Keysight Technologies N432A User Manual
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Keysight Technologies N432A User Manual

Keysight Technologies N432A User Manual

Thermistor power meter
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Test Equipment Depot - 800.517.8431 - 99 Washington Street Melrose, MA 02176 - TestEquipmentDepot.com
Keysight N432A Thermistor
Power Meter
User's Guide

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  • Page 1 Test Equipment Depot - 800.517.8431 - 99 Washington Street Melrose, MA 02176 - TestEquipmentDepot.com Keysight N432A Thermistor Power Meter User’s Guide...
  • Page 4 Notices Warranty Safety Notices © Keysight Technologies 2010 - 2014 No part of this manual may be reproduced in The material contained in this docu- any form or by any means (including elec- ment is provided “as is,” and is sub-...
  • Page 5 Certification Keysight Technologies certifies that this product met its published specifications at the time of shipment. Keysight further certifies that its calibration measurements are traceable to the United States National Institute of Standards and Technology (formerly National Bureau of Standards), to the extent allowed by that organization calibration facility, and to the calibration facilities of other International Standards Organization members.
  • Page 6 To the extent allowed by local law, the remedies provided herein are the Buyer’s sole and exclusive remedies. Keysight shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages (including lost profit or data), whether based on warranty, contract, tort, or any other legal theory. N432A User’s Guide...
  • Page 7 FAR or DFARS clause or the Keysight standard software agreement for the product involved. Technology Licenses The hardware and/or software described in this document are furnished under a license and may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of such license. N432A User’s Guide...
  • Page 8 Failure to comply with these precautions or with specific warnings elsewhere in this manual violates safety standards of design, manufacture, and intended use of the instrument. Keysight Technologies assumes no liability for the customer’s failure to comply with these requirements. Safety Notices A WARNING notice denotes a hazard.
  • Page 9 Both direct and alternating current Off (Supply) Three-phase alternating current Caution, risk of electric shock Earth (ground) TERMINAL Caution, hot surface PROTECTIVE CONDUCTOR TERMINAL In position of bi-stable push control Frame or chassis TERMINAL Out position of bi-stable push control Equipotentiality N432A User’s Guide...
  • Page 10 Do not substitute parts or modify the instrument. Because of the danger of introducing additional hazards, do not install substitute parts or perform any unauthorized modification to the instrument. Return the instrument to Keysight for service and repair to ensure the safety features are maintained. VIII N432A User’s Guide...
  • Page 11 This chapter introduces you to the front panel display and instrument Web browser of the Keysight N432A Thermistor Power Meter. Operating Information This chapter provides the information on the N432A general operation. Maintenance This chapter describes the built-in self-tests, error messages, and general maintenance.
  • Page 12 Keysight Web site. You can search the DoC by its product model or description at the Web address below. If you are unable to search for the respective DoC, please contact your N O T E local Keysight representative. N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 13: Table Of Contents

    Confirm symbol pop-up 16 Numeric entry pop-up 16 Text entry pop-up 17 List pop-up 17 Using the N432A Web Interface 18 Using the remote front panel 22 Editing the N432A LAN settings 23 Capturing the screen image 25 Getting the instrument data 26...
  • Page 14 Checking for limit failures 56 Single Function Measurement 57 Combined Measurement 58 Max Hold/Min Hold 60 Recorder Output 63 Saving and Recalling N432A States 66 Editing a register name 67 Recalling a measurement setup 67 Zeroing the N432A 69 Using the Calibration/Correction Factors 70...
  • Page 15 Check the basics 114 Instrument serial numbers 114 Recommended calibration interval 115 Erasing Memory Data 116 Returning the N432A for Service 117 Packaging the N432A for shipment 117 Keysight Sales and Service Offices 118 4 Specifications and Characteristics 119 Introduction 120...
  • Page 16 Specification definitions 120 N432A Specifications 122 Rear Panel Input and Output Connections 124 Line power 124 1 mW Power Reference 125 Environmental Conditions 126 General 126 Operating environment 126 Storage 126 Physical Characteristics 127 Dimensions 127 Weight 127 Regulatory Information 128...
  • Page 17 Figure 1-2 Single numeric and analog display 12 Figure 1-3 Full screen numeric display 13 Figure 1-4 Accessing the N432A Web interface from the Connection Expert 18 Figure 1-5 N432A Web interface (Welcome page) 19 Figure 1-6 Blinking message to identify the N432A 20...
  • Page 18 Figure 2-51 Reconfirm Password pop-up 90 Figure 2-52 Warning message 90 Figure 2-53 Password reconfirmation pop-up 91 Figure 2-54 Password required to restore display 91 Figure 2-55 Backlight intensity control feature 92 Figure 2-56 Increase or decrease the backlight brightness 92 XVIII N432A User’s Guide...
  • Page 19 Figure 2-61 Warm start On/Off feature 95 Figure 3-1 Self-test completed 99 Figure 3-2 V , and V tests skipped 100 COMP Figure 3-3 Error indicator 103 Figure 3-4 Checking the fuses 112 Figure 3-5 Secure erase status pop-up 116 N432A User’s Guide...
  • Page 20 N432A User’s Guide...
  • Page 21 List of Tables Table 1-1 Lan Status messages 21 Table 2-1 Measurement units 34 Table 2-2 Range of values for window limits 54 Table 2-3 Ranges of the recorder output setting 65 Table 2-4 Installed thermistor sensor models 74 N432A User’s Guide...
  • Page 22 XXII N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 23: Introduction

    Conventions Used in This Guide 4 Front Panel Outlook 5 Rear Panel Connections 10 Display Layout 11 Window Symbols and Pop-Ups 15 Using the N432A Web Interface 18 Making the Socket Connection 27 This chapter provides a general overview of the N432A thermistor power meter.

  • Page 24: Lxi Class-C Compliant N432A

    COMP to RF power. In general, the N432A is an easy- to- use instrument especially with the availability of an integrated Web browser that provides a convenient way to view and modify the instrument network configuration.

  • Page 25: Sensor Compatibility

    Introduction Sensor Compatibility The N432A is compatible with the Keysight 478A and 8478B thermistor sensors. The following table lists the frequency range and operating resistance for each of these thermistor sensors: Thermistor sensor model Frequency range (GHz) Operating resistance (Ω) 478A 0.01 to 10...

  • Page 26: Conventions Used In This Guide

    Conventions Used in This Guide The following conventions are used throughout this guide. This symbol and text represents a labeled key on the N432A front panel This symbol and text represents a labeled softkey, and is used to indicate Softkey...

  • Page 27: Front Panel Outlook

    Function Press this key to preset the N432A to its default state Press this key to control the N432A from the front panel when it is operating via the remote interfaces (when Local Lock Out is disabled) Press this key to select the upper or lower measurement window. The selected window is highlighted by a blue line on the right of the window.
  • Page 28 Press this key to access the measurement display menu. You can select the displayed measurement resolution, unit, and display format. Use this key together with to configure measurement displays. N432A User’s Guide...
  • Page 29 For example, a 1 of 2 is displayed beside the key indicating the first page of a two-page menu. Press the key to access the next page or the second page (a 2 of 2 is displayed). N432A User’s Guide...
  • Page 30 Press this key to access the zeroing menu Press this key to reset the MAX HOLD and MIN HOLD measurements Press these keys to enter numeric values in the pop-up fields, for example, the offset values. To complete the entry, use the softkey. N432A User’s Guide...
  • Page 31 8478B thermistor sensor and meter system. The yellow LED beside the connector is lit when turned on. Thermistor mount input connector for 1.5 m, 3 m, and 6.1 m cables that connect to the 478A or 8478B thermistor sensors N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 32: Rear Panel Connections

    AC inlet The N432A has an autoconfiguring power supply. This allows it to operate over a range of voltages without manually being set to a certain voltage. and V...

  • Page 33: Display Layout

    4 The information in this field is displayed in two lines and depends on the sensor calibration factor, sensor calibration and frequency- dependent offset tables currently selected, and the measurement frequency. 5 This field displays the menu title. For example, Channel Setup, or press and the Zero/Cal menu is displayed. N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 34: Figure 1-2 Single Numeric And Analog Display

    12 This field displays the current bridge resistance value as an indicator with or without the thermistor sensor connected. 13 The lower window is configured to show an analog meter which displays the measurement result and the meter scaling. N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 35: Figure 1-3 Full Screen Numeric Display

    18 This field displays Dty Cyc if a duty cycle is set. 19 This field displays Ofs if an offset is set. 20 This field displays Rel if relative mode is enabled. N432A User’s Guide...
  • Page 36 If the measurement result is within the limits, this field is empty. If the measurement result is less than the minimum limit set, Undr Lmt is displayed. If the measurement result is more than the maximum limit set, Over Lmt is displayed. N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 37: Window Symbols And Pop-Ups

    Introduction Window Symbols and Pop-Ups There are several different graphic symbols and pop- up messages that can occur on the N432A display. These can occur for a variety of reasons, such as: • An error or warning occurs • You are required to wait while the N432A carries out a procedure •...

  • Page 38: Wait Symbol Pop-Up

    Introduction Wait symbol pop-up The wait symbol is displayed when the N432A is carrying out a procedure and no action is required from you. The symbol appears in a pop- up message, for example, during zeroing. Confirm symbol pop-up This type of pop- up message is displayed when you are required to press Confirm to verify your previous selection, for example, prior to a Save being carried out.

  • Page 39: Text Entry Pop-Up

    The left/right arrow key moves the cursor to another alphanumeric digit. List pop-up This pop- up list is displayed when you are required to select an entry from a list. Use the up/down arrow key to highlight your selection. Press to complete the entry. N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 40: Using The N432A Web Interface

    The N432A Web interface can be accessed from the Keysight Connection Expert as shown in Figure 1- For more details on remote interface configuration, refer to the N432A Thermistor Power N O T E Meter Installation Guide. Alternatively, the Web interface can also be accessed directly from a Web browser by entering the N432A IP address or host name in the Address panel of the browser.

  • Page 41: Figure 1-5 N432A Web Interface (Welcome Page)

    (5024), VISA TCPIP Connect String, VISA USB Connect String, and GPIB address are shown on the Welcome Page. Click Advanced Information… to display more information on the N432A. • The N432A has an embedded Web server, which is listening on port 80 to serve Web N O T E pages.

  • Page 42: Figure 1-6 Blinking Message To Identify The N432A

    Figure 1-6 Blinking message to identify the N432A When the N432A is configured to LAN, the Lan Status on the Remote Interfaces screen will display the LAN error condition and status of the LAN configuration connection. There are six types of Lan Status messages...

  • Page 43: Table 1-1 Lan Status Messages

    Lan: DHCP Not Available • Unable to obtain an IP address from the DHCP server (if DHCP configuration is selected) Status: Running • An IP address will be obtained from the auto IP or manual configuration N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 44: Using The Remote Front Panel

    Introduction Using the remote front panel The N432A Web interface also provides a virtual front panel interface that can be used to control the N432A remotely. 1 On the left of the Welcome Page, select Browser Web Control. The virtual front panel will appear as shown below.

  • Page 45: Editing The N432A Lan Settings

    Introduction Editing the N432A LAN settings Once the communication path to the N432A has been established, the N432A LAN configuration can be viewed and modified using the Web interface. On the Welcome page, click View and Modify Configuration at the left of the page.

  • Page 46: Figure 1-11 Changing The N432A Lan Interface Configuration

    When is pressed, it will also change the GPIB address to default. LAN Reset You can change the password from the Configuring your N432A Power Meter page as shown in Figure 1-11. Scroll down the Parameter column until you locate the Change Password parameter.

  • Page 47: Capturing The Screen Image

    Introduction Capturing the screen image Use the following steps to save the N432A display from the Web interface: 1 On the left of the Welcome Page, select Get Image. The screen image will be displayed as shown below. Figure 1-12 Screen capture 2 Right- click on the image and select Save Image As…..

  • Page 48: Getting The Instrument Data

    Introduction Getting the instrument data The N432A Web interface allows you to transport measurement readings from the N432A to PC applications such as word and spreadsheet applications. Use the following steps to obtain the instrument data. 1 On the left of the Welcome Page, select Get Data. The Get Data Web page will be displayed as shown below.

  • Page 49: Making The Socket Connection

    Introduction Making the Socket Connection The N432A can be connected remotely via the socket connection as explained in the following procedure. 1 Right- click the IO Control icon of the Keysight IO Libraries Suite on the taskbar notification area, and select Keysight Connection Expert.

  • Page 50: Figure 1-15 Add Lan Instruments Dialog

    Introduction Figure 1-15 Add LAN Instruments dialog Figure 1-16 N432A connected via the socket connection N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 51: Operating Information

    Power Measurement Procedures 77 Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) Measurement 82 Blank Screen 88 Secure Blank 89 Backlight Intensity Control 92 Memory Erase/Secure Erase 93 Warm Start 95 This chapter describes the general operation of the N432A thermistor power meter.

  • Page 52: Setting The Bridge Resistance

    Bridge Resistance pop- up list. Use the up/down arrow key to highlight the desired resistance value, and press to enter the value. Figure 2-1 Bridge resistance pop-up list 3 Press to exit the channel setup screen. N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 53: Setting The Resistance Type

    1 Set up the connections as shown in the figure below. The positive and negative terminals of a digital multimeter (DMM) are connected to the indicated N432A channel A input connector pin and rear panel V output connector pin respectively.

  • Page 54: Figure 2-3 Resistance Type Pop-Up List

    Use the left/right arrow key to highlight the resistance value field, then press display the Ruser pop- up. Use the numeric keypad to enter the required value and press Enter to confirm the entry. Figure 2-4 Ruser pop-up N432A User’s Guide...
  • Page 55 Operating Information 4 Press to exit the channel setup screen. N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 56: Setting The Measurement Unit

    The Units menu is used to select the measurement unit for the currently selected window. The unit can either be logarithmic (dBm or dB) or linear (Watt or %). Presetting ( ) the N432A sets the measurement unit to dBm. Table 2- 1 shows the units that are applicable to each measurement type.

  • Page 57: Setting The Measurement Frequency

    4 Press to complete the selection of the offset table and press again to return to the channel setup screen. Press Done > to complete the selection of the calibration table and return to the channel setup screen. N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 58: Figure 2-5 Frequency Pop-Up

    Frequency value field and press to display the Frequency pop- up. Use the numeric keypad to enter the required value. Figure 2-5 Frequency pop-up 6 Confirm your selection by pressing 7 Press to exit the channel setup screen. N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 59: Setting The Resolution

    Operating Information Setting the Resolution The resolution of the N432A numeric type windows can be set to four different levels (1, 2, 3, or 4). These four levels represent: • 1, 0.1, 0.01, or 0.001 respectively if the measurement suffix is dBm or •...

  • Page 60: Displaying Voltage Measurements

    Operating Information Displaying Voltage Measurements The N432A allows you to view the voltage measurement values for the selected measurement window. Values of V , and COMP0 COMP1 are displayed together with the associated average power measurement value, PV is obtained after any channel offset has been applied but prior to any display offset. For...

  • Page 61: Making Relative Measurements

    4 Press to select the Relative setting field. 5 Confirm that the N432A is measuring the signal you want to use as the reference. This is displayed under the Result field. 6 Press the left/right arrow key to highlight the Rel field.
  • Page 62 8 The relative value displayed under the Result field will change as the measured signal varies. If you return the N432A to the numeric display, a Rel symbol will be displayed in the N O T E measurement window it is applied to.

  • Page 63: Setting Offsets

    Operating Information Setting Offsets The N432A can be configured to compensate for a signal loss or gain in your test setup. The N432A allows you to apply offsets at three different points in the measurement path. Window functions Upper window...

  • Page 64: Setting The Channel Offset

    Offset pop- up. Use the numeric keypad to enter the required value. 6 Confirm your entry by pressing 7 Press to exit the offset setup screen. If either a channel or a display offset is set, the Ofs indicator is displayed. N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 65: Setting The Display Offset

    2 Select the window you wish to set the offset value on by pressing Meas Select 3 Use the up/down arrow key to highlight the Offset setting field. 4 Press to select the Offset setting field. N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 66: Figure 2-11 Setting The Display Offset

    Display Offset pop- up. Use the numeric keypad to enter the required value. 6 Confirm your entry by pressing . Press to exit the offset setup. The Ofs indicator will be displayed if the display offset is selected. N O T E N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 67: Setting The Frequency-Dependent Offset

    Note that when selected, frequency- dependent offset corrections are applied IN ADDITION to any correction for the sensor frequency response. The N432A is capable of storing 10 frequency- dependent offset tables with a maximum of 80 frequency points each. Selecting a frequency-dependent offset table You can select a frequency- dependent offset table by pressing >...

  • Page 68: Figure 2-12 Frequency-Dependent Offset Tables

    Table N O T E 3 Press to complete the selection of the offset table. 4 The following figure shows the indicator for the selected offset table. Offset Table A selected Figure 2-13 Frequency-dependent offset table indicator N432A User’s Guide...
  • Page 69 If you enter a frequency outside the frequency range defined in the sensor calibration table or the frequency-dependent offset table, the N432A uses the highest or lowest frequency point in the appropriate table to set the calibration factor and offset.

  • Page 70: Figure 2-14 Edit Offset Display With Data Added

    Enter The following rules apply to naming the tables: N O T E • The name must consist of not more than 12 characters. • Space is not allowed as the first character. N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 71: Figure 2-16 Setting The Offset Unit

    If you measure a signal with a frequency outside the frequency range defined in the N O T E frequency-dependent offset table, the N432A uses the highest or lowest frequency point in the frequency-dependent offset table to calculate the offset.
  • Page 72 To change the offset unit to dB, press 1 of 2 > Offset Unit > To change the offset unit to %, press > > 1 of 2 Offset Unit N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 73: Figure 2-17 Offset Display In The Engineering Unit (When The Selected Unit Is %)

    • y is optional if there are zero numbers after the decimal point. For example, • 0.009876 will be displayed as 9.8760000 e–3 • 0.0001 will be displayed as 1.0000000 e–4. Figure 2-17 Offset display in the engineering unit (when the selected unit is %) N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 74: Setting The Voltage Averaging

    Volt Avg pop- up list, and use the up/down arrow key to step through the available values. Press to enter the required value. Figure 2-18 Volt Avg pop-up list 4 Press to exit the channel setup screen. N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 75: Step Detection

    2 Use the up/down arrow key to highlight the Step Detect setting field. 3 Press to toggle between turning on or off the step detection. 4 Press to exit the channel setup screen. N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 76: Setting Measurement Limits

    Operating Information Setting Measurement Limits You can configure the N432A to detect when a measurement has crossed over a predefined upper and/or lower limit value. Limits are boundaries set for a certain power range and it can be applied to the power, ratio, or difference measurement.

  • Page 77: Figure 2-19 Minimum Limit Pop-Up

    Meter Maximum pop- up (if the current unit is W or 9 Repeat Step 6 and press to exit the measurement setup screen. The Limits setting can be disabled and re-enabled by selecting the Limits setting field. N O T E N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 78: Checking For Limit Failures

    A limit failure is displayed on a specific field in the measurement window as shown below. This measurement has failed as the result is greater than the set limit level This measurement has failed as the result is less than the set limit level Figure 2-21 Limit failures N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 79: Single Function Measurement

    Function pop- up list, and use the up/down arrow key to highlight Single. Figure 2-23 Function pop-up list 4 Press to enter the selection. 5 Press to complete the setup and display the measurement results. N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 80: Combined Measurement

    5 To select the measurement type of either ratio or difference, use the arrow keys to highlight the Feed1/Feed2 function field. 6 Press to display the Combination pop- up list, and use the up/down arrow key to highlight the required measurement type. N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 81: Figure 2-25 Measurement Display Example

    Operating Information 7 Press to enter the selection. 8 Press to complete the setup and display the measurement results. Figure 2-25 Measurement display example N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 82: Max Hold/Min Hold

    2 Use the up/down arrow key to highlight the Hold setting field. 3 Press to display the Hold pop- up list, and use the up/down arrow key to highlight Min or Max. N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 83: Figure 2-27 Hold Pop-Up List

    Figure 2-28 Min Hold and Max Hold measurement modes indicated on the display 6 Press to display the measurement window in the full screen mode. The max hold/min hold is indicated in full in the expanded window as shown in Figure 2- N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 84: Figure 2-29 Min Hold Indicated In Full In The Expanded Window

    Operating Information Figure 2-29 Min Hold indicated in full in the expanded window N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 85: Recorder Output

    1 Press > Meas Select to select the required window/measurement. 2 Use the up/down arrow key to highlight the Rec setting field. 3 Press to display the Recorder pop- up list. Figure 2-30 Recorder output pop-up list N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 86: Figure 2-31 Recorder Minimum Pop-Up

    10 Use the numeric keys to enter the power level you want to generate a 0 Vdc output in the Recorder Maximum pop- up, and press the corresponding unit softkey. 11 Press to exit the measurement setup screen. N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 87: Table 2-3 Ranges Of The Recorder Output Setting

    0 dBm Linear 100 W 10 W 100 mW 10 mW 1 mW –10 dBm –20 dBm –30 dBm –40 dBm –50 dBm –60 dBm Linear 100 mW 10 mW 1 mW 100 nW 10 nW 1 nW N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 88: Saving And Recalling N432A States

    2 Using the up/down arrow key, select a register name from the displayed list. To change the name of a register, refer to “Editing a register name”, otherwise press Save 3 The N432A will prompt you to press Confirm to proceed. Figure 2-34 Save confirmation pop-up dialog N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 89: Editing A Register Name

    2 Use the up/down arrow key to select the required register, and press . The softkey is disabled (grayed out) when an unused Recall Recall register is selected. 3 The N432A will prompt you to press to proceed. Confirm N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 90: Figure 2-36 Recall Confirmation Pop-Up Dialog

    Operating Information Figure 2-36 Recall confirmation pop-up dialog N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 91: Zeroing The N432A

    Operating Information Zeroing the N432A Zeroing adjusts the N432A for a zero power reading with no power applied to the thermistor sensor. During zeroing (which takes approximately 25 seconds), the wait symbol is displayed. Figure 2-37 Zeroing pop-up message Upon each thermistor sensor connection, you will be prompted for bridge resistance N O T E selection or reconfirmation, followed by confirmation to proceed with zeroing.

  • Page 92: Using The Calibration/Correction Factors

    Operating Information Using the Calibration/Correction Factors The N432A provides two methods of using the calibration factors: • inputting an individual calibration factor for a frequency prior to making the measurement, or • using sensor calibration tables. If you are making most of your measurements at a single frequency, or in a narrow range of frequencies, entering a specific calibration factor is a more effective method.

  • Page 93: Sensor Calibration Tables

    The N432A is capable of storing 20 sensor calibration tables, each containing up to 80 frequency points. The N432A is supplied with a set of two predefined sensor calibration tables plus a “100%” default table. The data in these tables is based on statistical averages for a range of Keysight thermistor sensors.

  • Page 94: Figure 2-39 Sensor Table Selected

    (grayed out). Table N O T E 3 Press Done to complete the selection of the calibration factor table. 4 The following figure shows the selected table. Sensor Table 1 selected Figure 2-40 Sensor calibration table indicator N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 95: Editing/Generating Sensor Calibration Tables

    N432A calculates the calibration factor using linear interpolation. • If you enter a frequency outside the frequency range defined in the sensor calibration table, the N432A uses the highest or lowest frequency point in the sensor calibration table to set the calibration factor.

  • Page 96: Figure 2-41 Sensor Tbls Screen

    N432A. There are also 17 sensor calibration tables named CUSTOM_0 through CUSTOM_16. These tables do not contain any data when the N432A is shipped from the factory. Editing the sensor calibration tables require the following steps:...

  • Page 97: Figure 2-42 Edit Cal Display

    Name pop- up to create the name you want to use. Figure 2-43 Edit table title pop-up • Pressing Insert Char adds a new character to the right of the selected character. • Pressing Delete Char removes the selected character. 4 Press Enter to complete the entry. N432A User’s Guide...
  • Page 98 N O T E to measure. If you measure a signal with a frequency outside the frequency range defined in the sensor calibration table, the N432A uses the highest or lowest frequency point in the sensor calibration table to calculate the offset.

  • Page 99: Power Measurement Procedures

    The following procedure guides you on how to perform a basic power measurement on the N432A. 1 Preset the N432A to its default state by pressing 2 Connect a thermistor sensor to the channel A input connector of the N432A.
  • Page 100 Frequency setting field, and pressing . Use the numeric keypad to enter the required value in the Frequency pop- up, then press either . The N432A will automatically select and apply the calibration factor from the selected table based on the entered frequency. Press >...

  • Page 101: Precision Power Measurement

    COMP multimeters. This method helps to reduce measurement error to ± (0.2%+0.5 μW). To use this method, first you need to perform zeroing of the N432A and measure its V and V outputs using external digital multimeters.

  • Page 102: Figure 2-44 Connection Diagram For Precision Power Measurement

    Figure 2-44 Connection diagram for precision power measurement 3 Turn off or disconnect the RF power from the thermistor sensor. 4 Upon connecting the sensor to the N432A channel A, a message will appear to inform you of the current bridge resistance value and require you to select a new resistance value or reconfirm the current resistance value.
  • Page 103 Frequency setting field, and pressing . Use the numeric keypad to enter the required value in the Frequency pop- up, then press either . The N432A will automatically select and apply the calibration factor from the selected table based on the entered frequency. Press >...

  • Page 104: Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (Vswr) Measurement

    P and P respectively (but the available power remains the same) then the two relationships can be equated as follows: 1 Γ Γ 1 Γ Γ – – -------------------------- - -------------------------- - Γ Γ – – N432A User’s Guide...
  • Page 105 ±40° of 0° or ±180°. The following procedure describes how to measure the VSWR of a source. 1 Preset the N432A to its default state by pressing 2 Connect a thermistor sensor to the channel A input connector of the N432A.

  • Page 106: Figure 2-45 Connection Diagram For Vrc Measurement

    Γ . Record the value of |Γ 11 Set the bridge resistance back to 200 Ω and power off the N432A. Disconnect the sensor from the N432A. 12 Now, use a digital voltmeter (DVM) to measure resistance. Connect a...
  • Page 107 Operating Information 16 Power on the N432A again and connect the sensor to channel A. A message will appear to inform you of the current bridge resistance value and require you to select a new resistance value or reconfirm the current resistance value.

  • Page 108: Figure 2-46 Connection Diagram For Vswr Measurement

    Power meter (DUT) Oscillator Figure 2-46 Connection diagram for VSWR measurement Prior to proceeding with the following steps, ensure that the N432A and the power N O T E meter-under-test have been switched on for at least 30 minutes. 23 Preset the power meter- under- test. Ensure that its oscillator/power reference is turned off.
  • Page 109 – – COMP1 COMP0 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29 Now, set the N432A bridge resistance to 100 Ω. Again, set up the connections shown in Figure 2- 30 Repeat steps 26 to 28. 31 Compute the power measured from the oscillator, P , using the following equation: –...

  • Page 110: Blank Screen

    Operating Information Blank Screen The blank screen feature enables you to blank the whole display screen. This feature ensures that the N432A display is not shown to casual observers. To restore the display, press any key on the front panel.

  • Page 111: Secure Blank

    . The Enter 6- digit Password pop- up will appear as Secure Blank shown in Figure 2- 49. You need to enter a 6- digit password upon activating the secure blank feature. Figure 2-49 Enter 6-digit Password pop-up N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 112: Figure 2-50 Warning Message

    7 If the password entered is different from the initial password, a warning message will appear as shown in Figure 2- 52. This warning will appear for two seconds before the Reconfirm Password pop- up (Figure 2- 49) re- appears. Figure 2-52 Warning message N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 113: Figure 2-53 Password Reconfirmation Pop-Up

    If you have forgotten the 6-digit password and need to operate the N432A immediately, N O T E perform the Memory Erase operation. This operation will erase all data stored in the N432A. Refer to “Memory Erase/Secure Erase” on page 93 for more details.

  • Page 114: Backlight Intensity Control

    Service menu, press and select 1 of 2 Backlight Figure 2-55 Backlight intensity control feature Brightness + Press to increase the backlight brightness. Press to decrease the backlight brightness. Brightness – Figure 2-56 Increase or decrease the backlight brightness N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 115: Memory Erase/Secure Erase

    Memory Erase/Secure Erase The memory erase and secure erase features will erase the SRAM and flash file system. The flash file system includes the N432A states, calibration factor tables, frequency- dependent offset tables, and a secure blank password stored in EEPROM. Upon completion, the N432A contents will be initialized to the default settings.

  • Page 116: Figure 2-58 Secure Erase Feature

    2 A confirmation pop- up dialog will appear as shown below. Press Confirm to begin secure erase. Figure 2-59 Confirmation to begin secure erase 3 The following warning message will appear to inform you of the progress status. Figure 2-60 Warning message displaying the secure erase status N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 117: Warm Start

    On. Warm start ON All the current states and settings configured via the front panel or SCPI will be saved. The N432A will be powered on with the states and settings before it was powered off. Warm start OFF The N432A will be powered on with the default states and settings.
  • Page 118 Operating Information N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 119: Maintenance

    Maintenance Self-Test 98 Error Messages 103 Operator Maintenance 112 Contacting Keysight Technologies 113 Erasing Memory Data 116 Returning the N432A for Service 117 Keysight Sales and Service Offices 118 This chapter describes the built-in tests, error messages, and general maintenance.

  • Page 120: Self-Test

    Maintenance Self-Test The N432A troubleshooting mode self- test can be accessed via the front panel or remotely. The front panel softkey menu allows you to run individual test, whereas the remote command runs a full instrument self- test as listed in “Remote testing”...

  • Page 121: Instrument Self-Test

    Confirm Once is pressed, the N432A will check if the sensor is disconnected. If disconnected, self- test will initiate and display the test results accordingly. As each test takes place, the name of the test is listed on the screen.
  • Page 122 If you cancel the sensor disconnect confirmation with the sensor still connected, tests for V , and V will be skipped and displayed as shown COMP below. Figure 3-2 V , and V tests skipped COMP N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 123: Remote Testing

    Test Point Voltages An array of tests on various DC voltages inside the N432A. Calibrator The reference calibrator is turned on (indicated by the POWER REF LED) and measured internally. A pass or fail result is returned.
  • Page 124 . The COMP built- in self- test circuit will output a set of known DC voltages to the bridge which are then compared to those measured by the N432A metering. This is a user- invoked self- test. N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 125: Error Messages

    Error Messages Introduction This section contains information on error messages. It explains how to read the N432A error queue and lists all the error messages and their probable causes. When there is a hardware- related problem, for example, a sensor overload, the error is indicated on the status line at the top of the display.
  • Page 126 > Error List and use Clear Errors To delete all the errors in the queue remotely, use: • the *CLS (clear status) command. The error queue is also cleared when the N432A power has been switched off. N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 127: Error List

    Fewer parameters were received than expected for the command. You may have omitted one or more parameters that are required for this command. Example: AVER:COUN:VOLT – Program mnemonic too long A command header was received which contained more than the maximum 12 characters allowed Example: SENSeAVERageCOUNtVOLTage AVC8 N432A User’s Guide...
  • Page 128 – Undefined header A command was received that is not valid for the N432A. You may have misspelled the command, it may not be a valid command, or you may have selected the wrong interface. If you are using the short form of the command, remember that it may contain up to four letters.
  • Page 129 *DDT #15FET. The 5 in the string indicates that five characters should follow, whereas in this example there are only three. – Block data not allowed A legal block data element was encountered but not allowed by the N432A at this point Example: SYST:COMM:GPIB:ADDR #15FETC? – Expression data not allowed...
  • Page 130 Maintenance – Init ignored Indicates that a request for a measurement initiation was ignored as the N432A was already initiated Example: INIT:CONT ON INIT – Trigger deadlock TRIG:SOUR was set to HOLD or BUS and a READ? or MEASure? was attempted, expecting TRIG:SOUR to be set to IMMediate –...
  • Page 131 – Data questionable;ZERO ERROR ChA N432A zeroing failed on Channel A. The most likely cause is attempting to zero when some power signal is being applied to the sensor. – Data questionable;Measurement Over Range...
  • Page 132 – System error This indicates that there is a problem with the N432A operation. This error may occur under certain conditions, for example, the front panel backlight is not turned on when you set the backlight intensity or there is no non- volatile RAM on board when you configure the warm start state.
  • Page 133 – Query UNTERMINATED The N432A was addressed to talk (that is, to send data over the interface) but a command which sends data to the output buffer has not been received. For example, you may have executed a CONFigure command (which does not generate data) and then attempted to read data from the remote interface.

  • Page 134: Operator Maintenance

    Disassembly is not required or recommended for cleaning. The power line fuses are located within the N432A fuse holder assembly on the rear panel. For all voltages, the N432A uses 250 V, T2.5 H, 20 mm slow blow fuses with high breaking capacity.

  • Page 135: Contacting Keysight Technologies

    114. If you still encounter problems, read the warranty printed at the front of this guide. If your N432A is covered by a separate maintenance agreement, familiarize yourself with the terms. Keysight Technologies offers several maintenance plans to service your N432A after warranty expiration.

  • Page 136: Check The Basics

    • Check that the line socket has power. • Check that the N432A is plugged into a proper AC power source. • Check that the N432A is switched on. • Check that the line fuses are in good working condition.

  • Page 137: Recommended Calibration Interval

    • The suffix indicates an alphanumeric code which is used to ensure unique identification of each product throughout Keysight Technologies. SERIAL NUMBER SER MY12345678 Agilent MADE IN MALAYSIA Recommended calibration interval Keysight Technologies recommends a one- year calibration cycle for the N432A. N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 138: Erasing Memory Data

    Maintenance Erasing Memory Data This section explains how to erase the N432A memory, for example, before you return the N432A to Keysight Technologies for repair or calibration, of all data stored in it which includes the save/recall and last power- on states.

  • Page 139: Returning The N432A For Service

    91 kg (200 lb.) bursting strength. The carton must be large and strong enough to accommodate the N432A and allow at least 3 to 4 inches on all sides of the N432A for packing material.

  • Page 140: Keysight Sales And Service Offices

    Maintenance N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 141: Specifications And Characteristics

    User’s Guide Specifications and Characteristics Introduction 120 N432A Specifications 122 Rear Panel Input and Output Connections 124 1 mW Power Reference 125 Environmental Conditions 126 Physical Characteristics 127 Regulatory Information 128 This chapter describes the specifications and characteristics of your N432A.

  • Page 142: Introduction

    • Characteristic specifications Warranted specifications Warranted specifications are covered by the product warranty and applied after a 30- minute warm- up. These specifications are valid over the N432A operating and environmental ranges unless otherwise stated, and after performing zeroing. Characteristic specifications...
  • Page 143 • stored for a minimum of two hours at a stable temperature within the operating temperature range, and turned on for at least 30 minutes. • the N432A and the thermistor sensor are within their recommended calibration periods. • used in accordance to the information provided in this guide.

  • Page 144: N432A Specifications

    V : VDC and mVDC • Bridge resistance: Ohm Display resolutions • Power: Selectable resolutions of 1, 0.1, 0.01, and 0.001 dBm in logarithmic mode, or 1, 2, 3, and 4 significant digits in linear mode N432A User’s Guide...
  • Page 145 Specifications and Characteristics • Voltage: 6.5- digit resolution • Bridge resistance: 6.5- digit resolution Default resolution 0.01 dBm in logarithmic mode or three significant digits in linear mode N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 146: Rear Panel Input And Output Connections

    Binding post, accepts 4 mm plug or bare wire connection Line power Input voltage range 100 – 240 Vac, automatic selection 220 – 240 V ±10% Input frequency range 50 – 60 Hz, 400 Hz 400 Hz (100 – 120 Vac) Power requirement 70 VA N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 147: Mw Power Reference

    Specifications and Characteristics 1 mW Power Reference Power output 1.00 mW (0.0 dBm) Accuracy ±1.2% (0 – 45°C) ±0.4% (25 ±10°C) Frequency 50 MHz nominal 1.08 maximum Type N (f), 50 W Connector type N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 148: Environmental Conditions

    Specifications and Characteristics Environmental Conditions General The N432A complies with the requirements of the EMC Directive 89/336/EEC. The N432A is designed for indoor use only. Operating environment Operating temperature C to 45 Operating humidity 15% to 95% at 40 C (non-condensing) Altitude Up to 4600 m (15000 ft.)

  • Page 149: Physical Characteristics

    The following dimensions exclude front and rear panel protrusions: • 212.6 mm W x 88.5 mm H x 348.3 mm D (8.5 in x 3.5 in x 13.7 in) Weight ≤ Weight (net) 3.70 kg (approximately) ≤ Weight (shipping) 8.30 kg (approximately) N432A User’s Guide...

  • Page 150: Regulatory Information

    Degradation of some instrument specifications can occur in the presence of ambient EM fields and noise that are coupled to the power line or I/O cables of the N432A. The N432A will self- recover and operate to all specifications when the source of ambient EM fields and noise are removed or when the N432A is protected from the ambient EM fields or when the N432A cabling is shielded from the ambient EM noise.

  • Page 151: Low Voltage Directive

    Specifications and Characteristics Low voltage directive The N432A conforms to the requirements of the European Council Directive "2006/95/EC". N432A User’s Guide...
  • Page 152 Specifications and Characteristics N432A User’s Guide...
  • Page 154 This information is subject to change without notice. © Keysight Technologies 2010 - 2014 Edition 5, November 14, 2014 *N432A-90002*...

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