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Manual Part Number
N9020-90119
Supersedes: August 2009
Print Date
October 2009
Printed in USA
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
1400 Fountaingrove Parkway
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
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.
Restricted Rights Legend
If software is for use in the performance
of a U.S. Government prime contract or
subcontract, Software is delivered and
licensed as “Commercial computer software” as defined in DF AR 252.227-7014
(June 1995), or as a “commercial item” as
defined in F AR 2.101(a) or as “Restricted
computer software” as defined in FAR
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agency regulation or contract clause. Use,
duplication or disclosure of Software is
subject to Agilent Technologies’ standard commercial license terms, and nonDOD Departments and Agencies of the
U.S. Government will receive no greater
than Restricted Rights as defined in FAR
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Limited Rights as defined in FAR 52.22714 (June 1987) or DFAR 252.227-7015
(b)(2) (November 1995), as applicable in
any technical data.
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.
2
Warranty
This Agilent technologies instrument product is warranted against defects in material and workmanship for
a period of one year from the date of shipment. During the warranty period, Agilent Technologies will, at
its option, either repair or replace products that prove to be defective.
For warranty service or repair, this product must be returned to a service facility designated by Agilent
Technologies. Buyer shall prepay shipping charges to Agilent Technologies and Agilent Technologies
shall pay shipping charges to return the product to Buyer. However, Buyer shall pay all shipping charges,
duties, and taxes for products returned to Agilent Technologies from another country.
Where to Find the Latest Information
Documentation is updated periodically. For the latest information about this analyzer, including firmware
upgrades, application information, and product information, see the following URLs:
The N9061A application is the remote language compatibility suite for the Agilent Technologies
X-Series of signal analyzers. It allows the analyzers to be controlled using many of the remote
programming commands from the following analyzers:
•8560 E/EC Series Portable Spectrum Analyzers, comp ris i ng :
— 8560E
NOTEThe 8566A/B and the 8568A/B are not considered part of the 8560 series of
analyzers.
The X-Series analyzer with the N9061A application installed is designed to replace these analyzers in
many automated systems with minimal or no modification to the currently used measurement software.
There are two options for N9061A. One is N9061A-1FP, 8566A/B and 8568A/B remote language
compatibility, the other is N9061A-2FP, 8560 Series remote language compatibility.
18
Getting Started
Documentation for the N9061A application
Documentation for the N9061A application
Signal Analyzers with N9061A
When you purchase your X-Series signal analyzer with the Remote Language Compatibility Suite
(N9061A), this manual - the Remote Language Compatibility Guide (N9020-90119) is included on the
documentation CD and is installed on the analyzer in the online help.
For information on PXA series analyzers and other related documentation, refer to the PX A web site at
http://www.agilent.com/find/pxa.
For information on MXA series analyzers and other related documentation, refer to the MXA web site at
http://www.agilent.com/find/mxa/.
For information on EXA series analyzers and other related documentation, refer to the EXA web site at
http://www.agilent.com/find/exa/.
This Remote Language Compatibility Guide is not designed to be a comprehensive gui de to all legacy
commands. It gives brief descriptions of the suppor ted commands, and highl ights important functional or
behavioral differences that you should be aware of when transferring your existing code to your X-Series
analyzer. For a fuller description of these commands, refer to the manuals supplied with your original
analyzer.
Signal Analyzer Updates
For the latest information about this instrument, including software upgrades, application information,
and product information, please visit the URL below.
The N9061A application has been designed to emulate as closely as possible the operation of the
specified spectrum analyzers. It is not, however, intended as an absolute direct replacement for these
analyzers.
Remote Control
The N9061A application in X-Series signal analyzers supports remote operation through the GPIB
interface. It does not support working over LAN, USB or Telnet.
Units
The N9061A application supports all units used in legacy products. The allowed units are HZ, KHZ,
MHZ, GHZ, KZ, MZ, GZ, DBM, DBMV, DBUV, MV, UV, V, MW, UW, W, DB, DM, MS, US, SC,
and S (case insensitive in 8566/68). A command terminator such as ";" also acts as a unit terminator.
Numeric Ranges
Numeric ranges are limited to that of the X-Series unless otherwise stated, although commands such as
FS or IP that go to a default range will use the range of the legacy instrumentation.
Returning Data
The X-Series and legacy instruments have a different approach when returning data to the controller.
The X-Series and 8560-series analyzers operate a FIFO buffer for command return values. If a command
returns a value that the controller does not read, the returned data is stored until such a time that the
controller requires the value. The 8566, 8568, and 8590-series legacy analyzers only store one value at a
time. Any value stored is overwritten each time a command returns a value. The N9071A application
handles this difference appropriately only within a single command string.
In the case of query string, it returns the query result for the last command in the string. For example, if
"CF?MA?FA?" is sent, the result of FA? will be returned. However, this rule does not work if the query
is located at both sides of the "TS" command. When the command string "MA;TS;CF?" is sent, the result
of CF? will be returned in the next query.
AC/DC Coupling
The 44 GHz and 50 GHz X-Series an alyzers only h ave DC coupling. The X-Series analyzers with a 26.5
GHz frequency range and lower, default to AC coupling on preset. The N9061A application will ensure
that DC coupling is the default when the selected instrument is HP8566A, HP8566B, HP8563, HP8564,
or HP8565.
When AC coupled, the 8560E/61E/62E have a 100 kHz low frequency limit, while the X-Series
analyzers has a 10 MHz limit.
For HP8568A/B compatibility and consistency, the I1 and I2 commands have been supported. These
select AC or DC coupling at the RF input. Note tht the HP8568A/B has two RF input ports in
comparison with the X-Series, which only has one.
20
Getting Started
N9061A General Rules and Limitations
Markers
The N9071A application emulates the behavior of legacy products. If someone uses a marker state which
is not available in the legacy instrument, further marker behavior is undefined until instrument preset.
On systems that supported MKACT, there are 4 completely different marker pairs, each with its own
information. The N9061A will store the currently active value of MKACT. If MKACT is 2 then it will
use Markers 3 and 4 instead of 1 and 2.
Parsing
For 8566B and 8568B, the N9061A will remember the active function and supports UP, DN, and OA, all
of which change the active function. It also supports '?', which does not change the active function.
One difference between N9061A and 8566/68 is that the 8566/68 parses a command for example CF
10.3GZ, immediately when it recognizes a complete command, in this example after the GZ. However
the N9061A parses at the end of a line when it sees the line termination sequence.
Couplings
To provide the most optimized use of the X-Series analyzers, the N9061A application uses the auto
coupling features of the X-Series analyzers and does not attempt to mimic the exact behavior of coupling
in the legacy analyzers. To eliminate the possibilities of "Meas Uncal" errors between auto and manual
values, values will default to the X-Series auto settings where applicable (for example resolution
bandwidth). There are several exceptions below.
To prevent timeout errors in the legacy code, the resolution bandwidth minimum matches the minimum
in the legacy analyzer. Resolution bandwidth steps and resolution, however, will be X-Series values.
The video bandwidth will couple to the resolution bandwidth according to the V ideo bandwidth coupling
offset value, specified by the VBO or VBR command. The X-Series analyzers sets the video bandwidth
according to the VBO or VBR setting, but uses the X-Series analyzers available bandwidths to prevent
'Meas Uncal' errors.
Predefined Functions
In the 8566/8568/8560 Series analyzers, a “predefined function” is an analyzer command that returns a
number that can be operated on by other analyzer commands. “Predefined variables” follow the same
idea, except the value to be passed as a parameter to the next command is stored in a variable.
The N9061A application does not support this type of behavior, so any commands that originally acted
as predefined functions or variables, or that allowed predefined functions or variables as arguments in
the 8566/8568/8560 Series no longer do so.
User-defined Functions
No user-defined functions, traces, or variables (FUNCDEF, TRDEF or VARDEF) can be used as
arguments or commands in programs controlling any analyzer running the N9061A application. In
addition, the behavior of certain commands that rely on the “active functions” (UP, DN, etc.) may be
slightly different.
21
Getting Started
N9061A General Rules and Limitations
Supported Commands
Only a subset of the 8566/8568/8560 Series commands is supported in this application (through a GPIB
interface). The list of supported commands was determined by feedback from our customers combined
with technical considerations and constraints.
EP is the enable parameter in the 8560 series that, when used as a secondary keyword after a command,
transfers control and allows front panel operator entry. This command is supported in the N9061A
application for the same active functions as the 8560 series, but is not displayed in any of the format
diagrams for individual commands.
The N9061A application supports the OA parameter that is found in several legacy commands such as
AT and CF. OA is the equivalent of a query so that “CF OA” has a return value equivalent to “CF?”.
Device clear is supported by the N9061A application and causes a mode preset of the signal analyzer.
Unsupported Commands and Queries
If a command is valid for legacy products but not supported by the N9061A application, there will be no
error message generated, although the Command Log file will note a "Command Not Supported"
comment. Note that this logging behavior can be controlled via the preferences menu.
If a query is valid for legacy products but not supported by the N9061A application, it will return a "0"
over the GPIB bus to prevent a program from hanging.
22
Hardware and Firmware Requirements for N9061A
Hardware and Firmware Requirements for N9061A
One of the following Agilent signal analyzers is required to run the N9061A application.
Table 1-1 Compatible Agilent PXA Series Signal Analyzers
Getting Started
Analyzer Model
Number
N9030A-5033.6 GHzRev A.04.00 or later
N9030A-5088.4 GHzRev A.04.00 or later
N9030A-51313.6 GHzRev A.04.00 or later
N9030A-52626.5 GHzRev A.04.00 or later
Upper Frequency LimitFirmware
Table 1-2 Compatible Agilent MXA Series Signal Analyzers
Analyzer Model
Number
N9020A-5033.6 GHzRev A.01.64 or later
N9020A-5088.4 GHzRev A.01.64 or later
N9020A-51313.6 GHzRev A.01.64 or later
N9020A-52626.5 GHzRev A.01.64 or later
Upper Frequency LimitFirmware
Table 1-3 Compatible Agilent EXA Series Signal Analyzers
Analyzer Model
Number
Upper Frequency LimitFirmware
N9010A-5033.6 GHzRev A.01.64 or later
N9010A-5077 GHzRev A.01.64 or later
N9010A-51313.6 GHzRev A.01.64 or later
N9010A-52626.5 GHzRev A.01.64 or later
For maximum compatibility , you should select an X-Series analyzer that equals or exceeds the frequency
range of the legacy analyzer you are replacing (currently not possible for the 8564E/EC or 8565E/EC).
The frequency limits of the legacy instruments are listed below.
Table 1-4 Frequency Ranges of the Legacy Analyzers
Remote LanguageStart FrequencyStop Frequency
8560E/EC30 Hz2.9 GHz
8561E/EC30 Hz6.5 GHz
23
Getting Started
Hardware and Firmware Requirements for N9061A
Table 1-4 Frequency Ranges of the Legacy Analyzers
Remote language compatibility for the 8566/8568/8560 Series of analyzers is a licensed application on
the X-Series analyzers. The option for 8560 series is N9061A-2FP and the option for 8566/8568 is
N9061A-1FP. The application must be installed and licensed on the X-Series analyzer (PXA, MXA,
EXA but not CXA) for it to work correctly.
Installation
The license is installed on the X-Series analyzer in one of the following ways:
•If you purchased a new X-Series analyzer with the N9061A application then the product is installed
and licensed and ready to use.
•If you have an X-Series analyzer and have subsequently purchased the N9061A application then you
can download the N9061A application from the Agilent website. The N9061A application is installed
as part of a software upgrade. See the link below for Signal Analyzers software upgrade site. After
upgrading your software you should then use your entitlement certificate to license the product (see
Licensing below).
The latest revision of the software may be downloaded from:
NOTENo calibration is required after the N9061A application is installed.
Licensing
When you order a licensed product, you receive an entitlement certificate. Instructions are provided on
your entitlement certificate to direct you to the W eb site to redeem your certificate for a license key . You
need to provide your instrument product number and serial number, and the entitlement certificate
number.
Required Information:Front Panel Key Path:
Model #: (Ex. N9020A)
Instrument
Serial Number:
__________________
System > Show > System
The license is downloaded from the license website onto a USB storage device so that it can be loaded
into the instrument.
25
Getting Started
Installing the N9061A application
A license key is usually for one instrument model/serial number combination. The license key can only
be installed on that instrument.
License Installation Procedure over USB
1. Redeem the Option Upgrade Entitlement Certificate by following the instructions on the Certificate.
2. After redeeming your Option Upgrade Entitlement Certificate you will receive an e-mail with an
attached License File.
3. Locate a USB storage device and save the .lic file to the root directory of the USB storage device.
4. Connect the USB storage device to one of the signal analyzer USB ports. Windows detects the new
hardware and may display the configuration menu. This menu may be configured according to your
preferences.
5. The signal analyzer autom atically con sumes the l icense file. (This may take a few minutes) When the
license is consumed the Agilent License Manager displays a “Successful License Installation”
message.
6. Alternatively the license file can be manually installed over USB or LAN by placing the license file
in the following folder on the signal analyzer.
C:\Program Files\Agilent\licensing
Verify the Installation
1. Press System > Show > System to display the list of installed applications.
2. Verify that the new application appears in the list.
If you require further assistance, please contact the Agilent support team.
Online assistance: http://www.agilent.com/find/assist
If you do not have access to the Internet, contact your local Agilent Technologies Sales and Service
Office, or if in the United States, call 1-800-829-4444.
26
Getting Started
Mode
Spectrum
Analyzer
Phase Noise
IQ Analyzer
(BASIC)
W-CDMA with
HSDPA/PSUPPA
Mode
Remote
Language
Compatibility
Setting up N9061A on the X-Series Analyzer
Setting up N9061A on the X-Series Analyzer
Figure 1-1 is an example mode menu map showing the N9061A (Remote Language Compatibility)
application selection on your signal analyzer. To select the N9061A application, press the
on the X-Series analyzer front panel and then select the
Remote Language Compatibility mode. If
there are more than six modes on the signal analyzer, then use the More button to find the Remote
Language Compatibility selection.
Figure 1-1 Example Mode Menu Map for X-Series Analyzers
Mode hardkey
27
Getting Started
Mo d e Setup
Mode Setup
Logging
HP8560 series
HP8563E/EC
Restore Mode
Defa ul ts
HP8566/68
HP8566B
Cmd Error
On Off
Logging
Preferences
HP8561E/EC
HP8562E/EC
HP8560E/EC
HP8560 Series
HP8563E/EC
HP8564E/EC
HP8565E/EC
Preferences
HP8566B
HP8568A
HP8566A
HP8566/68
HP8568B
Setting up N9061A on the X-Series Analyzer
Then, to select the legacy analyzer you wish to emulate, press the Mode Setup hardkey on the front
panel. Figure 1-2 shows the menu map that allows you to select the 8560 series analyzer or 8566A/B,
8568A/B and therefore the remote control commands to be used in the X-Series analyzer.
Figure 1-2 Mode Setup > Legacy Instrument Selection Menu Map
The HP8560 series and HP8566A/B, 8568A/B key allow you to select which legacy instrument to
emulate. The selected instrument determines the response to the “ID?” command and affects the
behavior of commands such as IP. You can use any command offered by any of the legacy instruments
regardless of the language setting. However, if the command is not correct for the selected legacy
instrument there is no guarantee that the command will work as expected. This does not affect the
response to the SCPI command “*IDN?”.
28
The legacy instrument selections are as follows:
Getting Started
Setting up N9061A on the X-Series Analyzer
8560E/EC Selects the
remote programming command ‘ID?’ to
preset and sets Span, Trace Points, couplings, VBW/RBW ratio, and Span/RBW ratio
appropriately as shown in Table 1-5.
8561E/EC Selects the
remote programming command ‘ID?’ to
preset and sets Span, Trace Points, couplings, VBW/RBW ratio, and Span/RBW ratio
appropriately as shown in Table 1-5.
8562E/EC Selects the
remote programming command ‘ID?’ to
preset and sets Span, Trace Points, couplings, VBW/RBW ratio, and Span/RBW ratio
appropriately as shown in Table 1-5.
8563E/EC Selects the
remote programming command ‘ID?’ to
preset and sets Span, Trace Points, couplings, VBW/RBW ratio, and Span/RBW ratio
appropriately as shown in Table 1-5. This is the default setting for the N9061A
application.
8564E/EC Selects the
remote programming command ‘ID?’ to
preset and sets Span, Trace Points, couplings, VBW/RBW ratio, and Span/RBW ratio
appropriately as shown in Table 1-5.
8560E/EC remote programming language and sets the response to the
HP8560E. It also performs an instrument
8561E/EC remote programming language and sets the response to the
HP8561E. It also performs an instrument
8562E/EC remote programming language and sets the response to the
HP8562E. It also performs an instrument
8563E/EC remote programming language and sets the response to the
HP8563E. It also performs an instrument
8564E/EC remote programming language and sets the response to the
HP8564E. It also performs an instrument
8565E/EC Selects the
remote programming command ‘ID?’ to
preset and sets Span, Trace Points, couplings, VBW/RBW ratio, and Span/RBW ratio
appropriately as shown in Table 1-5.
HP8566A Selects the
remote programming command ‘ID?’ to
preset and sets Span, Trace Points, couplings, VBW/RBW ratio, and Span/RBW ratio
appropriately as shown in Table 1-5 on page 30.
HP8566B Selects the
remote programming command ‘ID?’ to
preset and sets Span, Trace Points, couplings, VBW/RBW ratio, and Span/RBW ratio
appropriately as shown in Table 1-5 on page 30.
HP8568A Selects the
remote programming command ‘ID?’ to
preset and sets Span, Trace Points, couplings, VBW/RBW ratio, and Span/RBW ratio
appropriately as shown in Table 1-5 on page 30.
HP8568B Selects the
remote programming command ‘ID?’ to
preset and sets Span, Trace Points, couplings, VBW/RBW ratio, and Span/RBW ratio
appropriately as shown in Table 1-5 on page 30.
8565E/EC remote programming language and sets the response to the
HP8565E. It also performs an instrument
HP8566A remote programming language and sets the response to the
HP8566A. It also performs an instrument
HP8566B remote programming language and sets the response to the
HP8566B. It also performs an instrument
HP8568A remote programming language and sets the response to the
HP8568A. It also performs an instrument
HP8568B remote programming language and sets the response to the
HP8568B. It also performs an instrument
29
Getting Started
Setting up N9061A on the X-Series Analyzer
NOTESetting the remote language to anything other than ‘SCPI’ does not affect the
response to the SCPI command ‘*IDN?’ This command will still return the model
number and firmware version number of the X-Series signal analyzer.
Table 1-5 Span, Trace Points, Couplings, VBW/RBW Ratio, and Span/RBW Ratio