National Instruments NI 6.6 GHz MIMO User manual

GETTING STARTED GUIDE
NI 6.6 GHz MIMO Platform
This document describes the proper slot placement and module connections needed for a
phase-coherent MIMO system with the National Instruments 6.6 GHz MIMO platform,
namely the NI PXIe-5663E and NI PXIe-5673E. This document also describes how to
correctly configure the devices in NI Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) and how
to associate the modules.
Contents
Devices Used in the NI 6.6 GHz MIMO Platform...................................................................1
Installing the Modules...............................................................................................................2
Installing the NI 5673E Master.........................................................................................3
Installing the NI 5673E Slaves..........................................................................................4
Installing the NI 5663E Master.........................................................................................5
Installing the NI 5663E Slaves..........................................................................................6
Interconnecting the Modules.....................................................................................................7
Interconnecting the NI 5673E Master...............................................................................7
Interconnecting the NI 5673E Slaves................................................................................8
Interconnecting the NI 5663E Master.............................................................................10
Interconnecting the NI 5663E Slaves..............................................................................11
Completing the Setup..............................................................................................................12
Configuring the Devices in MAX...........................................................................................13
Configuring the NI 5673E Master..................................................................................13
Configuring the NI 5673E Slaves...................................................................................15
Configuring the NI 5663E Master..................................................................................16
Configuring the NI 5663E Slaves...................................................................................18
Locating Additional Documentation.......................................................................................19
Worldwide Support and Services............................................................................................20
Devices Used in the NI 6.6 GHz MIMO Platform
The NI 6.6 GHz MIMO platform is made up of the NI PXIe-5663E and the NI PXIe-5673E.
The NI PXIe-5663E is composed of the following modules:
• NI PXIe-5601 RF downconverter
• NI PXIe-5652 LO source module
• NI PXIe-5622 IF digitizer

The NI PXIe-5673E is composed of the following modules:
• NI PXIe-5611 I/Q modulator
• NI PXIe-5652 LO source module
• NI PXIe-5450 arbitrary waveform generator (AWG)
Note This MIMO system includes additional NI 5601, NI 5622, NI 5611, and
NI 5450 modules. The number of additional modules depends on the number of
MIMO channels.
Preconfigured NI MIMO test systems that include all these modules, a chassis, controller,
software, and accessories are available for purchase at ni.com/mimo.
Installing the Modules
The NI 6.6 GHz MIMO test system setup requires you to install a master NI 5673E, additional
NI 5673E slave devices, a master NI 5663E, and additional NI 5663E slave devices in your
PXI Express chassis. The following figure shows one possible setup, containing four NI
5663E devices and two NI 5673E devices.
Figure 1. NI 6.6 GHz MIMO Platform
50 Ω
IN:
5 Vp-p
MAX
OUT:
1 Vp-p
NI PXIe-5652
500 kHz - 6.6 GHz
REF IN/OUT
RF OUT
REF
OUT2
50 Ω
1 Vp-p
50 Ω
0.5 W
MAX
Reverse
Power
RF Signal Generator
ACCESS ACTIVE
181716151312111098765432
NI PXIe-1075
1
HHHH
14
H H H H
21 2 2
50 Ω
IN:
5 Vp-p
MAX
OUT:
1 Vp-p
NI PXIe-5652
500 kHz - 6.6 GHz
REF IN/OUT
RF OUT
REF
OUT2
50 Ω
1 Vp-p
50 Ω
0.5 W
MAX
Reverse
Power
RF Signal Generator
ACCESS ACTIVE
3 4
Ω
Ω
Ω
Ω Ω
Ω
Ω Ω
Ω
Ω
Ω Ω
Ω
Ω
Ω
Ω
1. Master NI 5663E
2. Slave NI 5663E
3. Slave NI 5673E
4. Master NI 5673E
Note The following installation instructions use semi-rigid cables when making
some module connections. The semi-rigid cables restrict slot placement because they
require you to place certain modules next to each other in the chassis. The
2 | NI 6.6 GHz MIMO Platform Getting Started Guide | ni.com

instructions in this document ensure that you install the modules in the correct
locations.
Installing the NI 5673E Master
The master NI 5673E is the RF vector signal generator that receives the LO signal directly
from the NI 5652 module.
Tip Install the master NI 5673E modules in the chassis with enough room to install
the slave NI 5673E devices to the left of the master device.
1. Install the NI 5652 LO source module in any available PXI Express (or hybrid) slot with
at least three empty slots to the left.
2. Install the NI 5611 I/Q modulator module and the NI 5450 AWG module in the locations
shown in the following figure.
NI 6.6 GHz MIMO Platform Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 3

Figure 2. Completed NI 5673E Module Placement
50 Ω
IN:
5 Vp-p
MAX
OUT:
1 Vp-p
NI PXIe-5652
500 kHz - 6.6 GHz
REF IN/OUT
RF OUT
REF
OUT2
50 Ω
1 Vp-p
50 Ω
0.5 W
MAX
Reverse
Power
RF Signal Generator
ACCESS ACTIVE
1
2
3
1. NI 5450
2. NI 5611
3. NI 5652
Related Information
Interconnecting the NI 5673E Master on page 7
Installing the NI 5673E Slaves
Slave NI 5673E devices, which consist of NI 5450 and NI 5611 modules, are the additional
generation channels that receive daisy-chained LO and digital-to-analog converter (DAC)
Sample Clock signals.
1. Install the slave NI 5611 module immediately to the left of the master NI 5450 module.
2. Install the slave NI 5450 module immediately to the left of the slave NI 5611 module.
3. Install any additional slave NI 5673E devices immediately to the left of the preceding
slave device, alternating NI 5611 and NI 5450 modules as shown in the following figure.
4 | NI 6.6 GHz MIMO Platform Getting Started Guide | ni.com

Figure 3. NI 5673E Slave Configuration
181716151312111098765432
NI PXIe-1075
1
HHHH
14
H H H H
1222
50 Ω
IN:
5 Vp-p
MAX
OUT:
1 Vp-p
NI PXIe-5652
500 kHz - 6.6 GHz
REF IN/OUT
RF OUT
REF
OUT2
50 Ω
1 Vp-p
50 Ω
0.5 W
MAX
Reverse
Power
RF Signal Generator
ACCESS ACTIVE
1. Master NI 5673E
2. Slave NI 5673E
Related Information
Interconnecting the NI 5673E Slaves on page 8
Installing the NI 5663E Master
The master NI 5663E is the RF signal analyzer that receives the LO signal directly from the
NI 5652 module.
Tip Install the master NI 5663E modules in the chassis with enough room to install
the slave NI 5663E devices to the right of the master device.
1. Install the NI 5652 LO source module in any available PXI Express (or hybrid) slot with
at least two empty slots to the right.
2. Install the NI 5601 RF downconverter module and the NI 5622 IF digitizer module in the
locations shown in the following figure.
NI 6.6 GHz MIMO Platform Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 5

Figure 4. Completed NI 5663E Module Placement
ACCESS ACCESS
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
50 Ω
IN:
5 Vp-p
MAX
OUT:
1 Vp-p
NI PXIe-5652
500 kHz - 6.6 GHz
REF IN/OUT
RF OUT
REF
OUT2
50 Ω
1 Vp-p
50 Ω
0.5 W
MAX
Reverse
Power
RF Signal Generator
ACCESS ACTIVE
3
1
2
1. NI 5652
2. NI 5601
3. NI 5622
Related Information
Interconnecting the NI 5663E Master on page 10
Installing the NI 5663E Slaves
Slave NI 5663E devices, which consist of NI 5601 and NI 5622 modules, are the additional
analyzer channels that receive daisy-chained LO and analog-to-digital converter (ADC)
Sample Clock signals.
1. Install the slave NI 5601 module immediately to the right of the master NI 5622 module.
2. Install the slave NI 5622 module immediately to the right of the slave NI 5601 module.
3. Install any additional slave NI 5663E devices immediately to the right of the preceding
slave device, alternating NI 5601 and NI 5622 modules as shown in the following figure.
6 | NI 6.6 GHz MIMO Platform Getting Started Guide | ni.com

Figure 5. NI 5663E Slave Configuration
1817161513121098765432
NI PXIe-1075
1
HHHH
14
H H H H
21
50 Ω
IN:
5 Vp-p
MAX
OUT:
1 Vp-p
NI PXIe-5652
500 kHz - 6.6 GHz
REF IN/OUT
RF OUT
REF
OUT2
50 Ω
1 Vp-p
50 Ω
0.5 W
MAX
Reverse
Power
RF Signal Generator
ACCESS ACTIVE
Ω
Ω
Ω
Ω
Ω
Ω
Ω
Ω
Ω
Ω
Ω
Ω
2 2
11
Ω
Ω
Ω
Ω
1. Master NI 5663E
2. Slave NI 5663E
Related Information
Interconnecting the NI 5663E Slaves on page 11
Interconnecting the Modules
After placing the modules in the chassis, complete the following steps to connect the proper
cables to the proper module terminals.
Interconnecting the NI 5673E Master
1. Using the four semi-rigid cables labeled A, connect the I+, I–, Q+, and Q– terminals of
the NI 5450 and the NI 5611.
These cables are phase-matched and connect the baseband I/Q signals from the NI 5450
to the NI 5611.
2. Using the semi-rigid cable labeled B, connect the RF OUT terminal of the NI 5652 to the
LO IN terminal of the NI 5611.
This cable connects the LO signal from the NI 5652 to the NI 5611.
3. Using the flexible SMA-to-SMA cable, connect the REF OUT2 terminal of the NI 5652
to the CLK IN terminal of the NI 5450.
NI 6.6 GHz MIMO Platform Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 7

This cable passes the 10 MHz Reference Clock signal of the NI 5652 to the NI 5450 so
that the NI 5450 can synthesize its DAC Sample Clock from a common timebase, such as
the NI 5652.
Figure 6. Completed NI 5673E Cable Connections
50 Ω
IN:
5 Vp-p
MAX
OUT:
1 Vp-p
NI PXIe-5652
500 kHz - 6.6 GHz
REF IN/OUT
RF OUT
REF
OUT2
50 Ω
1 Vp-p
50 Ω
0.5 W
MAX
Reverse
Power
RF Signal Generator
ACCESS ACTIVE
A
A
A
A
A
B
B
A
A
A
1
2
3
1. Flexible SMA-SMA Cable
2. Semi-Rigid Cables (Labeled A)
3. Semi-Rigid Cables (Labeled B)
Related Information
Configuring the NI 5673E Master on page 13
Interconnecting the NI 5673E Slaves
1. Using the semi-rigid cables labeled A, connect the I+, I–, Q+, and Q– terminals of the
slave NI 5450 and the slave NI 5611.
These cables are phase-matched and connect the baseband I/Q signals from the NI 5450
to the NI 5611.
2. Using the flexible SMA-to-SMA cable, connect the CLK OUT terminal of the preceding
NI 5450 to the CLK IN terminal of the next NI 5450.
8 | NI 6.6 GHz MIMO Platform Getting Started Guide | ni.com

This cable passes the NI 5450 DAC Sample Clock from the master to the slave(s).
3. Using the semi-rigid cable labeled G, connect the LO OUT terminal of the preceding
NI 5611 to the LO IN terminal of the next NI 5611.
This cable is used to daisy chain the LO signal.
4. Place SMA terminators on the LO OUT terminal (NI 5611) and CLK OUT terminal
(NI 5450) of the final slave device.
Figure 7. Completed NI 5673E Slave Cabling
50 Ω
IN:
5 Vp-p
MAX
OUT:
1 Vp-p
NI PXIe-5652
500 kHz - 6.6 GHz
REF IN/OUT
RF OUT
REF
OUT2
50 Ω
1 Vp-p
50 Ω
0.5 W
MAX
Reverse
Power
RF Signal Generator
ACCESS ACTIVE
A
A
A
A
A
B
B
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
A
G
G
1
2
3
4
1. Flexible SMA-SMA Cable
2. Semi-Rigid MIMO LO Cable (Labeled G)
3. Master NI 5673E
4. Slave NI 5673E
Related Information
Configuring the NI 5673E Slaves on page 15
NI 6.6 GHz MIMO Platform Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 9

Interconnecting the NI 5663E Master
1. Using the semi-rigid cable labeled C, connect the RF OUT terminal of the NI 5652 to the
LO IN terminal of the NI 5601.
This cable connects the LO signal from the NI 5652 to the NI 5601.
2. Using the semi-rigid cable labeled D, connect the IF OUT terminal of the NI 5601 to the
IF IN terminal of the NI 5622.
This cable connects the downconverted IF signal from the NI 5601 to the NI 5622.
3. Using the flexible SMA-SMA cable, connect the REF OUT2 terminal of the NI 5652 to
the CLK IN terminal of the NI 5622.
This cable passes the 10 MHz Reference Clock signal of the NI 5652 to the NI 5622 so
that the NI 5622 can synthesize its ADC Sample Clock from a common timebase, such as
the NI 5652.
10 | NI 6.6 GHz MIMO Platform Getting Started Guide | ni.com

Figure 8. Completed NI 5663E Cable Connections
ACCESS ACCESS
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
50 Ω
IN:
5 Vp-p
MAX
OUT:
1 Vp-p
NI PXIe-5652
500 kHz - 6.6 GHz
REF IN/OUT
RF OUT
REF
OUT2
50 Ω
1 Vp-p
50 Ω
0.5 W
MAX
Reverse
Power
RF Signal Generator
ACCESS ACTIVE
3
1
2
C
D
D
C
1. Semi-Rigid Cable (Labeled C)
2. Flexible SMA-SMA Cable
3. Semi-Rigid Cable (Labeled D)
Related Information
Configuring the NI 5663E Master on page 16
Interconnecting the NI 5663E Slaves
1. Using the semi-rigid cable labeled D, connect the IF OUT terminal on the slave NI 5601
to the IF IN terminal on the slave NI 5622.
This cable connects the downconverted IF signal from the NI 5601 to the NI 5622.
2. Using the flexible SMA-SMA cable, connect the CLK OUT terminal of the preceding
NI 5622 to the CLK IN terminal of the next NI 5622.
This cable passes the digitizer ADC Sample Clock from the master to the slave(s).
3. Using the semi-rigid cable labeled F, connect the LO OUT terminal of the preceding
NI 5601 to the LO IN terminal of the next NI 5601.
This cable is used to daisy chain the LO signal.
NI 6.6 GHz MIMO Platform Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 11

4. Place 50 Ω terminators on the LO OUT terminal (NI 5601) and CLK OUT terminal
(NI 5622) of the final slave device.
Figure 9. Completed NI 5663E Slave Cabling
50 Ω
IN:
5 Vp-p
MAX
OUT:
1 Vp-p
NI PXIe-5652
500 kHz - 6.6 GHz
REF IN/OUT
RF OUT
REF
OUT2
50 Ω
1 Vp-p
50 Ω
0.5 W
MAX
Reverse
Power
RF Signal Generator
ACCESS ACTIVE
C
D
D
D
F
F
D
C
Ω
Ω
Ω
ΩΩ
Ω
Ω
Ω
1
2
4
3
1. Semi-Rigid MIMO LO Cable (Labeled F)
2. Flexible SMA-SMA Cable
3. Master NI 5663E
4. Slave NI 5663E
Related Information
Configuring the NI 5663E Slaves on page 18
Completing the Setup
To tighten the SMA connectors and verify that you installed all modules successfully,
complete the following steps:
12 | NI 6.6 GHz MIMO Platform Getting Started Guide | ni.com

1. Using an appropriate torque wrench (not included) or torque screwdriver and SMA driver
bit, tighten all SMA connectors. NI recommends use of 1 N·m (9 in·lbs).
Caution Incorrect torque at SMA connections can degrade signal fidelity and
PLL performance and may increase insertion loss. Use an appropriate torque
wrench or torque screwdriver and SMA driver bit to ensure all SMA
connections are properly torqued. SMA connectors for connections to external
equipment may require torque different from 1 N·m depending on connector
type, material, and manufacturer.
2. Power on the chassis and controller system.
3. Verify that the ACCESS LEDs on all modules are illuminated. If the LEDs are not
illuminated, refer to the Troubleshooting section of either the NI PXIe-5663E Getting
Started Guide or the NI PXIe-5673E Getting Started Guide.
Configuring the Devices in MAX
The NI-RFSA and NI-RFSG instrument drivers for the NI 5663E and NI 5673E use a single
resource name to reference the devices in software. However, each device is composed of
three modules, so you must configure the hardware in MAX so that the driver software knows
which modules are associated with each device.
The following sections explain how to associate the modules in MAX.
Configuring the NI 5673E Master
The following figure shows the MAX configuration tree for all the modules present in a 2 × 2
MIMO setup, which can consist of two NI 5673E devices and two NI 5663E devices in a
phase-coherent configuration. The two NI 5673E devices are highlighted in the figure.
NI 6.6 GHz MIMO Platform Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 13

Figure 10. MAX Configuration Tree
1
2
1. Master NI 5673E
2. Slave NI 5673E
Tip Instead of using the naming convention shown in these figures, you may find it
convenient to name your devices in MAX to correspond to the slot number. This
approach allows you to easily locate each module.
When using the NI 5673E, each NI 5611 must have an LO source and an AWG module
associated with it. To configure the module association, complete the following steps:
1. Right-click the master NI 5611 module and choose Configure. The following figure
shows an example of the dialog box that appears.
14 | NI 6.6 GHz MIMO Platform Getting Started Guide | ni.com

Figure 11. MAX Configuration Dialog Box for Master NI 5611
2. Select the module name for the AWG you need to associate with the master NI 5673E.
3. Select the module name for the LO you need to associate with the master NI 5673E.
Configuring the NI 5673E Slaves
The configuration of the slave NI 5673E devices is the same as the master, with one key
difference. You must select External as the LO source for each slave NI 5611 module because
the LO signal is shared by all NI 5673E devices. To configure the module association,
complete the following steps:
1. Right-click the slave NI 5611 module and choose Configure. The following figure shows
an example of the dialog box that appears.
NI 6.6 GHz MIMO Platform Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 15

Figure 12. MAX Configuration Dialog Box for Slave NI 5611
2. Select the module name for the AWG you need to associate with the slave NI 5673E.
3. Select External as the LO.
Configuring the NI 5663E Master
The following figure shows the MAX configuration tree for all the modules present in a 2 × 2
MIMO setup, which can consist of two NI 5673E devices and two NI 5663E devices in a
phase-coherent configuration. The two NI 5663E devices are highlighted in the figure.
16 | NI 6.6 GHz MIMO Platform Getting Started Guide | ni.com

Figure 13. MAX Configuration Tree for a 2 × 2 MIMO Configuration
1
2
1. Master NI 5663E
2. Slave NI 5663E
When using the NI 5663E, each NI 5601 must have an LO and a baseband digitizer module
associated with it. To configure the module association, complete the following steps:
1. Right-click the master NI 5601 module and choose Configure. The following figure
shows an example of the dialog box that appears.
NI 6.6 GHz MIMO Platform Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 17

Figure 14. MAX Configuration Dialog Box for Master NI 5601
2. Select the module name for the digitizer you need to associate with the master NI 5663E.
3. Select the module name for the LO you need to associate with the master NI 5663E.
Configuring the NI 5663E Slaves
The configuration of the slave NI 5663E devices is the same as the master, with one key
difference. You must select External as the LO source for each slave NI 5601 module because
the LO signal is shared by all NI 5663E devices. To configure the module association,
complete the following steps:
1. Right-click the slave NI 5601 module and choose Configure. The following figure shows
an example of the dialog box that appears.
18 | NI 6.6 GHz MIMO Platform Getting Started Guide | ni.com

Figure 15. MAX Configuration Dialog Box for Slave 5601
2. Select the module name for the digitizer you need to associate with the slave NI 5663E.
3. Select External as the LO.
Locating Additional Documentation
The following table shows how to locate additional documentation for the NI 5663E and
NI 5673E.
Table 1. Additional Documentation for the NI 5663E and NI 5673E
Device Documents Location
NI 5663E NI PXIe-5663E Getting
Started Guide
Start»All Programs»National Instruments»NI-
RFSA»Documentation
NI PXIe-5663E
Specifications
NI 6.6 GHz MIMO Platform Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 19

Table 1. Additional Documentation for the NI 5663E and NI 5673E (Continued)
Device Documents Location
NI 5673E NI PXIe-5673E Getting
Started Guide
Start»All Programs»National Instruments»NI-
RFSG»Documentation
NI PXIe-5673E
Specifications
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