Test Equipment for 3.5 mm Connector PNA-L/X Microwave Network Analyzers

This section lists the required test equipment for the following the PNA series network analyzers:

3.5 mm Connector Required Test Equipment

Test Equipment1

Recommended Model

Alternate Model

Sources

Signal Generator

E8257D

N5183B
N5182B

E8257C
E8267C/D

E8247C (not allowed with N5241x and N5242x PNA-X)

Noise Source

For these models only:

N5241A/AS/B/BC, N5242A/AS/H85/B, N5249A/AS/B Opt. 029

346C

None

Function Generator

Required for the Dynamic Accuracy at Low Frequency test (for LFE options).

33622A

None

Counters

Frequency Counter

 

53230A Option 0102 and 115

53132A3 Opt. [0102 or 012] and 124

53131A4 Opt. 0102 and 124

53181A4 Opt. 0102 and 124

53150A/51A/52A4, 5 Opt. 0012

Meters and Power Sensors6, 7
(See below for calibration service ordering guidelines.)

PNAs with LFE options 205/220/405/420/425 can only use USB power sensors.

Power Meter

N1914B

  • Not allowed in Normal Variant test plans.

N1914A8
E4419A/B9, 10
EPM-442A9, 10
N1912A9

PowerSensor LowFreq 1

For Normal Variant

N8482A

N8482A-CFT
8482A

PowerSensor HighFreq 1

For Normal Variant

N8485A

N8485A-CFT
8485A
E9300A Option H25 (not for N5242x/22x)

PowerSensor 1

For Factory Recommended Variant

U8485A Option 20011

U8485A11
N8485A

PowerSensor 1

For PNAs with LFE options.

U8485A Option 20011

U8485A11

PowerSensor 2

PNAs with LFE options require this second sensor.

U8485A Option 20011

 

Attenuators

3 dB Fixed

For these models only:

N5241A/B, N5242A/H85/B, N5249A/AS/B, Option 029

8491A Option 003

8491B Option 003

10 dB Fixed

For these models only:

N5230A/C Options 020, 120, 220, 240

N5241A/AS/B/BC, N5242A/AS/H85/B, N5249A/AS/B Option 029

Also for the Dynamic Accuracy at Low Frequency test (LFE options)

2 required

8493C Option 010

None

20 dB Fixed12

8493C Option 020

None

Calibration Kits

The calibration kit allowed depends on several variables:

  1. the test being run
  2. the configuration of the PNA

  3. the test plan variant selected in TME

These tests allow you to map an ECal module or a mechanical cal kit as the calibration kit.

These tests only allow mechanical kits. ECal modules are not allowed:

Further information regarding calibration kit selection can be found on each test topic page.

Model numbers

Notes

N4691D,13 ECal module
Options 0DC, M0F

PNAs with LFE options must use the N4691D. Other ECal models are not allowed.

Not allowed with the following:

  • Normal Variant test plans
  • N5230A/C PNA-L models

N4691-60004, ECal module
(order as N4691B Option M0F)

N4691-60008, ECal module

N4691-60001, ECal module

  • Order as N4691A Option M0F

  • Only allowed with N5230A/C Opt. 22x. The frequency range is insufficient for other PNA models.

Not allowed with PNAs with LFE options.

85052B, standard mechanical kit

85052D, economy mechanical kit

Mechanical kits are allowed with all PNA configurations and in both the Factory Recommended Variant and Normal Variant test plans.

ECal for Metrology Calibration Kit

For these models only:

N5221A/AS/B, N5222A/AS/B Option 210 or 410

Serial number and calibration due date of each ECal module used in the metrology service routine is required for the Metrology Stability Test. 2-port PNAs with Option 210 require two modules. 4-port PNAs with Option 410 require four modules.

  

Test Sets

Dynamic Accuracy Test Set
(DynAcc TestSet)

For N5230A/C using Normal Variant test plan.

Z5623A Opt. H01

Can also be used as an alternate solution depending on serial number prefix break or model/option combinations. Refer to the overview pages for the Noise Receiver Linearity and Dynamic Accuracy tests for more information.

Dynamic Accuracy Test Set
(DynAcc TestSet2)

Refer to the overview pages for the Noise Receiver Linearity and Dynamic Accuracy tests for more information on choosing the appropriate test set.

U3020BD01

U3020AD01

Gain Compression Test Set

U3070BK01

U3070AK01

Z5623A Opt. K01
(for N5241A/AS, N5242A/AS/H85, N5249A/AS for Receiver Compression test only)

Gain Compression Test Set

For N5230A/C with Option 12x, 14x, and 24x using the Normal Variant test plan.

Z5623A Opt. K01

None

Miscellaneous Devices

Power Splitter, 3.5 mm

Required for the Dynamic Accuracy at Low Frequency test (LFE options).

11667B

 

USB Mouse

Any

Any

USB Keyboard

Any

Any

Cables

RF, 3.5 mm (f) to 3.5 mm (f)
(RFCable1 3.5mm F to 3.5mm F)

2 required

85131-60013
(more flexible)

85131-60010
(less flexible; not for 4-port)

GPIB

10833A/B/C/D

Equivalent

Power sensor cable

2 required

11730A

Equivalent

Adapters

3.5 mm (f) to 3.5 mm (f)

(part of cal kit)

83059B

1250-1749

3.5 mm (m) to 3.5 mm (m)

(part of cal kit)

83059A

1250-1748

3.5 mm (m) to 2.4 mm (f)

Not required for N5230A/C Option 02x or 22x

11901D

Equivalent

3.5 mm (m) to 2.4 mm (f)
(NMD type)

Not required for N5230A/C Option 02x or 22x

85130-60010

None

3.5 mm (m) to Type-N (m)

2 required

1250-1743

Equivalent

3.5 mm (f) to Type-N (m)
(Adapter1 3.5mm F to N M)

1250-1744

08485-60005

3.5 mm (f) to Type-N (f)

1250-1745

Equivalent

3.5 mm (m) to Type-N (f)

1250-1750

Equivalent

BNC (m) to Type-N (f)

1250-1477

Equivalent

SMA (f) to BNC (m)

1250-2015

Equivalent

Terminations

50 W
(50ohmLoad1 3.5mm)

Not required for N5230A/C

909D

902C

Short 3.5 mm
(CalKitTwoPort1)

For N5241A/AS/B/BC, N5242A/AS/B, N5242AH85, N5249A/AS/B

2 required

85052B
(only the shorts are used)

85052D

Load 3.5 mm
(CalKitTwoPort1)

For N5241A/AS/B/BC, N5242A/AS/B, N5242AH85, N5249A/AS/B

2 required

85052B
(only the loads are used)

85052D

Static Safety Equipment

Adjustable antistatic wrist strap

9300-1367

None

Antistatic wrist strap grounding cord (5 foot)

9300-0980

None

Static control table mat and earth ground wire

9300-0797

None

Optional Equipment

Frequency Reference14

Frequency Counter internal

"house standard"15

BNC RF Cable

Any

Any

3.5 mm Table Footnotes

  1. Except where noted, one each is the required quantity for all equipment.
  2. A 10 MHz external frequency reference may be used in place of Option 010 or 001.

  3. When using the 53132A counter with PNA models assigned option <SYN>, note the following:

    Option 012 (ultra-high stability timebase) is required when using an internal frequency reference.

    Option 010 (high stability timebase) is allowed when using an external frequency reference providing it has a frequency accuracy of 1.e-7 or less.

  4. 53131A, 53181A, and 5315xA frequency counters are not allowed with PNAs assigned option <SYN> by TME. See Initial Frequency Accuracy for information about option <SYN>.

  5. The 53150/51/52A counters are not allowed with the following:

    • N5230A/C Options 02x, 12x, 24x models due to higher uncertainty at very low frequencies.

    • All models running the Factory Recommended Variant due to performance issues with the 5315xA counters.

  6. A current calibration report with data is required for each power sensor used. The user must enter this data for each power sensor.
  7. Both Standard (STD) and Cal Factor Option (CFT) versions of the N848xA power sensors are supported in this application. The correct version needs to be selected when configuring the test station in the Administration section of TME.

  8. 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.

    The N1914A requires USB ports when used with USB power sensors. See below for option ordering information.

  9. These power meters require a compatible firmware version to use the N848xA power sensors:

    • EPM-442A, E4419A/B — Firmware A2.09.01 and above

    • N1912A — Firmware A.05.02 above

  10. E4419A/B and EPM-442A power meters with firmware version A2.03.00 (or A1.03.00) may not operate properly with the new test software. Upgrade the power meter firmware if necessary.

  11. USB U-series power sensors:

    • Requires a power meter with USB ports. See below for option ordering information for the N1914A. Note that the N1914B comes standard with USB ports.
    • Are only supported in the Factory Recommended Variant test plan.

    • Required for LFE options: 205, 220, 405, 420, and 425.

  12. For models running the Normal Variant test plan, fixed attenuators are not needed if the PNA is equipped with an internal step attenuator in the PNA. All DUT configurations running the Factory Recommended Variant test plan must use the external fixed attenuator.

    The following do NOT need fixed attenuators (Normal Variant only):

    • N5222A/AS/B with Option 217, 417, 219, or 419

    • N5241A/AS/B/BC and N5242A/AS/B with Option 029

  13. The following minimum firmware is required when using the N4691D:

    • PNA A/AS-models require minimum firmware version A.10.60.04 or above.

    • PNA B/BC-models require minimum firmware version A.12.85.00 or above.

  14. The frequency reference is optional. It may be a 10 MHz "house standard", or it may be the internal frequency reference time-base of the counter used for the frequency measurement. See the Frequency Reference Explanation section in the Frequency Accuracy Test for details.

  15. PNA models assigned option <SYN> require the frequency accuracy of a house standard to be 1.e-7 or less. Refer to the Frequency Accuracy Test for information about option <SYN>.

N1914A Options for USB Ports

The table below shows the various options that will provide USB ports on the N1914A power meter. Note that the N1914B comes standard with USB ports.

N1914A Orderable Options

Description

FW responds as option1

201

Ordered from the factory with new N1914A

Dual channel average power meter with VGA, trigger in/out, 1 front and 1 rear USB port

008, 010, 012

The following options are ordered as upgrades to an existing N1914A power meter.

106

This is the recommended option.

Dual channel average power meter with 1 front and 1 rear USB port

008

103

alternate

Dual channel average power meter, battery, 2 rear USB ports

001, 009

105

alternate

Dual channel average power meter with VGA, battery, 1 front and 1 rear USB port

008, 010

108

alternate

Parallel rear-panel sensor input connectors, front-panel reference calibrator connector, 2 rear USB ports

002, 009

109

alternate

Parallel rear-panel sensor input connectors, rear-panel reference calibrator connector, 2 rear USB ports

003, 009

111

alternate

Dual channel average power meter, battery, 1 front and 1 rear USB port

001, 008

167

alternate

Dual channel average power meter, external trigger in/out, 1 front and 1 rear USB port

008, 012

  1. The firmware will respond with the option numbers as determined by the installed orderable option. TME will look for either USB option 008 or 009.

Guidelines for Ordering Power-Sensor 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 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 or NIST (or another NMI). 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