National Instruments PXIe-5693 User manual

PXIe-1075

GETTING STARTED GUIDE
NI PXIe-5693
RF Preselector Module
Note Before you begin, install and configure your chassis and controller.
This document explains how to install, configure, and test the NI PXIe-5693 (NI 5693). The
NI 5693 is an RF preselector module that adds preselection and preamplification capability to
a spectrum analyzer. The NI 5693 ships with the NI-RFSA instrument driver, which you use to
program the device.
To access NI 5693 documentation, navigate to Start»All Programs»National Instruments»
NI-RFSA»Documentation.
Caution The protection provided by this product may be impaired if it is used in a
manner not described in this document.
Hot Surface If the NI 5693 has been in use, it may exceed safe handling
temperatures and cause burns. Allow the NI 5693 to cool before removing it from
the chassis.
Contents
Electromagnetic Compatibility Guidelines...............................................................................2
Verifying the System Requirements......................................................................................... 2
Unpacking the Kit.....................................................................................................................2
Verifying the Kit Contents................................................................................................ 3
Preparing the Environment....................................................................................................... 3
Installing the Software.............................................................................................................. 4
Installing the NI 5693............................................................................................................... 4
Direct Connections to the NI 5693................................................................................... 5
NI 5693 Front Panel..........................................................................................................6
Configuring the NI 5693 in MAX............................................................................................ 8
Troubleshooting........................................................................................................................ 9
Why Is the ACCESS LED Off When the Chassis is On?.................................................9
What Should I Do if the NI 5693 Doesn't Appear in MAX?..........................................10
What Should I Do if the Module Fails the Self-Test?.....................................................10
Where to Go Next................................................................................................................... 11
Worldwide Support and Services............................................................................................11

Electromagnetic Compatibility Guidelines
This product was tested and complies with the regulatory requirements and limits for
electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) stated in the product specifications. These requirements
and limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference when the
product is operated in the intended operational electromagnetic environment.
This product is intended for use in industrial locations. However, harmful interference may
occur in some installations, when the product is connected to a peripheral device or test object,
or if the product is used in residential or commercial areas. To minimize interference with
radio and television reception and prevent unacceptable performance degradation, install and
use this product in strict accordance with the instructions in the product documentation.
Furthermore, any modifications to the product not expressly approved by National Instruments
could void your authority to operate it under your local regulatory rules.
Caution To ensure the specified EMC performance, operate this product only with
shielded cables and accessories.
Caution To ensure the specified EMC performance, the length of all I/O cables
must be no longer than 3 m (10 ft).
Verifying the System Requirements
To use the NI-RFSA instrument driver, your system must meet certain requirements.
For more information about minimum system requirements, recommended system, and
supported application development environments (ADEs), refer to the product readme, which
is available on the driver software media or online at ni.com/updates.
Unpacking the Kit
Caution To prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD) from damaging the device,
ground yourself using a grounding strap or by holding a grounded object, such as
your computer chassis.
1. Touch the antistatic package to a metal part of the computer chassis.
2. Remove the device from the package and inspect the device for loose components or any
other sign of damage.
Caution Never touch the exposed pins of connectors.
Notify NI if the device appears damaged in any way. Do not install a damaged device.
3. Unpack any other items and documentation from the kit.
Store the device in the antistatic package when the device is not in use.
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Verifying the Kit Contents
1234
6
578
1. NI 5693 RF Preselector Module
2. SMA Driver Bit, Part Number 190487A-01
3. Screwdriver, Part Number 772006-01
4. Plastic Cap (x4), Part Number 775067-01
5. Driver Software DVD
6. NI 5693 RF Preselector Module Getting Started
Guide (This Document)
7. Read Me First: Safety and Electromagnetic
Compatibility
8. Maintain Forced-Air Cooling Note to Users
Preparing the Environment
Ensure that the environment you are using the NI 5693 in meets the following specifications.
............................................................................Operating ambient temperature
(IEC-60068-2-1, IEC-60068-2-2)
0 °C to 55 °C
............................................................................Operating relative humidity
(IEC-60068-2-56)
10% to 90%, noncondensing
............................................................................Maximum altitude 2,000 m (800 mbar) (at 25 °C ambient
temperature)
............................................................................Pollution Degree 2
Indoor use only.
Caution Clean the hardware with a soft, nonmetallic brush. Make sure that the
hardware is completely dry and free from contaminants before returning it to
service.
Note Refer to the NI PXIe-5693 Specifications at ni.com/manuals for complete
specifications.
NI PXIe-5693 Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 3

Installing the Software
You must be an Administrator to install NI software on your computer.
1. Install an ADE, such as LabVIEW or LabWindows™/CVI™.
2. Insert the driver software media into your computer. The installer should open
automatically.
If the installation window does not appear, navigate to the drive, double-click it, and
double-click autorun.exe.
3. Follow the instructions in the installation prompts.
Note Windows users may see access and security messages during
installation. Accept the prompts to complete the installation.
4. When the installer completes, select Restart in the dialog box that prompts you to restart,
shut down, or restart later.
Installing the NI 5693
Caution To prevent damage to the device caused by ESD or contamination, handle
the device using the edges or the metal bracket.
1. Ensure the AC power source is connected to the chassis before installing the modules.
The AC power cord grounds the chassis and protects it from electrical damage while you
install the modules.
2. Power off the chassis.
3. Inspect the slot pins on the chassis backplane for any bends or damage prior to
installation. Do not install a module if the backplane is damaged.
4. Remove the black plastic connectors from all the captive screws on the module front
panel.
5. Identify a supported slot in the chassis. The following figure shows the symbols that
indicate the slot types.
Figure 1. Chassis Compatibility Symbols
NI PXIe-1062Q
12 3 4 5
1. PXI Express System Controller Slot
2. PXI Peripheral Slot
3. PXI Express Hybrid Peripheral Slot
4. PXI Express System Timing Slot
5. PXI Express Peripheral Slot
The NI 5693 module can be placed in PXI Express peripheral slots or PXI Express
Hybrid peripheral slots.
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6. Touch any metal part of the chassis to discharge static electricity.
7. Ensure that the ejector handle is in the unlatched (downward) position.
8. Place the module edges into the module guides at the top and bottom of the chassis. Slide
the device into the slot until it is fully inserted.
Figure 2. Module Installation
2
3
NI PXIe-1075
1
1. Chassis
2. Hardware Module
3. Ejector Handle in Down (Unlatched Position)
9. Latch the module in place by pulling up on the ejector handle.
10. Secure the device front panel to the chassis using the front-panel mounting screws.
Note Tightening the top and bottom mounting screws increases mechanical
stability and also electrically connects the front panel to the chassis, which can
improve the signal quality and electromagnetic performance.
11. Cover all empty slots using filler panels or slot blockers to maximize cooling air flow.
12. Power on the chassis.
Related Information
Installing the Software on page 4
Direct Connections to the NI 5693
The NI 5693 is a precision RF instrument that is sensitive to ESD and transients. Ensure you
take the following precautions when making direct connections to the NI 5693 to avoid
damaging the device.
NI PXIe-5693 Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 5

Caution Apply external signals only while the NI 5693 is powered on. Applying
external signals while the device is powered off may cause damage.
• Ensure you are properly grounded when manipulating cables or antennas connected to the
NI 5693 RF IN connector.
• If you are using noninsulated devices, such as a noninsulated RF antenna, ensure the
devices are maintained in a static-free environment.
• If you are using an active device, such as a preamplifier or switch routed to the NI 5693
RF IN connector, ensure that there are no signal transients greater than the RF and DC
specifications for the device that are being generated and sourced to the NI 5693 RF IN
connector.
NI 5693 Front Panel
The NI 5693 RF preselector module front panel contains four connectors and two LEDs.
Figure 3. NI 5693 RF Preselector Module Front Panel
NI PXIe-5693
Preselector
ACCESS ACTIVE
25 VDC MAX
RF
OUT
DC - 7 GHz
25 VDC MAX
RF
IN
DC - 7 GHz
+10 dBm MAX
25 VDC MAX
EXT
FILTER
IN
EXT
FILTER
OUT
ESD
SENSITIVE
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Table 1. Device Front Panel Icon Definitions
Refer to the user documentation for required maintenance measures to ensure user
safety and/or preserve the specified EMC performance.
The signal pins of this product's input/output ports can be damaged if subjected to
ESD. To prevent damage, turn off power to the product before connecting cables and
employ industry-standard ESD prevention measures during installation, maintenance,
and operation.
Table 2. NI 5693 RF Preselector Module Front Panel Connectors
Connector Use
RF IN Connects to the analog RF input signal to be measured by the NI 5693.
RF OUT Outputs the preselector processed RF signal.
EXT FILTER IN Connects to the custom external filter output connector.
Receives an external preselector filter signal in the 20 MHz to 3 GHz
frequency range.
EXT FILTER OUT Connects to the custom external filter input connector.
This connector is the output terminal for an external preselector filter in
the 20 MHz to 3 GHz frequency range.
NI PXIe-5693 Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 7

Table 3. NI 5693 RF Preselector Module Front Panel LEDs
LED Indications
ACCESS Indicates the basic hardware status of the module.
OFF—The module is not yet functional, or the module has detected a problem
with a power rail.
AMBER—The module is being accessed. Accessed means that the device setup
registers are being written to in order to control the device.
GREEN—The module is ready to be programmed by NI-RFSA.
ACTIVE Indicates the module state.
OFF—The module is in a quiescent state.
AMBER—The module is waiting for a Reconfiguration Trigger from the
configuration list.
GREEN—The module is triggered and is running a step from the configuration
list.
RED—The module has detected an error state. An error state may indicate the
module has exceeded approved operating temperature and thermal shutdown has
occurred or that the module has detected a power supply failure. If the power
supply fails, contact NI technical support.
Configuring the NI 5693 in MAX
Use Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) to configure your National Instruments
hardware. MAX informs other programs about which devices reside in the system and how
they are configured. MAX is automatically installed with NI-RFSA.
1. Launch MAX.
2. In the configuration tree, double-click Devices and Interfaces to see the list of installed
devices.
Note If you are using the NI 5693 with the LabVIEW Real-Time Module,
expand Remote Systems. Find your target IP address or name, expand it, and
then expand Devices and Interfaces.
Installed devices appear under the name of their associated chassis.
3. Expand your Chassis tree item.
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MAX lists all devices installed in the chassis. Your default device names may vary.
Note If you do not see your device listed, press <F5> to refresh the list of
installed devices. If the device is still not listed, power off the system, ensure
the device is correctly installed, and restart.
4. Record the device identifier MAX assigns to the hardware. Use this identifier when
programming the NI 5693.
5. To use the NI 5693 with the NI 5667 spectrum monitoring receiver, you must associate
the NI 5693 with the RF downconverter in MAX.
Note This step is not required if you are using the NI 5693 as a stand-alone
device.
a) Select the system device with the appropriate downconverter in the configuration
tree.
b) In the Associated Devices section, use the RF Conditioning drop-down listbox to
select the NI 5693.
c) Click Save in the MAX toolbar.
Note Module associations may be lost when you move the modules to
different chassis slots.
6. Self-test the device by selecting the device in the configuration tree and clicking Self-
Test in the MAX toolbar.
The MAX self-test performs a basic verification of hardware resources.
Related Information
Troubleshooting on page 9
If an issue persists after you complete a troubleshooting procedure, contact NI technical
support or visit ni.com/support.
Refer to the NI RF Vector Signal Analyzers Help for more information about renaming
devices.
Troubleshooting
If an issue persists after you complete a troubleshooting procedure, contact NI technical
support or visit ni.com/support.
Why Is the ACCESS LED Off When the Chassis is
On?
The LEDs may not light until the device has been configured in MAX. Before proceeding,
verify that the NI 5693 appears in MAX.
If the ACCESS LED fails to light after you power on the chassis, a problem may exist with the
chassis power rails, a hardware module, or the LED.
NI PXIe-5693 Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 9