N7810A Required Test Equipment

This section lists the test equipment needed to run performance tests and adjustments. Models for each test equipment category are given in order of preference. Alternate models are also listed but should be considered a lower priority. Refer to each individual test for specific setup configurations with required cables and adapters.

All equipment is Keysight, Agilent, or Hewlett Packard unless otherwise specified.

Table Footnotes:

1. A = Adjustments, P = Performance Testing, T = Troubleshooting

2. One PSG with Option 567, 1EA/1EU, 1E1, 007, and UNX or UNR or UNY can be used as the Microwave Source #1, RF Source #2, and RF Source #3. (Option 007 Analog Ramp Sweep is required for Frequency Response Adjustments.)

3. Other supported PSG models:

   E8241A E8244A E8247C Option 520 E8251A E8254A E8257C Option H31 or 540	E8257C Option 520 E8257D E8257N (requires the 2.4 mm (m) Aeroflex Weinschel Crown, part #7005A-13) E8267C Option 520 E8267C Option H31 or 544 E8267D
   (One sweeper requires Option 1E1 for PSA Option 110 testing.)

4. PSG requires Option UNX or UNR.

5. When ordering a new STD or CFT power sensor from Keysight to be used with the N7800A series applications, order with Option 1A7. The 1A7 option provides an ISO17025 calibration and includes calibration data. When re-calibrating your STD or CFT power sensor for use with the N7800A series applications, we recommend the Keysight ISO17025 calibration.

6. N1914A power meters with serial number prior to MY53040007 require Service Note N1914A-07 which fixes a power supply ground loop. The ground loop injects noise into the measurement circuits which can cause unstable measurements at low (-30 dBm) power levels.

7. The 8482A power sensor uses cal factors to compensate the power sensor for frequency response errors. Cal factors are stated in percentages. The 8482A factory cal factor uncertainty ranges from 2.2% to 3.1%. The cal factor uncertainty can be reduced to < 2.0% by using metrology grade calibration techniques. The power sensor cal factor uncertainty becomes one component of the Verification Test uncertainty analysis. Lower cal factor uncertainties will translate to wider test margins.

8. When using the 10 MHz External Reference with performance tests, be sure to update the Additional Properties in TME to the correct Frequency Accuracy in parts per million (ppm). For example, if overall accuracy is 9e-12, the equivalent is 9e-6 ppm. Refer to the Additional Properties section in the N7800A TME Help for instructions. (Does not apply to adjustments.)

9. The step attenuators should be permanently joined via the 11716A Interconnect Kit as shown in the diagram.

   

   Step Attenuator Loss Characterization

   The step attenuator combination should have each attenuator setting characterized by a metrology lab at 50 MHz. This characterization can be ordered through Keysight Technologies as an Option H50 Calibration.

   The following tables show which sections of the 10 dB and 1 dB step attenuators are utilized for each attenuator setting. The tables also list the Recommended Uncertainty for each attenuator setting. A larger number will result in larger overall test uncertainties which could affect the test pass/fail rate.

   The interconnect cable should NEVER be disconnected once the loss characterization is performed.

   1 dB Step Attenuator

   Nominal Attenuation (dB)	Attenuator Section				Recommended Uncertainty (dB)
   	#1 (1 dB)	#2 (2 dB)	#3 (4 dB)	#4 (4 dB)
   0	Off	Off	Off	Off	0 (Reference)
   1	On	Off	Off	Off	< 0.005
   2	Off	On	Off	Off	< 0.005
   3	On	On	Off	Off	< 0.005
   4	Off	Off	Ona	Off	< 0.005
   5	On	Off	On	Off	< 0.005
   6	Off	On	On	Off	< 0.005
   7	On	On	On	Off	< 0.005
   8	Off	Off	On	On	< 0.005
   9	On	Off	On	On	< 0.005
   10	Off	On	On	On	< 0.005
   11	On	On	On	On	< 0.005

    

   10 dB Step Attenuator

   Nominal Attenuation (dB)	Attenuator Section				Recommended Uncertainty (dB)
   	#1 (10 dB)	#2 (20 dB)	#3 (40 dB)	#4 (40 dB)
   0	Off	Off	Off	Off	0 (Reference)
   10	On	Off	Off	Off	< 0.010
   20	Off	On	Off	Off	< 0.015
   30	On	On	Off	Off	< 0.020
   40	Off	Off	Ona	Off	< 0.025
   50	On	Off	On	Off	< 0.030
   60	Off	On	On	Off	< 0.035
   70	On	On	On	Off	< 0.040
   80	Off	Off	On	On	< 0.046
   90	On	Off	On	On	< 0.055
   100	Off	On	On	On	< 0.065
   110	On	On	On	On	< 0.075

    

   a) TME requires that Section 3 be characterized.

10. 8491A Option H33 is a fixed attenuator which has been characterized to have a VSWR £ 1.05:1 at 50 MHz. A VSWR of 1.05:1 is critical to test Input Attenuator Switching Uncertainty, Display Scale Fidelity, and Absolute Amplitude Accuracy performance tests. Any 8491A/B attenuator can be mapped into this device if the VSWR at 50 MHz has been characterized to be £ 1.05:1. When mapping the attenuator, to indicate that is meets the required specification, the Option H33 checkbox will need to be checked  in the configure test station Administration screen.

Calibration Data Validation

Standard Checks

To ensure data integrity for measurements carried out with TME (Test Management Environment), the following verification checks are carried out at the beginning of each test run. The checks are only performed on devices that require calibration data which directly affect the test results.

The following table lists the standard checks performed by default:

10 MHz Frequency Reference Connections

The 10 MHz connections shown in the test diagrams are displayed as a direct connection between the signal analyzer and the signal source. If the test equipment is used as a dedicated test system with multiple signal sources, it might be more practical to employ a 10 MHz Distribution Amplifier. The 10 MHz Distribution Amplifier (Keysight 5087A for example) allows a single 10 MHz Reference to be connected to multiple 10 MHz inputs. The Distribution Amplifier output power should be adjusted for a nominal +7 dBm with an input power of +3 dBm.

The following diagram shows how the Distribution Amplifier would be connected to the test system.