Corrections/De-embedding

This topic describes the RF Output > Corrections/De-embedding screen, where you can configure and apply external corrections for your test setup.

Overview

The instrument has the capability to extend the Reference Plane beyond the factory calibrated RF Output port. The Reference Plane can be extended via Corrections and/or S-parameter de-embedding.

Up to four stages of correction and de-embedding are available. These stages are referred to as blocks and are labeled as Block A, B, C, and D. For SCPI commands, block A=1, B=2, and so on.

The following table lists the available correction and de-embedding components for your test setup.

Configuring and applying user correction data using Block A

Adding fixture blocks (Block B, C, or D) for de-embedding/characterization

Component	Purpose	Supported File Format(s)
Factory Cal	Directly measured correction data created during the factory manufacturing process or annual calibration.	N/A
Block A	User correction data applied on top of the Factory Cal. For this block, you can: either apply corrections from a specified correction file. or measure directly with a supported power meter, spectrum analyzer, or network analyzer to generate a correction file.	.csv .uflat (for compatibility with other Keysight Technologies signal generators)
Block B	De-embedding of fixtures including cables, connectors, and other passive components between the instrument and DUT to remove the effects of these test fixtures from the measurement results. Individual fixture blocks represent different fixture elements in your test setup. Calculated correction data for the sum of Blocks B, C, and/or D is applied on top of the Block A and/or Factory Cal. Prior to the software version A.14.00, only the S21 data of the fixture was used for correction. With software version A.14.00 or later, the S11 and S21 data of the fixture are used for correction. Due to this difference in the S-parameters used for correction in these software versions, the calculated correction data may vary for these software versions. To apply corrections for a fixture, you can: either use an existing .s2p correction file. or generate a .s2p correction file for the fixture using an ECal device. Requires Option V08.	.s2p
Block C
Block D
DUT	Compensation for the instrument to DUT mismatch. For this block, you can: either apply corrections from a specified correction file. or measure directly to generate a correction file. Requires Option V08. See DUT Reflection Coefficient.	.s1p

Corrections On

Absolute Power Corrections Only

Ignores the complex response data in both measured and s2p data and only applies the absolute power corrections.

Add from Measurement

You can use the Block A properties > Add from Measurement button to access the Measure Corrections wizard. Using this wizard, you can configure and run the user correction measurement. The correction data generated from this measurement is saved to a .csv file. This file is then used as the correction file.

The subsections below describe the SCPI commands available to configure and run the user correction measurement.

Configure Sensor

SCPI commands defined in this section can be used to set up Correction measurements and Power Sensors used. In the user interface, these settings are included in the RF Output block's, Corrections/De-embedding block setup, when the Add from Measurement button is selected.

Use Device List

Enables the Device List to be the sole method of specifying a Spectrum Analyzer or Power Meter to be used for Correction Measurement.

Specify Device for Correction Measurement

Specifies a Power Meter or a Spectrum Analyzer from the Device List for user Correction Measurement. Note that the reference clock must be locked between the signal generator and Spectrum Analyzers.

Power Measurement Device

Selects the hardware type used in the user correction measurement when the Device List is not being used.

Start Frequency

Stop Frequency

Number of Steps

Power Meter Properties

Sets the power meter properties when Power Meter is the selected Power Measurement Device.

Power Meter Connection Type

Sets the type of control connection for communication using the external power meter for user flatness calibration.

Power Meter IP Address

Sets the internet protocol (IP) address for a power meter that is controlled by the signal generator for user flatness calibration. If connecting to a GPIB power meter through a LAN-GPIB gateway, this command sets the IP address of the gateway.

Power Meter HiSLIP Device Name

Specifies the HiSLIP device name for a power meter that is being controlled by the signal generator for user flatness calibration. If connecting directly to the power meter, enter the name as specified in your power meter documentation.

Power Meter USB Device Name

Selects the USB device to be used for user flatness calibration. The query returns the USB device identification.

Power Meter USB Device Name List

Power Meter IP Port

Sets the IP port number on the power meter that is controlled by the signal generator for users flatness calibration.

Power Meter Channel from the Device List

Selects the channel setting on the external power meter used for calibration from the Device List.

Power Meter Calibrate Sensor

Power Meter Calibrate Sensor from the Device List

Calibrates the connected power meter from the Device List. This is an immediate action.

Power Meter Zero Sensor

Power Meter Zero Sensor from the Device List

Zeroes the connected power meter from the Device List. This is an immediate action.

Spectrum Analyzer Properties

Sets the spectrum analyzer properties when Spectrum Analyzer is the selected Power Measurement Device.

Spectrum Analyzer Connection Type

Sets the type of control connection for communication with the external spectrum analyzer for user flatness calibration.

Spectrum Analyzer Hostname or IP Address

Sets the internet protocol (IP) address for a spectrum analyzer that is controlled by the signal generator for user flatness calibration. If connecting to a GPIB spectrum analyzer through a LAN-GPIB gateway, this command sets the IP address of the gateway.

Spectrum Analyzer HiSlip Address

Enter a HiSlip device name for a spectrum analyzer that is being controlled by the signal generator for user flatness calibration. If connecting directly to the spectrum analyzer, enter the name as specified on your spectrum analyzer documentation.

Spectrum Analyzer USB Device Name

Selects the USB device to be used for user flatness calibration. The query returns the USB device identification.

Spectrum Analyzer IP Port

Sets the spectrum analyzer's IP port number that is controlled by the signal generator for users flatness calibration.

Spectrum Analyzer USB Device Name List

Measure Correction Data

The measured correction data will be saved to the specified file. The file path can be either a full or a relative path. When a relative path is given as file path, it will be based on D:\Users\Instrument\Documents\Keysight\PathWave\SignalGenerator\Corrections. If no file is specified, a file name is automatically created.

This is an overlapped command that initiates the Correction Data measurement. The measurement can be aborted by the Abort command.

Note that the reference clock must be locked between the signal generator and the spectrum analyzer.

Abort

Block Properties

There can be up to four blocks in Corrections Setup. These blocks belong to the following two types.

To access Block Properties from the GUI, click on the applicable Block- Block A, Block B, Block C or Block D.

Count

Displays or returns the number of Blocks configured for corrections. The maximum number of blocks is four. The minimum number is 1. The first block is for User Corrections and is always present.

Add Fixture

Clear

Clears all the blocks except for the first one. The first block is for User Correction and cannot be deleted from the list.

Delete Block

Deletes the specified block. If the specified block doesn’t exist, it issues an error.

Move Left or Move Right

Moves the specified block to the specified position. If the specified block doesn’t exist, it issues an error. If the destination block is smaller than the number of blocks, it issues an error.

File

Sets or queries the correction data file (.csv or .uflat) for Block A and .s2p file for Block B, C, or D.

File format for Block A

For Block A (1 in SCPI), the file can be a .uflat file compatible with other Keysight Technologies signal generators, or a .csv file.

Enable

De-embed/embed

Specifies how the data is applied to the cascaded correction data. When De-embed is selected, the output at the frequency point is adjusted to compensate for the amplitude and phase changes introduced by the block. When Embed is selected, it is adjusted to include them.

Reverse Ports

Characterize

Requires Option V08

Click the Characterize button to access the Fixture Characterization screen. You can use Fixture Characterization to generate a .s2p file for a fixture using an ECal USB device and use this file as the fixture characterization correction file.

Supported ECal devices for fixture characterization

N755x 2-port economy ECal (up to 26.5 GHz)
8509x 2-port RF ECal (up to 9 GHz)
N469x 2-port mW ECal (up to 67 GHz)
N443x 4-port ECal (up to 26.5 GHz)

Fixture Characterization can be measured on all channel configurations (single, dual, or quad).

GUI Location

RF Output > Corrections/De-embedding > Block B, C, or D > Block Properties > Characterize

The settings shown in the following screen are available for configuring Fixture Characterization correction file.

Start Frequency

Sets the start frequency for the Fixture Characterization Measurement correction point array. This setting is shared among all blocks.

GUI Location	RF Output > Corrections/De-embedding > Block B, C, or D > Block Properties > Characterize > Start Frequency
SCPI Command	[:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:CORRection:FIXTure:CHARacterize:STARt <freq> [:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:CORRection:FIXTure:CHARacterize:STARt?
SCPI Example	RF1:CORR:FIXT:CHAR:STAR 3GHz RF1:CORR:FIXT:CHAR:STAR?
Coupling	Coupled to Stop Frequency. If Start Frequency goes above Stop Frequency, Stop Frequency is automatically adjusted to Start Frequency.
Preset	10 MHz
State Saved	Yes
Min	9 kHz
Max	With option 503 = 3 GHz With option 506 = 6 GHz With option 508 = 8.5 GHz
Resolution	0.00001 Hz

Stop Frequency

Sets the stop frequency for the Fixture Characterization Measurement correction point array. This setting is shared among all blocks.

GUI Location	RF Output > Corrections/De-embedding > Block B, C, or D > Block Properties > Characterize > Stop Frequency
SCPI Command	[:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:CORRection:FIXTure:CHARacterize:STOP <freq> [:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:CORRection:FIXTure:CHARacterize:STOP?
SCPI Example	RF1:CORR:FIXT:CHAR:STOP 3GHz RF1:CORR:FIXT:CHAR:STOP?
Coupling	Coupled to Start Frequency. If Stop Frequency goes below Start Frequency, Start Frequency is automatically adjusted to Stop Frequency.
Preset	8 GHz
State Saved	Yes
Min	9 kHz
Max	With option 503 = 3 GHz With option 506 = 6 GHz With option 508 = 8.5 GHz
Resolution	0.00001 Hz

Number of Points

Sets the number of points in the Fixture Characterization Measurement correction step array. A frequency spacing of 10 MHz is optimal. This setting is shared among all blocks.

GUI Location	RF Output > Corrections/De-embedding > Block B, C, or D > Block Properties > Characterize > Number of Points
SCPI Command	[:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:CORRection:FIXTure:CHARacterize:POINts <integer> [:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:CORRection:FIXTure:CHARacterize:POINts?
SCPI Example	RF1:CORR:FIXT:CHAR:POIN 1000 RF1:CORR:FIXT:CHAR:POIN?
Preset	201
State Saved	Yes
Min	2
Max	8500

Power (Total RMS)

GUI Location	RF Output > Corrections/De-embedding > Block B, C, or D > Block Properties > Characterize > Power (Total RMS)
SCPI Command	Refer to Power (Total RMS)

IF Bandwidth

Sets the IF bandwidth for the Fixture Characterization Measurement. Reducing the IF receiver bandwidth reduces the effect of random noise on a measurement. Each tenfold reduction in IF bandwidth lowers the noise floor by 10 dB. This setting is shared among all blocks.

GUI Location	RF Output > Corrections/De-embedding > Block B, C, or D > Block Properties > Characterize > IF Bandwidth
SCPI Command	[:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:CORRection:FIXTure:CHARacterize:BANDwidth <freq> [:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:CORRection:FIXTure:CHARacterize:BANDwidth?
SCPI Example	RF1:CORR:FIXT:CHAR:BAND 100 RF1:CORR:FIXT:CHAR:BAND?
Preset	1 kHz
State Saved	Yes
Min	1 Hz
Max	100 MHz
Resolution	1 Hz

ECal USB Device Name List

Query only. Returns a list of all connected USB devices.

SCPI Command	[:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:CORRection:CKIT:COMMunicate:USB:LIST?
SCPI Example	CORR:CKIT:COMM:USB:LIST?
Notes	The setting enabled by this command is not affected by signal generator power-on, preset, or *RST.
State Saved	No

ECal USB Device

Specifies the ECal device to use by name for the fixture characterization. The .s2p file for the fixture is generated using the specified ECal device.

See Supported ECal devices for fixture characterization

GUI Location	RF Output > Corrections/De-embedding > Block B, C, or D > Block Properties > Characterize > ECal USB Device
SCPI Command	[:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:CORRection:CKIT:COMMunicate:USB:DEVice <string> [:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:CORRection:CKIT:COMMunicate:USB:DEVice?
SCPI Example	CORR:CKIT:COMM:USB:DEV "instr0" CORR:CKIT:COMM:USB:DEV?
Notes	The setting enabled by this command is not affected by signal generator power-on, preset, or *RST.
State Saved	No

ECal Port

Specifies the ECal port to be used for fixture characterization.

GUI Location	RF Output > Corrections/De-embedding > Block B, C, or D > Block Properties > Characterize > ECal port
SCPI Command	[:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:CORRection:CKIT:PORT A\|B\|C\|D [:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:CORRection:CKIT:PORT?
SCPI Example	CORR:CKIT:PORT A CORR:CKIT:PORT?
Notes	The setting enabled by this command is not affected by signal generator power-on, preset, or *RST.
Preset	A
Range	A\|B\|C\|D
State Saved	No

Run Measurement

Runs the Fixture Characterization Measurement.

The Fixture Characterization Measurement can be aborted using the Abort command.

Upon successful completion of the measurement:

The resulting linear correction data is saved to the specified .s2p file. If no file is specified, a file name is automatically created. Note that when a file path is provided, it can be either full or relative. When a relative path is provided, it will be based from the Corrections folder. For information on the correction file location, see File Location and Default Folders.

In the Block properties, the resulting .s2p file is used as the Fixture Characterization Correction File.

'Enable' setting is set to ON for the applicable Fixture Block.

Additionally, you can also include user data in the resulting .s2p file’s header when specified via the Run Measurement SCPI command. This user data can be provided in conjunction with a file path in the form of string key-value pairs. See example below.

Example: "/filepath.s2p","key=String Key 1,value=String Value 1","key=String Key 2,value=String Value 2"

You can also send the SCPI command with the file path specified as an empty string (see example below). In this case, the file name is automatically generated for the .s2p file with the provided user data.

Example: "","key=String Key 1,value=String Value 1","key=String Key 2,value=String Value 2"

GUI Location	RF Output > Corrections/De-embedding > Block B, C, or D > Block Properties > Characterize > Run Measurement
SCPI Command	[:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:CORRection: BLOCk2\|3\|4:FIXTure:CHARacterize:RUN <"file path">[,<userdata>]
SCPI Example	RF1:CORR:BLOC2:FIXT:CHAR:RUN RF1:CORR:BLOC2:FIXT:CHAR:RUN "file.s2p" RF1:CORR:BLOC2:FIXT:CHAR:RUN "file.s2p","key=FIXTURE serial,value=ABC123"
Couplings	When successful, sets Fixture Characterization Correction File to the resulting .s2p file and sets the correction block Enable to ON.
Notes	For instruments with Option V08: Attempt to run while the calculated number of measurement points becomes 0 raises -200, “Execution error; Increase measurement points or a range of frequency" For instruments without Option V08: Attempting to run the measurement raises the error 703, "Feature not supported; Fixture Characterization unavailable on this instrument."
State Saved	No

Abort

Aborts Fixture Characterization measurement.

GUI Location	RF Output > Corrections/De-embedding > Block B, C, or D > Block Properties > Characterize > Run Measurement > Abort
SCPI Command	[:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:CORRection:BLOCk2\|3\|4:FIXTure:CHARacterize:ABORt
SCPI Example	RF1:CORR:BLOC2:FIXT:CHAR:ABOR
State Saved	No

DUT Reflection Coefficient

Overview

For the N5185A/N5186A with Option V08, this linear correction compensates for the instrument/DUT mismatch. This correction can be loaded via a specified .s1p file or can be measured to generate a .s1p file.

File

The specified .s1p file is applied when DUT Reflection Coefficient > Enable setting is ON.

Enable

Applies the DUT Reflection Coefficient Correction stored in the provided .s1p correction file.

Delta

Query only. Reports the change in amplitude and phase flatness when DUT Reflection Coefficient > Enable setting is ON for the specified channel. For CW signals, this is a single value. For other signal types, this is an array of values versus frequency.

Add from Measurement

You can use the Add from Measurement button to access the Measure DUT Reflection Coefficient screen. Using this screen, you can configure and run the DUT Reflection Coefficient measurement. The linear correction data generated from this measurement is saved to a .s1p file. This file is then used as the DUT Reflection Coefficient correction file.

Run Measurement

Additionally, user data can be included in the resulting file’s header when specified via SCPI. This user data must be provided in conjunction with a file path in the form of string key-value pairs, see example 1. If an automatically generated filename is desired with user data provided, the command should be sent with the file path specified as an empty string, see example 2.

Example 1: "/filepath.s1p","key=String Key 1,value=String Value 1","key=String Key 2,value=String Value 2"

Example 2: "","key=String Key 1,value=String Value 1","key=String Key 2,value=String Value 2"

Abort

Measurement Start Frequency

Sets the start frequency for the DUT Reflection Coefficient Measurement correction point array.

Measurement Stop Frequency

Sets the stop frequency for the DUT Reflection Coefficient Measurement correction point array.

Measurement Number of Points

Defines the number of points in the DUT Reflection Coefficient Measurement correction step array. A frequency spacing of 10 MHz is optimal.

Measurement IF Bandwidth

Defines the IF bandwidth for the DUT Reflection Coefficient Measurement. Reducing the IF receiver bandwidth reduces the effect of random noise on a measurement. Each tenfold reduction in IF bandwidth lowers the noise floor by 10 dB.

HISLip	Enables the power meter for HiSlip control through the signal generator
SOCKets	Enables the power meter for sockets LAN control through the signal generator.
USB	Enables the power meter for USB control through the signal generator.

5025	Standard mode. The command enables standard mode for simple programming.
5024	Telnet mode. The command enables the telnet SCPI service for programming.

GUI Location	RF Output > Corrections/De-embedding > Add from Measurement > Configure > Connection Type > LAN, HiSLIP, Socket) or USB
HISLip	Enables the spectrum analyzer for HiSlip control through the signal generator.
SOCKets	Enables the spectrum analyzer for sockets LAN control through the signal generator.
USB	Enables the spectrum analyzer for USB control through the signal generator.
SCPI Command	[:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:CORRection:SANalyzer:COMMunicate:TYPE SOCKets \|USB\|HISLip [:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:CORRection:SANalyzer:COMMunicate:TYPE?
SCPI Example	CORR:SAN:COMM:TYPE SOCK CORR:SAN:COMM:TYPE?
Notes	The setting enabled by this command is not affected by signal generator power-on, preset, or *RST. Value will only be utilized by the instrument when Use Device List for Correction Measurement is set to OFF.
Preset	SOCKets
State Saved	No
Choices	Socket \| VXI11 \| USB \| HiSlip

GUI Location	RF Output > Corrections/De-embedding > Add from Measurement > Configure > Connection Type > LAN > Protocol set to Socket > Port
5025	Standard mode. The command enables standard mode for simple programming.
5024	Telnet mode. The command enables the telnet SCPI service for programming.
SCPI Command	[:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:CORRection:SANalyzer:COMMunicate:LAN:PORT <integer> [:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:CORRection:SANalyzer:COMMunicate:LAN:PORT?
SCPI Example	CORR:SAN:COMM:LAN:PORT 5025 CORR:SAN:COMM:LAN:PORT?
Notes	The setting enabled by this command is not affected by signal generator power-on, preset, or *RST. Value will only be utilized by the instrument when Use Device List for Correction Measurement is set to OFF.
Preset	5025
State Saved	No

GUI Location	RF Output > Corrections/De-embedding > Corrections On
SCPI Command	[:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:CORRection[:STATe] ON\|OFF\|1\|0 [:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:CORRection[:STATe]?
SCPI Example	CORR ON CORR?
Notes	Output power may become too high when Corrections/Deembedding fixture's S-parameter includes S21 = 0.
Preset	0
State Saved	Yes

SCPI Command	[:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:CORRection:PMETer:COMMunicate:USB:LIST?
SCPI Example	CORR:PMET:COMM:USB:LIST?
Notes	The settings enabled by this command are not affected by signal generator power-on, preset, or *RST.
State Saved	No

GUI Location	RF Output > Corrections/De-embedding
SCPI Command	[:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:CORRection:BLOCk:COUNt?
SCPI Example	CORR:BLOC:COUN?

GUI Location	RF Output > Corrections/De-embedding > select applicable Block > Block Properties > Change File, current file name
SCPI Command	[:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:CORRection:BLOCk{1:4}:FILE <"file path"> [:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:CORRection:BLOCk{1:4}:FILE?
SCPI Example	CORR:BLOC:FILE "FixtureChannel2"
Notes	Attempting to load a Block A .csv file with four elements in a row, without N7653APPC of subscription date of June 1, 2024 or later, raises the error +703, Feature not supported; N7653APPC with subscription date June 1, 2024, is required. Attempting to load a Block A .csv file with four elements in a row, on an unsupported instrument will raise the error +703, Feature not supported; Correction file cannot contain four elements on {Model}.
Preset	""
State Saved	Yes

SCPI Command	[:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:CORRection:RCOefficient:FILE <file> [:SOURce][:RF<channel>]:CORRection:RCOefficient:FILE?
SCPI Example	RF1:CORR:RCO:FILE "corr.s1p" RF1:CORR:RCO:FILE?
Preset	None
State Saved	Yes