Keysight N9021B MXA Quick start guide

Option EXM, External Mixing Upgrade Kit
Keysight Technologies
N9021B MXA Signal Analyzer
Installation Note

Notices
© Copyright 2021 Keysight Technologies, Inc.
The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.
Keysight Technologies makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including but
not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
Keysight Technologies shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or
consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.
Manual Part Number
N9021-90004
Edition
Edition 1, January 2021
Printed in USA/Malaysia
Published by:
Keysight Technologies, Inc.
1400 Fountaingrove Parkway
Santa Rosa, CA 95403

Installation Note N9021-90004 3
Option EXM, External Mixing Upgrade Kit
Option EXM, External Mixing Upgrade Kit
Software and test equipment is required for making adjustments and for performance verification
testing.
Information on how to obtain this software can be found at:
www.keysight.com/find/calibrationsoftware
While Keysight does recommend that a full calibration be performed after the installation of this
upgrade, the end user must ultimately determine whether they want this service or not. If a full
calibration is required, arrangements regarding the level of calibration must be made between the
end user and the calibration provider.
Introduction
This kit includes parts to upgrade a N9021B MXA signal analyzer to add Option EXM, External
Mixing. This kit includes parts to upgrade a MXA regardless of frequency range option installed.
In addition to installing the hardware to support Option EXM, a license for the following option will
also be installed:
— N9021B-EXM, External Mixing
Products Affected: N9021B MXA
Serial Numbers: All
To Be Performed By: (X) Keysight Service Center
(X) Personnel Qualified by Keysight
( ) Customer
Estimated Installation Time:
Estimated Adjustment Time:
Estimated Verification Time:
1.5 Hours
1.0 Hoursa
4.0 Hoursa
a.To ensure that these newly installed options are functioning properly, the procedure that follows includes the
requirement of performing certain adjustments and performance verification tests. However, the completion of
these tests does not guarantee that the instrument meets all advertised specifications.

4Installation Note N9021-90004
Option EXM, External Mixing Upgrade Kit
Installation Kit Parts List
Quantity Description Keysight Part Number
1 Adapter- Coaxial Straight Female-SMA to Female-SMA, 50W 1250-1666
1 Washer, Lock, Internal Tooth, ¼ inch 2190-0067
1 Nut-Hex-Double-Chamfer 1/4-36-THD.125-IN-THK, Stainless Steel 2950-0223
1 50 Ohm Termination, SMA male 1810-0118
1 Opt EXM Cable Kit with Wire Markers (includes cable W30, listed below) N9021-60006
1 Cable Assembly, External Mixing, Front Panel (W29) N9020-20166
1 Cable Assembly, mmW Front End to W29 (W17) (for use in millimeter wave
analyzers)
N9020-20167
1 Cable Assembly, Coaxial 275 mm LG (W30) (for use in millimeter wave
analyzers) 8121-2025awith ends
labeled ‘903’ and ‘13’
a.This cable is included in the Opt EXM Cable Kit with Wire Markers, p/n N9021-60006.
1 Label, Warning N9030-80018
14 Screw, M3 x 0.5, (6 mm long), flat head 0515-1946
5 Cable Ties 1400-0249
1 Entitlement Certificate 5964-5178
1 Entitlement Certificate Envelope 5967-7169
1 Installation Note This note

Installation Note N9021-90004 5
Option EXM, External Mixing Upgrade Kit
Tools Required
— T-10 TORX Driver
— T-20 TORX Driver
— 5/16-inch torque wrench
— ¼-inch open-end wrench
—Diagonalcutters
— Keysight Calibration and Adjustment Software, N7814A (revision E.25.00 or later)
— Test equipment and computer supported by the X- Series Performance Tests and Adjustment
Software
— N9021B MXA Signal Analyzer Service Guide, N9021-90002.
— Microsoft Windows based personal computer with internet access and USB port
— USB storage device with > 4 GB free memory
Initial Instrument Functionality Check
Power on the instrument and allow the instrument to boot up. Run an alignment and display the
measurement screen. (The instrument will probably display a spectrum analyzer screen and you will
see the instrument sweeping.)
There should be no alignment failures. If there are failures, investigate and fix the problem before
continuing.
Before you disassemble the instrument, turn the power switch to Standby. After the instrument
has completely shut down, unplug the instrument. Failure to unplug the instrument can result in
personal injury.
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage or destroy electronic components. All work on
electronic assemblies should be performed at a static-safe workstation. Refer to the
documentation that pertains to your instrument for information about static-safe workstations
and ordering static-safe accessories.

6Installation Note N9021-90004
Option EXM, External Mixing Upgrade Kit
Analyzer Disassembly
1. Disconnect the instrument from ac power.
2. Refer to Figure 1. Using the T-20 driver, remove the 4 screws (1) (two on each side) that
attach the handle strap (2) on each side of the instrument.
3. Remove the four key locks from the instrument four bottom feet.
4. Remove the four instrument bottom feet (6).
5. Using the T-20 driver, remove the four screws (including washers) (3) that hold the rear feet
(4) in place.
6. Pull the instrument cover (5) off towards the rear of the instrument.
Figure 1 Instrument Outer Case Removal
If the instrument is placed on its face during any of the following procedures, be sure to use a soft
surface or soft cloth to avoid damage to the front panel, keys, or input connector.
Make sure any adapters on the front panel are removed.

Installation Note N9021-90004 7
Option EXM, External Mixing Upgrade Kit
Top Brace Removal
Refer to Figure 2. To remove the top brace (1), use the T-10 driver to remove the twelve screws (3)
(0515-0372) attaching the top brace to the chassis. Remove the wire hold down 1 (as shown in
Figure 3). Remove and discard the 14 screws (15 screws with Option B5X) (4) (0515-1946)
attaching the top brace to the boards.
Figure 2 Top Brace Removal

8Installation Note N9021-90004
Option EXM, External Mixing Upgrade Kit
Figure 3 Wire Hold Downs

Installation Note N9021-90004 9
Option EXM, External Mixing Upgrade Kit
Front Frame Assembly Removal
1. Refer to Figure 4. Using the T-10 driver, remove the eight screws (1) (0515-1035), four on
each side, to detach the Front Frame Assembly from the chassis.
2. Refer to Figure 5. Pull the Front Frame Assembly carefully away from the chassis. Remove the
ribbon cable W1 from the motherboard. The cable has locking tabs on each side, pinch and
pull to release.
Figure 4 Front Frame Removal
Make sure any connectors on the front panel are removed.
W1 may have locking springs on each side. Depress the spring on each side of the connector to
remove from the motherboard.

10 Installation Note N9021-90004
Option EXM, External Mixing Upgrade Kit
Figure 5 Front Panel Cable

Installation Note N9021-90004 11
Option EXM, External Mixing Upgrade Kit
Add Cables to A13 Front End and A15 Front End Controller, Millimeter Wave
N9021B MXAs
1. Locate the flexible coax assembly in the Opt EXM Cable Kit with Markers. This is cable W30
and should be labeled “8121-2025” and have the ends labeled “903” and “13”
2. Connect the end of W30 that is labeled “903” to A15J903.
3. Connect the end of W30 that is labeled “13” to A13A1J13. J13 is one of the connectors along
the top side of A13. Torque the cable nut to 10 inch-pounds.
4. Remove the SMA termination on A13A1J8. A13A1J8 is to the left of A13A1J13.
5. Locate semi-rigid coax cable, part number N9020-20167, in the upgrade kit. This is W17.
Connect the end with the SMA male connector A13A1J8, with the SMA female connector
pointing towards where the front panel would be. The long, straight section of W17 should be
parallel to the casting of the A13 Front End and level. Refer to Figure 6. Note that W29 is
routed below W17. Torque the cable nut to 10 inch-pounds.
Figure 6 Orientation of W17 in a Millimeter Wave N9021B MXA
This procedure only applies to millimeter wave N9021B MXAs (frequency range options 532, 544,
and 550).

12 Installation Note N9021-90004
Option EXM, External Mixing Upgrade Kit
Add EXT MIXER Connector and Cable to Front Frame Assembly
1. Locate the SMA female to SMA female connector (1250-1666), ¼” lockwasher (2190-0067),
and ¼” hex nut (2950-0223) in the kit. If the SMA connector includes hardware, discard that
hardware and use the 2190-0067 lockwasher and 2950-0223 hex nut included in this kit.
2. Remove the hole-plug in the top-most hole in the upper right corner of the front frame
assembly. This hole will be labeled “EXT MIXER”.
3. Insert the SMA female to SMA female connector in the hole in the front frame assembly from
the front of the assembly. The hex feature on the connector should engage with the recess in
the front frame assembly. Refer to Figure 7. Secure the connector using the ¼” lockwasher
and ¼” hex nut from the rear. Torque to 21 inch-pounds.
Figure 7 Attaching SMA Female Connector
4. Locate the External Mixing, Front Panel semi-rigid coax assembly in the kit, part number
N9020-20166. This is W29. Note that this cable is symmetrical; either end can be connected to
the front-panel connector.
5. Connect one end of W29 to the SMA female connector as shown in Figure 8.
6. Orient W29 so that the cable slopes upward from the Ext Mixer connector at a 15 degree
angle. The top of the connector should be approximately level with the top of the shield over
the Front Panel Interface board. Refer to Figure 9. Torque the cable nut on the Ext Mixer
connector to 10 inch-pounds.

Installation Note N9021-90004 13
Option EXM, External Mixing Upgrade Kit
Figure 8 Connecting W29 to Ext Mixer Connector
Figure 9 Proper Orientation of W29

14 Installation Note N9021-90004
Option EXM, External Mixing Upgrade Kit
Front Frame Replacement
1. Refer to Figure 10. Reattach the ribbon cable W1. Ensure the locking tabs are engaged.
2. Refer to Figure 11. Carefully position the Front Frame Assembly onto the chassis. Ensure no
cables are crushed. Replace the eight screws (1) (0515-1035), four on each side of the
chassis. Torque to 9 inch pounds.
Figure 10 Front Panel Cable

Installation Note N9021-90004 15
Option EXM, External Mixing Upgrade Kit
Figure 11 Front Frame Replacement
3. Refer to Figure 12. When the front panel is installed, cables W17 and W29 typically do not
align. This is OK since the cables are flexible.
4. Refer to Figure 13. Align and connect cables W17 and W29. Hand-tighten the nut.
Figure 12 W17 and W29 Before Alignment

16 Installation Note N9021-90004
Option EXM, External Mixing Upgrade Kit
Figure 13 W17 and W29 Properly Aligned
5. Refer to Figure 14. Use a ¼” open-end wrench to prevent the SMA female connector on W17
from twisting. Use a 5/16” torque wrench to torque the nut on W29 to 10 inch-pounds.
Figure 14 Torque Cable W29 onto W17

Installation Note N9021-90004 17
Option EXM, External Mixing Upgrade Kit
Top Brace Replacement
1. Refer to Figure 15. To replace the top brace, place the brace in the correct position and attach
to the chassis using the flathead screws (3) (0515-0372). Attach the top brace to the boards
using the 14 screws (15 screws with Option B5X) (4) (0515-1946) included in the kit.
2. Refer to Figure 16. Reinstall wire hold down 1.
3. Torque all screws to 9 inch-pounds.
Figure 15 Top Brace Replacement

18 Installation Note N9021-90004
Option EXM, External Mixing Upgrade Kit
Figure 16 Wire Hold Downs
4. In the upgrade kit, locate the Warning Label, N9030-80018.
5. Refer to Figure 17. Attach the Warning Label to the top brace as shown.
Figure 17 Add Warning Label to Top Brace

Installation Note N9021-90004 19
Option EXM, External Mixing Upgrade Kit
Final Assembly
1. Refer to Figure 18. Slide the instrument cover back onto the deck from the rear. The seam on
the cover should be on the bottom. Be sure the cover seats into the gasket groove in the Front
Frame Assembly.
2. Replace the four rear feet to the rear of the instrument. Torque the rear feet screws
(0515-1619 and 3050-0893 washers) to 21 inch pounds.
3. Replace the bottom feet by sliding into place until they snap in. Install the locks by pressing in
flat.
4. Replace the handle straps on both sides of the instrument. Torque the handle strap screws to
21 inch pounds.
5. Locate the 50 ohm SMA termination in the kit, part number 1810-0118. Attach the SMA
termination to the front panel EXT MIXER connector.
Figure 18 Instrument Outer Cover Replacement

20 Installation Note N9021-90004
Option EXM, External Mixing Upgrade Kit
Licensing the New Option
Installation Procedure over USB
1. Locate the Option Upgrade Entitlement Certificate (5964-5178) from the kit.
2. Redeem the Option Upgrade Entitlement Certificate by following the instructions on the
Certificate.
3. After redeeming your Option Upgrade Entitlement Certificate you will receive an email with an
attached License File.
4. Locate a USB storage device. Perform a virus scan on this device before use.
5. Save the License File to the root directory of the USB Storage Device.
6. Connect the USB Storage Device to one of the analyzer’s USB ports. Connect a mouse to
another USB port. Windows will detect the new hardware and may display the configuration
menu shown in Figure 19. This menu may be configured according to your preferences.
Figure 19 USB Storage Device Configuration Menu
7. The analyzer will automatically consume the License File (this may take a few minutes). When
the License File is consumed the Keysight License Manager will display a “Successful License
Installation” message similar to the one shown in Figure 20.