Overview

The S963015B SSA-X Signal Source Analyzer advanced features is required to enable this application.

Feature

The VCO Characterization application is tuned for characterizing oscillators (from fixed to voltage controlled oscillators). Frequency, RF power, and DC

current (at DC ports) measurements are synchronized with the voltage sweep on either DC control and DC Supply ports. The trace curve of each parameter is shown on the display with a single cabling hookup. The following parameters can be measured.

Frequency versus DC Control (tuning) voltage
Tuning sensitivity (differential of frequency versus DC Control voltage)
Frequency versus DC Supply voltage
Frequency pushing (differential of frequency versus DC Supply voltage)
RF power versus DC Control (tuning) voltage
RF power versus DC Supply voltage
DC current (at DC Control and/or DC Supply)

Hardware Setup

A VCO DUT should be connected on either RF 1 Input or RF 2 Input in the two port configuration. One channel can measure one port only. If you want to measure VCOs on both RF 1 and 2 inputs, at least two channels are required.

Starting and Exiting VCO Characterization measurement

Create a VCO Characterization Channel

How to start VCO Characterization
Using Hardkey/SoftTab/Softkey	Using a mouse
On the analyzer, press Meas > Meas Class.... Select VCO Characterization, then click OK. In the Confirm Measurement Class Change dialog, click OK to proceed or Cancel to exit. The VCO Characterization application is displayed (shown below).	Click Instrument. Select Meas Class.... Select VCO Characterization, then click OK. In the Confirm Measurement Class Change dialog, click OK to proceed or Cancel to exit. The VCO Characterization application is displayed (shown below).

Exiting VCO Characterization Application

Select a different Measurement Class for the currently active channel.

VCO Characterization Display

The VCO Characterization measures the frequency, RF power, DC current vs DC control or supply.