National Instruments PXI-5660 User manual

December 2009
375483A
GETTING STARTED GUIDE
NI PXI-5660
This guide explains how to install, configure, test, and begin using an NI PXI-5660 radio frequency (RF)
vector signal analyzer, and introduces programming methods and examples. Refer to the 1. Verifying
System Requirements section for information about additional documents.
Contents
Conventions ......................................................................................................................................... 1
1. Verifying System Requirements ...................................................................................................... 2
2. Unpacking........................................................................................................................................ 2
3. Verifying Kit Contents..................................................................................................................... 3
Other Required Items................................................................................................................... 3
4. Installing the Software ..................................................................................................................... 5
5. Installing the NI 5660 ...................................................................................................................... 6
Installing the NI 5600 RF Downconverter Module ..................................................................... 6
Installing the NI 5620 IF Digitizer Module ................................................................................. 7
Installing PXI Modules................................................................................................................ 7
Uninstalling PXI Modules ........................................................................................................... 8
6. Interconnecting the NI 5660 Modules ............................................................................................. 8
Cooling Considerations................................................................................................................ 10
7. Configuring and Programming the NI 5660 .................................................................................... 10
Rename Both Modules................................................................................................................. 11
Acquiring Data Interactively ....................................................................................................... 11
Configuring Hardware Programmatically ................................................................................... 14
Introduction to the Spectral Measurements Toolkit .................................................................... 17
Appendix A: Hardware Front Panel Connectors and Indicators ......................................................... 17
NI 5600 RF Downconverter Module ........................................................................................... 18
NI 5620 IF Digitizer Module ....................................................................................................... 20
Appendix B: Troubleshooting ............................................................................................................. 21
Installation ................................................................................................................................... 21
Configuration ............................................................................................................................... 23
Measurements .............................................................................................................................. 24
Technical Support and Professional Services...................................................................................... 24
Conventions
The following conventions are used in this manual:
»The »symbol leads you through nested menu items and dialog box options to a final action.
The sequence File»Page Setup»Options directs you to pull down the File menu, select the
Page Setup item, and select Options from the last dialog box.
This icon denotes a tip, which alerts you to advisory information.
This icon denotes a note, which alerts you to important information.

NI PXI-5660 Getting Started Guide 2 ni.com
This icon denotes a caution, which advises you of precautions to take to avoid injury, data loss,
or a system crash. When this symbol is marked on a product, refer to the Read Me First: Safety
and Electromagnetic Compatibility for information about precautions to take.
When symbol is marked on a product, it denotes a warning advising you to take precautions
to avoid electrical shock.
When symbol is marked on a product, it denotes a component that may be hot. Touching this
component may result in bodily injury.
bold Bold text denotes items that you must select or click in the software, such as menu items and
dialog box options. Bold text also denotes parameter names.
italic Italic text denotes variables, emphasis, a cross-reference, or an introduction to a key concept.
Italic text also denotes text that is a placeholder for a word or value that you must supply.
monospace Text in this font denotes text or characters that you should enter from the keyboard, sections
of code, programming examples, and syntax examples. This font is also used for the proper
names of disk drives, paths, directories, programs, subprograms, subroutines, device names,
functions, operations, variables, filenames, and extensions.
monospace Italic text in this font denotes text that is a placeholder for a word or value that you must
italic supply.
Platform Text in this font denotes a specific platform and indicates that the text following it
applies only to that platform.
1. Verifying System Requirements
Your system must meet certain requirements to use NI RF vector signal analyzers. For more information
about minimum system, recommended system, and supported application development environments
(ADEs), refer to the NI RF Signal Analyzers Readme, which is available with the NI-RFSA software.
Note After you install NI-RFSA, you can access the NI RF Signal Analyzers Readme at Start»
All Programs»National Instruments»NI-RFSA»Documentation or online at ni.com/
downloads.
2. Unpacking
RF vector signal analyzer hardware modules ship in antistatic packages to prevent damage from
electrostatic discharge (ESD). Because ESD can damage several components of the hardware modules,
store all modules in the antistatic envelopes when not in use.
Caution Never touch exposed connector pins.
To avoid damage when handling the RF vector signal analyzer hardware modules, take the following
precautions:
• Ground yourself using a grounding strap or by touching a grounded object.
• Touch the antistatic package to a metal part of your computer chassis before removing the hardware
module from the package.
Remove each hardware module from the package and inspect it for loose components or any signs of
damage. Notify NI if any hardware module appears damaged in any way. Do not install a damaged
module into your system.

©National Instruments Corporation 3 NI PXI-5660 Getting Started Guide
3. Verifying Kit Contents
You need the following items to set up and use the RF vector signal analyzer. Listboxes represent
physical kit items.
❑Driver software disc—Installs the NI-RFSA and ni5660 instrument driver software and electronic
documentation, including the following documents:
–NI RF Signal Analyzers Readme—This HTML document includes information about the
minimal and recommended system requirements, new features, installed file locations, and
uninstalling/modifying the NI-RFSA instrument driver software.
–NI PXI-5660 Help—Use this online help file, located at Start»All Programs»
National Instruments»NI-RFSA»Documentation, to learn how to operate NI 5660 RF
vector signal analyzers.
–NI High-Speed Digitizers Help—Use this online help document, located at Start»All
Programs»National Instruments»NI-SCOPE»Documentation, to learn more information
about the IF digitizer module included as part of your RF vector signal analyzer.
–NI-Tuner Help—Use this online help document, located in the Program Files»National
Instruments»<LabVIEW>»Help directory, for full access to the functionality of the
instrument drivers for the RF downconverter and IF digitizer modules.
❑NI Spectral Measurement Toolkit CD—Installs the Spectral Measurements Toolkit (SMT)
software components, which includes SMT VIs and functions, examples, and documentation.
❑1/8 in. combination Phillips/flathead screwdriver
❑The following printed documentation:
–NI 5660 Getting Started Guide (this document)
– Specifications documents for your device
–Read Me First: Safety and Electromagnetic Compatibility
–Maintain Forced-Air Cooling Note to Users
❑Two hardware modules:
– NI 5600 RF downconverter module
– NI 5620 IF digitizer module
❑Short cables for interconnecting modules
– One short, semi-rigid SMA-to-SMA coaxial cable
– One long, semi-rigid SMA-to-SMA coaxial cable
– One semi-flexible SMA-to-SMA coaxial cable
❑Plastic collars (cable wrenches) for gripping the coaxial cable hex connectors
Other Required Items
❑One of the following configurations:
–(PXI system) A PXI chassis, PXI embedded or MXI controller system that meets the system
requirements specified in this guide, and chassis documentation.
–(PXI Express system) A PXI Express chassis, PXI Express embedded or MXI Express
controller, and chassis documentation.
❑A 1 N · m standard SMA torque wrench (part number 187106-01), for use with included SMA
driver bit

NI PXI-5660 Getting Started Guide 4 ni.com
Figure 1. NI 5660 Kit Contents and Replacement Part Numbers
4. Installing the Software
Complete the following steps to install the components of the instrument driver software. You must
install all of the included software before installing any RF vector signal analyzer hardware.
1. Install an application development environment (ADE) such as LabVIEW, LabWindows™/CVI™,
or a third-party program according to its instructions. Any development environment you intend to
use must be installed before you install the driver software and the Spectral Measurements Toolkit.
1 NI PXI-1042 or NI PXI-1045 Chassis (not included)
2 NI 5600 RF Downconverter Module
3 NI 5620 IF Digitizer Module
4 Short, Semi-Rigid SMA-to-SMA Cable, 763480-01
5 Long, Semi-Rigid SMA-to-SMA Cable, 763481-01
6 Semi-Flexible SMA-to-SMA Cable, 763488-01
7 Cable Wrenches (2), 746016-01
8 Screwdriver, 772006-01
4 5 6
1
NI PXI-1042
87
2
NI 5600
POWER
STATUS
RFDOWNCONVERTER
+20dBm MAX
+30dBm MAX
WITHATTN
3

©National Instruments Corporation 5 NI PXI-5660 Getting Started Guide
2. Insert the NI-RFSA disc into the appropriate drive and follow the instructions in the installation
window. You can choose to install NI-RFSA 2.1 (NI PXI-5661 and NI PXIe-5663) and/or
NI PXI-5660 Support.
(Windows Vista) Users may see access and security messages during installation. Accept the
prompts to complete the installation.
Note If the installation window. does not appear, navigate to the appropriate disk drive, and
double-click setup.exe.
3. If you are using a system running the LabVIEW Real-Time Module, download NI-RFSA to the
target using Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX). Refer to the MAX Remote Systems Help
by selecting Help»Help Topics»Remote Systems in MAX for more information about using
MAX remote systems.
4. When installation completes, remove the driver software disc.
Note You must install the driver software before installing the Spectral Measurements Toolkit.
5. Insert the Spectral Measurements Toolkit CD.
6. Install the Spectral Measurements Toolkit for the ADE you intend to use. Follow instructions in the
installation window.
7. When the installation completes, remove the Spectral Measurements Toolkit CD.
Note For full functionality, you must install the Spectral Measurements Toolkit packaged with the
RF vector signal analyzer. The Spectral Measurements Toolkit extends the capability of the RF vector
signal analyzer to include frequency- and modulation-domain measurements and analysis of
analog-modulated IF signals.
8. Install any additional software that you intend to use with the RF vector signal analyzer after
installing the driver software and the Spectral Measurements Toolkit.
Note If toolkits or other software that you intend to use with the RF device were installed before
you installed the driver software, repeat or repair those installations after installing the driver
software and the Spectral Measurements Toolkit.
Note The Spectral Measurements Toolkit includes examples for analog modulation and
demodulation. The Modulation Toolkit includes digital modulation and demodulation measurement
functions. Both toolkits may be included in your RF vector signal analyzer shipping kit. You can also
purchase and install the NI Modulation Toolkit at ni.com. Install NI PXI-5660 Support and the
Spectral Measurements Toolkit before installing the Modulation Toolkit.
5. Installing the NI 5660
The NI 5660 modules are available in the PXI form factor. Installation of the NI 5660 RF vector signal
analyzer hardware modules requires four vacant PXI (or hybrid) slots—three slots for the NI 5600 RF
downconverter module and one slot for the NI 5620 IF digitizer module. The NI 5620 must be installed
in the slot immediately to the right of the NI 5600 to allow for the use of the included coaxial cables.
Note You must install NI PXI-5660 Support before installing the hardware.
Installing the NI 5600 RF Downconverter Module
To install the NI 5600 module, complete steps 1 through 10 in the Installing PXI Modules section.
Note The NI 5600 onboard frequency reference can drive the PXI backplane clock only if the
RF downconverter module is installed in PXI Slot 2. When the NI 5600 is installed in PXI Slot 2, you
can configure it to lock the PXI backplane clock to the highly accurate and stable NI 5600 onboard

NI PXI-5660 Getting Started Guide 6 ni.com
oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO). You can also lock the NI 5600 to an external frequency
reference clock signal and drive this reference to the backplane. To use an external frequency
reference, you must connect this signal to the FREQ REF IN connector on the NI 5600 module front
panel.
Installing the NI 5620 IF Digitizer Module
To install the NI 5620 module, complete steps 2 through 11 in the Installing PXI Modules section.
Installing PXI Modules
NI PXI modules are sensitive instruments that should be handled carefully. Do not expose the module
to temperatures or humidity beyond the rated maximums.
Note For information about the rated maximums, refer to your device specifications document,
located at Start»All Programs»National Instruments»NI-RFSA»Documentation»
Specifications.
Keep the module free of dust by cleaning only with compressed air. Do not clean the device with any
solvents or liquids.
To prevent damage to the device caused by ESD or contamination, handle the device using the edges or
the metal bracket. For more information about the radio-frequency interference characteristics of your
hardware, refer to the Read Me First: Safety and Electromagnetic Compatibility document.
Caution You must power off and unplug the chassis before installing the device.
You can install PXI modules in any PXI slot marked with a peripheral slot compatibility
glyph (a circle containing the slot number).
You also can install PXI modules in any PXI hybrid slot marked with a peripheral slot
compatibility glyph (the letter “H” and a solid circle containing the slot number).
Install a PXI module by completing the following steps:
1. Power off and unplug your PXI chassis.
2. If the chassis has multiple fan speed settings, ensure that the fans are at the highest setting. Do not
set the fan speed to low or turn the fan off.
3. Position the chassis so that you allow ample space between the chassis fan intake and exhaust vents.
Blockage by walls or obstructions affects the air flow needed for cooling. Refer to the chassis
documentation for more information about cooling.
4. Make sure the ejector handle is in the unlatched (downward) position.
5. Remove the rubber screw covers from the captive screws in the module front panel.
6. Holding the module by the ejector handle, slide it into an available PXI (or hybrid) slot, as shown
in Figure 2. Ensure that the base card (the card on the left when looking at the front of the module)
engages with card guides in the chassis.
7. Slide the module completely into the chassis and latch by pulling up on the ejector handle.
8. Tighten the screws in the module front panel. Performance may suffer if the screws are not
tightened properly.
9. Verify that the PXI chassis fans are operable and free of dust and other contaminants that may
restrict airflow.
3
7
H

©National Instruments Corporation 7 NI PXI-5660 Getting Started Guide
10. Install all chassis covers and filler panels after installing the RF vector signal analyzer hardware
modules. Missing filler panels disrupt necessary air circulation in the chassis.
Note NI recommends installing slot blockers in adjacent vacant PXI slots to maximize cooling air
flow to the RF vector signal analyzer hardware modules. The PXI Chassis Slot Blocker Kit (part
number 778678-01) is available for purchase at ni.com.
11. Plug in and power on the PXI chassis.
Figure 2 shows the correct installation of a PXI module into a compatible chassis slot.
Figure 2. PXI Module Installation
Uninstalling PXI Modules
Power off the chassis prior to removing PXI modules. When removing PXI modules from the chassis,
ensure that you are grounded with a grounding strap or are touching a grounded metal surface. To avoid
ESD, do not touch the exposed connector pins or any exposed circuitry on the device. When not in use,
PXI devices should be stored in the original antistatic envelope to avoid damage.
Hot Surface During operation, the metal surfaces of PXI devices may become hot. Be careful when
removing the device from the chassis or when moving it to a different peripheral slot. When removing
the device, hold it by only the ejector handle and front panel.
6. Interconnecting the NI 5660 Modules
The NI 5600 and NI 5620 interconnect through the module front panels. Complete steps 1 through 6
to interconnect the RF vector signal analyzer hardware module front panel connectors, as shown in
Figure 3.
1 PXI Chassis
2 Ejector Handle Unlatched
3 Captive Screws with Rubber Screw Covers Removed
4 NI PXI Module
3
2
4
NI PXI-1042
1

NI PXI-5660 Getting Started Guide 8 ni.com
Figure 3. Interconnection of Devices with Included NI 5660 Cables
Note The published specifications document for your NI 5660 RF vector signal analyzer assumes
use of the included cables. Substituting different cables may affect performance.
1. Using the short semi-rigid coaxial cable, connect the OUTPUT connector on the NI 5600 RF
downconverter front panel to the INPUT connector on the NI 5620 IF digitizer front panel.
Note The semi-rigid cables must be installed so the bends point upwards, as shown in Figure 3.
2. Using the long semi-rigid coaxial cable, connect the lower of the two 10 MHz OUT connectors on
the NI 5600 front panel to the REF CLK IN connector on the NI 5620 front panel.
Note The NI 5600 onboard frequency reference can drive the PXI backplane clock only if the
RF downconverter module is installed in PXI Slot 2. When the NI 5600 is installed in PXI Slot 2, you
can configure it to lock the PXI backplane clock to the highly accurate and stable NI 5600 onboard
oven-controlled crystal oscillator (OCXO). You can also lock the NI 5600 to an external frequency
FREQ. REF IN
50 Ω
+16 dBm MAX
±5V DC MAX
10 MHz OUT
1 V pp 50 Ω
PXI 10 MHz I/O
50 Ω
+23 dBm MAX
± 5 V DC MAX INPUT
50 Ω
0 V DC MAX
50 Ω
+16 dBm MAX
50 Ω
+20 dBm MAX
OUTPUT
50 Ω
5 MHz - 25 MHz
INPUT
REF CLK IN
PFI 1
NI 5600 NI 5620
64 MS/s Digitizer
POWER
STATUS
RF DOWNCONVERTER
+20 dBm MAX
+30 dBm MAX
WITH ATTN

©National Instruments Corporation 9 NI PXI-5660 Getting Started Guide
reference clock signal and drive this reference to the backplane. To use an external frequency
reference, you must connect this signal to the FREQ REF IN connector on the NI 5600 module front
panel.
3. (Optional) Using the semi-flexible coaxial cable, connect the bidirectional PXI 10 MHz I/O
connector on the NI 5600 front panel to the upper 10 MHz OUT connector on the NI 5600 front
panel.
Caution Incorrect torque at SMA connections can degrade signal fidelity, phase-locked loop (PLL)
performance, and insertion loss. Use an SMA torque wrench to ensure all SMA connections are
properly torqued to 1 N · m.
4. Carefully tighten all SMA connectors to 1 N · m using an SMA torque wrench (not included), as
shown in Figure 3. Tighten only until the wrench clicks.
5. Plug in and power on your PXI chassis and controller system.
6. Verify that the POWER LED on the NI 5600 RF downconverter module is illuminated. If the LED
is not illuminated, refer to Appendix B: Troubleshooting.
You have completed installation of your NI 5660 RF vector signal analyzer.
Cooling Considerations
When installing a PXI module, follow the guidelines in the Maintain Forced-Air Cooling Note to Users
document included in the kit to ensure that the device is cooled effectively.
Caution Inadequate air circulation could cause the temperature inside the chassis to rise above the
optimal operating temperature for the RF vector signal analyzer hardware modules, potentially
causing thermal shutdown, shorter life spans, or improper performance.
7. Configuring and Programming the NI 5660
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 the driver software.
To use MAX to configure, self-test, and functionally test the NI 5660 RF vector signal analyzer
hardware modules, complete the following steps:
1. Launch MAX by navigating to Start»All Programs»National Instruments»Measurement &
Automation or by clicking the MAX desktop icon.
2. In the Configuration pane, double-click Devices and Interfaces to see the list of installed devices.
3. Expand the Traditional NI-DAQ (Legacy) Devices folder. You will see a list of installed devices
that includes the NI 5600 and NI 5620 modules (your default device names may vary).
Note If you do not see the NI 5600 and NI 5620 modules listed, refer to Appendix B:
Troubleshooting.
4. Note the device numbers assigned to your RF vector signal analyzer hardware modules by MAX.
These numbers are used when programming the RF vector signal analyzer.
Complete steps 5 through 11 to self-test both modules.
5. Right-click NI PXI-5600 and select Properties.
6. The Configuring Device dialog box appears. Click Test Resources to self-test the NI 5600 RF
downconverter hardware module. The MAX self-test performs a basic verification of hardware
resources.

NI PXI-5660 Getting Started Guide 10 ni.com
7. The NI-DAQ Configuration Utility dialog box appears to confirm your self-test. Click OK to return
to the Configuring Device dialog box.
Note If the NI 5600 RF downconverter module fails the self-test, refer to Appendix B:
Troubleshooting.
8. In the NI 5600 Configuring Devices dialog box, click OK to return to MAX.
9. Right-click NI PXI-5620 and select Properties.
10. The Configuring Device dialog box appears. Click Test Resources to self-test the NI 5620 IF
digitizer hardware module.
11. The NI-DAQ Configuration Utility dialog box appears. Click OK to return to the Configuring
Device dialog box and continue with the NI 5620 test panel.
Note If the NI 5620 IF digitizer module fails the self-test, refer to Appendix B: Troubleshooting.
You have completed setup, configuration, and testing of the NI 5660 RF vector signal analyzer.
Rename Both Modules
MAX allows you to rename both NI 5660 hardware modules. The MAX name is used in software to
operate the NI 5660 hardware resources. You are not required to change the module names from the
default names assigned by MAX, but doing so can make your program more readable. If you do not wish
to rename the modules, proceed to the Acquiring Data Interactively section.
To rename both NI 5660 hardware modules, complete steps 1 through 7.
1. Right-click NI PXI-5600 and select Rename from the shortcut menu.
2. Enter the new name for the NI 5600 module.
Note The device name must consist only of alphanumeric and underscore characters.
3. Click OK.
4. Right-click NI PXI-5620 and select Rename from the shortcut menu.
5. Enter the new name for the NI 5620 module.
6. Click OK.
7. Verify that the new names for both modules are displayed before proceeding to the next section.
Acquiring Data Interactively
To interactively acquire data and perform measurements with the RF vector signal analyzer, use the
included RFSA Demo Panel. The RFSA Demo Panel is accessible from within MAX at Tools»
Soft Front Panels»NI5660 - RFSA Demo Panel and from the Start menu at Start»All Programs»
National Instruments»NI-RFSA»5660 Demo Panel.
Tip If an external signal source is not available, the signal from the 10 MHz OUT connector on the
NI 5600 RF downconverter module front panel can be used as a source to verify proper RF vector
signal analyzer installation and as a live signal for the RFSA Demo Panel. To use this signal, connect
the 10 MHz OUT connector of the NI 5600 module to the INPUT connector on the NI 5600 RF
downconverter module front panel.
The RFSA Demo Panel (shown in Figure 4) provides a convenient software interface with which
you can operate the RF vector signal analyzer hardware to perform common frequency-domain and
I/Q measurements.
Tip Press <Ctrl-H> to view context-sensitive help for all RFSA Demo Panel controls and indicators.