The Pulse Setup dialogs shown in this topic are now integrated in the VNA firmware and are available with S9x026A/B or Opt H08 .
Note: For information about pulsed measurements using a PNA-X, refer to Active-Device Characterization in Pulsed Operation Using the PNA-X.
Previously, setup was performed with the Narrowband or Wideband pulse programs. With the appropriate hardware/software options (Opt 021, 022, S93025A/B) these commands are still available without Opt S93026A/B or H08. Learn more about VNA Options.
External pulse generators can be used along with the VNA internal pulse generators. Learn more.
In this topic
Narrowband Pulsed Application (Opt H08)
WB Pulsed App
See Swept IMD note regarding IF Filter setting
App Note: Active-Device Characterization in Pulsed Operation Using the PNA-X (1408-21)
How to start the Pulse Setup dialog |
|
Using Hardkey/SoftTab/Softkey |
Using a mouse |
|
|
Note: The M937xA does not support this function. The Basic controls allow simple pulse measurements using the default (Autoselect) settings in the Advanced section of the dialog. Pulsed measurements are performed in a Standard channel. See Measurement Class. However, Several VNA measurement settings are controlled by the Pulse setup, such as sweep type, number of points, and so forth. Pulse MeasurementOff - Source and Receivers are NOT pulsed Standard Pulse - With pulsed RF, the VNA can be configured to sweep in frequency, power sweep, and CW time.
Pulse Profile - Pulse profile measurements provides a time domain (CW frequency) view of the pulse envelope. Profiling is performed using a measurement technique that "walks" a narrow receiver "snapshot" across the width of the pulse. This is analogous to using a camera to take many small snapshots of a wide image, then piecing them together to form a single, panoramic view. Pulse Profile measurement using default settings and R1 receiver.
Pulse TimingPulse Width - Sets the width of the source pulse. See measurement timing to learn how to control the receiver width and delay. Pulse Period The time to make one complete pulse. Pulse Frequency (PRF) The reciprocal of Period (1/ Period). See Internal Pulse Generators to learn more. By default, these settings configure Pulse Gen 1 to drive Source Modulators 1 and 2. This can be changed from the Advanced Settings Pulse Generator Setup dialog. -------- Advanced Settings ----------The following settings allow maximum control of a Pulse measurement. Note: When the "Auto" check boxes are cleared, it is possible to configure settings to make an invalid measurement. PropertiesAutoselect pulse detection method - check to automatically switch between Narrowband and Wideband based on the Pulse Width. . In Standard Pulse:
In Pulse Profile:
Autoselect IF Path Gain and Loss - For future use. IF Path - Click to launch the IF Path dialog. Optimize Pulse Frequency - Automatically selects the Pulse Frequency and Pulse Period.
Autoselect Profile Sweep Time - In Pulse Profile mode, adjusts the default X-axis start time to zero and the stop time double the Pulse Width. This allows you to see one complete pulse. If unchecked, the Sweep Time will not be changed. To adjust the X-axis manually, click OK to close the dialog. Then press Sweep > Main, then change the Start Time and Stop Time. Sweep Time - Sets the time the analyzer takes to complete one sweep. Number of Points - Sets the number of data points for the measurement. IFBW - Select the IFBW for the measurement.
Measurement TimingPort n, Rcvr - Used as RF Source Modulation Drive.
The receiver settings in this table change depending on whether the VNA is in Narrowband or Wideband mode.
The Primary Clock is controlled by the internal or external pulse generator and is the primary pulse clock. The Internal and External selections are not the same as the Trigger Source Internal and External selections found in the Pulse Trigger tab of the Trigger dialog. However, they are inter-related as follows:
Autoselect Width and Delay - When checked, for Wideband mode and Pulse Gen = Pulse Trigger, the default setting for the receiver is adjusted to approximately 75% of the source pulse width, with 20% delay. This leaves approximately 5% of the source pulse ON after acquisition is complete. When checked for Narrowband mode and Pulse Gen <> CW, then Delay and Width matches the RF Source. Autoselect Pulse Generators - When checked:
Pulse Generators... Click to launch the Pulse Generators Setup dialog. Plot Pulse... Accesses the Pulse Timing dialog, which displays an interactive screen for evaluating the pulse timing setup. Plot Pulse is enabled for Pulse Profile measurements in N524xB and N522xB models, but disabled in all other models. Plot Pulse is disabled for all NarrowBand pulse measurements. Right-click in the display area to access the following menu: Autoscale - Automatically scales the data to fit vertically within the display grid area. Display marker annotation - Select to display marker annotation in the top-right of the display. Show graticule - Select to display graticules. Add marker to: - Select to add a marker to a displayed pulse trace. When a selection is made, the mouse pointer changes to a "+". Click in the display area and the marker will appear. Drag the marker to the desired position. Each time this selection is made, a new marker will be added. Copy to Clipboard - Copies a bitmap of the trace control (Display) to the clipboard. It can then be pasted into any document that accepts bitmaps. Print... - Prints the displayed data. Scale properties... - Accesses the following dialog: Stimulus - Sets the Begin and End displayed on the X-axis in seconds. Response - Sets the Reference level in the center of the Y-axis and sets the scale per division.
|
Note: The does not support this function. Pulse MeasurementOff - Source and Receivers are NOT pulsed Standard Pulse - With pulsed RF, the VNA can be configured to sweep in frequency, power sweep, and CW time. Pulse TimingRF Pulse Width - Sets the width of the RF Source pulse. Pulse Period pulldown- Allows the selection of the following: Pulse Period - The time to make one complete pulse. Pulse Frequency - The reciprocal of Period (1/ Period). Pulse Duty Cycle - Pulse Width divided by the Pulse Period. Labels
Pulse DetailsGenerator - Pulse generator outputs in numerical order. Device - Indicates the device being controlled by the pulse generator output.
Width - RF Source pulse width. This setting is the same as Pulse Width under RF Pulse. Delay - If the Offset Pulses using ADC Delay check box is disabled, then the delays are the pulse delays relative to the trigger. If the Offset Pulses using ADC Delay check box is enabled, then the delays are defined for the pulses relative to each other. In this case, you can enter negative delays, and the delay from the trigger will be adjusted to correct for these values. Invert - Check to cause the pulse ON time to be active low and OFF be active high. Enable Check to enable individual pulse generators. Autoselect Receiver Timing - Computes the width to 80% of the RF Source Width and the delay will be 10% of the RF Source Width. With this setting selected, the Width and Delay columns in the table are grayed out. Offset Pulses using ADC Delay Check Box
Timing Example Assume Pulse1 is used to modulate the RF signal, all Pulse outputs are enabled, all are set to zero delay, and all are set to the same width. The first timing diagram below is with offset off and the second timing diagram is with offset on.
ButtonsPlot Pulse Timing - Accesses the Pulse Timing dialog, which displays an interactive screen for evaluating the pulse timing setup. Right-click in the display area to access the following menu: Autoscale - Automatically scales the data to fit vertically within the display grid area. Display marker annotation - Select to display marker annotation in the top-right of the display. Show graticule - Select to display graticules. Add marker to: - Select to add a marker to a displayed pulse trace. When a selection is made, the mouse pointer changes to a "+". Click in the display area and the marker will appear. Drag the marker to the desired position. Each time this selection is made, a new marker will be added. Copy to Clipboard - Copies a bitmap of the trace control (Display) to the clipboard. It can then be pasted into any document that accepts bitmaps. Print... - Prints the displayed data. Scale properties... - Accesses the following dialog:
Stimulus - Sets the Begin and End displayed on the X-axis in seconds. Response - Sets the Reference level in the center of the Y-axis and sets the scale per division. Pulse Generators - Accesses the Pulse Generators Setup dialog. See below. |
This dialog is available with Option S9x025A/B and S9x024B (pulse generators). To see this dialog, press Pulse Generators... on the Pulse Setup dialog. Pulse GeneratorsConfigure the Pulse Generators to be used for your measurement. The pulse 0 is for the receiver. The pulse 1 is for source and P1 output and pulse 2 to 4 are for P2 to P4 output signal, receptively.
Important: If D + W is greater than P, then undefined VNA behavior results. There is NO error message or warning. Invert Check to cause the pulse ON time to be active low and OFF be active high. Enable Check to enable individual pulse generators. Trigger Choose from: (When ONE of these is changed, they ALL change. The internal Pulse Generators can NOT be triggered individually).
Frequency - Set the pulse frequency of each generator.
Period - Set the period of each generator. Learn more about the Pulse Generators. Pulsed SourcesCheck to enable the required internal source ports. These are switches 8 and 9 in the Block Diagram Important: When internally modulating the sources, source leveling is automatically set to Open-loop (ALC Open Loop box will be checked automatically). Modulator Drive - Choose the pulse generator to modulate the specified source. Choose from CW (NO pulse), Pulse 1, 2, 3, 4, External. This is switch 7 Block Diagram. Offset PulsesOffset Pulses using ADC Delay Check Box
Offset Pulse Example Assume Pulse1 is used to modulate the RF signal, all Pulse outputs are enabled, all are set to zero delay, and all are set to the same width. The first timing diagram below is with offsets off and the second timing diagram is with offsets on.
Pulsed ReceiversSynchronize ADCs using Pulse Trigger - Check to enable triggering used to gate the ADC for wideband receiver measurements. This is the same as Pulse0 Enable. The Width can NOT be configured. Pulse4 Output Indicates - Check to use an oscilloscope connected to the pulse 4 (pin 13 of the PULSE I/O connector on the rear panel of the VNA) to display when the ADC is making measurements. There are two selections: All ADC Activity - When selected, all ADC activity can be monitored, including ADC activity that may not be displayed on a trace. An example is background measurements that are used for receiver leveling, but are not actually displayed on a trace. Trace ADC Activity - When selected, Pulse4 will be active only during measurements that will be displayed on a trace. Pulse Trigger.. - Click to start the Pulse Trigger dialog. Trigger... - Accesses the Trigger dialog for setting up triggering. Learn more.
|
To see this dialog, press Pulse Trigger on the Pulse Generator Setup dialog or select Stimulus, then Trigger from the VNA Menu. Trigger SourceSelect Internal or External to provide sync capability for the internal pulse generators.
. The external trigger input is on the Pulse I/O connector pin 7 (PulseSyncIn). The PulseSyncIn line provides a configurable trigger signal into the Pulse Generators. If the trigger mode is set to "level", and if the trigger is still valid when the first pulse set is finished, another set will be generated. Only one set of pulses is emitted when edge triggering is used. Trigger Level/EdgeSets the edge or level of the trigger signal to which the internal pulse generators will respond when being externally triggered at the PulseSyncIn pin. . Positive = rising edge; Negative = falling edge. These selections are available ONLY with DSP version: 4.0 FPGA: 34 or higher. Learn more. Otherwise, the pulse generators respond only to positive, level input trigger signals. Receiver synchronizationSynchronize ADCs using pulse trigger - Check to enable triggering used to gate the ADC for wideband receiver measurements. The Width can NOT be configured. ADC trigger delay - Set the amount of time to wait before triggering the ADC to begin acquisition.
|
See complete description at IF Path Configuration
See also Using External Pulse Generators
Using External Pulse Generators
Setup the External Pulse Generator as an External Device.
To perform a calibration in pulse mode, first configure and apply the pulse parameters (PRF, Pulse Width, Delays, IF gating, and so forth) before calibrating the system. This will ensure the VNA is configured properly during the calibration and measurement.