Agilent Technologies X Series User manual

Agilent Technologies
Agilent X-Series
Signal Generators
N5171B/72B/73B EXG
N5181B/82B/83B MXG
User’s Guide

Users Guide
Notices
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2014
No part of this manual may be reproduced in
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tronic storage and retrieval or translation
intoaforeign language) without prior agree-
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Technologies, Inc. as governed by United
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Manual Part Number
N5180-90056
Edition
February 2014
Printed in USA
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
3501 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95052 USA
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operating procedure, practice, or
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notice until the indicated condi-
tions are fully understood and
met.

Contents
Agilent X-Series Signal Generators User’s Guide iii
1 Signal Generator Overview
Signal Generator Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Modes of Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Continuous Wave . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Swept Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Analog Modulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Digital Modulation (Vector Models with Option 65x Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Front Panel Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
1. Host USB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
2. Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
3. Softkeys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
4. Numeric Keypad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
5. Arrows and Select. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
6. Page Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
7. MENUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
8. Trigger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
9. Local Cancel/(Esc) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
10. Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
11. Preset and User Preset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
12. RF Output (N5171B, N5172B, N5181B, N5182B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
12. RF Output (N5173B, N5183B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
13. RF On/Off and LED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
14. Mod On/Off and LED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
15. Page Down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
16. I Input (vector models only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
17. Q Input (vector models only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
18. Knob. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
19. Incr Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
20. Return . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
21. More and LED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
22. Power Switch and LEDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Front Panel Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
1. Active Function Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2. Frequency Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
3. Annunciators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4. Amplitude Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
5. Error Message Area. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
6. Text Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
7. Softkey Label Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Rear Panel Overview (N5171B, N5172B, N5181B, & N5182B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
1. AC Power Receptacle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Contents
iv Agilent X-Series Signal Generators User’s Guide
2. EXT 1 & EXT 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3. LF OUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4. SWEEP OUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
5. PULSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
6. TRIG 1 & 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
7. REF IN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
8. 10 MHz OUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
9. GPIB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
10. LAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
11. Device USB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
12. Host USB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
13. SD Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Digital Modulation Connectors (Vector Models Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
I OUT, Q OUT, OUT, OUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
BB TRIG 1 & BB TRIG 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
EVENT 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
PAT TRIG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
DIGITAL BUS I/O . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
AUX I/O Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Rear Panel Overview (N5173B & N5183B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
1. AC Power Receptacle. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
2. EXT 1 & EXT 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
3. LF OUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
4. SWEEP OUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
5. PULSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
6. TRIG 1 & 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
7. REF IN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
8. 10 MHz OUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
9. GPIB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
10. LAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
11. Device USB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
12. Host USB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
13. SD Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
14. ALC INPUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
15. Z AXIS OUTPUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
2 Setting Preferences & Enabling Options
User Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Display Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Power On and Preset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Front Panel Knob Resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Contents
Agilent X-Series Signal Generators User’s Guide v
Setting Time and Date. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Reference Oscillator Tune . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Upgrading Firmware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Remote Operation Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
GPIB Address and Remote Language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Configuring the LAN Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Enabling LAN Services: “Browser,” “Sockets,” and “VXI–11” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Configuring the Remote Languages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Configuring the Preset Languages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Enabling an Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Viewing Options and Licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Hardware Assembly Installation and Removal Softkeys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
3 Basic Operation
Presetting the Signal Generator. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Viewing Key Descriptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Entering and Editing Numbers and Text . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Entering Numbers and Moving the Cursor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Entering Alpha Characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Example: Using a Table Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Setting Frequency and Power (Amplitude) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Example: Configuring a 700 MHz, −20 dBm Continuous Wave Output. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Using an External Reference Oscillator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Setting ALC Bandwidth Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Configuring a Swept Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Routing Signals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Step Sweep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
List Sweep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Example: Using a Single Sweep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Example: Manual Control of Sweep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Modulating the Carrier Signal. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Simultaneous Modulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Working with Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
File Softkeys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Viewing a List of Stored Files. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Storing a File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Loading (Recalling) a Stored File. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Moving a File from One Media to Another . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Contents
vi Agilent X-Series Signal Generators User’s Guide
Working with Instrument State Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Selecting the Default Storage Media. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Reading Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
Error Message Format. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
4 Using Analog Modulation (Option UNT)
Analog Modulation Waveforms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Analog Modulation Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Using an Internal Modulation Source. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Using an External Modulation Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Removing a DC Offset. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Using Wideband AM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Configuring the LF Output (Option 303) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
LF Out Modulation Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Configuring the LF Output with an Internal Modulation Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Configuring the LF Output with a Function Generator Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
5 Optimizing Performance
Using the Dual Power Meter Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Example: Dual Power Meter Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Using the Power Meter Servo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Power Meter Servo Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Using Flatness Correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Creating a User Flatness Correction Array . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Recalling and Applying a User Flatness Correction Array . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Using Internal Channel Correction (N5172B/82B Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Configure Internal Channel Correction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Perform Enhanced Factory Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Using External Leveling (N5173B/83B Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Option 1E1 Output Attenuator Behavior and Use . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Configure External Leveling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Using Unleveled Operating Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
ALC Off Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Power Search Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Using an Output Offset, Reference, or Multiplier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Setting an Output Offset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Setting an Output Reference. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Setting a Frequency Multiplier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Using the Frequency and Phase Reference Softkeys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

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Agilent X-Series Signal Generators User’s Guide vii
Using Free Run, Step Dwell, and Timer Trigger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Understanding Free Run, Step Dwell, and Timer Trigger Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Using a USB Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
6 Using Pulse Modulation (Option UNW or 320)
Pulse Characteristics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
The Basic Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Example . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Pulse Train (Option 320 – Requires: Option UNW) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
7 Basic Digital Operation—No BBG Option Installed
I/Q Modulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Configuring the Front Panel Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
8 Basic Digital Operation (Option 653/655/656/657)
Waveform File Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Signal Generator Memory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Dual ARB Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Storing, Loading, and Playing a Waveform Segment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Loading a Waveform Segment into BBG Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Storing/Renaming a Waveform Segment to Internal or USB Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Playing a Waveform Segment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Waveform Sequences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151
Creating a Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Viewing the Contents of a Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Editing a Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Playing a Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Saving a Waveform’s Settings & Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155
Viewing and Modifying Header Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Viewing & Editing a Header without Selecting the Waveform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Using Waveform Markers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Waveform Marker Concepts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
Accessing Marker Utilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Viewing Waveform Segment Markers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Clearing Marker Points from a Waveform Segment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Setting Marker Points in a Waveform Segment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Viewing a Marker Pulse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171

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viii Agilent X-Series Signal Generators User’s Guide
Using the RF Blanking Marker Function. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Setting Marker Polarity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Controlling Markers in a Waveform Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Using the EVENT Output Signal as an Instrument Trigger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Triggering a Waveform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Trigger Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Trigger Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
Example: Segment Advance Triggering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Example: Gated Triggering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Example: External Triggering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Clipping a Waveform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
How Power Peaks Develop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
How Peaks Cause Spectral Regrowth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
How Clipping Reduces Peak–to–Average Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Configuring Circular Clipping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Configuring Rectangular Clipping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Scaling a Waveform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
How DAC Over–Range Errors Occur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
How Scaling Eliminates DAC Over–Range Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Setting Waveform Runtime Scaling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Setting Waveform Scaling. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Setting the Baseband Frequency Offset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
DAC Over–Range Conditions and Scaling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
I/Q Modulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Using the Rear Panel I and Q Outputs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Configuring the Front Panel Inputs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207
I/Q Adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
I/Q Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Using the Equalization Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Using Finite Impulse Response (FIR) Filters in the Dual ARB Real- Time Modulation Filter . . 214
Creating a User–Defined FIR Filter Using the FIR Table Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Modifying a FIR Filter Using the FIR Table Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220
Loading the Default Gaussian FIR File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221
Modifying the Coefficients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
Storing the Filter to Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Setting the Real- Time Modulation Filter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224
Multiple Baseband Generator Synchronization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Understanding the Master/Slave System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Equipment Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229
Configuring the Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229

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Agilent X-Series Signal Generators User’s Guide ix
Making Changes to the Multiple Synchronization Setup and Resynchronizing the Master/Slave
System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Understanding Option 012 (LO In/Out for Phase Coherency) with Multiple Baseband Generator
Synchronization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
Configuring the Option 012 (LO In/Out for Phase Coherency) with MIMO. . . . . . . . . . . 232
Real- Time Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236
Waveform Licensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Understanding Waveform Licensing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Installing an Option N5182- 22x or Option N5182B–25x . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
Licensing a Signal Generator Waveform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237
9 Adding Real–Time Noise to a Signal (Option 403)
Adding Real–Time Noise to a Dual ARB Waveform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245
Eb/No Adjustment Softkeys for Real Time I/Q Baseband AWGN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248
Using Real Time I/Q Baseband AWGN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
10 Digital Signal Interface Module (Option 003/004)
Clock Timing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Clock and Sample Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253
Clock Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256
Common Frequency Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257
Clock Timing for Parallel Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259
Clock Timing for Parallel Interleaved Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262
Clock Timing for Serial Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Clock Timing for Phase and Skew Adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 264
Connecting the Clock Source and the Device Under Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265
Data Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Output Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Input Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268
Operating the N5102A Module in Output Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Setting up the Signal Generator Baseband Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Accessing the N5102A Module User Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269
Choosing the Logic Type and Port Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271
Selecting the Output Direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Selecting the Data Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 272
Configuring the Clock Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 274
Generating Digital Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279
Operating the N5102A Module in Input Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Accessing the N5102A Module User Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 280
Selecting the Input Direction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282

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xAgilent X-Series Signal Generators User’s Guide
Choosing the Logic Type and Port Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 282
Configuring the Clock Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283
Selecting the Data Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 287
Digital Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 290
11 BERT (Option UN7)
Bit Error Rate Tester–Option UN7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Block Diagram. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Clock Gate Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 292
Clock/Gate Delay Function. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 293
Clock Delay Function . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 295
Gate Delay Function in the Clock Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 296
Triggering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 297
Data Processing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 300
Repeat Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301
Testing Signal Definitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 302
Verifying BERT Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Measurement Setup Using Self- Test Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 304
Measurement Example Using Custom Digital Modulation (Requires Option 431) . . . . . . . 307
12 Real–Time Phase Noise Impairments (Option 432)
Real–Time Phase Noise Impairment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 310
The Agilent X- Series Phase Noise Shape and Additive Phase Noise Impairments . . . . . . . . . 311
Understanding the Phase Noise Adjustments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 313
DAC Over–Range Conditions and Scaling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 314
13 Custom Digital Modulation (Option 431)
Custom Modulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
ARB Custom Modulation Waveform Generator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Real- Time Custom Modulation Waveform Generator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 316
Creating and Using Bit Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 324
Creating a User File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 325
Renaming and Saving a User File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 327
Recalling a User File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Modifying an Existing User File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 328
Applying Bit Errors to a User File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 329
Using Customized Burst Shape Curves. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Understanding Burst Shape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 330
Creating a User- Defined Burst Shape Curve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 333
Storing a User- Defined Burst Shape Curve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335

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Agilent X-Series Signal Generators User’s Guide xi
Recalling a User- Defined Burst Shape Curve . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 335
Using the Arbitrary Waveform Generator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Using Predefined Custom Digital Modulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 337
Creating a Custom Digital Modulation State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 339
Storing a Custom Digital Modulation State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 341
Recalling a Custom Digital Modulation State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 343
Defining a Modulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344
Creating a Custom Multicarrier Digital Modulation State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 350
Storing a Custom Multicarrier Digital Modulation State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Applying Changes to an Active Multicarrier Digital Modulation State . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 352
Using Finite Impulse Response (FIR) Filters with Custom Modulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Understanding FIR Filters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 353
Creating a User–Defined FIR Filter Using the FIR Table Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
Modifying a FIR Filter Using the FIR Table Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 359
Loading the Default Gaussian FIR File . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 360
Modifying the Coefficients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 361
Storing the Filter to Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
Differential Encoding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 362
Using Differential Encoding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 366
14 Multitone and Two–Tone Waveforms (Option 430)
Creating a Custom Two–Tone Waveform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
Creating a Custom Multitone Waveform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
Using Two–Tone Modulation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 369
Two–Tone Modulation Softkeys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Creating a Two–Tone Waveform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 370
Viewing a Two–Tone Waveform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 371
Minimizing Carrier Feedthrough . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 372
Changing the Alignment of a Two–Tone Waveform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 373
Using Multitone Modulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375
Multitone Modulation Softkeys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375
Initializing the Multitone Setup Table Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 375
Configuring Tone Powers and Tone Phases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
Removing a Tone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
Generating the Waveform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
Configuring the RF Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 376
Applying Changes to an Active Multitone Signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 377
15 Working in a Secure Environment
How to Obtain the Security Features Document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 379

Contents
xii Agilent X-Series Signal Generators User’s Guide
Using Secure Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 380
16 Troubleshooting
Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382
The Display is Too Dark to Read . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382
The Display Turns Black when Using USB Media. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382
Signal Generator Lock–Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382
RF Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382
No RF Output . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382
Power Supply Shuts Down . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382
No Modulation at the RF Output. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 382
RF Output Power too Low . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383
Distortion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383
Signal Loss While Working with a Spectrum Analyzer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 383
Signal Loss While Working with a Mixer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 384
Sweep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
Cannot Turn Off Sweep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
Sweep Appears Stalled . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
Incorrect List Sweep Dwell Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
List Sweep Information is Missing from a Recalled Register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
Amplitude Does Not Change in List or Step Sweep . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 386
Internal Media Data Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
Instrument State Saved but the Register is Empty or Contains the Wrong State . . . . . . 387
USB Media Data Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
Instrument Recognizes USB Media Connection, but Does Not Display Files . . . . . . . . . . 387
Preset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
The Signal Generator Does Not Respond . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
Pressing Preset Performs a User Preset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 387
Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 388
Error Message Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 388
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 388
Front Panel Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 389
Self Test Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 390
Licenses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
A Time–Based License Quits Working . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
Cannot Load a Time–Based License . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
Contacting Agilent Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393
Returning a Signal Generator to Agilent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 393

Agilent X-Series Signal Generators User’s Guide xiii
Documentation Overview
Getting Started Guide •Safety Information
•Receiving the Instrument
•Environmental & Electrical Requirements
•Basic Setup
•Accessories
•Operation Verification
•Regulatory Information
User’s Guide •Signal Generator Overview
•Setting Preferences & Enabling Options
•Basic Operation
•Optimizing Performance
•Using Analog Modulation (Option UNT)
•Using Pulse Modulation (Option UNW and 320)
•Basic Digital Operation – No BBG Option Installed
•Basic Digital Operation (Option 653/655/656/657)
•Adding Real–Time Noise to a Signal (Option 403)
•Real–Time Phase Noise Impairments (Option 432)
•Custom Digital Modulation (Option 431)
•Multitone and Two–Tone Waveform Generator (Option 430)
•Working in a Secure Environment
•Troubleshooting
Programming Guide •Getting Started with Remote Operation
•Using IO Interfaces
•Programming Examples
•Programming the Status Register System
•Creating and Downloading Files
•Creating and Downloading User–Data Files

xiv Agilent X-Series Signal Generators User’s Guide
SCPI Reference •SCPI Basics
•Basic Function Commands
•LXI System Commands
•System Commands
•Analog Modulation Commands
•Arb Commands
•Real–Time Commands
Programming
Compatibility Guide Provides a listing of SCPI commands and programming codes for signal generator
models that are supported by the Agilent EXG and MXG X- Series signal
generators.
Service Guide •Troubleshooting
•Replaceable Parts
•Assembly Replacement
•Post–Repair Procedures
•Safety and Regulatory Information
•Instrument History
Key Helpa•Key function description
•Related SCPI commands
aPress the Help hardkey, and then the key for which you wish help.

Agilent X-Series Signal Generators User’s Guide 1
1Signal Generator Overview
CAUTION To avoid damaging or degrading the performance of the instrument, do not exceed
33 dBm (2W) maximum (27 dBm (0.5W) for N5173N/83B) of reverse power levels at the
RF input. See also Tips for Preventing Signal Generator Damage on www.agilent.com.
•Signal Generator Features on page 2
•Modes of Operation on page 4
•Front Panel Overview on page 5
•Front Panel Display on page 10
•Rear Panel Overview (N5171B, N5172B, N5181B, & N5182B) on page 13
•Rear Panel Overview (N5173B & N5183B) on page 23

2Agilent X-Series Signal Generators User’s Guide
Signal Generator Overview
Signal Generator Features
Signal Generator Features
• N5171B/N5181B, RF analog models: 9 kHz to 1 (N5171B only), 3, or 6 GHz (Options 501, 503, and
506 respectively)
• N5172B/N5182B, RF vector models: 9 kHz to 3 or 6 GHz (Options 503, and 506 respectively)
• N5173B/N5183B, Microwave analog models: 9 kHz to 13, 20, 31.8 or 40 GHz (Options 513, 520,
532, and 540 respectively)
• electronic attenuator (N5172B, N5172B, N5181B, N5182B)
• mechanical attenuator (N5173B or N5183B, Option 1E1)
• vector models can include waveforms in list sweep
• automatic leveling control (ALC)
• real- time modulation filtering
• 8648/ESG code compatible
• 10 MHz reference oscillator with external output
• two channel power meter display
• user settable maximum power limit
• user flatness correction
• external analog I/Q inputs (vector models)
• enhanced assembly replacement
• GPIB, USB 2.0, and 100Base–T LAN interfaces
• deep amplitude modulation providing greater dynamic range
• manual power search (ALC off)
• SCPI and IVI–COM driver
• multiple baseband generator synchronization when using multiple signal generators (master/slave
setup)
• with Signal Studio Software, vector models can generate 802.11 WLAN, W–CDMA, cdma2000,
1xEV–DO, GSM, EDGE, and more
• real- time baseband generator (Option 660)
• pulse train generator (Option 320)
• LF multifunction generator (Option 303)
• narrow pulse modulation, including internal pulse generator (Option UNW)
• analog differential I/Q outputs (vector models, Option 1EL)
• analog modulation: AM, FM, and ΦM (Option UNT)
• arbitrary I/Q waveform playback up to 200 MSa/s (vector models, Option 656/657)
• external AM, FM, and ΦM inputs (Option UNT)
• Wideband AM (vector models, Option UNT)

Agilent X-Series Signal Generators User’s Guide 3
Signal Generator Overview
Signal Generator Features
• flexible reference input, 1 – 50 MHz (Option 1ER)
• LO In/Out for phase coherency (Option 012)
• phase noise interference (vector models, Option 432)
• expanded license key upgradability (Option 099)
For more details on hardware, firmware, software, and documentation features and options, refer to
the data sheet shipped with the signal generator and available from the Agilent Technologies website
at http://www.agilent.com/find/X- Series_SG.

4Agilent X-Series Signal Generators User’s Guide
Signal Generator Overview
Modes of Operation
Modes of Operation
Depending on the model and installed options, the Agilent X- Series signal generator provides up to
four basic modes of operation: continuous wave (CW), swept signal, analog modulation, and digital
modulation.
Continuous Wave
In this mode, the signal generator produces a continuous wave signal. The signal generator is set to
a single frequency and power level. Both the analog and vector models can produce a CW signal.
Swept Signal
In this mode, the signal generator sweeps over a range of frequencies and/or power levels. Both the
analog and vector models provide list and step sweep functionality.
Analog Modulation
In this mode, the signal generator modulates a CW signal with an analog signal. The analog
modulation types available depend on the installed options.
Option UNT provides AM, FM, and ΦM modulations. Some of these modulations can be used together.
NOTE The Mod On/Off hardkey and LED functionality are only valid for instruments with Option
UNT installed.
Refer to 14. Mod On/Off and LED.
Option 303 provides a multifunction generator that consists of seven waveform generators.
Option UNW provides standard and narrow pulse modulation capability.
Digital Modulation (Vector Models with Option 65x Only)
In this mode, the signal generator modulates a CW signal with an arbitrary I/Q waveform. I/Q
modulation is only available on vector models. An internal baseband generator (Option 65x) adds the
following digital modulation formats:
•Custom Arb Waveform Generator mode can produce a single–modulated carrier or
multiple–modulated carriers. Each modulated carrier waveform must be calculated and generated
before it can be output; this signal generation occurs on the internal baseband generator. Once a
waveform has been created, it can be stored and recalled, which enables repeatable playback of
test signals. To learn more, refer to “Using the Arbitrary Waveform Generator” on page 337.
•Custom Real- Time Waveform Generator mode can produce a single–modulated carrier or
multiple–modulated carriers. Each modulated carrier waveform must be calculated and generated
before it can be output; this signal generation occurs on the internal baseband generator. Once a
waveform has been created, it can be stored and recalled, which enables repeatable playback of
test signals. To learn more, refer to “Using the Arbitrary Waveform Generator” on page 337.
•Multitone mode produces up to 64 continuous wave signals (or tones). Like the Two Tone mode,
the frequency spacing between the signals and the amplitudes are adjustable. To learn more, refer
to “Creating a Custom Multitone Waveform” on page 369.

Agilent X-Series Signal Generators User’s Guide 5
Signal Generator Overview
Front Panel Overview
•Two–tone mode produces two separate continuous wave signals (or tones). The frequency spacing
between the signals and the amplitudes are adjustable. To learn more, refer to Chapter 14,
"Multitone and Two–Tone Waveforms (Option 430)".
•Dual ARB mode is used to control the playback sequence of waveform segments that have been
written into the ARB memory located on the internal baseband generator. These waveforms can
be generated by the internal baseband generator using the Custom Arb Waveform Generator
mode, or downloaded through a remote interface into the ARB memory. To learn more, refer to
“Dual ARB Player” on page 146.
Front Panel Overview
1. Host USB
Use this universal serial bus (USB) to connect a USB Flash Drive (UFD) for data transfer. You can
connect or disconnect a USB device without shutting down or restarting the signal generator. The
instrument also has a rear panel device USB connector (see page 15) used to remotely control the
instrument.
2. Display
The LCD screen provides information on the current function. Information can include status
Connector Type A
USB Protocol 2.0
22.PowerSwitchandLEDs
21.MoreandLED 20.Return
18.Knob
19.IncrSet 15.Page Down
16. I Input
17. Q Input
12. RF
Output
13.RFOn/Off and LED
14. Mod On/Off and LED
7.MENUS 11.Preset
and User
Preset
9. Local
Cancel/(Esc)
5. Arrows and Select
6.PageUp
8.Trigger
4.Numeric
Keypad
3. Softkeys
2.Display
1.HostUSB 10. Help

6Agilent X-Series Signal Generators User’s Guide
Signal Generator Overview
Front Panel Overview
indicators, frequency and amplitude settings, and error messages. Labels for the softkeys are located
on the right hand side of the display. See also, “Front Panel Display” on page 10.
3. Softkeys
A softkey activates the function indicated by the displayed label to the left of the key.
4. Numeric Keypad
The numeric keypad comprises the 0 through 9 hardkeys, a decimal point hardkey, a minus sign
hardkey, and a backspace hardkey. See “Entering and Editing Numbers and Text” on page 45.
5. Arrows and Select
The Select and arrow hardkeys enable you to select items on the signal generator’s display for editing.
See “Entering and Editing Numbers and Text” on page 45.
6. Page Up
In a table editor, use this hardkey to display a previous page. See “Example: Using a Table Editor” on
page 46. When text does not fit on one page in the display area, use this key in conjunction with the
Page Down key (page 8) to scroll text.
7. MENUS
These hardkeys open softkey menus that enable you to configure instrument functions or access
information.
See page 68
See page 61
See page 47
See page 75
See page 129
Active only on
vector models.
See page 47
See page 50
See page 27
See page 81
See page 145
See page 73
See page 86