1. System Requirements

Installation Steps: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

The N7609B Signal Studio for Global Navigation Satellite Systems software can be used in two different configurations:

  1. The software can be installed on a PC for use with the N5172B EXG or N5182B MXG X-series signal generators. The PC software allows the user to configure settings, generates scenario data, and provides a user interface for real-time control of the signals being produced by the signal generators.

  2. The software can be used with the N5106A PXB baseband generator and channel emulator to create baseband GNSS signals, which are upconverted to RF using an N5172B EXG, N5182A/B MXG, or E4438C ESG signal generator. The software is already installed as a component of the PXB firmware. However, to use the software, you must purchase and install a license, and ensure that the PXB and signal generator meet the minimum hardware requirements.

Instrument Requirements

N5172B EXG X-Series RF vector signal generator

Firmware:

Version B.01.30 or later (how to upgrade) 

Required options:

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

N5172B-653 (Internal baseband generator, 32 MSa/sec, up to 60 MHz RF bandwidth)

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

Recommended options:

N5172B-009 (internal Flash drive)

N5172B-403 (calibrated AWGN for testing with noise)

N5172B-660 is not required for the N7609B software's basic option.

When the N5172B EXG is used solely for RF upconversion with the PXB, the only required option is N5172B-503

N5182B MXG X-Series RF vector signal generator

Firmware:

Version B.01.30 or later (how to upgrade)

Required options:

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

N5182B-656 (Internal baseband generator, 32 MSa/sec, up to 80 MHz RF bandwidth)

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

Recommended options:

N5182B-009 (internal Flash drive)

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

N5182B-403 (calibrated AWGN for testing with noise)

N5182B-UNX (low phase noise)

N5182B-660 is not required for the N7609B software's basic option.

When the N5182B MXG is used solely for RF upconversion with the PXB, the only required option is N5182B-503

N5106A baseband generator and channel emulator

Firmware:

Version A.01.60 or later (how to upgrade)

Required options:

N5106A-611 (1 DSP block on 1 baseband card)

N5106A-632 (2 I/O ports - 2 analog I/Q out and 2 digital I/O on 1 I/O cards)

N5106A-EFP (Baseband generation)

Recommended options:

N5106A-JFP (Calibrated AWGN)

N5182A MXG vector signal generator

Firmware:

Version A.01.44 or later (how to upgrade)

Required options:

N5182A-503 (100 kHz to 3 GHz frequency range)

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

Recommended options:

N5182A-403 (calibrated AWGN for testing with noise)

N5182A-1EL (differential I/Q outputs)

N5182A-1EQ (low power < -110 dBm)

When the N5182A MXG is used solely for RF upconversion with the PXB, the only required option is N5182A-503

E4438C ESG vector signal generator

Firmware:

Version C.05.23 or later (how to upgrade)

Required options:

E4438C-403 (calibrated AWGN for testing with noise)

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

E4438C-601 (Internal baseband generator, 8 MSa memory for digital bus capability)

Recommended options:

E4438C-UNJ (Enhanced Phase Noise)

When the E4438C ESG is used solely for RF upconversion with the PXB, the only required option is E4438C-503

E8267D PSG vector signal generator

Firmware:

Version C.04.85 or later (how to upgrade)

Required options:

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

E8267D-602 (internal baseband generator with 64 Msample 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-UNR (enhanced phase noise performance)

E6607A/B/C EXT wireless communications test set

Required options:

E6607A-503 (3 GHz) or E6607B/C-504 (3.8 GHz)

M9381A PXIe vector signal generator

Driver:

Version 1.4.400.0 or later

Required options:

M9381A-F03, frequency range 1 MHz to 3 GHz

M9381A-B04, modulation bandwidth 40 MHz

M9381A-M01, 32 MSa of memory

M9381A-300, adds M9300A PXIe frequency reference (if one is not already in the system)

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.

E6640A EXM wireless test set

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)

PC Requirements

200 GB HDD with 2 GB free disk space at runtime (5 GB or higher recommended)

1024 x 768 screen resolution (1280 x 1024 recommended)

Windows 8.1 (Pro/Enterprise) (32/64 bit)1,2:

Windows 7 (Professional/Ultimate/Enterprise)1,2:

Installed GPIB IO interface card, LAN interface card, or USB/GPIB interface connector

Keysight VISA

Microsoft Windows Installer version 2.0 or later

1 No support for Itanium64.

2 Signal Studio is compatible with the 64-bit operating system, but performs at the 32-bit speed.