Agilent Technologies NFA Series User manual

Noise Figure Analyzers
NFA Series
Setup Guide
Manufacturing Part Number: N8972-90102
December 2001
© Copyright 2001 Agilent Technologies

ii
Safety Notices
The information contained in this document
is subject to change without notice.
Agilent Technologies makes no warranty of
any kind with regard to this material,
including but not limited to, the implied
warranties of merchantability and fitness for
a particular purpose. Agilent Technologies
shall not be liable for errors contained herein
or for incidental or consequential damages in
connection with the furnishing, performance,
or use of this material.
The following safety symbols are used
throughout this manual. Familiarize
yourself with the symbols and their meaning
before operating this instrument.
WARNING Warning denotes a
hazard. It calls attention to a procedure
which, if not correctly performed or
adhered to, could result in injury or
loss of life. Do not proceed beyond a
warning note until the indicated
conditions are fully understood and
met.
CAUTION Caution denotes a hazard.
It calls attention to a procedure that, if not
correctly performed or adhered to, could
result in damage to or destruction of the
instrument. Do not proceed beyond a caution
sign until the indicated conditions are fully
understood and met.
NOTE Note calls out special
information for the user’s attention. It
provides operational information or
additional instructions of which the user
should be aware.
The instruction
documentation symbol. The
product is marked with this
symbol when it is necessary
for the user to refer to the
instructions in the
documentation.
This symbol is used to mark the
on position of the power line
switch.
This symbol is used to mark
the standby position of the
power line switch.
This symbol indicates that the
input power required is AC.
WARNING This is a Safety Class 1
Product (provided with a protective
earthing ground incorporated in the
power cord). The mains plug shall only
be inserted in a socket outlet provided
with a protected earth contact. Any
interruption of the protective
conductor inside or outside of the
product is likely to make the product
dangerous. Intentional interruption is
prohibited.
WARNING If this product is not used
as specified, the protection provided by
the equipment could be impaired. This
product must be used in a normal
condition (in which all means for
protection are intact) only.
Warranty
This Agilent Technologies instrument
product is warranted against defects in
material and workmanship for a period of
three years from date of shipment. During
the warranty period, Agilent Technologies
will, at its option, either repair or replace
products which prove to be defective.
For warranty service or repair, this product
must be returned to a service facility
designated by Agilent Technologies. Buyer
shall prepay shipping charges to Agilent
Technologies and Agilent Technologies shall
pay shipping charges to return the product
to Buyer. However, Buyer shall pay all
shipping charges, duties, and taxes for
products returned to Agilent Technologies
from another country.
Agilent Technologies warrants that its
software and firmware designated by Agilent
Technologies for use with an instrument will
execute its programming instructions when
properly installed on that instrument.
Agilent Technologies does not warrant that
the operation of the instrument, or software,
or firmware will be uninterrupted or
error-free.
LIMITATION OF
WARRANTY
The foregoing warranty shall not apply to
defects resulting from improper or
inadequate maintenance by Buyer,
Buyer-supplied software or interfacing,
unauthorized modification or misuse,
operation outside of the environmental
specifications for the product, or improper
site preparation or maintenance.
NO OTHER WARRANTY IS EXPRESSED
OR IMPLIED. AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES
SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS THE
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR
A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
EXCLUSIVE
REMEDIES
THE REMEDIES PROVIDED HEREIN
ARE BUYER’S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE
REMEDIES. AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES
SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY
DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL,
INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES, WHETHER BASED ON
CONTRACT, TORT, OR ANY OTHER
LEGAL THEORY.

1
Unpacking the Noise Figure Analyzer
Unpacking the Noise Figure Analyzer
Step 1. Inspect the shipping container and keep the container and cushioning
material until you have inspected the Noise Figure Analyzer.
If the shipping container is damaged or the cushioning material shows
signs of stress, notify the carrier. Keep the shipping materials for the
carrier’s inspection.
Step 2. Unpack the Noise Figure Analyzer and verify that the package contents
are complete as listed below.
If the package contents are incomplete, or any parts are damaged,
contact your Agilent Technologies representative.
Description Part No. Quantity
Noise Figure Analyzer N8972/3/4/5A 1
Setup Guide (this guide) N8972-90102 1
Quick Reference Guide N8972-90082 1
Performance Verification & Calibration Guide N8972-90083 1
User Documentation CD-ROM N8972-90085 1
Calibration Certificate 5963-6004 1
BNC cable for use with a Normal Noise Source 8120-1840 1
12 way cable for use with a Smart Noise Source 8120-8319 1
Precision 3.5mm Coaxial Adaptor
(Models N8974A and N8975A) 83059B 1
Power cable Depends on
country 1

2
Preparing for Setup
Preparing for Setup
Check the Power Requirements
CAUTION This instrument is designed for use in Installation Category II and
Pollution Degree 2 per IEC 61010 and 60664 respectively.
WARNING If this instrument is not used as specified, the protection
provided by the equipment could be impaired. This instrument
must be used in a normal condition (in which all means of
protection are intact) only.
CAUTION This instrument has autoranging line voltage input. Be sure the supply
voltage is within the specified range.
The Noise Figure Analyzer is a portable instrument and requires no
physical installation other than connection to a power source. There is no
need to select a line voltage. The AC power requirements are as follows:
• Voltage: 90-132 Vrms (47 to 440 Hz) or 195 - 250 Vrms (47 to 66 Hz)
• Power consumption when on: less than 300 W
• Power consumption when in standby mode: less than 5 W

3
Adjusting the Carrying Handle
Adjusting the Carrying Handle
Adjust the carrying handle of the Noise Figure Analyzer to the forward
position by holding the handle as shown below, pulling each side
outwards to release it and then rotating it to the desired angle.

4
Placing the Noise Figure Analyzer
Placing the Noise Figure Analyzer
Place the Noise Figure Analyzer on a flat, stable surface taking care to
provide enough space on all sides to allow proper ventilation.
CAUTION When installing the product in a cabinet, the convection into and out of
the product must not be restricted. The ambient temperature (outside
the cabinet) must be less than the maximum operating temperature of
the product by 4 °C for every 100 watts dissipated in the cabinet. If the
total power dissipated in the cabinet is greater than 800 watts, then
forced convection must be used.
For more details on installing the Noise Figure Analyzer in an
instrument rack, see the Rack Mount Kit (Option 1CP) Installation Note.

5
Connecting the Power Cable
Connecting the Power Cable
WARNING Failure to ground the Noise Figure Analyzer properly can result
in personal injury. Before turning on the Noise Figure Analyzer,
you must connect its protective earth terminals to the protective
conductor of the main power cable. Insert the main power cable
plug only into a socket outlet that has a protective earth contact.
DO NOT defeat the earth-grounding protection by using an
extension cable, power cable, or autotransformer without a
protective ground conductor.
If you are using an autotransformer, make sure its common
terminal is connected to the protective earth contact of the
power source outlet socket.
WARNING This is a Safety Class 1 Product (provided with a protective
earthing ground incorporated in the power cord). The mains
plug shall only be inserted in a socket outlet provided with a
protected earth contact. Any interruption of the protective
conductor inside or outside of the product is likely to make the
product dangerous. Intentional interruption is prohibited.
The Noise Figure Analyzer is equipped with a three-wire power cable, in
accordance with international safety standards. When connected to an
appropriate power line outlet, this cable grounds the instrument cabinet.
CAUTION Always use the three-prong ac power cord supplied with this product.
Failure to ensure adequate earth grounding by not using this cord may
cause personal injury and/or product damage.

6
Connecting the Power Cable
Connect the power cord as shown.
NOTE Install the instrument so that the detachable power cord is easily
identifiable and easily reached. The detachable power cord is the
instrument disconnecting device and disconnects the mains circuits from
the mains supply before other parts of the instrument. The front panel
switch is only a standby switch and is not a LINE switch. Alternatively,
you may use an externally installed switch or circuit breaker (which is
easily identifiable and is easily reached) as a disconnecting device.

7
Powering On the Noise Figure Analyzer for the First Time
Powering On the Noise Figure Analyzer for
the First Time
NOTE A plastic protector disk is inserted into the Noise Figure Analyzer’s disk
drive to protect the drive in transit. You must remove this plastic disk
before powering on the Noise Figure Analyzer. Keep it in a safe place in
case you need to transport the Noise Figure Analyzer in future.
Power on To power on your Noise Figure Analyzer press the On (|) key.
Welcome screen Upon power-up, a welcome screen appears and when the Noise Figure
Analyzer is ready for use, the welcome screen clears from the display.
NOTE Record the firmware revision number and keep it for future reference. If
you need to call Agilent Technologies for service or questions regarding
the Noise Figure Analyzer, it is useful to have the firmware details ready.
You can also obtain the firmware version number when the Noise Figure
Analyzer is operational — see the Noise Figure Analyzer NFA Series
User’s Guide for more details.

8
Powering On the Noise Figure Analyzer for the First Time
Warm-up time To make sure your Noise Figure Analyzer meets specifications, make
sure it meets operating temperature conditions, and allow a 60 minute
warm-up time before making calibrated measurements.
Checking the Fuse
Where IEC regulations apply, use a 5 by 20 mm, rated F5A, 250 V IEC
approved fuse. This fuse may be used with input line voltages of 115 V or
230 V. Its part number is 2110-0709.
Where UL/CSA regulations apply, use a 5 by 20 mm rated fast blow, 5 A,
125 V UL/CSA approved fuse (part number 2110-0756). This fuse may
only be used with an input line voltage of 115 V.
The line fuse is housed in a fuse holder in the upper left hand corner of
the rear panel.
To remove the fuse, first disconnect the power cord from the instrument.
Then insert the tip of a screwdriver into the slot at the middle of the fuse
holder, and turn counterclockwise to extend the fuse holder.
WARNING For continued protection against fire hazard, replace the line
fuse only with the same type and rating. The use of other fuses or
material is prohibited.