If the Q-P Detector Absolute Calibration test crashes using Test Solution 1 (pulse generator calibration data), it could be from using an outdated version of the calibration data file.
Calibration data files that were generated from N7818A applications prior to version E.10.00 are no longer valid. The Pulse Generator Calibration Data Editor Utility was updated with different values in the E.10.00 release. Therefore any calibration data files created using earlier versions of the utility will cause the test to crash. A new calibration data file will need to be generated by running the Pulse Generator Calibration Data Editor Utility.
If the test hangs up, there could be a conflict with the GPIB address of the pulse generator and other equipment. Both models of the Schwarzbeck pulse generator have fixed GPIB addresses. Therefore, the GPIB address values of any conflicting equipment will need to be changed. Refer to the Connecting GPIB Test Instruments section of Getting Started for more information.
You may get an GPIB connection error when using the IGUU 2918.
There is a known issue with certain versions of the Keysight IO Library not recognizing the Schwarzbeck IGUU 2918 pulse generator and therefore causing a GPIB connection failure. There are two work-around methods to correct this error. Refer to the Connecting GPIB Instruments section of Getting Started for more information.
The detectors are implemented in DSP. The detector measurements are generally made relative to a reference amplitude.
The DC pulse generator creates a very high voltage impulse in the time domain. A very narrow pulse in the time domain will (in theory) generate a uniform spectrum in the frequency domain. If the time domain pulse is imperfect, then the frequency spectrum will roll off at high frequencies.
Check to see if reference amplitude is near 60 dBuv (or -47 dBm). If the generator has a high signal level, then a failure could indicate a noise floor problem with the DUT. Run the Displayed Average Noise Level (DANL) Performance Test to see if the DUT has a noise floor issue.
In the Q-P Detector Variation with Pulse Repetition Freq Performance Test, the relative amplitude can be 32 dB below the reference. If the reference amplitude is low (due to generator roll-off), then the relative amplitudes could be very close to the noise floor.