHz As Found 6 0 As Left 7 1 RF Source 2 Programmed Power 800 MHz to 3 600 GHz Both 24 PXIe 5665 Reference Level 800 MHz to 3 600 GHz Both 0 PXIe 5665 14 GHz VSA RF Sourc...

Page 77: ...edure 16 Read the power spectrum from the PXIe 5665 Table 50 Gain Compression Verification Test Settings Preamplifier Enabled Device Setting Frequency Range Limit Value dBm PXIe 5665 3 6 GHz VSA RF So...

Page 78: ...2 Repeat steps 6 to 20 with the RF source 1 output enabled 23 Calculate the PXIe 5665 Gain Compression using the following equation Gain Compression Small Tone First Measurement Small Tone Second Meas...

Page 79: ...ection of this document 1 Connect the RF source 2 output to the PXIe 5605 RF IN connector using the SMA m to SMA m cable 2 Connect power sensor A to the PXIe 5605 LO3 OUT connector using the SMA m to...

Page 80: ...Sensor B 8 10 dB Attenuator 1 2 3 5 6 7 4 ACCESS ACTIVE CLK IN CLK OUT PFI 1 ESD SENSITIVE TTL 6 3 Vp p MAX 2 Vp p NOM 20 dBm MAX 50 50 50 NI PXIe 5622 16 Bit IF Digitizer IF IN ESD SENSITIVE ACCESS A...

Page 81: ...reate a new session for the PXIe 5665 1 RF Source 2 2 Spectrum Analyzer 3 Power Meter 4 SMA m to SMA m Cable 5 SMA m to SMA m Cable 6 Power Sensor A 7 Power Sensor B 8 10 dB Attenuator OUT NI PXIe 565...

Page 82: ...he reading for the LO1 frequency 17 Measure the LO2 power with the spectrum analyzer Correct the reading for the 4 GHz LO2 frequency using the following equation LO2 Power Spectrum Analyzer Reading Sp...

Page 83: ...r Path MHz Start MHz Stop MHz Insertion Loss dB max VSWR max 470 10 470 2 5 1 75 735 470 735 2 5 1 75 1 150 735 1 150 2 5 1 75 1 800 1 150 1 800 2 5 1 75 2 530 1 800 2 530 2 5 1 75 3 550 2 530 3 550 2...

Page 84: ...t either input or output ports The unused input port is terminated in 50 Isolation is the loss between input ports The output port is terminated in 50 VSWR includes any port All other ports are termin...

Page 85: ...ccess to everything from troubleshooting and application development self help resources to email and phone assistance from NI Application Engineers Visit ni com services for NI Factory Installation S...

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