1. System Requirements

Firmware:

• Version B.01.70 or later

• Version B.01.70 or later for real time software

Required options:

• N5172B-503 (9 kHz to 3 GHz frequency range)

• N5172B-653 (internal baseband generator, 32 Msa/s, up to 60 MHz RF bandwidth)

• N5172B-660 (upgrade baseband generator with real-time capability)

Recommended options:

• N5172B-009 (internal Flash drive)

• N5172B-021 (upgrade baseband generator memory from 32 MSa to 256 MSa)

• N5172B-1EA (high power output for PA testing)

• N5172B-1ER (flexible reference input, 1-50 MHz)

• N5172B-403 (calibrated AWGN for testing with noise)

• N5172B-655 (upgrade baseband generator from 60 to 120 MHz RF bandwidth)

• N5172B-UNV (enhanced dynamic range)

• N5172B-UNZ (fast switching for manufacturing environments)

Firmware:

• Version B.01.70 or later

• Version B.01.70 or later for real time software

Required options:

• N5182B-503 (9 kHz to 3 GHz frequency range)

• N5182B-656 (internal baseband generator, 32 Msa/s, up to 80 MHz RF bandwidth)

• N5182B-660 (upgrade baseband generator with real-time capability)

Recommended options:

• N5182B-009 (internal Flash drive)

• N5182B-022 (upgrade baseband generator memory from 32 MSa to 512 MSa)

• N5182B-1EA (high power output for PA testing)

• N5182B-1ER (flexible reference input, 1-50 MHz)

• N5182B-1EQ (low power output for Rx testing)

• N5182B-403 (calibrated AWGN for testing with noise)

• N5182B-657 (upgrade baseband generator from 80 to 160 MHz RF bandwidth)

• N5182B-UNV (enhanced dynamic range)

• N5182B-UNZ (fast switching for manufacturing environments)

Firmware:

• Version A.01.51 or later

One of the following baseband generator options:

• N5182A-651 (30 Msa/s internal baseband generator with 8 Msa memory)

• N5182A-652 (60 Msa/s internal baseband generator with 8 Msa memory)

• N5182A-654 (125 Msa/s internal baseband generator with 8 Msa memory, recommended)

One of the following frequency options:

• Option 503 (250 kHz to 3 GHz frequency range) 

• Option 506 (250 kHz to 6 GHz frequency range, recommended)

Additional options to consider:

• N5182A-019 (increase baseband generator memory to 64 Msa memory)

• N5182A-403 (calibrated noise personality, required for C/N capability)

• N5182A-UNV (enhanced dynamic range)

Firmware:

• Version C.05.24 or later

One of the following baseband generator options:

• E4438C-001 (internal baseband generator with 8 Msa memory)

• E4438C-002 (internal baseband generator with 32 Msa memory)

• E4438C-601 (internal baseband generator with 8 Msa memory and digital bus capability)

• E4438C-602 (internal baseband generator with 64 Msa memory and digital bus capability, recommended)

One of the following frequency options:

• E4438C-503 (250 kHz to 3 GHz frequency range)

• E4438C-504 (250 kHz to 4 GHz frequency range)

• E4438C-506 (250 kHz to 6 GHz frequency range, recommended)

Recommended options:

• E4438C-005 (6 GB internal hard drive)

• E4438C-403 (calibrated noise personality, required for C/N capability)

• E4438C-UNJ (enhanced phase noise performance)

Firmware:

• Version C.06.26 or later

Required options:

• E8267D-602 (internal baseband generator with 64 Msa memory and digital bus capability)

Recommended options:

• E8267D-005 (6 GB internal hard drive)

• E8267D-403 (calibrated noise personality, required for C/N capability)

• E8267D-520 (250 kHz to 20 GHz frequency range)

• E8267D-UNR (enhanced phase noise performance)

Driver:

• Version 1.4.400.0 or later

Recommended options:

• M9381A-M05 (memory 512 Msa)

• M9381A-M10 (memory 1024 Msa)

• M9381A-1EA (high output power)

• M9381A-B10 (RF modulation bandwidth 100 MHz)

• M9381A-B16 (RF modulation bandwidth 160 MHz)

Additional options to consider:

• M9381A-F06 (frequency range 1 MHz to 6 GHz)

Limitations:

The M9381A VSG has a limitation related to the Power Search and DC Cal functions, creating a time-synchronization loss. That is, the signal timing changes after a Power Search or DC Cal. When ALC is set to Off, Signal Studio automatically runs Power Search, which affects the user's trigger signal for starting waveform playback. Even though the timing alignment of the trigger signal and waveform are properly set, the Power Search function disrupts this synchronization. In these cases, use the following workarounds:

• Set ALC to On whenever possible. This avoids the automatic Power Search.

• When ALC must be set to Off (or is set to Off by Signal Studio), you can re-trigger the signal by turning ARB Off, then On, and then send the trigger signal to M9381A VSG.

For DC Cal, run it before you download and play the waveform. Do not run DC Cal while the signal is playing, which disrupts the synchronization.

Software:

• Version E.16.06 or later

Recommended options:

• E6640A-B85 (increases signal bandwidth to 80 MHz)

• E6640A-B1X (increases signal bandwidth to 160 MHz)

• Y-Options (these option models, beginning with "Y," combine signal creation and measurement applications)

Additional options to consider:

• E6640A-506 (380 MHz to 6 GHz frequency range)

• E6640A-5WC (frequency range for wireless connectivity)

Software:

• Version M.16 or later

Recommended options:

• M9420A-1EA (high output power)

• M9420A-B85 (increases signal bandwidth to 80 MHz)

• M9420A-B1X (increases signal bandwidth to 160 MHz)

• M9420A-M05 (memory 512 Msa)

Additional options to consider:

• M9420A-506 (6 GHz frequency range)

• M9420A-FDX (full duplex ports)

• M9420A-HDX (half duplex ports)