Agilent Technologies PSA Series Manual
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Agilent Technologies PSA Series Manual

Spectrum analyzers
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External Source Control
Personality Guide
Agilent Technologies
PSA Series Spectrum Analyzers
Option 215
This manual provides documentation for the following instruments
with Option 215 Installed:
PSA Series
E4440A (3 Hz - 26.50 GHz)
E4443A (3 Hz - 6.70 GHz)
E4445A (3 Hz - 13.20 GHz)
E4446A (3 Hz - 44.00 GHz)
E4447A (3 Hz - 42.98 GHz)
E4448A (3 Hz - 50.00 GHz)
Manufacturing Part Number: E4440-90624
Supersedes E4440-90327
Printed in USA
June 2008
© Copyright 2005-2008 Agilent Technologies, Inc.

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  • Page 1 E4445A (3 Hz - 13.20 GHz) E4446A (3 Hz - 44.00 GHz) E4447A (3 Hz - 42.98 GHz) E4448A (3 Hz - 50.00 GHz) Manufacturing Part Number: E4440-90624 Supersedes E4440-90327 Printed in USA June 2008 © Copyright 2005-2008 Agilent Technologies, Inc.
  • Page 2 The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice. Agilent Technologies makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Agilent...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Configuring the PSA Series Analyzer ........
  • Page 4 Contents Menu Maps What You Will Find in This Chapter ..........38 Key to this chapter’s menu map diagrams .
  • Page 5 Getting Started...

  • Page 6: Getting Started

    Getting Started Option 215 Description Option 215 Description Option 215 for the PSA series of spectrum analyzers allows you to control supported external signal generators using the spectrum analyzer. For details on suitable signal generators, see “Hardware and Firmware Requirements” on page 7.

  • Page 7: Hardware And Firmware Requirements

    LO synthesizer and front end driver hardware. The part numbers of the boards providing this gated sweep functionality are shown in Table 1-1. Table 1-1 Compatible Agilent PSA Series Spectrum Analyzers Analyzer Upper Front End Firmware Model...

  • Page 8: Connection Hardware And Accessories

    Getting Started Hardware and Firmware Requirements Connection Hardware and Accessories You will also need: • An Agilent signal generator that supports LAN connectivity. Examples of suitable signal generators are the ESG-C, PSG-C, PSG-D, and the MXG-A. The PSG-A signal generator is not supported.

  • Page 9: Option 215 Limitations

    Option 215 Limitations Option 215 Limitations Frequency Bands The PSA Series spectrum analyzers have up to six frequency bands depending on the maximum frequency capability of the model. These frequency bands are shown in the table below. Option 215 cannot sweep across PSA frequency band boundaries. Any frequency sweep required for a measurement must be kept entirely within one of these bands.

  • Page 10: Further Frequency Limitations

    In addition, the digital nature of the signal sources and the PSA Series spectrum analyzers means that signals and traces are read and recorded as a series of data points.

  • Page 11: Frequency Calculation Examples

    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - 3,000,250,000 3.00025 GHz So if you specify on your PSA Series analyzer that you want to sweep from 2.85 GHz to 3.0 GHz using 601 points, the signal source itself will actually sweep from 2.84975 GHz to 3.00025 GHz.

  • Page 12: Example 2: Sweep With An Offset

    4,000,250,000 4.00025 GHz So if you specify on your PSA Series analyzer that you want to sweep from 2.85 GHz to 3.00 GHz using 601 points and a 1.0 GHz sweep offset, the signal source itself will actually sweep from 3.84975 GHz to 4.00025 GHz.

  • Page 13: Example 3: Viewing Downconverted Signal Outputs Using Source Frequency Sweep

    Getting Started Option 215 Limitations Example 3: Viewing Downconverted Signal Outputs Using Source Frequency Sweep Reversal To view down converted mixing products such as lower sideband (LSB) IF signal from a mixer or frequency converter (DUT) the signal source can be reverse frequency swept. That is, the source can be swept from a higher to a lower frequency.
  • Page 14 Stop Frequency 0.900333333 GHz So if you specify on your PSA Series analyzer that you want to perform a sweep from 1.90 GHz to 2.10 GHz using 601 points and a negative 3.0 GHz sweep offset, the signal source will need to sweep from 1.100333333 GHz to 0.900333333 GHz.

  • Page 15: Example 4: Second Harmonic Sweep With A Sweep Offset

    2 000,125,000 Hz 2.000125 GHz So if you specify on your PSA Series analyzer that you want to perform a second harmonic sweep from 2.85 GHz to 3.00 GHz using 601 points and a 1.0 GHz sweep offset, the signal source itself will actually sweep from 1.924875 GHz to 2.000125 GHz.

  • Page 16: Installing Option 215

    Getting Started Installing Option 215 Installing Option 215 You must load the desired personality option into the instrument memory. Loading can be done from a firmware CD-ROM or the internet location http://www.agilent.com/find/psa_firmware. An automatic loading program comes with the files and runs from your PC. When you add a new option, or update an existing option, you will get NOTE the updated version of all your current options since they are reloaded...

  • Page 17: Do You Have Enough Memory To Load All Your Personality Options

    Option 115 (512 MBytes of memory). To see the size of your installed memory for PSA Series Spectrum Analyzers: 1. Ensure that the spectrum analyzer is in spectrum analyzer mode because this can affect the screen size.

  • Page 18: How To Predict Your Memory Requirements

    For PSA series see: http://www.agilent.com/find/psa_firmware Select the “Memory Calculator” link. You can try any combination of available personalities to see if your desired configuration is compatible with your installed memory.

  • Page 19: Measurement Personality Options And Memory Required

    4.06 Mbytes a. Available as of the print date of this guide. b. Many PSA Series personality options use a 7.72 Mbyte shared measurement library. If you are loading multiple personalities that use this library, you only need to add this memory allocation once.

  • Page 20: Memory Upgrade Kits

    Getting Started Installing Option 215 Memory Upgrade Kits The PSA 512 MByte Memory Upgrade kit p/n is E4440AU Option 115. For more information about memory upgrade kits contact your local sales/service office, or see: http://www.agilent.com/find/sa_upgrades Loading an Optional Measurement Personality You must use a PC to load the desired personality option into the instrument memory.

  • Page 21: Viewing A License Key

    Licensing Show License the display that shows the license numbers. If you should lose your license key, call your nearest Agilent Technologies service or sales office for assistance. Using the Delete License Key This key will make the option unavailable for use, but will not delete it from memory.

  • Page 22: Ordering Optional Measurement Personalities

    Getting Started Installing Option 215 the display. 2. Press to remove the license key from memory. Delete License Ordering Optional Measurement Personalities When you order a personality option, you will receive an entitlement certificate. Then you will need to go to the web site to redeem your entitlement certificate for a license key.

  • Page 23: Setting Up Your Signal Analyzer And Signal Source

    • A PSA Series analyzer with Option 215 software installed and with time gating capability. If you are not sure whether your PSA Series analyzer has Option 215 installed, press , and look for Option...

  • Page 24: Connecting Your Psa Analyzer To An External Source

    EXT TRIGGER INPUT of the PSA Series analyzer. 3. Either connect each instrument to the LAN using two separate LAN cables, or connect the two instruments together using a single LAN crossover cable.
  • Page 25 , then to display the IP Address on GPIB/RS-232 LAN LAN Setup the second softkey label. Enter the IP Address of the external source into the PSA Series analyzer. 3. Press the key followed by the softkey to put MODE Spectrum Analysis the PSA Series analyzer into Spectrum Analysis mode.

  • Page 26: Documentation For Option 215

    When you purchase your External Source Control personality (Option 215), you will receive this manual - the External Source Control Personality Guide. For information on PSA series analyzers and other related documentation, refer to the PSA web site at http://www.agilent.com/find/psa.
  • Page 27 Measurement Concepts...

  • Page 28: Measurement Concepts

    Measurement Concepts Why Use the Spectrum Analyzer With a Tracking Source? Why Use the Spectrum Analyzer With a Tracking Source? A spectrum analyzer with a tracking source can make swept scalar-magnitude measurements similar to a single channel network analyzer. The amplitude accuracy of a spectrum analyzer/tracking source combination is not as good as a modern network analyzer, but it has a good dynamic range and excellent frequency selectivity.

  • Page 29: Stimulus Response Measurements

    Measurement Concepts Stimulus Response Measurements Stimulus Response Measurements Stimulus/response measurements require a source to stimulate a device under test (DUT), a receiver to analyze the frequency response characteristics of the DUT, and, for return loss measurements, a directional coupler or bridge. Characterization of a DUT can be made in terms of its transmission or reflection parameters.

  • Page 30: Frequency And Amplitude Accuracy

    Measurement Concepts Frequency and Amplitude Accuracy Frequency and Amplitude Accuracy Sweep Speed The maximum and minimum sweep times available for manual selection are constrained to allow coordination of the source and the analyzer. For stimulus/response measurements, the Q of the DUT can determine the fastest rate at which the analyzer can be swept.

  • Page 31: Calibration/Normalization

    Measurement Concepts Calibration/Normalization Calibration/Normalization Types of Measurement Errors There are three basic sources of measurement error: systematic, random and drift. • Systematic Errors — are due to imperfections in the analyzer and the test setup — are assumed to be time invariant (predictable) —...

  • Page 32: Normalization Concepts

    Measurement Concepts Calibration/Normalization The reference trace is created by terminating the directional coupler or bridge in a short and also in an open. These two sets of data are then averaged together. The resulting trace data is used as the reference trace to correct future measurements.
  • Page 33 Measurement Concepts Calibration/Normalization position/level settings are applied to the displayed trace data. Normalized reference position is indicated by arrowheads at the edges of the graticule. Reconnect the DUT to the analyzer. Note that the units of the reference level have changed to dB, indicating that this is now a relative measurement.

  • Page 34: Equations And Conversion Table

    Measurement Concepts Equations and Conversion Table Equations and Conversion Table Figure 2-1 Transmitted and Reflected Power with a DUT Incident Transmitted Device Under Test (DUT) Reflected stimresp.vsd transmitted ------------------------ Insertion Loss or Gain 20log incident reflected Reflection Coefficient ρ ------------------- - incident Reflection coefficient is actually a complex quantity (Γ).
  • Page 35 Measurement Concepts Equations and Conversion Table Figure 2-2 Ranges and Relationships Incident Load - Transmission Line Impedence - Device Impedance) Reflected = 0 , ∞ ∞ dB 0 dB ∞ ρ ranges.vsd – ---------- ρ VSWR ----------- - ----------- - ----------------------- 1 ρ...

  • Page 36: Converting Return Loss To Vswr

    Measurement Concepts Equations and Conversion Table Converting Return Loss to VSWR Return loss can be expressed as a voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) value using the following table: Table 2-1 Return Loss to VSWR Conversion Return VSWR Return VSWR Return VSWR Return VSWR...

  • Page 37: Menu Maps

    Menu Maps This chapter provides a visual representation of the front-panel keys and their associated menu keys. Refer to Chapter 4, “Source Key and Programming Commands,” on page 45 for descriptions of the key functions.

  • Page 38: What You Will Find In This Chapter

    Menu Maps What You Will Find in This Chapter What You Will Find in This Chapter This chapter provides all the menu maps that are found under the Source key. Key to this chapter’s menu map diagrams In this chapter of menu map diagrams, the following key has been used: This represents a hardkey, that is, a raised key on the front panel.

  • Page 39: Menus

    Menu Maps Menus Menus Source Ext Source Source Ext Src Config Ext Src Config [-----] Amplitude -10.00 dBm Amptd Step 10.00 dB Auto Config Config Sweep Sweep Normalize Normalize [Off] Open/Short Chapter 3...

  • Page 40: Config Ext Source

    Menu Maps Menus Config Ext Source Ext Src Config Ext Src Config IP Address 0.0.0.0 Show Setup Show Setup Connection HW Connection Instructions Instructions Chapter 3...

  • Page 41: Config Sweep

    Menu Maps Menus Config Sweep Config Sweep Config Sweep Offset † 0.000 Hz Harmonic † Power † 0.00 dB † A dagger to the left of the key indicates that this is an active function. Chapter 3...

  • Page 42: Normalize

    Menu Maps Menus Normalize Normalize Normalize Store Ref (1 -> 3) Normalize Norm Ref Lvl † 0.00 dB Norm Ref Posn † Ref Trace (Trace 3 View Blank Chapter 3...

  • Page 43: Open/Short Cal

    Menu Maps Menus Open/Short Cal Open CAL Open/Short CAL Continue Short CAL Continue Done CAL Done CAL Cancel Cancel Cancel Chapter 3...
  • Page 44 Menu Maps Menus Chapter 3...
  • Page 45 Source Key and Programming Commands External source control functionality available when the currently active mode is Spectrum Analyzer. In all other modes the softkeys displayed under the source key will be unavailable (grayed out) and the functionality disabled. Chapter 4...

  • Page 46: Source Key And Programming Commands

    Source Key and Programming Commands External Source Configuration 4.1 External Source Configuration Figure 4-1 Show Setup Screen Show Setup Show Setup EXTERNAL SOURCE IP Address : <IP Address> Product Number : <Model Number> Serial Number: <Serial Number> Start Frequency: <Start Frequency> Stop Frequency: <Stop Frequency>...

  • Page 47: Ip Address

    Source Key and Programming Commands External Source Configuration 4.1.1 IP Address Sets the IP Address of the external source to be controlled by the PSA. Mode: Spectrum Analysis Key Path: Source, Ext Src Config, 1 | Source, Ext Src Config, Show Setup Remote Command: :SYSTem:COMMunicate:LAN:SOURce[:EXTernal]:IP <string>...

  • Page 48: Show Setup

    Source Key and Programming Commands External Source Configuration 4.1.2 Show Setup Pressing this immediate action key displays a form showing you the current configuration of the external source at the specified IP address. Mode: Spectrum Analysis Key Path: Source, Ext Src Config Dependencies and Parameter is disabled if active mode is not Spectrum Analyzer Couplings:...

  • Page 49: Start Frequency

    Source Key and Programming Commands External Source Configuration Notes: This parameter is not user definable and is provided purely for information. It is simply displaying the serial number of the instrument recognized to be at the IP Address you entered. Remote Command Front panel information only Notes:...
  • Page 50 Source Key and Programming Commands External Source Configuration Dependencies and The external source stop frequency is changed each time the Couplings: stop frequency of the PSA changes. If the calculated external source stop frequency exceeds the frequency range of the external source Error Message 13227 will be reported and the sweep stopped until you adjust either analyzer start or stop frequency, the frequency offset (if ON) or harmonic (if ON) so that the frequency range can be swept by...

  • Page 51: Hardware Connection Instructions

    Source Key and Programming Commands External Source Configuration 4.1.7 Hardware Connection Instructions Pressing this immediate action keys displays a form showing you how to set up the connections between the PSA and the external source. The form will be displayed until you press any key. See Figure 4-2.

  • Page 52: Amplitude

    Source Key and Programming Commands Amplitude 4.2 Amplitude The amplitude parameter sets the power level and state of the external source, setting the state to ON initializes the external source based on the current settings of the Spectrum Analyzer. Mode: Spectrum Analysis Key Path: Source...
  • Page 53 Source Key and Programming Commands Amplitude Dependencies and Parameter is disabled if active mode is not Spectrum Analyzer or a Couplings: connection has not been established at the specified IP address. Setting state to ON initializes the external source based on the current settings of the spectrum analyzer.

  • Page 54: Amplitude Step

    Source Key and Programming Commands Amplitude Step 4.3 Amplitude Step Allows you to specify the step size of the external source power level. Mode: Spectrum Analysis Key Path: Source Remote Command: :SOURce:EXTernal:POWer:STEP[:INCRement] <rel_ampl> :SOURce:EXTernal:POWer:STEP[:INCRement]? :SOURce:EXTernal:POWer:STEP:AUTO ON|OFF|1|0 :SOURce:EXTernal:POWer:STEP:AUTO? Factory Preset: 10.00 dB, ON State Saved: Saved in instrument state.

  • Page 55: Configure Sweep

    Source Key and Programming Commands Configure Sweep 4.4 Configure Sweep 4.4.1 Offset Sweep Offset sweep is the frequency difference of the signal generator from the sweep frequency of the PSA. One application for offset sweep is testing mixer conversion loss. The Analyzer sweep frequencies are offset by the value of the LO frequency.
  • Page 56 Source Key and Programming Commands Configure Sweep Dependencies and Parameter is disabled if active mode is not Spectrum Analyzer Couplings: or a connection has not been established at your specified IP address. The external source start and stop frequencies are offset from the analyzer start and stop frequencies by the specified amount when the state is set to ON.

  • Page 57: Harmonic Sweep

    Source Key and Programming Commands Configure Sweep 4.4.2 Harmonic Sweep Harmonic sweep offsets the frequency of the signal generator from the frequency of the PSA. One application for harmonic sweep is amplifier test. See the following graphic. Mode: Spectrum Analysis Key Path: Source, Config Sweep Remote Command:...

  • Page 58: Power Sweep

    Source Key and Programming Commands Configure Sweep Example: SOUR:EXT:SWE:HARM 2 SOUR:EXT:SWE:HARM:STAT ON 4.4.3 Power Sweep The external source amplitude is swept over the specified number of sweep points. Mode: Spectrum Analysis Key Path: Source, Config Sweep Remote Command: :SOURce:EXTernal:SWEep:POWer:SPAN <rel_ampl> :SOURce:EXTernal:SWEep:POWer:SPAN? :SOURce:EXTernal:POWer:MODE FIXed|SWEep :SOURce:EXTernal:POWer:MODE?

  • Page 59: Normalize

    Source Key and Programming Commands Normalize 4.5 Normalize 4.5.1 Store Reference Trace Copies trace 1 into trace 3. Mode: Spectrum Analysis Key Path: Source, Normalize Remote Command: :TRACe:COPY TRACE1, TRACE3 Dependencies and Parameter is disabled if active mode is not Spectrum Analyzer Couplings: or a connection has not been established at the specified IP address.

  • Page 60: Normalize

    Source Key and Programming Commands Normalize 4.5.2 Normalize Enables or disables trace normalization. Mode: Spectrum Analysis Key Path: Source, Normalize Remote Command: :CALCulate:NTData[:STATe] ON|OFF|1|0 :CALCulate:NTData[:STATe]? Factory Preset: State Saved: Saved in instrument state. Dependencies and The parameter is disabled if active mode is not Spectrum Couplings: Analyzer or a connection has not been established at the specified IP address.
  • Page 61 Source Key and Programming Commands Normalize Dependencies and Parameter is disabled if active mode is not Spectrum Analyzer Couplings: or a connection has not been established at the specified IP address. DISP:WIN:TRAC:Y:NRL −1.8 dB Example: Chapter 4...

  • Page 62: Normalized Reference Position

    Source Key and Programming Commands Normalize 4.5.4 Normalized Reference Position Allows you to select the position of the normalized reference level; the top and bottom graticule line correspond to 10 and 0 respectively. Mode: Spectrum Analysis Key Path: Source, Normalize Remote Command: :DISPlay:WINDow:TRACe:Y[:SCALe]:NRPosition <integer>...

  • Page 63: Open/Short Cal

    Source Key and Programming Commands Open/Short CAL 4.6 Open/Short CAL Figure 4-3 Open Calibration Form External Source Port 3 Port 1 Port 2 Connect the coaxial open to Port 1 and press continue. Figure 4-4 Short Calibration Form External Source Port 3 Port 1 Port 2...

  • Page 64: Continue Calibration

    Source Key and Programming Commands Open/Short CAL On completion of the Open Calibration, you are directed through performing a coaxial short calibration. Once an Open Calibration has been completed the Short Calibration Form (see Figure 4-4, “Short Calibration Form,”) is displayed and the softkey menu displays a softkey labeled ‘Continue’ and a softkey labeled ‘Cancel’.

  • Page 65: Cancel Calibration

    Source Key and Programming Commands Open/Short CAL 4.6.2 Cancel Calibration Mode: Spectrum Analysis Key Path: Source, Open/Short CAL Dependencies and Parameter is disabled if active mode is not Spectrum Analyzer Couplings: mode or a connection has not been established at you specified IP address.
  • Page 66 Source Key and Programming Commands Open/Short CAL Chapter 4...
  • Page 67 Hints and Tips This chapter includes a list of hints and tips that will help you optimize the performance of Option 215 on your PSA Series analyzer.

  • Page 68: Hints And Tips

    You are not necessarily doing anything wrong. If you What is wrong? specify, for example, that the PSA Series analyzer is to sweep using 601 points, the signal source actually uses 601+2 points, that is, 603 points. This is because the source needs a ‘spare’ point at the start and at the end of every sweep generation.
  • Page 69 Hints and Tips FAQs and Helpful Hints and Tips therefore be slightly offset from the frequency limits of the source. You can increase the number of sweep points or decrease the span of the sweep to get closer to the frequency limit of your signal source, but you will never be able to get right to the limit.

  • Page 70: Band

    Hints and Tips FAQs and Helpful Hints and Tips Examples Exceeding the Source Frequency Range or the Spectrum Analyzer Frequency Band. These examples will all result in an instrument error until the measurement settings are changed. The following reference information applies to all of the examples. PSA Stop Freq PSA Start Freq ⎛...

  • Page 71: Example 2: Bad Source Stop Frequency

    Hints and Tips FAQs and Helpful Hints and Tips So the PSA start frequency should be adjusted enough to ensure that it is at least 1 bucket width greater than the source minimum frequency. (Find the source minimum frequency using the PSA command SOURce:EXTernal:FREQuency:STARt? MIN) Example 2: Bad Source Stop Frequency Using 50 GHz PSA (E4448A) and 44 GHz source (for example, an...
  • Page 72 You can change: • PSA start frequency > 2.85 GHz • PSA stop frequency <3.05 GHz Table 5-1 Frequency Bands in the PSA Series analyzers (Microwave Preselector On) Band Frequency Range Overlap...

  • Page 73: Example 4: Offset Causes Invalid Source Setting

    Hints and Tips FAQs and Helpful Hints and Tips Table 5-2 Frequency Bands in the PSA Series analyzers (Microwave Preselector Off) Band Frequency Range Overlap Number with Next Band 40.5 GHz - 50 GHz Example 4: Offset Causes Invalid Source Setting...

  • Page 74: Example 5: Offset Causes Bad Source Stop Frequency

    Hints and Tips FAQs and Helpful Hints and Tips Example 5: Offset Causes Bad Source Stop Frequency Using PSA (13.2 GHz and above) and a 6 GHz source (for example, an E4438C): PSA settings: • Start Freq = 10 GHz •...
  • Page 75 Hints and Tips FAQs and Helpful Hints and Tips The signal source Start Frequency and the Stop Frequency are both negative. In this case: 3.0E 9 ( ) 2.5E 9 ( ) ⎛ ⎞ – 2.5E 9 ( ) – ( 3.1E 9 ( ) -------------------------------------------- - –...
  • Page 76 Hints and Tips FAQs and Helpful Hints and Tips Chapter 5...
  • Page 77 Normalized Reference Level accuracy of measurements Normalized Reference Position active license key how to locate Hardware Connection Agilent Technologies URL Instructions Amplitude hardware requirements amplitude accuracy Harmonic Sweep Offset Sweep Amplitude Step hints...
  • Page 78 Uninstall Now uninstalling measurement personalities Agilent Technologies firmware spectrum analyzer updates VSWR and return loss web information website firmware updates...

This manual is also suitable for:

E4440aE4443aE4445aE4446aE4447aE4448a

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