Step 1 - System Requirements

Installation Steps: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

In order for the N7620B Signal Studio for Pulse Building software to generate signals, you must have a properly configured PC and properly configured signal generation hardware, all of which meet the system requirements. Signal generation hardware includes a vector signal generator, an arbitrary waveform generator (AWG), and a spectrum analyzer or signal analyzer (to measure and correct images, RF flatness, and RF phase linearity).

In general, the N7620B software subdivides the hardware configurations into three groups - Internal I/Q, External I/Q and Wideband I/Q.

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)

If you use a high-resolution display, the GUI's font size may appear too small to read. To resolve this, lower your PC's display resolution, but make sure the display scaling remains set at 100 percent, otherwise portions of the GUI will become truncated and hidden from view.

Windows 10 (64 bit):

  • 2 GHz Pentium 4 or higher (recommended)

  • 8.0 GB of memory or greater

  • 1.5 GB hard disk space (includes 1 GB for Microsoft .NET Framework and 65 MB for the Keysight IO Libraries)

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 11.0 or later

  • 128 MB graphics memory with DirectX 9 graphics support (recommended)

Windows 7 (64 bit):

  • 2 GHz Pentium 4 or higher (recommended)

  • 8.0 GB of memory or greater

  • 1.5 GB hard disk space (includes 1 GB for Microsoft .NET Framework and 65 MB for the Keysight IO Libraries)

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 11.0 or later

  • 128 MB graphics memory with DirectX 9 graphics support (recommended)

Microsoft .NET Framework 4.0 only (installed in Step 2)

Keysight IO Libraries, version 18.0 or later (installed in Step 4)

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

National Instrument GPIB interface card users must install the National Instruments library. (Keysight IO Libraries will cover NI driver.)

Keysight VISA

Microsoft Windows Installer version 2.0 or later

For systems using the N603xA/M933xA or N824xA Arbitrary Waveform Generators:

IVI Compliance Package, version 4.1 (installed in Step 3) 

IVI-C N8241A driver, version 1.31.3 or later (N824xA Arbitrary Waveform Generators  – installed in Step 5)

IVI-C M9330A driver, version 2.00.0001 or later (N603xA/M933xA Arbitrary Waveform Generators  – installed in Step 5)

Vector Signal Generators

Requirements

M9383B VXG-m microwave signal generator

Firmware:

  • Version A.04.00 or later

Required options:

  • M9383B-001 (add channel 1)

  • M9383B-F14, F20, F32, or F44 (frequency range options)

  • M9383B-D05, D06, D10, D11, D20, D21 (RF bandwidth options)

Other options to consider:

  • M9383B-002 (add channel 2; a second channel requires its own frequency and RF bandwidth options)

  • M9383B-1EB, 1EE (higher output power)

  • M9383B-M05, M10 (more ARB memory, recommended for complex scenarios)

  • M9383B-PMR, PME, (pulse modulation, recommended for greater pulse on/off ratio)

  • M9383B-PCH, (phase coherency)

  • M9383B-500, 600 (performance reference)

  • M9383B-ST5, ST6 (phase noise)

M9384B VXG microwave signal generator

Firmware:

  • Version A.04.00 or later

Required options:

  • M9384B-001 (add channel 1)

  • M9384B-F14, F20, F32, or F44 (frequency range options)

  • M9384B-D05, D06, D10, D11, D20, D21 (RF bandwidth options)

Other options to consider:

  • M9384B-002 (add channel 2; a second channel requires its own frequency and RF bandwidth options)

  • M9384B-1EB, 1EE (higher output power)

  • M9384B-M05, M10 (more ARB memory, recommended for complex scenarios)

  • M9384B-PMR, PME, (pulse modulation, recommended for greater pulse on/off ratio)

  • M9384B-PCH, (phase coherency)

  • M9384B-500, 600 (performance reference)

  • M9384B-ST5, ST6 (phase noise)

E4438C ESG Vector Signal Generator 

Firmware revision C.05.70 or later (how to upgrade)

One of the following baseband generator options is required for Internal I/Q:

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

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

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

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

Additional options to consider:

  • E4438C-005 (6 GB internal hard drive, recommended)

  • E4438C-UNJ (enhanced phase noise performance recommended, required with E4438C-506)

E8267C PSG Vector Signal Generator

Firmware revision C.03.85 or later (how to upgrade)

Required options:

  • E8267C-1E6 (narrow pulse, below 3.2 GHz)

One of the following baseband generator options is required for Internal I/Q:

  • E8267C-001 (internal baseband generator with 8 Msample memory)

  • E8267C-002 (internal baseband generator with 32 Msample memory)

  • E8267C-601 (internal baseband generator with 8 Msample memory and digital bus capability)

  • E8267C-602 (internal baseband generator with 64 Msample memory and digital bus capability, recommended)

The following option is required for Wideband I/Q:

  • E8267C-015 (wideband I/Q inputs, only available above 3.2 GHz)

Additional options to consider:

  • E8267C-005 (6 GB internal hard drive, recommended)

  • E8267C-UNR (enhanced SSB phase noise, recommended)

E8267D PSG Vector Signal Generator

Firmware revision C.06.10 or later (how to upgrade)

Required options:

  • E8267D-UNW (narrow pulse modulation)

One of the following baseband generator options:

  • E8267D-601 (internal baseband generator with 8 Msample memory and digital bus capability)

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

One of the following options is required for Wideband I/Q:

  • E8267D-015 (wideband I/Q inputs)

  • E8267D-H16 (differential wideband I/Q inputs)

  • E8267D-016 (differential wideband I/Q inputs)

  • E8267D-HBQ (bandwidth-limited differential wideband IQ inputs)

Additional options to consider:

  • E8267D-005 (6 GB internal hard drive, recommended)

  • E8267D-1EH (improved harmonics below 2 GHz, recommended)

  • E8267D-UNX (enhanced SSB phase noise performance, recommended) 

  • E8267D-H18 (wideband below 3.2 GHz, recommended)

N5182B MXG Vector Signal Generator 

Firmware revision B.01.20 or later (how to upgrade)

Required options:

  • N5182B-UNW (narrow pulse modulation)

One of the following baseband generator options is required for Internal I/Q:

  • N5182B-656 (internal baseband generator, 80 MHz RF bandwidth, 32 Msample memory)

  • N5182B-657 (upgrade baseband generator to 160 MHz RF bandwidth, recommended)

  • N5182B-022 (upgrade baseband generator memory from 32 MSample to 512 MSample, recommended)

  • N5182B-023 (upgrade baseband generator memory from 32 MSample to 1 GSample)

Additional options to consider:

  • N5182B-1EA (high output power)

  • N5182B-UNY (enhanced low phase noise)

  • N5182B-UNV (enhanced dynamic range)

  • N5182B-403 (calibrated AWGN)

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

N5172B EXG Vector Signal Generator 

Firmware revision B.01.20 or later (how to upgrade)

Required options:

  • N5172B-UNW (narrow pulse modulation)

One of the following baseband generator options is required for Internal I/Q:

  • N5172B-653 (internal baseband generator, 60 MHz RF bandwidth, 32 Msample memory)

  • N5172B-655 (upgrade baseband generator to 120 MHz RF bandwidth, recommended)

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

  • N5172B-022 (upgrade baseband generator memory from 32 MSample to 512 MSample, recommended)

Additional options to consider:

  • N5172B-1EA (high output power)

  • N5172B-UNV (enhanced dynamic range)

  • N5172B-403 (calibrated AWGN)

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

N5182A/N5162A MXG Vector Signal Generator 

N7620B Signal Studio for Pulse Building is not recommended for use with these signal generator models. There is not enough sequencing memory in N5182A/N5162A vector signal generators for practical use of the software.

N8212A Performance Vector Upconverter

Firmware revision C.06.10 or later (how to upgrade)

Required options:

  • N8212A-UNW (narrow pulse modulation)

This option is required for Wideband I/Q:

  • N8212A-016 (differential wideband I/Q inputs)

Additional options to consider:

  • N8212A-UNX (enhanced SSB phase noise)

Internal I/Q is not supported.

External I/Q and Option 016 are mutually exclusive - they share the same front panel connectors.

Instrument I/O is only available using LAN.

Spectrum/Signal Analyzers

Requirements

PC to Spectrum Analyzer I/O Interface

  • GPIB (GPIB cards or National Instruments GPIB cards compatible with Keysight I/O Libraries)

  • 10 Base-T LAN (for models that support LAN)

  • Keysight USB-GPIB converter

E444xA PSA Series Spectrum Analyzer

Firmware revision A.11.16 (how to upgrade )

  • E4443A (3 Hz to 6.7 GHz)

  • E4445A (3 Hz to 13.2 GHz)

  • E4440A (3 Hz to 26.5 GHz)

  • E4446A (3 Hz to 44.0 GHz)

  • E4448A (3 Hz to 50.0 GHz)

E44xxB ESA-E Series Spectrum Analyzer

Firmware revision A.14.06 with Option B72 (how to upgrade)

  • E4401B (9 kHz to 1.5 GHz)

  • E4402B (9 kHz to 3.0 GHz)

  • E4404B (9 kHz to 6.7 GHz)

  • E4405B (9 kHz to 13.2 GHz)

  • E4407B (9 kHz to 26.5 GHz)

E44xxB ESA-L Series Spectrum Analyzer

Firmware revision A.14.06 with Option B72 (how to upgrade)

  • E4411B (9 kHz to 1.5 GHz)

  • E4403B (9 kHz to 3.0 GHz)

  • E4408B (9 kHz to 26.5 GHz)

N9010A EXA Signal Analyzer

Firmware revision A.07.06 or later (how to upgrade)

One of the following options:

  • N9010A-503: 9 kHz to 3.6 GHz

  • N9010A-507: 9 kHz to 7.0 GHz

  • N9010A-513: 9 kHz to 13.6 GHz

  • N9010A-526: 9 kHz to 26.5 GHz

N9020A MXA Signal Analyzer

Firmware revision A.07.06 or later (how to upgrade)

One of the following options:

  • N9020A-503: 20 Hz to 3.6 GHz

  • N9020A-508: 20 Hz to 8.4 GHz

  • N9020A-513: 20 Hz to 13.6 GHz

  • N9020A-526: 20 Hz to 26.5 GHz

N9030A PXA Signal Analyzer

Firmware revision A.07.06 or later (how to upgrade)

One of the following options:

  • N9030A-503: 3 Hz to 3.6 GHz

  • N9030A-508: 3 Hz to 8.4 GHz

  • N9030A-513: 3 Hz to 13.6 GHz

  • N9030A-526: 3 Hz to 26.5 GHz

N9010B EXA Signal Analyzer

Firmware revision A.17.55 or later (how to upgrade)

One of the following options:

  • N9010B-503: 9 kHz to 3.6 GHz

  • N9010B-507: 9 kHz to 7.0 GHz

  • N9010B-513: 9 kHz to 13.6 GHz

  • N9010B-526: 9 kHz to 26.5 GHz

  • N9010B-532: 9 kHz to 32 GHz

  • N9010B-544: 9 kHz to 44 GHz

N9020B MXA Signal Analyzer

Firmware revision A.17.55 or later (how to upgrade)

One of the following options:

  • N9020B-503: 20 Hz to 3.6 GHz

  • N9020B-508: 20 Hz to 8.4 GHz

  • N9020B-513: 20 Hz to 13.6 GHz

  • N9020B-526: 20 Hz to 26.5 GHz

N9030B PXA Signal Analyzer

Firmware revision A.17.55 or later (how to upgrade)

One of the following options:

  • N9030B-503: 3 Hz to 3.6 GHz

  • N9030B-508: 3 Hz to 8.4 GHz

  • N9030B-513: 3 Hz to 13.6 GHz

  • N9030B-526: 3 Hz to 26.5 GHz

  • N9030B-544: 3 Hz to 44 GHz

  • N9030B-550: 3 Hz to 50 GHz

N9040B UXA Signal Analyzer

Firmware revision A.15.09 or later (how to upgrade)

One of the following options:

  • N9040B-508: 3 Hz to 8.4 GHz

  • N9040B-513: 3 Hz to 13.6 GHz

  • N9040B-526: 3 Hz to 26.5 GHz

Arbitrary Waveform Generators

Requirements

M8190A Arbitrary Waveform Generator

Revision 1 hardware (Option B02) is not supported.

Firmware revision 2.3.1.0 or later

  • Keysight IO libraries version 18.0 or later

Required options:

  • M8190A-002 (2 channels)

  • M8190A-SEQ (sequencer)

  • M8190A-02G (upgrade baseband generator memory from 128 MSample to 2 GSample, recommended)

Additional options to consider:

  • M8190A-AMP (5 GHz analog bandwidth)

N603xA, M933xA Arbitrary Waveform Generators

  • IVI compliance package 4.1 (includes IVI shared components)

  • IVI-C M933xA driver revision 2.00.0001 or later

    Fundamental DLL 3.0.3

Other requirements:

  • To support the N603xA, you must use the M933xA version 2.00.0001 driver

    (firmware version 3.0.3).

  • IVI Compliance Package 4.1 (or greater) (installed in Step 3)

PC to M933xA I/O Interface

  • IVI-C driver using National Instruments MXI PCI to PXI interface card

  • M933xA drivers must be installed and functional

N824xA Arbitrary Waveform Generator

Required options:

  • N8241A-125 (1.25 GS/s sample rate)

  • N8242A-125 (1.25 GS/s sample rate)

Other requirements:

  • IVI compliance package 4.1 (includes IVI shared components)

  • IVI-C driver revision 1.31.3 or later

PC to N824xA I/O Interface

  • IVI-C driver using LAN

  • N824xA drivers must be installed and functional