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Signal Block

The Signal block applies to N5186A only.

The Signal block sets up the instrument’s vector modulation. This includes enabling vector modulation, selecting a waveform file for playback, or selecting optional signal modes, such as Multitone. See also, Vector Modulation Bandwidth Limitations.

Enable

Mode

Signal Attenuation

Sample Rate

Frequency Offset

Reset Phase Accumulator

Trigger Setup

Trigger Mode

Continuous Mode

Single Mode

Segment Advance Mode

Trigger Source

Trigger Delay

Trigger Delay State

External Trigger Source

Trigger Slope

Trigger Hold Off

Immediate

Trigger Delay Blanking

Playback Synchronization

Analog Modulation Setup

Modulation Type

AM Setup

AM

AM Waveform

AM Rate

AM Rate 2

AM Depth

AM Amplitude 2

AM RMS Power

AM Scale

AM Occupied Bandwidth

FM Setup

FM

FM Waveform

FM Rate

FM Rate 2

FM Deviation

FM Amplitude 2

FM RMS Power

FM Scale

FM Occupied Bandwidth

PM Setup

PM

PM Waveform

PM Rate

PM Rate 2

PM Deviation

PM Amplitude 2

PM RMS Power

PM Scale

PM Occupied Bandwidth

Multitone Setup

Number of Samples of a Multitone Signal

Setup Command

Table

Tones

Tone Spacing

Export Tone Table

Export Tone Table w/ NPR

Export Tone Table w/ Correction

Number of Points

Phase Distribution

Phase Seed

Phase Seed Auto

Multitone RMS Power

Multitone Scale

Multitone Occupied Bandwidth

Noise Power Ratio (NPR)

NPR Enable

Noise Bandwidth

Tones

Notch Properties Properties

Add

Delete

Count

Enable Notch

Bandwidth (%)

Bandwidth (Hz)

Offset (%)

Offset (Hz)

Table

Import .mtd File

Correction

Enable Corrections

Out-of-band Correction Enable

Active Tone Power Adjustment Enable

Measurement Device Name

Attenuation

Attenuation Auto

Max Iterations

Tolerance

Calibrate

Abort

Table

Single Tone Setup

Single Tone Frequency

Single Tone RMS Power

Single Tone Scale

Single Tone Occupied Bandwidth

Waveform File Setup

ARB Waveform Memory

File More...

Edit in App

Supported File Formats

Waveform Header

Header Save

MSUS Examples

Auto Folder Selection by Extension

Sample Rate

Waveform File RMS Power

Waveform File Scale

DUT Nonlinear Correction

Waveform File Occupied Bandwidth

Waveform Pack License

Add Waveform

Replace Waveform

Lock Waveform

Backup Waveform

Number of Free Slots

Number of Used Slots

Waveform ID List

Slot Status

Marker Routing Setup

Event 1

Event 2

Event 3

Edit Event Connectors

Edit Waveform Markers

ARB State

Create Waveform Sequence

Waveform Quantum

Segment Length Minimum

AWGNSetup

Channel Bandwidth

Power Control Mode

Flat Bandwidth

Total Power

Bandwidth Ratio

Channel Noise Power

State

LARB State

Vector Modulation Bandwidth Limitations

The vector modulation bandwidth is based on the instrument’s optional capabilities and operating settings. The bandwidth is as follows:

Table: N5186A MXG Vector Modulation BW

If your configuration exceeds the available bandwidth, the following message appears in the Notifications Area:

Modulation BW is greater than instrument’s BW (<bandwidth>) at this frequency

In this scenario, you may operate the instrument with the resulting performance, or reduce the modulation setting to resume operation within the available bandwidth, as determined by the Mode in use.

Enable

Turns vector modulation signal on and off.

When I/Q Modulation Source is Internal, toggling this setting also toggles I/Q Modulation On to the same state.

Mode

Selects the vector modulation signal mode. Some signal modes are optional capabilities and require a license to enable.

When using floating licenses with automatic check out, all available signal modes are displayed in the GUI. The license is checked out from the server when the signal mode is selected. The license is checked in (returned to the server) when preset is performed.

Signal Attenuation

Allows scaling the signal down without disrupting the output. The dynamic range is not adjusted (optimized) when this value is adjusted. This signal’s power relationship with other signals, including noise, is not adjusted when this value is changed. When the signal’s power is adjusted using other features, then this value is reset to 0 dB.

Sample Rate

Remote command only.

The sample rate used by the signal is available via a SCPI query. This value is available regardless of the signal’s enabled or disabled state.

Reset Phase Accumulator

Clears the phase accumulation resulting from a non-zero frequency offset.

When using frequency offset, dynamic range is managed by the instrument to reduce DAC overrange. Phase Accumulator Reset restores the dynamic range when the frequency offset is set to zero.

When the baseband Frequency Offset is non-zero, the hardware rotator accumulates phase shift of the baseband signal. This residual phase remains even after the offset value is returned to zero. While there is a non-zero residual phase present in the signal, the instrument will automatically prevent DAC overrange errors from occurring by scaling the signal down by 1/square root of 2.

Frequency Offset

Sets the frequency offset for the vector modulation on the indicated Signal. The offset is the distance from the channel’s RF center frequency to the center of the modulation bandwidth. If you set frequency offset to a non-zero value, and then return the offset to zero hertz, it is recommended you perform Reset Phase Accumulator.

Trigger

Trigger Mode

Sets the trigger mode (or type), determining how the waveform plays when triggered. These mode selections are described in the table below.

Triggers control the playback by telling the signal generator when to play the modulating signal (waveform). Depending on the trigger settings, the waveform playback can occur once or continuously.

A trigger signal comprises both positive and negative signal transitions (states), which are also called high and low periods. You can configure the signal generator to trigger on either state of the trigger signal. It is common to have multiple trigger signals, also referred to as trigger occurrences or events, occur when the signal generator requires only a single trigger. In this situation, the signal generator’s action is based on the setting within the trigger mode.

When you select a trigger mode, you may lose the signal (carrier plus modulation) from the RF output until you trigger the waveform. This is because the signal generator sets the I and Q signals to zero volts prior to the first trigger event, which suppresses the carrier. After the first trigger event, the waveform’s final I and Q levels determine whether you will see the carrier signal or not (zero = no carrier, other values = carrier visible). At the end of most files, the final I and Q points are set to a value other than zero.

• Continuous: The framed data sequence repeats continuously until you turn the signal off or select a different waveform, or trigger mode. The sequence restarts every time the previous playback is completed.

• Single: The framed data sequence plays once for every trigger received.

• Segment Advance: For N5186A. The trigger controls the segment advance within a waveform sequence. To use this choice, a waveform sequence must be the active waveform.

Continuous Mode

Selects the waveform’s response to a trigger signal while using the continuous trigger mode.

• Free Run: The waveform is immediately triggered and played when Enable Vector Modulation Signal is turned on and a valid waveform file is selected. The waveform repeats until you turn off Enable Vector Modulation Signal, select another trigger, or choose another waveform file. Triggers received while the waveform is playing are ignored.

• Trigger & Run: The waveform waits for a trigger before it starts playing. When the waveform receives the trigger, it plays continuously until you turn off Enable Vector Modulation Signal, select another trigger, or choose another waveform file. Subsequent triggers are ignored.

• Reset & Run: The waveform waits for a trigger before it starts playing. When the waveform receives the trigger, it plays continuously. Subsequent triggers reset the waveform to the beginning. For a waveform sequence, it means the beginning of the first segment in the sequence.

Single Mode

Enables or disables the retriggering mode that controls how the retriggering function performs while a waveform is playing.

• OFF (0)/No Retrigger: If a trigger is received early, while a waveform is playing, it will be ignored.

• IMMediate/Restart on Trigger: If a trigger occurs while a waveform is playing, the ARB will reset and replay the waveform from the start, but there will be a gap in the playback while this is occurring. It will reset itself for every trigger it receives.

• ON (1)/Buffered Trigger (N5186A only): If an early trigger occurs while a waveform is playing, the waveform will be retriggered at the end of the current waveform sequence and play once more. The RF will not be aligned with this early trigger. If the trigger occurs during the Trigger Delay period it will be ignored. When the Trigger Source is Global Trigger, and Global Trigger Source is Immediate, Buffered Trigger is not available.

Segment Advance Mode

With Signal Mode set to Waveform File. When the waveform file selected is a waveform sequence, the trigger mode of segment advance (SADVance) controls the execution of the sequence.

Type

Remote command only.

Segment advance can be configured for single or continuous execution. When the instrument receives multiple trigger occurrences when only one is required, the signal generator uses the first trigger and ignores the rest.

Single:  Each segment in the sequence requires a trigger to play, and a segment plays only once, ignoring a segment’s repetition value. The following list describes a sequence’s playback behavior with this choice:

After receiving the first trigger, the first segment plays to completion.

When the waveform receives a trigger after a segment completes, the sequence advances to the next segment and plays that segment to completion.

When the waveform receives a trigger during play, the current segment plays to completion. Then the sequence advances to the next segment, and it plays to completion.

When the waveform receives a trigger either during or after the last segment in a sequence, the sequence resets and the first segment plays to completion.

Continuous:  Each segment in the sequence requires a trigger to play. After receiving a trigger, a segment plays continuously until the waveform receives another trigger. The following list describes a sequence’s playback behavior with this choice:

After receiving the first trigger, the first segment plays continuously.

A trigger during the current segment play causes the segment to play to the end of the segment file, then the sequence advances to the next segment, which plays continuously.

When last segment in the sequence receives a trigger, the sequence resets and the first segment plays continuously.

Advance Auto

Remote command only.

The advancing of segments in a sequence can be automatic or manual.  In automatic, the advancement occurs sequentially from one segment to the next.  In manual, the advancement is controlled by the Manual Next Segment.

Manual Next Segment

Remote command only.

When segment advance is in manual mode, this command is used to indicate the segment to be played once the trigger condition is met.  If the value provided is more than the number of segments in the sequence, the last segment will be selected.

Trigger Source

Sets the trigger source.

Bus: The trigger is initiated programmatically in the software. Use the *TRG command to initiate the trigger for all groups (channels). Use *TRG to initiate synchronous programmatic triggering of the instrument. To initiate a trigger programmatically for an individual group (channel), use the [:SOURce]:GROup<group>:SIGNal<signal>:TRIGger:IMMediate command.

Key: The trigger is initiated manually in the software, using the Trigger button. Because there is one trigger button for the instrument, if you have multiple groups (channels), all groups are triggered together.

External: Enables the triggering of the waveform playing by an externally applied signal at the following connector.

• On an N5186A, the connector must be configured via the External Trigger Source setting.

Immediate: Enables immediate triggering of the waveform playing.

Global Trigger (GTRigger): This trigger source must be used when synchronized playback is needed across channels in instruments with multiple channels. There is one global trigger for the instrument and therefore all signals and groups (channels) utilizing Global Trigger will be affected by changes to the Global Trigger settings.

Tips for N5182B MXG backward compatibility:

On N51xxB, the Trigger Source command (:RAD:ARB:TRIG) doesn’t have the IMMediate selection. Due to this difference, SCPIs related to Trigger don’t behave in exactly the same way as N51xxB. The following table shows returned values of Trigger Source and Continuous Mode in N51xxB and this instrument when the SCPI commands are sent in the following order. The user from N51xxB should understand the behavior difference.

Trigger Delay

Signal Trigger Delay applies to the N5186A only. It delays the vector modulation (I/Q) of a signal with respect to any trigger event, including the initial trigger for immediate trigger.

Trigger Delay State

Applies to N5186A only.

Enables or disables the operating state of the external trigger delay function.

External Trigger Source

External Trigger Source applies to the N5186A only. Selects the external trigger source connector. To configure available trigger connectors, see the Connectors topic.

Trigger Hold Off

Remote command only.

This SCPI command is provided for compatibility with other Keysight signal generators. The command is accepted without producing an error, and the value is retained, however it performs no action in the signal generator.

Immediate

Remote command only.

Triggers the signal when Trigger Source is set to BUS.

This command generates errors with the following cases:

• :SOURce:SIGNal2:WAVeform:TRIGger:IMMediate is used in 2 Tx Coherent Configuration

• When Trigger Source is not BUS

• A different Signal Mode is selected

Trigger Delay Blanking

When using trigger Continuous Mode of Reset & Run, or Single Mode of Restart on Trigger, if an External Trigger signal is received during the waveform playback, the playback continues during the trigger delay. Set Trigger Delay Blanking On to suppress playback during the delay period.

Playback Synchronization

In cases where playback synchronization with another instrument or device under test is desired, enable external-trigger Playback Synchronization to ensure that the output signal is synchronous to the trigger event. Waveform samples will be skipped until internal processing is complete and playback commences.

See also, How Playback Synchronization Works.

Analog Modulation

In this mode, the signal generator modulates the RF carrier with three types of analog modulation: amplitude, frequency and phase.

Modulation Type

Sets the analog modulation type to Amplitude, Frequency, or Phase modulation.

AM

AM Waveform

Sets the AM waveform type.

AM Rate

Sets the rate of modulation for the AM mode.

AM Rate 2

Sets rate (frequency) for the second sine of Dual-Sine.

AM Depth

Sets the modulation depth for the AM mode in percent.

AM Amplitude 2

Sets relative amplitude for the second sine of a Dual-Sine waveform.

FM

FM Waveform

Sets the FM waveform type.

FM Rate

Sets the rate of modulation for the FM mode.

FM Rate 2

Sets the FM Rate for a the second sine of a Dual-Sine waveform.

FM Deviation

Sets the frequency modulation deviation.

FM Amplitude 2

Sets relative amplitude for the second sine of a Dual-Sine waveform.

PM

PM Waveform

Sets the PM waveform type.

PM Rate

Sets the rate of modulation for the PM mode.

PM Rate 2

Sets the PM Rate for a the second sine of a Dual-Sine waveform.

PM Deviation

Sets the phase modulation deviation in radian.

PM Amplitude 2

Sets relative amplitude for the second sine of a Dual-Sine waveform.

Multitone

This capability requires license model E7621APPC.

Number of Samples of a Multitone Signal

The number of samples of a Multitone signal is determined by Tones and Tone Spacing when the required BW is much smaller than the maximum sample rate. However, when the required BW becomes larger and the max Sample Rate needs to be used, the number of samples of Multitone signal is determined mainly by the greatest common divisor (GCD) of the max Sample Rate and Tone Spacing.

For example, assuming the max Sample Rate is 2.56 GHz, if Tones and Tone Spacing are set to 201 and 12,111,111 Hz respectively, the GCD is 1 Hz, which requires the signal to be 1 sec long in time. Therefore 2.56 G samples are required, which is far larger points than the size of internal buffer array (64 M samples). In this case, an error is issued, and Multitone signal is not generated.

If the tone spacing is changed to 12,111,100 Hz, the GCD becomes 100 Hz and the signal length will reduce to 0.01 sec. It is 25.6 M samples and small enough to fit in the buffer.

Setup Command

Remote command only.

This is an action command that imports the tone table data from the multitone file. The multitone file is a text file that consists of four columns separated by spaces, tabs, or commas. The four columns are status, frequency (Hz), relative amplitude (dB) and phase (degree). Only UTF-8 encoding with and without BOM is supported

The following is the example of the multitone file in which five tones are defined with 1.0 MHz spacing. The relative amplitude of tones are all zero.

1 -2000000 0 40.11

1 -1000000 0 167.88

1 0 0 277.88

1 1000000 0 236.63

1 2000000 0 155.84

The multitone file needs to satisfy the following conditions, otherwise it’s rejected with an error message.

• The tone frequencies in the file need to be equally spaced. The tone frequencies are rounded to the resolution of Tone Spacing before the check.

• The bandwidth of tones, the maximum - the minimum tone frequencies, is less than or equal to the vector modulation bandwidth that varies based on the channel frequency. See Vector Modulation Bandwidth Limitations.

• The number of Tones and Tone Spacing need to be within their specified ranges.

• The center of tones is at frequency zero.

• The tone frequencies are in the ascending order.

• The values are separate with a single space. Consecutive multiple spaces are not allowed.

• The RMS of generated waveform is not too small. For example, when many tones have the same phase, an error message appears.

The MTONE MSUS can be used to specify the multitone file. See File Location and Default Folders for more details about MTONE MSUS. With MTONE, you can send or select a multitone file as shown below.

:MMEMory:DATA "MTONE:myTones", ...

:SIGNal:MTONe:ARB:SETup "MTONE:myTones"

Table

Remote command only.

Query only. Returns values of all tones included in the internal tone table. Values returned for a tone are frequency (Hz), relative amplitude (dB) phase (degree) and state. For example, if the tone table includes 10 tones, 10 x 4 = 40 values are returned.

Tones

Sets the number of tones. Setting this value regenerates tones with 0 dB amplitude and randomly calculated phases.

Tone Spacing

Sets the frequency spacing between the tones. Setting this value regenerates tones with 0 dB amplitude and randomly calculated phases.

Export Tone Table

Exports a multitone file. The values are equivalent to the results of the TABLe query command. The format of this file is the same as the Setup command.

Export Tone Table w/ NPR

Exports a multitone file including results of NPR. When NPR is off, the values are not valid. The values are equivalent to the results of the TABLe query command. The format of this file is the same as the Setup command.

Export Tone Table w/ Correction

Exports a multitone file including results of Calibration. The values are equivalent to the results of the TABLe query command. The format of this file is the same as the Setup command.

Number of Points

Query only. Returns the number of sample points. The value becomes valid after generation.

Phase Distribution

Sets the phase distribution. After setting this value, phases of the tones are regenerated. After importing Tone Table, this value is set to User Defined. When this value is User Defined and phases of the tones are regenerated by changing another value, this value is set to Random.

Phase Seed

Sets the phase seed setting. After setting this value, phases of the tones are regenerated.

Phase Seed Auto

Turns the phase seed auto off or on. When the phase seed is changed, this value is turned off. After setting this value, phases of the tones are regenerated.

When on, the phase list is generated in the same way as A.12 or before.

Noise Power Ratio (NPR)

Noise Power Ratio (NPR) settings can be used to create notches (= to turn off the states of tones). When we have tones with tone spacing , Noise Bandwidth can be calculated with . At the -th notch, the relationship between Relative Width (%) and Absolute Width (Hz) is defined as and the relationship between Relative Center (%) and Absolute Center (Hz) is also defined as . At the -th tone, when is satisfied, the state of the tone is turned off.

• The region includes the border line (see the 1^st notch). Also, the border is not required to set the same frequency of the tone (see the 2^nd notch).

• Multiple notches can be overlapped (see the 3^rd and the 4^th notches).

• Notch can be defined for out of the noise BW (see the 5^th notch).

NPR Enable

Turns NPR on or off. When on, notch parameters are applied to the waveform.

Noise Bandwidth

Sets the noise bandwidth.

Tones

Returns Tones calculated from Noise Bandwidth. When NPR Enable is On, the value is synchronized with Tones in Multitone.

Notch Properties

Add

Adds a notch.

Delete

Deletes a notch.

Count

Returns the number of notches. The maximum number of notches is 20.

Enable Notch

Enables or disables the notch.

Bandwidth (Hz)

Sets the notch bandwidth.

Bandwidth (%)

Sets the notch bandwidth percent.

Offset (Hz)

Sets the notch offset.

Offset (%)

Sets the notch offset percent.

Table

Remote command only.

Query only. Returns values of all tones included in the internal tone table. Notch calculation according to NPR settings is applied to this table. When NPR Enable is on, a waveform is generated from the table. Values returned for a tone are frequency (Hz), relative amplitude (dB), phase (degree), and state. For example, if the tone table includes 10 tones, 10 x 4 = 40 values are returned.

Import .mtd File

N7621 Signal Studio for Multitone Distortion has a settings file (.mtd file). Import elements; Tone Count, Tone Spacing, Noise Offset, Phase Distribution, Phase Seed, Notch Center, Notch Width, Number of Iterations, and Desired Suppression under the NPR element. The value of Noise Offset is imported to the frequency offset and deducted from the RF Frequency. The negative value of Desired Suppression is imported to the tolerance.

Correction

Multitone Correction eliminates inter-modulation distortion (IMD) on notches.

Enable Corrections

Turns the correction on or off. The setting cannot be turned on before calibration. N7621APPC with subscription date December 1, 2023 is required to turn it on.

Notch Correction Enable

Turns the notch correction off or on. When on, tones whose states are off in the tone table are corrected to reduce IMD.

Out-of-band Correction Enable

Turns the out-of-band correction off or on. When on, tones in the adjacent channels of the tone table are corrected to reduce IMD. This correction employs approximately three times of Noise Bandwidth.

Active Tone Power Adjustment Enable

Turns the active tone power adjustment off or on. When on, tones whose states are on in the multitone table are corrected to adjust the relative amplitude defined in the multitone table.

Measurement Device Name

Sets the device.

Attenuation

Sets the attenuation. When the Attenuation Auto is on, the value is set to the receiver attenuation.

Attenuation Auto

Turns the receiver attenuation auto off or on. When on, the receiver attenuation is automatically adjusted. Otherwise, the value of the Attenuation is used for the receiver attenuation. When the attenuation is changed, this value is turned off.

Max Iterations

Sets the iterations. Calibration is repeated until the iterations until the notch depth after calibration is larger than the tolerance. The calibration time is increased in proportion to 2^(n+1) at the n-th iteration.

Tolerance

Sets the tolerance. Calibration is repeated until the iterations when the notch depth after calibration is larger than the tolerance.

Calibrate

Calibrates a multitone waveform. When the multitone waveform is successfully calibrated, Enable is automatically turned on.

Abort

Aborts the multitone calibration.

Table

Remote command only.

Query only. Returns values of all tones included in the internal tone table. Calibration results are applied to this table. When Correction is on, a waveform is generated from the table. Values returned for a tone are frequency (Hz), relative amplitude (dB), phase (degree), and state. For example, if the tone table includes 10 tones, 10 x 4 = 40 values are returned.

Single Tone

Single Tone generates a single CW tone at a specified offset to the channel’s RF Frequency. This capability requires license model E7621APPC.

Single Tone Frequency

Sets the frequency of a single CW tone with respect to the channel’s RF Frequency.

Waveform File

N5186A MXG (view image)

File

Allows you to select waveform data to play. Both waveform data in ARB memory and non-volatile memory can be selected.

When waveform data in non-volatile memory is selected, it first uploads the data to the ARB memory and the uploaded data is played. The data in non-volatile memory can be specified either with a path to the file or MSUS for non-volatile waveform data. i.e. "SNVWFM" and "NVWFM."

Waveform on the arb memory can be selected either with "SWFMn" or "WFMn." See also ARB Waveform Memory.

Even when the file with the same name on the non-volatile memory is selected, the waveform is uploaded to the arb memory.

When a filename that does not exist is given to this command, the value is not updated and -257, "File name error" is issued. Setting an empty string, e.g. GRO:SIGN:WAV "", ends up with the same result. The value isn’t changed, and the error is issued.

See Supported File Formats below.

Edit in App

If you use an embedded application (e.g. 5G NR, Custom Modulation) to configure and generate a waveform, clicking Generate automatically saves the waveform configuration as a metadata file along with the generated waveform file. Then whenever the waveform is selected from the Signal Setup screen, the Edit in App button appears next to the File field, providing easy access to the appropriate application with the configuration used to generate this waveform.

Supported File Formats

Waveform Header

The waveform header contains waveform properties such as the sample rate and the RMS value.

A secure waveform file (*.wfm) and a sequence file (*.seq) each contain a header. Other files don’t contain a header but an external header file is supported. An external header file must have the same name as the waveform file with an extension of .whd or .HEADER. It must be placed in the same folder as the associated waveform file.

When a waveform file is selected, the following settings are updated:

• Sample Rate if specified in the header.

• Scale if specified in the header.

• RMS

  • If a value is specified in the header, it is updated to that value. Otherwise,

    • If a secure waveform file is selected, it is set to 1.0.

    • If a sequence file is selected and all the waveforms referenced in the header have been uploaded, it is calculated from the RMS value and the length of the waveforms.

    • If a non-secure waveform file is selected, it’s calculated from the waveform.

  • Occupied Bandwidth

    • If a value is specified in the header, it is updated to that value.

    • If a value is not specified but the Sample Rate is specified in the header, it is updated to that Sample Rate.

    • Manually updating the Waveform File Occupied Bandwidth GUI value does not adjust the occupied bandwidth of the waveform. Rather, it sets the frequency span over which the RF flatness correction and dynamic range optimizations occur. See Optimize Dynamic Range with OBW for more information.

  • ALC Hold Marker Routing if specified in the header.

  • RF Blanking Marker Routing if specified in the header.

Header Save

This command takes the current settings for the selected waveform file and saves them to the header file for the waveform.  A waveform file must be selected for this command to function. The settings saved in the header are:

• Occupied Bandwidth

• RMS Power

• Sample Rate

• Scale

MSUS Examples

The following table shows MSUS examples.

Please note that there is no MSUS for .bin extension. To select a .bin file, relative or absolute path can be used as shown below.

GRO:SIGN:WAV "abc.bin"

Auto Folder Selection by Extension

Auto folder selection works for this setting in the same way as memory commands, defined in the ARB Waveform Memory topic. See also  File Location and Default Folders in that same topic for details.

For N5186A: With Auto Folder Selection, the folder of waveform file on non-volatile memory is automatically selected by the extension of file name when relative file path is given as command parameter. For example, when

GRO:SIGN:WAV "abc.wfm"

is sent, the software looks at <Documents>\Keysight\PathWave\SignalGenerator\Waveforms\ folder as a location of waveform file.

If the extension is not supported by Auto Folder Selection, the file path is the top level of the file system.

The following table shows some of waveform file path examples and which folders are selected.

If an inappropriate file extension is used, a non-intuitive folder is selected. The following table shows such examples.

An .sgen file is usually a state file, in which instrument settings are saved, however, it is possible to create a signal file with .sgen and then select it as a waveform file. For example, you can send your waveform file with

:MMEM:DATA "abc.sgen", …

and select it with

:GRO:SIGN:WAV "abc.sgen"

This works perfectly, however, the file is saved in the "States" folder under the default folder because Auto Folder Detection designates the "States" folder as the location for .sgen files.

If the number of samples in the specified waveform file is smaller than the Segment Length Minimum or is not a multiple of the Waveform Quantum, the MXG can automatically extend it by either repeating the waveform or appending zeros at the end. The extension method can be configured by the Waveform Extension Method. A message is shown if extension occurs.

Sample Rate

Sets the sample rate of the modulating waveform, accepts frequency units (e.g., 100 MHz).

Waveform File RMS Power

Sets the RMS on the modulating waveform.

Waveform File Scale

Sets the scale factor of the modulating waveform in percent.

Waveform File Occupied Bandwidth

Set the occupied bandwidth of vector modulated signal.

Occupied bandwidth is the bandwidth containing 99 percent of the total integrated power of the transmitted spectrum, centered on the assigned channel frequency.

Waveform Pack License

This feature allows you to play Signal Studio waveform files without purchasing Signal Studio software packages. You can access this feature using the Edit Waveform Pack button in the Waveform File tab.

The N7650B Signal Studio Waveform license is required to enable waveform license slots. You can add Signal Studio waveform files to these slots.

Add Waveform

Assigns the specified waveform to the next available waveform slot. If there is no available waveform slot, an error "Licensing Error; Can't license waveform since no waveform license slots are available" will be generated and logged to the error queue.

Replace Waveform

Overwrites the contents of the selected slot with the specified waveform, if the slot is in the trial period. If the slot is locked, the command returns an error.

Lock Waveform

Locks the waveform file currently assigned to the waveform license slot specified by the slot number. Once the slot is locked, it can no longer be modified.

Backup Waveform

Creates a copy of the waveform file currently assigned to the waveform license slot specified by the slot number.

Number of Free Slots

Returns the number of available slots open for waveforms to be licensed.

Number of Used Slots

Returns the number of slots used by licensed waveforms.

Waveform ID List

Returns a comma separated list of the licensed waveform IDs. The ID of a waveform in the instrument can be compared with this list to see if it is licensed.

Slot Status

Returns the current status of the waveform license slot specified by the slot number.

It returns one of the following responses:

• Available

• Remaining Trial Time <time span>

• Lock Required

• Locked <date and time>

Marker Routing

Marker routing applies to the Waveform File and Real-Time signal modes.

SCPI commands directly tied to this GUI are not defined, rather the event connectors SCPI commands are used to setup the marker routine.

Some Vector Modulation Signal Modes provide a mechanism to output a TTL-like signal synchronized with the modulation playback. Depending on the capability provided by the instrument, up to four markers can be provided. See Waveform Header.

A Marker can be routed to the Event connectors of the instrument:

Click this button to access the Marker Editor.

See also Marker Editing Using SCPI.

ARB State

Remote command only.

This is a command for compatibility with the N5181B/82B/83B MXG.

When set to on, Mode is set to Waveform File and vector modulation is enabled. It is off when Mode is not set to Waveform File or vector modulation is disabled.

Create Waveform Sequence

Remote command only.

This command creates a waveform sequence. A waveform sequence is made up of waveform files and/or other sequences. Any number of waveform files can be used to create a sequence (within capacity of the file system). The max number of repetitions is 65535.

The query returns the contents and segment settings of the waveform sequence file.

The waveform files and/or sequences play in the same order as placed into the waveform sequence by the command. Once you create the file, you cannot edit the segment settings or add further waveform segments. Using the same waveform sequence name overwrites the existing file with that name.

The parameters of the command are as follows:

• "<file name>": The name given to the waveform sequence file. The <file name> can be specified as a full or relative path, or using MSUS "SEQ<channel>:file name".

• "<waveform1>": Specifies the name of an existing waveform or sequence file. The file must reside in volatile memory, WFM. This will be the first waveform or sequence in the newly created sequence <file name>.

• <reps1>: This variable sets the number of times <waveform1> plays (repeats) before the next segment plays.

• "<waveform2>": Specifies the name of an existing waveform or sequence file. The same conditions required for waveform1 apply for this waveform or sequence. This will be the second waveform or sequence in the newly created sequence <file name>.

• <reps2>: This variable sets the number of times <waveform2> plays (repeats).

• NONE | M1 | M2 | M3 | M4 | M1M2 | M1M3 | M1M4 | M2M3 | M2M4 | M3M4 | M1M2M3 | M1M2M4 | M1M3M4 | M2M3M4 | M1M2M3M4 | ALL: This variable exists only for backward compatibility. Whatever is specified, all four markers in the waveform segment or sequence are enabled as if ALL is specified.

When a sequence file is played and waveform segments in the sequence file are missing from the ARB memory, the instrument tries to upload them. If the sequence file is in the default folder for sequence files, the default folder for waveform files is checked. Otherwise, the folder where the sequence file is located is checked first, and then the default folder for waveform files is checked. The following files in the folder are checked for a segment <waveform>:

If <waveform> contains a file extension, <waveform>

Otherwise, the instrument tries to upload the following files in this order:

1. <waveform> as a secure waveform file

2. <waveform> as a non-secure waveform file

3. <waveform>.wfm

4. <waveform>.wiq

5. <waveform>.csv

Examples:

For the N5186A:

Assume that there are MyWaveform1.wfm (Keysight Signal Studio waveform), MyWaveform2.wiq (binary waveform) and MyWaveform3.csv (csv waveform) under:

Waveforms.

The following SCPI listings upload the waveform data from non-volatile memory to the arb memory and create waveform sequences.

From version A.03.00, :MMEMory:COPY can be omitted when the waveform is in the predefined folder because the file not found in the ARB memory is automatically uploaded from the non-volatile memory. Also, MSUS in the waveform parameters of :MEMory:DATA:SEQuence is not required. When used, it is ignored. For example:

:MEMory:DATA:SEQuence "SEQ:MySequence", "SWFM1:MyWaveform1", 10, ALL, "SWFM1:MyWaveform2", 100, ALL

is the same as

:MEMory:DATA:SEQuence "SEQ:MySequence", "MyWaveform1", 10, ALL, "MyWaveform2", 100, ALL

because SWFM1: is ignored.

Example 1: Simple Sequence

In this example the first waveform is played 10 times and then the second waveform is played 100 times.

*RST

:MMEMory:DELete:WFM

:MMEMory:COPY "SNVWFM:MyWaveform1", "SWFM1:MyWaveform1"

:MMEMory:COPY "NVWFM:MyWaveform2", "SWFM1:MyWaveform2"

:MEMory:DATA:SEQuence "SEQ:MySequence", "MyWaveform1", 10, ALL, "MyWaveform2", 100, ALL

:SOURce:GROup:SIGNal:WAVeform:SELect "SEQ:MySequence"

Example 2: Nested Sequence

This is an example of a nested sequence. The first sequence will be named "BaseSequence" and consists of "MyWaveform1.wfm" repeated 10 times followed by "MyWaveform2.wiq" repeated 100 times.  Then sequence named "MySequence" is created wherein "BaseSequence" will be repeated twice followed by "MyWaveform3" repeated 30 times. When "MySequence" is selected as waveform, segments played are as follows:

1. "MyWaveform1.wfm" 10 times

2. "MyWaveform2.wiq" 100 times

3. "MyWaveform1.wfm" 10 times

4. "MyWaveform2.wiq" 100 times

5. "MyWaveform3.csv" 30 times

*RST

:MMEMory:DELete:WFM1

:MMEMory:COPY "SNVWFM:MyWaveform1", "SWFM1:MyWavform1"

:MMEMory:COPY "NVWFM:MyWaveform2", "SWFM1:MyWaveform2"

:MMEMory:COPY "NVCSVWFM:MyWaveform3", "SWFM1:MyWaveform3"

:MEMory:DATA:SEQuence "SEQ:BaseSequence", "MyWaveform1", 10, ALL, "MyWaveform2", 100, ALL

:MEMory:DATA:SEQuence "SEQ:MySequence", "SEQ:BaseSequence", 2, ALL, "MyWaveform3", 30, ALL

:SOURce:GROup:SIGNal:WAVeform:SELect "SEQ:MySequence"

Example 3: Sequence on Ch2

This is an example of creating a simple sequence for playback on instruments with two channels, with Group 2 in Independent Configuration.  The first waveform is played 10 times and then the second waveform is played 100 times.

*RST

:MMEMory:DELete:WFM2

:MMEMory:COPY "SNVWFM:MyWaveform1", "SWFM2:MyWaveform1"

:MMEMory:COPY "NVWFM:MyWaveform2", "SWFM2:MyWaveform2"

:MEMory:DATA:SEQuence "SEQ:MySequence", "MyWaveform1", 10, ALL, "MyWaveform2", 100, ALL

:SOURce:GROup2:SIGNal2:WAVeform:SELect "SEQ:MySequence"

Waveform Quantum

Remote command only.

Query only command. Returns the waveform quantum. Waveform length needs to be a multiple of this number.

Segment Length Minimum

Remote command only.

Query only command. Returns the minimum length of waveform segment. Waveform may not be played when its length is less than this number.

A segment is a part of waveform sequence. The minimum segment is the shortest segment that plays correctly. This is usually the same as the minimum waveform length as playing a "waveform" is internally the same as playing a sequence of one segment.

AWGN

Additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) is a basic noise node for thermal noise in communication channels. The modifiers denote specific characteristics:

Additive is added to any noise that might be intrinsic to the information system.

White has uniform to power across the frequency band for the information system. That is, the power spectral density is flat, so the auto correlation of the noise in the time domain is zero for any non-zero time offset.

Gaussian has a normal distribution in the time domain with an average time domain value of zero.

Channel Bandwidth

Sets the channel bandwidth over which the AWGN is applied. The channel bandwidth is the portion of the bandwidth specified by the bandwidth ratio.

Power Control Mode

Sets the power control to either of the following two modes:

• Total : Selects the displayed instrument power for control.

• Channel Noise: Selects the channel noise power for control. The channel noise power is settable from the front panel only when the Power Control mode is set to Channel Noise.

Flat Bandwidth

Sets the flat bandwidth value of the stand-alone real-time noise.

Total Power

Displays the total power of AWGN signal. This parameter is read only and no SCPI commands are available.

When vector modulation is on, Power is aligned with Total Power.

When Power Control Mode is Total, Total Power is aligned with Power.

Bandwidth Ratio

Sets the amount of Channel Bandwidth compared to the amount of Flat Bandwidth.

When Bandwidth Ratio is changed, Flat Bandwidth is updated. If Flat Bandwidth reaches its limit value, Bandwidth Ratio is clipped using that value.

Channel Noise Power

Sets the power within the channel bandwidth. The instrument power is changed in relation to this setting when AWGN is selected. The channel noise power is settable from the front panel only when the Power Control mode is set to Channel Noise.

Total Power (Amplitude) – Channel Noise Power = 0.97 dB when Bandwidth is 1.0.

The Preset state is -120 (Power) – 0.97 (Channel Noise Power offset of Bandwidth Ratio = 1) = -120.97. When AWGN is selected, Channel Noise Power is calculated using the current settings (Bandwidth Ratio, Power).

State

Remote command only.

This is a command for compatibility with N5181B/82B/83B MXG.

When set to on, Mode is set to stand-alone AWGN and vector modulation is enabled.

It is off when Mode is not set to stand-alone AWGN or when vector modulation is disabled.

LARB State

Remote command only.

This command enables or disables the waveform sweep function, when the signal generator is in the List sweep mode.

Related Topics

ARB Waveform Memory

DUT Nonlinear Correction