VNA SFP Launcher

The VNA SFP (Soft Front Panel) is unique in that this software IS the firmware that runs the hardware. It does not send programming commands to the instrument, but instead communicates directly with the module hardware. It is a complete, FULL-FEATURED software package. This is a subtle difference, but has implications on how you will configure and connect to the VNA modules.

How to start the SFP Launcher (All PXIe/USB VNA)

Note: Download and install the latest version from http://www.keysight.com/find/iolibs.

Note: (P50xxB/P937xB/P938xB) When the USB VNA is not detected, use the latest version of the Thunderbolt 3 driver and BIOS of your PC and execute the windows update.

Click on the host controller desktop to start the VNA Soft Front Panel (SFP).

“VNA Simulator” and the other modules cannot be selected simultaneously.

Select the modules to comprise the VNA.

Note: (USB VNA) When the connected unit is not displayed, reboot PC.

Learn how to configure Multiport and Multisite Configuration.

Function	Description
Show dropdown menu	Select Instruments and Modules, Modules, or Saved Instruments. A list of the displayed Instruments and Modules is filtered by the following selection mode. Instruments and Modules – shows both of Saved Instruments and Modules Modules – shows the supported modules found through VISA discovery Saved Instruments – shows the name of saved instruments (which are defined by saving a configuration into IVI Configuration Store)
Help	Open Help
Run	Launch SFP with the configuration of the selected instrument. Open the simulator mode setup dialog if “VNA Simulator” is selected.
Save Connection…	Open “Save Instrument Connection” dialog. The configuration of the currently selected modules is saved into IVI Configuration Store as the specified name. Note: When you encounter the error "IviConfigServer.IviConfigStore.1: Serialized failed..." at clicking "save", Run the VNA SFP launcher as administrator. Add a write permission to the iviConfigurationStore.xml file after the IO library installation.
VNA Simulator	The typical usage of Viewer Simulator is to see the SnP data without an unit connection. Also you can see the operation for some limited softkeys without an actual unit. Select the desired product and option to execute the VNA simulator. Learn more on Simulator
Delete Saved Connection… (When one of the saved instruments is selected in the displayed list, “Delete Saved Connection…” button appears instead of “Save Connection…” button.)	Delete the selected instrument definition.

The launcher can be executed from Keysight IO Libraries (Keysight Connection Expert).

Saving the following script as .bat file allows you to launch the firmware without the module selection. If you launch multiple module, put the VISA address with comma separator.

@echo off

@echo PXI/USb VNA FW auto launch function

@echo.

"C:\Program Files\Keysight\Network Analyzer\835x.exe" /PXIINSTRUMENTNAME PXI0::CHASSIS1::SLOT2::INDEX0::INSTR /hislip 0

@echo End of VNA FW launch. Press any key to quit.

@echo.

pause

Troubleshooting Tips

Symptom: The launcher does not respond. Then, after few minutes, the "Failed to retrieve model number from VNAParser.exe. application will exit." will be displayed.

Solution: The .lic file for floating/USB portable licenses should be installed on Keysight License Manager 6. However, it was installed on Keysight License Manager. Delete the .lic file from C:\Program Files\Agilent\licensing\.

M9485A

Click on the host controller desktop to start the PXIe VNA Soft Front Panel (SFP).

The following modules are required to run the application.

One M9300A Reference Module
One M9310A Source Output Module
Two M9309A Synthesizer Modules (One is for the source signal; another is for the local signal)
One M9340A Distributer Modules for 1 chassis configuration. Four M9340A.Distributer Modules for 2 chassis configuration
At least two of M9376A or M9377A Modules. (Number of modules should be even).

Function	Description
Show dropdown menu	Select Instruments and Modules, Modules or Saved Instruments. A list of the displayed Instruments and Modules is filtered by the following selection mode. Instruments and Modules – shows both of Saved Instruments and Modules Modules – shows the supported modules found through VISA discovery Saved Instruments – shows the name of saved instruments (which are defined by saving a configuration into IVI Configuration Store) When the modules cannot be detected, see the Troubleshooting Hint for M9485A.
Help	Open M9485A Help
Run	Launch SFP with the configuration of the selected instruments.
Save Connection…	Open “Save Instrument Connection” dialog. The configuration of the currently selected modules is saved into IVI Configuration Store as the specified name.
Delete Saved Connection… (When one of the saved instruments is selected in the displayed list, “Delete Saved Connection…” button appears instead of “Save Connection…” button.)	Delete the selected instrument definition.

Note:
- When multiple instruments are installed in the same PXI chassis and need run them, run the M9485A at the last. Otherwise M9485A measurement trigger may be terminated and VNA shows an error. You can recovery the error by closing error dialog and trigger the VNA again.
- Do not use sleep mode on PC. Confirm if Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options > Change when the computer sleeps> Put the computer to sleep is set at Never.

-When your OS is windows 8.1, the following setup is required.
1. Start Keysight Connection Expert
2. Click Manual Configuration tab
3. In "Add a LAN device" pane, set "localhost" for "Hostname or IP Address:" field. Select "HiSLIP" for "Set Protocol:" selection. Then press "Accept" button.
4. Confirm "Unknown Instrument, TCPIP::localhost::hislip0::INSTR" Connection is available in "Instruments" tab.
5. Close the Connection Expert window and then run the Launcher.