Agilent N9310A
RF Signal Generator
Quick Start Guide
Notices
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2006
No part of this manual may be reproduced
in any form or by any means (including
electronic storage and retrieval or translation into a foreign language) without prior
agreement and written consent from Agilent Technologies, Inc. as governed by
United States and international copyright
laws.
Edition
First Edition, June 2006
Printed in China
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
Qianfeng Hi-Tech Industrial Park
Chengdu Hi-Tech Industrial Development
Zone(West District)
Chengdu, 611731, P.R.C
Software Revision
This guide is valid for V1.0 revisions of the
Agilent N9310A RF Signal Generator
software. Due to our continious effert to
improve our product, please go to our web
site to download the latest version of the
Quick Start Guide or User’s Guide.
Warranty
The material contained in this document is provided “as is,” and is subject to being changed, without notice,
in future editions. Further, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable
law, Agilent disclaims all warranties,
either express or implied, with regard
to this manual and any information
contained herein, including but not
limited to the implied warranties of
merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Agilent shall not be
liable for errors or for incidental or
consequential damages in connection
with the furnishing, use, or performance of this document or of any
information contained herein. Should
Agilent and the user have a separate
written agreement with warranty
terms covering the material in this
document that conflict with these
terms, the warranty terms in the separate agreement shall control.
Technology Licenses
The hardware and/or software described in
this document are furnished under a
license and may be used or copied only in
accordance with the terms of such license.
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the federal government include only those
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for the Department of Defense, DFARS
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Items) and DFARS 227.7202-3 (Rights in
Commercial Computer Software or Computer Software Documentation).
Safety Notices
CAUTION
A CAUTION notice denotes a hazard. It calls attention to an operating procedure, practice, or the like
that, if not correctly performed or
adhered to, could result in damage
to the product or loss of important
data. Do not proceed beyond a
CAUTION notice until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.
WARNING
A WARNING notice denotes a
hazard. It calls attention to an
operating procedure, practice, or
the like that, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result
in personal injury or death. Do not
proceed beyond a WARNING
notice until the indicated conditions are fully understood and
met.
Quick Start Guide
This
Quick Start Guide
generator for use. With this guide, you will become familiar
with its basic operation and programming information. For
more information, please refer to
www.agilent.com/find/n9310a
N9310 Overview 4
Preparation for Use 7
Generating a Continuous Wave Signal 9
Generating a Step Sweep Signal 11
Generating a Modulated Signal 13
Some Help Hints 15
Remote Control 16
helps you in preparing the signal
User’s Guide
from:
Contact Agilent Technologies 22
Factory Default Settings 23
1
N9310A RF Signal Generator
Check the Shipment
After receiving the shipment, you should first check the
shipment and your order list refer to the procedures below.
✔ Inspect the shipping container for damage.
Signs of damage may include a dented or torn shipping
container or cushioning material that indicates signs of
unusual stress or compacting.
✔ Carefully remove the contents from the shipping container
and verify that your order is complete. Each signal
generator includes the following items as standard:
Item Quantity Part Number
N9310A signal generator 1 N9310A
USB cable 1 8121-1482
three-pin power cord 1 Specific to location
Quick Start Guide 1 N9310-90003
User’s Guide 1 N9310-90001
Help kit CD-ROM 1 N9310-84500
Calibration certificate 1 N/A
✔ Verify if the ordered options are included in the shipment
by checking the serial number on the rear panel of the
signal generator:
Option Name Part number
001 I/Q modulator N9310A-001
1CM Rackmount flange kit N9310A-1CM
1TC Hard transit case N9310A-1TC
Any question about your shipment, please contact Agilent
Technologies Customer Contact Center for consulting and
service.
2 Quick Start Guide
Safety Notice
N9310A RF Signal generator
Please read the following warnings and cautions carefully
before you power on the signal generator to ensure your
personal and instrumental safety.
WARNING
WARNING
WARNING
CAUTION
CAUTION
Always use a well-grounded, three-pin AC plug and power cord to
connect to a power source. Personal injury may occur if there is any
interruption of the AC power cord of the signal generator. Intentional
interruption is prohibited.
Personal injury may result if the signal generator covers are removed.
There are no operator serviceable parts inside. To avoid electrical
shock, refer servicing to qualified personnel.
Electrical shock may result if the signal generator is connected from
the
power supply while cleaning. Do not attempt to clean
internally.
To install the signal generators in other racks, note that they may
promote shock hazards, overheating, dusting contamination, and
inferior system performance. Consult your Agilent customer engineer
about installation, warranty, and support details.
Damage to the signal generator may result when the total power
dissipated in the cabinet is greater than 800 watts. When this
condition exists, forced convection must be applied.
CAUTION
Quick Start Guide 3
The RF OUT connector is for signal output only. Avoid manually adding
any external signal into the signal generator via this connector. This
connector endures maximum +36 dBm RF power or 30 V DC input
(1 minute lasting). Or it may result in instrument damages.
N9310A RF Signal Generator
N9310 Overview
An Agilent N9310A RF Signal Generator finds general
purpose test application between 9 kHz to 3 GHz. It is
capable to generate variables of signals as shown below,
which could be applied in the field of manufacture, service
and repair, development and education:
• Continuous wave (CW) signal
•Low frequency (LF) signal
• RF/LF/Amplitude step sweep
• Amplitude modulation (AM) signal
• Frequency modulation (FM) signal
•Phase modulation (FM) signal
•Pulse modulation signal
The signal generator comprises an optional broadband I/Q
modulator (option 001). With this option, N9310A is capable
of generating complicated digital signal widely used in
modern digital communication system in conjunction with an
external I/Q signal generator.
The N9310A RF Signal Generator has USB connectors for
your remote control and fast file transferring.
4 Quick Start Guide
The Front Panel at a Glance
1
N9310A RF Signal generator
2
3
4
5
6
N9310A RF Signal Genera tor 9 kHz - 3. 0 GHz
18
17
16
Remot e
Standby
On
Frequency
Amplitude
Enter
7
4
1
0
15
14
Screen
1
Softkeys
2
Enter key
3
Amplitude hardkey
4
Frequency hardkey
5
Function hardkeys
6
Mod On/Off hardkey
7
Knob
8
RF On/Off hardkey
10
RF OUT connector
11
LF OUT connector
12
Numeric keypad
13
Standby switch
14
Switch On LED
15
Standby LED
16
Remote LED
17
AM
FM
FM
9
8
56
23
.
13
FUNCTIONS
I/Q
Utility
Sweep
Trigger
Pulse
MOD
On/Off
RF
On/Off
LF OUT RF OUT 50
REVERSE PW R
4W MAX 30 VDC
12
Preset
LocalFile
LF Out
7
8
9
10
11
Arrow hardkeys
9
USB Device connector
18
Quick Start Guide 5
N9310A RF Signal Generator
The Rear Panel at a Glance
11
VGA OUTPUT
DEV
10
MOD IN
1V RMS
MAX
PULSE MO D IN
REF IN
REF OUT
I IN
Q IN
HOST
TRIG IN
HIPOT PASS
12
N9310A N9310A-CFG002
SER:CN*********
100W MAX
Made in China
100-240V
LIN E:
50-60Hz
9
3
8
6
7
5
4
2
1 AC power switch 7 Pulse input connector
2 AC power connector 8 Modulation source input connector
3 USB host connector 9 Q input connector
4 Trigger input connector 10 I input connector
5 Reference output connector 11 VGA connector
6 Reference input connector 12 USB device connectors
1
The signal generator rear panel provides input, output, and
remote interface connections. Refer to “Rear Panel Overview”
on
User’s Guide
for more information.
6 Quick Start Guide
Preparation for Use
N9310A RF Signal generator
1 Connect the power cord. Insert the plug into a power socket
provided with a protective earth. Set the tilt adjustor for
your preference.
2 Connect an RF cable to the output connector of the signal
generator and then connect the cable to your DUT (device
under test) or other instrument.
DUT
Quick Start Guide 7
N9310A RF Signal Generator
Turn On the Signal Generator
Follow this procedure to power on the signal generator:
1 Press the power switch on the rear panel. The orange
LED will light and the signal generator is in standby mode.
2 Press the standby switch on the front panel. The green
LED will light.
Self- initialization takes about 30 seconds; the signal
generator then defaults to the menu mode with the
maximum frequency of 3 GHz and minimum amplitude of
–127 dBm, then the signal generator is ready for your
current use. After power on, let the signal generator warm
up for 45 minutes for stabilization.
NOTE
The front panel switch is a standby switch only; it is not a power
switch. To disconnect the signal generator from the line power, shut
off the power switch on the rear panel.
8 Quick Start Guide
Generating a Continuous Wave Signal
To simplify the example, assume you wish to generate a
continuous wave (CW) signal with a:
•Frequency of 1 GHz
•Power level of
Setting up Frequency
Operation Notes
–20.0 dBm
N9310A RF Signal generator
1. Press hardkey
2. Press
3. Enter
Preset
Frequency
1 using the
numeric keypad and
press
GHz softkey
Setting up Amplitude
Operation Notes
1. Press hardkey
2. Enter
Amplitude
–20 using the
numeric keypad and
press
dBm softkey
hardkey
Sets the signal generator to its
factory-defined instrument state.
Frequency becomes the active function in
the data entry area. This area displays the
factory preset frequency.
The FREQUENCY area and the active entry
area both display the new carrier frequency
(1.0000000000 GHz).
Frequency becomes the active function in
the data entry area. This area displays the
factory preset frequency.
The AMPLITUDE area and the active entry
area display the new level (
–20.0 dBm).
Quick Start Guide 9
N9310A RF Signal Generator
Enable RF Output
Operation Notes
RF
Press hardkey
On/Off
Notice that the display annunciator changes
from to . The CW signal is now
available at the RF OUT connector.
The screen looks like this:
10 Quick Start Guide
Generating a Step Sweep Signal
To simplify the example, assume you wish to generate a RF
sweep signal with the characteristics of:
• Frequency range from 1 to 2 GHz
• 10 step point
• Dwell time of 500 ms for each step
Setting up a Step Sweep
Operation Notes
N9310A RF Signal generator
1. Press hardkey Sets the signal generator to its
2. Press hardkey Enables the submenu of sweep
3. Press Step Sweep softkey Enables the submenu of sweep
4. Press RF Start > 1 > GHz Sets the step sweep start
5. Press RF Stop > 2 > GHz Sets the step sweep stop
6. Press #Points > 10 > Enter Sets the step point to 10 in the step
7. Press
Preset
Sweep
More>Step Dwell>500>ms
factory-defined instrument state.
softkeys.
settings.
frequency to 1 GHz.
frequency to 2 GHz.
sweep.
Sets the dwell time to 500 ms for
each point in the step sweep.
Quick Start Guide 11
N9310A RF Signal Generator
Enable RF Sweep
Operation Notes
1. Press hardkey
RF
On/Off
Turn on the RF OUT connector. Notice
that the display annunciator changes
from to .
2. Press Return>Sweep Mode Displays another menu allowing you to
choose the sweep mode
3. Press RF softkey The indicates sweep on,
signifying that the sweep mode is
enabled. The sweep signal is now
available at the RF OUT connector.
12 Quick Start Guide
Generating a Modulated Signal
To simplify the example, assume you wish to generate an
amplitude modulated (AM) signal with a:
• Carrier frequency of 900 MHz
• Carrier power level of –20.0 dBm
• AM depth of 60%
Setting up carrier frequency and amplitude
Operation Notes
N9310A RF Signal generator
1. Press hardkey.
2. Press >
3. Press
Preset
Frequency
Amplitude
900 > MHz
>–20 > dBm
Setting up Amplitude Modulation
Operation Notes
1. Press
2. Press
3. Press
AM
hardkey.
AM Depth > 60 > % Set the AM depth to 60%.
AM On Off softkey.
Sets the signal generator to its
factory-defined instrument state.
Sets the carrier frequency to 900 MHz for
amplitude modulation.
Sets the carrier amplitude to –20 dBm for
amplitude modulation.
Displays the
AM toggles from
AM first level menu.
Off to On. The
indicates “On” signifying that you have
enabled amplitude modulation.
Quick Start Guide 13
N9310A RF Signal Generator
Enable Amplitude Modulation
Operation Notes
NOTE
RF
Press hardkey.
On/Off
The display annunciator changes from
to . The AM signal is now
available at RF OUT connector.
After pressing hardkey, will display on the screen which
Preset
indicates the modulation is active. If you ignore this procedure, you
need to press hardkey to enable the modulator.
Mod
On/Off
Then the screen displays like this:
Refer to
User’s Guide
for more information.
14 Quick Start Guide
Some Help Hints
N9310A RF Signal generator
Refer to the following hints to set the signal generator to
your required setting:
• Set the screen saver on by pressing
Utility
> Screen Saver> On
• Select a display style by pressing
Utility
> Display Style
• Toggle the phase noise mode by pressing
Utility
> Opti. F Noise> Normal/ResFM Opt.
• Save the current configures for your frequent use to
either local memory or an external USB memory by
pressing
File
> Save
• Connect and set an external reference by pressing
Utility
> Ref Setups
• Connect an external display monitor to the VGA
connector for the education projects or other needs.
NOTE
NOTE
The calibration cycle of N9310A RF Signal Generator is one year.
A button cell provides power to the real time clock of the signal
generator. It is not rechargeable. If you find your N9310A encounters a
clock defect, please contact your nearest Agilent Customer Contact
Center (CCC) for service.
Quick Start Guide 15
N9310A RF Signal Generator
Remote Control
The N9310A signal generator provides USB connection to
your PC, allowing you run your N9310A in remote mode.
NOTE
Frequency
Amplitude FM
Enter
7
4
102
FUNCTION S
Utility
Preset
AM I/Q
Sweep
Local
File
TriggerPulseM
LF Out
MOD
9
8
On/Off
6
5
3
RF
·
On/Off
LF OUT RF OUT 5 0
REVERSE PWR
4W MAX 30VDC
USB
N9310A RF Signal Generator 9 kHz - 3.0 GHz
Remote
Standby
On
cable
Before remotely control your N9310A, Make sure your PC
meets the following minimum requirements:
✔ 450 MHz processor
✔ 128 MB RAM
✔ 175 MB available disk space
✔ Microsoft® Windows® 2000 SP4, XP SP2
✔ Display resolution: 800*600
Pressing hardkey returns the signal generator from remote mode to
Local
local mode.
16 Quick Start Guide
Installing Agilent IO Libraries suite
Before trying to remotely control your N9310A, you need to
install Agilent IO Libraries suite on your PC. The Agilent IO
Libraries Suite is a general purpose instrument driver for all
Agilent test and measurement instruments. This software is
in the documentation CD with the shipment, or download a
latest version from
http://www.agilent.com/find/iolib
Follow the windows wizard to finish the installation. Then,
you have successfully set up an environment for remotely
control your N9310A.
Connecting your N9310A to a Controller
1 Switch on your N9310A. The orange standby LED on the
front panel is turned off and the green LED is turned on.
N9310A RF Signal generator
2 Refer to the following graphic for your PC to insturment
connection.
Connecting
PC
Connecting
Device
Then the signal generator is available for your remotely
control. Any further information on programming please
refer to
Quick Start Guide 17
User’s Guide
.
N9310A RF Signal Generator
SCPI Command List
SCPI Command Utility
Frequency
SCPI command
Amplitude
SCPI command
Trigger
SCPI command
:FREQuency:CW <val> <unit>
:FREQuency:CW?
:FREQuency:RF:STARt <val> <unit>
:FREQuency:RF:STARt?
:FREQuency:LF:STARt <val> <unit>
:FREQuency:LF:STARt?
:FREQuency:RF:STOP <val> <unit>
:FREQuency:RF:STOP?
:FREQuency:LF:STOP <val> <unit>
:FREQuency:LF:STOP?
:FREQuency:RF:SCALe LOG|LIN
:FREQuency:RF:SCALe?
:AMPLitude:CW <val> <unit>
:AMPLitude:CW?
:AMPLitude:STARt <val> <unit>
:AMPLitude:STARt?
:AMPLitude:STOP <val> <unit>
:AMPLitude:STOP?
:TRIGger:IMMediate Sweep immediately
:TRIGger:SSWP Trigger a single sweep
Set CW frequency
Set RF start frequency
Set LF start frequency
Set RF stop frequency
Set LF stop frequency
Set Sweep Scaling
Set CW frequency
Set Start Amplitude
Set Stop Amplitude
Sweep
SCPI command
:SWEep:RF:STATe ON|OFF|1|0
:SWEep:RF:STATe?
:SWEep:LF:STATe ON|OFF|1|0
:SWEep:LF:STATe?
:SWEep:AMPLitude:STATe ON|OFF|1|0
:SWEep:AMPLitude:STATe?
Turn On/Off RF Sweep
Turn On/Off LF Sweep
Turn On/Off Ampl Sweep
18 Quick Start Guide
N9310A RF Signal generator
SCPI Command Utility
:SWEep:RF:STARt <val> <unit>
:SWEep:RF:STARt?
:SWEep:LF:STARt <val> <unit>
:SWEep:LF:STARt?
:SWEep:RF:STOP <val> <unit>
:SWEep:RF:STOP?
:SWEep:LF:STOP <val> <unit>
:SWEep:LF:STOP?
:SWEep:AMPLitude:STARt <val> <unit>
:SWEep:AMPLitude:STARt?
:SWEep:AMPLitude:STOP <val> <unit>
:SWEep:AMPLitude:STOP?
:SWEep:STEP:POINts <val>
:SWEep:STEP:POINts?
:SWEep:STEP:DWELl <val> <unit>
:SWEep:STEP:DWELl?
:SWEep:REPeat SINGle|CONTinuous
:SWEep:REPeat?
:SWEep:STRG IMMediate|EXT|KEY
:SWEep:STRG?
Set RF start frequency
Set LF start frequency
Set RF stop frequency
Set LF stop frequency
Set start amplitude
Set stop amplitude
Set sweep point
Set step dwell time
Set sweep repeat
Set sweep trigger
AM
SCPI command
:SWEep:STRG:SLOPe EXTN|EXTP
:SWEep:STRG:SLOPe?
:SWEep:PTRG IMMediate|EXT|KEY
:SWEep:PTRG?
:SWEep:PTRG:SLOPe EXTN|EXTP
:SWEep:PTRG:SLOPe?
:SWEep:DIRection UP|DOWN
:SWEep:DIRection?
:AM:STATe ON|OFF|1|0
:AM:STATe?
Set sweep trigger slope
Set point trigger
Set point trigger slope
Set sweep directon
Turn on/off AM
Quick Start Guide 19
N9310A RF Signal Generator
SCPI Command Utility
FM
SCPI command
FM
SCPI command
:AM:DEPTh <val>
:AM:DEPTh?
:AM:SOURce INT|EXT|INT+EXT
:AM:SOURce?
:AM:RATE <val> <unit>
:AM:RATE?
:AM:EXTCoupling AC|DC
:AM:EXTCoupling?
:FM:STATe ON|OFF|1|0
:FM:STATe?
:FM:DEViation <val> <unit>
:FM:DEViation?
:FM:SOURce INT|EXT|INT+EXT
:FM:SOURce?
:FM:RATE <val> <unit>
:FM:RATE?
:FM:EXTCoupling AC|DC
:FM:EXTCoupling?
:PM:STATe ON|OFF|1|0
:PM:STATe?
Set AM depth
Set AM source
Set AM rate
Set external coupling
Turn on/off FM
Set FM deviation
Set FM source
Set FM rate
Set external coupling
Turn on/off FM
Pulse SCPI
command
:PM:DEViation <val> <unit>
:PM:DEViation?
:PM:RATE <val> <unit>
:PM:RATE?
:PULM:STATe ON|OFF|1|0
:PULM:STATe?
:PULM:SOURce INT|EXT
:PULM:SOURce?
:PULM:PERiod <val> <unit>
:PULM:PERiod?
Set FM deviation
Set FM rate
Turn on/off pulse
Set pulse source
Set pulse period
20 Quick Start Guide
N9310A RF Signal generator
SCPI Command Utility
I/Q modulation
SCPIcommand
LF Out SCPI
command
System SCPI
command
:PULM:WIDTh <val> <unit>
:PULM:WIDTh?
:IQ:STATe ON|OFF|1|0
:IQ:STATe?
:LFOutput:STATe ON|OFF|1|0
:LFOutput:STATe?
:LFOutput:FREQuency <val> <unit>
:LFOutput:FREQuency?
:LFOutput:AMPLitude <val> <unit>
:LFOutput:AMPLitude?
:SYSTem:DISPlay WHITE|BLUE|GREEN
:SYSTem:DISPlay?
:SYSTem:SSAVer ON|OFF|1|0
:SYSTem:SSAVer?
:SYSTem:ERRor? View error messages
:SYSTem:DATE <year><month><day>
:SYSTem:DATE?
:SYSTem:TIME <hour><minute>
:SYSTem:TIME?
:SYSTem:REFerence:FREQuency
INT10MHz|EXT2MHz|EXT5MHz|EXT10MHz
:SYSTem:REFerence:FREQuency?
Set pulse width
Turn On/Off I/Q
modulation
Turn on/off LF output
Set LF frequency
Set LF amplitude
Set display style
Set screen saver
Set system date
Set system time
Set external reference
source
Modulation
SCPI command
RF OUT SCPI
command
:SYSTem:PNMD NORMal|RESFM
:SYSTem:PNMD?
:MOD:STATe ON|OFF|1|0
:MOD:STATe?
:RFOutput:STATe ON|OFF|1|0
:RFOutput:STATe?
Set phase noise mode
Turn on/off modulation
Turn on/off RF output
Quick Start Guide 21
N9310A RF Signal Generator
Contact Agilent Technologies
Agilent Technologies has offices around the world to provide
you with complete suppor t for your signal generator. To
obtain servicing information or to order replacement parts,
contact the Agilent Technologies customer contact center
listed below. In any correspondence or telephone
conversations, refer to your signal generator by its product
number and full serial number.
Press > Information to find those information.
Online assistance: http://www.agilent.com/find/assist
United States
(tel) 800 829 4444
(fax) 800 829 4433
Europe
(tel) +31 20 547 2111
Latin America
(tel) +1 (305) 269 7500
Other Asia Pacific Countries
(tel) +65 6375 8100
(fax) +65 6755 0042
Email: tm_ap@agilent.com
Utility
Canada
(tel) 877 894 4414
(fax) 800 746 4866
Japan
(tel) +81 426 56 7832
(fax) +81 426 56 7840
Ta iw an
(tel) 0800 047 866
(fax) 0800 286 331
China
(tel) 800 810 0189
(fax) 800 820 2816
Korea
(tel) 080 769 0800
(fax) 080 769 0900
Australia
(tel) 1 800 629 485
(fax) +61 (3) 9210 5947
22 Quick Start Guide
Factory Default Settings
Item Default Item Default
Frequency 3.000 000 0000 GHz Sweep Scaling Linear
Amplitude –127.0 dBm Sweep/Point Trigger Immediate
LF Out Off Sweep Direction Up
LF Out Freq 1.0000 kHz Trig In Polarity Negative
LF Out Ampl 500 mV Modulation
Mod On/Off On Modulation State Off
RF On/Off Off AM Depth 0.0 %
Sweep FM Deviation 0.000 rad
Sweep Mode Off FM Deviation 20 Hz
RF Start 9.0000 kHz Pulse Period 200 ms
RF Stop 3.000 000 0000 GHz Pulse Width 100 ms
N9310A RF Signal generator
Ampl Start –127.0 dBm Modulation Source INT
Ampl Stop –126.0 dBm Modulation Rate 1.0000 kHz
LF Start 20.0 Hz Ext Coupling AC
LF Stop 80.0000 kHz System
#Point 10 Catalog Local
Step Dwell 10.0 ms F Noise Mode Normal
Sweep Repeat Cont Reference Source Int_10MHz
Quick Start Guide 23
www.agilent.com
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2006
Printed in China
June 2006
*N9310-90003*
N9310-90003
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