About Keysight M9415A/M9416A/M9415E/M9416E PXIe Vector Transceiver with 89600 VSA Software

The 89600 VSA software supports the Keysight M9415A/M9516A PXI Vector Transceiver. The M9415A/M9416A integrates core signal-analysis capabilities with hardware speed and accuracy, enabling development of solutions for specific requirements. The PXIe form factor is easily scalable for multiple transceivers in minimal space.

The VSA software also supports the Keysight M9415E/M9416E VXT PXI Vector Transceiver, which is a combination of two PXI modules (M9415A/M9416A + M9471A) used together.

M9415A/M9416A

After the 89600 VSA software has been installed and the interface configured, launch the VSA and follow the steps under Configuring the VXT for VSA.

Minimum firmware version required for M9415A:

For single channel (single module) use: M.27.52
For multichannel (multi-module) use: M.31.50

Minimum firmware version required for M9416A:

For single channel (single module) use: M.37.50
For multichannel (multi-module) use: M.37.50

Frequency Range

The frequency range for the M9415A/M9416A is 330 MHz Megahertz: A unit of frequency equal to one million hertz or cycles per second. to 12.9 GHz Gigahertz: A frequency measurement which equals one billion hertz..

M9415A/M9416A Multichannel Capability

The M9415A/M9416A module supports the installation of multiple M9415A/M9416A modules in the same chassis for use in multichannel measurements. Each module is assigned a Hislip VISA address, so that each module in the same chassis can be differentiated. The Hislip address can be configured from the XSA Launch GUI.

Each module will be discovered with a unique physics server port. The VSA software will then query the port via a SCPI command, and allow connectivity to that server.

See M9415A/M9416A Multichannel Setup for more information.

M9415E/M9416E

See the M9471A Getting Started Guide for installation instructions. After installing and setting up the M9415E/M9416E hardware, launch the VSA software and follow the steps under Configuring the VXT for VSA.

Minimum firmware version required: M.37.50

Minimum firmware version required for BETA use of M9415E/M9416E multichannel (multi-module) use: M.39.50

Frequency Range

When using the M9415E/M9416E, the frequency range is extended to be 750 kHz kiloHertz: A radio frequency measurement (one kilohertz = one thousand cycles per second). to 26.5 GHz.

M9415E/M9416E Multichannel Capability (BETA)

The M9415E/M9416E VXT supports the installation of multiple M9415E/M9416E VXTs in the same chassis for use in multichannel measurements. Each VXT is assigned a Hislip VISA address, so that each VXT in the same chassis can be differentiated. The Hislip address can be configured from the XSA Launch GUI.

Each M9415E/M9416E will be discovered with a unique physics server port. The VSA software will then query the port via a SCPI command, and allow connectivity to that server.

See M9415E/M9416E Multichannel Setup for more information.

Configuring the VXT for VSA

In the VSA software, follow these steps to configure the VXT hardware:

Click Utilities > Hardware > Configurations.
Open the New Hardware Configuration dialog box (Utilities > Hardware > Configurations > Add button). Select the "Keysight/Agilent X-Series Signal Analyzer" from the list of Possible Logical Instruments and drag it to the Configuration window.
In Step 2 of the New Hardware Configuration dialog box, if there is more than one "Keysight Modular Vector Transceiver" listed, select the specific one to be used for this configuration.

If the desired VXT's address does not appear in the list, the 89600 VSA is not communicating with it. Verify the VXT is turned on. Use the Connection Expert of Keysight I/O Control to verify the connection to the VXT.
In step 3, name the configuration. Click Ok.
Click Ok.
Select this Analyzer Configuration as the Current Analyzer Configuration in the Configurations tab.

Custom 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 is allowed; "invalid" channel configuration mappings are disallowed and the "Apply" button is disabled ("grayed out").