This document describes the Keysight C-Series FieldFox Analyzers, a series of handheld RF and microwave analyzers designed for field use. The manual provides comprehensive information for models N9912C, N9913C, N9914, N9915C, N9933C, N9934C, and N9935C.
Function Description
The FieldFox analyzers are versatile instruments offering a range of measurement capabilities, including:
- CAT (Cable and Antenna Test) Mode: Used to test entire transmission systems, from transmitter to antenna. This mode performs 1-port reflection measurements (Return Loss, VSWR, Distance to Fault in dB or Linear format, 1-Port Cable Loss) and 2-port insertion loss measurements. DTF measurements help locate faults in cables or transmission lines.
- TDR (Time Domain Reflectometry) Mode (Option 215): Used to locate problems and identify the type of problem in a length of cable or transmission line. It offers TDR measurements in Linear Rho and Ohm formats, and can display both TDR and DTF traces.
- NA (Network Analyzer) Mode: Measures S-parameters (S11, S21, S12, S22) to describe how a device modifies a signal. It supports mixed-mode S-parameters (balanced measurements) with Option 212. Receiver measurements can also be made for diagnostic purposes. Time Domain (Option 010) functionality allows displaying measurements with time as the horizontal axis, calculated using inverse Fourier transform.
- SA (Spectrum Analyzer) Mode (Option 233–Mixed Analyzers): Measures signals at the SA RF IN connector. It supports various measurements including Channel Power (CHP), Occupied Bandwidth (OBW), Adjacent Channel Power Ratio (ACPR), Spectrum Emission Mask (SEM), IQ Analysis (IQA), and Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP). It also features Tune & Listen (AM/FM) for identifying interfering signals and Analog Demod for displaying demodulated signals and audio frequency spectrum.
- RTSA (Real-time Spectrum Analyzer) Mode (Option 350): Measures signals at the SA RF IN connector, offering Density Spectrum, Spectrogram, and Real-time Spectrum displays. It's valuable for capturing signals with time and frequency variations and for monitoring spectrum activity over time.
- IQ Analyzer (IQA) Mode (Option 351): Performs general-purpose frequency domain and time domain measurements of I/Q data. It can capture I/Q data to a file for external analysis.
- Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Measurements (Option 361): Measures radiated and conducted emissions, supporting pre-compliance EMI evaluation. It includes Amplitude Probability Distribution (APD) statistics, selectable CISPR bands, and fast SA scans.
- Over–the–Air (OTA) Measurements (LTE FDD Option 370, LTE TDD Option 371, 5G TF Option 377, 5G NR / 5G NR EVM Conducted Option 378): Supports demodulation and analysis of LTE FDD, LTE TDD, 5G TF, and 5G NR signals, including EVM measurements for conducted signals. It can display various KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) in table, bar chart, spectrum, and strip chart formats.
- 5G Rapid Prototype Phased Array Antenna (Option 360): Provides a portable solution for measuring and analyzing the 5G air interface in the field, including bore-sight, heat map, and polar antenna pattern measurements.
- USB Antennas (Requires EMF Option 358, and SA or OTA Mode): Supports measurements with USB triaxial antennas for EMF measurements, offering automatic detection of antenna corrections and selection of field strength units.
- Indoor and Outdoor Mapping (Option 352): Enables mapping capabilities for indoor floor plans and outdoor OpenStreetMap files, allowing data logging of measured results with GPS stamps.
- Direction Finding (Option 390 Time Difference of Arrival (TDoA)): Used for geo-locating RF sources, requiring three or more remote FieldFox units synchronized via GPS.
- Remote Server Mode: Connects the FieldFox to compatible PC-based licensed software applications (e.g., 89600 VSA software) for advanced signal analysis.
- Built-in Power Meter Mode (Option 310): Uses the SA input connector for quick power measurements over a selectable frequency band.
- Power Meter (USB/LAN) Mode (Option 302): Uses Keysight USB and LAN power sensors to detect, measure, and store data from pulse trains.
- Frequency Offset Using Power Sensor (FOPS) (Option 208): Allows setting the FieldFox source frequency independently from the power sensor frequency, useful for conversion loss/gain measurements on frequency-translating devices.
- VVM (Vector Voltmeter) Mode (Option 308): Measures the electrical length of cables and other devices, displaying magnitude and phase.
- AM/FM Metrics (SA Only and Option 355): Demodulates and characterizes AM and FM signals, reporting metrics like carrier power, modulation rate, SINAD, and THD.
- Channel Scanner (Option 312): Measures and displays channel power versus frequency for up to 20 channels simultaneously.
- Noise Figure Mode (Option 356): Accurately verifies and characterizes the noise figure of devices using the Y-Factor technique.
Important Technical Specifications
The FieldFox analyzers are available in various models with different maximum frequency ranges:
- N9912C, N9913C: 4 GHz
- N9914C, N9934C: 6.5 GHz
- N9915C, N9935C: 10 GHz
- Minimum Frequency: 5 kHz for all VNA and SA models.
Power Requirements for AC/DC Adapter:
- Voltage: 100 VAC to 240 VAC
- Frequency: 50 Hz to 60 Hz
- Current: 1.5 A (100 VAC) to 0.75 A (240 VAC)
Maximum Input Voltages and Power:
- RF Output Connector: 50V DC, +23 dBm RF
- Ext Trig/Ref Connector: 5.5 V DC
- RF Input:
- +27 dBm RF, ±50 VDC Max. (N991xA/B, N9925B, N9926A, N9928A, N993xA/B)
- +23 dBm RF, ±50 VDC Max. (N9923A, N9923AN)
- +25 dBm RF, ±40 VDC Max. (N99xxC, N995xA/B, N996xA/B)
- DC Input: 19VDC, 4ADC, 60 Watts maximum when charging battery.
Battery:
- Lithium-Ion Battery (High Capacity): N9910X-876 (10.8V, 6400mAh, 70Wh)
- Standard Capacity Battery: N9910X-870
- Operating temperature range for battery power: –10°C to +50°C (–14 to +122°F).
- Charging temperature range: 0°C to 45°C.
- Discharge temperature range: –10°C to 60°C.
Usage Features
- User Interface: Features a transflective screen viewable under all lighting conditions, with alternative color modes for bright sunlight and nighttime. A USB keyboard and mouse can be used.
- Numeric Entry: Supports numeric keypad, up/down arrows, and rotary knob for entering values, with multiplier softkeys (GHz, MHz, KHz, Hz, s, ms, us, ns, ps).
- Power Management:
- Standby Mode: Low battery drain, preserves current settings.
- Power OFF: Very low battery drain, does not automatically save data.
- Battery Charge Status: Viewable on-screen and on the battery's LED gauge.
- Charging: Internal charging via AC/DC adapter (approx. 4 hours) or external battery charger (approx. 3 hours).
- Battery Saver: Conserves battery power by turning off the RF source power at the end of each sweep in CAT, NA, and VVM modes.
- High Temperature Protection: Features like Temperature Control Mode (reducing display intensity, duty cycling) and Auto Protect (Maximum) Threshold Temperature Mode (additional measures, shutdown warning) prevent degradation or damage from high internal temperatures.
- Calibration: Supports Mechanical Cal and ECal for NA, CAT, and VVM modes, with options for 1-port, Full 2-port, Simple Response Cals, and Enhanced Response Cal. CalReady provides a factory calibration for immediate use.
- Data Analysis: Includes markers (Normal, Delta, Signal Track, Continuous Peak Search, Band/Interval Power, Frequency Counter, Time Zero Fixed), limit lines (Fixed, Relative, Build From Trace), and trace math operations (Data + Mem, Data – Mem, Data / Mem).
- File Management: Allows saving and recalling various file types (settings, calibration, trace data, pictures) to internal memory, USB flash drive, or SD card. Supports different file formats (CSV, S1P, S2P, MAT, PNG, DREC, KML).
- System Settings: Configurable options for audio (volume), display (brightness, colors, trace width, title), utilities (mapping, phased array antenna, EMF antennas, frequency extender), preferences (quick settings, language, battery saver, startup mode, file folders), and security level.
- SCPI Commands: Mini-USB port allows sending SCPI commands and queries to the FieldFox from a PC with IO Libraries.
Maintenance Features
- Firmware Updates: Keysight periodically releases software updates to fix defects and add enhancements.
- Service Diagnostics: Provides system information, event logs, battery status, and internal temperatures for troubleshooting.
- Erase User Data: Allows erasing all user data from the FieldFox's internal "UserData" partition for security purposes.
- Connector Care: Emphasizes proper handling, storage, inspection, cleaning, and gaging of connectors to maintain measurement accuracy and repeatability.
- Calibration Services: Keysight offers calibration services (Keysight Calibration, ANSI Z540 Calibration, ISO 17025 Calibration) to ensure the instrument meets published specifications.
- Battery Disposal: Lithium-ion batteries require proper disposal; Keysight provides recycling options in the U.S. and Canada.
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