N7818A 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.

Table Footnotes:

1. Keysight, Agilent, or Hewlett-Packard model numbers unless otherwise noted.

2. P = Performance Testing, T = Troubleshooting, A = Adjustments, U = Utilities

3. Microwave Signal Generator #1 should have one each of the following options:

   • Frequency Option:

     • 520 (20 GHz) minimum for EMI receivers with Options 503 or 508
     • PSG with Option 521 cannot be used due to low frequency levels
     • 532 (32 GHz) minimum for EMI receivers with Option 526
     • 550 (50 GHz) minimum for EMI receivers with Option 544

     • 567 (67 GHz) is recommended

   • Enhanced Phase Noise: Option UNR (discontinued), UNX, or UNY
   • Narrow Pulse Modulation: Option UNW
   • Analog Sweep Ramp: Option 007 (required for Frequency Response adjustments)
   • Step Attenuator (E8257D only): Option 1E1

   • High Power (E8257D only): Option 1EA (discontinued) or 1EU

4. Supported PSG models:

   • E8257D

   • E8267D

5. Two Phase Noise Test solutions are available. The Wenzel 500-13438D is an ultra low noise 1 GHz Oscillator. Although the EMI receiver does not require the performance of the Wenzel 500-13438D, other TME applications use the Wenzel solution, so the 500-13438D is an allowed instrument mapping. An alternate (and less expensive) solution is a PSG with Option UNR (or UNX) and a notch filter.

   Wenzel Associates Inc
   2215 Kramer Ln
   Austin, Texas 78758
   (512) 835-2038
   FAX (512) 719-4086

6. Both models of the Schwarzbeck pulse generator have fixed GPIB addresses which may require changing the GPIB address of conflicting equipment. Refer to the Connecting GPIB Test Instruments section of Getting Started.

7. N1914A power meters with serial number prefix 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.

8. 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 < 1.0% 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.

9. 8485A power sensor frequency range specified in the data sheet starts from 50 MHz. To use the 8485A in Second Harmonic Intercept performance test, it needs to be calibrated from 10 MHz (add 10 MHz and 30 MHz frequency points).

10. When using the 10 MHz External Reference, 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.

11. 8491A/B 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 recommended to test Input Attenuation 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 it meets the required specification, Option H33 will need to be selected in the configure test station Administration screen.

12. 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 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

     

    aTME requires that Section 3 be characterized.

     

13. The type of calibration kit (mechanical or ECal) depends on the test or utility. Refer to the table below and to the topic page for each test and utility.

    Test / Utility	Calibration kit
    Conducted Band VSWR Performance Test	Mechanical kit only
    Radiated Band VSWR Performance Test	Mechanical or ECal
    Network Analyzer Freq Sweep Calibration (Utility)	ECal only

     

14. Type-N and 3.5 mm mechanical calibration kit models are specific for the two VSWR performance tests. This is to ensure that the calibration kit has sufficient frequency range for the test. Use only the model numbers specified for each test.

Guidelines for Ordering Power-Sensor Calibration Service

Use the following guidelines to ensure power sensors used by the N7800A application receive the correct calibration service:

1. Order Option 1A7 when ordering new power sensors that will be used as working standards in N7800A TME calibrations.

2. When ordering periodic calibration for instruments used as lab standards in the N7800A software, we recommend using “Keysight Cal + Uncertainties + Guardbanding”. More information can be found at http://www.keysight.com/find/americas_cal.

3. The N7800A software incorporates the ISO GUM Uncertainty GUM = The Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement in point-to-point uncertainty calculations. The special “H-series” calibration options (shown on the Special Calibrations Matrix located at http://cal.software.keysight.com) provide lower measurement uncertainties through use of direct comparison to devices directly characterized by NPL NPL = National Physical Library or NIST NIST = National Institute of Standards and Technology (or another NMI NMI = National Measurement Institute). The overall resulting N7800A measurement uncertainties then reflects these lower device uncertainties. The equipment requirements of each N7800A calibration application are summarized in the Special Calibrations Matrix which can be found at http://cal.software.keysight.com.

4. Option H99 is a special option for the Roseville Service Center [only] which provides electronic calibration data available as a .csv file that can be imported into TME thus avoiding manual entry. Option H99 must be requested from the Roseville Service Center upon re-calibration only of any previously purchased power sensor and not for new purchases of power sensors. This option may be ordered in addition to any other required or requested Std Lab Calibration option. Option H99 is recommended but not required.

   The following models are not supported by Option H99: E9304A-H18, H19, H84 E9300A-H25 N8386A N8486AQ