Internal EVM Digital Modulation Quality

(E8267D Option 601 or 602 Only)

Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) is the magnitude of the vectorial difference between the measured signal and an ideal reference signal in the I-Q plane.

This test supports two different test setups using either a PXA signal analyzer or an 89441A VSA spectrum analyzer.

  1. A PXA signal analyzer is used with the 89600 Vector Signal Analysis Application to measure EVM.

    Test Equipment

    Critical Specifications for this Test

    Recommended Models

    Alternate Model(s)

    Signal Analyzer

    EVM Accuracy

    N9030B Opt 5xx1, MPB2

    N9030A Opt 5xx1, MPB2

    Vector Signal Analysis Application
    (required when using the N9030A/B)

     

    89600 VSA with these options3:

    • 89601200C, basic vector signal analysis and hardware connectivity

    • 89601AYAC, digital demodulation analysis

     
    1. Select any option of PXA spectrum analyzer (503, 508, 513, 526, 543, 544, 550) that has a maximum frequency greater than or equal to the maximum frequency of the unit under test. An N9030A/B Option 550 is required for units with Option 567. The N9030A/B Option 550 frequency range is adequate for all PSG-D frequency configurations.
    2. Firmware version A.11.04 or greater required.
    3. If the VSA application version installed is less than version 2019 (eg. 89601B), then these options are required: 200, 300, AYA.

     

  2. Alternatively, an 89441A vector spectrum analyzer (VSA) is used to measure EVM and Global Phase Error. When using the VSA, additional equipment is required for downconverting the signal above 2.65 GHz.

    Test Equipment

    Critical Specifications for this Test

    Recommended Models

    Alternate Model(s)

    Vector Signal Analyzer

    None

    89441A Opt AYA, AYH, AY9, and UFG or UTH

     

    Local Oscillator1

    Max Frequency of Local Oscillator must be greater than or equal to the Unit Under Test.

    E8257D2 Opt (1EA or 1EU) and (UNR, UNX, or UNY)

    E8267D (UNR, UNX, or UNY)

    E824xA/5xA Opt 1EA and UNJ

    E82x7C Opt 1EA and UNR

    E8267C Opt UNR

    Mixer

    None

    Marki M4-0265

    0955-2225 (Only for Opt 520)
    0955-1017 (Only for Opt 520)

    10 dB Attenuator

    None

    8490D Opt 010

    8493C Opt 010 (Only for E8267D Opt 520)
    1. This test requires the Local Oscillator to be capable of at least ≥ 13.5 dBm output power for Options 532 or 544, and ≥ 16 dBm output power for Options 513 or 520 at all test frequencies. To ensure this requirement is met, a pre-check is done at the outset of the test by measuring the power from the Local Oscillator that is in use at several of the test frequencies. If during this pre-check the Local Oscillator cannot output enough power, the test will fail. This approach is meant to allow using the broadest range of models, as listed, but can result in disqualifying a chosen unit for failing to meet the power requirement.
    2. Depending on your frequency range needs, choose Option [567 or 550 or 540 or 532 or 521 or 520]. Note that 1EU is standard with Option 521.

 

Connections and Setup Procedures
  • All test equipment requires a 30 minute warmup period to ensure accurate performance.
  • In the following test setup, cables are designated as solid lines and direct connections are designated as dashed lines.

  • To expand all, click the Expand All button in the toolbar (webhelp only).

 

For setup instructions using the PXA signal analyzer, .

Test Setup Instructions for PXA with the Vector Signal Analysis Application

 
  • The PXA's firewall may need to be turned off.
  • The PXA must be logged in as Administrator.
  • See below for troubleshooting tips.

 

  1. Install the 89600 Vector Signal Analysis Application on the same PC as TME. This PC must also be connected to the LAN.

  2. Connect the PXA signal analyzer to the LAN.

  3. Get the Hostname or IP address of the PXA via the PXA’s front panel information system: System > Show > System.

  4. Add the PXA to the LAN interface.

    If using Agilent IO libraries, .

    1. Open the Agilent Connection Expert for the Agilent IO libraries. If a LAN interface does not exist, add it:

    2. Add the PXA as an instrument on this interface using the IP address from step 3.

    3. Verify that the instrument has been successfully added to the interface.

       

     

    If using Keysight IO libraries, .

     

    See below for troubleshooting tips if using VSA software 89601B version 21.0 or greater with Keysight IO libraries.

     

    1. Open the Keysight Connection Expert for the Keysight IO libraries and add the PXA to a LAN interface by selecting Manual Configuration > Add New Instrument/Interfaces > LAN instrument.

    2. Add the PXA as a LAN device by entering the PXA's Hostname (preferred method) or IP address as shown below.

      Using the PXA's Hostname is the preferred method to avoid the possibility of crashing the software. The Hostname can be found in the PXA's System menu. An example of a Hostname is: K-N9030B-80323, where K = Keysight, N9030B = model, 80323 = last 5 digits of the serial number.

       

    3. Verify the instrument address by selecting Test This VISA Address, then select Accept.

     

  5. Ensure the equipment is connected as shown:

     

 

For setup instructions using the 89441 VSA, :

Vector Spectrum Analyzer Test Setup

Setup for Internal EVM Digital Modulation Quality Without Mixer

 

Setup for Internal EVM Digital Modulation Quality With Mixer

 

In Case of Difficulty

If this performance test fails, perform the following steps in order:

  1. Check the equipment setup (see above). If the setup is incorrect, make the necessary corrections and rerun the Performance Test.

  2. If this test fails with the equipment setup properly, check and ensure that the local oscillator (LO) meets its phase noise specifications by performing a phase noise measurement at the LO frequency the EVM is failing at.

  3. If an "IQ Calibration Failed" error dialog occurs at the beginning of the test, manually run the IQ calibration using the front panel and observe the errors on the DUT. If successful, repeat the test.

  4. If this test still fails after steps 1, 2, and 3, refer to the troubleshooting section of the signal generator's service guide. If you do not have a printed copy of the service guide (Option OBW), one is available either on the CD-ROM that came with your signal generator shipment or on the Keysight Website.

  5. If you cannot correct the problem using the troubleshooting procedures in the Service Guide, obtain service from Keysight Technologies. Refer to Contacting Keysight Technologies.

Vector Signal Analysis Troubleshooting

When adding the PXA as LAN device, use the PXA's Hostname rather than the IP Address to avoid the possibility of crashing the software. The Hostname can be found in the PXA's System menu. An example of a Hostname is: K-N9030B-80323, where K = Keysight, N9030B = model, 80323 = last 5 digits of the serial number.

Troubleshooting tips if using VSA software 89601B version 21.0 or greater with Keysight IO libraries:

If the VSA software freezes during the Digital Modulation Quality test, manually verify that the you are able to “Rediscover Instruments” in the VSA software.

  1. Open the VSA software and select Utilities >Hardware > Configurations…

  2. Next, click on the Discover Instruments tab and click on the Rediscover Instruments button.

If this freezes, then you may need to set the Keysight VISA as the Preferred VISA. To set the Keysight VISA as the preferred VISA:

  1. Open the Keysight Connection Expert and go to Settings > Visa Conflict Manager > General VISA Settings. Ensure Keysight VISA is set as the preferred VISA implementation as shown in the image below: