Agilent 89600 Series Vector Signal Analysis Software
89601A/89601AN/89601N12
Technical Overview
• Reach deeper into signals
• Gather more data on signal problems
• Gain greater insight
From simulation to antenna
Introduction
This technical overview covers the features, capabilities, and benefits of the
89600 Series vector signal analysis software. For detailed specifications, please
see the 89600 Series Vector Signal Analysis Software Data Sheet, publication
number 5989-1786EN.
Advanced Digital Signal Processing to Uncover
and Identify Problems
Stream
Measured
data from
supported
hardware
platform
Figure 1. The VSA software architecture provides DSP demodulation algorithms with user-controlled modulation
parameters for flexible demodulation of a range of new and emerging formats, including 3G, WLAN, and 802.16.
Data can come from several sources, including multiple supported hardware platforms, recorded files, and
stream data from Agilent EEsof’s ADS simulation software.
interface
Resample
(arbitrary
spans)
Recorded
file
Time
corrections
Average
Analog
demod
(PC Windows
Time
gating
Measurement
calculations
math
registers
User
Data
®
2000 or XP Professional)
Window FFT
Display
Tra c e
data &
trace
format
In RF/wireless communications applications, the Agilent 89600 vector signal analysis
software lets you characterize complex, time-varying signals with detailed and simultaneous spectrum, modulation and time waveform analysis. Use these tools to uncover
system problems—problems you really need to see and track down.
The 89600 VSA software connects your measurement hardware to your PC
environment, using familiar, PC-based tools, providing a tightly linked software/
hardware test and measurement environment. Use these tools to track down
problems at any stage of your design process: from simulation to final prototype.
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More than spectrum analysis
The 89600 VSA software provides traditional spectrum displays and
measurements, but today, spectrum analysis isn’t enough. New digital formats
require new measurements.
Familiar tools such as spectrum analyzers with demodulation may indicate that a
problem exists, but they can’t help you understand the cause of the problem. For
instance, incorrect filtering, spurious interference, incorrect interpolation, DAC
overflow, symbol mis-timing and other errors may all increase adjacent channel
power and distort the constellation. So how do you determine what the real
problem is?
The 89600 VSA software provides you the tools to identify the root cause of the
problem and to analyze continually changing phase, magnitude, and frequency.
Some tools, like the constellation and vector diagrams, are familiar to radio
designers. Others, like the spectrogram display are tools for qualitatively understanding system behavior. And still others, like error vector time and spectrum, are
entirely new measurements bringing new capabilities and requiring new displays.
PC-based for ease-of-use
The 89600 software relies on a PC for its processing. Improvements in PC capabilities
automatically improve the VSA software’s performance. New capabilities for
integrating test instrumentation and design automation software are also made
possible because the VSA software can accept measurement data from a wide
range of supported hardware platforms, or time series data from computational
tools—and all with a familiar, easy-to-use Windows GUI.
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Vector Signal Analysis (Option 200)
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Option 200 is a required option that provides the baseline capability for the 89600
VSA software.
Powerful display formats, signal recording and playback, plus superlative help text
provide you with the tools you need for analyzing signals.
Precise analog demodulation
Figure 2. This FM demodulation of a transmitter at turn-on shows the frequency settling characteristics.
Use AM or PM demodulation to show amplitude and phase settling performance as well.
Characterize amplitude-modulated, frequency-modulated, and phase- modulated
signals in both the frequency and time domains with the built-in analog
demodulation capabilities of the 89600 VSA software.
Use analog demodulation to analyze unintentionally modulated signals.
For example:
Use FM and PM demodulation to examine phase and frequency
trajectories during frequency hops or establish the phase-lock-loop
lock-up time of oscillators and synthesizers.
AM demodulate a burst signal to evaluate the time needed for the
signal to stabilize.
AM and PM demodulate sidebands to determine the type of modula tion present in phase noise.
Take the FFT of a demodulated AM/FM/PM noise signal for insight
into spurious signals coupling through from other parts of the
circuit. Often just the frequency alone of interfering AM/FM/PM
modulation provides information about the root cause of the
interference.
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Flexible vector analysis tools
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Analyze time, frequency, and amplitude domain behavior and more with one of
the most complete set of vector and scalar analysis tools on the market today.
Measurements include:
Time
Gated time
Spectrum
Power spectral density
CCDF and CDF
Auto-correlation
Use the time tools to measure pulse width, rise and fall times, and observe the
shape of your TDMA signals. These tools are particularly useful for setting the
trigger level, hold-off and delay on your pulsed signals.
Use the spectrum tools to find the center frequency and bandwidth of your signal,
find spurs, and more. A complete set of marker and time gating functions complement the spectrum display.
Figure 3. Look at time and frequency characteristics of your signal simultaneously. The top display shows
the time trace of a bursted signal with gate markers on the second part of the burst. The bottom display
shows the frequency spectrum of just the portion of the signal in-between the gate markers.
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Statistically-based amplitude measurements provide a better description of system
or component behavior on noise-like digital communications signals. Measure
peak to average power ratio and more with the complementary cumulative distribution function (CCDF), probability distribution function (PDF) and cumulative
distribution function (CDF) tools provided in Agilent’s VSA software.
Figure 4. Both CCDF and CDF functions are available. The CCDF marker readout at the bottom of the display
indicates that the signal exceeds 9.56 dB above the average signal level only .003% of the time, useful
information when calculating design headroom.
Display format and scaling
Figure 5. Example trace formats available.
Scale your display the way you want it, with the units you need using the flexible
display formatting and scaling tools provided standard in the 89600 VSA software.
Select from a complete list of formats including log and linear displays of the signal
magnitude, displays of only the real (I) or imaginary (Q) part of the signal, vector
and constellation displays, eye displays, trellis displays and group delay. Scaling is
automatic with manual override provided for all parameters, including reference
level and units per division for both the X and Y-axes.
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See six screen displays, simultaneously
Figure 6. Display one, two, three, four, or six displays, simultaneously. You can choose to have them
appear stacked, or in a symmetrical grid.
Spectrogram display format
Figure 7. View the spectral behavior of wide bandwidth hopping signals over time using spectrogram
displays. Grey-scale views provide even greater resolution.
Take advantage of the spectrogram display to view the behavior of your signal over
time. This three-dimensional display is noted for its ability to track the frequency
and amplitude behavior of signal, particularly frequency hopping signals and signals
with poor signal-to-noise ratio. Use it to also survey signal environments for a
quick pictorial view.
For a more in-depth view, use scale markers to expand a portion of the display.
Offset and delta markers provide detailed timing information on signal events.
Use them to determine time differences between events in both the time and
frequency domains.
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Signal capture and playback
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Figure 8. The signal recording user interface is familiar and simple to use.
The 89600 VSA software lets you capture your digitized signal in your measurement hardware and transfer it directly to your PC’s disk drive. You can play the
signal back at a later time, import it into other applications, and create and play
your own recording through an Agilent signal generator.
Why record signals?
No gaps – offers continuous time record at full bandwidth of your hardware.
Provides powerful post processing with more control over the analysis.
Allows slow playbacks with overlap processing. Overlap processing allows you
to vary the amount of new information included in each display update. The
end result is to provide a “slow motion” view of your signal—extremely useful
in understanding transients and transitions.
Offers porting of simulations back to design software.
Allows you to archive – saving signal records for future analysis.
You have full control of the playback including:
Start and pause
Drag the bar to any position in the record to begin playback
Back up and rewind
Loop the recording
Set start and stop times
Re-record
Set span and center frequency (within the extent of the original capture)
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Signal generator download control
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Record a time domain signal using the recording feature, and link it to a supported
Agilent signal generator. You can record the signal at one frequency, and using
the zoom mode feature, transfer the signal to the generator at a different frequency.
For ease of use, you can control key features of the signal generator from the
89600 VSA software front panel.
Trace math
Figure 9. Create math functions for simple tasks like unit scaling, or for sophisticated new measurements
like this Barker code cross correlation function.
Math functions let you create mathematical expressions that operate on trace
data. Use math functions to:
Perform mathematical operations on trace data.
Create a mathematical expression that you can apply as a filter to a waveform.
Manipulate data in the data registers.
Math functions can be simple or complex. For example, a simple math function
may add two data registers. Another math function may compute the inverse FFT
of channel 1 spectrum-data. Or a more complex math function may combine
operations on trace data or data registers.
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Easy-to-Use Windows Graphical User Interface
Figure 10. Marker-based measurements, such as band power (shown here) or time gating, or several
others, are easy to set up. Just position the marker cursor by dragging and dropping, or type in numeric
values manually.
Changing parameters such as center frequency, span, or scale, is easy. Simply place
the cursor on the display annotation, and a special cursor will appear. Double
click and enter the parameter or use the up/down arrows. If you are familiar with
Microsoft Windows® applications, you can quickly master the 89600 VSA software.
Versatile markers highlight signal behavior
The 89600 VSA offers markers which: display current location, calculate offset
(delta) values, provide frequency counter capability, integrate between two lines
to determine bandpower, calculate occupied bandwidth (OBW), let you set up
zones to calculate adjacent channel power (ACPR), and conduct limit tests.
To display signal parameters using the marker function, simply place a marker on
the highest signal using the marker search functions. The marker parameters are
shown at the bottom of the display. Use the offset marker to measure parameters
between two points on the display.
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The ACPR marker allows you to easily perform generic adjacent channel power
ratio measurements. You can configure the reference channel and up to five
separate adjacent channels. Measurement results are displayed at the bottom
of the display, or in the ACP Summary table.
Figure 11. ACPR measurement with summary table enables you to specify up to five adjacent channels.
The OBW marker allows you to easily perform occupied bandwidth measurements.
The OBW measurement determines the band of frequencies that contain a specified
percentage of the total power within the measurement span.
Figure 12. The OBW measurement with summary table can determine the centroid frequency, or you can
manually set the centroid frequency to the center frequency.
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Limit lines can be created to compare trace data to your defined limits and indicate
a pass or fail condition.
Figure 13. Set the pass and fail color indication for either the limit, or the margin, or both. You define your
own limits using the built-in limit line editor.
These more sophisticated marker measurements allow more sophisticated setup.
For example, you define a table of values, as for ACPR or simple limit tests. For
more complex limit tests, you can either define a set of limit points segment by
segment, or import a measurement and add a margin limit around it. For all of
these and other markers, the results are displayed at the bottom of the display.
Markers can be coupled across all six displays, allowing you to “walk” through your
signal and see its behavior in multiple domains—a very powerful and useful feature.
Highlight signals
For a closer look at a signal, use the highlight box to enhance signal viewing by
scaling traces in. Place the box around the signal of interest and select the
desired scaling. You can scale both the X- and Y-axis, or scale each separately.
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Multi-channel ready
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The 89600 VSA software comes fully equipped to control and process two base
band or two RF channels.
The built-in ch1 + jch2 mode combines two base band channels for automatic
analysis of a single, composite signal. All measurements, including spectrum,
time, and error analysis, are available on the
combined signal.
Powerful and sophisticated trace data provide you with the basic
capabilities to perform even MIMO-analysis:
Auto-correlation and cross-correlation
Coherence
Frequency response
Impulse response
Use these tools to develop and analyze complex multi-antenna, radar, or signal
surveillance systems. If you’re working on IEEE 802.11n MIMO systems, Option
B7Z takes full advantage of the software’s
capability. For more information see the B7Z section.
Check hardware specifications to determine which hardware platform configurations support multiple channels.
Spectrum analyzer application
The 89600 VSA software includes a spectrum analyzer application.
Use this application to identify signals present in a wide span and to evaluate
small signals very close to the noise floor. This application makes scalar measurements, as opposed to vector measurements. Scalar measurements provide displays of amplitude versus frequency for both narrow and wide spans.
Scalar measurements step the application's local oscillator (LO) during the measurement. Each step of the LO produces a segment of the selected frequency
span. In other words, the application sets its LO, performs an FFT, then steps its
LO to a higher frequency, performs another FFT, and so forth. Because of this, not
all hardware measurement platforms support the use of the spectrum analyzer
application.
Use this application when you need:
Very narrow resolution bandwidth with high speed
Very low noise floor with wide spans
High signal-to-noise dynamic range
Maximum flexibility of frequency span, resolution bandwidth, and speed
Wider frequency spans
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Help text
Figure 14. Everything, from reference information, to tutorials using recorded signals, to programming
examples, is included in the incredibly comprehensive help text.
Over 5000 equivalent paper pages of help text, application information and tutorials
are provided with the 89600 software. A complete set of search tools and hot links
provide ready access to all of this information.
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Powerful Modulation Analysis Options
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The real power of the VSA software is its ability to analyze complex, time-varying
signals. The 89600 VSA software analyzes a wide variety of general communications
formats, 2G, 3G, WLAN, WiMAX, UWB, broadband access, and many more.
You can quickly evaluate and troubleshoot digitally modulated signals with both
qualitative displays and quantitative measurements. Then, visualize system
performance rapidly and intuitively with familiar display formats.
Multiple modulation analysis options are available:
Option AYA flexible modulation analysis
Option B7T cdma2000®/1xEV-DV modulation analysis
Option B7U W-CDMA/HSDPA modulation analysis
Option B7W 1xEV-DO modulation analysis
Option B7X TD-SCDMA modulation analysis
Option B7N 3G modulation analysis bundle (an ordering convenience
equivalent to options B7T, B7U, B7W, B7X combined)
Option B7R WLAN modulation analysis
Option B7S IEEE 802.16-2004 OFDM modulation analysis
Option B7Y IEEE 802.16 OFDMA modulation analysis
Option B7Z IEEE 802.11n MIMO modulation analysis
Option BHA TEDS modulation analysis and test
Option BHB MB-OFDM ultra-wideband modulation analysis
Option BHC RFID modulation analysis
The supported modulation formats are listed in the Table 1.
All the error analysis tools described in this section apply to all modulation analysis
options. Specialized modulation formats may have additional tools besides.
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Supported modulation formats
Available with Option AYA
APCO 25 DECT DVB64 HIPERLAN/1 (HBR) TETRA
Bluetooth™ DTV8 DVB128 HIPERLAN/1 (LBR) VDL mode 3
CDMA base DTV16 DVB256 NADC WLAN (802.11b)
CDMA mobile DVB16 EDGE PDC ZigBee (IEEE 802.15.4-2003)
CDPD DVB32 GSM PHP (PHS)
General modulation formats, available with Option AYA
(With variable center frequency, symbol rate, filtering type and alpha/BT)
BPSK, 8PSK VSB 8-, 16- Offset QPSK
QPSK FSK 2-, 4-, 8-, 16-level EDGE
Pi/4 DQPSK DQPSK DVBQAM 16, 32, 64, 128,
256
MSK type 1, type 2 D8PSK APSK 16/32 (12/4QAM)
QAM 16-, 32-, 64-, 128-, 256-, 512-, 1024- π/8 D8PSK
3G Wireless communications formats
cdma2000/1xEV-DV Opt B7T
W-CDMA/HSDPA Opt B7U
1xEV-DO Opt B7W
TD-SCDMA Opt B7X
All of the above Opt B7N
Broadband Wireless Access formats
IEEE 802.16-2004 OFDM Opt B7S
IEEE 802.16 OFDMA Opt B7Y
Wireless Networking formats
WLAN (IEEE 802.11a,b,g,p,j); WLAN (HiperLAN/2) Opt B7R
IEEE 802.11n MIMO (WLAN-HT) Opt B7Z
Public Safety Radio formats
TETRA Enhanced Data Service Opt BHA
Ultra-wideband formats
MB-OFDM Opt BHB
RFID formats Option BHC
EPCGlobal Class-1 Generation-2 UHF (ISO 18000-6 Type-C)
ISO 18000-4 Mode-1
ISO 18000-6 Type A
ISO 18000-6 Type B1
ISO 18092
ISO 14443 Type A
General RFID modulation formats and coding
Forward: DSB-ASK, SSB-ASK, PR-ASK, FSK-2, OOK; None (NRZ); Manchester, FM0, PIE (ISO 18000-6
Type-A), PIE (EPC C1Gen2), Modified Miller
Return: SSB-ASK, BPSK, FSK-2, OOK; None (NRZ); Manchester, FM0, Miller, Miller-2, Miller-4, Miller-8,
Modified Miller, Subcarrier Manchester, Subcarrier BPSK1
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1. Beta
Table 1. Choose from the many available modulation analysis options to meet your measurement
needs. The modulation formats supported by each option are listed above.
Advanced digital demodulators
The 89600 VSA software offers a wide range of digital demodulators. These
advanced technology demodulators do not require external filtering, coherent carrier
signals, or symbol-clock timing signals to successfully demodulate a signal, just
the carrier frequency and symbol rate.
In addition to demodulating your signal, the 89600 digital demodulators use your
signal to generate an ideal reference signal called I/Q reference or FSK reference.
It then compares your measured signal to this ideal reference to quantify and
locate errors in your signal. Built-in filters can be applied to both the measured
and reference signals for maximum flexibility comparing the signals or probing
points in your communication system.
Unique error analysis tools highlight problems
Figure 15. The “v” shape in the EVM versus time display indicates a symbol clock timing error.
Trace math can help determine the approximate clock rate.
Figure 16. This signal shows higher EVM in between the symbols (shown in green) than at
the symbol clock times (shown in red), a clear indication of filtering errors. You can try and
determine the correction needed by using the adaptive equalization filter.
Agilent 89600 VSAs offer sophisticated error analysis that lets you see both RF
and DSP problems. The key is the EVM measurement. The error vector time plots
an error signal versus time diagram. With it, you can identify problems such as
clock timing errors, DAC overflow, compensation errors and more —all with one
screen. Other tools include error vector spectrum and adaptive equalization.
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Error vector magnitude (EVM)
Figure 17. This signal’s spectrum, constellation, and EVM error look reasonable. But the error vector
spectrum display (top right) clearly shows the presence of an interferer. Further investigation shows that
this frequency is related to a subsystem in another part of the DUT. It is obviously leaking through to the
point where this measurement was made.
EVM is a powerful analysis tool that helps you pinpoint marginal conditions
before they become system performance problems. EVM compares the phase and
magnitude of the input signal with an ideal reference signal stream. The average
error over time is displayed as a single percent, or the error can be viewed on a
symbol-by-symbol basis.
Use the FFT of the error vector time signal to identify systematic impairments you
couldn’t otherwise see. Identify spurs coupling from other parts of the system by
looking at the error vector spectrum for peaks.
Adaptive equalization
Adaptive equalization identifies and removes linear errors from I-Q modulated
signals by dynamically creating and applying a compensating filter. These errors
include group delay distortion, frequency response errors, and reflections or
multi-path distortion. You can also uncover DSP errors such as miscoded bits, or
incorrect filter coefficients.
Equalization is a tool designers can use to identify and correct linear errors.
Pre-distorting a signal to correct for linear errors can be simpler, faster, and
cheaper than modifying hardware to make the corrections. Further, some wideband signals are almost impossible to measure without adaptive equalization.
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Flexible Modulation Analysis (Option AYA)
Figure 18. GSM signal MSK format with spectrum and EVM versus time.
Figure 19. 16QAM signal with spectrum and error vector magnitude versus time display.
Option AYA demodulates a wide range of standard communication formats, such
as EDGE and GSM. But it also offers a wide range of demodulators for FSK, BPSK,
QPSK, offset QPSK, QAM, APSK, and VSB, all with variable filter type and alpha,
symbol clock rate, and bandwidth. You can even apply your own proprietary filtering by providing the filter’s impulse or frequency response.
Whether you are designing to a mainstream standard, secondary standard, an
emerging standard or a proprietary specification, the 89600 VSA flexible modulation analysis capability has the tools you need to evaluate and characterize signal
performance and dig down to the root of your modulation problems.
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3G-Modulation Analysis Bundle (Option B7N)
Figure 20. Analyze W-CDMA and HSDPA signals using the 89600. Here the 89600 displays show the code
domain power and error of the composite signal in bit reverse (trace A) and Hadamard (trace B) channel
order. The markers in trace B point to all parts of a single channel. Notice also, the composite vector constellation display and the composite error summary table. Similar tools are provided for layer and channel
analysis.
Evaluate and troubleshoot your 3G modulation signals with Option B7N 3G modulation analysis. Whether your signal is cdma2000, or W-CDMA, TD-SCDMA, or
1xEV-DO, HSDPA or 1xEV-DV, the tools and analysis flexibility in Option B7N help
you test your signal to its standard and troubleshoot the problem if the signal fails
to meet its standard.
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Option B7N is a cost-effective ordering bundle of all the supported 3G modulation
analysis options (B7T, B7U, B7X, B7W). However, you can also purchase the
modulation analysis options separately.
W-CDMA/HSDPA (Option B7U)
Measure, evaluate and troubleshoot your W-CDMA and HSDPA signals with the
tools in Option B7U. Use these tools to descramble, despread, and demodulate WCDMA uplink and downlink signals. The analyzer automatically identifies all active
channels regardless of the symbol rate or spread code-length.
Speed measurement set-up with standard pre-sets for uplink (mobile station or user
equipment) and downlink (base station). Use the single layer and composite codedomain power and code-domain error displays (the composite display shows all code
layers simultaneously) to determine the overall performance of your signal and the
behavior of specific layers and channels.
Take advantage of the composite and single channel constellation, trellis and eye
diagrams, IQ magnitude/ phase error displays, and error vector traces to search out
specific errors.
Use the measurement offset and interval controls to select specific data slots
for analysis.
For the HSDPA portion of your W-CDMA signal, automatically detect the
modulation scheme for HS-PDSCH. Also, despread the HS-PDSCH channels
manually or automatically.
cdma2000/1xEV-DV (Option B7T)
Figure 21. Use the extensive 89600 Option B7T toolset to evaluate the performance of your cdma2000/
1xEV-DV signals. Notice the code domain power and error displays, vector constellation display and
error summary table. These traces are for the composite (entire) signal. Similar tools are available for
layer and channel analysis.
The robust and flexible features provided in Option B7T give you the tools you
need to test your cdma2000 / 1xEV-DV signals to their standards and identify the
cause if the signal fails to meet its standard. Descramble, despread, and demodulate
both the forward and reverse link signals. The software automatically identifies all
active channels regardless of symbol rate or Walsh code.
Signal analysis capabilities are identical to the advanced tools provided for WCDMA analysis. These include single layer and composite code-domain power
and code domain error traces, composite and single channel constellation, trellis
and eye diagrams, EVM, IQ magnitude and phase error traces and much more.
1xEV-DV features include automatic detection of the modulation on the F-PDCH
channels, automatic active channel identification and optional predefined F-PDCH
active channel configuration for adaptive modulated signals.
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TD-SCDMA (Option B7X)
Figure 22 Composite TD-SCDMA modulation analysis.
Troubleshoot and analyze your time division synchronous code domain multiple
access (TD-SCDMA) modulation and RF performance with Option B7X for Agilent’s
89600 VSA software.
This analysis package handles the 3GPP N-TDD 1.28 Mcps version of TD-SCDMA,
including HSDPA (16QAM, 64QAM, and 8PSK). Demodulate HSDPA 16QAM and
8PSK modulated code channels, with automatic detection of code channel modulation type with manual override and automatic detection of multiple midamble
shifts. Single code domain layer or composite power and code domain displays are
provided. Normalize code-domain power to display code domain power relative to
total signal power. Automatic measurements include rho, EVM, frequency error,
I/Q offset and I/Q skew.
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1xEV-DO (Option B7W)
Figure 23. Multiple views of a composite 1xEV-DO signal.
Measure and analyze 1xEV-DO modulated signals with the capabilities offered as
part of Option B7W. Descramble, despread, and demodulate 1xEV-DO modulated
signals. You can also analyze the reverse link (mobile station or access terminal)
and forward link (base station or access network) channels. The analyzer automatically identifies all active channels regardless of the symbol rate or Walsh
code length.
The advanced technology demodulator used in this option does not require
coherent carrier signals, or symbol-clock timing signals, and comes with an internal
IS-2000 filter. All you have to do is enter carrier frequency, chip rate, reverse/forward
link direction, and set the long code mask. The analyzer will do the rest.
Measurement results include CDP (composite or layer specific), code domain error
(composite or layer specific), EVM, IQ offset, rho, overall 1 rho, and overall 2 rho.
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Market Leading WLAN Analysis (Option B7R)
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Figure 24. Demodulate the optional PBCC modes of IEEE 802.11g.
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Figure 25. Time gating is a powerful tool for selective analysis of time waveforms. The time gate (two
vertical lines in the lower trace) allows FFT analysis on only the payload portion of the waveform.
Agilent is an industry leader in base band, RF, and modulation quality measurements
of WLAN signals. The 89600 VSA software WLAN analysis option offers:
IEEE 802.11a OFDM modulation analysis
IEEE 802.11b DSSS/CCK/PBCC modulation analysis
IEEE 802.11g modulation analysis
IEEE 802.11a/b/g standards-based testing
IEEE 802.11p DSRC modulation analysis
IEEE 802.11j 10 MHz modulation analysis
Two modes, DSSS/CCK/PBCC and OFDM, are offered with Option B7R. Use these
modes together to analyze the IEEE 802.11g signals and use them separately to
analyze IEEE 802.11b or IEEE 802.11a signals. For IEEE 802.n MIMO analysis, see
Option B7Z.
IEEE 802.11b modulation analysis
Select the DSSS/CCK/PBCC mode and automatically detect, despread, descramble,
and demodulate the payload in all four mandatory IEEE 802.11b formats (1, 2, 5.5,
11 Mbps). This mode handles the optional PBCC modes, the optional short preamble,
and the CCK preamble of the CCK-OFDM format in IEEE 802.11g. Additionally, you can
choose a root-raised-cosine (RRC) reference filter for applications requiring channel 14
support. Examine the constellation diagram, measure EVM, frequency error,
quadrature error, gain imbalance, and more with Option B7R WLAN analysis option.
Use the time domain measurement capability to evaluate your signal’s power
versus time behavior. Use the time gating feature to analyze the spectrum of just
a portion of the burst. All of these and more are available with the DSSS/CCK/
PBCC mode for IEEE 802.11b analysis.
IEEE 802.11a modulation analysis
Figure 26. View the EVM spectrum or EVM time of an IEEE 802.11a OFDM burst. The EVM spectrum error
shows a ‘V’-shaped pattern, indicating a timing error of some sort.
The most likely causes are an I-Q time offset, or symbol clock error.
Demodulate and analyze IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11g, and HiperLAN2 compatible
signals with the OFDM modulation analysis mode provided in Option B7R. This
high performance capability supports demodulating OFDM bursts down to the bit
level. Use the compound constellation display to automatically determine and display all modulation formats (BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM) present in the burst.
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Evaluate modulation quality using EVM displays of the overall burst, of each symbol,
or of each sub-carrier in a symbol. View all of this data in an efficient graphical
display that reveals overall patterns in the EVM – a key to finding the root cause
of signaling problems.
View the average phase and magnitude behavior of the pilot sub-carriers using
the Common Pilot Error display. Measure the magnitude and phase settling of
the OFDM burst using the preamble error display. These features provide you a
powerful package for analyzing and troubleshooting OFDM signals.
IEEE 802.11a/b/g test suite
Figure 27. One-button, standards-based measurements of your IEEE 802.11 signal quickly help you
determine if the signal has any problems.
Speed the process of testing your IEEE 802.11a/b/g signal to its standard with
the WLAN test suite (supplied as part of the WLAN analysis Option B7R). This
separate applet automatically executes standards- based transmitter tests of your
signal. You specify the tests to perform, set the center frequency and other signal
parameters, and the applet does the rest.
The tests provided in WLAN test suite include: transmit power, center frequency
and symbol clock frequency tolerance, modulation accuracy, and spectral mask.
Standards-based test limits are pre-programmed into the software, but can be
modified as your need requires. You can even change the profile of the limit lines.
Results are available as pass/ fail or measured data, and are available to download to a spreadsheet, report, or a network.
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IEEE 802.11n MIMO Modulation Analysis (Option B7Z)
Analyzing an IEEE 802.11n MIMO signal is extraordinarily challenging because it
is made up of multiple OFDM signals that transmit on the same frequency at the
same time. The advanced troubleshooting and evaluation tool set provided by
Agilent’s IEEE 802.11n MIMO modulation analysis option is specifically designed
to handle this challenge and more.
Figure 28. The two-channel analysis capability of the 89600 software allows you to see important parameters
associated with each channel or data stream, individually or simultaneously.
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Two-channel measurements
MIMO evaluation and troubleshooting requires simultaneous two-channel signal
acquisition and analysis. Most spectrum analyzers are only single-channel instruments. In contrast, digital scopes, the VSA80000A Ultra-Wideband VSA, and
Agilent’s VXI-based modular vector signal analyzer have multiple channels and
are well suited to the task.
The 89600 series VXI-based analyzers offer two channels of simultaneous signal
acquisition and analysis with enough analysis bandwidth for both 20 MHz and
40 MHz 802.11n signals, 70 dB of dynamic range and up to 1 GB of signal
capture memory.
Agilent’s multi-channel Infiniium Series scopes and the VSA80000A VSA offer up to
40 GSa digitizing to sample your 802.11n signal directly, without the need for down
conversion. Analysis bandwidth is as high as 13 GHz, dynamic range is 40+ dB,
memory depth is available up to 64 MSa, and their host of high performance time
domain markers, triggering and displays help make these products a versatile
choice for MIMO measurements.
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Figure 29. The error summary table presents information about each channel. The data burst table provides decoded bits for L-SIG and HT-SIG as well as power and error information.
20/40 MHz bandwidths
IEEE 802.11n’s high throughput formats demand more than 36 MHz of signal
bandwidth. The 89601A’s VXI, VSA80000A Ultra-Wideband VSA, and scope measurement platforms are up to the task.
All formats
Evaluate and troubleshoot multiple IEEE 802.11n operating formats: green field,
mixed mode, duplicate legacy, and HT duplicate. Measure EVM, I/Q parameters,
and view the constellation of two spatial streams at once. Use coherence and
cross correlation functions to quantify the impact one spatial stream has on the
other. Read the contents of the L-SIG and HT-SIG fields. CCDF, power vs. time, and
time gated measures are all provided. A new MIMO condition number trace provides
a numeric method of comparing the equalizer channel response matrix maximum
singular value to its minimum singular value. All of this and more are ready for you in
this option.
Figure 30. Measurement and error information on each spatial stream is available for two-channel
measurements.
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Comprehensive IEEE 802.16-2004 OFDM Analysis
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(Option B7S)
Figure 31. Familiar and new tools combine to provide invaluable troubleshooting information.
Here the six displays simultaneously show (l to r) I-Q constellation, time, CCDF, spectrum,
modulation error summary, and error vector vs. time.
Agilent is the industry leader in base band, RF, and modulation quality measurements
for IEEE 802.16-2004 OFDM signals. Whether your measurements are on base
band, IF or RF signals, or even simulated signals from ADS design simulations,
the 89600 VSA software with Option B7S has the tools you need to troubleshoot
your designs today.
Analyzing OFDM signals requires developers like you to think in the time and
frequency domains simultaneously. You need OFDM-specific signal analysis tools
to help you manipulate and break down the signal in order to effectively troubleshoot the situation. The 89600 vector signal analysis software helps you do this
quickly and efficiently.
First, Option B7S provides comprehensive coverage of the IEEE 802.16-2004 standard:
All IEEE 802.16-2004 modulation formats, including BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM,
and 64QAM
TDD, FDD, and H-FDD
Uplink and downlink
Bursted and continuous
All frame lengths, guard intervals, and sampling factors
Demodulation down to the raw bit level
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Second, the software allows you to set up and adjust the demodulator for the
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best analysis of your signal.
Automatically detect the signal modulation type on sub-carriers.
You can also manually override the auto-detect feature for specific
troubleshooting needs.
Manually adjust the nominal signal bandwidth, guard interval,
and sampling factor (Fs/BW ratio). Standard guard interval and
sampling factors are provided.
Adjust carrier pilot tracking to track amplitude, phase, or timing
and identify errors that automatic pilot tracking can hide. These
errors can cause you to inadvertently lower design margins.
Verify your signal setup using the burst information provided —a
text table conveniently shows burst power, modulation format, burst
symbol length, and EVM.
The software also provides a wide range of error analysis measurements and displays. These include traditional spectrum analysis
measurements such as:
Band power
Carrier-to-noise
Peak-to-average power (CCDF)
Amplitude
Group delay
OFDM- and IEEE 802.16-2004 specific measurements
Figure 32. The modulation error analysis screen provides a wealth of information.
Note that the RCE is provided in dB and %. The lower half of the display provides
demodulated (encoded) bits. The pilot tones are shown in lighter colors. The error
summary table also includes RCE for the pilot tones alone.
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New measurements specifically for OFDM and more specifically for
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IEEE 802.16-2004 signals include:
Relative constellation error (RCE) in % or dB
RCE vs. symbol number
RCE vs. sub carrier number
Equalizer frequency and impulse response
Error vector spectrum/time, including RMS error vector
Quadrature skew, gain imbalance, I-Q offset
Frequency error
Symbol clock error
Common pilot error (CPE)
In addition, these tools let you analyze your signal selectively by time or frequency for
troubleshooting and uncovering problems that you’ve never been able to see before.
For instance,with the demodulation off, use time gating markers to analyze the
desired portions of the time trace or spectrum of the signal, e.g., the short training
signal, signal estimation sequences, signal symbol, etc. You can apply many other
measurements to the time-gated area. This is especially useful when making
measurements like peak to average power, when you may want to measure only
the data portion of the burst, since including the timing and estimation sequences
can bias the value lower.
Focus your modulation analysis to a subset of the symbols, i.e., time-selective
analysis.
Focus your modulation analysis on just a single carrier, i.e., frequency-selective
analysis. By viewing the constellation for just one carrier, you can determine if
an interferer is internally generated or coming from outside the system.
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IEEE 802.16 OFDMA Modulation Analysis
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(Option B7Y)
The IEEE 802.16 OFDMA PHY layer structure is the most complex structure for wireless networking. Option B7Y provides an advanced and comprehensive tool set to
evaluate and troubleshoot signaling format. These tools work together to simplify
analysis complexity for even the challenging Mobile WiMAX Wave 2 features.
Comprehensive tool kit
Option B7Y provides analysis of:
• PUSC, OPUSC, FUSC, OFUSC, AMC zones
Uplink and downlink
• All bandwidths from 1.25 MHz through 28 MHz
• All FFT sizes from 128 to 2048
• DL-PUSC signals using 2-Antenna Matrix A or B transmission schemes for
STC/MIMO
• UL-PUSC signals containing data bursts with Collaborative Spatial
Multiplexing (SM) enabled
• CDMA ranging regions to aid with troubleshooting network entry
• Preliminary and ratified versions of the standard
Figure 33. With the 89600 software, you have complete control of your signal analysis. Use the auto-configuration capability to automatically read and display DL and many UL maps and set up your measurement. If needed, virtually all parameters can be overridden manually for troubleshooting.
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AAS and STC measurements
Analyze DL-PUSC single-channel Matrix A transmissions, or use 2-channel analysis
hardware to analyze 2-Antenna Matrix A and 2-Antenna Matrix B signals providing
WiMAX STC/MIMO features. See the channel frequency response, equalizer
impulse response, and common pilot error for each antenna. Other per-antenna
path metrics, like power and pilot RCE, are displayed on a separate MIMO Info
summary trace. Option B7Y decodes the MIMO DL Enhanced IE so that the
software can auto-configure the measurement setup.
Advanced WiMAX features include Collaborative Spatial Multiplexing (SM).
Collaborative SM is a method where two independent mobile stations simultaneously transmit on the same subchannels at the same time. The base station
extracts the data from each mobile station using MIMO channel separation
techniques. The 89600 VSA software can analyze UL-PUSC signals from a single
transmitter containing data bursts with Collaborative SM enabled. See information
on the transmission mode detected such as power, RCE, and data RCE.
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Figure 34. The symbols and errors table provides an overall look at the errors in the analyzed signal.
The 89600 software decodes the PRBS seed, determines its validity, and continues demodulation if possible,
even when the PRBS seed does not match entered parameters. Other important information, such as
synch correlation, which compares the preamble pattern measured by the software to that called out by
the standard, RCE of the data, pilots, preamble, and unmodulated carriers is also available.
Complex signals, easy-to-use analysis tools with auto-configuration
The 89600 VSA's OFDMA tools work together to simplify the complex analysis
challenge presented by Mobile WiMAX.
Option B7Y can automatically decode the DL-MAP to provide dynamic auto-configuration of complex downlink signals, including those using MIMO/STC support.
Even uplink signals for most Mobile WiMAX default profiles can be decoded to
provide auto-configuration. Configurations decoded from downlink signals can be
copied to user MAP Files in order to more easily analyze the signal, or to share
signal configuration information with colleagues.
Measurement results are color coded by data burst, where appropriate. You can
look at the compound constellation of a multi-burst data zone and tell at a glance
if your data bursts are using the modulations you programmed. You are able to go
to the error vector time display and easily determine which data burst an EVM
spike belongs to.
The same works with the error vector spectrum display. Other analyzers make you
move back and forth between measurements looking at symbol times and logical
sub-carrier numbers to get the information you need, while Agilent uses color to
simplify and streamline your analysis task. You can also couple markers across
multiple displays to ‘walk’ through your signal and simultaneously look at its
behavior in the time, frequency, modulation, and error domains.
Figure 35. View up to six displays for a simultaneous view of time, frequency, modulation, and error
information, including error information for 2-channel STC/MIMO analysis. All displays are color coded
by burst. See error information across all carriers, or across all symbols, or delve into the preamble error
trace, or investigate burst performance.
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TEDS Modulation and Test (Option BHA)
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Perform modulation analysis and standards-based tests for TETRA Enhanced Data
Service (TEDS) signals. Measurements include ACP power versus time, composite
reference power, peak frequency error, sub-carrier reference power, and more.
Option BHA demodulator parameters are user-definable, giving you the ability to
customize the analyzer to measure and analyze non-ideal signals. User-definable
parameters allow you to choose from four TEDS slot formats (normal downlink,
normal uplink, random access uplink, and control uplink), three quadrature
amplitude modulation (QAM) types (4 QAM, 16 QAM, 64 QAM), and four
channel bandwidths (25 kHz, 50 kHz, 100 kHz, and 150 kHz).
For measurement and analysis, you can display traces for the composite signal
(including error summaries) and traces for selected sub-carriers (such as constellation diagrams). Additional demodulation parameters let you adjust for search
length and what to include for error vector magnitude (EVM) errors (such as header
symbols, droop, and pilot tracking). Development parameters include filter alpha,
time scale factor, and mirror frequency spectrum.
The Option BHA TEDS test adds five individual TEDS tests, within two test groups,
to your vector signal analyzer software, including:
Spectrum tests group Modulation tests group
Occupied Bandwidth
(OBW) test
Adjacent Channel Power
(ACP) test Time (ACP PvT) test
Modulation quality test
Power versus Time (PvT) test
Adjacent Channel Power versus
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Figure 36. Define your TEDS test parameters with an
easy-to-use menu setup. A test properties menu lets
you set test parameters, select the test, preset test
definitions, and even modify the test definitions if
desired. Step-by-step configuration procedures are
provided for each of the five TEDS tests. In addition,
the test presets are defined for each of these tests.
MB-OFDM ultra-wideband modulation analysis (Option BHB)
Troubleshoot your WiMedia-based multi-band OFDM ultra-wideband PHY layer signals,
such as those in certified wireless USB, with the industry’s most complete set of
easy-to-use measurement tools, providing you with an unparalleled view into your
PHY layer signals. Use Option BHB running on the high performance Agilent
DSO80000 Series oscilloscopes to help you identify the root causes of problems,
sooner.
Supporting all Time Frequency Codes (TFC), including FFI (non-hopped), and TFI
and TFI2 (hopped) modes, Option BHB helps you analyze a wide range of formats,
including QPSK modulation (utilized for data rates from 53.3 Mb/s to 200 Mb/s),
and DCM (at data rates from 200 Mb/s to 480 Mb/s), using burst or standard
preamble types.
For more detailed information on this option, including specifications, see
“Agilent 89600 Series VSA Software MB-OFDM Ultra-wideband Technical Overview
and Self-Guided Demo,” literature part number, 5989-5452EN for information on
this and other Agilent products or go to www.agilent.com/find/vsascope.
Figure 37. Option BHB MB-OFDM ultra-wideband modulation analysis
offers detailed error analysis down to the individual carrier (Trace C, upper
right) or individual symbol (Trace B, lower left). For an overall view,
composite errors are shown in the table (Trace D, lower right).
Figure 38. Use the powerful ACP calculation markers and limit lines on the
packet spectrum displays to perform important spectral measurements.
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RFID Modulation Analysis (Option BHC)
Use the powerful measurements and displays of the 89600 to troubleshoot RFID
systems. Analyze both the forward (interrogator) and return (tag) signals of the
popular EPCglobal Class 1 Generation 2, ISO 18092, and ISO 14443 Type A and
more. For other standards, you can use the built-in presets, or manually set the
demodulation format, line coding, and bit rate or tari.
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Figure 39. The Demod Properties Format window provides a one-page
easy setup of your RFID measurement. Use the preset to standard button,
or individually configure the forward and return link's modulation format,
line coding and bit rate or tari. As you change from analyzing a forward
or return burst (via the burst index setting on the Time tab), these
settings are automatically applied.
Measurement tables present detailed information on the CW interrogator signal,
or a specified modulated burst. Time domain measurements, including burst
overshoot/undershoot, burst turn on/off, rise/fall time and more are available
for ASK-based systems. The interrogator-CW summary table provides similar
information for the overall interrogator CW power up/down data. Finally, a bust
summary table presents timing relationship information for all bursts detected
in the acquisition block.
Measurements and displays, such as the error vs time trace, eye diagram, summary table, and spectrogram display formats provide a wealth of troubleshooting
information, especially for interrogator designers using the new UHF frequencies.
The multitude of measurements and error information, combined with the ability
to display any measurement anywhere you want on your screen, makes seeing
what is happening with your signals at any point in time very easy.
Figure 40. Option BHC RFID modulation analysis lets you analyze both interrogator and tag bursts. Up to
6 displays (4 shown here) let you see all the information you want, wherever you want to see it. Both time
error information and powerful modulation information are provided. The user interface provides a visual
identification of the link direction for each burst, as well as the selected burst for analysis. And the
burst summary table (lower left) provides you with useful timing relationships of all the bursts in the
acquisition time.
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Add World-Class Modulation Analysis to Agilent
Spectrum Analyzers, Oscilloscopes, and More (Option 300)
Link the 89600 software to any one of a variety of Agilent instruments to sample your
signal. Connection to the instruments is via GPIB, FireWire® (IEEE 1394), LAN or USB.
MXA Signal Analyzer
The Agilent N9020A MXA signal analyzer provides the industry's fastest signal
and spectrum analysis without compromising performance, offering the highest
performance in a midrange analyzer. For one-box convenience, you can run the
software embedded in the instrument itself. Bandwidths of either 10 MHz or
25 MHz are available.
EXA Signal Analyzer
Enhance yield and throughput with excellent speed and accuracy found in Agilent's
EXA N9010A economy class signal analyzer. Combine the 10 MHz standard analysis
bandwidth with versatile measurement capabilities found in the 89600 VSA software
(running internally or on an external PC) to reach new insights faster. Additionally,
the Agilent EXA signal analyzer offers modern connectivity (LAN, USB 2.0, etc.)
and an open Windows OS to attain and transfer test results quick and easily.
ESA-E Series spectrum analyzers
The ESA-E Series general-purpose, portable spectrum analyzers offer a wide
range of performance, features, and flexibility with up to 26.5 GHz tuning range
and 10 MHz of analysis bandwidth. Measurement control is via GPIB.
PSA Series high-performance spectrum analyzers
The Agilent PSA Series offers high performance spectrum analysis up to 50 GHz
with powerful one-button measurements, a versatile feature set, a leading-edge
combination of flexibility, speed, accuracy, dynamic range and up to 80 MHz of
analysis bandwidth. Measurement control is via LAN, GPIB, or USB.
For convenience in ordering, the 89650S wide bandwidth VSA with high performance
spectrum analysis is available. It pairs one of three high performance PSA Series
spectrum analyzers with either a 40 MHz (Option 140) or 80 MHz (Option 122)
wide bandwidth IF and the 89601A VSA software.
Infiniium scopes
Combine the software with Agilent’s Infiniium oscilloscopes (many models) to
analyze super wide bandwidth signals. The oscilloscopes provide up to 13 GHz of
analysis bandwidth and are well suited to digitizing down-converted satellite,
LMDS, and MMDS signals, as well as WiMedia-based UWB or other extremely
broadband signals. Two-channel Infiniium scopes can also make the coherent
two-channel MIMO measurements needed for IEEE 802.11n. The digitized signals
are transferred via GPIB, USB, or LAN to the PC running the 89600 software
where the frequency, time, and modulation analysis tools of the 89600 can be
used to evaluate and troubleshoot the signal. For convenience, the 89600 VSA
software can run internal to many of the Infiniium models.
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6000 Series scopes
The low price of 6000 Series oscilloscopes combined with the measurement
flexibility of the 89600 VSA software creates a powerful and affordable tool.
Choose from a range of input channels, bandwidth and memory depth.
VSA80000A ultra-wideband vector signal analyzers
These convenient systems bundle the 80000 series Infiniium oscilloscopes with
the 89600 VSA software to provide a pre-installed and pre-licensed VSA system.
The VSA80000A auto-starts in the 89600 VSA software mode, but all oscilloscope
functions are also available.
Modular VXI analysis hardware
Used as part of Agilent’s 89600 Series vector signal analyzer family, this versatile
combination of modules offers 36 MHz of analysis bandwidth, 6 GHz tuning range
in a compact 4-slot VXI mainframe.
Configurations include 1- or 2-channel base band, 1- or 2-channel IF inputs, or 1- or
2-channel RF inputs at 2.7 or 6.0 GHz. In addition, baseband inputs can be added to
any RF system for ch1+ j*ch2 analysis (BBIQ).
E4406A VSA transmitter tester
Connect Agilent’s E4406A VSA transmitter tester with the 89600 software and you
have two high-performance instruments: a superior multi-format standards-based
transmitter tester and a high-performance flexible digital demodulation and
analysis tool.
N4010 wireless connectivity test set
The N4010 is a test set designed to quickly and accurately measure emerging
wireless connectivity formats in the 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. The N4010 offers bandwidth selections of up to 40 MHz, making the N4010 an ideal test platform for
Bluetooth, including EDR Tx/Rx, WLAN, and ZigBee measurements. The N4010
with Bluetooth Option 101 is an effective measurement tool for development,
integration, pre-qualification, and volume manufacturing.
Synthetic instruments
Agilent’s synthetic instruments offer the highest-performing LAN-based modular
instrumentation with the smallest footprint for automated test systems. The 89600
VSA software supports the N8201 26.5 GHz performance downconverter synthetic
instrument module and the N8221 30 MS/s IF digitizer synthetic instrument module
when they are used together to make an LXI (LAN extensions for instrumentation)
spectrum analyzer.
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Agilent 16800/16900 or 1680/1690 Series logic analyzers
As the block diagrams of cellular, wireless networking, radar, and other systems
utilizing digital modulation become more digital, analyzing the signal quality
becomes more difficult. The Agilent 16800/16900 or 1680/1690 Series logic
analyzers can send digital data harvested from these digital blocks to the 89600 VSA
software. Then the software can interpret the data as digitized analog information
for measurement and display of the signal using the wealth of tools available. No
longer do you need to download data to homegrown math routines in order to check
the demodulation or other signal parameters. Instead, you can take advantage of
the 89600 software’s consistent measurements and displays, as well as the same
GUI with which your team has become familiar. Use your time to work on product
design, not measurement design.
The VSA software can run in an external PC, or in the case of the Agilent 16900
Series logic analyzer, in the logic analyzer itself. Set up your logic analyzer to collect
the data, and then use the 89600 VSA software’s measurements and displays to
investigate the behavior of your signal before and after it transitions from digital to
analog, or vice versa.
For additional information, see “How to Measure Digital Baseband and IF Signals
Using Agilent Logic Analyzers with 89600 VSA Software” (literature number
5989-2384EN).
For information on using a logic analyzer and the 89600 VSA software to capture
and analyze serial data, go to www.agilent.com/find/dvsa.
Two channel operation
For use when you need cross channel or I + jQ results, the software supports two
channel configurations based on the VXI modular hardware and Agilent Infiniium
or 6000 Series multi-channel scope models. 2-channel operation is also supported
with the PSA Series spectrum analyzers for use with the 89604A/N distortion test
suite application.
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Agilent Connected Solutions
(Option 105, ADS Connectivity)
The powerful, PC-based 89600 Series VSA software enables tight, interactive
integration with Agilent EEsof’s Advanced Design System to analyze computational
data from a simulation. Dynamically link the 89600 software to any point in the
digital model to analyze data by simply dragging the VSA icon to the desired spot
in the schematic.
Since the VSA measurement software resides on a PC, it performs equally well
analyzing measured data from the VXI mainframe or computational data produced
by an ADS model.
You can record measured or computed data from ADS with the 89600 Series software
and play it back for further analysis. All of the software features and functionality are
available to make measurements on your design simulations.
“Virtual hardware”— uncover system problems before hardware
even exists
Use "virtual hardware" to make
measurements and evaluate
your system even before actual
hardware is realized.
Measurements from actual prototype
hardware can be fed into a design
simulation.
Take a simulation output
file and download it to the
Agilent ESG signal generator
to stimulate your device under
test.
Use any of the supported
Agilent front ends to make
measurements on your
device. You can also compare
it to measurements you made
on the simulated DUT.
DUT
Any supported
front-end
measurement
platform
Link real-world signals acquired by the 89600 to the ADS simulation to provide an
actual signal environment for your designs.
With Option 105, you can substitute simulation results for real DUT measurements,
or provide real hardware measurements as data input to simulations.
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With Connected Solutions instrument links, you can use ADS simulation results
to create signals and output them via the Agilent ESG signal generator. Use this
to provide a signal source to your prototype hardware. This is useful when a) the
signal type involves a new standard or modulation format; b) when you want to
understand what changes to the previous hardware design stage imply to the
next; or c) when one hardware stage is physically realized before others are
available. Once it physically exists, hardware can be measured with the 89600
VSA software connected to a supported measurement platform, and compared to
the simulation if desired.
Conversely, you can measure the output of real prototype hardware with the
89600 VSA, and use it to provide a source signal to a simulation. This is useful
when you want to provide a source signal that is based on actual measurements
on physical hardware.
Use this mix and match of simulated and measured results to evaluate your system
– even with missing hardware.
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Dynamic link to The MathWorks Simulink Simulation and
Model-Based Design software (Option 106)
Gain the power of the 89600 VSA measurements and displays for Simulink-based
designs with Option 106.
This option provides a VSA block set designed to work with Simulink tool sets
and block sets. Use the VSA sink to accept data from the simulation, and then
process and display it using the wealth of features and functionality in the
89600 VSA software.
The VSA source allows you to accept measured data from Agilent test equipment,
and then feed it into the Simulink design. Like other front-ends to the VSA software,
you can record and playback simulated signal output for additional analysis at a
later time.
Figure 41. Block sets for a VSA source and sink, plus multiple example designs (demos) are provided with
Option 106.
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Optimize Your Resources with Flexible Licensing Capability
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Take advantage of Agilent’s flexible licensing capability for the 89600 Series vector
signal analysis software. A software license is the key that unlocks the powerful
measurement capability of the 89600 software on your PC.
Floating, node-locked, and limited term license are available, depending on your
need. Let us help you choose the type of licensing that offers you the best value
for your measurement needs.
Node-locked license (89601A)
Whether in the office or away, with node-locked licensing your software will always
be ready to run. Install the license key directly on your PC, and your software is
activated regardless of your network connectivity.
Collect data in the lab and perform the analysis anywhere with your portable PC.
Take your results with you to show to colleagues and engineering partners.
Easily move your measurement hardware and software around the office.
Your software license may be moved from one PC to another via floppy disk or LAN.
Your permanent node-locked license includes 12 months of software update
subscription service. You may purchase an additional 12 months at initial order.
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Floating license (89601AN)
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Floating license capability allows many users to share licenses. A license installed
on the license server is available to any PC that is connected to the network. The
standard license server is a PC, and may be the same PC running the VSA software.
Install the software on as many PCs as you like, and the number of licenses that
reside on the network determines the number of users at any moment.
When one user exits the software, that license becomes available for another user.
Permanent floating licenses facilitate sharing of software so you can:
Reduce cost by getting more usage from fewer licenses.
Maximize the use of each software license.
Increase productivity with all users operating the software from their own PC.
Floating licenses are ideal when working with design environments such as
Agilent’s EEsof Advanced Design System (ADS) design tools, and for development
environments where the data is taken in one lab and analyzed in another.
While software subscription update service is not included, you can purchase up
to 24 months at your initial order.
Limited term floating license (89601N12)
Agilent also offers a 12-month limited term floating license. If your need is
temporary, you can acquire this limited term license to operate the software at a
significant cost savings.
This license is valid for 12 months and includes all the benefits of a floating
license, all software options, and 12 months of software update subscription service.
Software update subscription service (89601AS/89601ASN)
Keep your software up-to-date with the software update subscription service. As a
major new version of software becomes available, subscribers will automatically
receive it. Some new releases require a new license level. The only way to get
access to those new features, including ordering options, is to be a software
update subscriber. You will receive the new software CD, along with new licenses
authorizing access to the new software revision license level.
Order your update subscription service for the number of months you need, typically
twelve, with a maximum of twenty-four months.
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Running Your Software
The 89600 Series vector signal analysis software runs on either a desktop or laptop
PC and is connected to the supported hardware front ends via LAN, GPIB, LAN/
GPIB gateway, a USB/GPIB converter, USB, or an IEEE 1394 (FireWire) interface,
depending on the hardware selected. When used to analyze Agilent EEsof ADS
design simulations, of course, the software resides on the same PC as ADS. In some
cases, for example MXA and EXA signal analyzers, plus certain Infiniium scopes and
logic analyzer models, the software can run on the instrument’s internal computer.
You can use your own PC as long as it meets the requirements outlined in the
“User-supplied PC requirements” section of this guide. Some hardware configurations
allow you to purchase a laptop PC from Agilent. See the hardware selection guide
for more information.
Both Windows 2000 and Windows XP Pro operating systems are currently supported.
Help in Getting Started
Take advantage of Agilent’s worldwide organization of trained specialists to help
you get up and running quickly. They can help you with the many new and
advanced features of the 89600 software and supported linked hardware.
We highly recommend that you unleash the full potential of the software by ordering
the 1-day start up assistance.
Also recommended is additional phone service support with the remote productivity
assistance.
For application-based training, Agilent provides specialized classes on digital radio
troubleshooting, WLAN, and more.
Finally, your Agilent technical consultant will be happy to talk to you about your
additional custom training needs.
48
Ordering Information
89601A Vector signal analysis software, including 1-year of software update
subscription service
Options Option 200 required
89601A-200 Basic vector signal analysis software
89601A-300 Hardware connectivity
89601A-AYA Flexible modulation analysis
89601A-B7N 3G modulation analysis bundle
89601A-B7T cdma2000/1xEV-DV modulation analysis
89601A-B7U W-CDMA/HSDPA modulation analysis
89601A-B7W 1xEV-DO modulation analysis
89601A-B7X TD-SCDMA modulation analysis
89601A-B7R WLAN modulation analysis
89601A-B7S IEEE 802.16-2004 OFDM modulation analysis
89601A-B7Y IEEE 802.16 OFDMA modulation analysis
89601A-B7Z IEEE 802.11n modulation analysis
89601A-BHA TETRA modulation analysis and test
89601A-BHB MB-OFDM ultra-wideband modulation analysis
89601A-BHC RFID modulation analysis
89601A-105 Dynamic link to EEsof/ADS
89601A-106 Dynamic link to The MathWorks Simulink Model-Based Design
89601AN Vector signal analysis software (floating license for 1 server)
Options Note: multiple quantities of one option may be ordered per each
server. Option 200 required. Every user must have Option 200, so the
maximum quantity of any option may not exceed the quantity of Option 200.
For multiple servers, order additional 89601AN.
89601AN-200 Basic vector signal analysis software
89601AN-300 Hardware connectivity
89601AN-AYA Flexible modulation analysis
89601AN-B7N 3G modulation analysis bundle
89601AN-B7T cdma2000/1xEV-DV modulation analysis
89601AN-B7U W-CDMA/HSDPA modulation analysis
89601AN-B7W 1xEV-DO modulation analysis
89601AN-B7X TD-SCDMA modulation analysis
89601AN-B7R WLAN modulation analysis
89601AN-B7S IEEE 802.16-2004 OFDM modulation analysis
89601AN-B7Y IEEE 802.16 OFDMA modulation analysis
89601AN-B7Z IEEE 802.11n MIMO modulation analysis
89601AN-BHA TEDS modulation analysis and test
89601AN-BHB MB-OFDM ultra-wideband modulation analysis
89601AN-BHC RFID modulation analysis
89601AN-105 Dynamic link to EEsof/ADS
89601AN-106 Dynamic link to The MathWorks Simulink Model-Based Design
49
Ordering Information (continued)
89601N12 Vector signal analysis software, 12-month limited-term package floating
license for 1 server; includes 1-year software update subscription.
Options Required. Multiple 801 options may be ordered per server.
For multiple servers, order additional 89601N12
89601N12-801 Twelve-month floating license software package including VSA software options
-200, -300, -105, -106, -AYA, -B7N, -B7R, -B7S, -B7Y, -B7Z, -BHA, -BHB, -BHC
89601AS Additional software update subscription service
Notes Twelve-month minimum required. Twenty-four-month maximum coverage, total.
Since 1-year is provided free at initial purchase, there is a 12-month maximum at
initial purchase. Renewal orders have a 24-month maximum. To order an additional
year software update subscription service at initial order of the 89600 software,
order 89601A-024.
See www.agilent.com/find/89600 and click on “Software Update Subscription
Service” for descriptions of actual product and option structure.
89601ASN Software update subscription service for 1 server (floating license)
Notes Twelve-month minimum required on new standalone or renewal 89601AS orders.
Twenty-four month maximum coverage, total.
See www.agilent.com/find/89600 and click on “Software Update Subscription
Service” for descriptions of actual product and option structure.
50
Product Upgrades
You may order any of the options after purchase. Depending on your software
revision, purchase of 1-year 89601AS/ASN software update subscription service
may be required. Because of this, when purchasing an upgrade, please indicate to
your sales representative that you are doing so.
Product Support and Training
Agilent provides both product-specific and application training, as well as specialized
consulting services. Of particular interest are the following:
PS-S20-01 One day of start-up assistance (recommended)
PS-S10 Phone assistance (six hours recommended)
PS-T10-896xx 89600 users’ course
PS-T11-896xx Digital radio troubleshooting
PS-T12-896xx Wireless LAN technology fundamentals
R1362A-250 VSA wireless LAN measurements
The 89600 users’ course and W-LAN technology fundamentals are classes available
on-site at your location. The VSA wireless LAN measurements and productivity
assistance products are consulting services tailored to your needs.
51
User-Supplied PC Requirements
The 89600 Series VSAs require a PC to control the hardware and display results.
You can use your PC for this task. The following are the minimum requirements
for a user-supplied PC. For best immunity to electrostatic discharge (ESD), use a
desktop PC.
Any laptop or desktop PC may be used to run the 89600 VSA software, as long as
it meets or exceeds the following minimum requirements
Desktop Laptop
®
CPU 600 MHz Pentium
(> 2 GHz recommended) (> 2 GHz recommended)
Empty slots 1 PCI-bus slot (two recommended— 1 CardBus Type II slot
VXI hardware only) (Integrated Firewire recommended
for VXI hardware only)
RAM 512 MB (1 GB recommended) 512 MB (1 GB recommended)
Video RAM 4 MB (16 MB recommended) 4 MB (16 MB recommended)
Hard disk space 500 MB available 500 MB available
Operating system Microsoft Windows 2000, SP2, Microsoft Windows 2000, SP2,
or XP Professional or XP Professional
Additional drives CDROM to load the software; license CDROM to load the software;
transfer requires 3.5 inch floppy drive, license transfer requires 3.5 inch
network access, or a USB memory floppy drive, network access,
stick. or a USB memory stick.
Interface support LAN, GPIB, USB or FireWire
(Interface is platform-dependent; see interface (Interface is platform the Data Sheet, Hardware dependent; see the Data Sheet,
Measurement Platforms for Hardware Measurement
the 89600 VSA Software), literature Platforms for the 89600 VSA
number 5989-1753EN Software), literature number
5989-1753EN
or AMD-K6 > 600 MHz Pentium or AMD-K6
2
interface LAN, GPIB, USB or FireWire2
1
:
52
1. Requirements for use with some Agilent Infiniium oscilloscopes are different. See the application note Infiniium
Oscilloscopes Performance Guide Using VSA Software, literature number 5988-4096EN.
2. For a list of supported IEEE 1394 (FireWire) interfaces, visit www.agilent.com/find/89600 and search the FAQ’s
for information on “What type of IEEE 1394 interface can I use in my computer to connect to the 89600S VXI
hardware?”.
Related Literature
89600S Vector Signal Analyzer CD, literature number 5980-1989E
89600 Series Vector Signal Analysis Software 89601A/89601AN/ 89601N12,
Data Sheet, literature number 5989-1786EN
Hardware Measurement Platforms for the Agilent 89600 Series Vector Signal
Analysis Software, Data Sheet, literature number 5989-1753EN
89600 Series VSA software for MB-OFDM Ultra-wideband, Technical Overview and
Self-guided Demonstration, literature number 5989-5452EN
89600 Series Vector Signal Analyzers, VXI Configuration Guide,
literature number 5968-9350E
Agilent Technologies Solutions for MB-OFDM Ultra-wideband, Application Note,
literature number 5989-5280EN
Using the 89600 VSA software with Infiniium Series Oscilloscopes,
Application Note, literature number 5988-4096EN
89650S Wideband Vector Signal Analyzer System with High Performance
Spectrum Analysis, Technical Overview, literature number 5989-0871EN
89650S Wideband Vector Signal Analyzer System with High Performance
Spectrum Analysis, Configuration Guide, literature number 5989-1435EN
89607A WLAN Test Suite Software, Technical Overview,
literature number 5988-9574EN
89604A Distortion Test Suite Software, Technical Overview,
literature number 5988-7812EN
Related Web Resources
For more information, visit: www.agilent.com/find/89600
www.agilent.com/find/vsascope for information on using 89600 VSA software
with an oscilloscope
www.agilent.com/find/dvsa for information on using 89600 VSA software with a
logic analyzer
53
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Revised: May 7, 2007
Product specifications and descriptions
in this document subject to change
without notice.
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2004-2007
Printed in USA, July 25, 2007
5989-1679EN
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