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 |
| 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
