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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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. |
| 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 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). 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. |
Only arb sources (sources that include arbitrary IQ waveform generation) can be used for source signal playback.
See Also
Using MATLAB Simulated Signals
