Configure a PXI VXT

This topic describes how to add VXT as an external device on VNAs for Spectrum Analyzer (SA) and Modulation Distortion (MOD) applications.

• Supported VNAs

• Supported Devices

• System Setup

• Setup Procedures

Supported VNAs

• M980xA or M981xA

• P500xA or P502xA  

• E5080B

• M983xA

Supported Devices

• VXT3/ M9415A or M9416A

• VXT2/ M9410A or M9411A

• VXT1/ M9420A or M9421A

• M9471A frequency extension module for M941xA (optional)

System Setup

To use VXT as an External Device, it requires an extra instrument and extra software.

• For VXT1 (M942xA)

• For VXT2 / VXT3 (M941xA)

Below is typical system setup for VXT1 and VXT2 respectively. Reference locks between VNA – VXT1 or M9300A – VNA and M9300A – VXT2 are critical for measurement result.

Note:  M980xA's 100 MHz Ref Out signal cannot lock VXT2 because VXT2 requires > 10 dBm reference signal.

Setup Procedures

This step can be skipped for VXT1.

Before performing this procedures, M938xA and M941xA drivers must be installed. M9300A driver is contained in M938xA drivers.

Launch M9300A SFP

M9300A SFP can be launched on Connection Expert or can be searched by search windows.

Note:  M9300A SFP must run before launching M941xA because M941xA requires 100 MHz reference for initializing hardware.

Launch VNA for M942xA

This step is only for M942xA.

Launch Network Analyzer and input SCPI command “SENSe:ROSCillator:OUTPut:FREQuency 100e6” to change Ref Out frequency to 100 MHz for locking between VNA –M942xA.

Launch VNA for M941xA

This step is only for M941xA.

Launch Network Analyzer and input SCPI command “SENSe:ROSCillator: EXTernal:FREQuency 100e6” to change Ref Out frequency to 100 MHz for locking between VNA –M9300A.

Then, turn “Ext Reference” on to lock (Setup -> Internal Hardware -> Ext Reference).

Launch M941xA/M942xA and setup HiSLIP address

M941xA/M942xA can be launched by “LaunchModulatorTRX”. The launcher can be started on Desktop icon below or can be searched by search windows.

Before running M941xA/M942xA, HiSLIP address need to be setup. To setup the address, “HiSLIP Dev” will be shown by clicking “Show Advanced Settings” button.

Then, push "Run Selected" button to run M941xA/M942xA.

Note:  Please confirm that M941xA/ M942xA doesn't show any error messages and status LED on the front panel is green. VNA cannot control VXT if there are any errors on VXT.

Add VXT LAN address to Connection Expert

This step can be skipped.

Note:  If you want to detect VXT address on VNA firmware, this step should be performed.

Open Keysight Connection Expert and select "Add Instrument" on LAN interface option menu.

Enter the hostname and HiSLIP address which is set on LaunchModularTRX launcher.

If the entered hostname and HiSLIP address are correct, M941xA will be shown on LAN interface.

Add VXT as an External Device on VNA

Open External Device Configuration dialog on VNA (Setup -> External Hardware -> External Device...).  Then, add new External Devices with the properties below.

• Device Type            : Source

• Driver                     : VXT_Vector

• I/O Configuration     : TCPIP0::localhost::hislip<address>::INSTR

If VXT address is added to Connection Expert, the address can be detected on Select VISA Resource dialog.

Finally, check "Active - Show in UI" and "Enable IO" and push OK button.

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