Source Requirements
This topic provides the source feature capabilities and requirements.
Source Configuration Capabilities
The VSA supports the following Source Configuration capabilities:
- Multiple hardware Source Configurations. One source configuration is required for each source controlled by the VSA.
- Multichannel support for some source models.
- Trigger support for some source models.
There must be at least one active hardware "Source Configuration".for the Source menu and features to be enabled, see Connecting to a Source
Source Signal Playback File Formats
Source signal playback only supports the MATLAB (*.mat) file format (recorded or MATLAB simulated signal files)
Max Download File Size: The data block size to be downloaded to a source must be < 250 Mpts. The maximum data block size that can be downloaded to an AWG depends on the memory size of the AWG and the ratio between the sample rate in the recording file and the sample rate of the AWG. The length of the data will increase if it must be resampled to the AWG sample rate.
How to use existing VSA "*.sdf" recorded signals for playback. You can create a *.mat formatted signal file from an existing VSA "*.sdf" formatted recorded signal file. Recall an existing VSA recorded "*.sdf" signal file and then "Save Recording" using the "*.mat" file format extension and select the "Save header with data" Save Option.
Supported Sources
The following Keysight vector signal generators are supported by the 89600 VSA software:
| Model | Description | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| AP5041A | G3 Compact Vector Signal Generator | Minimum firmware version: 1.1.0 |
| AP5042A | G3 Compact Vector Signal Generator | Minimum firmware version: 1.1.0. Multiple channel support with options 002, 003, 004. |
| E4438C | ESG Vector Signal Generator | option 001, 002, 601, or 602 required for signal playback |
| E4428C | ESG Analog Signal Generator | VSA control only, no signal playback |
| E8257D | PSG Analog Signal Generator | VSA control only, no signal playback |
| E8267D | PSG Vector Signal Generator | option 002, 601 or 602 required for signal playback |
| M8190A | Arbitrary Waveform Generator | VSA discovers and connects to AgM8190Firmware software, which controls the M8190A. The source and source channel Frequency properties may be used to set a carrier frequency for the downloaded waveform when Option M8190A-DUC is installed. Without this option, only baseband playback is supported. When Option M8190A-14B is installed, 14-bit resolution is used for baseband playback whenever the sample rate is within the 8 GSa/s limit. |
| M8195A | Arbitrary Waveform Generator | VSA discovers and connects to either M8195A Soft Front Panel or to M8070B software controlling the M8195A. Channel 3 and Channel 4 are used for Channel 1 markers when these channels are not included in the source logical channel configuration. See Marker On property. |
| M8198A | Arbitrary Waveform Generator | VSA discovers and connects to M8070B software, which controls the M8198A |
| M8199A | Arbitrary Waveform Generator | VSA discovers and connects to M8070B software, which controls the M8199A |
| M9381A | PXIe Vector Signal Generator | Single channel support included for signal playback |
| M9383B | VXG-m Microwave Signal Generator | Multichannel support included for signal playback, triggering support. |
| M9384B | VXG Microwave Signal Generator | Multichannel support included for signal playback, triggering support. |
| M9410A/E | VXT PXIe Vector Transceiver | Only RF Radio Frequency: A generic term for radio-based technologies, operating between the Low Frequency range (30k Hz) and the Extra High Frequency range (300 GHz). Output port is supported. |
| M9411A/E | VXT PXIe Vector Transceiver | Only RF Output port is supported. |
| M9415A/B/E | VXT PXIe Vector Transceiver | Only RF Output port is supported. |
| M9416A/E | VXT PXIe Vector Transceiver | Only RF Output port is supported. |
| M9484C | VXG Vector Signal Generator | Multichannel support included for signal playback, triggering support. Global trigger is supported with Option PCH Paging Channel. Support for eight virtual signal generators per physical RF output channel with Option 8SG. |
| N5171B | EXG X-Series RF Analog Signal Generator | VSA control only, no signal playback |
| N5172B | EXG X-Series RF Vector Signal Generator | option 653 required for signal playback; add option 655 for signal BW between 60 MHz Megahertz: A unit of frequency equal to one million hertz or cycles per second. and 120 MHz. |
| N5181A | MXG RF Analog Signal Generator | VSA control only, no signal playback |
| N5181B | MXG X-Series RF Analog Signal Generator | VSA control only, no signal playback |
| N5182A | MXG RF Vector Signal Generator | option 651, 652, or 654 required for signal playback |
| N5182B | MXG RF Vector Signal Generator | option 656 required for signal playback; add option 657 for signal BW between 80 MHz and 160 MHz |
| N5183A | MXG Microwave Analog Signal Generator | VSA control only, no signal playback |
| N5186A | MXG Vector Signal Generator | Multichannel support included for signal playback, triggering support. Global trigger is supported with Option PCH. |
| S9110A/E | VXT Multiband Vector Transceiver | Only RF Output port is supported. |
| S9115A | VXT Multiband Vector Transceiver | Only RF Output port is supported. |
Only arb sources (sources that include arbitrary IQ waveform generation) can be used for source signal playback.
See Also
Using MATLAB Simulated Signals
