Agilent Technologies X Series

To Next Page

To Previous Page

74 Agilent X-Series Signal Generators User’s Guide

Basic Operation

Reading Error Messages

Main Page

Table of Contents3
Signal Generator Overview15
Signal Generator Features16
Modes of Operation18
Continuous Wave18
Swept Signal18
Analog Modulation18
Digital Modulation (Vector Models with Option 65X Only)18
Front Panel Overview19
Host USB19
Display19
Softkeys20
Numeric Keypad20
Arrows and Select20
Page up20
Menus20
Trigger21
Local Cancel/(Esc)21
Help21
Preset and User Preset21
RF Output (N5171B, N5172B, N5181B, N5182B)21
RF Output (N5173B, N5183B)21
RF On/Off and LED21
Mod On/Off and LED21
Page down22
I Input (Vector Models Only)22
Q Input (Vector Models Only)22
Knob22
Incr Set22
Return22
More and LED22
Power Switch and Leds23
Front Panel Display24
Active Function Area24
Frequency Area24
Annunciators24
Amplitude Area25
Error Message Area26
Text Area26
Softkey Label Area26
Rear Panel Overview (N5171B, N5172B, N5181B, & N5182B)27
AC Power Receptacle27
Ext 1 & Ext 228
Lf out28
Sweep out28
Pulse28
Trig 1 & 228
Ref in28
Mhz out29
Gpib29
Lan29
Device USB29
Host USB29
SD Card29
Digital Modulation Connectors (Vector Models Only)30
I Out, Q Out, Out, out30
Bb Trig 1 & Bb Trig 231
Event 131
Pat Trig31
Digital Bus I/O31
AUX I/O Connector32
Rear Panel Overview (N5173B & N5183B)37
AC Power Receptacle37
Ext 1 & Ext 238
Lf out38
Sweep out38
Pulse38
Trig 1 & 238
Ref in38
Mhz out39
Gpib39
Lan39
Device USB39
Host USB39
SD Card39
Alc Input39
Z Axis Output40
Setting Preferences & Enabling Options42
User Preferences42
Display Settings42
Power on and Preset43
Front Panel Knob Resolution44
Setting Time and Date44
Reference Oscillator Tune45
Upgrading Firmware45
Remote Operation Preferences46
GPIB Address and Remote Language46
Configuring the LAN Interface47
Enabling LAN Services: "Browser," "Sockets," and "VXI-1148
Configuring the Remote Languages49
Configuring the Preset Languages51
Enabling an Option53
Viewing Options and Licenses54
Hardware Assembly Installation and Removal Softkeys55
Basic Operation58
Presetting the Signal Generator58
Viewing Key Descriptions58
Entering and Editing Numbers and Text59
Entering Numbers and Moving the Cursor59
Entering Alpha Characters59
Example: Using a Table Editor60
Setting Frequency and Power (Amplitude)61
Example: Configuring a 700 Mhz, −20 Dbm Continuous Wave Output62
Using an External Reference Oscillator62
Setting ALC Bandwidth Control63
Configuring a Swept Output64
Routing Signals66
Step Sweep66
List Sweep69
Example: Using a Single Sweep72
Example: Manual Control of Sweep73
Modulating the Carrier Signal73
Example73
Simultaneous Modulation75
Working with Files75
File Softkeys76
Viewing a List of Stored Files77
Storing a File79
Loading (Recalling) a Stored File80
Moving a File from One Media to Another81
Working with Instrument State Files82
Selecting the Default Storage Media86
Reading Error Messages87
Error Message Format87
Using Analog Modulation (Option UNT)90
Analog Modulation Waveforms90
Analog Modulation Sources90
Using an Internal Modulation Source92
Using an External Modulation Source93
Removing a DC Offset93
Using Wideband am93
Configuring the LF Output (Option 303)95
LF out Modulation Sources95
Configuring the LF Output with an Internal Modulation Source96
Configuring the LF Output with a Function Generator Source97
Optimizing Performance99
Using the Dual Power Meter Display100
Example: Dual Power Meter Calibration103
Using the Power Meter Servo108
Power Meter Servo Configuration109
Example110
Using Flatness Correction111
Creating a User Flatness Correction Array113
Recalling and Applying a User Flatness Correction Array119
Using Internal Channel Correction (N5172B/82B Only)120
Configure Internal Channel Correction123
Perform Enhanced Factory Calibration123
Using External Leveling (N5173B/83B Only)124
Option 1E1 Output Attenuator Behavior and Use127
Configure External Leveling128
Using Unleveled Operating Modes132
ALC off Mode133
Power Search Mode133
Using an Output Offset, Reference, or Multiplier136
Setting an Output Offset136
Setting an Output Reference137
Setting a Frequency Multiplier138
Using the Frequency and Phase Reference Softkeys140
Using Free Run, Step Dwell, and Timer Trigger140
Understanding Free Run, Step Dwell, and Timer Trigger Setup140
Using a USB Keyboard142
Using Pulse Modulation (Option UNW or 320)144
Pulse Characteristics145
The Basic Procedure147
Example147
Pulse Train (Option 320 - Requires: Option UNW)149
Basic Digital Operation-No BBG Option Installed155
I/Q Modulation156
Configuring the Front Panel Inputs157
Basic Digital Operation (Option 653/655/656/657)159
Waveform File Basics160
Signal Generator Memory160
Dual ARB Player160
Storing, Loading, and Playing a Waveform Segment162
Loading a Waveform Segment into BBG Media162
Storing/Renaming a Waveform Segment to Internal or USB Media163
Playing a Waveform Segment163
Waveform Sequences165
Creating a Sequence166
Viewing the Contents of a Sequence167
Editing a Sequence167
Playing a Sequence168
Saving a Waveform's Settings & Parameters169
Viewing and Modifying Header Information171
Viewing & Editing a Header Without Selecting the Waveform173
Using Waveform Markers175
Waveform Marker Concepts176
Accessing Marker Utilities180
Viewing Waveform Segment Markers181
Clearing Marker Points from a Waveform Segment181
Setting Marker Points in a Waveform Segment182
Viewing a Marker Pulse185
Using the RF Blanking Marker Function186
Setting Marker Polarity188
Controlling Markers in a Waveform Sequence188
Using the EVENT Output Signal as an Instrument Trigger191
Triggering a Waveform192
Trigger Type193
Trigger Source194
Example: Segment Advance Triggering195
Example: Gated Triggering196
Example: External Triggering198
Clipping a Waveform199
How Power Peaks Develop200
How Peaks Cause Spectral Regrowth202
How Clipping Reduces Peak-To-Average Power203
Configuring Circular Clipping206
Configuring Rectangular Clipping207
Scaling a Waveform208
How DAC Over-Range Errors Occur209
How Scaling Eliminates DAC Over-Range Errors210
Setting Waveform Runtime Scaling211
Setting Waveform Scaling212
Setting the Baseband Frequency Offset214
DAC Over-Range Conditions and Scaling216
I/Q Modulation218
Using the Rear Panel I and Q Outputs220
Configuring the Front Panel Inputs221
I/Q Adjustments222
I/Q Calibration224
Using the Equalization Filter226
Using Finite Impulse Response (FIR) Filters in the Dual ARB Real-Time Modulation Filter228
Creating a User-Defined FIR Filter Using the FIR Table Editor229
Modifying a FIR Filter Using the FIR Table Editor234
Loading the Default Gaussian FIR File235
Modifying the Coefficients236
Storing the Filter to Memory237
Setting the Real-Time Modulation Filter238
Multiple Baseband Generator Synchronization239
Understanding the Master/Slave System242
Equipment Setup243
Configuring the Setup243
Making Changes to the Multiple Synchronization Setup and Resynchronizing the Master/Slave System245
Understanding Option 012 (lo In/Out for Phase Coherency) with Multiple Baseband Generator Synchronization246
Configuring the Option 012 (lo In/Out for Phase Coherency) with MIMO246
Real-Time Applications250
Waveform Licensing251
Understanding Waveform Licensing251
Installing an Option N5182-22X or Option N5182B-25X251
Licensing a Signal Generator Waveform251
Adding Real-Time Noise to a Signal (Option 403)259
Adding Real-Time Noise to a Dual ARB Waveform259
Eb/No Adjustment Softkeys for Real Time I/Q Baseband AWGN262
Using Real Time I/Q Baseband AWGN265
Digital Signal Interface Module (Option 003/004)267
Clock Timing267
Clock and Sample Rates267
Clock Source270
Common Frequency Reference271
Clock Timing for Parallel Data273
Clock Timing for Parallel Interleaved Data276
Clock Timing for Serial Data278
Clock Timing for Phase and Skew Adjustments278
Connecting the Clock Source and the Device under Test279
Data Types282
Output Mode282
Input Mode282
Operating the N5102A Module in Output Mode283
Setting up the Signal Generator Baseband Data283
Accessing the N5102A Module User Interface283
Choosing the Logic Type and Port Configuration285
Selecting the Output Direction286
Selecting the Data Parameters286
Configuring the Clock Signal288
Generating Digital Data293
Operating the N5102A Module in Input Mode294
Accessing the N5102A Module User Interface294
Selecting the Input Direction296
Choosing the Logic Type and Port Configuration296
Configuring the Clock Signal297
Selecting the Data Parameters301
Digital Data304
BERT (Option UN7)305
Bit Error Rate Tester-Option UN7306
Block Diagram306
Clock Gate Function306
Clock/Gate Delay Function307
Clock Delay Function309
Gate Delay Function in the Clock Mode310
Triggering311
Data Processing314
Repeat Measurements315
Testing Signal Definitions316
Verifying BERT Operation318
Measurement Setup Using Self-Test Mode318
Measurement Example Using Custom Digital Modulation (Requires Option 431)321
Real-Time Phase Noise Impairments (Option 432)323
Real-Time Phase Noise Impairment324
The Agilent X-Series Phase Noise Shape and Additive Phase Noise Impairments325
Understanding the Phase Noise Adjustments327
DAC Over-Range Conditions and Scaling328
Custom Digital Modulation (Option 431)329
Custom Modulation330
ARB Custom Modulation Waveform Generator330
Real-Time Custom Modulation Waveform Generator330
Creating and Using Bit Files338
Creating a User File339
Renaming and Saving a User File341
Recalling a User File342
Modifying an Existing User File342
Applying Bit Errors to a User File343
Using Customized Burst Shape Curves344
Understanding Burst Shape344
Creating a User-Defined Burst Shape Curve347
Storing a User-Defined Burst Shape Curve349
Recalling a User-Defined Burst Shape Curve349
Using the Arbitrary Waveform Generator351
Using Predefined Custom Digital Modulation351
Creating a Custom Digital Modulation State353
Storing a Custom Digital Modulation State355
Recalling a Custom Digital Modulation State357
Defining a Modulation358
Creating a Custom Multicarrier Digital Modulation State364
Storing a Custom Multicarrier Digital Modulation State366
Applying Changes to an Active Multicarrier Digital Modulation State366
Using Finite Impulse Response (FIR) Filters with Custom Modulation367
Understanding FIR Filters367
Creating a User-Defined FIR Filter Using the FIR Table Editor369
Modifying a FIR Filter Using the FIR Table Editor373
Loading the Default Gaussian FIR File374
Modifying the Coefficients375
Storing the Filter to Memory376
Differential Encoding376
Using Differential Encoding380
Multitone and Two-Tone Waveforms (Option 430)383
Creating a Custom Two-Tone Waveform383
Creating a Custom Multitone Waveform383
Using Two-Tone Modulation383
Two-Tone Modulation Softkeys384
Creating a Two-Tone Waveform384
Viewing a Two-Tone Waveform385
Minimizing Carrier Feedthrough386
Changing the Alignment of a Two-Tone Waveform387
Using Multitone Modulation389
Multitone Modulation Softkeys389
Initializing the Multitone Setup Table Editor389
Configuring Tone Powers and Tone Phases390
Removing a Tone390
Generating the Waveform390
Configuring the RF Output390
Applying Changes to an Active Multitone Signal391
Working in a Secure Environment393
How to Obtain the Security Features Document393
Using Secure Display394
Troubleshooting396
Display396
The Display Is too Dark to Read396
The Display Turns Black When Using USB Media396
Signal Generator Lock-Up396
RF Output396
No RF Output396
Power Supply Shuts down396
No Modulation at the RF Output396
RF Output Power too Low397
Distortion397
Signal Loss While Working with a Spectrum Analyzer397
Signal Loss While Working with a Mixer398
Sweep400
Cannot Turn off Sweep400
Sweep Appears Stalled400
Incorrect List Sweep Dwell Time400
List Sweep Information Is Missing from a Recalled Register400
Amplitude Does Not Change in List or Step Sweep400
Internal Media Data Storage401
Instrument State Saved but the Register Is Empty or Contains the Wrong State401
USB Media Data Storage401
Instrument Recognizes USB Media Connection, but Does Not Display Files401
Preset401
The Signal Generator Does Not Respond401
Pressing Preset Performs a User Preset401
Error Messages402
Error Message Types402
Front Panel Tests403
Self Test Overview404
Licenses407
A Time-Based License Quits Working407
Cannot Load a Time-Based License407
Contacting Agilent Technologies407
Returning a Signal Generator to Agilent407

Agilent Technologies X Series - Page 88

Table of Contents

Related product manuals