Agilent Technologies Keysight N9310A User manual

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Agilent N9310A
RF Signal Generator
User’s Guide
Test Equipment Depot - 800.517.8431 - 99 Washington Street Melrose, MA 02176 - TestEquipmentDepot.com

Notices
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2006
No part of this manual may be reproduced
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tion into a foreign language) without prior
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laws.
Edition
First Edition, June 2006
Printed in China
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone (West
District)
Chengdu 611731, P.R.C
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Safety Notices
CAUTION
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ard. It calls attention to an operat-
ing procedure, practice, or the like
that, if not correctly performed or
adhered to, could result in damage
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WARNING
A WARNING notice denotes a
hazard. It calls attention to an
operating procedure, practice, or
the like that, if not correctly per-
formed or adhered to, could result
in personal injury or death. Do not
proceed beyond a WARNING
notice until the indicated condi-
tions are fully understood and
met.
Software Revision
This guide is valid for V1.0 revisions of the
Agilent N9310A RF Signal Generator soft-
ware.

Content
1Overview 1
Agilent N9310A At a Glance 2
Front Panel Overview 4
Front Panel Display 7
Rear Panel Overview 9
Front and rear panel symbols 11
2 Getting Started 13
Check the Shipment and Order List 14
Safety Notice 16
Environmental Requirements 17
Electrical Requirements 18
Power on and Check 21
Some Tips 24
Enable an option 24
Remote Control 25
Firmware Update 26
Connectors Maintenance 27
3UsingFunctions 29
Commonly used Front-panel Elements 30
Generating a CW Signal 32
Generating a Step Swept Signal 33

Content
Generating an RF Sweep 36
Generating an Amplitude Sweep 38
Generating an LF Sweep 39
Generating a Modulated Signal 40
Preparing the Modulation Format 40
Generating an AM signal 42
Generating an FM Signal 43
Generating a Phase Modulated Signal 44
Generating a Pulse Modulated Signal 45
Generating an I/Q Modulated Signal (Option 001 Only) 46
Generating an LF Output 48
Save, Recall and Delete an Instrument State 49
Saving an Instrument State 49
Recalling an Instrument State 51
Delete an Instrument State 51
4KeyReference 53
AM 54
Amplitude 57
Arrow Keys 58
Enter 58
File 59
FM 61
Frequency 64
I/Q (Option 001 only) 64
LF Out 65
Mod On/Off 66
RF On/Off 66
Numeric Keypad 66
Phase Modulation 67
Switch 69

Content
Preset 70
Pulse 71
Sweep 73
Trigger 80
Utility 81
5 Programming Fundamentals 85
Remotely Operating Your N9310A 86
Getting Started with SCPI 92
An Introduction to the SCPI Language 92
Common Terms used in this Book 93
Command Categories 94
Command Syntax 94
Program and Response Messages 98
Subsystem Command Trees 99
IEEE 488.2 common command 100
6 Subsystem Command Reference 101
Preparing for Use 102
Frequency Subsystem 105
Amplitude Subsystem 109
Trigger Subsystem 111
Sweep Subsystem 112
AM Subsystem 122
FM Subsystem 125
Phase Modulation Subsystem 128
Pulse Modulation Subsystem 130
I/Q Modulation Subsystem 132

Content
Utility Subsystem 133
Modulation State Subsystem 137
RF Output State Subsystem 138
LF Output Subsystem 139
Subsystem Command Trees 141
Programming Examples 151
Programming in C using the VTL 152
Example 1 - Checking USB Connection 154
Example 2 - Generating a CW signal 156
Example 3 - Generating an AM Signal 158
Example 4 - Generating an continuous RF Sweep 160
7 Instrument Messages 163
Overview 164
Command Errors 165
Execution Conflict 168
System Errors 169
Hardware Errors 170
8 Supplementary Information 171
Check the Basics 172
Read the warranty 173
Contact Agilent Technologies 174
List of Commands 175
Index 179

s
Agilent N9310A RF Signal Generator
User’s Guide
1
1
Overview
Agilent N9310A At a Glance 2
Front Panel Overview 4
Front Panel Display 7
Rear Panel Overview 9
Front and rear panel symbols 11
This chapter describes the general features and functions of
the Agilent N9310A RF Signal Generator and provides an
introduction to the front and rear panel.

2N9310A User’s Guide
1Overview
Agilent N9310A At a Glance
An Agilent N9310A RF Signal Generator finds general
purpose applications in manufacturing, service, development
and education.
The signal generator comprises an optional broadband I/Q
modulator, which is able to generate digital signals in
conjunction with an external I/Q source.
General Features and Functions
The Agilent N9310A RF Signal Generator provides:
• 9 kHz to 3 GHz frequency range
• –127 to +13 dBm (+20 dBm settable) level range
• Built in AM, FM, FM, and pulse modulation
• RF sweep, LF sweep and amplitude sweep
•0-3 Vp LF output (into 50 W)
• 6.5- inch TFT LCD
• Universal USB interface
• 1- year calibration cycle

Overview 1
N9310A User’s Guide 3
Options
✔Option 001: I/Q modulator
(part number: N9310A - 001)
This option provides an additional internal I/Q
modulator. Using this option in the signal generator
generates digital signals. Option 001 also requires an
external I/Q baseband signal input.
✔Option 1CM: Rackmount flange kit
(part number: N9310A - 1CM)
Use a rackmount kit to facilitate installation in a
standard rack.
✔Option 1TC: Hard transit case
(part number: N9310A - 1TC)
A hard transit case protects the signal generator during
transportation and storage.

4N9310A User’s Guide
1Overview
Front Panel Overview
1DisplayThe LCD screen shows information on the current
function. Information includes status indicators, frequency
and amplitude settings, and error messages. Labels for
softkeys are located on the right- hand side of the display.
For further description of the front panel display, refer to
“Front Panel Display” on page 7
2SoftkeysSoftkeys vary in function. They activate functions
displayed to the left of each key. Refer to Chapter 4, “Key
Reference,” starting on page 53 for further information.
3EnterThe hardkey terminates data entry field or
parameter selection. It also triggers a single sweep.
4AmplitudePressing hardkey allows you to edit the CW
(continuous wave) amplitude.
5FrequencyPressing hardkey allows you to edit the CW
Frequency.
6 Function keys These hardkeys connect directly to the
following main functions:
•Preset sets the signal generator to factory default settings.
•AM configures an amplitude modulation.
FUNCTIONS
LF OU T RF OUT 50
Rem o t e
Standby
On
N93 10A RF Signal Gen erat or 9 kHz - 3 .0 GHz
Frequency
Amplitude
Enter
7
4
1
8
9
56
23
0
MOD
On/Off
On/Off
RF
I/Q
FM
Preset
AM
FMPulse
Utility
Sweep
Trigger
Local
File
LF Out
1
.
8
9
10
11
12
13
18
17
16
15
14
7
56 4
3
2
REV ERSE PWR
4W MA X 30VD C
Enter
Amplitude
Frequency