Agilent 70420A Users Guide

Agilent E5505A
Phase Noise
Measurement System

User’s Guide

First edition, June 2004

Agilent Technologies

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Manual Part Number

E5505--90003

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First edition, June 2004

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Contents

1 Getting Started

2 Introduction and Measurement

Introduction 26

Documentation Map 27

Table 1. E5505A user’s guide map 27

Additional Documentation 28

Figure 1. Navigate to system documentation 28

System Overview 29

Figure 2. E5505A benchtop system, typical configuration 30
Table 2. Equivalent system/instrument model numbers 30

Introducing the GUI 32

Figure 3. E5500 graphical user interface (GUI) 33

Designing to Meet Your Needs 34

Beginning 34

E5505A Operation: A Guided Tour 35

Required equipment 35
How to begin 35

Powering the System On 36

To power on a racked system 36
To power on a benchtop system 36

Starting the Measurement Software 37

Figure 4. Navigation to the E5500 user interface 37
Figure 5. Phase noise measurement subsystem main screen 38

Performing a Confidence Test 39

Figure 6. Opening the file containing pre-stored parameters 39
Figure 7. Navigating to the Define Measurement window 40
Beginning a measurement 40
Figure 8. Navigating to the New Measurement window 40
Figure 9. Confirm new measurement 41
Figure 10. Setup diagram displayed during the confidence test. 41
Figure 11.Connect diagram example 42
Making a measurement 42
Figure 12. Typical phase noise curve for test set confidence test 43
Sweep segments 43

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 3

Congratulations 43
Learning more 44
Table 3. Parameter data for the N5500A confidence test example 44

Powering the System Off 45

To power off a racked sy stem 45
To power off a be nchtop system 45
Using the E5500 Shutdown Utility 45
Figure 13. Shutdown utility icon 45

3Phase Noise Basics

What is Phase Noise? 48

Figure 14.RF sideband spectrum 49
Phase terms 49
Figure 15 . CW signal sidebands viewed in the frequency domain 50
Figure 16. Deriving L(f) from a RF analyzer display 51
Figure 17.L(f) Described Logarithmically as a Function of Offset Frequency 51
Figure 18. Region of validity of L(f) 52

4 Expanding Your Measurement Experience

Starting the Measurement Software 54

Figure 19. Navigate to E5500 user interface 54

Using the Asset Manager 55

Configuring an asset 55
Figure 20. Navigate to Asset Manager 55
Figure 21. Navigate to Add in Asset Manager 56
Figure 22. Select source as asset type 56
Figure 23. Choose source 57
Figure 24. Select I/O library 57
Figure 25. Enter asset and serial number 58
Figure 26. Enter comment 58
Figure 27. Click check-mark button 59
Figure 28.Confirmation message 59

Using the Server Hardware Connections to Specify the Source 60

Figure 29. Navigate to server hardware connections 60
Figure 30. Select Sources tab 60
Figure 31. Successful I/O check 61
Figure 32.Failed I/O check 61

Setting GPIB Addresses 63

Table 4. Default GPIB addresses 63

4 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Figure 33 . Asset Manager on System menu 64
Figure 34. Asset Manager window 64
Figure 35 . GPIB address dialog box 65

Testing the 8663A Internal/External 10 MHz 66

Required equipment 66
Defining the measurement 66
Figure 36. Select the parameters definition file 66
Figure 37. Enter Source Information 67
Table 5. Tuning characteristics for various sources 68
Selecting a reference source 68
Figure 38.Selecting a reference source 68
Selecting loop suppression verification 69
Figure 39. Selecting loop suppression verification 69
Setting up for the 8663A 10 MHz measurement 69
Figure 40. Noise floor for the 8663 10 MHz measurement 70
Figure 41.Noise floor example 70
Beginning the measurement 71
Figure 42. Selecting new measurement 71
Figure 43. Confirm new measurement 71
Figure 44. Connection diagram 72
Table 6.Test set signal input limits and characteristics 73
Sweep segments 75
Figure 45. Oscilloscope display of beatnote from test set monitor port 76
Making the measurement 76
Figure 46. Selecting suppression 77
Figure 47. Typical phase noise curve for an 8663A 10 MHz measurement 78
Table 7. Parameter data for the 8663A 10 MHz measurement 79

Testing the 8644B Internal/External 10 MHz 81

Required equipment 81
Defining the measurement 81
Figure 48. Select the parameters definition file 81
Figure 49. Sources tab in define measurement window 82
Table 8. Tuning characteristics for various sources 83
Selecting a reference source 83
Figure 50.Selecting a reference source 84
Selecting loop suppression verification 84
Figure 51. Selecting loop suppression verification 85
Setting up the 8663A 10 MHz measurement 85
Figure 52. Noise floor for the 8644B 10 MHz measurement 85
Figure 53.Noise floor example 86
Beginning the measurement 87

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 5

Figure 54. Selecting a new measurement 87
Figure 55. Confirm measurement dialog box 87
Figure 56.Connect diagram dialog box 88
Table 9.Test set signal input limits and characteristics 89
Figure 57. Oscilloscope display of beatnote from test set monitor port 91
Making the measurement 92
Figure 58. Suppression selections 92
Figure 59. Typical phase noise curve for an 8644B 10 MHz measurement. 93
Table 10. Parameter data for the 8644B 10 MHz measurement 94

Viewing Ma rkers 96

Figure 60. Navigate to markers 96
Figure 61 . Adding and deleting markers 96

Omitting Spurs 97

Figure 62. Navigate to display preferences 97
Figure 63. Uncheck spurs 97
Figure 64.Graph displayed without spurs 98

Displaying the Parameter Summary 99

Figure 65. Navigate to parameter summary 99
Figure 66. Parameter summary 100

Exporting Measurement Results 101

Figure 67. Export results choices 101
Exporting Trace Data 102
Figure 68.Trace data results 102
Exporting spur data 103
Figure 69. Spur data results 103
Exporting X-Y data 104
Figure 70.X-Y data results 104

5 Absolute Measurement Fundamentals

The Phase-Lock-Loop Technique 106

Understanding the Phase-Lock-Loop Technique 106
Figure 71. Simplified block diagram of the phase lock loop configuration 106
The Phase-Lock-Loop Circuit 106
Figure 72. Capture and drift-tracking range with tuning range of VCO 107
Figure 73. Capture and drift-tracking ranges and beatnote frequency 108

What Sets the Measurement Noise Floor? 110

The System Noise Floor 110
Table 11. Amplitude ranges for L and R ports 110
Figure 74. Relationship between the R input level and system noise floor 110

6 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

The Noise Level of the Reference Source 111
Figure 75. Reference source noise approaches DUT noise 111

Selecting a Reference 112

Figure 76. DUT noise approaches reference noise 112
Using a Similar Device 112
Using a Signal Generator 113
Tuning Requirements 113
Table 12.Tuning Characteristics of Various VCO Source Options 113
Figure 77.Voltage tuning range limits relative to center voltage of the VCO tuning

curve 114

Estimating the Tuning Constant 115

Table 13. VCO tuning constant calibration method 115

Tracking Frequency Drift 116

Evaluating beatnote drift 116

Changing the PTR 118

Figure 78. Peak tuning range 118
The Tuning Qualifications 118

Minimizing Injection Locking 120

Adding Isolation 120
Increasing the PLL Bandwidth 120
Figure 79. Peak tuning range (PTR) Required by injection locking. 121

Inserting a Device 122

An attenuator 122
Figure 80. Measurement noise floor relative to R-Port signal level 122
An amplifier 123
Figure 81.Measurement noise floor as a result of an added attenuator 123

Evaluating Noise Above the Small Angle Line 124

Determining the Phase-Lock-Loop bandwidth 124
Figure 82. Phase lock loop bandwidth provided by the peak tuning range 125
Figure 83. Graph of small angle line and spur limit 126
Figure 84. Requirements for noise exceeding small angle limit 127

6 Absolute Measurement Examples

Stable RF Oscillator 130

Required equipment 130
Defining the measurement 130
Figure 85. Select the parameters definition file 130
Figure 86. Enter source information 131
Table 14.Tuning characteristics for various sources 132

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 7

Selecting a reference source 132
Figure 87.Selecting a reference source 133
Selecting Loop Suppression Verification 133
Figure 88. Selecting loop suppression verification 134
Setup considerations for stable RF oscillator measurement 134
Figure 89. Noise floor for the stable RF oscillator measurement 135
Figure 90.Noise floor calculation example 135
Beginning the measurement 136
Figure 91. Selecting a new measurement 136
Figure 92. Confirm new measurement 136
Figure 93.Connect diagram for the stable RF oscillator measurement 137
Table 15.Test set signal input limits and characteristics 138
Checking the beatnote 139
Figure 94. Oscilloscope display of beatnote from test set Monitor port 140
Making the measurement 140
Figure 95. Selecting suppressions 141
Figure 96.Typical phase noise curve for a stable RF oscillator 142
Table 16. Parameter data for the stable RF oscillator measurement 143

Free-Running RF Oscillator 145

Required equipment 145
Defining the measurement 145
Figure 97. Select the parameters definition file 146
Figure 98. Enter source information 147
Table 17.Tuning characteristics for various sources 147
Selecting a reference source 148
Figure 99.Selecting a reference source 148
Selecting Loop Suppression Verification 148
Figure 100. Selecting loop suppression verification 149
Setup considerations for the free-running RF oscillator measurement 149
Figure 101. Noise floor for the free-running RF oscillator measurement 150
Figure 102. Noise floor calculation example 150
Beginning the measurement 151
Figure 103. Selecting a new measurement 151
Figure 104. Confirm measurement dialog box 151
Figure 105. Connect diagram for the free-running RF oscillator measurement 152
Table 18.Test set signal input limits and characteristics 153
Checking the beatnote 153
Figure 106. Oscilloscope display of beatnote from test set Monitor port 154
Making the measurement 155
Figure 107. Selecting suppressions 156
Figure 108.Typical phase noise curve for a free-running RF oscillator 157

8 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Table 19. Parameter data for the free-running RF oscillator measurement 158

RF Synthesizer Using DCFM 160

Required equipment 160
Defining the measurement 160
Figure 109. Select the parameters definition file 160
Figure 110. Enter source information 161
Table 20.Tuning characteristics for various sources 162
Selecting a reference source 162
Figure 111. Selecting a reference source 162
Selecting Loop Suppression Verification 163
Figure 112. Selecting loop suppression verification 163
Setup considerations for the RF synthesizer using DCFM measurement 163
Figure 113. Noise floor for the RF synthesizer (DCFM) measurement 164
Figure 114. Noise floor calculation example 164
Beginning the measurement 165
Figure 115. Selecting a new measurement 165
Figure 116. Confirm measurement dialog box 165
Figure 117. Connect diagram for the RF synthesizer (DCFM) measurement 166
Table 21.Test set signal input limits and characteristics 167
Checking the beatnote 167
Figure 118. Oscilloscope display of beatnote from the test set Monitor port 168
Making the measurement 169
Figure 119. Selecting suppressions 169
Figure 120. Typical phase noise curve for an RF synthesizer using DCFM 170
Table 22. Parameter Data for the RF Synthesizer (DCFM) Measurement 171

RF Synthesizer Using EFC 173

Required equipment 173
Defining the measurement 173
Figure 121. Select the parameters definition file 173
Figure 122. Enter Source Information 175
Table 23.Tuning Characteristics for Various Sources 175
Selecting a reference source 176
Figure 123. Selecting a reference source 176
Selecting Loop Suppression Verification 176
Figure 124. Selecting Loop suppression verification 177
Setup considerations for the RF synthesizer using EFC measurement 177
Figure 125. Noise floor for the RF synthesizer (EFC) measurement 178
Figure 126. Noise floor calculation example 178
Beginning the measurement 179
Figure 127. Selecting a new measurement 179
Figure 128. Confirm measurement dialog box 179

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 9

Figure 129. Connect diagram for the RF synthesizer (EFC) measurement 180
Table 24. Test set signal Input Limits and Characteristics 181
Checking the beatnote 181
Figure 130. Oscilloscope display of a beatnote from the test set Monitor port 182
Making the measurement 182
Figure 131. Selecting suppressions 183
Figure 132.Typical phase noise curve for an RF synthesizer using EFC 184
Table 25. Parameter data for the RF synthesizer (EFC) measurement 185

Microwave Source 187

Required equipment 187
Defining the measurement 187
Figure 133. Select the parameters definition file 187
Figure 134. Enter source information 189
Table 26.Tuning characteristics for various sources 189
Selecting a reference source 190
Figure 135. Selecting a reference source 190
Selecting Loop Suppression Verification 190
Figure 136. Selecting loop suppression verification 191
Setup considerations for the microwave source measurement 191
Figure 137. Noise characteristics for the microwave measurement 191
Beginning the measurement 192
Figure 138. Selecting a new measurement 192
Figure 139. Confirm measurement dialog box 192
Figure 140. Connect diagram for the microwave source measurement 193
Table 27.Test set signal input limits and characteristics 194
Checking the beatnote 194
Figure 141. Oscilloscope display of a beatnote from the test set Monitor port 195
Making the measurement 196
Figure 142. Selecting suppressions 197
Figure 143.Typical phase noise curve for a microwave source 198
Table 28. Parameter data for the microwave source measurement 199

7 Residual Measurement Fundamentals

What is Residual Noise? 202

The noise mechanisms 202
Figure 144. Additive noise components 202
Figure 145. Multiplicative noise components 203

Assumptions about Residual Phase Noise Measurements 204

Figure 146. Setup for typical residual phase noise measurement 204
Frequency translation devices 205

10 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Figure 147. Measurement setup for two similar DUTs 205

Calibrating the Measurement 206

Figure 148. General equipment setup for making residual phase noise
measurements 206

Calibration and measurement guidelines 207
Calibration options 208
User entry of phase detector constant 209
Figure 149. Measuring power at phase detector signal input port 210
Table 29. Acceptable amplitude ranges for the phase detectors. 210
Figure 150. Phase detector sensitivity 211
Figure 151. Adjust for quadrature 212
Figure 152. Measuring power at phase detector reference input port 212
Measured ± DC peak voltage 213
Figure 153. Connection to optional oscilloscope for determining voltage peaks 214
Table 30. Acceptable Amplitude Ranges for the Phase Detectors 214
Measured beatnote 215
Table 31. Frequency ranges 215
Procedure 216
Figure 154. Measuring power from splitter 216
Table 32. Acceptable amplitude ranges for the phase detectors 216
Figure 155. Calibration source beatnote injection 217
Synthesized residual measurement using beatnote cal 217
Table 33. Frequency Ranges 217
Procedure 218
Figure 156. Synthesized residual measurement using beatnote cal 218
Double-Sided spur 218
Figure 157. Calibration setup 219
Table 34. Acceptable amplitude ranges for the phase detectors 220
Figure 15 8. Measuring carrier-to-sideband ratio of the modulated port 220
Single-Sided spur 221
Figure 159. Calibration setup for single-sided spur 222
Table 35. Acceptable Amplitude Ranges for the Phase Detectors 223
Figure 160. Carrier-to-spur ratio of modulated signal 223
Figure 161. Carrier-to-spur ratio of non-modulated signal 224

Measurement Difficulties 225

System connections 225

8 Residual Measurement Examples

Amplifier Measurement Example 228

Required equipment 228
Figure 162. Setup for residual phase noise measurement 229

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 11

Defining the measurement 229
Figure 163. Select the parameters definition file 229
Figure 164. Navigate to residual phase noise 230
Figure 165. Enter frequencies into source tab 231
Figure 166. Select constant in the cal tab 231
Figure 167. Select parameters in the block diagram tab 232
Figure 168. Select graph description on graph tab 233
Setup considerations for amplifier measurement 233
Beginning the measurement 234
Figure 169. Select meter from view menu 234
Figure 170. Selecting New Measurement 234
Figure 171. Confirm new measurement 235
Figure 172. Setup diagram for the 8349A amplifier measurement example 235
Table 36.Test set signal input limits and characteristics 236
Making the measurement 237
Table 37. Acceptable amplitude ranges for the phase detectors 237
Figure 173. Residual connect diagram example 238
Figure 174. Connection to optional oscilloscope for determining voltage peaks 238
Figure 175.Adjust phase difference at phase detector 239
Figure 176. Adjust phase shifter until meter indicates 0 volts 240
When the measurement is complete 240
Figure 177. Typical phase noise curve for a residual measurement 241
Table 38. Parameter data for the amplifier measurement example 241

9 FM Discriminator Fundamentals

The Frequency Discriminator Method 244

Figure 178. Basic delay line/mixer frequency discriminator method 244
Basic theory 244
The discriminator transfer response 245
Figure 179. Nulls in sensitivity of delay line discriminator 246
Table 39. Choosing a delay line 248

10 FM Discriminator Measurement Examples

Introduction 250

Figure 180.FM Discriminator measurement setup 250

FM Discriminator Measurement using Double-Sided Spur Calibration 251

Table 40. Required Equipment for the FM Discriminator Measurement Example 251
Determining the discriminator (delay line) length 251
Figure 181. Discriminator noise floor as a function of delay time 252
Defining the measurement 252
Figure 182. Select the parameters definition file 252

12 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Figure 183. Select measurement type 253
Figure 184. Enter frequencies in source tab 254
Figure 185. Enter parameters into the call tab 255
Figure 186. Select parameters in the block diagram tab 256
Figure 187. Select Graph Description on Graph Tab 256
Setup considerations 257
Beginning the measurement 258
Figure 188. Select meter from view menu 258
Figure 189. Selecting New Measurement 258
Figure 190. Confirm new measurement 259
Figure 191. Setup diagram for the FM discrimination measurement example 259
Table 41. Test Set Signal Input Limits and Characteristics 260
Figure 192. Connect diagram example 261
Making the measurement 261
Figure 193. Calibration measurement (1 of 5) 262
Figure 194. Calibration measurement (2 of 5) 262
Figure 195. Calibration measurement (3 of 5) 263
Figure 196. Calibration measurement (4 of 5) 263
Figure 197. Calibration measurement (5 of 5) 263
When the measurement is complete 264
Figure 198.Typical phase noise curve using double-sided spur calibration 264
Table 42. Parameter data for the double-sided spur calibration example 265

Discriminator Measurement using FM Rate and Deviation Calibration 267

Required equipment 267
Table 43. Required equipment for the FM discriminator measurement exam ple 267
Determining the discriminator (delay line) length 268
Figure 199. Discriminator noise floor as a function of delay time 268
Defining the measurement 268
Figure 200. Select the parameters definition file 269
Figure 201. Select measurement type 269
Figure 202. Enter frequencies in Source tab 270
Figure 203. Enter parameters into the Cal tab 271
Figure 204. Enter parameters in the Block Diagram tab 272
Figure 205. Select graph description on Graph tab 273
Setup considerations 273
Beginning the measurement 274
Figure 206. Select meter from the View menu 274
Figure 207. Selecting New Measurement 274
Figure 208. Confirm new measurement 275
Figure 209. Setup diagram for the FM Discrimination measurement example 275
Table 44.Test set signal input limits and characteristics 276

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 13

Figure 210. System connect diagram example 277
Making the measurement 277
Figure 211. Calibration measurement (1 of 5) 278
Figure 212. Calibration measurement (2 of 5) 278
Figure 213. Calibration measurement (3 of 5) 279
Figure 214. Calibration measurement (4 of 5) 279
Figure 215. Calibration measurement (5 of 5) 279
When the measurement is complete 280
Figure 216.Typical phase noise curve using rate and deviation calibration 280
Table 45. Parameter data for the rate and deviation calibration example 281

11 AM Noise Measurement Fundamentals

AM-Noise Measurement Theory of Operation 284

Basic noise measurement 284
Phase noise measurement 284

Amplitude Noise Measurement 285

AM noise measurement block diagrams 285
Figure 217. AM noise system with N5500A opt 001 285
Figure 218. AM noise system with external detector 285
Figure 219. AM Noise system with 70429A Opt K21 AM detector 286
Figure 220. AM noise system with N5507A downconverter 286
AM detector 286
Figure 221. AM detector schematic 286
Table 46. Maximum carrier offset frequency 287

Calibration and Measurement General Guidelines 289

Method 1: User Entry of Phase Detector Constant 290

Method 1, example 1 290
Figure 222. Phase detector constant AM noise setup (method1, example 1) 290
Figure 223. AM noise calibration setup 291
Figure 224. AM detector sensitivity graph 291
Method 1, example 2 292
Figure 225. Phase detector constant AM noise setup (method 1, example 2) 292
Figure 226. Modulation sideband calibration setup 293

Method 2: Double-Sided Spur 294

Method 2, example 1 294
Figure 227. Double-Sided spur AM noise setup (method 2, example 1) 294
Figure 228. Measuring the carrier-to-sideband ratio 295
Figure 229. Measuring the calibration constant 295
Method 2, example 2 296
Figure 230. Double-sided spur AM noise setup (method 2, example 2) 296

14 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Figure 231. Measuring power at the am detector 296
Figure 232. Measuring carrier-to-sideband ratio 297
Figure 233. Measuring the calibration constant 297

Method 3: Single-Sided Spur 299

Figure 234. AM noise measurement setup using single-sided spur 299
Figure 235. Measuring relative spur level 300
Figure 236. Measuring detector sensitivity 300

12 AM Noise Measurement Examples

AM Noise with N5500A Option 001 302

Required equipment 302
Figure 237. AM noise measurement configuration 302
Defining the measurement 303
Figure 238. Select the parameters definition file 303
Figure 239. Navigate to AM noise 304
Figure 240. Enter Frequencies in Source Tab 304
Figure 241. Enter parameters into the cal tab 305
Figure 242. Select parameters in the block diagram tab 305
Figure 243. Select graph description on graph tab 306
Beginning the measurement 307
Figure 244. Selecting a new measurement 307
Figure 245. Confirm measurement dialog box 307
Figure 246. Connect diagram for the AM noise measurement 308
Table 47.Test set signal input limits and characteristics 309
Figure 247. Connect diagram example 309
Making the measurement 310
When the measurement is complete 310
Figure 248. Typical AM noise curve 310
Table 48. Parameter data for the AM noise using an N5500A Option 001 311

13 Baseband Noise Measurement Examples

Baseband Noise with Test Set Measurement Example 314

Defining the measurement 314
Figure 249. Select the parameters definition file 314
Beginning the measurement 315
Figure 250. Selecting a new measurement 315
Figure 251. Confirm measurement dialog box 315
Figure 252. Connect diagram dialog box 316
Making the measurement 316
Figure 25 3. Typical phase noise curve for a baseband using a test set

measurement. 316

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 15

Table 49. Parameter data for the baseband using a test set measurement 317

Baseband Noise without Test Set Measurement Example 318

Defining the measurement 318
Figure 254. Select the parameters definition file 318
Beginning the measurement 319
Figure 255. Selecting a new measurement 319
Figure 256. Confirm measurement dialog box 319
Figure 257. Connect diagram for baseband without test set measurement 320
Figure 258. Instrument connection dialog box 320
Making the measurement 320
Figure 259.Typical curve for a baseband without test set measurement. 321
Table 50. Parameter data for the baseband without using a test set measurement 321

14 Evaluating Your Measurement Results

Evaluating the Results 324

Looking for obvious problems 324
Figure 260. Noise plot showing obvious problems 325
Comparing against expected data 325
Figure 261. Compensation for added reference source noise 326
Figure 262. Measurement results and reference source noise 327

Gathering More Data 328

Repeating the measurement 328
Figure 263. Repeating a measurement 328
Doing more research 328

Outputting the Results 329

Using a printer 329

Graph of Results 330

Marker 330
Figure 264. Navigate to marker 330
Figure 26 5. Add and delete markers 331

Omit Spurs 332

Figure 266. Select display preferences 332
Figure 267. Uncheck spurs 332
Figure 268. Graph without spurs 333
Parameter summary 333
Figure 269. Navigate to parameter summary 333
Figure 270. Parameter summary notepad 334

Problem Solving 335

Table 51. List of topics that discuss problem solving in this chapter 335

16 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Discontinuity in the graph 335
Table 52. Potential causes of discontinuity in the graph 335
Higher noise level 336
Spurs on the graph 336
Table 53. Spurs on the graph 337
Table 54. Actions to eliminate spurs 337
Small angle line 338
Figure 271. L(f) Is only valid for noise levels below the small angle line 339

15 Advanced Software Features

Introduction 342

Phase-Lock-Loop Suppression 343

Figure 272. PLL suppression verification graph 343
PLL suppression parameters 343

Ignore-Out-Of-Lock Mode 346

PLL Suppression Verification Process 347

PLL suppression information 347
Figure 273. Default PLL suppression verification graph 347
Figure 274. Measured loop suppression curve 348
Figure 275. Smoothed loop suppression curve 349
Figure 276.Theoretical loop suppression curve 349
Figure 277. Smoothed vs. theoretical loop suppression curve 350
Figure 278. Smoothed vs. Adjusted theoretical loop suppression curve 350
Figure 279. Adjusted theoretical vs. theoretical loop suppression curve 351
PLL gain change 352
Maximum error 352
Accuracy degradation 352

Blanking Frequency and Amplitude Information on the Phase Noise Graph 353

Security level procedure 353
Figure 280. Navigate to security level 353
Figure 281. Choosing levels of security 354
Figure 282. Unsecured: all data is viewable 354
Figure 283. Choosing levels of security 355
Figure 284. Secured: frequencies cannot be found-1 355
Figure 285. Secured: frequencies cannot be found-2 356
Figure 286. Choosing levels of security 356
Figure 287. Secured: frequencies and amplitudes cannot be viewed 357

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 17

16 Reference Graphs and Tables

Approximate System Noise Floor vs. R Port Signal Level 360

Figure 288. Noise floor for R input port 360

Phase Noise Floor and Region of Validity 361

Figure 289. Region of validity 361

Phase Noise Level of Various Agilent Sources 362

Figure 290. Noise level for various reference sources 362

Increase in Measured Noise as Ref Source Approaches DUT Noise 363

Figure 291. Reference source and DUT noise levels 363

Approximate Sensitivity of Delay Line Discriminator 364

Figure 292. Delay line discriminator sensitivity 364

AM Calibration 365

Figure 293. AM detector sensitivity 365

Voltage Controlled Source Tuning Requirements 366

Figure 294. Tuning voltage required for phase lock 366

Tune Range of VCO for Center Voltage 367

Figure 295. Tune range of VCO for center voltage 367

Peak Tuning Range Required by Noise Level 368

Figure 296.Typical source noise level vs. minimum tuning range 368

Phase Lock Loop Bandwidth vs. Peak Tuning Range 369

Figure 297. PLL BW vs. peak tuning range 369

Noise Floor Limits Due to Peak Tuning Range 370

Figure 298. Noise at source’s peak tuning range 370

Tuning Characteristics of Various VCO Source Options 371

Table 55.Tuning parameters for several VCO options 371

8643A Frequency Limits 372

Table 56. 8643A frequency limits 372
8643A mode keys 372
Table 57. Operating characteristics for 8643A modes 1, 2, and 3 373
How to access special functions 373
Figure 299. 8643A special function keys 373
Description of special functions 120 and 125 373

8644B Frequency Limits 375

Table 58. 8644B frequency limits 375
8644B mode keys 375
Table 59. Operating characteristics for 8644B modes 1, 2, and 3 376

18 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

How to access special functions 376
Figure 300. 8644B special functions keys 376

Description of special function 120 377

8664A Frequency Limits 378

Table 60. 8664A frequency limits 378
8664A mode keys 378
Table 61. Operating characteristics for 8664A modes 2 and 3 378
How to access special functions 379
Figure 301. Special functions keys 379
Description of special functions 120 379

8665A Frequency Limits 380

Table 62. 8665A frequency limits 380
8665A mode keys 380
Table 63. Operating characteristics for 8665A modes 2 and 3 381
How to access special functions 381
Figure 302. 8665A special functions keys 381
Description of Special Functions 120 and 124 381

8665B Frequency Limits 383

Table 64. 8665B frequency limits 383
8665B mode keys 383
Table 65. Operating characteristics for 8665B modes 2 and 3 384
How to access special functions 384
Figure 303. 8665B Special functions keys 384
Description of special functions 120 and 124 385

17 System Specifications

Specifications 388

Table 66. Mechanical and environmental specifications 388
Table 67. Operating characteristics 388
Reliable accuracy 389
Table 68. RF phase detector accuracy 389
Table 69. AM detector accuracy 389
Measurement qualifications 389
Tuning 390
Computer 390

Power Requirements 391

Table 70. E5505A maximum AC power requirements 391

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 19

18 System Interconnections

Making Connections 394

System Connectors 395

Table 71. E5505A connectors and adapters 395

System Cables 396

Table 72. E5505A cables and connections 396

Connecting Instruments 397

Figure 304. Connect adapter to PC digitizer card 397
Figure 305. PC to test set connection, standard model 398
Figure 306. PC to test set (options 001 and 201) and downconverter connection 399
Figure 307. E5505A system connections with standard test set 401
Figure 308. E5505A system connections with test set option 001 402
Figure 309. E5505A system connections with test set option 201 403

19 PC Components Installation

Overview 406

PC Digitizer Software: Phase 1 407

To install the PC digitizer software 407

Hardware Installation 408

Preparing for installation 408
Figure 310. Remove screws from side of CPU 408
Figure 311. Slide cover off 409
Figure 312. Remove hold-down bar 409
Accessing PC expansion slots 410
Figure 313.Vertically-Mounted expansion slots 410
Taki n g ESD prec a utio n s 410
Installing the PC digitizer card 411
Figure 314. PC digitizer card 411
Figure 315. Insert PC digitizer card 411
Figure 316. Secure card with screw 412
Figure 317. Connect adapter to PC digitizer card 412
Installing the GPIB interface card 413
Figure 318. GPIB interface card 413
Figure 319. Insert GPIB card 413
Figure 320. Secure card with screw 414
Figure 321. Replace cover 414

System Interconnections 415

Table 73. E5505A connectors and adapters 415
Making Connections 415

20 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Figure 322. Test set connection, standard model 416
Figure 323. Test set (options 001 and 201) and downconverter connection 417

PC Digitizer Software: Phase 2 418

Agilent I/O Libraries 419

To install the Agilent I/O libraries 419

Measurement Software Installation 424

To install the E5500 software 424

Asset Configuration 426

Setting Up Asset Manager 426
To set up Asset Manager 426
Configuring the Phase Noise Test Set 428
Configuring the PC Digitizer 432
Figure 324. Add assets 432
Figure 325. Choose asset type 433
Figure 326. Select supporting ACM 433
Figure 327. Choose the interface and address for the PC digitizer 434
Table 74. Default GPIB addresses 435
Figure 328. Choose model and serial number 436
Figure 329. Select (internal) in baseband source 436
Figure 330. Enter a comment about the configured asset 437
Figure 331. Asset manager screen showing configured PC Digitizer 437
Configuring the Agilent E4411A/B (ESA-L1500A) Swept Analyzer 438

License Key for the Phase Noise Test Set 439

Figure 332. Navigate to E5500 asset manager 439
Figure 333. Navigate to license keys 440
Figure 334. License_key.txt 441
Figure 33 5. Copy keyword into license key field 441
Figure 336. Licensing confirmation 442
Figure 337. Licensing error 442

20 PC Digitizer Performance Verification

Verifying PC Digitizer Card Output Performance 444

Required equipment 444
To verify the PC digitizer card input’s performance 444

PC Digitizer Card Input Performance Verification 449

Required equipment 449
To verify the PC digitizer card input’s performance 449

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 21

21 Preventive Maintenance

Using, Inspecting, and Cleaning RF Connectors 454

Repeatability 454
RF Cable and Connector Care 454
Proper Connector Torque 455
Table 75. Proper Connector Torque 455
Connector Wear and Damage 455
SMA Connector Precautions 456
Cleaning Procedure 456
Table 76. Cleaning Supplies Available from Agilent 457

General Procedures and Techniques 458

Figure 338. GPIB, 3.5 mm, Type-N, power sensor, and BNC connectors 458
Connector Removal 459

Instrument Removal 461

Standard instrument 461
To remove an instrument from a rack 461
Half-Rack-Width Instrument 462
To remove a half-width instrument from a system rack 462
Figure 339. Instrument lock links, front and rear 463
Benchtop Instrument 463
To remove an instrument from a benchtop system 463

Instrument Installation 464

Standard rack instrument 464
To install an instrument 464
Half-Rack-Width instrument 465
To install the instrument in a rack 465
Benchtop instrument 465
To install an instrument in a benchtop system 465

A Service, Support, and Safety Information

Safety and Regulatory Information 468

Safety summary 468
Equipment Installation 468
Environmental conditions 469
Before applying power 469
Ground the instrument or system 470
Fuses and Circuit Breakers 470
Maintenance 471
Safety symbols and instrument markings 471
Table 77. Safety symbols and instrument markings 471

22 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Declaration of Conformity 473
Compliance with German noise requirements 473
Table 78. German noise requirements summary 473
Compliance with Canadian EMC requirements 473

Service and Support 474

Agilent on the Web 474

Return Procedure 475

Determining your instrument’s serial number 475
Figure 340. Serial number location 475
Shipping the instrument 476
To package the instrument for shipping 476

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 23

24 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

E5505A Phase Noise Measurement System
User’s Guide

1
Getting Started

Introduction 26
Documentation Map 27
Additional Documentation 28
System Overview 29

Agilent Technologies

25

1 Getting Started

Introduction

This guide introduces you to the Agilent E5505A Phase Noise Measurement
System software and hardware. It provides procedures for configuring the
E5500 Phase Noise Measurement software, executing measurements,
evaluating results, and using the advanced software features. It also covers
phase noise basics and measurement fundamentals to get you started.

Use Table 1 on page 27 as a guide to:

• Learning about the E5505A phase noise measurement system

• Learning about phase noise basics and measurement fundamentals

• Using the E5505A system to make specific phase noise measurements.

In this guide you’ll also find information on system connections and
specifications, and procedures for re-installing phase-noise-specific hardware
and software in the system PC.

NOTE

Installation information for your system is provided in the Agilent E5505A Phase Noise
Measurement System Installation Guide.

26 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Documentation Map

Table 1 E5505A user’s guide map

Getting Started 1

Learning about the E5505A System Learning Phase Noise Basics &

Measurement Fundamentals

Chapter 1, “Getting Started”

Chapter 2, “Introduction and

Measurement”

Chapter 4, “Expanding Your

Measurement Experience”

Chapter 3, “Phase Noise Basics”

Chapter 5, “Absolute Measurement

Fundamentals”

Chapter 7, “Residual Measure ment

Fundamentals”

Chapter 9, “FM Discriminator

Fundamentals”

Chapter 11, “AM Noise Mea surement

Fundamentals”

Using the E5505A for Specific Phase
Noise Measurements

Chapter 6, “Absolute Measurement

Examples”

Chapter 8, “Residual Measurement

Examples”

Chapter 10, “FM Discriminator

Measurement Examples”

Chapter 12, “AM Noise Measurement

Examples”

Chapter 13, “Baseband Noise

Measurement Examples”

Chapter 14, “Evaluating Your

Measurement Results”

Chapter 15, “Advanced Software

Features”

Chapter 17, “System Specifications”

Chapter 18, “System

Interconnections”

Chapter 19, “PC Components

Installation”

Chapter 20, “PC Digitizer Performance

Verification”

Chapter 21, “Preventive

Maintenance”

Chapter A, “Service, Support, and

Safety Information”

Chapter 16, “Reference Graphs and

Ta b l es ”

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 27

1 Getting Started

Additional Documentation

You can access the complete set of PDF documents that support the E5505A
system through the system GUI. (Adobe



Acrobat Reader is supplied.)
Navigate the menu as shown in Figure 1. The files are stored on the system PC
hard drive and on the E5500A software CD. Be sure to explore the E5500 Help
menu for additional information.

The E5505A system documentation includes:

• Agilent E5505A Phase Noise Measurement System Installation Guide

• Agilent E5505A Phase Noise Measurement System User's Guide

• Agilent N5501A/N5502A Phase Noise Downconverter User's Guide

• Agilent N5507A Phase Noise Downconverter User's Guide

• Agilent N5500A Phase Noise Test Set User's Guide

• Agilent E5500 Series Phase Noise Measurement Systems SCPI Command

Reference

• Agilent E5500 Phase Noise Measurement System Online Help

.

E5500_start_menu
04 Apr 04 rev 1

Figure 1 Navigate to system documentation

28 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

System Overview

The E5505A Phase Noise Measurement System provides flexible sets of
measurements on one-port devices such as voltage controlled oscillators
(VCOs), dielectric resonator oscillators (DROs), crystal oscillators, and
synthesizers, and on two-port devices such as amplifiers and converters. The
E5505A system measures absolute and residual phase noise, AM noise, and
low-level spurious signals, as well as CW and pulsed signals. It operates in the
frequency range of 50 KHz to 26.5 GHz.

The E5505A phase noise measurement system combines standard
instruments, phase noise components, and PC software for maximum
flexibility and re-use of assets. The system PC operates under Windows® XP
Professional® and controls the system through the E5500 measurement
software. The E5500 software enables many stand-alone instruments to work
in the system. This standalone-instrument architecture easily configures for
various measurement techniques, including the phase-lock-loop
(PLL)/reference-source technique, and delay-line and FM-discriminator
methods.

Getting Started 1

NOTE

The E5505A system is available as a one-bay wide, System II rack and as a
benchtop model. Due to the system’s flexibility, the hardware in the system
varies greatly with the options selected. You may be installing instruments you
already own in the system as well. A typical system includes these
components:

• Advantech custom PC with digitizer card assembly

• 15-inch display (flat-panel or standard), keyboard, and mouse

• Windows® XP Professional® operating system

• Agilent E5500 Phase Noise Measurement software

• Phase noise test set

• Downconverter

• RF source

Additional instruments may include a spectrum analyzer, oscilloscope,
RF counter, power meter, and power splitter.

For detailed information on the instruments in your E5505A phase noise measurement
system, refer to the individual instrument user guides (provided on CD-ROM).

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 29

1 Getting Started

Figure 2 shows a typical configuration of an E5505A benchtop system.

Figure 2 E5505A benchtop system, typical configuration

The E5505A replaces earlier Agilent E5500A/B series phase noise systems,
which are based on MMS technology. The E5505A system uses GPIB
communication and certain instruments have been redesigned with GPIB
functionality. However, the E5505A system and E5500 software are backwards
compatible with earlier systems and instruments, including the MMS
mainframe. You may easily integrate existing assets into your E5505A system.

Table 2 shows the E5505A instruments and earlier-model equivalents.

Tab l e 2 Equivalent system/instrument model numbers

System or Instrument New Number Old Number

Phase noise measurement system E5505 A E5501A, E5501B, E5502B,

E5503A, E5503B, E5504A, E5504B

Test set E5500A 70420A

6.6 GHz downconverter N5501A 70421A

18 GHz downconverter N5502A 70422A

26.5 GHz downconverter N5507A 70427A, 71707A

Microwave source N5508A 70428A, 71708A

30 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

E5505A Phase Noise Measurement System
User’s Guide

2
Introduction and Measurement

Introducing the GUI 32
Designing to Meet Your Needs 34
E5505A Operation: A Guided Tour 35
Powering the System On 36
Performing a Confidence Test 39
Powering the System Off 45

Agilent Technologies

31

2 Introduction and Measurement

Introducing the GUI

The graphical user interface (GUI) gives the user instant access to all
measurement functions, making it easy to configure a system and define or
initiate measurements. The most frequently used functions are displayed as
icons on a toolbar, allowing quick and easy access to the measurement
information.

The forms-based graphical interaction helps you define your measurement
quickly and easily. Each form tab is labeled with its content, preventing you
from getting lost in the defining process.

The system provides three default segment tables. To obtain a quick look at
your data, select the “fast” quality level. If it is important to have more
frequency resolution to separate spurious signals, use the “normal” and “high
resolution” quality levels. If you need to customize the offset range beyond the
defaults provided, tailor the measurement segment tables to meet your needs
and save them as a custom selection.

You can place up to nine markers on the data trace that can be plotted with the
measured data.

Other features include:

• Plotting data without spurs

• Tabular listing of spurs

• Plotting in alternate bandwidths

• Parameter summary

• Color printouts to any supported color printer

Figure 3 on page 33 shows an example of the GUI.

32 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

System Requirements

Introduction and Measurement 2

E5500_main_screen
24 Jun 04 rev 2

Figure 3 E5500 graphical user interface (GUI)

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 33

2 Introduction and Measurement

Designing to Meet Your Needs

The E5505A Phase Noise Measurement System is a high performance
measurement tool that enables you to fully evaluate the noise characteristics
of your electronic instruments and components with unprecedented speed and
ease. The phase noise measurement system provides you with the flexibility
needed to meet today’s broad range of noise measurement requirements.

In order to use the phase noise system effectively, it is important that you have
a good understanding of the noise measurement you are making. This manual
is designed to help you gain that understanding and quickly progress from a
beginning user of the phase noise system to a proficient user of the system’s
basic measurement capabilities.

NOTE

Beginning

If you have just received your system or need help with connecting the hardware or loading
software, refer to your Agilent E5505A Phase Noise Measurement System Installation
Guide now. Once you have completed the installation procedures, return to “E5505A

Operation: A Guided Tour" on page 35 to begin learning how to make noise measurements

with the system.

The section “E5505A Operation: A Guided Tour" on page 35 contains a
step-by-step procedure for completing a phase noise measurement. This
measurement demonstration introduces system operating fundamentals for
whatever type of device you plan to measure.

Once you are familiar with the information in this chapter, you should be
prepared to start Chapter 4, “Expanding Your Measurement Experience. After
you have completed that chapter, refer to Chapter 14, “Evaluating Your
Measurement Results for help in analyzing and verifying your test results.

34 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

E5505A Operation: A Guided Tour

This measurement demonstration introduces you to the system’s operat ion by
guiding you through an actual phase noise measurement.

You will be measuring the phase noise of the Agilent N5500A Phase Noise Test
Set’s low noise amplifier. (The measurement made in this demonstration is the
same measurement that is made to verify the system’s operation.)

As you step through the measurement procedures, you will soon discover that
the phase noise measurement system offers enormous flexibility for
measuring the noise characteristics of your signal sources and two-port
devices.

Required equipment

The equipment shipped with this system is all that is required to complete this
demonstration. (Refer to the E5505A Phase Noise Measurement System
Installation Guide if you need information about setting up the hardware or
installing the software.)

Introduction and Measurement 2

How to begin

NOTE

Follow the setup procedures beginning on the next page. The phase noise
measurement system displays a setup diagram that shows you the front panel
cable connections to make for this measurement.

If you need additional information about connecting instruments, refer to Chapter 18,
“System Interconnections.”

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 35

2 Introduction and Measurement

Powering the System On

This section provides procedures for powering on a racked or benchtop
system. First connect your system to an appropriate AC power source, then
follow the steps below.

WARNING

Before applying power, make sure the AC power input and the location of the
system meet the requirements given in Ta b l e 4 on page 14. Failure to do so may
result in damage to the system or personal injury.

NOTE

Warm-up Time: The downconverter and RF source instruments contain ovenized

oscillators which must warm up for 30 minutes to produce accurate measurements.

Standby Mode: The RF source uses a standby mode to keep the ovenized oscillator warm
when the instrument is connected (plugged in) to AC power, even when the power switch is
in the off position. To completely shut down the instrument, you must disconnect it from the
AC power supply.

To power on a racked system

1 Press the system power switch (front, top right of the rack) to the on

position.

2 Verify that all instrument power switches are on.

3 Allow the system to warm up for 30 minutes.

To power on a benchtop system

1 Press the power switch on each instrument to the on position.

2 If you have the system connected to a safety power strip, turn the strip’s

power switch to the on position.

3 Allow the system to warm up for 30 minutes.

36 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Starting the Measurement Software

1 Place the E5500 phase noise measurement software disk in the CD-ROM

drive.

2 Using Windows® Start menu as in Figure 4, navigate to the E5500 User

Interface.

Introduction and Measurement 2

E5500_start_menu
04 Apr 04 rev 1

Figure 4 Navigation to the E5500 user interface

3 The phase noise measurement subsystem main screen appears (Figure 5 on

page 38).

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 37

2 Introduction and Measurement

E5500_main_screen
24 Jun 04 rev 2

NOTE

Figure 5 Phase noise measurement subsystem main screen

The default background for the screen is gray. You can change the background color by
selecting View/Display Preferences and clicking on the Background Color button.

38 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Performing a Confidence Test

This first measurement is a confidence test that functionally checks the
N5500A test set’s filters and low-noise amplifiers using the test set’s low noise
amplifier. The phase detectors are not tested. This confidence test also
confirms that the test set, PC, and analyzers are communicating with each
other. To conduct the test, use a file with pre-stored parameters named
Confidence.pnm.

1 On the E5500 GUI main menu, select File\Open.

2 If necessary, choose the drive or directory where the file you want is stored.

3 In the File Name box, select Confidence.pnm (Figure 6).

4 Click the Open button.

Introduction and Measurement 2

E5500_open_win_conf
04 Apr 04 rev 1

Figure 6 Opening the file containing pre-stored parameters

The appropriate measurement definition parameters for this example have
been pre-stored in this file. Table 3 on page 44 lists the parameter data that
has been entered for the N5500A confidence test example.

5 To view the parameter data in the software, navigate to the Define

Measurement window. Use Figure 7 on page 40 as a navigation guide. The
parameter data is entered using the tabbed windows. Select various tabs to
see the type of information entered behind each tab.

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 39

2 Introduction and Measurement

e5505a_users_nav_define_wind
24 Jun 04 rev 3

Figure 7 Navigating to the Define Measurement window

6 Click the Close button.

Beginning a measurement

1 From the Measure menu, choose New Measurement. See Figure 8.

E5500_new_measurement
04 Apr 04 rev 1

Figure 8 Navigating to the New Measurement window

40 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Introduction and Measurement 2

2 When the Do you want to Perform a New Calibration and Measurement?

dialog box appears, click Yes. See Figure 9.

E5500_new_cali_meas
04 Apr 04 rev 1

Figure 9 Confirm new measurement

3 When the Connect Diagram dialog box appears, connect the 50 Ω

termination, provided with your system, to the test set’s noise input
connector. (Refer to Figure 10 on page 41 for more information about the
correct placement of the 50 Ω termination.)

E5500_verify_con
23 Mar 04 rev 1

50 Ω termination

Figure 10 Setup diagram displayed during the confidence test.

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 41

2 Introduction and Measurement

N5500A Standard Test Set

N5500A TEST SET

SIGNAL

50 kHz-1600 MHz

RF ANALYZER

INPUT

50 W
1V Pk

0.01 Hz-100 MHz +15 dBm MIN

PHASE DET OUTPUT

MONITOR

GPIB

NOISE

STATUS

50 kHz-1600MHz

REF INPUT

50 Ω
Termination

ANALYZER ANALYZER

<100 kHz <100 MHz 50 W 20mA MAX

100 W/1.25 LPS

N5500A Opt. 001 Test Set

N5500A OPT 001 TEST SET

SIGNAL

50 kHz-26.5 GHz

RF ANALYZER

ANALYZER ANALYZER

<100 kHz <100 MHz 50 W 20mA MAX

N5500A Option 201Test Set

N5500A OPT 201 TEST SET

SIGNAL

50 kHz-1600 MHz

RF ANALYZER

ANALYZER ANALYZER

<100 kHz <100 MHz 50 W 20mA MAX

e5505a_user_connect_diag.ai
rev2 10/20/03

INPUT

50 W
1V Pk

0.01 Hz-100 MHz +15 dBm MIN

PHASE DET OUTPUT

MONITOR

INPUT

50 W

1V Pk

0.01 Hz-100 MHz +15 dBm MIN

PHASE DET OUTPUT

MONITOR

GPIB

NOISE

100 W/1.25 LPS

GPIB

NOISE

100 W/1.25 LPS

TUNE VOLTAGE

OUT OF LOCK

STATUS

REF INPUT

50 kHz-1600MHz 1.2 - 26.5 GHz

+7 dBm MIN

FROM

DOWNCONVERTER

DOWNCONVERTER

TUNE VOLTAGE

OUT OF LOCK

STATUS

REF INPUT

50 kHz-1600MHz 1.2 - 26.5 GHz

+7 dBm MIN

mW SIGNAL

1.2-26.5 GHz

TUNE VOLTAGE

OUT OF LOCK

50 Ω
Termination

TO

50 Ω
Termination

Figure 11 Connect diagram example

Making a measurement

1 Press the Continue button.

• Because you selected New Measurement to begin this measurement, the

system starts by running the routines required to calibrate the current
measurement setup.

• Figure 12 on page 43 shows a typical baseband phase noise plot for an

phase noise test set.

42 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Introduction and Measurement 2

e5500_install_curve_sys_confidence_test
rev2 10/10/03

Figure 12 Typical phase noise curve for test set confidence test

Sweep segments

When the system begins measuring noise, it places the noise graph on its
display. As you watch the graph, you see the system plot its measurement
results in frequency segments.

The system measures the noise level across its frequency offset range by
averaging the noise within smaller frequency segments. This technique enables
the system to optimize measurement speed while providing you with the
measurement resolution needed for most test applications.

Congratulations

You have completed a phase noise measurement. This measurement of the test
set’s low noise amplifier provides a convenient way to verify that the system
hardware and software are properly configured for making noise
measurements. If your graph looks like that in Figure 12, you can be confident
that your system is operating normally.

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 43

2 Introduction and Measurement

Learning more

Continue with this demonstration by turning to Chapter 4, “Expanding Your
Measurement Experience to” learn more about performing phase noise
measurements.

Tab l e 3 Parameter data for the N5500A confidence test example

Step Parameters Data

1 Type and Range Tab

Measurement Type
Start Frequency
Stop Frequency
Minimum Number of Averages
FFT Quality
Swept Quality

2 Cal Tab

Gain preceding noise input 0 dB

• Baseband Noise (using a test set)

• 10 Hz

• 100 E + 6 Hz

1

• 4

• Fa st

• Fa st

3 Block Diagram Tab

Noise Source Test Set Noise Input

4 Tes t Se t Tab

Input Attenuation
LNA Low Pass Filter
LNA Gain
DC Block
PLL I ntegra tor Attenuation

5 Graph Tab

Title

Graph Type
X Scale Minimum
X Scale Maximum
Y Scale Minimum
Y Scale Maximum
Normalize trace data to
Scale trace data to a new carrier

frequency of:
Shift trace data DOWN by
Trace Smoothing Amount
Power present at input of DUT

• 0 dB

• 20 MHz (Auto checked)

• Auto Gain (Minimum Auto Gain –14 dB)

• Not checked

• 0 dBm

• Confidence Test, N5500A low noise amplifier.

• Base band noise (dBv/Hz)

• 10 Hz

• 100 E + 6 Hz

• 0 dBv/Hz

• –200 dBv/Hz

• 1 Hz bandwidth

• 1 times the current carrier frequency

• 0 dB

• 0

• 0 dB

1 The Stop Frequency depends on the analyzers configured in your phase noise system.

44 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Powering the System Off

To power off a racked system

1 On the E5500 software menu, select File\Exit. Always shut down the E5500

software before powering off the E5505A system.

2 Press the system power switch (front, top right of the rack) to the off

position.

Introduction and Measurement 2

CAUTION

Always shut down the E5500 software before powering off the E5505A system.

Failure to do so may produce errors in the stem, and result in an inoperable system
or inaccurate measurements. If you do receive errors during shutdown, startup, or
operation, use the E5500 Shutdown utility to restore functionality to the system.

To power off a benchtop system

1 On the E5500 software menu, select File\Exit.

2 Press the power switch on each instrument to the off position.

Using the E5500 Shutdown Utility

If you receive error messages during the power on or off procedures, or during
operation, use the E5500 Shutdown utility to shut down the system. This
utility automatically fixes most errors and restores functionality to the system.
If you still receive errors after running the E5500 Shutdown utility, call your
local Agilent Technologies Service Center.

To run the E5500 Shutdown utility

1 Double-Click on the E5500 Shutdown utility shortcut on the PC desktop

and follow the onscreen instructions. (You can also navigate to it using the
menu path Start/Agilent Subsystems/E5500 Phase Noise/Shutdown.)

Figure 13 Shutdown utility icon

2 When the shutdown utility has finished, use the Start menu to shut down

the PC. Then power the system off.

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 45

2 Introduction and Measurement

46 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

E5505A Phase Noise Measurement System
User’s Guide

3
Phase Noise Basics

What is Phase Noise? 48
Phase terms 49

Agilent Technologies

47

3 Phase Noise Basics

f

What is Phase Noise?

Frequency stability can be defined as the degree to which an oscillating source
produces the same frequency throughout a specified period of time. Every RF
and microwave source exhibits some amount of frequency instability. This
stability can be broken down into two components:

• long-term stability

• short-term stability

Long-term stability describes the frequency variations that occur over long
time periods, expressed in parts per million per hour, day, month, or year.

Short-term stability contains all elements causing frequency changes about the
nominal frequency of less than a few seconds duration. The chapter deals with
short-term stability.

Mathematically, an ideal sinewave can be described by

Vt() V

Where = nominal amplitude,

But an actual signal is better modeled by

V

o

V

and = nominal frequency

2π fotsin

o

o

2πfotsin=

o

= linearly growing phase component,

Vt() Vo ε t()+2πfot ∆φ t()+sin=

Where = amplitude fluctuations,

and = randomly fluctuating phase term or phase noise.

This randomly fluctuating phase term could be observed on an ideal RF
analyzer (one which has no sideband noise of its own) as in Figure 14 on
page 49.

ε t()

∆φ t()

48 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Figure 14 RF sideband spectrum

f()

Phase terms

There are two types of fluctuating phase terms:

e5505a_user_RF_sideband.ai
rev2 10/20/03

Phase Noise Basics 3

• spurious signals

• phase noise

Spurious signals

The first are discrete signals appearing as distinct components in the spectral
density plot. These signals, commonly called spurious, can be related to known
phenomena in the signal source such as power line frequency, vibration
frequencies, or mixer products.

Phase noise

The second type of phase instability is random in nature, and is commonly
called phase noise. The sources of random sideband noise in an oscillator
include thermal noise, shot noise, and flicker noise.

Many terms exist to quantify the characteristic randomness of phase noise.
Essentially, all methods measure the frequency or phase deviation of the
source under test in the frequency or time domain. Since frequency and phase
are related to each other, all of these terms are also related.

Spectral density One fundamental description of phase instability or phase

noise is spectral density of phase fluctuations on a per-Hertz basis. The term
spectral density describes the energy distribution as a continuous function,
expressed in units of variance per unit bandwidth. Thus (Figure 15 on

φ

page 50) may be considered as:

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 49

3 Phase Noise Basics

S

f()

Sφ f()

------ --- ------ ------- --- ------ --- ------ --- ------ ------ --- ------ --- -------

BW used to measure ∆φ

∆φ

rms

f()

rms

2

Where BW (bandwidth is negligible with respect to any changes in versus

2

rad

------ --- ---==
Hz

φ

the fourier frequency or offset frequency (f).

L(f) Another useful measure of noise energy is L(f), which is then directly

related to by a simple approximation which has generally negligible error

φ

if the modulation sidebands are such that the total phase deviation are much
less than 1 radian (

∆φ

pk

<< radian).

L f()

1

-- -

S

f()=

∆φ

2

e5505a_user_CW_sidebands_freq.ai
rev2 10/20/03

Figure 15 CW signal sidebands viewed in the frequency domain

L(f) is an indirect measurement of noise energy easily related to the RF power
spectrum observed on an RF analyzer. Figure 16 shows that the National
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) defines L(f) as the ratio of the
power--at an offset (

f) Hertz away from the carrier. The phase modulation

sideband is based on a per Hertz of bandwidth spectral density and or offset
frequency in one phase modulation sideband, on a per Hertz of bandwidth
spectral density and

L f()

power density in one phase modulation sideband()

------ --------- -------- --------- --------- --------- -------- --------- --------- --------- --------- -------- --------- --------- ------------ --- -

(f) equals the Fourier frequency or offset frequency.

P

ssb

total signal power

------ ----- -==
P

s

= single sideband (SSB) phase noise to carrier ration (per Hertz)

50 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Phase Noise Basics 3

e5505a_user_derivingL_RF_display.ai

rev2 10/20/03

Figure 16 Deriving L(f) from a RF analyzer display

is usually presented logarithmically as a spectral density plot of the

L f()

phase modulation sidebands in the frequency domain, expressed in dB relative
to the carrier per Hz (dBc/Hz) as shown in Figure 17. This chapter, except
where noted otherwise, uses the logarithmic form of as follows:

S∆ff() 2f2L f()=

.

L f()

e5505a_user_log_offset_freq.ai

rev2 10/20/03

Figure 17 L(f) Described Logarithmically as a Function of Offset Frequency

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 51

3 Phase Noise Basics

Caution must be exercised when is calculated from the spectral density of
the phase f luctuations because the calculation of is dependent on

Sφf() L f()

L f()

the small angle criterion. Figure 18, the measured phase noise of a free
running VCO described in units of , illustrates the erroneous results that

L f()

can occur if the instantaneous phase modulation exceeds a small angle line.
Approaching the carrier obviously increases in error as it indicates a

L f()

relative level of +45 dBc/Hz at a 1 Hz offset (45 dB more noise power at a 1 Hz
offset in a 1 Hz bandwidth than in the total power of the signal); which is of
course invalid.

Figure 18 shows a 10 dB/decade line drawn over the plot, indicating a peak

phase deviation of 0.2 radians integrated over any one decade of offset
frequency. At approximately 0.2 radians the power in the higher order
sidebands of the phase modulation is still insignificant compared to the power
in the first order sideband which insures that the calculation of remains
valid. Above the line the plot of becomes increasingly invalid, and

L f() Sφf()

L f()

must be used to represent the phase noise of the signal.

e5505a_user_region_validity_L.ai

rev2 10/20/03

Figure 18 Region of validity of L(f)

52 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

E5505A Phase Noise Measurement System
User’s Guide

4
Expanding Your Measurement
Experience

Starting the Measurement Software 54
Using the Asset Manager 55
Using the Server Hardware Connections to Specify the Source 60
Testing the 8663A Internal/External 10 MHz 66
Testing the 8644B Internal/External 10 MHz 81
Viewing Ma rkers 96
Omitting Spurs 97
Displaying the Parameter Summary 99
Exporting Measurement Results 101

Agilent Technologies

53

4 Expanding Your Measurement Experience

Starting the Measurement Software

1 Make sure your computer and monitor are turned on.

2 Place the E5500 Phase Noise Measurement System software disk in the disc

holder and insert in the CD-ROM drive.

3 Using Figure 19 as a guide, navigate to the E5500 User Interface.

E5500_start_menu
04 Apr 04 rev 1

Figure 19 Navigate to E5500 user interface

54 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Using the Asset Manager

Use the Asset Manager to add assets to your E5505A system. The process is
essentially the same for any asset, including reference sources. In fact, the
procedure in this section uses an Agilent 8663 source as an example. (The
procedure applies to all Agilent sources, including the 8257x series.)

Adding an asset involves two steps once the hardware connections have been
made:

• Configuring the asset

• Verifying the server hardware connections.

Expanding Your Measurement Experience 4

WARNING

Configuring an asset

Be sure to power off the system before making all hardware connections other than GPIB.
Connecting assets with the power applied can result in personal injury and damage to the
hardware. (For more information on connecting assets, see Chapter 18, “System
Interconnections)

This procedure demonstrates how to add an asset to the E5505A system.

1 Using Figure 20 as a guide, navigate to Asset Manager. For this example we

invoke the Asset Manager Wizard from the E5500 main screen. This is the
most common way to add assets.

E5500_asset_manager
23 Mar 04 rev 1

Figure 20 Navigate to Asset Manager

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 55

4 Expanding Your Measurement Experience

2 Select Add in the Asset Manager window. See Figure 21.

E5500_add_source2
16 Apr 04 rev 1

Figure 21 Navigate to Add in Asset Manager

3 From the Asset Type pull-down list in Choose Asset Role dialog box, select

Source, then click Next. See Figure 22.

.

E5500_add_source3
16 Apr 04 rev 1

Figure 22 Select source as asset type

56 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Expanding Your Measurement Experience 4

4 Click on the source to be added, then click the Next button (see Figure 23).

E5500_add_source4
16 Apr 04 rev 1

Figure 23 Choose source

NOTE

5 From the Interface pull-down list, select GPIB0. See Figure 24.

6 In the Address box, type 19.

19 is the default address for a source. Ta b le 4 on page 63 shows the default GPIB address
for all system instruments.

7 In the Library pull-down list, select the Agilent Technologies VISA. Click

the Next button.

E5500_add_source5
16 Apr 04 rev 1

Figure 24 Select I/O library

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 57

4 Expanding Your Measurement Experience

8 In the Set Model & Serial Numbers dialog box, type in your source name

and its corresponding serial number. Click the Next button. See Figure 25.

E5500_add_source6
16 Apr 04 rev 1

Figure 25 Enter asset and serial number

9 In the Enter A Comment dialog box, you may type a comment that

associates itself with the asset you have just configured. Click Finish. See

Figure 26.

E5500_add_source7
16 Apr 04 rev 1

Figure 26 Enter comment

58 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Expanding Your Measurement Experience 4

10 In the Asset Manager window, select the source in the left window pane.

Click the check-mark button on the toolbar to verify connectivity. See

Figure 27.

E5500_add_source8
16 Apr 04 rev 1

Figure 27 Click check-mark button

• The Asset Manager displays a message verifying the connection to your

asset. This indicates that you have successfully configured a source. (See

Figure 28.)

E5500_add_source9
16 Apr 04 rev 1

Figure 28 Confirmation message

11 To exit the Asset Manager, on the menu select Server/Exit.

12 Perform the procedure “Using the Server Hardware Connec tions to Specify

the Source" on page 60.

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 59

4 Expanding Your Measurement Experience

Using the Server Hardware Connections to Specify the Source

1 From the System menu, choose Server Hardware Connections. See

Figure 29.

E5500_add_source10
16 Apr 04 rev 1

Figure 29 Navigate to server hardware connections

2 Select the Sources tab shown in Figure 30.

E5500_add_source11
16 Apr 04 rev 1

Figure 30 Select Sources tab

60 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Expanding Your Measurement Experience 4

3 From the Reference Source pull-down list, select Agilent 8663A.

a A green check-mark appears after an automatic I/O check has been

successfully performed by the software. If nothing happens, click the
Check I/O button to manually initiate the check.

E5500_add_source12
16 Apr 04 rev 1

Figure 31 Successful I/O check

b A red circle with a slash appears if the I/O check is unsuccessful.

E5500_add_source13
16 Apr 04 rev 1

Figure 32 Failed I/O check

c If the I/O check fails, click the Asset Manager button to return to the

Asset Manager (see Figure 32).

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 61

4 Expanding Your Measurement Experience

d In the Asset Manager, verify that the 8663A is configured correctly. Do

the following:

• Check your system hardware connections.

• Click the green check-mark button on the Asset Manager’s toolbar to

verify connectivity.

• Return to Server Hardware Connections and click the Check I/O

button to re-check it.

NOTE

Use the same process to add additional assets to your E5505A system.

62 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Setting GPIB Addresses

Table 4 shows the default GPIB addresses for the E5505A system instruments.

If you need to change a GPIB address to prevent a conflict between assets, use
the Asset Manager as shown in the easy procedure starting on page 64.

Tab l e 4 Default GPIB addresses

Instrument Address

Te s t se t 2 0

Downconverter 28

Microwave downconverter 28

RF analyzer 17

FFT analyzer (PC digitizer card) 1

FFT analyzer (89410A) 18

Expanding Your Measurement Experience 4

Source # 1 19

Source # 2 23

Counter 3

Agilent E1430 VXI digitizer

Agilent E1437 VXI digitizer

Agilent E1420B VXI counter

Agilent E1441 VXI ARB

1 The E5500 software supports this instrument although it is not part of the standard E5505A system.

1

1

1

1

129

192

48

80

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 63

4 Expanding Your Measurement Experience

To change the GPIB address

1 On the E5500 main menu, select System/Asset Manager. See Figure 33.

E5500_asset_manager
23 Mar 04 rev 1

Figure 33 Asset Manager on System menu

2 Double-Click on the desired instrument in the Asset Manager list (left

pane). See Figure 34.

E5500_asset_mgr_screen
23 Mar 04 rev 1

Figure 34 Asset Manager window

64 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Expanding Your Measurement Experience 4

3 Type the desired address in the dialog box. See Figure 35.

E5500_edit_asset_info
04 Apr 04 rev 1

Figure 35 GPIB address dialog box

4 Click OK.

5 To exit the Asset Manager, on the menu select Server/Exit.

Next proceed to one of the following absolute measurements using either an
Agilent 8257x or an Agilent 8644B source:

• “Testing the 8663A Internal/External 10 MHz" on page 66.

• “Testing the 8644B Internal/External 10 MHz" on page 81.

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 65

4 Expanding Your Measurement Experience

Testing the 8663A Internal/External 10 MHz

This measurement example helps you measure the absolute phase noise of an
RF synthesizer.

CAUTION

To prevent damage to the test set’s hardware components, do not apply the input
signal to the signal input connector until the input attenuator has been correctly set
for the desired configuration, as shown in Tabl e 6 on page 73. Apply the input signal
when the connection diagram appears.

Required equipment

This measurement requires an Agilent 8663A in addition to the phase noise
test system and your device under test (DUT).
and adapters necessary to connect the DUT and reference source to the test
set.

NOTE

To ensure accurate measurements allow the DUT and measurement equipment to warm up
at least 30 minutes before making the noise measurement.

Defining the measurement

1 From the File menu in the E5500 User Interface, choose Open . If necessary,

choose the drive or directory where the file you want is stored.

2 In the File Name box, choose “Conf_SigGen_10MHz.pnm.” See Figure 36.

You also need the coaxial cables

.

E5500_open_win_conf
04 Apr 04 rev 1

Figure 36 Select the parameters definition file

66 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Expanding Your Measurement Experience 4

3 Click the Open button.

The appropriate measurement definition parameters for this example have
been pre-stored in this file. Table 7 on page 79 lists the parameter data that
has been entered for this measurement example.)

NOTE

Note that the source parameters entered for step 2 in Tab le 7 on page 79 may not be
appropriate for the reference source you are using. To change these values, refer to Ta b l e 5
on page 68, then continue with step 4 below. Otherwise, go to “Beginning the

measurement" on page 71.

4 Using Figure 37 as a guide, navigate to the Sources tab.

a Enter the carrier (center) frequency of your DUT (5 MHz to 1.6 GHz).

Enter the same frequency for the detector input frequency.

b Enter the VCO (Nominal) Tuning Constant (see Table 5 on page 68).

c Enter the Tune Range of VCO (see Table 5).

d Enter the Center Voltage of VCO (see Table 5).

e Enter the Input Resistance of VCO (see Table 5).

e5505a_user_enter_source_info

24 Jun 04 rev 3

Figure 37 Enter Source Information

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 67

4 Expanding Your Measurement Experience

Table 5 Tuning characteristics for various sources

VCO Source Carrier

Freq.

Tuning Constant
(Hz/V)

Center
Voltage
(V)

Voltage
Tuning Range
(± V)

Input
Resistance
(Ω)

Tuning
Calibration
Method

Agilent 8662/3A

EFC
DCFM

υ

0

5 E – 9 x υ

FM Deviation

0

0
0

10
10

1E + 6
1 K (8662)
600 (8663)

Measure
Com pute
Com pute

Agilent 8642A/B FM Deviation 0 10 600 Compute

Agilent 8644B FM Deviation 0 10 600 Compute

Other Signal Generator
DCFM Calibrated for ±1V FM Deviation 0 10 R

Other User VCO Source Estimated within a

factor of 2

–10 to
+10

in

1 E + 6 Measure

Com pute

Selecting a reference source

1 Using Figure 38 as a guide, navigate to the Block Diagram tab.

2 From the Reference Source pull-down list, select Agilent-8663.

3 When you have completed these operations, click the Close button.

Agilent-8257

e5505a_user_select_ref_source
24 Jun 04 rev 3

Figure 38 Selecting a reference source

68 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Selecting loop suppression verification

1 Using Figure 39 as a guide, navigate to the Cal tab.

2 Check Verify calculated phase locked loop suppression and Always Show

Suppression Graph. Select If limit is exceeded: Show Loop Suppression
Graph.

3 When you have completed these operations, click the Close button.

Expanding Your Measurement Experience 4

e5505a_user_select_loop
24 Jun 04 rev 3

Figure 39 Selecting loop suppression verification

Setting up for the 8663A 10 MHz measurement

The signal amplitude at the test set’s R input (Signal Input) port sets the
measurement noise floor level. Use Figure 40 on page 70 and Figure 41 on
page 70 to help determine the amplitude required to provide a noise f loor level
that is below the expected noise floor of your DUT. For more information
about this graph, refer to “Reference Graphs and Tables" on page 359.

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 69

4 Expanding Your Measurement Experience

+15

+5

-5

R Port signal level (dBm)

-15

-140 -160 -170 -180-150
Expected phase noise floor of system (dBc/Hz)

n5505a_exp_phase_noise
25 Feb 04 rev 1

Figure 40 Noise floor for the 8663 10 MHz measurement

L Port level +15dBm

f 10kHz

e5505a_user_noise_floor_ex
24 Jun 04 rev 3

Figure 41 Noise floor example

70 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

If the output amplitude of your DUT is not sufficient to provide an adequate
measurement noise floor, it is necessary to insert a low-noise amplifier
between the DUT and the test set. Refer to “Inserting a Device" on page 122 for
details on determining the effect the amplifiers noise will have on the
measured noise floor.

Beginning the measurement

1 From the Measurement menu, choose New Measurement. See Figure 42.

Expanding Your Measurement Experience 4

E5500_new_measurement
04 Apr 04 rev 1

Figure 42 Selecting new measurement

2 When the Do you want to perform a New Calibration and Measurement?

prompt appears, click Ye s.

E5500_new_cali_meas

Figure 43 Confirm new measurement

3 When the Connect Diagram dialog box appears, click on the hardware

pull-down arrow and select your hardware configuration from the list. See

Figure 44 on page 72.

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 71

4 Expanding Your Measurement Experience

CAUTION

E5500_verify_con
23 Mar 04 rev 1

Figure 44 Connection diagram

4 Connect your DUT and reference sources to the test set at this time and

confirm your connections as shown in the appropriate connect diagram.

• The input attenuator (Option 001 only) is now correctly configured

based on your measurement definition.

The test set’s signal input is subject to the limits and characteristics contained in

Ta b l e 6 on page 73.

To prevent damage to the test set’s hardware components, do not apply the input
signal to the test set’s signal input connector until the input attenuator (Option 001)
has been set by the phase noise software, which occurs at the connection diagram.

5 Press Continue.

• As the system performs the calibration routines, various status messages

appear on the display. When the last message—Measuring PLL
suppression—appears, you can choose to continue the routine or stop it.

6 Press Continue using Adjusted Loop Suppression to continue making the

noise measurement, or press Abort to stop the measurement. (For
descriptions of the messages, see “Status messages" on page 74. You have
time to read through the descriptions while the system completes the
routines.)

72 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Expanding Your Measurement Experience 4

:

Tab l e 6 Test set signal input limits and characteristics

Limits

Frequency 50 kHz to 26.5 GHz

Maximum Signal Input Power +30 dBm

At Attenuator Output, Operating Level Range:

• RF Phase Detectors

• Microwave Phase Detectors

• Internal AM Detector

Downconverters:

• N5502A/70422A

• N5507A/70427A

Characteristics

Input Impedance 50 Ω nominal

AM Noise DC coupled to 50 Ω load

0 to +23 dBm
0 to +5 dBm
0 to +20 dBm

0 to +30 dBm
+5 to +15 dBm

NOTE

Refer to the following system connect diagram examples in Chapter 18, “System
Interconnections” for more information about system interconnections.

•

Figure 307, “E5505A system connections with standard test set,” on page 401

• Figure 308, “E5505A system connections with test set option 001,” on page 402

• Figure 309, “E5505A system connections with test set option 201,” on page 403

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 73

4 Expanding Your Measurement Experience

Status messages

This section describes the status messages that appear on the display as the
system performs its calibration routines.

Determining Presence of Beat Note... An initial check is made to verify that a

beatnote is present within the system’s detection range.

Verifying Zero-Beat... The frequency of the beatnote is measured to see if it is

within 5% of the estimated Peak Tuning Range of the system. The system’s
Peak Tuning Range is the portion of the voltage-controlled-oscillator (VCO)
source’s tuning range being used for the measurement.

When the system measures the phase noise of a signal source using the Phase
Lock Loop technique (the technique being used in this example) it requires
that one of the two sources used in the setup is a VCO. As you will see later in
this demonstration, you are required to estimate the tuning range of the VCO
source you are using when you set up your own Phase Lock Loop
measurements.

Zero beating sources... The center frequencies of the sources are now

adjusted, if necessary, to position the beatnote within the 5% range. The
adjustment is made with the tune voltage applied to the VCO source set at its
nominal or center position.

Measuring the VCO Tuning Constant... The tuning sensitivity (Hz/V) of the VCO

source is now precisely determined by measuring the beatnote frequency at
four tune voltage settings across the tuning range of the VCO source. Linearity
across the tuning range is also verified

Measuring the Phase Detector Constant... The transfer characteristics (V/rad)

of the test set’s phase detector are now determined for the specific center
frequency and power level of the sources being measured.

Measuring PLL suppression... The required correction data is created to

compensate for the phase noise suppression which occurs within the
bandwidth of the phase lock loop created for this measurement. The computer
displays the PLL suppression curve and associated measurement values.

74 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Sweep segments

When the system begins measuring noise, it places the noise graph on its
display. As you watch the graph, you see the system plot its measurement
results in frequency segments.

The system measures the noise level across its frequency offset range by
averaging the noise within smaller frequency segments. This technique enables
the system to optimize measurement speed while providing you with the
measurement resolution needed for most test applications.

When the measurement is complete, refer to Chapter 14, “Evaluating Your
Measurement Results for help in evaluating your measurement results. (If the
test system has problems completing the measurement, it informs you by
placing a message on the computer display.

Checking the beatnote

While the Connect Diagram is still displayed, Agilent recommends that you use
an oscilloscope (connected to the Monitor port on the test set) or a counter to
check the beatnote being created between the reference source and your DUT.
The objective of checking the beatnote is to ensure that the center frequencies
of the two sources are close enough in frequency to create a beatnote that is
within the Capture Range of the system.

Expanding Your Measurement Experience 4

NOTE

The phase lock loop (PLL) Capture Range is 5% of the peak tuning range of the
VCO source you are using. (The peak tuning range for your VCO can be
estimated by multiplying the VCO tuning constant by the tune range of VCO.
Refer to Chapter 14, “Evaluating Your Measurement Results” if you are not
familiar with the relationship between the PLL capture range and the peak
tuning range of the VCO.)

If the center frequencies of the sources are not close enough to create a beatnote within
the capture range, the system is not able to complete its measurement.

The beatnote frequency is set by the relative frequency difference between the
two sources. If you have two very accurate sources set at the same frequency,
the resulting beatnote is very close to 0 Hz.

Searching for the beatnote requires that you adjust the center frequency of one
of the sources above and below the frequency of the other source until the
beatnote appears on the oscilloscope’s display. See Figure 45 on page 76.

If incrementing the frequency of one of the sources does not produce a
beatnote, you need to verify the presence of an output signal from each source
before proceeding.

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 75

4 Expanding Your Measurement Experience

0

V

E5505a_oscillo_disp_beatnote
25 Feb 04 rev 1

Figure 45 Oscilloscope display of beatnote from test set monitor port

Making the measurement

1 Click the Continue button when you have completed the beatnote check

and are ready to make the measurement.

2 When the PLL Suppression Curve dialog box appears, check View Measured

Loop Suppression, View Smoothed Loop Suppression, and View Adjusted
Loop Suppression in the lower right of the dialog box.
See Figure 46 on page 77.

-1V/div

76 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Expanding Your Measurement Experience 4

e5505a_user_select_suppression.ai
rev2 10/21/03

Figure 46 Selecting suppression

There are four different curves for the this graph. (For more information about
loop suppression verification, refer to Chapter 15, “Advanced Software
Featu r e s ”).

• “Measured” loop suppression curve—this is the result of the loop

suppression measurement performed by the E5505A system.

• “Smoothed” measured suppression curve—this is a curve-fit representation

of the measured results, it is used to compare with the “theoretical” loop
suppression.

• “Theoretical” suppression curve—this is the predicted loop suppression

based on the initial loop parameters defined/selected for this particular
measurement (kphi, kvco, loop bandwidth, filters, gain, and others).

• “Adjusted” theoretical suppression curve—this is the new “adjusted”

theoretical value of suppression for this measurement. It is based on
changing loop parameters (in the theoretical response) to match the
“smoothed” measured curve as closely as possible.

When the measurement is complete, refer to Chapter 14, “Evaluating Your
Measurement Results

for help in evaluating your measurement results.

Figure 47 on page 78 shows a typical phase noise curve for an RF Synthesizer.

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 77

4 Expanding Your Measurement Experience

e5505a_user_typ_noise_curve_8663a
24 Jun 04 rev 3

Figure 47 Typical phase noise curve for an 8663A 10 MHz measurement

Table 7 on page 79 contains the data stored in the parameter definitions file.

78 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Expanding Your Measurement Experience 4

Tab l e 7 Parameter data for the 8663A 10 MHz measurement

Step Parameters Data

1 Type and Range Tab

• Measurement Type

• Absolute Phase Noise (with phase locked loop)

• 10 Hz

• Start Frequency

• Stop Frequency

• Minimum Number of Averages

• 2 E + 6 Hz

• 4

• Fast

1

• FFT Quality

2Sources Tab

Carrier Source

• Frequency

• Power

• Carrier Source Output connected to

• Detector Input Frequency

• Reference Source Frequency

• Reference Source Power

• 10 E + 6 Hz

• 7 dBm

• Te st Se t

• 10 E +6 Hz

• 10 E +6 Hz (same as Carrier Source Frequency)

• 16 dBm

• VCO Tuning Parameters:

• Nominal Tune Constant

• Tune Range ±

• Center Voltage

• Input Resistance

• 1 E +3 Hz/V

• ± 10 Volts

• 0 Volts

• 600 ohms

3Cal Tab

• Phase Detector Constant

• VCO Tune Constant

• Phase Lock Loop Suppression

• If Limit is exceeded

• Measure Phase Detector Constant

• Calculate from expected VCO Tune Constant

• Verify calculated phase locked loop

suppression

• Show Suppression Graph

4Block Diagram Tab

• Carrier Source

• Downconverter

• Reference Source

• Timebas e

• Phase Detector

• Test Set Tune Voltage Destination

• VCO Tune Mode

5 Test Set Tab

• Input Attenuation

• LNA Low Pass Filter

• LNA Gain

• DC Block

• PLL Integrator Attenuation

6 Dowconverter Tab The downconverter parameters do not apply to

• Manual

• None

• Agilent 8663A

• None

• Automatic Detector Selection

• Reference Source

• DCFM

• 0 dB

• 20 MHz (Auto checked)

• Auto Gain (Minimum Auto Gain –14 dB)

• Not checked

• 0 dBm

this measurement example.

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 79

4 Expanding Your Measurement Experience

Tab l e 7 Parameter data for the 8663A 10 MHz measurement (continued)

Step Parameters Data

7Graph Tab

• Title

• Graph Type

• X Scale Minimum

• X Scale Maximum

• Y Scale Minimum

• Y Scale Maximum

• Normalize trace data to a:

• Scale trace data to a new carrier

frequency of:

• Shift trace data DOWN by

• Trace Smoothing Amount

• Power present at input of DUT

1 The Stop Frequency depends on the analyzers configured in your phase noise system.

• Confidence Test using Agilent 8663A Int vs Ext

10 MHz

• Single-sideband Noise (dBc/Hz)

• 10 Hz

• 4 E + 6 Hz

• 0 dBc/Hz

• –170 dBc/Hz

• 1 Hz bandwidth

• 1 times the current carrier frequency

• 0 dB

• 0

• 0 dB

80 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Testing the 8644B Internal/External 10 MHz

This measurement example helps you measure the absolute phase noise of an
RF synthesizer.

Expanding Your Measurement Experience 4

CAUTION

To prevent damage to the test set’s hardware components, do not apply the input signal to
the signal input connector until the input attenuator has been correctly set for the desired
configuration, as shown in Ta b l e 8 on page 83. Apply the input signal when the connection
diagram appears.

NOTE

To ensure accurate measurements allow the DUT and measurement equipment to warm up
at least 30 minutes before making the noise measurement.

Required equipment

This measurement requires an Agilent 8644B in addition to the phase noise
test system and your DUT.
necessary to connect the DUT and reference source to the test set.

Defining the measurement

1 From the file menu of the E5505A User Interface, choose Open. If

necessary, choose the drive or directory where the file you want is stored.

2 In the File Name box, choose “Conf_8644B_10MHz.pnm.” See Figure 42.

You also need the coaxial cables and adapters

E5500_open_win_conf
04 Apr 04 rev 1

Figure 48 Select the parameters definition file

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 81

4 Expanding Your Measurement Experience

3 Click the Open button.

• The appropriate measurement definition parameters for this example

have been pre-stored in this file. Table 10 on page 94 lists the parameter
data that has been entered for the RF Synthesizer using a DCFM
measurement example.

NOTE

The source parameters shown in Ta b l e 1 0 on page 94 may not be appropriate for the
reference source you are using. To change these values, refer toTab l e 8, “Tuning
characteristics for various sources,” on page 83, then continue with step 4 below.
Otherwise, go to “Beginning the measurement" on page 87.

4 Using Figure 49 on page 82 as a guide, navigate to the Sources tab

a Enter the carrier (center) frequency of your DUT (5 MHz to 1.6 GHz);

enter the same frequency for the detector input frequency.

b Enter the VCO (Nominal) Tuning Constant (see Table 8 on page 83).

c Enter the Tune Range of VCO (see Table 8 on page 83).

d Enter the Center Voltage of VCO (see Table 8 on page 83).

e Enter the Input Resistance of VCO (see Table 8 on page 83)

e5505a_user_enter_source_info

24 Jun 04 rev 3

Figure 49 Sources tab in define measurement window

82 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Table 8 Tuning characteristics for various sources

Expanding Your Measurement Experience 4

VCO Source Carrier

Freq.

Tuning Constant
(Hz/V)

Center
Voltage
(V)

Voltage
Tuning Range
(± V)

Input
Resistance (Ω)

Tuning
Calibration
Method

Agilent 8662/3A

EFC
DCFM

υ

0

5 E – 9 x υ

FM Deviation

0

0
0

10
10

1E + 6
1 K (8662)
600 (8663)

Measure
Com pute
Com pute

Agilent 8642A/B FM Deviation 0 10 600 Compute

Agilent 8644B FM Deviation 0 10 600 Compute

Other Signal Generator

DCFM Calibrated for

FM Deviation 0 10 R

in

Com pute

±1V

Other User VCO Source Estimated within a

factor of 2

–10 to
+10

1 E + 6 Measure

Selecting a reference source

1 From the Define menu, choose Measurement; then choose the Block

Diagram tab from the Define Measurement window. See Figure 50.

2 From the Reference Source pull-down list, select 8644.

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 83

4 Expanding Your Measurement Experience

Agilent-8644

e5505_user_select_ref_source8644
24 Jun 04 rev 3

Figure 50 Selecting a reference source

3 When you have completed these operations, click the Close button.

Selecting loop suppression verification

1 From the Define menu, choose Measurement; then choose the Cal tab from

the Define Measurement window.

2 In the Cal dialog box, check Verify calculated phase locked loop

suppression and Always Show Suppression Graph. Select If limit is
exceeded: Show Loop Suppression Graph. See Figure 51 on page 85.

3 When you have completed these operations, click the Close button.

84 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Expanding Your Measurement Experience 4

e5505a_user_select_loop
24 Jun 04 rev 3

Figure 51 Selecting loop suppression verification

Setting up the 8663A 10 MHz measurement

The signal amplitude at the R input (Signal Input) port on the test set sets the
measurement noise floor level. Use the graph in Figure 52 and the example in

Figure 53 on page 86 to determine the amplitude. For more information, refer

to Chapter 16, “Reference Graphs and Tables.”

+15

+5

-5

R Port signal level (dBm)

-15

-140 -160 -170 -180-150
Expected phase noise floor of system (dBc/Hz)

n5505a_exp_phase_noise
25 Feb 04 rev 1

Figure 52 Noise floor for the 8644B 10 MHz measurement

L Port level +15dBm

f 10kHz

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 85

4 Expanding Your Measurement Experience

e5505a_user_noise_floor_ex
24 Jun 04 rev 3

Figure 53 Noise floor example

If the output amplitude of your DUT is not sufficient to provide an adequate
measurement noise floor, it is necessary to insert a low-noise amplifier
between the DUT and the test set. Refer to the section “Inserting a Devic e" on
page 122 for details on determining the effect the amplifier’s noise wi ll have on
the measured noise floor.

86 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Beginning the measurement

Expanding Your Measurement Experience 4

CAUTION

To prevent damage to the test set’s hardware components, do not apply the input
signal to the signal input connector until the input attenuator has been correctly set
for the desired configuration, as shown in Ta bl e 9 on page 89. Apply the input
signals when the connection diagram appears, as in step 3 below.

1 From the Measurement menu, choose New Measurement. See Figure 54.

.

E5500_new_measurement
04 Apr 04 rev 1

Figure 54 Selecting a new measurement

2 When the Do you want to perform a New Calibration and Measurement?

prompt appears, click Ye s.

E5500_new_cali_meas
04 Apr 04 rev 1

Figure 55 Confirm measurement dialog box

3 When the Connect Diagram dialog box appears, click on the hardware

drop-down arrow and select your hardware configuration from the list. See

Figure 56 on page 88.

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 87

4 Expanding Your Measurement Experience

e5505a_conn_diag_dialog
rev 1 23 jun 04

Figure 56 Connect diagram dialog box

CAUTION

4 Connect your DUT and reference sources to the test set at this time.

Confirm your connections as shown in the Connect Diagram (Figure 56).

• The input attenuator (Option 001 only) has now been correctly

configured based on your measurement definition.

The test set’s signal input is subject to the limits and characteristics in Ta b l e 9 on
page 89.

To prevent damage to the test set’s hardware components, do not apply the input
signal to the test set’s signal input connector until the input attenuator (Option 001)
has been set by the phase noise software, which occurs when the connection
diagram appears.

5 Press Continue.

• As the system performs the calibration routines, various status messages

appear on the display. When the last message—Measuring PLL
suppression—appears, you can choose to continue the routine or stop it.

6 Press Continue using Adjusted Loop Suppression to continue making the

noise measurement, or press Abort to stop the measurement. (For
descriptions of the messages, see “Status messages" on page 74. You have
time to read through the descriptions while the system completes the
routines.)

88 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Expanding Your Measurement Experience 4

Tab l e 9 Test set signal input limits and characteristics

Limits

Frequency 50 kHz to 26.5 GHz

Maximum Signal Input Power +30 dBm

At Attenuator Output, Operating Level Range:

• RF Phase Detectors

• Microwave Phase Detectors

• Internal AM Detector

Downconverters:

• Agilent N5502A/70422A

• Agilent N5507A/70427A

Characteristics

Input Impedance 50 Ω nominal

AM Noise DC coupled to 50 Ω load

0 to +23 dBm
0 to +5 dBm
0 to +20 dBm

0 to +30 dBm
+5 to +15 dBm

NOTE

Refer to the following system connect diagram examples in Chapter 18, “System
Interconnections,” for more information about system interconnections.

•

Figure 307, “E5505A system connections with standard test set,” on page 401

• Figure 308, “E5505A system connections with test set option 001,” on page 402

• Figure 309, “E5505A system connections with test set option 201,” on page 403

Status messages

This section describes the status messages that appear on the display as the
system performs the calibration routines.

Determining Presence of Beat Note... An initial check is made to verify that a

beatnote is present within the system’s detection range.

Verifying zero-beat... The frequency of the beatnote is measured to see if it is

within 5% of the estimated Peak Tuning Range of the system. The system’s
Peak Tuning Range is the portion of the voltage-controlled-oscillator (VCO)
source’s tuning range being used for the measurement.

When the system measures the phase noise of a signal source using the Phase
Lock Loop technique (the technique being used in this example) it requires
that one of the two sources used in the setup is a VCO. As you see later in this
demonstration, you are required to estimate the tuning range of the VCO
source you are using when you set up your own Phase Lock Loop
measurements.

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 89

4 Expanding Your Measurement Experience

Zero beating sources... The center frequencies of the sources are now

adjusted, if necessary, to position the beatnote within the 5% range. The
adjustment is made with the tune voltage applied to the VCO source set at its
nominal or center position.

Measuring the VCO Tuning Constant... The tuning sensitivity (Hz/V) of the VCO

source is now precisely determined by measuring the beatnote frequency at
four tune voltage settings across the tuning range of the VCO source. Linearity
across the tuning range is also verified

Measuring the Phase Detector Constant... The transfer characteristics (V/rad)

of the test set’s phase detector are now determined for the specific center
frequency and power level of the sources being measured.

Measuring PLL suppression... The required correction data is created to

compensate for the phase noise suppression which occurs within the
bandwidth of the phase lock loop created for this measurement. The computer
displays the PLL suppression curve and associated measurement values.

Sweep segments

When the system begins measuring noise, it places the noise graph on its
display. As you watch the graph, you see the system plot its measurement
results in frequency segments.

The system measures the noise level across its frequency offset range by
averaging the noise within smaller frequency segments. This technique enables
the system to optimize measurement speed while providing you with the
measurement resolution needed for most test applications.

When the measurement is complete, refer to Chapter 14, “Evaluating Your
Measurement Results” for help in evaluating your measurement results. (If the
test system has problems completing the measurement, it informs you by a
message on the computer display.

Checking the beatnote

While the Connect Diagram is still displayed, Agilent recommends that you use
an oscilloscope (connected to the Monitor port on the test set) or a counter to
check the beatnote being created between the reference source and your DUT.
The objective of checking the beatnote is to ensure that the center frequencies
of the two sources are close enough in frequency to create a beatnote that is
within the Capture Range of the system.

The phase lock loop (PLL) Capture Range is 5% of the peak tuning range of the
VCO source you are using. (The peak tuning range for your VCO can be
estimated by multiplying the VCO tuning constant by the tune range of VCO.

90 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Expanding Your Measurement Experience 4

Refer to Chapter 14, “Evaluating Your Measurement Results” if you are not
familiar with the relationship between the PLL capture range and the peak
tuning range of the VCO.)

NOTE

If the center frequencies of the sources are not close enough to create a beatnote within
the capture range, the system is not able to complete its measurement.

The beatnote frequency is set by the relative frequency difference between the
two sources. If you have two very accurate sources set at the same frequency,
the resulting beatnote is very close to 0 Hz.

Searching for the beatnote requires that you adjust the center frequency of one
of the sources above and below the frequency of the other source until the
beatnote appears on the oscilloscope’s display. See Figure 57.

If incrementing the frequency of one of the sources does not produce a
beatnote, you need to verify the presence of an output signal from each source
before proceeding.

0

V

E5505a_oscillo_disp_beatnote
25 Feb 04 rev 1

-1V/div

Figure 57 Oscilloscope display of beatnote from test set monitor port

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 91

4 Expanding Your Measurement Experience

Making the measurement

1 Click the Continue button when you have completed the beatnote check

and are ready to make the measurement.

2 When the PLL Suppression Curve dialog box appears, select View

Measured Loop Suppression, View Smoothed Loop Suppression, and
View Adjusted Loop Suppress ion. See Figure 58 on page 92.

e5505a_user_select_suppression.ai
rev2 10/21/03

Figure 58 Suppression selections

• There are four different curves for this graph. (For more information about

loop suppression verification, refer to Chapter 15, “Advanced Software
Features.”)

a “Measured” loop suppression curve—this is the result of the loop

suppression measurement performed by the E5505A system.

b “Smoothed” measured suppression curve—this is a curve-fit

representation of the measured results, it is used to compare with the
“theoretical” loop suppression.

c “Theoretical” suppression curve—this is the predicted loop suppression

based on the initial loop parameters defined/selected for this particular
measurement (kphi, kvco, loop bandwidth, filters, gain, and others).

d “Adjusted” theoretical suppression curve—this is the new “adjusted”

theoretical value of suppression for this measurement. It is based on

92 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Expanding Your Measurement Experience 4

changing loop parameters (in the theoretical response) to match the
“smoothed” measured curve as closely as possible.

When the measurement is complete, refer to Chapter 14, “Evaluating Your
Measurement Results” for help in evaluating your measurement results.

Figure 59 on page 93 shows a typical phase noise curve for an RF Synthesizer.

E5505A_user_typ_noise_curve_8644B
24 Jun 04 rev 3

Figure 59 Typical phase noise curve for an 8644B 10 MHz measurement.

Table 10 on page 94 contains the data stored in the parameter definitions file.

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 93

4 Expanding Your Measurement Experience

Table 10 Parameter data for the 8644B 10 MHz measurement

Step Parameters Data

1 Type and Range Tab

• Measurement Type

• Start Frequency

• Stop Frequency

• Minimum Number of Averages

• FFT Quality

2Sources Tab

Carrier Source

• Frequency

• Power

• Carrier Source Output is connected to:

Detector Input

• Frequency

Reference Source

• Frequency

• Reference Source Power

VCO Tuning Parameters

• Nominal Tune Constant

• Tune Range ±

• Center Voltage

• Input Resistance

• Absolute Phase Noise (using a phase locked loop)

• 10 Hz

• 2 E + 6 Hz

• 4

• Fa st

• 10 E + 6 Hz

• 7 dBm

• Te st S e t

• 10 E +6 Hz

• 10 E +6 Hz (same as Carrier Source Frequency)

• 16 dBm

• 1 E +3 Hz/V

• ± 10 Volts

• 0 Volts

• 600 ohms

1

3Cal Tab

• Phase Detector Constant

• VCO Tune Constant

• Phase Lock Loop Suppression

• If Limit is exceeded

4Block Diagram Tab

• Carrier Source

• Downconverter

• Reference Source

• Timebase

• Phase Detector

• Test Set Tune Voltage Destination

• VCO Tune Mode

5 Test Set Tab

• Input Attenuation

• LNA Low Pass Filter

• LNA Gain

• DC Block

• PLL Integrator Attenuation

• Measure Phase Detector Constant

• Calculate from expected VCO Tune Constant

• Verify calculated phase locked loop suppression

• Show Suppression Graph

• Manual

• None

• Agilent 8644B

• None

• Automatic Detector Selection

• Reference Source

• DC FM

• 0 dB

• 20 MHz (Auto checked)

• Auto Gain (Minimum Auto Gain –14 dB)

• Not checked

• 0 dBm

94 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Expanding Your Measurement Experience 4

Table 10 Parameter data for the 8644B 10 MHz measurement (continued)

Step Parameters Data

6 Dowconverter Tab The downconverter parameters do not apply to this

measurement example.

7Graph Tab

• Title

• Graph Type

• X Scale Minimum

• X Scale Maximum

• Y Scale Minimum

• Y Scale Maximum

• Normalize trace data to a:

• Scale trace data to a new carrier frequency of:

• Shift trace data DOWN by:

• Trace Smoothing Amount

• Power present at input of DUT

• Confidence Test using Agilent 8644B Int vs Ext 10 MHz

• Single-sideband Noise (dBc/Hz)

• 10 Hz

• 4 E + 6 Hz

• 0 dBc/Hz

• - 170 dBc/Hz

• 1 Hz bandwidth

• 1 times the current carrier frequency

• 0 dB

• 0

• 0 dB

1 The stop frequency depends on the analyzers configured in your phase noise system.

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 95

4 Expanding Your Measurement Experience

Viewing Markers

The marker function allows you to display the exact frequency and amplitude
of any point on the results graph.

• To access the marker function, on the View menu, clic k Markers. See

Figure 60. In the dialog box containing Marker buttons, up to nine markers

may be added. To remove a highlighted marker, click the Delete button. See

Figure 61

Figure 60 Navigate to markers

e5505a_user_add_delete_markers
24 Jun 04 rev 3

e5505a_user_nav_markers
24 Jun 04 rev 3

Figure 61 Adding and deleting markers

96 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Omitting Spurs

Expanding Your Measurement Experience 4

The Omit Spurs function plots the currently loaded results without displaying
any spurs that may be present.

1 On the View menu, click Display Preferences. See Figure 62.

e5505a_user_nav_display_pref
24 Jun 04 rev 3

Figure 62 Navigate to display preferences

2 In the Display Preferences dialog box, uncheck Spurs and click OK. See

Figure 63.

• The graph is displayed without spurs. See Figure 64 on page 98.

e5505a_user_uncheck_spurs.ai
rev2 10/21/03

Figure 63 Uncheck spurs

3 To re-display the spurs, check Spurs in the Display Preferences dialog box.

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 97

4 Expanding Your Measurement Experience

e5505a_user_graph_without_spurs
24 Jun 04 rev 3

Figure 64 Graph displayed without spurs

98 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide

Displaying the Parameter Summary

The Parameter Summary function allows you to quickly review the
measurement parameter entries that were used for this measurement. The
parameter summary data is included when you print the graph.

1 On the View menu, click Parameter Summary. See Figure 65.

Expanding Your Measurement Experience 4

e5505a_user_nav_param_sum
24 Jun 04 rev 3

Figure 65 Navigate to parameter summary

2 The Parameter Summary Notepad dialog box appears. The data can be

printed or changed using standard Notepad functionality. See Figure 66 on
page 100.

Agilent E5505A User’s Guid e 99

4 Expanding Your Measurement Experience

Agilent 8644B Int vs Ext 10 MHz

Agilent 8644B; VCO tuned using DCFM.

Agilent N5502A

e5505a_user_text_param_sum
24 Jun 04 rev 3

Figure 66 Parameter summary

100 Agilent E5505A User’s Guide