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PXIe-5673 Calibration Procedure

13. Subtract the power measurements from step 12 from the measurements in step 5 for each 

corresponding frequency, as shown in the equation below. Store the resulting calculations 
as 

splitter loss [i] 

(dB). The result is an array representing the loss through the splitter for 

the entire needed frequency range in 5 MHz increments.

splitter loss [i]

 (dB) = 

direct [i]

 - 

splitter [i]

Note

This array is later used to compensate measurements and correct for splitter 

loss. If you do not find the exact frequency needed in the splitter correction array, use 
the loss corresponding to the next closest frequency. 

You have successfully characterized your splitter. 

As-Found and As-Left Limits

The as-found limits are the published specifications for the PXIe-5673. NI uses these limits to 
determine whether the PXIe-5673 meets the device specifications when it is received for 
calibration. 

The as-left limits are equal to the published NI specifications for the PXIe-5673 less guard bands 
for measurement uncertainty, temperature drift, and drift over time. NI uses these limits to 
determine whether the PXIe-5673 meets the device specifications over its calibration interval.

Verification

This section describes the steps you must follow to verify the published specifications for the 
PXIe-5673. 

Verification tests the following PXIe-5673 specifications:

LO output power accuracy

Modulation impairments

Modulation bandwidth and impairments

Output power level accuracy

Intermodulation products

Noise floor

RF harmonics

Baseband linearity-related spurs

Phase noise

Frequency accuracy

Note

Ensure that the PXIe-5611, PXIe-5450, and PXI-5650/5651/5652 are 

properly connected and associated in MAX, as indicated in the 

NI RF Signal 

Generators Getting Started Guide, 

before starting verification.

Summary of Contents for PXIe-5673

Page 1: ...aracterizing the Power Splitter 5 As Found and As Left Limits 8 Verification 8 Verifying LO Output Power Accuracy 9 Verifying Modulation Impairments 9 Verifying Modulation Bandwidth and Impairments 11...

Page 2: ...le device To calibrate the PXIe 5450 Waveform Generator PXIe 5611 IQ Modulator or PXI 5650 5651 5652 RF Analog Signal Generator individually refer to their calibration procedures at ni com manuals Cal...

Page 3: ...ise Frequency accuracy Frequency range 50 MHz to 19 8 GHz Noise floor 152 dBm Hz to 6 6 GHz SMA m to SMA m cable 36 inches Huber Suhner H S ST 18 SMAm SMAm 36 Operating frequency DC to 18 GHz Impedanc...

Page 4: ...ppropriate for the type of RF connector you are using NI recommends using a 0 565 N m 5 lb in torque wrench for SMA connectors and a 0 90 N m 8 lb in torque wrench for 3 5 mm connectors Power splitter...

Page 5: ...or each other iteration Zero and calibrate the power meter sensors before each test Initial Setup Refer to the NI RF Signal Generators Getting Started Guide for information about how to install the so...

Page 6: ...use a cable it should be as short as possible The cable should always be used with the splitter for subsequent verification procedures in this document that require a splitter 8 Connect one available...

Page 7: ...requency ranges in 5 MHz increments including endpoints PXI 5650 85 MHz to 1 3 GHz PXI 5651 85 MHz to 3 3 GHz PXI 5652 85 MHz to 6 6 GHz Store the resulting measurements as splitter i dB 1 PXI 5650 56...

Page 8: ...to determine whether the PXIe 5673 meets the device specifications when it is received for calibration The as left limits are equal to the published NI specifications for the PXIe 5673 less guard ban...

Page 9: ...increments including endpoints PXI 5650 85 MHz to 1 3 GHz PXI 5651 85 MHz to 3 3 GHz PXI 5652 85 MHz to 6 6 GHz Store the resulting measurements If the results are within the selected test limit the...

Page 10: ...olution bandwidth 500 Hz Sweep time 5 ms Reference clock source External Note Zero span mode of the spectrum analyzer shortens test time by avoiding unnecessary frequency sweeping To obtain the averag...

Page 11: ...he ISR and CSR from step 9 for each LO frequency If the results are within the selected test limit the device has passed this portion of the verification Verifying Modulation Bandwidth and Impairments...

Page 12: ...500 Hz Sweep time 5 ms Reference clock source External 7 Use the spectrum analyzer to measure the mean output power of image using the following spectrum analyzer parameter settings Center frequency F...

Page 13: ...in Table 5 If the results are within the selected test limit the device has passed this portion of the verification Table 5 Modulation Bandwidth Impairment Verification Test Limits CW Source LO Frequ...

Page 14: ...eform Generator 2 PXIe 5611 IQ Modulator 3 PXI 5650 5651 5652 RF Analog Signal Generator PXI 5652 shown 4 BNC m to SMA m Cable 5 Power Sensor 6 Rubidium Frequency Source Rear Panel 7 BNC m to BNC m Ca...

Page 15: ...n step 8 of the Characterizing the Power Splitter section must be the same port used to connect the power splitter to the power meter in step 5 of this section 5 Connect port A of the power splitter t...

Page 16: ...n 5 dB Preamplifier niRFSG Power Level property 13 Use the power meter measurements to calculate a correction for the spectrum analyzer inaccuracies and attenuator loss with the following equation Cor...

Page 17: ...ter frequency Frequency in step 8 1 MHz Reference level 30 dBm Frequency span 0 Hz Resolution bandwidth 500 Hz Sweep time 200 ms Reference clock source External Attenuation 5 dB Preamplifier On 16 Mea...

Page 18: ...arrier and 2 3 MHz F2 offset from the carrier with the following niRFSG property settings Frequency Hz 85 MHz Power Level dBm 0 dBm Generation Mode Arb Waveform Power Level Type Peak Power Reference C...

Page 19: ...litude of the second close in IMD tone at 87 6 MHz LO 2F2 F1 Name this value I2 Use the following spectrum analyzer parameter settings Center frequency Frequency in step 5 F2 Reference level 0 dBm Fre...

Page 20: ...nt panel connector 4 Connect any available rubidium frequency reference rear panel BNC connector to the spectrum analyzer REF IN rear panel connector through the BNC m to BNC m cable 5 Generate an arb...

Page 21: ...ranges in 250 MHz increments including endpoints PXI 5650 85 MHz to 1 3 GHz PXI 5651 85 MHz to 3 3 GHz PXI 5652 85 MHz to 6 6 GHz Store the resulting measurements 8 Compare the measured values to the...

Page 22: ...rough the BNC m to BNC m cable 5 Generate a signal with the following niRFSG property settings Frequency Hz 100 MHz Power Level dBm 0 dBm Generation Mode CW Reference Clock Source ClkIn 6 Use the spec...

Page 23: ...ubharmonic and non integer harmonic levels outside the device frequency range are typical If the results are within the selected test limit the device has passed this portion of the verification Verif...

Page 24: ...uency span 0 Hz Resolution bandwidth 500 Hz Sweep time 5 ms Reference clock source External 7 Use the spectrum analyzer to measure the baseband linearity related spur using the following spectrum anal...

Page 25: ...any available rubidium frequency reference rear panel BNC connector to the spectrum analyzer REF IN rear panel connector through the BNC m to BNC m cable 5 Generate a single sideband tone with a 3 MH...

Page 26: ...limits as specified in Table 13 11 Repeat steps 6 through 10 for the remaining frequencies listed in the Frequency column in Table 13 If the results are within the selected test limit the device has p...

Page 27: ...Verify that the measurement in step 5 is within the 9 ppm test limit with respect to 400 MHz If the results are within the selected test limit the device has passed this portion of the verification Ad...

Page 28: ...Initialize External Calibration VI 2 Call the niRFSG Close External Calibration VI to close the session Set the write calibration to hardware parameter to TRUE to store the results to the EEPROM on th...

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