Single Sideband Phase Noise Performance Test

This test applies to the following models:

This manual test uses a phase noise test system to verify that the M9383A PXIe signal generator meets the single-sideband phase noise specifications. The reference source used should have equal or better phase noise specifications compared to the DUT. If the DUT fails, it may be due to the phase noise contributions of the reference source. If a failure occurs, a three-source comparison should be done at the failed carrier frequency and offset to identify a true failure.

Required Test Equipment

Test Equipmen

Recommended Models

Alternate Models

Phase noise measurement system

N5511A Options 540, CH21

  1. CH2 is not required but recommended for future capability.

E5505A Option 0011

  1. Option 001 provides high frequency, high power capability.

Reference source

E8257D Options UNT, UNY, 1EU

E8267D Options UNT, [UNX or UNY]
E8257D Options UNT, [UNX or UNY], [1EA or 1EU]

100 MHz reference

M9300A

 

TME data entry form

The values required for this test can be found on the TME data entry form. The form is generated in TME when the Single-Sideband Phase Noise test is started.

The table below explains the terms used in the test and their corresponding Closedcolumns in the data entry form.

Test Value

TME Data Entry Form Column Header

Carrier (DUT) frequency

Frequency

Carrier (DUT) power

Power (dBm)

Measured offset frequencies

Offset Frequency

Connection Setups and Test Procedures

All test equipment requires a 30 minute warmup period to ensure accurate performance.

There are two sets of procedures depending on the model of the phase noise test system used:

Select from the links below according to the phase noise test system being used.

 

 

  1. Connect all test equipment as shown above.

  2. Connect GPIB cables to all GPIB-controlled test equipment.

  3. Preset all test equipment.

  4. Preset the UUT. From the PXIe signal generator Soft Front Panel (SFP), select the Utilities drop-down menu, then select Reset. The SFP is accessed from the ClosedStart Menu of the PC. The SFP is installed during the UUT software and driver installation as described in the Getting Started topic.


  5. Configure the Phase Noise System:

    In the N5510A Phase Noise System user interface, change the following parameters:

    1. Select the View pull-down menu.

    2. Select Display Preferences and un-check the Spurs box.

    3. Select OK to close Display Preferences.

    4. Select the System pull-down menu and select Server Hardware Connections.

    5. Select or ensure the following:

      • The test set has Keysight M9550A selected.

      • FFT Analyzer has Keysight M9551A selected.

    6. Select Close to close Server Hardware Connections.

    7. Select the Define pull-down menu, select Measurement, and select the following settings:

Parameter

Setting

Type and Range Tab:

Measurement Type

Absolute phase noise (using a phase locked loop)

Measurement Method

Fast

Start Offset Resolution Expansion

10

Channel Setup

Single

Start Offset Frequency

9 Hz

Stop Offset Frequency

110 MHz

FFT Analyzer Minimum Number of Trace Averages

40

RBW %

7.84 (256 point FFT)

FFT Overlap %

75

FFT Window Type

Flat Top

Sources Tab:

Carrier Source Frequency

Obtain tested frequencies from the TME data entry form (Frequency column).

Carrier Source Power

Obtain source power from the TME data entry form (Power column).

Detector Input Frequency

Same as carrier source frequency

Reference Source Power

+10 dBm

VCO Nominal Tune Constant

Set to 0.1 ppm x Carrier source frequency

For example, set to 1000 Hz/Volt for a carrier frequency of 10 GHz.

VCO Tune Range

1 Volt

VCO Input Resistance

50 ohms

Center Voltage

0

Cal Tab:

Phase Detector Constant

Derive detector constant from measured beat note

VCO Tune Constant

Measure VCO tune constant

Verify calculated phase lock loop suppression

Blank

 

 

Block Diagram Tab:

Carrier Source

Manual

Reference Source

Model number of reference source

Phase Detector

Automatic Detector Selection

Test Set Tune Voltage Output

Front Panel

Test Set Tune Voltage Destination

Reference Source

VCO Tune Mode

DCFM

Test Set Tab:

LNA Low Pass Filter

Internal: Selected

Auto: Checked

LNA Gain

Auto Gain: Selected

Minimum Auto Gain: 14 dB

PLL Integrator Attenuation

0 dB

Use Channel #2

Unchecked

Graph Tab:

Title

User specific

Graph Type

Single-sideband phase noise (dBc/Hz)

X Scale minimum

Same as start offset frequency

X Scale maximum

Same as stop offset frequency

Y Scale maximum

0 dBc/Hz

Y Scale minimum

–170 dBc/Hz

Normalize Trace Data to

1 Hz bandwidth

Trace Smoothing Amount

0

Making the Measurement

  1. From the UUT SFP, Closedset the UUT frequency and power to the first value in the TME data entry form.

    Set the frequency.

    Set the power.

  2. From the UUT SFP, set the ClosedUUT RF Output to ON.

  3. From the N5510A user interface, select the Measure pull-down menu and select New Measurement.

  4. When the measurement completes, select the Markers icon and place markers at the specified offsets to determine the measured phase noise. When specifying a marker offset, the marker will be set to the closest frequency on the graph as indicated in the following table:

    Nominal Offset

    Actual Offset

    10 Hz

    10.058 Hz

    100 Hz

    99.838 Hz

    1 kHz

    1.0014 kHz

    10 kHz

    9.9182 kHz

    100 kHz

    100.71 kHz

    1 MHz

    1.001 MHz

    10 MHz

    10.059 MHz

    100 MHz

    100 MHz

     

  5. Transfer the marker amplitude values to the TME data entry form for the corresponding value of Frequency (carrier source frequency) and Offset Frequency (marker offset frequency).

    If a failure occurs, a three-source measurement should be performed at this carrier frequency and offset to identify a true failure.

     

  6. Print out a phase noise plot.

  7. Select the Measure pull-down menu and select New Measurement.

  8. Continue to the next carrier frequency and perform the measurement.

 

 

 

  1. Connect all test equipment as shown above.

  2. Connect GPIB cables to all GPIB-controlled test equipment.

  3. Preset all test equipment.

  4. Preset the UUT. From the PXIe signal generator Soft Front Panel (SFP), select the Utilities drop-down menu, then select Reset. The SFP is accessed from the ClosedStart Menu of the PC. The SFP is installed during the UUT software and driver installation as described in the Getting Started topic.


  5. Obtain the TME data entry form. This form provides the values for the test which will be required in the next step.

    1. Launch TME with the UUT connected to the test system.

    2. Start the Single-Sideband Phase Noise test. This will bring up the data entry form.

    3. With the form selected, press Ctrl-A, Ctrl-C on the keyboard to collect the data in the form.

    4. Open a text editor such as Microsoft Notepad and press Ctrl-V to copy the data entry form into this application.

    5. Print out this data and use it to complete this test.

  6. Configure the Phase Noise System:

    In the E5505A Phase Noise System user interface, change the following parameters:

    1. Select the View pull-down menu.

    2. Select Display Preferences and un-check the Spurs box.

    3. Select OK to close Display Preferences.

    4. Select the System pull-down menu and select Server Hardware Connections.

    5. Select or ensure that the FFT has NI PCI6111-1, 11 PCI20428W-1, or 89410A selected.

    6. Select Close to close Server Hardware Connections.

    7. Select the Define pull-down menu, select Measurement, and select the following settings:

Parameter

Setting

Type and Range Tab:

Measurement Type

Absolute phase noise (using a phase locked loop)

Start Offset Frequency

10 Hz

Stop Offset Frequency

100 MHz

FFT Averages

1

FFT Quality

Custom

Define Custom Segment Table - FFT

Note: the following parameters should be left at their default values for all segments:

  • Overlap = 50%

  • Window Type = Flat Top

  • Number of Spectral Lines = 401
Display Start
Offset		 Display Stop
Offset		 Measure
Start Offset		 Measure
Stop Offset		 Minimum Number of Averages
1 Hz 30 Hz 1 Hz 30 Hz 40
30 Hz 500 Hz 0 Hz 500 Hz 100
500 Hz 1.5 kHz 500 Hz 1.5 kHz 200
1.5 kHz 12 kHz 0 Hz 12 kHz 500
12 kHz 125 kHz 0 Hz 125 kHz 1000
125 kHz 2 MHz 0 Hz 2 MHz 1000

Swept Quality

Custom

Define Custom Segment Table - Swept

Note: the following parameters should be left at their default values for all segments:

  • Min Avg = 1

  • Detector Mode = Sample
Display Start
Offset		 Display Stop
Offset		 Measure
Start
Offset		 Measure
Stop
Offset		 Res BW Video
BW		 Time
2 MHz 12 MHz 2 MHz 12 MHz 30 kHz 30 Hz 14.3 sec
12 MHz 100 MHz 12 MHz 100 MHz 100 kHz 100 Hz 11.4 sec

Sources Tab:

Carrier Source Connected

Test Set

Carrier Source Frequency

Obtain tested frequencies from the TME data entry form (Frequency column).

Carrier Source Power

Obtain source power from the TME data entry form (Power column).

Detector Input Frequency

Same as carrier source frequency

Reference Source Power

+10 dBm

VCO Tune Constant

Set to 0.1 ppm x Carrier source frequency

For example, set to 1000 Hz/Volt for a carrier frequency of 10 GHz

VCO Tune Range

1 Volt

VCO Input Resistance

50 ohms

Center Voltage

0

Cal Tab:

Phase Detector Constant

Measure phase detector constant

VCO Tune Constant

Measure VCO tune constant

Verify calculated phase lock loop suppression

Blank

 

 

Block Diagram Tab:

Carrier Source

Manual

Down Converter

None

Reference Source

E8257D

Phase Detector

Automatic Detector Selection

Test Set Tune Voltage Output

Front Panel

Test Set Tune Voltage Destination

Reference Source

VCO Tune Mode

DCFM

Test Set Tab:

Input Attenuation

0 dB

LNA Low Pass Filter

Auto

LNA Gain

Auto

Minimum Auto Gain

14 dB

PLL Integrator Attenuation

0 dB

Graph Tab:

Title

User specific

Graph Type

Single-sideband phase noise (dBc/Hz)

X Scale minimum

Same as start offset frequency

X Scale maximum

Same as stop offset frequency

Y Scale maximum

0 dBc/Hz

Y Scale minimum

–170 dBc/Hz

Normalize Trace Data to

1 Hz bandwidth

Trace Smoothing Amount

0

Making the Measurement

  1. From the UUT SFP, Closedset the UUT frequency and power to the first value in the TME data entry form.

    Set the frequency.

    Set the power.

  2. From the UUT SFP, set the ClosedUUT RF Output to ON.

  3. From the E5505A user interface, select the Measure pull-down menu and select New Measurement.

  4. When the measurement completes, select the Markers icon and place markers at the offsets specified by the TME data entry form (Offset Frequency column).

    For a 10 Hz offset, the marker will be set to 9.9844 Hz.

  5. Transfer the marker amplitude values to the TME data entry form for the corresponding value of Frequency (carrier source frequency) and Offset Frequency (marker offset frequency).

    If a failure occurs, a three-source measurement should be performed at this carrier frequency and offset to identify a true failure.

     

  6. Print out a phase noise plot.

  7. Select the Measure pull-down menu and select New Measurement.

  8. Continue to the next carrier frequency and perform the measurement.