Agilent Technologies NFA Series User manual

Noise Figure Analyzers
NFA Series
Quick Reference Guide
Manufacturing Part Number: N8972-90003
May 2000
© Copyright 2000 Agilent Technologies

ii
Safety Notices
This product and related documentation must be reviewed for
familiarization with safety markings and instructions before use.
This instrument has been designed and tested in accordance with IEC
Publication 61010-1+A1+A2:1991 Safety Requirements for Electrical
Equipment for Measurement, Control and Laboratory Use and has been
supplied in a safe condition. The instruction documentation contains
information and warnings which must be followed by the user to ensure
safe operation and to maintain the instrument in a safe condition.
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.

iii
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.
WARNING No operator serviceable parts inside. Refer servicing to qualified
personnel. To prevent electrical shock do not remove covers.

iv
WARNING For continued protection against fire hazard, replace line fuses
only with the same type and ratings (115V range; type F 5A 125V;
239V range F 5A 250V). The use of other fuses or materials is
prohibited.
CAUTION To prevent electrical shock, disconnect the instrument from the mains
(line) before cleaning. Use a dry cloth or one slightly dampened with
water to clean the external case parts. Do not attempt to clean internally.
Environmental requirements: This product is designed for indoor use
only and to meet the following environmental conditions:
• Operating temperature: 0°Cto+55°C
• Operating humidity: <95% relative
• Altitude: up to 4500 m
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
Company 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

v
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.
Where to Find the Latest Information
Documentation is updated periodically. For the latest information about
Agilent NFA Noise Figure Analyzers, including firmware upgrades and
application information, please visit the following Internet URL:
http://www.agilent.com/find/nf/

vi
Manufacturer's Declaration
This statement is provided to comply with the requirements of the
German Sound Emission Directive, from 18 January 1991.
This product has a sound pressure emission (at the operator position)
< 70 dB(A).
• Sound Pressure Lp < 70 dB(A).
• At Operator Position.
•NormalOperation.
• According to ISO 7779:1988/EN 27779:1991 (Type Test).
Herstellerbeschein
igung Diese Information steht im Zusammenhang mit den Anforderungen der Maschinenlärminformationsverordnung vom 18 Januar 1991.
• Schalldruckpegel Lp < 70 dB(A).
•AmArbeitsplatz.
• Normaler Betrieb.
• Nach ISO 7779:1988/EN 27779:1991 (Typprüfung).

Contents
vii
1. Getting Started
WhatYouwillFindinthisChapter..............................2
OverviewoftheFront-Panel....................................3
OverviewoftheRear-Panel.....................................6
DisplayAnnotation...........................................8
OverviewoftheFrontPanelKeys..............................11
HowtheFrontPanelKeysareOrganized ......................11
NavigatingThroughtheMenuSystem.........................11
PerformingCommonFileOperations............................13
FormattingaDiskette......................................13
SavingaFile..............................................15
LoadingaFile.............................................16
RenamingaFile...........................................16
CopyingaFile.............................................17
DeletingaFile ............................................18
WorkingwithTables.........................................19
2. Making Basic Measurements
WhatYouwillFindinthisChapter.............................22
EnteringENRData..........................................23
Selecting a Common ENR Table . . . . . . . . . .....................23
EnteringENRTableData...................................24
SavinganENRTable.......................................27
EnteringaSpotENRValue..................................28
ChangingtheDefaultTcoldvalue.............................28
SettingtheMeasurementFrequencies ..........................29
SelectingSweepFrequencyMode.............................29
SelectingListFrequencyMode...............................30

viii
Contents
SelectingFixedFrequencyMode.............................32
SettingtheBandwidthandAveraging..........................33
SelectingaBandwidthValue................................33
SettingAveraging.........................................33
CalibratingtheAnalyzer.....................................34
Toperformacalibration....................................34
SelectingtheInputAttenuationRange........................35
DisplayingtheMeasurementResults...........................36
SelectingtheDisplayFormat................................36
SettingwhichResultTypesareDisplayed.....................38
Graphicalfeatures ........................................39
SettingtheScaling........................................41
WorkingwithMarkers.....................................43
IndicatinganInvalidResult..................................50
3. Advanced Features
WhatYouwillFindinthisChapter............................52
SettingupLimitLines.......................................53
CreatingaLimitLine......................................54
SettingLossCompensation...................................55
ConfiguringLossCompensation .............................55
4. Performing System Operations
WhatYouwillFindinthisChapter............................58
SettingtheGPIBAddresses..................................59
ToSettheGPIBAddresses..................................59
ConfiguringtheSerialPort...................................60
ConfiguringtheLOGPIB....................................61

Contents
ix
ConfiguringtheCharacteristicsofanExternalLO ................62
CustomCommandSet......................................62
SettlingTime.............................................64
MinimumandMaximumFrequencies.........................65
ConfiguringtheInternalAlignment.............................66
TurningAlignmentOffandOn...............................66
ChangingAlignmentMode..................................66
DisplayingError,SystemandHardwareInformation..............67
DisplayingtheErrorHistory.................................67
DisplayingSystemInformation...............................67
DisplayingHardwareInformation ............................67
PresettingtheNoiseFigureAnalyzer...........................68
DefiningthePower-On/PresetConditions........................69
SettingthePowerOnConditions .............................69
SettingthePresetConditions................................69
RestoringSystemDefaults....................................70
SettingtheTimeandDate....................................71
Toturnthetimeanddateonandoff...........................71
Tosetthetimeanddate.....................................71
ConfiguringaPrinter ........................................72
ToConfigureaPrinter......................................72
TestingCorrectPrinterOperation ............................72

x
Contents