ESA Single Channel Measurement Setup

The ESA link with 89600 VSA software combines the Keysight 89600 VSA software and ESA series spectrum analyzers. The 89600 software runs on a PC and connects to the ESA via GPIB or LAN Local Area Network: A communications network that serves users within a local geographical area, typically over distances of around 100m. Wireless LANs use wireless communicaitons to network devices so there is no need for data cabling.. In this system, the ESA is the measurement hardware. This topic includes setup and measurement information required to successfully make measurements using the ESA configured as the ADC Analog-to-Digital Converter module, including:

Supporting Documentation

ESA system requirements

Specifications

GPIB and LAN Setup

Single-channel Measurement Setup Procedure

Two-channel Measurement Setup Procedure

Other Supporting Documentation

Configuration, Measurement, and Performance Information

For detailed performance and measurement information, see the appropriate technical overview linked from the Product Literature topic.

For configuration information, see the Configuration Guide linked from the Product Literature topic.

ESA analyzer documentation

For detailed information about the ESA analyzer, see the printed documentation shipped with the analyzer.

ESA system requirements

This system requires an Keysight ESA with firmware A.08.02 or later. The following models are supported with 89600 software:

• E4402B
• E4404B
• E4405B
• E4407B

The ESA must include the following options:

• A4H: GPIB and parallel printer interfaces
• 229: Modulation Analysis personality, firmware version A.02.00 or higher or 231: 89600 VSA Link personality, firmware version A.02.00 or higher. You can download option 231 firmware from the ESA Web page
• B74 bundle or these individual options:
• B7D: Digital signal processing and fast ADC
• B72: Memory extension to 10 MB
• B7E: 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). communication hardware
• 1D5: High stability frequency reference (recommended)

Return to Top

Specifications

GPIB and LAN Setup

Instructions for configuring the GPIB or LAN interface (using a LAN-to-GPIB gateway) between the PC and the VSA are in the Software Installation Guide.

Return to Top

Custom Input Channel Configurations: When using the Input Channel Configuration dialog to specify or modify the input channel configuration mapping, only the VSA default set of channel configuration mappings are allowed; "invalid" channel configuration mappings are disallowed and the "OK" button is disabled "greyed out".

Single-channel Measurement Setup Procedure

1. Hardware Setup and IO Configuration.

   Connect the hardware interfaces, install the 89600 VSA  software and configure the IO interface, see the Software Installation Guide.

2. Start the VSA and configure the ESA as an Analyzer Configuration:
   1. Open the New Hardware Configurationdialog box (Utilities > Hardware > Configurations > Add button ).
   2. From the list of Possible Logical Instruments, select the ESA and drag to the Configuration window (or press the arrow button). If the ESA is not listed, it is not connected, turned on or configured properly.
   3. If more than one ESA is available, select the ESA to be configured in step 2 of the New Hardware Configuration dialog box.
   4. Name the new configuration in step 3 of the New Hardware Configuration dialog box.
   5. Click OK.
   6. Select this Analyzer Configuration as the Current Analyzer Configuration in the Configurations tab.
3. Configure the Hardware parameters

   Hardware configuration parameters that are unique to 89600 VSA/ESA systems are listed in the Keysight ESA "ESA Hardware Configuration Parameters" topic. Review these parameters and set them as required for your specific application, see ESA Hardware Configure Parameters topic.

4. Configure the measurement setup parameters.

   Measurement parameters that are unique to 89600 VSA/ESA systems are listed in the Keysight ESA ''ESA Measurement Setup Parameters" topic. Review these parameters and set as required for your specific application, see ESA Measurement Setup Parameters topic.

   The ESA uses IF subsampling when Alias Protect is set to False. This can result in aliasing effects if your signal is not band limited to the selected span.

Return to Top

Two Channel Measurement Setup Procedure

2-channel RF measurements can be made with the 89600 VSA software and 2 ESA analyzers. For cabling and setup information, see Two-channel ESA cabling.

See Also

Product Overview for 89611 with ESA/H70

Input Extensions

Measurement Setup

ESA Setup as ADC

Enhancing Measurement Speed