Keysight Technologies M8131A User manual

User's Guide
Keysight M8131A
16/32 GSa/s Digitizer

Notices
© Keysight Technologies 2019
No part of this manual may be reproduced
in any form or by any means (including
electronic storage and retrieval or
translation into a foreign language) without
prior agreement and written consent from
Keysight Technologies as governed by
United States and international copyright
laws.
Trademarks
PCI Express®and PCIe®are registered
trademarks of PCI-SIG.
Manual Part Number
M8131-91010
Edition
Edition 5.0, August 2019
Keysight Technologies Deutschland GmbH
Herrenberger Strasse 130,
71034 Böblingen, Germany
Technology Licenses
The hardware and/or software described in
this document are furnished under a
license and may be used or copied only in
accordance with the terms of such license.
U.S. Government Rights
The Software is “commercial computer
software,” as defined by Federal Acquisition
Regulation (“FAR”) 2.101. Pursuant to FAR
12.212 and 27.405-3 and Department of
Defense FAR Supplement
(“DFARS”) 227.7202, the U.S. government
acquires commercial computer software
under the same terms by which the
software is customarily provided to the
public. Accordingly, Keysight provides the
Software to U.S. government customers
under its standard commercial license,
which is embodied in its End User License
Agreement (EULA), a copy of which can be
found at http://www.key-
sight.com/find/sweula. The license set
forth in the EULA represents the exclusive
authority by which the U.S. government
may use, modify, distribute, or disclose the
Software. The EULA and the license set
forth therein, does not require or permit,
among other things, that Keysight:
(1) Furnish technical information related to
commercial computer software or
commercial computer software
documentation that is not customarily
provided to the public; or (2) Relinquish to,
or otherwise provide, the government
rights in excess of these rights customarily
provided to the public to use, modify,
reproduce, release, perform, display, or
disclose commercial computer software or
commercial computer software
documentation. No additional government
requirements beyond those set forth in the
EULA shall apply, except to the extent that
those terms, rights, or licenses are
explicitly required from all providers of
commercial computer software pursuant to
the FAR and the DFARS and are set forth
specifically in writing elsewhere in the
EULA. Keysight shall be under no obligation
to update, revise or otherwise modify the
Software. With respect to any technical
data as defined by FAR 2.101, pursuant to
FAR 12.211 and 27.404.2 and DFARS
227.7102, the U.S. government acquires no
greater than Limited Rights as defined in
FAR 27.401 or DFAR 227.7103-5 (c), as
applicable in any technical data.
Warranty
THE MATERIAL CONTAINED IN THIS
DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED "AS IS," AND IS
SUBJECT TO BEING CHANGED, WITHOUT
NOTICE, IN FUTURE EDITIONS. FURTHER,
TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY
APPLICABLE LAW, KEYSIGHT DISCLAIMS
ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED WITH REGARD TO THIS MANUAL
AND ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED
HEREIN, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE. KEYSIGHT SHALL
NOT BE LIABLE FOR ERRORS OR FOR
INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE
FURNISHING, USE, OR PERFORMANCE OF
THIS DOCUMENT OR ANY INFORMATION
CONTAINED HEREIN. SHOULD KEYSIGHT
AND THE USER HAVE A SEPARATE
WRITTEN AGREEMENT WITH WARRANTY
TERMS COVERING THE MATERIAL IN THIS
DOCUMENT THAT CONFLICT WITH THESE
TERMS, THE WARRANTY TERMS IN THE
SEPARATE AGREEMENT WILL CONTROL.
Safety Notices
CAUTION
A CAUTION notice denotes a hazard.
It calls attention to an operating
procedure, practice, or the like that,
if not correctly performed or adhered
to, could result in damage to the
product or loss of important data.
Do not proceed beyond a CAUTION
notice until the indicated conditions
are fully understood and met.
WARNING
A WARNING notice denotes a hazard.
It calls attention to an operating
procedure, practice, or the like that,
if not correctly performed or adhered
to, could result in personal injury or
death. Do not proceed beyond a
WARNING notice until the indicated
conditions are fully understood and
met.
2Keysight M8131A 16/32 GSa/s Digitizer User’s Guide

Keysight M8131A 16/32 GSa/s Digitizer User’s Guide 3
Safety Summary
The following general safety precautions must be observed during all phases of operation
of this instrument. Failure to comply with these precautions or with specific warnings or
operating instructions in the product manuals violates safety standards of design,
manufacture, and intended use of the instrument. Keysight Technologies assumes no
liability for the customer's failure to comply with these requirements. Product manuals
are provided with your instrument on CD-ROM and/or in printed form. Printed manuals
are an option for many products. Manuals may also be available on the Web. Go to
www.keysight.com and type in your product number in the Search field at the top of the
page. Safe operation and the general safety precautions for the M9502A and M9505A
AXIe chassis, must be followed. See: http://www.keysight.com/find/M9505A.
Initial Inspection Inspect the shipping container for damage. If there is damage to the container or
cushioning, keep them until you have checked the contents of the shipment for
completeness and verified the instrument both mechanically and electrically. The
Performance Tests give procedures for checking the operation of the instrument. If the
contents are incomplete, mechanical damage or defect is apparent, or if an instrument
does not pass the operator’s checks, notify the nearest Keysight Technologies
Sales/Service Office.
WARNING To avoid hazardous electrical shock, do not perform electrical tests when
there are signs of shipping damage to any portion of the outer enclosure (covers, panels,
etc.).
General This product is a Safety Class 3 instrument (provided with a protective earth terminal).
The protective features of this product may be impaired if it is used in a manner not
specified in the operation instructions.
Laser Safety Information Class 1 Laser product according IEC60825-1 (2007).
Environment Conditions This instrument is intended for indoor use in an installation category II, pollution degree 2
environment. It is designed to operate within a temperature range of 0 °C – 40 °C
(32 °F – 105 °F) at a maximum relative humidity of 80% and at altitudes of up to
2000 meters.
This module can be stored or shipped at temperatures between -40 °C and +70 °C.
Protect the module from temperature extremes that may cause condensation within it.
Before Applying Power Verify that all safety precautions are taken. The power cable inlet of the instrument serves
as a device to disconnect from the mains in case of hazard. The instrument must be
positioned so that the operator can easily access the power cable inlet. When the
instrument is rack mounted the rack must be provided with an easily accessible mains
switch.
Line Power Requirements The Keysight M8131A operates when installed in an Keysight AXIe mainframe.

4Keysight M8131A 16/32 GSa/s Digitizer User’s Guide
Do Not Operate in an
Explosive Atmosphere
Do not operate the instrument in the presence of flammable gases or fumes.
Do Not Remove the
Instrument Cover
Operating personnel must not remove instrument covers. Component replacement and
internal adjustments must be made only by qualified personnel.
Instruments that appear damaged or defective should be made inoperative and secured
against unintended operation until they can be repaired by qualified service personnel.
Ground the Instrument To minimize shock hazard, the instrument chassis and cover must be connected to an
electrical protective earth ground. The instrument must be connected to the ac power
mains through a grounded power cable, with the ground wire firmly connected to an
electrical ground (safety ground) at the power outlet. Any interruption of the protective
(grounding) conductor or disconnection of the protective earth terminal will cause a
potential shock hazard that could result in personal injury.

Keysight M8131A 16/32 GSa/s Digitizer User’s Guide 5
Instrument Markings
The Table 1 lists the definitions of markings that may be on or with the product.
Table 1 Instrument Markings
Marking Description
The instruction documentation symbol. The product is marked with this symbol
when it is necessary for the user to refer to the instruction in the documentation.
Frame or chassis ground terminal. Typically connects to the equipment’s metal
frame.
KC is the Korean certification mark to demonstrate that the equipment is Class A
suitable for professional use and is for use in electromagnetic environments outside
of the home.
Indicates that anti-static precautions should be taken.
China Restricted Substance Product Label. The EPUP (environmental protection use
period) number in the center indicates the time period during which no hazardous
or toxic substances or elements are expected to leak or deteriorate during normal
use and generally reflects the expected useful life of the product.
The RCM mark is a registered trademark of the Australian Communications and
Media Authority.
The CSA mark is a registered trademark of the CSA International.

6Keysight M8131A 16/32 GSa/s Digitizer User’s Guide
Compliance and Environmental Information
Table 2 Compliance and Environmental Information
The CE mark is a registered trademark of the European Community (if accompanied
by a year, it is the year when the design was proven). This product complies with all
relevant directives.
Universal recycling symbol. This symbol indicates compliance with the China
standard GB 18455-2001 as required by the China RoHS regulations for
paper/fiberboard packaging.
The Keysight email address is required by EU directives applicable to our product.
Marking Description
Safety Symbol Description
This product complies with WEEE Directive (2002/96/EC) marking requirements.
The affixed label indicates that you must not discard this electrical/electronic
product in domestic household waste.
Product Category: With reference to the equipment types in WEEE Directive Annex I,
this product is classed as a “Monitoring and Control instrumentation” product.
Do not dispose in domestic household waste.
To return unwanted products, contact your local Keysight office, or see
http://about.keysight.com/en/companyinfo/environment/takeback.shtml for more
information.

Keysight M8131A 16/32 GSa/s Digitizer User’s Guide 7
Contents
Safety Summary 3
Instrument Markings 5
Compliance and Environmental Information 6
1 Introduction
M8131A Overview 17
Key Features 17
Feature Options 18
Instrument Options 18
Front Panel 18
Related Documents 21
Additional Documents 22
2 M8131A Software Installation
Pre-Requisites 24
Installation Process 25
Post Installation Steps 35
How to use M8131A Instrument 37
M8131A Maintenance 38
ESD Protection 38
Power and Ventilation Requirements 40
Thermal Protection 40
Battery 40
Operating Environment 40

8Keysight M8131A 16/32 GSa/s Digitizer User’s Guide
Contents
3 M8131A Soft Front Panel
Launching the M8131A Soft Front Panel 42
Command Line Arguments 45
Communication 46
M8131A Soft Front Panel 48
Title Bar 49
Menu Bar 49
Tool Bar 54
Lower Pane 55
Errors List Window 56
Status Bar 57
Parameters Window 57
Trace Window 59
Acquisition Tab 62
Trigger Tab 65
Clock Tab 67
Configurations Tab 68
IOs Tab 69
System Monitor Tab 71
Working with M8131A Front Panel 72
Numeric Control Usage 72
Window Controls Usage 73
Calibration Manager 74
Exporting Waveforms 78
Integrating 89600 VSA with M8131A 79

Keysight M8131A 16/32 GSa/s Digitizer User’s Guide 9
Contents
4 Remote Programming
Remote Programming Overview 84
Instructions 84
Instruction Header 84
White Space (Separator) 84
Braces 85
Ellipsis 85
Square Brackets 85
Program Data 85
Status Commands 86
STATus:PRESet 88
Status Byte Register 88
Questionable Data Register Command Subsystem 89
Operation Status Subsystem 90
Reference Clock Status Subsystem 91
Connection Status Subsystem 91
ADC Calibration Status Subsystem 92
Filter Status Subsystem 93
Sample Clock Status Subsystem 94
ADC Calibration Run Status Subsystem 95
Arm Status Subsystem 96
Trigger Status Subsystem 96
Memory Capture Status Subsystem 97
Data Streaming Status Subsystem 97
Acquire Commands 98
:ACQuire: SRATe[?] 98
:ACQuire:POINts[?] 98

10 Keysight M8131A 16/32 GSa/s Digitizer User’s Guide
Contents
ADC Calibration Commands 100
ADC Calibration Commands 100
:CALibrate:ADC[:STARt] 100
:CALibrate:ADC:NEXT 100
:CALibrate:ADC:ABORt 100
:CALibrate:ADC:INFormation? 101
:CALibrate:ADC:RECommended? 101
:CALibrate:ADC:DATE[:RECommended]? 101
:CALibrate:ADC:TEMPerature:DELTa[:CURRent]? 102
:CALibrate:ADC:TEMPerature:DELTa:MAXimum? 102
:CALibrate:ADC:TEMPerature:DELTa:MINimum? 102
:CALibrate:ADC:SAVE 103
:CALibrate:ADC:LOAD 103
Latency Calibration Commands 104
:CALibrate:SYNC:INPut:LEVel 104
:CALibrate:LATency:LCMPeriod 104
:CALibrate:LATency:MODE 104
:CALibrate:LATency[:STEP] 105
Channel Commands 106
:CHANnel<N>:DISPlay 106
:CHANnel<N>:OFFSet 106
:CHANnel<N>:RANGe 107
:CHANnel<N>:DPRocessing:DDC:CFRequency 107
:CHANnel<N>:DPRocessing: CHARacteris[:VALue] 108
:CHANnel<N>:DPRocessing:FILTer[:VALue] 108
:CHANnel<N>:DPRocessing:FILTer:DEFault 109
:CHANnel<N>:DPRocessing:FILTer:SCALe 110
:CHANnel<N>:DPRocessing:FILTer:STATe 110
Data Processing Commands 111
:DPRocessing[:MODE] 111
:DPRocessing:DDC:DECimation 111
:DPRocessing:DIRect:DECimation 112

Keysight M8131A 16/32 GSa/s Digitizer User’s Guide 11
Contents
Common Commands 113
*IDN? 113
*CLS 113
*ESE 113
ESR? 113
*OPC 113
*OPC? 114
*OPT? 114
*RST 114
*SRE[?] 114
*STB? 114
*TST? 114
*LRN? 115
*WAI? 115
Mass Memory Commands 116
:MMEMory:CATalog? 116
:MMEMory:CDIRectory 117
:MMEMory:COPY 117
:MMEMory:DELete 118
:MMEMory:DATA 118
:MMEMory:DATA:APPend 118
:MMEMory:DATA? 119
:MMEMory:MDIRectory 119
:MMEMory:MOVE 119
:MMEMory:RDIRectory 120
:MMEMory:LOAD:CSTate 120
:MMEMory:STORe:CSTate 120
:MMEMory:STORe:WAVeform 121

12 Keysight M8131A 16/32 GSa/s Digitizer User’s Guide
Contents
Root Level Commands 123
:DIGitize 123
:DIGitize:NDISplay 123
:RUN 123
:STOP 123
:STReam 124
:SSTReam 124
System Commands 126
:SYSTem:ERRor[:NEXT]? 126
:SYSTem:HELP:HEADers? 126
:SYSTem:LICense:EXTended:LIST? 127
:SYSTem:SET[?] 127
:SYSTem:VERSion? 128
:SYSTem:COMMunicate:*? 128
:SYSTem:COMMunicate:INSTr[:NUMBer]? 128
:SYSTem:COMMunicate:HISLip[:NUMBer]? 129
:SYSTem:COMMunicate:SOCKet[:PORT]? 129
:SYSTem:COMMunicate:TELNet[:PORT]? 129
:SYSTem:COMMunicate:TCPip:CONTrol? 129
:SYSTem:ERRor:COUNT? 130
Time Base Commands 131
:TIMebase:REFClock 131
Waveform Commands 132
:WAVeform:BYTeorder 132
:WAVeform:DATA? 132
:WAVeform:DATA:BLOCk? 133
:WAVeform:XINCrement? 133
:WAVeform:XORigin? 134
:WAVeform:YINCrement? 134
:WAVeform:YORigin? 134

Keysight M8131A 16/32 GSa/s Digitizer User’s Guide 13
Contents
Instrument Commands 135
:INSTrument:SLOT[:NUMBer]? 135
:INSTrument:IDENtify 135
:INSTrument:IDENtify:STOP 135
:INSTrument:HWRevision? 135
:INSTrument:FPGA:MODE 136
:INSTrument:FPGA:UPDate 136
:INSTrument:FPGA:RESet 136
:INSTrument:FPGA:DIRect:DWORd 137
:INSTrument:AINPuts? 137
:INSTrument:AMEMory? 137
:INSTrument:MONitor:CURRent[:TOTal]? 138
:INSTrument:MONitor:TEMPerature? 138

14 Keysight M8131A 16/32 GSa/s Digitizer User’s Guide
Contents
Optical Data Interface Commands 139
:ODI:ACHannels? 139
:ODI:PORT:COUNt? 139
:ODI:PORT<N>:CAPability:DIRection? 139
:ODI:PORT[N]:CAPability:FCONtrols? 140
:ODI:PORT[N]:CAPability:LANes? 140
:ODI:PORT[N]:CAPability:NAME? 140
:ODI:PORT[N]:CAPability:RATes? 141
:ODI:PORT[N]:CAPability:RBMax? 141
:ODI:PORT[N]:CAPability:TBMax? 141
:ODI:PORT[N]:CAPability:TRMatch? 142
:ODI:PORT[N]:NAME? 142
:ODI:PORT<N>:ACTivate 142
:ODI:PORT<N>:DEACtivate 143
:ODI:PORT<N>:CSTatus? 143
:ODI:PORT[N]:PSTatistics:BBURsts? 144
:ODI:PORT[N]:PSTatistics:RBYTes? 145
:ODI:PORT[N]:PSTatistics:TBYTes? 145
:ODI:PORT[N]:PSTatistics:THOFfs? 145
:ODI:PRODucer:COUNt? 145
:ODI:PRODucer[N]:CAPability:CLIDs? 146
:ODI:PRODucer<N>:CAPability:CCIDs? 146
:ODI:PRODucer<N>:CAPability:NAME? 146
:ODI:PRODucer<N>:CAPability:PFORmats? 146
:ODI:PRODucer<N>:NAME? 147
:ODI:PRODucer<N>:IFSupported 147
:ODI:PRODucer<N>:ACTivate 147
:ODI:PRODucer<N>:DEACtivate 148

Keysight M8131A 16/32 GSa/s Digitizer User’s Guide 15
Contents
Trigger Commands 149
: TRIGger:SWEep 149
: TRIGger:EDGE:SOURce 149
: TRIGger:EDGE:SLOPe 150
:TRIGger:LEVel:EXTernal 150
:TRIGger:LEVel[:CHANnel] 150
:TRIGger:HOLDoff 151
: TRIGger:HOLDoff:TYPE 151
Test Commands 152
:TEST:PON? 152
:TEST:TST? 152
5 Characteristics
Performance Specification 153
Operating Environment 153
General 154
Index

Keysight M8131A 16/32 GSa/s Digitizer
User’s Guide
1Introduction
M8131A Overview / 17
Key Features / 17
Feature Options / 18
Front Panel / 18
Related Documents / 21
Additional Documents / 22
This chapter provides an overview of M8131A digitizer module.
M8131A Overview
The Keysight M8131A is a 16/32 GSa/s digitizer with high bandwidth and
channel density. It offers up to 1.6 GSa waveform memory. The M8131A is
ideally suited to address following key applications:
• Wideband RF/μW – analyses extremely wideband RF signals with an
instantaneous bandwidth of DC to 12.5 GHz for aerospace/defense and
communication applications.
• Physics, chemistry, and electronics research – analyses any
mathematically defined arbitrary waveforms, ultra-short yet precise
pulses and extremely wideband chirps.
• Gapless optical streaming of 10 bit digitized data to DSP module, AWG
or storage system for radar, electronic warfare, satellite or 5G.
Key Features
The M8131A is a digitizer with high sample rate, bandwidth, and channel
density:
• Wide bandwidth
•4 channels 6.5GHz, sample rate 16 GSa/s on each channel or
•2 channels 12.5GHz, sample rate 32 GSa/s on each channel

18 Keysight M8131A 16/32 GSa/s Digitizer User’s Guide
1 Introduction
• Vertical resolution: 10 bits
• Outstanding signal fidelity with respect to SFDR, ENOB, harmonic
distortion
• Full speed 4 x 16 GSa/s or 2 x 32 GSa/s gapless optical streaming via
ODI (standardized Optical Data Interface), e.g. to an external storage
system or customer‘s device or DSP module
• Total ODI streaming throughput: 4 x 160 GBit/s equals 640 GBit/s
• Real-time DDC and decimation
• On board memory 1.6 GSa per module
• Form factor: 2-slot AXIe module controlled via external PC or
embedded AXIe system controller M9536A
Feature Options
The following feature options are available for M8131A:
Table 3 M8131A feature options
Instrument Options
The following instrument options are available for M8131A:
Table 4 M8131A instrument options
Front Panel
Option Functionality
STR Streaming: access to ODI interfaces
DDC Digital Down Conversion
FP1 FPGA Programming: User can load his own FPGA(s)
Option Bandwidth Maximum Sample Rate Inputs
011, 012, 014 1.6 GHz 4 GSa/s Single ended inputs, adjustable
sensitivity.
061, 062, 064 6.5 GHz 16 GSa/s
131, 132 12.5 GHz 32 GSa/s
FD1, FD2, FD4 12.5 GHz 32 GSa/s Differential inputs, fixed sensitivity.

Keysight M8131A 16/32 GSa/s Digitizer User’s Guide 19
Introduction 1
Figure 1 on page 19 illustrates the front panel of the M8131A instrument.
Figure 1 M8131A front panel
The M8131A front panel include the following input/output ports:
Inputs/Outputs
•Input - The four analog input ports (In 1/2/3/4) can be used to receive
the analog data.
•ODI - The four Optical Data Interface ports (ODI 1/2/3/4) can be used
for optical data streaming.
•Trig In - The Trigger Input can be used for external triggering.
Triggering source can be an external pulse generator connected. This
will be used only when the trigger source is “Trigger Input”.
•Trig Out - The Trigger Output can be used to trigger external
instruments or DUTs.
•Sync In - The Sync Input can be used to synchronize two or more
modules to a common system clock. It is connected to the Sync Out of
an other module.
•Sync Out - The Sync Output can be used to synchronize two or more
modules to a common system clock. It is connected to the Sync In of an
other module.
•Sample Clk In - The Sample Clock Input can be used, if an external
clock source shall be used to clock the analog to digital to converters.
•Sample Clk Out - The Sample Clock Output can be used to output the
clock signal from the internal sample clock or the sample clock input.
When an internally generated sample clock of the M8131A’s is used,
the Sample CLK Out must be connected with Sample Clk In with a
semi-rigid cable as shown in the Figure 2 on page 20. However, if an
external 8 GHz sample clock is used, the semi-rigid cable is not
required.

20 Keysight M8131A 16/32 GSa/s Digitizer User’s Guide
1 Introduction
Figure 2 Sample Clk Out/In connection
•Ref Clk In - The Reference Clock Input can be used to synchronize to an
external clock.
•Ref Clk Out - The Reference Clock Output can be used to synchronize a
DUT to the M8131A.
•FPGA Config - If option FP1 is installed, the FPGA Configuration can be
used to debug the open FPGA externally.
•Control In/Out - The Control Input/Output offers a 10-bit parallel
interface. It can be configured in two independent groups of five bits as
an input or output bus. If option FP1 is installed, the Control In/Out is
routed to the ‘open FPGA’. The Control In/Out functionality is for future
use and is currently not supported.
Semi-rigid cable