Frequency Accuracy Performance Test

This test verifies the frequency accuracy and range of the PNA's source output, and verifies the Test Port Output – CW Accuracy specification.

For single source PNAs, this test is only performed on Port 1, and the specification only applies to this port. For dual source PNAs, Port 3 is also tested. The process is the same as for Port 1. Approximately seven frequencies across the range of the RF PNA and up to 20 GHz on the microwave PNA are checked. Only frequencies up to 10 GHz are tested.

Power levels:

RF PNA = 0 dBm
Microwave PNA = -17 dBm or higher

For troubleshooting help, see Frequency Accuracy Troubleshooting.

Required Test Equipment

Below is the required test equipment for this test. Select the link that applies to your model.

Table A: PNA Type-N RF models:
- E8356A, E8357A, E8358A
  E8801A, E8802A, E8803A
  N3381A, N3382A, N3383A
Table B: PNA 3.5 microwave models:
- E8362A, E8362B, E8362C
Table C: PNA 3.5 mm & 1.85 mm microwave models:
- E8363A, E8363B, E8363C
  E8364A, E8364B, E8364C
  E8361A, E8361C

Test Equipment — Table A PNA Type-N RF Models: E8356A, E8357A, E8358A E8801A, E8802A, E8803A N3381A, N3382A, N3383A
Test Equipment	Recommended Model	Alternate Model
Frequency counter	53230A Option 115	53131A/32A Options 010, 012, 124 53181A Options 010, 124
Adapter Type-N (f) to BNC (m)	1250-1477	equivalent
RF cable Type-N (m) to Type-N (m)	N6314A	8120-8862
BNC cable ¹	any	any
Frequency Reference ² (optional)	internal	house standard
The BNC cable is only required if a 10 MHz external reference is used. The frequency reference is optional. See the Frequency Reference Explanation below.
Test Equipment — Table B PNA 3.5 mm Microwave Analyzers: E8362A, E8362B, E8362C
Test Equipment	Recommended Model	Alternate Model
Frequency counter	53230A Option 115	53131A/32A Options 010 or 012, 124 53150A/51A/52A Option 001 53181A Options 010, 124
Adapter Type-N (m) to 3.5 mm (m)	1250-1743	equivalent
Adapter Type-N (f) to BNC (m)	1250-1477	equivalent
Adapter 3.5 mm (m) to 3.5 mm (m) (only required for 5315x counters)	1250-1478	83059A
Adapter SMA (f) to BNC (m)	1250-2015	equivalent
Cable RF 3.5 mm (f) to 3.5 mm (f)	85131-60013 (more flexible)	85131-60010 (less flexible)
BNC cable ¹	any	any
Frequency Reference ² (optional)	internal	house standard
The BNC cable is only required if a 10 MHz external reference is used. The frequency reference is optional. See the Frequency Reference Explanation below.
Test Equipment — Table C PNA Microwave Analyzers:
	2.4 mm: E8363A, E8363B, E8363C E8364A, E8364B, E8364C 1.85 mm: E8361A, E8361C
Test Equipment	Recommended Model	Alternate Model
Frequency counter	53230A Option 115	53131A/32A Options 010 or 012, 124 53150A/51A/52A Option 001 53181A Options 010, 124
Adapter Type-N (m) to 2.4 mm (m)	11903A	equivalent
Adapter Type-N (f) to BNC (m)	1250-1477	equivalent
Adapter 3.5 mm (m) to 2.4 mm (m) (only required for 5315x counters)	11901A	equvalent
Adapter SMA (f) to BNC (m)	1250-2015	equivalent
Cable RF 2.4 mm (f) to 2.4 mm (f) or Cable RF 1.85 mm (f) to 1.85 mm (f)	85133-60016 or N4697-60010	85133-60002 (less flexible)
BNC cable ¹	any	any
Frequency Reference ² (optional)	internal	house standard
The BNC cable is only required if a 10 MHz external reference is used. The frequency reference is optional. See the Frequency Reference Explanation below.

Connection Setups

Due to the complexity of the PNA family of analyzers, the following notes apply to illustrations in the PNA Help:

Only a single representative model will be shown.
Some illustrations may differ than those in TME.
For procedures that apply to multiple ports, illustrations will show the setup on only one test port.

Frequency Accuracy Measurement Setup

Frequency Reference Explanation

The equipment list for this test includes a FreqReference1. It is indicated as optional because it may or may not require a separate piece of test equipment. The model for this equipment type may be FreqCounter1 Internal Ref or 10 MHz External Reference. When FreqCounter1 Internal Ref is specified, the frequency counter uses its internal frequency reference for its time base; a separate piece of equipment is not required. When 10 MHz External Reference is specified, an external 10 MHz reference is required to be connected to the counter (this will often be a house standard).

The calibration date, etc, for FreqCounter1 Internal Ref should match the frequency counter. The calibration information for 10 MHz External Reference will depend on the source used for the 10 MHz.

When 10 MHz External Reference is specified, the user must provide a value for frequency accuracy. Frequency Accuracy represents the worst case accuracy of the reference (maximum deviation from exactly 10 MHz) any time during the calibration period of the reference. The value is expressed in ppm and is entered via the Additional Properties key.

As an example, if the accuracy of an external frequency reference is +/- 1.0 Hz, then the accuracy is 1.0e-7. The value in ppm would be entered as 0.10.

If a separate counter is used as the 10 MHz External Reference instead of a house standard, here are some example frequency accuracy values:

Frequency Accuracy Value Examples
Model	Option	Value
53131A/32A	no options	8.6 ppm
	001	2.6 ppm
	010	0.1825 ppm
53132A	012	0.0385 ppm
53181A	no options	8.6 ppm
	001	2.6 ppm
	010	0.1825 ppm
53151A	no options	2.2 ppm
53151A	001	0.183 ppm
53230A	no option	1.7 ppm
53230A	010	0.0155 ppm

Note that values above 0.2 ppm will often give unsatisfactorily large measurement uncertainties.

Formula used to calculate the above values:

Frequency Accuracy = Time Base Error = (monthly aging rate * 12) + Temperature Stability