National Instruments PXI-5663 Manual

CALIBRATION PROCEDURE
NI PXI-5663
This document contains instructions for writing a manual calibration procedure for the
NI PXI-5663 (NI 5663) RF vector signal analyzer. For more information about calibration, visit
ni.com/calibration.
Contents
Software Requirements............................................................................................................. 1
Documentation Requirements .................................................................................................. 2
Calibration Interval................................................................................................................... 2
Test Equipment......................................................................................................................... 3
Test Conditions......................................................................................................................... 5
Calibration Procedures ............................................................................................................. 5
Initial Setup....................................................................................................................... 6
Test System Characterization ........................................................................................... 6
Power Splitter Reference Output.............................................................................. 6
Power Sensor Zero/Calibration ................................................................................ 6
RF Input Calibration................................................................................................. 6
As-Found and As-Left Limits........................................................................................... 9
Verification Procedures .................................................................................................... 9
Verifying Reference Accuracy ................................................................................. 9
Absolute Accuracy Verification ............................................................................... 9
Average Noise Level Verification............................................................................ 14
LO Output Power Verification ................................................................................. 17
Non-Input-Related Spurs (Residual Spurs) Verification.......................................... 19
Sideband Spurs Verification..................................................................................... 21
Phase Noise Verification .......................................................................................... 25
Appendix A: Non-Input-Related Spurs Test Frequencies........................................................ 28
Where to Go for Support .......................................................................................................... 32
Software Requirements
To calibrate the NI 5663, you must install NI-RFSA version 2.3 or later and the NI Spectral
Measurements Toolkit version 2.4 or later on the calibration system.
Note NI-RFSA version 2.1 does not include adjustment VIs.
You can download NI-RFSA from ni.com/updates.

2|ni.com |NI PXI-5663 Calibration Procedure
NI-RFSA supports programming the calibration procedures in LabVIEW, C, and
LabWindows™/CVI™. Refer to Table 1 for file locations.
For more information about calibration VIs and functions, install NI-RFSA and refer to the
NI RF Vector Signal Analyzers Help, accessible through Start»Programs»National
Instruments»NI RFSA»Documentation»NI RF Vector Signal Analyzers Help.
This calibration procedure calibrates the NI PXIe-5663 RF vector signal analyzer as a single
device. To calibrate the NI 5601 or NI 5652, refer to their calibration procedures at ni.com/
manuals.
Documentation Requirements
You might find the following documentation helpful as you write the calibration procedure:
•NI 5663 Specifications
•NI 5661/5663/5663E RF Vector Signal Analyzers Getting Started Guide
•NI RF Vector Signal Analyzers Help, which includes LabVIEW and LabWindows/CVI
application programming references
These documents are installed with NI-RFSA. You also can find the latest versions of these
documents at ni.com/manuals.
Calibration Interval
NI recommends that you perform a complete calibration for the NI 5663 at least once a year.
Adjust the recommended calibration interval based on the measurement accuracy demands
of your application.
Table 1. File Locations
File Name and Location Description
< IVI >\bin\niRFSA.dll NI-RFSA instrument driver containing the entire NI-RFSA
API, including calibration functions.
< LabVIEW >\instr.lib\
niRFSA\niRFSA.llb
LabVIEW VI library containing VIs for calling the
NI-RFSA calibration API. You can access calibration VIs
from the NI-RFSA calibration section of the LabVIEW
Functions palette.

NI PXI-5663 Calibration Procedure |© National Instruments |3
Test Equipment
NI recommends that you use the equipment in Table 2 to calibrate the NI 5601. If the
recommended equipment is not available, select a substitute using the minimum requirements
listed in the table.
Table 2. Required Equipment for NI 5663 Calibration
Equipment Recommended Model Minimum Requirements
Power meter Anritsu ML2438A Display resolution: <0.01 dB
Settling: <0.1%
Instrumentation accuracy: <0.5%
Noise: <0.5% full-scale (lowest range)
Zero set and drift: <0.5% full-scale
(lowest range)
Reference power uncertainty: <0.9%
Reference output VSWR: <1.04:1
Power sensor A
Power sensor B
Anritsu MA2473D or
equivalent
Input VSWR:
10 MHz to 50 MHz ................ <1.9 :1
50 MHz to 150 MHz .............. <1.17 :1
150 MHz to 2 GHz ................ <1.12 :1
2 GHz to 12.4 GHz ................ <1.22 :1
Linearity:
-55 dBm to 20 dBm ............... <1.8 %
Rise time: <4 µs
Calibration factor uncertainty:
50 MHz .................................. <1.48%
100 MHz ................................ <1.37%
300 MHz ................................ <1.42%
500 MHz ................................ <0.96%
1 MHz .................................... <0.99%
2 GHz ..................................... <1.04%
3 GHz ..................................... <1.05%
4 GHz ..................................... <1.64%
5 GHz ..................................... <1.39%
6 GHz ..................................... <1.45%
7 GHz ..................................... <1.26%
Signal generator
(RF source)
Anritsu MG3692B Frequency range: 10 MHz to 6.6 GHz
Power level: -60 dBm to 20 dBm
50 Ωterminator
(2 required)
NI 778353-01 —

4|ni.com |NI PXI-5663 Calibration Procedure
Optional:
Signal generator
(PN source)
Rhode & Schwarz
SMA100A-B22
Frequency range: 1 GHz
Power level: 0 dBm
Phase noise (1 GHz)
100 Hz .................................... -107 dBc/Hz
1 kHz ......................................-125 dBc/Hz
10 kHz ....................................-137 dBc/Hz
100 kHz ..................................-137 dBc/Hz
1 MHz.....................................-150 dBc/Hz
PXI Express
chassis
NI PXIe-1065 or
NI PXIe-1075
—
PXI Express
controller
NI PXIe-8105 —
SMA (m)-SMA (m)
semi-rigid cable*
NI 198775A-01 —
SMA (m)-SMA (m)
semi-rigid cable*
NI 198776A-01 —
SMA (m)-SMA (m)
semi-flexible cable*
NI 190412B-03 —
SMA (m)-SMA (f)
right angle adapter
Huber+Suhner
53-SMA-50-0-2/111_N
—
3.5 mm (m)-to-
3.5 mm (m) adapter
Huber+Suhner
32-PC35-50-0-2/199_NE
—
3.5 mm (f) power
splitter (2 resistor
type)
Aeroflex 1593 —
SMA (m)-to- SMA
(m) cable
(36 in.)
Huber+Suhner
ST-18/SMAm/SMAm/36
—
3.5 mm (m)-to-
3.5 mm (f) 30 dB
attenuator
Huber+Suhner
6630 SMA-50-1/199NE
—
N(m)-to-3.5 mm (f)
adapter
Huber+Suhner
33_N-SMA-50-1/
113_UE
—
*Included in the NI PXIe-5663 cable accessory kit.
Table 2. Required Equipment for NI 5663 Calibration (Continued)
Equipment Recommended Model Minimum Requirements

NI PXI-5663 Calibration Procedure |© National Instruments |5
Test Conditions
Follow these guidelines to optimize the connections and the environment during calibration:
• Maintain an ambient temperature of 23 °C ±5 °C.
• Keep the relative humidity between 10% and 90%, noncondensing.
• Ensure that the PXI/PXI Express chassis fan speed is set to HIGH, that the fan filters, if
present, are clean, and that the empty slots contain filler panels. For more information, refer
to the Maintain Forced-Air Cooling Note to Users document available at ni.com/
manuals.
• (Optional) Clean the chassis fan filters at least every six months. Some chassis include fan
filters. Depending on the amount of chassis use and the ambient dust levels, filters might
require more frequent cleaning. If regular maintenance of dirty or clogged filters is not
possible, you can remove the filters to maintain adequate cooling.
• Allow a warm-up time of at least 30 minutes after NI-RFSA is loaded and recognizes the
NI 5663. The warm-up time ensures that the measurement circuitry of the NI 5663 is at a
stable operating temperature.
• Use an SMA torque wrench (5 in. · lb, Agilent 8710-1582 or equivalent) to tighten any
connection with an SMA connector.
• Use a 3.5 mm torque wrench (8 in. · lb, Agilent 8710-1765 or equivalent) to tighten 3.5 mm
or 2.92 mm (K) connections without an SMA connector.
• Lock all test equipment to the same reference frequency. Refer to the NI 5663/5663E
Timing Configurations topic in the NI RF Vector Signal Analyzers Help.
Calibration Procedures
The calibration process includes the following procedures:
1. Initial Setup—Install the NI 5663 and configure it in Measurement & Automation Explorer
(MAX).
2. Test System Characterization—Characterize the response of the test system. Use the
measured response during the verification tests.
3. Verification Procedures—Measure the operation of the NI 5663. This procedure checks
whether the device is operating within its published specifications.
If the NI 5663 fails any of the verification tests, complete the following steps:
Note Complete the verification for all NI 5663 specifications where as-found data
is required before performing any module calibrations.
1. Module Calibration—Perform a calibration of the individual modules. Refer to the
following module calibration procedures at ni.com/manuals:
•NI PXI-5650/5651/5652 Calibration Procedure
•NI PXIe-5622 Calibration Procedure
•NI PXIe-5601 Calibration Procedure

6|ni.com |NI PXI-5663 Calibration Procedure
2. Reverification—Repeat the verification procedure for the NI 5663 to ensure that it is
operating within the device specifications after adjustment.
Initial Setup
Refer to the NI 5661/5663/5663E RF Vector Signal Analyzers Getting Started Guide for
information about how to install the NI-RFSA software and the NI 5663 hardware and how to
configure the NI 5663 in MAX.
Test System Characterization
These procedures characterize the test system response. Use the results of these procedures in
the Verification Procedures section of this document.
Measure the power splitter (and attenuation) response at the RF input frequencies used in the
verification tests.
Caution The connectors on the DUT and test equipment are fragile. Perform the
instructions in this procedure with great care to prevent damaging any DUTs or test
equipment.
Power Splitter Reference Output
Designate either of the two outputs of the power splitter as the reference output.
Power Sensor Zero/Calibration
1. Connect channel A of the power meter to power sensor A.
2. Connect channel B of the power meter to power sensor B.
3. Zero and calibrate the power sensors using the appropriate frequency for the calibration.
RF Input Calibration
This section describes how to calibrate the RF input you will use to verify the NI 5663.
Note Perform the power sensor zero/calibration prior to the step. The power splitter
reference output must have been defined prior to the step.
RF Input Calibration (Without Attenuator)
Use the results of this procedure in the Absolute Accuracy Verification, LO Output Power
Verification, Sideband Spurs Verification, and Phase Noise Verification tests.
1. Connect the power splitter input to the RF source output through the 3.5 mm-to-3.5 mm
cable.
2. Connect power sensor A to the previously designated reference output of the power splitter.

NI PXI-5663 Calibration Procedure |© National Instruments |7
3. Connect power sensor B to the other output of the power splitter. Figure 1 shows the
completed equipment setup.
Figure 1. RF Input Calibration (Without Attenuator) Equipment Setup
4. Measure the channel A and channel B power (using the appropriate frequency for the
power sensor) for all frequencies between 10 MHz and 7 GHz with the RF source power
set to 0 dBm.
Note Use the log frequency progression: 10, 20, 30, ..., 100, 200, 300, ...,
1,000 MHz, and so on.
5. Calculate the RF input calibration factor (dB) for each frequency using the following equation:
RF Input Calibration Factor = Channel B Power - Channel A Power
RF Input Calibration (with Attenuator)
Use the results of the RF Input Calibration (with Attenuator) procedure in the absolute accuracy
test.
1. Connect the power splitter input to the RF source output through the 3.5 mm-to-3.5 mm cable.
2. Connect power sensor A to the previously designated reference output of the power splitter.
1 RF Source
2 Power Splitter
3 Power Sensor A
4PowerMeter
5 Power Meter Channel A
6 Power Meter Channel B
7 Power Sensor B
1
3
4
7
25
6

8|ni.com |NI PXI-5663 Calibration Procedure
3. Connect power sensor B to the other output of the power splitter through the 30 dB
attenuator. Figure 2 shows the completed equipment setup.
Figure 2. RF Input Calibration (with Attenuator) Equipment Setup
4. Measure the channel A and channel B power (using the appropriate frequency for the
power sensor) for all frequencies between 10 MHz and 7 GHz with the RF source power
set to 0 dBm.
Note Use the log frequency progression: 10, 20, 30, ..., 100, 200, 300, ...,
1,000 MHz, and so on.
5. Calculate the RF input attenuated calibration factor (dB) for each frequency using the
following equation:
RF Input Attenuated Calibration Factor = Channel B Power - Channel A Power
1 RF Source
2 Power Splitter
3 Power Sensor A
4 Power Meter
5 Power Meter Channel A
6 Power Meter Channel B
7 Power Sensor B
8 30 dB Attenuator
3
4
7
5
6
8
2
1

NI PXI-5663 Calibration Procedure |© National Instruments |9
As-Found and As-Left Limits
The as-found limits are the published specifications for the NI 5663. NI uses these limits to
determine whether the NI 5663 meets the device specifications when it is received for
calibration.
The as-left limits are equal to the published NI specifications for the NI 5663, less guard bands
for temperature drift and drift over time. NI uses these limits to determine whether the NI 5663
meets the device specifications over its calibration interval.
Note Where there is no difference between an “As Found” and an “As Left” limit,
only a “Test Limit” is specified.
Verification Procedures
Verification tests the following NI 5663 specifications:
• Absolute accuracy
• Average noise level
• LO output power
• Non-input-related spurs (residual spurs)
• Sideband spurs
• Phase noise
Verification of the NI 5663 is complete only after you have successfully completed all tests in
this section.
Caution The connectors on the DUT and test equipment are fragile. Perform the
instructions in this procedure with great care to prevent damaging any DUTs or test
equipment.
Verifying Reference Accuracy
The NI 5663 reference accuracy specification is derived from the NI 5652 frequency accuracy.
For more information about NI PXI-5652 calibration values, refer to the NI PXI-5650/5651/5652
Calibration Procedure available at ni.com/manuals.
Absolute Accuracy Verification
Table 5 shows the test limits.
Reference Levels Less than -30 dBm
1. Connect the RF source to the power splitter input through the 3.5 mm-to-3.5 mm cable.
2. Connect the power splitter reference output to power sensor A.
3. Connect the other power splitter output to the NI 5601 RF IN connector through the 30 dB
attenuator and 3.5 mm (m)-to-3.5 mm (m) adapter.

10 |ni.com |NI PXI-5663 Calibration Procedure
4. Connect a 50 Ωterminator to the NI 5601 LO OUT connector. Figure 3 shows the
completed equipment setup.
Figure 3. Absolute Accuracy Equipment Setup
5. Create a new session for the NI 5663 using the niRFSA Initialize VI or the niRFSA_init
function.
6. Perform a self-calibration on the NI 5622 using the niRFSA Self Cal VI or the
niRFSA_SelfCal function.
7. Lock the NI PXI-5652 to the reference used by the test equipment. Use the niRFSA
Configure Ref Clock VI or the niRFSA_ConfigureRefClock function.
8. Set the NI 5663 to make a spectrum acquisition using the niRFSA Configure Acquisition
Type VI or the niRFSA_ConfigureAcquisitionType function.
1RFSource
2 Power Splitter
3 Power Sensor A
4 Power Meter
5 Power Meter Channel A
650ΩTerminator
7 30 dB Attenuator*
* Used for reference levels <-30 dBm.
1
ACCESS ACTIVE
CLK IN
CLK OUT
PFI 1
ESD
SENSITIVE
TTL
6.3 Vp-p
MAX
2 Vp-p
NOM
+20 dBm MAX
50 Ω
50 Ω
50 Ω
NI PXIe-5622
16-Bit IF Digitizer
IF IN
0 dBm NOM
RF IN
IF OUT
LO IN
LO OUT
10 MHz – 6.6 GHz
ACCESS ACTIVE
ALL PORTS
±5 VDC MAX
50 Ω
0 dBm NOM
+20 dBm MAX
+20 dBm MAX
+20 dBm MAX
[+30 dBm MAX
w/Attenuation]
RF Downconverter
NI PXIe- 5601
5
3
4
6
7
2