Keysight Technologies M8131A User manual

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

Notices
© Keysight Technologies 2020
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 6.0, May 2020
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 19
Key Features 19
Feature Options 20
Instrument Options 20
Front Panel 21
Related Documents 23
Additional Documents 24
2 Software Installation
Pre-Requisites 26
Installation Process 27
Post Installation Steps 37
How to use M8131A Instrument 39
M8131A Maintenance 40
ESD Protection 40
Power and Ventilation Requirements 42
Thermal Protection 42
Battery 42
Operating Environment 42

8Keysight M8131A 16/32 GSa/s Digitizer User’s Guide
Contents
3 Soft Front Panel
Launching the M8131A Soft Front Panel 44
Command Line Arguments 47
Communication 48
M8131A Soft Front Panel 50
Title Bar 51
Menu Bar 51
Tool Bar 56
Lower Pane 57
Errors List Window 58
Status Bar 59
Parameters Window 59
Trace Window 61
Acquisition Tab 64
Trigger Tab 67
Clock Tab 69
IOs Tab 70
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 Streaming and Segmentation
Continuous Streaming 87
Continuous Streaming with Deterministic Latency 88
Segmented Streaming 90
VITA-49 Encoding 91
Time Stamp Generation 91
5 Synchronization of Multiple M8131A
Cabling Instructions 96
Synchronization of two M8131A modules 96
Synchronization of three M8131A modules 97
Synchronization of four M8131A modules 98
6 Digital Down Conversion
7 Remote Programming
Remote Programming Overview 104
Instructions 104
Instruction Header 104
White Space (Separator) 104
Braces 105
Ellipsis 105
Square Brackets 105
Program Data 105

10 Keysight M8131A 16/32 GSa/s Digitizer User’s Guide
Contents
Status Commands 106
STATus:PRESet 108
Status Byte Register 108
Questionable Data Register Command Subsystem 109
Operation Status Subsystem 110
Reference Clock Status Subsystem 111
Connection Status Subsystem 111
ADC Calibration Status Subsystem 112
Filter Status Subsystem 113
Sample Clock Status Subsystem 114
ADC Calibration Run Status Subsystem 115
Arm Status Subsystem 116
Trigger Status Subsystem 116
Memory Capture Status Subsystem 117
Data Streaming Status Subsystem 117
Acquire Commands 118
:ACQuire: SRATe[?] 118
:ACQuire:POINts[?] 118
:ACQuire:SEGMented:PCOunt[?] 119
:ACQuire:SEGMented: PCOunt:INFinite[?] 120
:ACQuire:SEGMented:PLENgth[?] 120
:ACQuire:STReaming:MODE 121
:ACQuire:TSTamp 121

Keysight M8131A 16/32 GSa/s Digitizer User’s Guide 11
Contents
ADC Calibration Commands 122
ADC Calibration Commands 122
:CALibrate:ADC[:STARt] 122
:CALibrate:ADC:NEXT 122
:CALibrate:ADC:ABORt 122
:CALibrate:ADC:INFormation? 123
:CALibrate:ADC:RECommended? 123
:CALibrate:ADC:DATE[:RECommended]? 123
:CALibrate:ADC:TEMPerature:DELTa[:CURRent]? 124
:CALibrate:ADC:TEMPerature:DELTa:MAXimum? 124
:CALibrate:ADC:TEMPerature:DELTa:MINimum? 124
:CALibrate:ADC:SAVE 125
:CALibrate:ADC:LOAD 125
Latency Calibration Commands 126
:CALibrate:SYNC:INPut:LEVel 126
:CALibrate:LATency:LCMPeriod 126
:CALibrate:LATency:MODE 127
:CALibrate:LATency[:STEP] 127
:CALibrate:LATency:CKSYnc:OFFSet[?] 128
:CALibrate:LATency:SPDelay 128
Channel Commands 129
:CHANnel<N>:DISPlay 129
:CHANnel<N>:OFFSet 129
:CHANnel<N>:RANGe 130
:CHANnel<N>:DPRocessing:DDC:CFRequency 130
:CHANnel<N>:DPRocessing: CHARacteris[:VALue] 131
:CHANnel<N>:DPRocessing:FILTer[:VALue] 132
:CHANnel<N>:DPRocessing:FILTer:DEFault 132
:CHANnel<N>:DPRocessing:FILTer:SCALe 133
:CHANnel<N>:DPRocessing:FILTer:STATe 133
:CHANnel<N>:DPRocessing:DDC:CFRequency:QUOTient? 134

12 Keysight M8131A 16/32 GSa/s Digitizer User’s Guide
Contents
Data Processing Commands 135
:DPRocessing[:MODE] 135
:DPRocessing:DDC:DECimation 135
:DPRocessing:DIRect:DECimation 136
:DPRocessing:CAPability:DECimation? 136
:DPRocessing:DDC:RESet 137
Common Commands 138
*IDN? 138
*CLS 138
*ESE 138
ESR? 138
*OPC 138
*OPC? 139
*OPT? 139
*RST 139
*SRE[?] 139
*STB? 139
*TST? 139
*LRN? 140
*WAI? 140
Mass Memory Commands 141
:MMEMory:CATalog? 141
:MMEMory:CDIRectory 142
:MMEMory:COPY 142
:MMEMory:DELete 143
:MMEMory:DATA 143
:MMEMory:DATA:APPend 143
:MMEMory:DATA? 144
:MMEMory:MDIRectory 144
:MMEMory:MOVE 144
:MMEMory:RDIRectory 145
:MMEMory:LOAD:CSTate 145
:MMEMory:STORe:CSTate 145
:MMEMory:STORe:WAVeform 146

Keysight M8131A 16/32 GSa/s Digitizer User’s Guide 13
Contents
Root Level Commands 148
:DIGitize 148
:DIGitize:NDISplay 148
:RUN 148
:STOP 148
:STReam 149
:SSTReam 150
System Commands 151
:SYSTem:ERRor[:NEXT]? 151
:SYSTem:HELP:HEADers? 151
:SYSTem:LICense:EXTended:LIST? 152
:SYSTem:SET[?] 152
:SYSTem:VERSion? 153
:SYSTem:COMMunicate:*? 153
:SYSTem:COMMunicate:INSTr[:NUMBer]? 153
:SYSTem:COMMunicate:HISLip[:NUMBer]? 154
:SYSTem:COMMunicate:SOCKet[:PORT]? 154
:SYSTem:COMMunicate:TELNet[:PORT]? 154
:SYSTem:COMMunicate:TCPip:CONTrol? 154
:SYSTem:ERRor:COUNt? 155
Time Base Commands 156
:TIMebase:REFClock 156
Waveform Commands 157
:WAVeform:BYTeorder 157
:WAVeform:DATA? 157
:WAVeform:DATA:BLOCk? 158
:WAVeform:XINCrement? 158
:WAVeform:XORigin? 159
:WAVeform:YINCrement? 159
:WAVeform:YORigin? 159

14 Keysight M8131A 16/32 GSa/s Digitizer User’s Guide
Contents
Instrument Commands 160
:INSTrument:SLOT[:NUMBer]? 160
:INSTrument:IDENtify 160
:INSTrument:IDENtify:STOP 160
:INSTrument:HWRevision? 160
:INSTrument:AINPuts? 161
:INSTrument:AMEMory? 161
:INSTrument:MONitor:TEMPerature? 161

Keysight M8131A 16/32 GSa/s Digitizer User’s Guide 15
Contents
Optical Data Interface Commands 162
:ODI:ACHannels? 162
:ODI:PORT:COUNt? 162
:ODI:PORT<N>:CAPability:DIRection? 162
:ODI:PORT<N>:CAPability:FCONtrols? 163
:ODI:PORT<N>:CAPability:LANes? 163
:ODI:PORT<N>:CAPability:NAME? 163
:ODI:PORT<N>:CAPability:RATes? 164
:ODI:PORT<N>:CAPability:RBMax? 164
:ODI:PORT<N>:CAPability:TBMax? 164
:ODI:PORT<N>:CAPability:TRMatch? 165
:ODI:PORT<N>:NAME? 165
:ODI:PORT<N>:ACTivate 165
:ODI:PORT<N>:DEACtivate 166
:ODI:PORT<N>:CSTatus? 166
:ODI:PORT<N>:PSTatistics:BBURsts? 167
:ODI:PORT<N>:PSTatistics:RBYTes? 168
:ODI:PORT<N>:PSTatistics:TBYTes? 168
:ODI:PORT<N>:PSTatistics:THOFfs? 168
:ODI:PRODucer:COUNt? 168
:ODI:PRODucer<N>:CAPability:CLIDs? 169
:ODI:PRODucer<N>:CAPability:CCIDs? 169
:ODI:PRODucer<N>:CAPability:NAME? 169
:ODI:PRODucer<N>:CAPability:PFORmats? 169
:ODI:PRODucer<N>:NAME? 170
:ODI:PRODucer<N>:IFSupported 170
:ODI:PRODucer<N>:ACTivate 170
:ODI:PRODucer<N>:DEACtivate 171

16 Keysight M8131A 16/32 GSa/s Digitizer User’s Guide
Contents
Trigger Commands 172
Trigger arming behavior 172
Pre-trigger-time 172
: TRIGger:SWEep 174
: TRIGger:EDGE:SOURce 175
: TRIGger:EDGE:SLOPe 175
:TRIGger:LEVel:EXTernal 176
:TRIGger:LEVel[:CHANnel] 176
:TRIGger:LEVel:IFMagnitude 176
:TRIGger:HOLDoff 177
: TRIGger:HOLDoff:TYPE 177
:TRIGger: SYNCout[?] 178
:TRIGger:MODE[?] 178
:TRIGger:OUTPut:MODE 179
:TRIGger:OUTPut:SOURce 179
Test Commands 180
:TEST:PON? 180
:TEST:TST? 180
8 Examples
Introduction 182
Capture 183
Cabling of Digitizer Connectors 183
Setup Digitizer 183
Run Capture 183
Synchronization of Two M8131A Modules 184
Cabling of first (master) Digitizer Connectors 184
Cabling of the second (slave) Digitizer Connectors 184
Setup Digitizers 184
Run SynchronizeTwoM8131 185

Keysight M8131A 16/32 GSa/s Digitizer User’s Guide 17
Contents
Continuous Streaming with Deterministic Latency to DSP
Module 187
Cabling of Digitizer Connectors 187
Cabling of DSP Connectors 187
Setup Digitzer and DSP 188
Run M8131AToM8132ALatency 188
9 Characteristics
Performance Specification 191
Operating Environment 191
General 192
Index

Keysight M8131A 16/32 GSa/s Digitizer
User’s Guide
1Introduction
M8131A Overview / 19
Key Features / 19
Feature Options / 20
Front Panel / 21
Related Documents / 23
Additional Documents / 24
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

20 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 M9537A
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
Option Functionality
STR Streaming: access to ODI interfaces
DDC Digital Down Conversion
SEG Segmentation
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.