National Instruments NI PXIe-5171R Manual

CALIBRATION PROCEDURE
NI PXIe-5171R
This document contains the verification and adjustment procedures for the NI PXIe-5171R
(NI 5171R). Refer to ni.com/calibration for more information about calibration solutions.
Contents
Required Software.....................................................................................................................1
Related Documentation.............................................................................................................2
Test Equipment..........................................................................................................................2
Test Conditions..........................................................................................................................5
Password................................................................................................................................... 6
Calibration Interval................................................................................................................... 6
As-Found and As-Left Limits................................................................................................... 6
Measurement Uncertainty......................................................................................................... 6
Calibration Overview................................................................................................................6
Test System Characterization....................................................................................................7
Zeroing the Power Sensor................................................................................................. 7
Characterizing Power Splitter Amplitude Imbalance....................................................... 7
Verification.............................................................................................................................. 11
Verifying Timebase Accuracy.........................................................................................12
Verifying DC Accuracy...................................................................................................13
Verifying AC Amplitude Accuracy.................................................................................15
Verifying Flatness and Bandwidth.................................................................................. 19
Adjustment.............................................................................................................................. 23
Adjusting DC.................................................................................................................. 23
Adjusting Timebase.........................................................................................................24
Reverification..........................................................................................................................25
Updating Verification Date and Time..................................................................................... 25
Worldwide Support and Services............................................................................................ 25
Required Software
Calibrating the NI 5171R requires you to install the following software on the calibration
system:
• LabVIEW Instrument Design Libraries for Reconfigurable Oscilloscopes. The NI 5171R
was first supported in LabVIEW Instrument Design Libraries for Reconfigurable
Oscilloscopes 14.0.
You can download all required software from ni.com/downloads.

Related Documentation
You might find the following documents helpful as you perform the calibration procedure:
•NI PXIe-5171R Getting Started Guide
•NI Reconfigurable Oscilloscopes Help
•NI PXIe-5171R Specifications
The latest versions of these documents are available from ni.com/manuals.
Test Equipment
This section lists the equipment required to calibrate the NI 5171R.
If you do not have the recommended equipment, select a substitute calibration standard using
the specifications listed in the table.
Table 1. NI 5171R Test Equipment
Equipment Recommended
Model
Where Used Minimum Requirements
Oscilloscope
calibrator
Fluke 9500B/600
with Fluke 9530
Active Head
Verifications:
• Timebase
accuracy
• DC accuracy
Adjustments:
• Timebase
• DC
Sine Wave Amplitude:
0.9 Vpk-pk at 11 MHz into
50 Ω
Sine Wave Frequency
Accuracy: 0.25 ppm at
11 MHz
DC Output Range: ±40 mV
to ±2.5 V into 50 Ω
DC Output Accuracy:
±(0.025% of output +
25 µV) into 50 Ω
SMA (m)-to-
BNC (f) adapter
Fairview Microwave
SM4723
Verifications:
• Timebase
accuracy
• DC accuracy
Adjustments:
• Timebase
• DC
Frequency range: DC to
11 MHz
Impedance: 50 Ω
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Table 1. NI 5171R Test Equipment (Continued)
Equipment Recommended
Model
Where Used Minimum Requirements
DMM NI PXI-4071 Verifications:
• AC amplitude
accuracy
AC voltage accuracy:
±0.1% of reading at 50 kHz
AC Input Range: 0.1 Vpk-pk
to 3.5 Vpk-pk
AC Input Impedance:
≥10 MΩ
Bandwidth: ≥100 kHz
Function
generator
NI PXI-5402 or
Agilent 33220A
Verifications:
• AC amplitude
accuracy
Sine Wave Frequency:
50 kHz
Sine Wave Amplitude
Range: 0.1 Vpk-pk to
3.5 Vpk-pk into 50 Ω
SMA Tee (f-f-f) Fairview Microwave
SM4942
Verifications:
• AC amplitude
accuracy
Impedance: 50 Ω
SMA (m)-to-
SMA (m)
adapter (x2)
Fairview Microwave
SM4960
Test system
characterization
Verifications:
• AC amplitude
accuracy
• Flatness and
bandwidth
Frequency range: DC to
275 MHz
VSWR: <1.05
Impedance: 50 Ω
Double banana
plug to BNC (f)
Pasternak PE9008 Verifications:
• AC amplitude
accuracy
Impedance: 50 Ω
SMA (m)-to-
BNC (m) cable
(x2)
— Verifications:
• AC amplitude
accuracy
Frequency range: DC to
275 MHz
Impedance: 50 Ω
Length: <1 meter
NI PXIe-5171R Calibration Procedure | © National Instruments | 3

Table 1. NI 5171R Test Equipment (Continued)
Equipment Recommended
Model
Where Used Minimum Requirements
Power sensor Rohde & Schwarz
(R&S) NRP-Z91
Test system
characterization
Verifications:
• Flatness and
bandwidth
Range: -15 dBm to 5 dBm
Frequency range: 50 kHz to
275 MHz
Absolute Power Accuracy:
<0.048 dB for <100 MHz,
<0.063 dB for 100 MHz to
275 MHz
Relative Power Accuracy:
<0.022 dB for <100 MHz,
<0.031 dB for 100 MHz to
275 MHz
VSWR: <1.11
Signal generator Rhode & Schwartz
SMA100A
Test system
characterization
Verifications:
• Flatness and
bandwidth
Frequency range: 50 kHz to
275 MHz
Amplitude range: -7 dBm
to 8 dBm
Harmonics: <-30 dBc
Power splitter Aeroflex/Weinschel
1593
Test system
characterization
Verifications:
• Flatness and
bandwidth
Frequency range: 50 kHz to
275 MHz
VSWR: <1.08
Amplitude tracking:
<0.5 dB
50 Ω SMA
terminator (f)
Fairview Microwave
ST1825F
Test system
characterization
Frequency range: DC to
275 MHz
VSWR: <1.05
Impedance: 50 Ω
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Table 1. NI 5171R Test Equipment (Continued)
Equipment Recommended
Model
Where Used Minimum Requirements
SMA (f)-to-N
(m) adapter
Fairview Microwave
SM4226
Test system
characterization
Verifications:
• Flatness and
bandwidth
Frequency range: DC to
275 MHz
VSWR: <1.05
Impedance: 50 Ω
SMA (f)-to-N (f)
adapter
Fairview Microwave
SM4236
Test system
characterization
Verifications:
• Flatness and
bandwidth
Frequency range: DC to
275 MHz
VSWR: <1.05
Impedance: 50 Ω
Related Information
Verification on page 11
This section provides instructions for verifying the device specifications.
Test Conditions
The following setup and environmental conditions are required to ensure the NI 5171R meets
published specifications:
• The NI 5171R is warmed up for 15 minutes at ambient temperature. Warm-up begins
after the chassis is powered, the device is recognized by the host, and the ADC clock is
configured using either instrument design libraries or the NI-SCOPE device driver.
• Keep cabling as short as possible. Long cables act as antennas, picking up extra noise that
can affect measurements.
• Verify that all connections to the device, including front panel connections and screws,
are secure.
• Use shielded copper wire for all cable connections to the device. Use twisted-pair wire to
eliminate noise and thermal offsets.
• Maintain an ambient temperature of 23 °C ± 3 °C
• Keep relative humidity between 10% and 90%, noncondensing.
• Ensure that the PXI chassis fan speed is set to HIGH, that the fan filters (if present) are
clean, and that the empty slots contain slot blockers and filler panels. For more
NI PXIe-5171R Calibration Procedure | © National Instruments | 5

information about cooling, refer to the Maintain Forced-Air Cooling Note to Users
document available at ni.com/manuals.
• Plug the chassis and the instrument standard into the same power strip to avoid ground
loops.
Password
The default password for password-protected operations is NI.
Calibration Interval
Recommended calibration interval 2 years
As-Found and As-Left Limits
The as-found limits are the published specifications for the NI 5171R. NI uses these limits to
determine whether the NI 5171R meets the device specifications when it is received for
calibration. Use the as-found limits during initial verification.
The as-left calibration limits are equal to the published NI specifications for the NI 5171R, less
guard bands for measurement uncertainty, temperature drift, and drift over time. NI uses these
limits to reduce the probability that the instrument will be outside the published specification
limits at the end of the calibration cycle. Use the as-left limits when performing verification
after adjustment.
Measurement Uncertainty
Measurement uncertainty was calculated in accordance with the method described in ISO
GUM (Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement), for a confidence level of
95%. The expressed uncertainty is based on the recommended measurement methodology,
standards, metrology best practices and environmental conditions of the National Instruments
laboratory. It should be considered as a guideline for the level of measurement uncertainty that
can be achieved using the recommended method. It is not a replacement for the user
uncertainty analysis that takes into consideration the conditions and practices of the individual
user.
Calibration Overview
Install the device and configure it in Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) before
calibrating.
Calibration includes the following steps:
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1. Test system characterization—Characterize the amplitude imbalance of the output ports
on your power splitter. The results of this step are used as a correction in the flatness and
bandwidth verification procedure.
2. Verification—Verify the existing operation of the device. This step confirms whether the
device is operating within the published specification prior to adjustment.
3. Adjustment—Perform an external adjustment of the calibration constants of the device.
The adjustment procedure automatically stores the calibration date and temperature on
the EEPROM to allow traceability.
4. Re-verification—Repeat the Verification procedure to ensure that the device is operating
within the published specifications after adjustment.
Refer to the following sections to complete each procedure.
Test System Characterization
The following procedures characterize the test equipment used during verification.
Caution The connectors on the device under test (DUT) and test equipment are
fragile. Perform the steps in these procedures with great care to prevent damaging
any DUTs or test equipment.
Zeroing the Power Sensor
1. Ensure that the power sensor is not connected to any signals.
2. Zero the power sensor using the built-in function, according to the power sensor
documentation.
Characterizing Power Splitter Amplitude Imbalance
This procedure characterizes the amplitude imbalance of the two output ports of the power
splitter over a range of frequencies.
The results of the characterization are later used as a correction in the Verifying Flatness and
Bandwidth procedure.
Table 2. Power Splitter Characterization
Configuration Test Point
Frequency (MHz) Amplitude (dBm)
1 0.05 -0.5
2 50.1 -0.5
3 100.1 -0.5
4 150.1 -0.5
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Table 2. Power Splitter Characterization (Continued)
Configuration Test Point
Frequency (MHz) Amplitude (dBm)
5 260.1 -0.5
6 270.1 -0.5
1. Connect an SMA (f)-to-N (f) adapter to the power sensor. Refer to this assembly as the
power sensor.
2. Zero the power sensor as described in the Zeroing the Power Sensor section.
3. Connect the RF OUT connector of the signal generator to the input port of the power
splitter using an SMA (f)-to-N (m) adapter and an SMA (m)-to-SMA (m) cable.
4. Connect an SMA (m)-to-SMA (m) adapter to one of the power splitter output ports. Refer
to this assembly as splitter output 1.
5. Connect the 50 Ω SMA terminator (f) to splitter output 1.
6. Connect the other SMA (m)-to-SMA (m) adapter to the other output port of the power
splitter. Refer to this assembly as splitter output 2.
7. Connect the power sensor to splitter output 2.
The following figure illustrates the hardware setup.
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Figure 1. Connection Diagram for Measuring at Splitter Output 2
1
3
8
6
7
6
5
4
2
1. Signal Generator
2. SMA (f)-to-N (m) Adapter
3. SMA (m)-to-SMA (m) Cable
4. Power Sensor
5. SMA (f)-to-N (f) Adapter
6. SMA (m)-to-SMA (m) Adapter
7. Power Splitter
8. 50 Ω SMA Terminator (f)
8. Configure the signal generator to generate a sine waveform with the following
characteristics:
• Frequency: the Test Point Frequency value from the Power Splitter Characterization
table
• Amplitude level: the Test Point Amplitude value from the Power Splitter
Characterization table
9. Configure the power sensor to correct for the Test Point Frequency value using the power
sensor frequency correction function.
10. Use the power sensor to measure the power in dBm.
11. Repeat steps 8 through 10 for each configuration in the Power Splitter Characterization
table, recording each result as splitter output 2 power, where each configuration has a
corresponding value.
12. Disconnect the power sensor and 50 Ω SMA terminator (f) from splitter output 2 and
splitter output 1.
13. Connect the power sensor to splitter output 1.
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14. Connect the 50 Ω SMA terminator (f) to splitter output 2.
The following figure illustrates the hardware setup.
Figure 2. Connection Diagram for Measuring at Splitter Output 1
1
6 54 5
3
7 8
2
1. Signal Generator
2. SMA (f)-to-N (m) Adapter
3. SMA (m)-to-SMA (m) Cable
4. 50 Ω SMA Terminator (f)
5. SMA (m)-to-SMA (m) Adapter
6. Power Splitter
7. SMA (f)-to-N (f) Adapter
8. Power Sensor
15. Configure the signal generator to generate a sine waveform with the following
characteristics:
• Frequency: the Test Point Frequency value from the Power Splitter Characterization
table
• Amplitude level: the Test Point Amplitude value from the Power Splitter
Characterization table
16. Configure the power sensor to correct for the Test Point Frequency value using the power
sensor frequency correction function.
17. Use the power sensor to measure the power in dBm.
18. Repeat steps 15 through 17 for each configuration in the Power Splitter Characterization
table, recording each result as splitter output 1 power, where each configuration has a
corresponding value.
19. Calculate the splitter imbalance for each frequency point using the following equation:
splitter imbalance = splitter output 2 power - splitter output 1 power
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