Keysight N7081A User manual

Keysight N7081A
Microwave Transceiver

Warranty Statement
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.
U.S. Government Rights
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.keysight.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.
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.
Contacting Keysight
Assistance with test and measurements needs and information on finding a local Keysight office are available on the
Web at: http://www.keysight.com/find/assist
If you do not have access to the Internet, please contact your Keysight field engineer.
In any correspondence or telephone conversation, refer to the Keysight product by its model number and full serial
number. With this information, the Keysight representative can determine whether your product is still within its
warranty period.
Safety and Regulatory Information
The safety and regulatory information pertaining to this product is located beginning on Safety Symbols.
Where to Find the Latest Information
Documentation is updated periodically. For the latest information, please visit:
http://www.keysight.com/find/n7081asupport
Software Updates
Is your product software up-to-date? Periodically, Keysight releases software updates to fix known defects and
incorporate product enhancements. To search for software updates for your product, go to the Keysight Technical
Support website at: http://www.keysight.com/find/n7081asupport.
2

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.
Safety Symbols
The following safety symbols are used throughout this manual. Familiarize yourself with each of the symbols
and its meaning before operating this instrument.
Denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a procedure that, if not correctly performed or
adhered to, would result in damage to or destruction of the product. Do not proceed
beyond a caution note until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.
Denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a procedure which, if not correctly performed or
adhered to, could result in injury or loss of life. Do not proceed beyond a warning note until
the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.
3

Table of Contents
Operating Precautions..........................................................................................5
Preventing Electrostatic Discharge Damage...............................................5
Preventing Electrical Overstress Damage ...................................................6
Preventing Test Port Connector Damage....................................................7
Installing Your N7081A ................................................................................8
STEP 1. Check the Shipment .......................................................................8
STEP 2. Meet Requirements ........................................................................8
STEP 3. Install the Software.........................................................................9
N7081A Supported Operating Systems ......................................................9
N7081A Supported Programming Languages ............................................9
STEP 4. Connect Power and Cables............................................................13
STEP 5. Run the N7081A GUI (Graphical User Interface)...........................21
Getting Help with Your N7081A ...........................................................................23
N7081A on the Internet................................................................................23
N7081A Example Programs.........................................................................23
Contacting Keysight.....................................................................................23
Miscellaneous Information ...................................................................................24
Installing an N7081A Transceiver in an Original Equipment
Manufacturer’s (OEM) Product ....................................................................24
Warranty.......................................................................................................27
Maintenance.................................................................................................27
Shipment for Service....................................................................................27
General Safety Considerations ....................................................................27
Regulatory Information ................................................................................28
Environmental Information...........................................................................30
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Operating Precautions
Some older desktop PCs (e.g. HP Z400 Workstation) will fail to boot if an N7081A device is
connected via USB. This is a bug in the PC BIOS where the N7081A’s VID (0x0957) and PID
(0x5F18) are not being recognized. The PC BIOS will freeze during the boot process and the
PC will be unstable. To prevent this fail-to-boot experience, do one of the following: (a)
remove the N7081A’s USB cable before booting these older PCs, or (b) insert a USB hub
between these older PCs and the N7081A, or (c) replace the older PC with a newer model.
Most causes of instrument failure can be avoided if you will apply the information in this
section. PLEASE READ!
Preventing Electrostatic Discharge Damage
Protection against electrostatic discharge (ESD) is essential while removing assemblies from or connecting
cables and assemblies (DUT) to the N7081A. Static electricity can build up on your body and can easily
damage sensitive internal circuit elements when discharged. Static discharges too small to be felt can cause
permanent damage. To prevent damage to the instrument:
•always have a grounded, conductive table mat in front of your test equipment.
•always wear a grounded wrist strap, connected to a grounded conductive table mat, having a 1 MΩ
resistor in series with it, when handling components and assemblies or when making connections.
•always wear a heel strap when working in an area with a conductive floor. If you are uncertain about
the conductivity of your floor, wear a heel strap.
•always ground yourself before you clean, inspect, or make a connection to a static-sensitive device
or test port. You can, for example, grasp the grounded outer shell of the test port or cable
connector briefly.
•always ground the center conductor of a test cable and DUT before making a connection to the
N7081A test port or other static-sensitive device. This can be done as follows:
1. Connect a short (from your calibration kit) to one end of the cable and DUT to short the center
conductor to the outer conductor.
2. While wearing a grounded wrist strap, grasp the outer shell of the cable and DUT connector.
3. Connect the other end of the cable and DUT to the test port and remove the short from the cable.
5

Figure 1 ESD Protection Setup
The following table lists Keysight part numbers for ESD protection devices. To order, refer to “Contacting
Keysight” on page 23.
Description
Keysight Part Number
Grounding wrist strap 9300-1367
5 ft grounding cord for wrist strap 9300-0980
2 x 4 ft conductive table mat and 15 ft
ground wire
9300-0797
Preventing Electrical Overstress Damage
Excessive RF power or voltage applied to the connectors on the front panel will damage the N7081A.
Damage levels are listed in the N7081A Data Sheet, available online at:
http://www.keysight.com/find/n7081asupport.
6

Preventing Test Port Connector Damage
Proper connector care and connection techniques are critical for accurate and repeatable measurements.
The following table contains tips on connector care.
Handling and Storage
Do
•Keep connectors clean
•Extend sleeve or connector nut
•Use plastic end-caps during storage
Do Not
•Touch mating-plane surfaces
•Set connectors contact-end down
•Store connectors or adapters loose
Visual Inspection
Do
•Inspect all connectors carefully
•Look for metal particles, scratches, and
dents
Do Not
•Use a damaged connector - ever
Connector Cleaning
Do
•Try compressed air first
•Use isopropyl alcohol (see warning below)
•Clean connector threads
Do Not
•Use any abrasives
•Get liquid into plastic support beads
Gaging Connectors
Do
•Clean and zero the gage before use
•Use the correct gage type
•Use correct end of calibration block
•Gage all connectors before first use
Do Not
•Use an out-of-specification connector
Making Connections
Do
•Align connectors carefully
•Make preliminary connection contact lightly
•Turn only the connector nut
•Use a torque wrench for final connection
Do Not
•Apply bending force to connection
•Over tighten preliminary connection
•Twist or screw any connection
•Tighten past torque wrench “break” point
Keysight strongly recommends that adapters be used as connector savers to minimize the
wear on the N7081A test port connectors. Use instrument-grade quality adapters or better.
Cleaning connectors with alcohol shall only be done with the DC power source
disconnected and in a well-ventilated area. Allow all residual alcohol moisture to
evaporate, and the fumes to dissipate prior to energizing the instrument.
For more information on the proper use and maintenance of connectors, see
http://na.support.keysight.com/pna/connectorcare/Connector_Care.htm
7

Installing Your N7081A
STEP 1. Check the Shipment
1. Unpack the contents of the shipping container. Keep the packaging material in case the N7081A
needs to be returned to the factory.
The N7081A is shipped with ESD-safe protective end caps on the test ports. Save these
items for reuse to ensure shipment safety of the N7081A.
2. Carefully inspect the N7081A to make sure that it was not physically damaged during shipment. If
damaged, refer to “Contacting Keysight” on page 23.
3. Use the Contents List in the shipping container to verify the completeness of your shipment. If not
complete, refer to “Contacting Keysight” on page 23.
STEP 2. Meet Requirements
Before installing the N7081A, ensure the operating environment meets the requirements found in
“Environmental Information” on page 30, and the requirements for the DC power source shown below.
Some N7081A specifications and characteristics apply over the internal temperature range of 42°C to 48°C,
as indicated by the internal thermal sensor. For complete specifications, refer to the Data Sheet, available
online at: http://www.keysight.com/find/n7081asupport.
Requirements for the DC Power Source (Not Supplied)
Voltage:
6 VDC1
Power
Consumption:
24 W
1 Can operate from 6 to 18 VDC but higher voltages may increase power consumption and module
temperature.
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STEP 3. Install the Software
First time users need to install the N7081A software. In addition, they need to install Microsoft .NET Runtime
and the Matlab Compiler Runtime, if not already installed. See the following sections for instructions. It can
take up to 30 minutes to install and verify the software.
If a previous version of the N7081A software is installed on your computer, uninstall it before installing the
new version by clicking
Start
>
All Programs
>
Keysight N7081A Microwave Sensor API
>
Uninstall
.
N7081A Supported Operating Systems
•Windows 32-bit
•Windows 64-bit
•Linux
N7081A Supported Programming Languages
•C++ (all OS)
•C# (Windows 64-bit, Windows 32-bit)
•VB .NET (Windows 64-bit, Windows 32-bit)
•VB6 (Windows 64-bit, Windows 32-bit)
•MATLAB (Windows 64-bit, Windows 32-bit)
If Not Already Done, Install Microsoft .NET 3.5 Runtime
Microsoft .NET Runtime is normally installed on computers with the Windows 7 or Windows
8 operating system. To see if Microsoft .NET Runtime, version 3.5 or later, is already
installed, on the PC desktop click Start > Control Panel > Programs and Features.
1. If Microsoft .NET Runtime, version 3.5 or later, is already installed on your computer, go to the
Install the Matlab Compiler Runtime instructions later in this document. It is not necessary to
reinstall Microsoft .NET Runtime.
2. If Microsoft .NET Runtime, version 3.5 or later, is not already installed on your computer, navigate to
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=21.
9

3. In the Select Language box, use the drop-down menu to make a selection.
4. Click
Download
.
5. Click
No thanks and continue
.
6. Click
Run
.
7. Follow the prompts to complete the installation.
10

If Not Already Done, Install Matlab Compiler 8.0 Runtime
To see if Matlab Compiler Runtime, version 8.0 or later, is already installed, on the PC
desktop click Start > Control Panel > Programs and Features.
1. If Matlab Compiler Runtime, version 8.0 or later, is already installed on your computer, go to the
Install the N7081A software instructions on the next page of this document. It is not necessary to
reinstall Matlab Compiler Runtime.
2. If Matlab Compiler Runtime, version 8.0 or later, is NOT already installed on your computer,
navigate to http://www.keysight.com/find/n7081asupport and click
N7081A Software Download
.
3. Download and install the appropriate 32-bit or 64-bit Matlab Compiler Runtime software,
depending on your operating system.
4. At the prompt, click
Run
.
5. Follow the prompts to complete the installation. This may take 10 minutes or more.
11

Install the N7081A Software
1. Navigate to http://www.keysight.com/find/n7081asupport and click
N7081A Software Download.
2. Download and install the appropriate 32-bit or 64-bit N7081A Microwave Transceiver software,
depending on your operating system.
The following window is from N7081ASetup64.msi. If you are running N7081ASetup.msi,
some text in the window will be different.
3. At the prompt, click
Run
.
4. Follow the prompts to complete the installation.
12

STEP 4. Connect Power and Cables
If you have difficulties, refer to Troubleshooting at the end of this step.
1. Attach the 6 VDC power source (not supplied) to the
DC IN
port on the N7081A rear-panel. The DC
IN power jack has a 2 mm center pin and a 6.5 mm outer diameter. When the DC supply is
attached, the N7081A is ON immediately; there is no power switch. When ON, the lower left of four
LEDs shown in the photo above is continuously lit and the LEDs in the top row blink.
2. Make one of the following connections:
oAttach the supplied USB cable to the N7081A rear-panel and to a USB port on the remote
computer. The N7081A rear panel USB port has a USB Type-B mini connector.
If the Windows Plug and Play mechanism prompts you to install the USB driver, navigate to
the appropriate subdirectory under
C:\Program Files (x86)\Keysight\N7081A\CypressUsbDriver.
oAttach a LAN cable (not supplied) to the N7081A rear-panel and to a LAN port in your data
system.
Important LAN Notes
•The N7081A does NOT support DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol).
•The factory-assigned IP address is:
192.168.0.100
. This can be changed from the API or the
GUI. For more information, see
Connecting to the N7081A
in the Help file, available online
at: http://www.keysight.com/find/n7081asupport.
•The N7081A LAN port must be connected to a 1Gbit capable LAN port provided by a PC,
router, or switch. Networking hardware with a slower speed (for example, a 10/100 Mbit
network) will not function with the N7081A directly. However, this situation is
accommodated by connecting the N7081A to a 1Gbit switch and then connecting the 1GBit
switch to the slower 10/100Mbit network.
3.
Optional
: connect Digital I/O, and 10 MHz REF cables (not supplied). The Digital I/O port has an
HDMI Type-C mini connector and is used for triggering applications – for more information, refer to
the Help system, available online at: http://www.keysight.com/find/n7081asupport. The 10 MHz
REF ports have MCX connectors
4. To check USB functionality, on the PC desktop click
Start
>
All Programs
>
Keysight N7081A
Microwave Transceiver API
, and run the
N7081A Blink Application
. Refer to the following graphic.
13

oClick
Query Number Sensors
. The number returned should be 1 or greater, depending on
the number of transceivers you are using.
oClick
Connect and
Blink
.
If the green LEDs next to the N7081A front panel test ports blink for several seconds, this verifies that USB
communications are working properly. Proceed to Step 5.
If the LEDs do not blink, refer to the following section on Troubleshooting.
14

Troubleshooting
:
Scenario 1:
When you connect the USB cable between the N7081A and the remote computer, your
computer displays an error message such as “unknown device” or “the device driver software was not
successfully installed”, or you are unable to blink the lights in the Blink Application. Try any or all of the
following suggestions.
•
Suggestion 1:
Open a command window and run the command
set path
. A correct
response is shown in the following graphic:
If the response to your command does not match that shown in the graphic, try editing the
environmental variable for Path. To do so, click
Computer
>
System
Properties
>
Advanced
System
Settings
>
Environmental
Variables
. In the lower pane, scroll to
Path
, click
Edit
, and
enter the following variable value:
%N7081A_SENSOR_PATH%bin;%SystemRoot%\system32;%SystemRoot%;%SystemRoot%
\System32\Wbem;%SYSTEMROOT%\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\;C:\Program
Files\MATLAB\MATLAB Compiler Runtime\v80\runtime\win64
•
Suggestion 2:
Reinstall the Cypress USB driver.
oClick
Start
, right-click
Computer
, and click
Manage
.
oIn the left pane of the “Computer Management” window, click
Device Manager
.
oIf you see
IO Interface
, update its driver to the one provided.
oOtherwise, in the right pane, click the arrow next to
Universal Serial Bus
controllers
.
oIn the right pane, look to see if
N7081A Microwave Transceiver
or
Unknown Device
is listed. If you see
N7081A Microwave Transceiver,
the Cypress USB driver is
properly installed, so you can stop following the instructions in this suggestion. If
you see
Unknown Device
, click it, because the Cypress USB driver is not properly
installed.
15

oIn the “Unknown Device Properties” window, click the
Driver
tab, then click
Update
Driver…
.
16

oIn the “Update Driver Software – Unknown Device” window, click
Browse my
computer for driver software
.
oIn the “Update Driver Software – Unknown Device” window, click
Browse
, and
navigate to the appropriate subdirectory under C:\Program Files
(x86)\Keysight\N7081A\CypressUsbDriver. (If the CypressUsbDriver directory is
missing, repeat the step Install the N7081A Software.)
oClick
Next
.
17

oClick
Install the driver software anyway
and follow the prompts.
18

•
Suggestion 3:
Run the CyControl.exe tool to verify the Cypress USB driver installed
properly.
oNavigate to C:\Program Files (x86)\Keysight\N7081A\bin.
oRun CyControl.exe
oIf N7081A Microwave Transceiver appears at the top of the left pane in the “USB
Control Center” window (as shown in the following graphic), the driver is working
properly. (If missing, repeat the step Install the N7081A Software or Reinstall the
Cypress USB Driver.)
19

Scenario 2:
When you try to run the N7081A software, you get the following error message.
Suggestion:
Load the appropriate version of Matlab Compiler Runtime. For example, if you have a 64-bit
system, but want to run the N7081A 32-bit program WatsonGUI.exe, you must load the 32-bit version of
Matlab. Refer to Install the Matlab Compiler Runtime.
20