Agilent Technologies 89441A User Manual

Agilent Technologies 89441A Getting Started Guide

Agilent Technologies Part Number 89441-90076

For instruments with firmware version A.08.00 Printed in U.S.A.

This software and documentation is based in part on the Fourth Berkeley Software Distribution under license from The Regents of the University of California. We acknowledge the following individuals and institutions for their role in the development: The Regents of the University of California .

The Analyzer at a Glance

Front Panel

1-A softkey’s function changes as different

menus are displayed. Its current function is determined by the video label to its left, on the analyzer’s screen.

2-The analyzer’s screen is divided into two

main areas. The menu area, a narrow column at the screen’s right edge, displays softkey labels. The data area, the remaining portion of the screen, displays traces and other data.

3-The POWER switch turns the analyzer on

and off.

4-Use a 3.5 inch flexible disk (DS,HD) in this

disk drive to save your work.

11-Use the SYSTEM hardkeys and their

menus to control various system functions (online help, plotting, presetting, and so on).

12-Use the MEASUREMENT hardkeys and

their menus to control the analyzer’s receiver and source, and to specify other measurement parameters.

13-The REMOTE OPERATION hardkey and

LED indicators allow you to set up and monitor the activity of remote devices.

14-Use the MARKER hardkeys and their

menus to control marker positioning and marker functions.

5-The KEYBOARD connector allows you to

attach an optional keyboard to the analyzer. The keyboard is most useful for writing and editing Agilent Instrument BASIC programs.

6- The SOURCE connector routes the

analyzer’s source output to your DUT. If option AY8 (internal RF source) is installed, the conector is a type-N. If option AY8 is not installed, the connector is a BNC. Output impedance is selectable: 50 ohms or 75 ohms with option 1D7 (minimum loss pads).

7-The EXT TRIGGER connector lets you

provide an external trigger for the analyzer.

8-The PROBE POWER connectors provides

power for various Agilent active probes.

9-The INPUT connector routes your test signal

or DUT output to the analyzer’s receiver. Input impedance is selectable: 50 ohms or 75 ohms with option 1D7 (minimum loss pads).

10-Use the DISPLAY hardkeys and their

menus to select and manipulate trace data and to select display options for that data.

15-The knob’s primary purpose is to move a

marker along the trace. But you can also use it to change values during numeric entry, move a cursor during text entry, or select a hypertext link in help topics

16-Use the Marker/Entry key to determine the

knob’s function. With the Marker indicator illuminated the knob moves a marker along the trace. With the Entry indicator illuminated the knob changes numeric entry values.

17-Use the ENTRY hardkeys to change the

value of numeric parameters or to enter numeric characters in text strings.

18-The optional CHANNEL 2 input connector

routes your test signal or DUT output to the analyzer’s receiver. Input impedance is selectable: 50 ohms, 75 ohms, or 1 megohm. For ease of upgrading, the CHANNEL 2 BNC connector is installed even if option AY7 (second input channel) is not installed.

For more details on the front panel, display the online help topic “Front Panel”. See the chapter “Using Online Help” if you are not familiar with using the online help index.

iii

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Saftey Summary

The following general safety precautions must be observed during all phases of operation of this instrument. Failure to comply with these precautions or with specific warnings elsewhere in this manual violates safety standards of design, manufacture, and intended use of the instrument. Agilent Technologies, Inc. assumes no liability for the customer’s failure to comply with these requirements.

GENERAL

This product is a Safety Class 1 instrument (provided with a protective earth terminal). The protective features of this product may be impaired if it is used in a manner not specified in the operation instructions.

All Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) used in this product are Class 1 LEDs as per IEC 60825-1.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

This instrument is intended for indoor use in an installation category II, pollution degree 2 environment. It is designed to operate at a maximum relative humidity of 95% and at altitudes of up to 2000 meters. Refer to the specifications tables for the ac mains voltage requirements and ambient operating temperature range.

BEFORE APPLYING POWER

Verify that the product is set to match the available line voltage, the correct fuse is installed, and all safety precautions are taken. Note the instrument’s external markings described under Safety Symbols.

GROUND THE INSTRUMENT

To minimize shock hazard, the instrument chassis and cover must be connected to an electrical protective earth ground. The instrument must be connected to the ac power mains through a grounded power cable, with the ground wire firmly connected to an electrical ground (safety ground) at the power outlet. Any interruption of the protective (grounding) conductor or disconnection of the protective earth terminal will cause a potential shock hazard that could result in personal injury.

FUSES

Only fuses with the required rated current, voltage, and specified type (normal blow, time delay, etc.) should be used. Do not use repaired fuses or short-circuited fuse holders. To do so could cause a shock or fire hazard.

DO NOT OPERATE IN AN EXPLOSIVE ATMOSPHERE

Do not operate the instrument in the presence of flammable gases or fumes.

DO NOT REMOVE THE INSTRUMENT COVER

Operating personnel must not remove instrument covers. Component replacement and internal adjustments must be made only by qualified service personnel.

Instruments that appear damaged or defective should be made inoperative and secured against unintended operation until they can be repaired by qualified service personnel.

WARNING The WARNING sign denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a procedure,

practice, or the like, which, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in personal injury. Do not proceed beyond a WARNING sign until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.

Caution The CAUTION sign denotes a hazard. It calls attention to an operating

procedure, or the like, which, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in damage to or destruction of part or all of the product. Do not proceed beyond a CAUTION sign until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.

Safety Symbols

Warning, risk of electric shock

Caution, refer to accompanying documents

Alternating current

Both direct and alternating current

Earth (ground) terminal

Protective earth (ground) terminal

Frame or chassis terminal

Terminal is at earth potential.

Standby (supply). Units with this symbol are not completely disconnected from ac mains when

this switch is off

vii

Notation Conventions

Before you use this book, it is important to understand the types of keys on the front panel of the analyzer and how they are denoted in this book.

Hardkeys Hardkeys are front-panel buttons whose functions are always the same.

Hardkeys have a label printed directly on the key. In this book, they are printed like this: [

Hardkey

Softkeys Softkeys are keys whose functions change with the analyzer’s current menu selection. A softkey’s function is indicated by a video label to the left of the key (at the edge of the analyzer’s screen). In this book, softkeys are printed like this: [

Toggle Softkeys Some softkeys toggle through multiple settings for a parameter. Toggle softkeys have a word highlighted (of a different color) in their label. Repeated presses of a toggle softkey changes which word is highlighted with each press of the softkey. In this book, toggle softkey presses are shown with the requested toggle state in bold type as follows: “Press [

Shift Functions In addition to their normal labels, keys with blue lettering also have a shift function. This is similar to shift keys on an pocket calculator or the shift function on a typewriter or computer keyboard. Using a shift function is a two-step process. First, press the blue [ display). Then press the key with the shift function you want to enable. Shift function are printed as two key presses, like this: [

Shift][Shift Function

key name on

]”means“pressthesoftkey [

] key (at this point, the message “shift” appears on the

Shift

]

key name

softkey

] until the selection on is active.”

Numeric Entries Numeric values may be entered by using the numeric keys in the lower right hand ENTRY area of the analyzer front panel. In this book values which are to be entered from these keys are indicted only as numerals in the text, like this: Press 50, [

Ghosted Softkeys A softkey label may be shown in the menu when it is inactive. This occurs when a softkey function is not appropriate for a particular measurement or not available with the current analyzer configuration. To show that a softkey function is not available, the analyzer ‘’ghosts’’ the inactive softkey label. A ghosted softkey appears less bright than a normal softkey. Settings/values may be changed while they are inactive. If this occurs, the new settings are effective when the configuration changes such that the softkey function becomes active.

viii

enter

]

In This Book

This book, “Agilent Technologies 89441A Getting Started Guide”, is designed to help you become comfortable with the Agilent 89441A Vector Signal Analyzers. It provides step-by step examples of how to use this analyzer to perform tasks which you have probably performed with other analyzers. By performing these tasks you will become familiar with many of the basic features—and how those features fit together to perform actual measurements.

This book also contains a chapter to help you prepare the analyzer for use, including instructions for inspecting and installing the analyzer.

To Learn More About the Analyzer

You may need to use other books in the analyzer’s manual set. See the “Documentation Roadmap” at the end of this book to learn what each book contains.

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1 Using Online Help

To learn about online help 1-2

To display help for hardkeys and softkeys 1-3

To display a related help topic 1-4

To select a topic from the help index 1-5

2 Making Simple Noise Measurements

To measure random noise 2-2

To measure band power 2-3

To measure signal to noise ratios 2-4

To measure adjacent-channel power 2-6

3 Using Gating to Characterize a Burst Signal

To Use Time Gating 3-2

4MeasuringRelativePhase

To measure the relative phase of an AM signal 4-2

To measure the relative phase of an PM signal 4-4

5 Characterizing a Filter

To set up a frequency response measurement 5-2

To use the absolute marker 5-4

To use the relative marker 5-5

To use the search marker 5-6

To display phase 5-7

To display coherence 5-8

6 General Tasks

To set up peripherals. 6-2

To print or plot screen contents 6-3

To save data with an internal or RAM disk 6-4

To recall data with an internal or RAM disk 6-5

To format a disk 6-6

To create a math function 6-7

To use a math function 6-8

To display a summary of instrument parameters 6-9

Inspection and Installation

7 Preparing the Analyzer for Use

Preparing the Analyzer for Use 7-2

To do the incoming inspection 7-5

To connect the sections 7-7

To install the analyzer 7-9

To change the IF section’s line-voltage switch 7-10

To change the RF section’s line-voltage switch 7-11

To change the IF section’s fuse 7-12

To change the RF section’s fuse 7-13

To connect the analyzer to a LAN 7-14

To connect the analyzer to a serial device 7-15

To connect the analyzer to a parallel device 7-15

To connect the analyzer to an GPIB device 7-16

To connect the analyzer to an external monitor 7-16

To connect the optional keyboard 7-17

To connect the optional minimum loss pad 7-18

To clean the screen 7-19

To store the analyzer 7-19

To transport the analyzer 7-20

If the IF section will not power up 7-21

If the RF section will not power up 7-22

If the analyzer’s stop frequency is 10 MHz 7-23

Index

Documentation Road Map

Need Assistance

xii

Using Online Help

You can learn about your analyzer from online help which is built right into the instrument and is available to you any time you use the analyzer. This section shows you how to use online help to learn about specific keys or topics. You can use online help in conjunction with other documentation to learn about your analyzer in depth, or you can refresh your memory for keys you seldom use. You can use online help while working with your analyzer since online help does not alter the analyzer setup.

1-1

Using Online Help

To learn about online help

1 Enter the online help system:

Press [

2 Display online help for the [

Press [

3 Use the knob or the up-arrow or down-arrow keys to move through the pages. 4 Quit online help:

Press [ or Press [

Take a few moments to read the help overview. It’s only five pages long, and it includes descriptions of advanced features like the index and cross-reference “links” that can help you locate the information you need more quickly.

When you enter the help system it displays help on the last key you pressed. If you have just turned on the analyzer online help for the [

Help

] on the numeric keypad.

Help

] on the keypad.

] hardkey:

] key is displayed.

Help

This legend shows which numeric keys access online help features

When you quit help, the analyzer restores the display and menu that was displayed before you enabled help. Using online help does not alter your measurement setup.

1-2

Using Online Help

To display help for hardkeys and softkeys

This example displays topics related to triggering.

1 Enter the online help system:

Press [

2 Display help for a hardkey:

Press [

3 Use the knob or the up and down arrow keys to page through the topic. 4 Select a softkey topic:

Press [

5 Quit online help:

Press [ or Press [

Pressing [ other key when help is enabled, the analyzer displays a help topic describing the key’s function. For help on the preset state, select “Preset hardkey” from the help index (you will learn how to do this later in this section) or press [ then [

Help

Trigger

trigger type

Help

] on the keypad.

Help

], [

IF channel 1

]

] always returns the analyzer to its preset state. If you press any

Preset

]

These lines show the name of the selected softkey and the path to its hardkey

1-3

Using Online Help

To display a related help topic

This example displays topics related to saving and recalling.

1 Enter the online help system:

Press [

2 Display help for a hardkey:

Press [

3 Scroll with the knob to highlight the Math topic. 4 Select that topic:

Press [

5 Return to previous topics:

Press [

6 Quit online help:

Press [ On a given screen full of online help text, there may be several special words (or

phrases) that are linked to related topics. Most of these words are underlined to identify them as links, but one is highlighted to identify it as the currently-selected link. The knob allows you to select a different link by moving the highlighting from one link to the next. Once you’ve selected the link you want, press [

Help

Save/Recall

Help

] on the keypad to display the related topic.

The highlighted link shows what topic is displayed if you press 4

Underlined links show other topics available from this online help topic

You can follow links through as many as 20 topics and still return to the original topic. Just press [

] one time for each link you followed, and you’ll return to the

original topic via all of the related topics you displayed.

1-4

Using Online Help

To select a topic from the help index

1 Enter the online help system:

Press [

2 Display the index:

Press [

3 Turn the knob to select the topic you want help on

for faster paging press and hold the up-arrow or down-arrow keys then use the knob to select a topic.

4 Display the topic:

Press [

5 Quit online help:

Press [ or Press [

The help index contains an alphabetical listing of all help topics. Most topics listed in the index describe the hardkeys and softkeys, but some are of a more general nature. These more general topics are only available via the index or via “links” from related topics. An example appears below–the “Front Panel Tour” topic is only available through the index or the “links”, not by pressing any hardkey or softkey.

Help

You can select any topic in the index by scrolling to highlight it then pressing 4

1-5

Making Simple Noise Measurements

This chapter shows you how to make typical noise measurements. In this example, we will be making random noise, band power noise, and signal to noise measurements.

2-1

Making Simple Noise Measurements

To measure random noise

1 Initialize the analyzer:

Press [

2 Select a power spectral density measurement:

Press [

3 Turn on averaging:

Press [

4 Start an averaged measurement:

Press [

5 Use the knob to move the marker along the trace.

The display should be similar to the one shown below.

To learn more about the choices you make in this measurement, display online help for the various keys used (see “Using Online Help” if you are not familiar with how to do this).

Preset

Measurement Data

], [

Average

Meas Restart

average on

], [

](selectch1 with a 2-channel analyzer).

PSD

Normalized noise measurement

In this example you are measuring the noise-power of the analyzer’s noise floor. The displayed marker value reflects noise-power normalized to a 1-Hz bandwidth.

2-2

Making Simple Noise Measurements

To measure band power

1 Initialize the analyzer:

Press [

2 Turn on averaging:

Press [

3 Start an averaged measurement:

Press [

4 Turn on the band power markers:

Press [ Press [ Press [

5 Change the width of the band:

Press [ then use the knob to move the marker to the desired location. Press [ then use the knob to move the marker to the desired location.

The display should similar to the one below. The grid lines have been turned off to highlight the band power markers.

Preset

Average

Meas Restart

Marker Function ResBW/Window Marker Function

band right

band left

], [

average on

], [

Marker|Entry

], [

band power markers

], [

detector

], [

band power markers

], [

sample

], [

band pwr mkr on

]

], [

band power

]

Band power markers

Band power magnitude

In this example you are measuring the power of the analyzer’s noise floor within a defined band. The value displayed in the lower left corner of the display reflects the total power within the frequency band encompassed by the markers. The grid lines have been turned off to highlight the band power markers.

2-3

Making Simple Noise Measurements

To measure signal to noise ratios

1 Select the baseband receiver mode and initialize the analyzer:

Press [ Press [

Instrument Mode][receiver][RF section (0-10 MHz)

Preset

2 Supply a signal from the internal source:

Connect the SOURCE output to the INPUT with a BNC cable. Press [

Source

], [

source on

], [

sine freq

], 5, [

3 Place the marker on the signal peak:

Press [ or Press [

Marker⇒

Shift

], [

marker to peak

Marker

]

4 Select video averaging:

Press [

Average

], [

average on

]

5 Turn on the carrier-to-noise marker:

Press [

6 Press [

Marker Function

Marker|Entry

Rotate the knob to move the measurement band from the signal to a noise area.

The display should appear as below. The grid lines have been turned off to highlight the band power markers.

], [

band power markers

]

], [

]

MHz

band pwr mkr on

], [

power ratio

C/N

Measured noise band

The diamond shaped marker provides a reference point

Carrier to noise ratio

The value indicated in the lower left corner of the display reflects the difference between the marker level at the carrier peak and the total noise within the band markers.

2-4

Measured noise band

The diamond shaped marker provides a reference point

Making Simple Noise Measurements

7 Change to a normalized noise measurement:

Toggle to [

power ratio C/No

The display should appear as below. The grid lines have been turned off to highlight the band power markers.

The carrier-to-noise and carrier-to-normalized-noise marker measurements require that the standard (diamond shaped) marker be on the signal peak as a reference. If the marker is not on, the displayed value will only reflect the noise level.

Step 3 above illustrates that there are two ways to perform certain actions—by using the hardkey/softkey sequence or by using the short-cut shift/hardkey sequence.

]

Carrier-to-noise ratio normalized to one Hertz

Now the value indicated in the lower left corner of the display reflects the difference between the marker level at the carrier peak and the noise-power within the band markers normalized to one Hertz bandwidth.

You can perform band power measurements in either Vector or Scalar Mode. If you use Scalar mode and you have selected a combination of resolution bandwidth, window type, and number of frequency points such that the analyzer implements the detector, the analyzer will prompt you to select the sample detector in order to calculate the band power accurately.

2-5

Using Gating to Characterize a Burst Signal

This chapter uses the time gating feature to analyze a multi-burst signal which is provided on the Signals Disk which accompanies the analyzer’s Operator’s Guide. Time gating allows you to isolate a portion of a time record for further viewing and analysis. For more details on time gating concepts see “Gating Concepts” in the Operator’s Guide.

3-1

Using Gating to Characterize a Burst Signal

To Use Time Gating

First we’ll look at the spectrum of the signal and see that three components exist. Then we’ll look at the time display of the burst signal and analyze each burst separately to determine which spectral components exist in each burst.

1 Select the baseband receiver mode and initialize the analyzer:

Press [ Press [

Instrument Mode][receiver][RF section (0-10 MHz)

Preset

2 Load the source signal file BURST.DAT into data register D3:

Insert the Signals Disk in the analyzer’s disk drive. Press [ Press [

Save/Recall

Return

], [

default disk

] (bottom softkey), [

], [

internal disk

catalog on

Rotate the knob until the file BURST.DAT is highlighted. Press [

recall trace

], [

from file into D3

], [

enter

3 Connect the SOURCE output to the INPUT with a BNC cable. 4 Turn on the source and select arbitrary signal D3:

Press [ Press [ The display should now appear as shown below.

Source Average

], [

source on

average on

], [

source type

], [

arb data reg

] to select the internal disk drive.

] to display the files on the disk.

], [D3], [

Return

], [

arbitrary

The spectrum with averaging turned on. Note existence of three components.

3-2

Using Gating to Characterize a Burst Signal

5 Configure the display and the measurement:

Press [ Press [ Press [ Press [ Press [

], [

Display

], [

Measurement Data

Ref Lvl/Scale

], [

Trigger Time

], [

trigger type

main length

2grids

], [

more display setup

], [ ], 50, [mV].

Yperdiv

], [

internal source

], 32, [us].

main time

], [

grids off

] (toggle to ch1 on a 2-channel analyzer).

6 Set up the time gating and examine the first burst:

Press [ Press [ Rotate the knob until the gate is at each end of the first burst signal. The display should now appear as shown to the left below.

], [

Time

ch1 gate dly

gate on

], [

Marker|Entry

], [

gate length

], 10, [us].

]

7 Examine the second burst:

Rotate the knob until the gate is at each end of the second burst signal. The display should now appear as shown to the right below.

Note that the [

] menu must be displayed, the [

Time

gate delay

] softkey active, and

theknobintheEntrymodetomovethegatebyturningtheknob.

Spectrum (top trace) of the burst is derived by gating the time signal (bottom trace). The gate’s delay and length are selected to encompass the burst signal (vertical markers show gate position). Note existence of the first spectral component in the left display and the existence of the other two components in the right display.

3-3

+ 64 hidden pages

Agilent Technologies 89441A User Manual

The Analyzer at a Glance

In This Book

Table of Contents