National Instruments PXIe-5694 Calibration Instructions Manual
CALIBRATION PROCEDURE
NI PXIe-5694
This document contains the verification and adjustment procedures for the National Instruments
PXIe-5694 IF conditioning module (NI 5694). Refer to
information about calibration solutions.
Contents
Software.................................................................................................................................... 2
Documentation.......................................................................................................................... 2
Test Equipment......................................................................................................................... 2
Test Conditions......................................................................................................................... 8
Initial Setup............................................................................................................................... 8
As-Found and As-Left Limits................................................................................................... 8
Characterization........................................................................................................................ 9
Determining Power Splitter Reference Output................................................................. 9
Calibrating Power Sensor Zero Settings........................................................................... 9
Characterizing RF Source Power ..................................................................................... 9
Synchronizing the Signal Generators ....................................................................... 9
Configuring the Hardware ........................................................................................ 10
Characterizing the Source Signal Power Levels....................................................... 11
Characterizing the Source 2 Signal Correction Level .............................................. 12
Characterizing Cable Loss ................................................................................................ 14
Verification ............................................................................................................................... 22
Synchronizing the Components........................................................................................ 22
Configuring the Hardware ................................................................................................ 22
Verifying Third-Order Intercept Point Out-of-Band ........................................................ 24
Determining the Path Gain ....................................................................................... 24
Verifying Third-Order Intercept Point Out-of-Band
At Multiple Input Power Levels............................................................................ 27
Adjustment................................................................................................................................ 32
Configuring the Hardware ................................................................................................ 32
Adjusting IF Gain for Bypass Path................................................................................... 33
Adjusting IF Gain ............................................................................................................. 34
Adjusting IF Flatness........................................................................................................ 37
Reverification ........................................................................................................................... 40
Worldwide Support and Services ............................................................................................. 40
ni.com/calibration for more
Software
Calibrating the NI 5694 requires you to install the following software on the calibration system:
• NI-RFSA version 14.1 or later
• NI Spectral Measurements Toolkit version 2.6 or later
You can download all required software from
NI-RFSA supports programming the calibration procedures in the LabVIEW, C, and
LabWindows
NI-RFSA, you need to install support only for the ADE that you intend to use.
™
/CVI™ application development environments (ADEs). When you install
ni.com/downloads.
Documentation
You might find the following documents helpful as you perform the calibration procedure:
• NI PXIe-5694 Getting Started Guide
• NI PXIe-5694 Specifications
• NI RF Vector Signal Analyzers Help
The latest versions of these documents are available on
ni.com/manuals.
Test Equipment
Table 1 lists the equipment NI recommends for the performance verification and adjustment
procedures. If the recommended equipment is not available, select a substitute using the
minimum requirements listed in the table.
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Table 1. Recommended Equipment for NI 5694 Calibration
Equipment
Recommended
Model
Power meter Anritsu ML2438A Characterizing RF source power
Characterizing cable loss
Verifying third-order intercept point
out-of-band
Adjusting IF gain for bypass path
NI PXIe-5694 Calibration Procedure | © National Instruments | 3
Adjusting IF gain
Adjusting IF flatness
Power sensor
(quantity: 2)
Anritsu MA247XD Characterizing RF source power
Characterizing cable loss
Verifying third-order intercept point
out-of-band
Adjusting IF gain for bypass path
Adjusting IF gain
Adjusting IF flatness
Where Used Minimum Requirements
Display resolution: ≤0.01 dB
Settling: ±0.1%
Instrumentation accuracy: <±0.5%
Noise, zero set, and drift: ≤±0.5% full-scale
(lowest range)
Reference power uncertainty: ≤±0.9%
Reference output VSWR: <1.04:1
Power range: -60 dBm to 20 dBm
Frequency range: 10 MHz to 18 GHz
Input VSWR:
10 MHz to 50 MHz .............. <1.90:1
50 MHz to 2 GHz................. <1.12:1
2 GHz to 12.4 GHz .............. <1:22:1
12.4 GHz to 18 GHz ............ <1:25:1
Linearity:
-60 dBm to 20 dBm.............. <1.8%
Calibration factor uncertainty:
10 MHz to 50 MHz .............. <1.9%
50 MHz to 500 MHz ............ <1.5%
500 MHz to 7 GHz............... <1.5%
7 GHz to 12.4 GHz .............. <1.9%
12.4 GHz to 18 GHz ............ <2.3%
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Table 1. Recommended Equipment for NI 5694 Calibration (Continued)
Equipment
Recommended
Model
Where Used Minimum Requirements
IF digitizer NI PXIe-5622 Adjusting IF gain for bypass path
Adjusting IF gain
Adjusting IF flatness
Signal generators
(quantity: 2,
RF Source 1 and
RF Source 2)
Anritsu MG3692C
Options 2A, 3, 4, 15A,
and 22
Characterizing RF source power
Characterizing cable loss
Verifying third-order intercept point
out-of-band
Adjusting IF gain for bypass path
Adjusting IF gain
Adjusting IF flatness
Spectrum analyzer Rohde & Schwarz
FSU26
Characterizing RF source power
Verifying third-order intercept point
out-of-band
SMA (m)-to-SMA (m)
semi flexible cable
NI 190412B-04 Characterizing RF source power
Characterizing cable loss
198941D-0XL
Frequency range: 8 MHz to 270 MHz
Leveled power: -115 dBm to 18 dBm
Power accuracy: ±1.5 dB
Harmonics (typical):
0.1 MHz to ≤10 MHz ...........<-30 dBc
>10 MHz to ≤100 MHz ........<-40 dBc
>100 MHz to ≤2.2 GHz........<-50 dBc
>2.2 GHz to ≤20 GHz ..........<-30 dBc
Nonharmonic spurious:
0.1 MHz to ≤10 MHz ...........<-30 dBc
>10 MHz to ≤2.2 GHz..........<-60 dBc
>2.2 GHz to ≤20 GHz ..........<-60 dBc
Output VSWR: <2.0:1 (typical)
Frequency range: 10 MHz to 3.6 GHz
Noise floor: <-152 dBm/Hz
Third-order intercept point (entire frequency range):
>10 dBm
—
Table 1. Recommended Equipment for NI 5694 Calibration (Continued)
Equipment
SMA (m)-toSMA (m) cable
(quantity: 4)
NI PXIe-5694 Calibration Procedure | © National Instruments | 5
Low-frequency
combiner
SMA (m)-toSMA (f) 10 dB
attenuator (quantity: 2)
Recommended
Model
MegaPhase
G916-SISI-36
Mini Circuits
ZFSC-2-5-S+
Huber+Suhner
6610_SMA-50-1/
199N
Where Used Minimum Requirements
Characterizing RF source power
Characterizing cable loss
Verifying third-order intercept point
out-of-band
Adjusting IF gain for bypass path
Adjusting IF gain
Adjusting IF flatness
Characterizing RF source power
Verifying third-order intercept point
out-of-band
Characterizing RF source power
Verifying third-order intercept point
out-of-band
Length: 36 in.
Frequency range: DC to 18 GHz
Insertion loss: ≤2 dB at 18 GHz
Impedance: 50 Ω
VSWR: ≤1.35:1 at 18 GHz
Frequency range: 10 MHz to 1.5 GHz
Isolation:
10 MHz to 100 MHz ............ ≥15 dB
100 MHz to 750 MHz .......... ≥20 dB
Insertion loss:
10 MHz to 100 MHz ............ ≤3.6 dB
100 MHz to 750 MHz .......... ≤4.0 dB
Connectors: SMA (f)
Frequency range: 10 MHz to 18 GHz
Attenuation: 10 dB (nominal)
Power rating: 2 W average
Impedance: 50 Ω
VSWR: DC to 4 GHz ........... ≤1.15:1
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Table 1. Recommended Equipment for NI 5694 Calibration (Continued)
Equipment
3.5 mm (m)-to-
3.5 mm (m) adapter
3.5 mm (f)-to-
3.5 mm (f) adapter
BNC (m)-toBNC (m) cable
(quantity: 3)
Recommended
Model
Huber+Suhner
32_PC35-50-0-2/
199_NE
Huber+Suhner
31_PC35-50-0-2/
199_N
— Verifying third-order intercept point
Where Used Minimum Requirements
Verifying third-order intercept point
out-of-band
Adjusting IF gain for bypass path
Adjusting IF gain
Adjusting IF flatness
Frequency range: DC to 33 GHz
Impedance: 50 Ω
Return loss:
DC to 1.5 GHz ...................... ≥35 dB
1.5 GHz to 6.0 GHz .............. ≥30 dB
6.0 GHz to 18.0 GHz ............ ≥20 dB
Characterizing cable loss Frequency range: DC to 18 GHz
Impedance: 50 Ω
Return loss:
DC to 1.5 GHz ...................... ≥35 dB
1.5 GHz to 6.0 GHz .............. ≥30 dB
6.0 GHz to 18.0 GHz ............ ≥20 dB
Length: 36 in.
out-of-band
Impedance: 50 Ω
Adjusting IF gain for bypass path
Adjusting IF gain
Adjusting IF flatness
Table 1. Recommended Equipment for NI 5694 Calibration (Continued)
Equipment
Power splitter
(2 resistor type)
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Recommended
Model
Aeroflex/Weinschel
1593
Where Used Minimum Requirements
Characterizing RF source power
Characterizing cable loss
Adjusting IF gain for bypass path
Adjusting IF gain
Adjusting IF flatness
Frequency range: DC to 26.5 GHz
Amplitude tracking: <0.25 dB
Phase tracking: <4°
Insertion loss: ≤8.5 dB (6 dB, nominal)
Power rating: 1 W
VSWR: DC to 270 MHz....... ≤1.25:1
Equivalent output VSWR:
DC to 270 MHz.................... ≤1.25:1
Connectors: 3.5 mm (f)
Torque wrench — — For SMA connectors: 0.565 N · m (5 lb · in.)
For 3.5mm connectors: 0.90 N · m (8 lb · in.)
Test Conditions
The following setup and environmental conditions are required to ensure the NI 5694 meets
published specifications.
• Keep cabling as short as possible. Long cables and wires act as antennas, picking up extra
noise that can affect measurements.
• Verify that all connections, including front panel connections and screws, are secure.
• Maintain an ambient temperature of 23 °C ±5 °C.
• Keep relative humidity between 10% and 90%, noncondensing.
• Allow a warm-up time of at least 30 minutes after the chassis is powered on and NI-RFSA
is loaded and recognizes the NI 5694. The warm-up time ensures that the NI 5694 and test
instrumentation are at stable operating temperature.
• In each verification procedure, insert a delay between configuring all devices and acquiring
the measurement. This delay may need to be adjusted depending on the instruments used
but should always be at least 1,000 ms for the first iteration, 1,000 ms when the power level
changes, and 100 ms for each other iteration.
• Plug the PXI Express chassis and the calibrator into the same power strip to avoid ground
loops.
• Use a torque wrench appropriate for the type of RF connector that you are using.
NI recommends a 0.565 N · m (5 lb · in.) wrench for SMA connectors and a 0.90 N · m
(8 lb · in.) wrench for 3.5 mm connectors.
• Ensure that the PXI Express chassis fan speed is set to HIGH, that the fan filters, if present,
are clean, and that the empty slots contain filler panels. For more information, refer to the
Maintain Forced-Air Cooling Note to Users document, available at
ni.com/manuals.
Initial Setup
Refer to the NI 5694 Getting Started Guide for information about how to install the NI-RFSA
software, the NI 5694 hardware, and how to configure the NI 5694 in Measurement &
Automation Explorer (MAX).
As-Found and As-Left Limits
The as-found limits are the published specifications for the NI 5694. NI uses these limits to
determine whether the NI 5694 meets the device specifications when it is received for
calibration.
The as-left limits are equal to the published NI specifications for the NI 5694, less guard bands
for measurement uncertainty, temperature drift, and drift over time. NI uses these limits to
reduce the probability that the instrument is no longer calibrated at the end of the calibration
cycle.
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Characterization
Complete each of the following procedures to characterize the test system. The information
obtained in characterization is used when verifying the system behavior.
Caution The connectors on the device under test (DUT) and test equipment are
fragile. Perform the steps in these procedures with great care to prevent damaging any
DUTs or test equipment.
Determining Power Splitter Reference Output
You must designate one of the two power splitter outputs as the reference output. Use only this
output as the reference output for all procedures.
Calibrating Power Sensor Zero Settings
Complete this procedure before beginning any characterization process to ensure that the power
sensor returns appropriate readings.
1. Connect channel A of the power meter to power sensor A.
2. Connect channel B of the power meter to power sensor B.
3. Zero and calibrate the power sensor using the built-in functions in the power meter.
Characterizing RF Source Power
Complete this procedure to characterize the output power of the RF sources through the cables,
attenuators, and combiner. The procedures listed in Verifying Third-Order Intercept Point
Out-of-Band require that the power levels of the sources be in accord with the specification
definition.
Synchronizing the Signal Generators
Complete this procedure to synchronize RF source 1, RF source 2, and the spectrum analyzer to
the same 10 MHz clock reference.
1. Connect the 10 MHz clock reference output on RF source 1 back panel to the 10 MHz clock
reference input on the RF source 2 back panel. Use a BNC (m)-to-BNC (m) cable.
2. Connect the 10 MHz clock reference output on the RF source 2 back panel to the 10 MHz
clock reference input on the spectrum analyzer back panel. Use a BNC (m)-to-BNC (m)
cable.
3. Configure the spectrum analyzer to use the external reference. On the Rohde & Schwarz
FSU26 analyzer, press the Setup button and select External Reference.
NI PXIe-5694 Calibration Procedure | © National Instruments | 9
Configuring the Hardware
1
2
5
4
6
7
3
Complete this process to connect the two sources to a power sensor and power meter, preparing
the configuration for verification and characterization. This assembly is used in Verifying
Third-Order Intercept Point Out-of-Band.
1. Connect the spectrum analyzer REF OUT connector to the REF IN connector on the back
of the PXI Express chassis. Use a standard BNC (m)-to-BNC (m) cable.
2. Connect one 10 dB attenuator to a non-common low-frequency combiner connector. Label
both the low-frequency combiner connector and the attenuator P1.
3. Connect the remaining 10 dB attenuator to the remaining non-common low-frequency
combiner connector. Label both the low-frequency combiner connector and the attenuator
P2.
4. Use an SMA (m)-to-SMA (m) cable to connect RF source 1 to the 10 dB attenuator labeled
P1. Label the signal generator Source 1. Label the cable S1P.
5. Use an SMA (m)-to-SMA (m) cable to connect RF source 2 to the 10 dB attenuator labeled
P2. Label the signal generator Source 2. Label the cable S2P.
6. Connect the combiner common connector to power sensor A.
7. Connect channel A of the power meter to power sensor A.
Figure 1. Configuration for Power Level Characterization
1 RF Source 1
2 SMA (m)-to-SMA (m) Cable
3 10 dB Attenuator
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4 Low-Frequency Combiner
5 Power Sensor A
6 RF Source 2
7 Power Meter
Characterizing the Source Signal Power Levels
Complete this process to characterize the power level of the RF source generators. This
information is required in the verification procedures.
1. Ensure that the RF source 1 generator output is ON and the RF source 2 generator output
is OFF.
2. Set the RF source 1 generator to the first frequency listed in Table 2.
Table 2. Source 1 Signal Characterization
Source 1
Frequency (MHz)
Power Level at
0dBm
Power Level at
-5 dBm
Power Level at
-12 dBm
21.4
163.6
186.1
191.5
193
193.51
193.6
193.765
194.2
195.7
201.1
223.6
3. Adjust the RF source 1 output power until the power level at the low-frequency combiner
common connector, measured by the power meter, is within 0.1 dB of 0 dBm.
4. Record the RF source 1 power level in the empty cell corresponding to the appropriate
frequency and power level.
5. Repeat steps 2 through 4 for each of the remaining frequency and power level combinations
in Table 2. Retain this information for use during the verification procedures.
6. Ensure that the RF source 1 generator output is OFF and the RF source 2 generator output
is ON.
NI PXIe-5694 Calibration Procedure | © National Instruments | 11
7. Repeat steps 2 through 4 for each of the frequency and power level combinations in Table 3,
recording the RF source 2 power level in place of RF source 1.
Table 3. Source 2 Signal Characterization
Source 2
Frequency (MHz)
Power Level at
0dBm
Power Level at
-5 dBm
Power Level at
-12 dBm
21.4
133.6
178.6
189.4
192.4
193.27
193.6
193.93
194.8
197.8
208.6
253.6
Characterizing the Source 2 Signal Correction Level
Complete this process to characterize the power level of the RF source 2 generator. This
information is required in the verification procedures.
1. Ensure that the RF source 1 output is OFF and the RF source 2 output is ON.
2. Set the output power level of RF source 2 to -20 dBm.
3. Set RF source 2 to the first frequency listed in Table 4.
Table 4. Signal Correction
Source 2
Frequency (MHz)
Power Meter
Reference (dBm)
Spectrum
Analyzer (dBm)
Correction (dB)
193.6
21.4
4. Record the power level reading on the power meter in the Power Meter Reference cell
corresponding to the appropriate frequency.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for the remaining frequency listed in Table 4.
6. Remove the power sensor from the combiner.
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