Keysight PNA Series User manual

Keysight Technologies
Antenna Test
Selection Guide

Keysight Technologies, Inc. provides many of the components you need to
make accurate antenna and radar cross-section (RCS) measurements. This
Antenna Test Selection Guide will help you select the hardware necessary
to meet your antenna measurement requirements. This note is primarily for
customers who want to design, integrate, and install their own antenna mea-
surement system using Keysight antenna test equipment, and for customers
migrating to Keysight’s latest network analyzers. For the experienced do-it-
yourself customer, this selection guide will describe the input and output char-
acteristics of antenna measurement components available through Keysight.
Your Keysight Technologies sales engineer will be glad to assist you in procur-
ing the instrumentation. Keysight Technologies does not provide software or
integration services for antenna measurement systems. However, Keysight
Productivity Services can provide these services for a fee.
Some customers may prefer the design, integration, and installation of an
antenna system be performed for them by a solution supplier who has exten-
sive antenna test conguration experience. Keysight Technologies works with
channel partners who can provide this service. Our channel partners will work
with you to understand your measurement needs and design an antenna test
system that meets those needs. They will design the RF subsystem, the posi-
tioning subsystem, the measurement application software, and provide system
installation and training.
This selection guide is meant as an aid for those with extensive antenna test
experience. Refer to the Keysight website: www.keysight.com/nd/antenna for
access to technical papers and current antenna test equipment information.
Use this guide to:
– Understand how Keysight instruments can be integrated
into your conguration
– Learn about interface requirements between components
– Understand issues related to selecting the equipment required
to make antenna measurements
– Learn how to migrate from the 8510 to PNA network analyzer
or 8530 to N5264A PNA-X measurement receiver.
1. Introduction

1. Introduction........................................................................................................... 2
Use this guide to:............................................................................................................ 2
Main parts of an antenna range..................................................................................... 4
Channel Partners ............................................................................................................ 4
2. Overview of antenna applications using
Keysight PNA Series network analyzers ........................................... 5
Near-field antenna measurements ................................................................................ 6
Far-field antenna measurements................................................................................... 7
Radar cross-section measurements ............................................................................ 10
Banded millimeter-wave measurements ..................................................................... 11
Broadband Solution Configuration....................................................................................... 12
Option Descriptions ...................................................................................................... 21
3. Antenna measurement design considerations............... 24
Transmit site configuration........................................................................................... 24
Receive site configuration with external mixing.......................................................... 29
Determining measurement speed................................................................................ 34
Optimizing speed and dynamic range ......................................................................... 35
Legacy PNA interface requirements ............................................................................ 36
Functional test .............................................................................................................. 43
4. Migrating from 8510/8530 to PNA Series................................. 44
Migration from 8510/8530 based antenna systems to PNA Series based systems. ...... 44
Engineering services provided for 8510/8530 migration to
PNA Series network analyzers . ................................................................................... 45
Migration examples . .................................................................................................... 46
5. Antenna measurement components catalog .......................... 48
Microwave network analyzers ...................................................................................... 48
Sources.......................................................................................................................... 52
Frequency converters ................................................................................................... 54
Amplifiers ...................................................................................................................... 66
Multiple-channel measurements ................................................................................. 68
Measurement automation ............................................................................................ 72
Appendix 1: PNA Series security features .......................................................... 74
Terms and definitions ................................................................................................... 74
PNA Series memory...................................................................................................... 75
Memory clearing, sanitization and/or removal procedures........................................ 75
User and remote interface security measures ............................................................ 76
Procedure for declassifying a faulty instrument.......................................................... 77
Appendix 2: How to select PNA Series IF BW
with performance comparable to 8510 ....................................................................... 78
Appendix 3: How to congure an external source
for use with a PNA Series .................................................................................................. 78
Table of Contents
03 | Keysight | Antenna Test – Selection Guide

Antenna
under test
Reference
antenna
85320A
test mixer
85320B
ref mixer
LO/IF
LO Input
N5242A opt. 200, 020
PNA Trigger In
PNA Trigger Out
LAN Port
Trigger In
Trigger
Out
LAN
Port
10MHz
Rel In
10MHz Ref
Router/Hub
Transmit
Antenna
Reflector
83020A
Amp
PSG or MXG
Controller
Event Trigger
from Positioner
LO Det
J1
J4
J3 J9 TEST IF
J10 REF IF
J2 J5
85309B
IF
Refer to Table 18
2nd
converter
inputs
Main parts of an antenna range
A typical antenna range measurement system can be divided into two separate parts:
the transmit site and the receive site (see Figure 1). The transmit site consists of the
microwave transmit source, ampliers (optional), the transmit antenna, and the com-
munications link to the receive site. The receive site consists of the antenna under test
(AUT), a reference antenna, receiver, LO source, RF downconverter, positioner, system
software, and a computer.
Figure 1. Simplied far-eld antenna range example with MXG Source and N522xA PNA or N5264A PNA-X
Measurement Receiver with LO source (Option 108).
Channel Partners
Keysight works with channel partners who develop complete antenna test and antenna
range solutions. These partners build and install antenna measurement systems work-
ing with Keysight engineers to solve customer problems. Keysight instruments such as
measurement receivers, network analyzers, sources and accessories, are sold either
directly to the end-user or through Keysight channel partners. Contact your Keysight
sales representative for a channel partner in your local area.
04 | Keysight | Antenna Test – Selection Guide

The Keysight PNA-X measurement receiver and PNA/PNA-X series network analyzers
incorporate new technologies and features to provide better performance and capabili-
ties for antenna and radar cross-section (RCS) test applications.
High sensitivity
The Keysight PNA-X measurement receiver is a direct replacement for the previous
8530A model with fast throughput and higher measurement sensitivity.
The PNA/PNA-X analyzer has a mixer-based architecture providing excellent sensitivity.
With the PNA/PNA-X Series, you have the ability to select from a minimum of 29 differ-
ent IF bandwidths. This allows you to optimize the sensitivity versus measurement speed
tradeoff to t particular measurement and application requirements.
With the PNA/PNA-X Series analyzer, you can maximize sensitivity with remote mixing
by adding Option 020, IF Access. This option allows you to use an externally generated
IF and bypass the PNA-X’s internal rst down-converter. Front loops can also improve
sensitivity by about 15 dB by bypassing the coupler.
Legacy (E836xC) PNA Series analyzers provide maximum sensitivity with remote mixing
by adding Option H11, IF Access. This option allows you to use an externally generated
8.33 MHz IF and bypass the PNA’s internal rst down-converter. Option 014 can also
improve sensitivity by about 15 dB by adding reference links that allow you to bypass the
coupler.
Increased speed
Extremely fast data transfer rates with the network analyzers are accomplished using
the COM/DCOM features. LAN connectivity through a built-in 10/100 Mb/s LAN inter-
face enables the PC to be distanced from the test equipment. Together these features
provide remote testing and reduced test time.
Option 118 ads fast CW mode and provides a data acquisition speed of more than
400,000 points per second; with up to ve measurement receivers simultaneously.
Flexibility and accuracy
Up to ve simultaneously test receivers (A, B, C, D and R) are available in the PNA-X
measurement receiver, four receivers in PNA/PNA-X standard, and ve receivers in PNA/
PNA-X Option 020; with each receiver capable of measuring up to 400,000 points of
data.
Option 080 enables the PNA/PNA-X Series analyzers to set the source frequency indepen-
dently from where the receivers are tuned. The user may enter multiplier and offset values
to describe how the instrument’s receivers track the source frequency. With Option 080,
PNA reference receiver power levels can be below the phase lock level since phase locking
is performed separately. You can attain exceptionally accurate antenna measurements
by combining Option H11, IF access, with Option 080, Frequency-offset capability and
advanced triggering.
PNA-X measurement receivers and PNA/PNA-X analyzers support synchronization with
external signal generators which can further enhance performance and greatly improve
measurement accuracy.
2. Overview of antenna applications using Keysight
PNA Series network analyzers
05 | Keysight | Antenna Test – Selection Guide

Pulsed measurements
PNA/PNA-X Series Option 021 port-one internal modulator and 025 internal pulse
generators add pulsed-RF for pulsed antenna test applications. Combined with Option
008, these gates augment the PNA/PNA-X’s pulse measurement capability by enabling
point-in-pulse testing, with pulse widths smaller than 33 ns.
Security
For secure environments, the PNA family features a removable hard drive to completely
ensure the security of the data that is acquired by the PNA. Refer to “Appendix 1” on
page 71 for detailed information.
The following sections demonstrate how the PNA can be integrated into your near-eld,
far-eld, RCS, and millimeter-wave systems.
Near-eld antenna measurements
In near-eld applications, the probe is located very close to the antenna under test
(AUT), so sensitivity and dynamic range are not as important a performance consider-
ation as in a far-eld antenna range. The user selectable bandwidth feature can be used
to optimize the measurement speed vs. sensitivity tradeoff. By selecting the widest
bandwidth available (5 MHz for DSP-4, 15 MHz for DSP-5), the measurement speed
is maximized. The PNA-X analyzer is mixer based, with fundamental mixing to 26.5
GHz, providing a 24 dB increase in sensitivity and dynamic range over sampler based
analyzers. This more than makes up for the sensitivity reduction realized when the IF
bandwidth of the PNA-X is opened up to its maximum to maximize measurement speed.
Therefore, the PNA-X can achieve faster data acquisition speeds with increased sensi-
tivity in near-eld applications over legacy congurations. See Figure 2.
Figure 2. Typical near-eld antenna measurement conguration using a PNA/PNA-X.
In addition, PNA-L with direct receiver access can be used.
Pin
switch
Pin switch
control
LAN
06 | Keysight | Antenna Test – Selection Guide

Far-eld antenna measurements
The N5264A PNA-X measurement receiver based system uses 85320A/B broadband
external mixers and a 85309B distributed frequency converter and provides the best
measurement solution (shown in Figure 4). With Option 108, the internal microwave syn-
thesized source can be used as the LO source for the 85309B LO/IF Distribution Unit.
Alternatively, PNA/PNA-X Option 020 or Legacy (E836xC) PNA with Option H11, IF ac-
cess can achieve high sensitivity required for far-eld antenna measurements. Higher
sensitivity can be achieved since the IF signal bypasses the rst down conversion stage
in the PNA/PNA-X, and is routed directly to the input of the second down conversion
stage in the rear panel.
Optional
PSG Synthesized source
Router/Hub
Source antenna
amplifier
Trigger in/out
LAN
LAN
Refer to Table 18
Trigger in/out
85320B
Reference
mixer
85320A
Test mixer
85309B
LO in
PSG or MXG
LO out
10 MHz
10 MHz
AUT
Positioner
PowerSupply
Positioner controller
Note: With Option H11, the rst IF of the PNA
is at 8.33 MHz, so when using H11 inputs, the
user should offset external mixer LO inputs
by 8.33 MHz.
Figure 3. Typical far-eld antenna measurement conguration using a PNA-X network analyzer.
Figure 4. Typical conguration for a compact antenna range using using a PNA-X measurement receiver.
PSG Synthesized source
Router/Hub
Source antenna
Optional
amplifier
Trigger in/out
LAN
LAN
Refer to Table 18
Trigger in/out
85320B
Reference
mixer
85320A
Test mixer
85309B
LO in
PSG or MXG
LO out
(Opt. 108)
10 MHz
10 MHz
AUT
Positioner
PowerSupply
Positioner controller
07 | Keysight | Antenna Test – Selection Guide

Router/Hub
Source antenna
Optional
amplifier
Trigger in/out
LANLAN
PSG Synthesized source
8.33 MHz
Trigger in/out
85320B
Reference
mixer
85320A
Test mixer
85309B
LO in
PSG or MXG
LO out
(Opt. H11
10 MHz
10 MHz
AUT
Positioner
PowerSupply
Positioner controller
Figure 5. Typical antenna measurement conguration using PNA network analyzers
with Option H11.
Fast PNA-X data acquisition time and more than 400,000 points of data per second with
the PNA-X measurement receiver makes it the ideal choice for far-eld antenna range
applications. With the PNA bandwidth set to 10 kHz, the data acquisition time is 119 uS
per point. With the PNA-X bandwidth set to 600 kHz, the data acquisition time is 2.4
uS per point. Extremely fast data processing is particularly useful in applications where
ranges include active array antennas and data acquisition is quite intensive. Alternatively,
these features may not be as useful when there are antennas with limited positioner
rotation speeds. Overall, with faster data acquisition speeds, the IF bandwidth can be
narrowed; signicantly improving measurement sensitivity without increasing total mea-
surement times.
Far-eld antenna measurements (continued)
08 | Keysight | Antenna Test – Selection Guide

Figure 6. Far-eld antenna conguration utilizing internal sources from the Legacy (E836xC)
PNA Option H11.
Figure 7. Far-eld antenna conguration utilizing internal sources with PNA-L Option 216,
PNA Option 201, PNA-X standard.
If the range allows the use of ampliers instead of a PSG, you can take advantage of the
excellent frequency agility of the PNA/PNA-X which minimizes the frequency switching
time for far-eld measurements congurations. See Figure 6.
Transmit amplifier Transmit
antenna
Antenna
under test
85320A
test mixer
85320B
ref mixer
LO/IF
LO amp LO Input
LO Det
J1
J4 J3 J9 TEST IF
J10 REF IF
J2 J5
85309B
IF
Fixed
8.33 MHz
Option H11
2nd converter
inputs
E836xC, 014, UNL,080, H11
LO out RF out
N5242A standard R B
Coupler reference signal
Personal computer Positioner/controller
Source
antenna
Antenna
under test
Optional�
amplifier
HP-IB
Far-eld antenna measurements (continued)
09 | Keysight | Antenna Test – Selection Guide

Radar cross-section measurements
The PNA Series provides the excellent measurement sensitivity, fast frequency agility
and data acquisition speeds necessary for RCS measurements. Excellent measurement
sensitivity is provided by mixer based downconversion technology; very fast frequency
agility is achieved through the source and receiver being located in the same instru-
ment. The PNA’s user selectable IF bandwidths, ranging from 1 Hz to 40 kHz, let you
optimize the bandwidth and measurement speed tradeoff to meet a particular test
requirement.
High-power pulses are often used in RCS measurements to overcome the high losses
due to low device reection and two-way transmission path loss. For this reason, re-
ceiver gating is often required in RCS measurements to avoid overloading the receiver
during the transmission of the pulsed-RF signal. Figure 8 shows an example of pulse
hardware gating, which could easily be added to a PNA RCS conguration for those ap-
plications requiring pulse hardware gating.
Figure 8. Typical RCS measurement conguration using a PNA Option 201, PNA-X network analyzer.
Figure 9. Typical RCS measurement conguration using a Legacy (E836xC) PNA network
analyzer. PNA-L Option 216, PNA Option 201, or PNA-X can also be used.
Several additional features of the PNA Series are particularly useful in RCS congurations.
– Having the source and receiver integrated into the same instrument, with a choice
of frequency ranges is very cost effective in RCS applications.
– For PNA-X, 100,000 data points are available per measurement; and 20,001 data
points are available per measurement for PNA. This provides extremely long,
alias-free,
– down-range resolution for RCS measurements.
– The PNA has a removable hard drive to comply with data security requirements.
For detailed security information, refer to “Appendix 1” on page 71.
LAN
81110A
Pulse gen
Gating hardware
Chamber
Tx
Rx
LAN
PIN
switch
RF Source
Receiver #1 Receiver #2
PIN
switch
control
E836xC PNA network analyzer
10 | Keysight | Antenna Test – Selection Guide