National Instruments PXIe-5646R User manual

GETTING STARTED GUIDE
NI PXIe-5646R
6 GHz Reconfigurable RF Vector Signal Transceiver with 200 MHz
Bandwidth
Note Before you begin, install and configure your chassis and controller.
This document explains how to install, configure, and test the NI 5646R. The NI 5646R is an
RF vector signal transceiver (VST), and ships with the following software options, which you
use to program the device.
• NI-RFmx driver software
• NI-RFSA and NI-RFSG driver software
• NI LabVIEW Instrument Design Libraries for Vector Signal Transceivers (instrument
design libraries)
Caution The protection provided by this equipment may be impaired if it is used
in a manner not described in the documentation.
Contents
Electromagnetic Compatibility Guidelines...............................................................................2
Verifying the System Requirements......................................................................................... 2
Unpacking the Kit.....................................................................................................................2
Preparing the Environment....................................................................................................... 3
Verifying the Kit Contents........................................................................................................ 4
Other Equipment...............................................................................................................4
Choosing and Installing the Software.......................................................................................5
Software Options.............................................................................................................. 5
Installing the Software...................................................................................................... 7
Installing the NI 5646R.............................................................................................................8
Direct Connections to the NI 5646R...............................................................................10
Hardware Front Panel Connectors and Indicators.......................................................... 11
Configuring the Hardware in MAX........................................................................................14
Self-Calibration.......................................................................................................................15
Locating the Software and Examples..................................................................................... 16
Software Locations......................................................................................................... 16
Programming Examples Locations.................................................................................19
NI 5646R First Measurement Options....................................................................................20
Making a Measurement with Soft Front Panels..............................................................20
Making a Measurement with a Sample Project.............................................................. 20

Troubleshooting...................................................................................................................... 21
Why Is the ACCESS LED Off When the Chassis Is On?.............................................. 21
What Should I Do if the NI 5646R Doesn't Appear in MAX?....................................... 21
Where to Go Next................................................................................................................... 23
Worldwide Support and Services............................................................................................23
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 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 changes or 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, operate this product only with
cables less than 3 meters in length.
Verifying the System Requirements
To use the NI 5646R, your system must meet certain requirements. For more information
about minimum system requirements, recommended system, and supported application
development environments (ADEs), refer to the readme, which is available on the 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.
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Caution Do not disconnect the cable that connects CAL IN to CAL OUT.
Removing the cable from or tampering with the CAL IN or CAL OUT front
panel connectors voids the product calibration and specifications are no longer
warranted.
Note Do not install a device if it appears damaged in any way.
3. Unpack any other items and documentation from the kit.
Store the device in the antistatic package when the device is not in use.
Preparing the Environment
Ensure that the environment you are using the NI 5646R 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 or lint free cloth. Make
sure that the hardware is completely dry and free from contaminants before
returning it to service.
Note Refer to the NI PXIe-5646R Specifications at ni.com/manuals for complete
specifications.
NI PXIe-5646R Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 3

Verifying the Kit Contents
Figure 1. NI 5646R Kit Contents
1
NIPXIe-5646R
VectorSignal
Transceiver
65MHz - 6.0 GHz, 200 MHz BW
2
46 75
3
1. NI PXIe-5646R Module
2. Screwdriver, Part Number 772006-01
3. SMA Driver Bit, Part Number 780895-01
4. Driver Software DVD
5. Read Me First: Safety and Electromagnetic
Compatibility
6. Maintain Forced-Air Cooling Note to Users
7. NI PXIe-5646R Getting Started Guide
Other Equipment
There are several required items not included in your device kit that you need to operate the
NI 5646R. Your application may require additional items not included in your kit to install or
operate your device.
Required Items
• A PXI Express chassis and chassis documentation. The NI PXIe-1075 chassis is one
available option for your PXI Express device. For more information about compatible
chassis options, visit ni.com/info and enter the Info Code pxiechassis.
• A PXI Express embedded controller or PC with MXI controller system that meets the
system requirements specified in this guide and chassis documentation.
Optional Items
• PXI Chassis Slot Blocker kit (NI part number 199198-01)
• SMA (m)-to-SMA (m) cables
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Choosing and Installing the Software
Software Options
NI provides three software options for programming the NI 5646R—NI-RFmx, NI-RFSA and
NI-RFSG instrument driver software, and the instrument design libraries.
NI PXIe-5646R Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 5

Table 1. NI 5646R Software Options
Software
Option
Description Use Case
NI-RFmx Provides a single-handle instrument
driver with built-in measurements.
You can use instrument driver
FPGA extensions to customize the
device FPGA using precompiled
bitfiles.
Use NI-RFmx SpecAn to perform
spectral measurements.
Use NI-RFmx Demod to perform
modulation quality measurements,
such as EVM.
Use NI-RFmx cellular personalities to
perform physical layer measurement
analysis on supported cellular signals.
NI-RFSA and
NI-RFSG
instrument
driver
The NI-RFSA and NI-RFSG APIs
each provide a fixed API for
interacting with your NI 5646R
device.
NI-RFSA and NI-RFSG provide
standard IVI-based functionality
needed for most vector signal
analyzer and vector signal generator
applications.
You can use NI-RFSA and
NI-RFSG instrument driver FPGA
extensions to customize the device
FPGA using precompiled bitfiles.
Use NI-RFSA to create custom
measurements or applications that
require I/Q data.
Use NI-RFSG to generate continuous
or modulated waveforms.
Use NI-RFSA and NI-RFSG with the
NI Modulation Toolkit to develop
software-defined radio transmitters
and receivers.
Use NI-RFSG with the NI Modulation
Toolkit to create and generate
modulated signals to test receivers.
Instrument
design
libraries
The instrument design libraries
allow you to customize your
NI 5646R device to suit the needs of
your application.
Sample projects, which allow you to
take common measurements with
your device, are included with the
installation.
Use the instrument design libraries
with the LabVIEW FPGA Module to
customize the behavior of the device
FPGA to create application-specific
instrument designs.
Note You can use either NI-RFmx or NI-RFSA and NI-RFSG instrument driver
software in combination with the instrument design libraries in a single application;
however, only one software option can access the device at a time.
Related Information
Refer to the NI RF Vector Signal Analyzers Help or the NI RF Signal Generators Help for
more information about using the NI-RFSA and NI-RFSG instrument driver FPGA extensions.
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Comparison of Software Features
NI-RFmx, NI-RFSA and NI-RFSG instrument driver software, and the instrument design
libraries vary in the features they support.
Table 2. Comparison of Software Features
Feature NI-RFmx NI-RFSA and
NI-RFSG
Instrument Design Libraries
Customization of
onboard FPGA
Supported
using the
instrument
driver FPGA
extensions
Supported using
the instrument
driver FPGA
extensions
Supported using the LabVIEW
FPGA Module
Source availability Closed source Closed source Open source
LabVIEW support Yes Yes Yes
Microsoft .NET
support
Yes Yes No
RF Standards Toolkits
support
No Yes Additional programming
required for integration.
NI-RFSA and
NI-RFSG Soft Front
Panels support
Yes Yes Yes
LabVIEW examples or
sample projects
Includes
LabVIEW
examples
Includes
LabVIEW
examples
Includes LabVIEW sample
projects, with additional
examples available at
ni.com/vstgettingstarted.
Installing the Software
You must be an Administrator to install NI software on your computer.
1. Install NI LabVIEW.
2. (Recommended) Install NI LabVIEW FPGA Module.
Note Installation of the LabVIEW FPGA Module is required to customize the
behavior of the device FPGA if you are using the instrument design libraries.
3. (Optional) Install NI LabVIEW Real-Time Module.
4. (Recommended) Install the latest service pack for LabVIEW and any LabVIEW modules
you are using.
5. Insert the driver software media into your computer. The installer should open
automatically.
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If the installation window does not appear, navigate to the drive, double-click it, and
double-click autorun.exe.
6. 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.
Note The default installation installs NI LabVIEW Instrument Design
Libraries for Vector Signal Transceivers, NI-RFmx, NI-RFSA, and NI-RFSG.
7. When the installer completes, select Restart in the dialog box that prompts you to restart,
shut down, or restart later.
Installing the NI 5646R
Caution To prevent damage to the NI 5646R caused by ESD or contamination,
handle the module using the edges or the metal bracket.
You must install the software before installing the hardware.
Before you install the hardware, refer to the guidelines in the Maintain Forced-Air Cooling
Note to Users included with the module to ensure that the device can cool itself effectively.
This document is also available at ni.com/manuals.
The NI 5646R is a three-slot module with two backplane connectors. The module must be
installed into three adjacent chassis slots, and the left two slots must be PXI Express
compatible.
1. Ensure the AC power source is connected to the chassis before installing the module.
The AC power cord grounds the chassis and protects it from electrical damage while you
install the module.
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. If the chassis has multiple fan speed settings, ensure the fans are set to the highest setting.
Note Inadequate air circulation could cause the temperature inside the chassis
to rise above the optimal operating temperature for the device, potentially
causing thermal shutdown, shorter lifespans, or improper performance.
5. Position the chassis so that inlet and outlet vents are not obstructed.
Caution Do not disconnect the cable that connects CAL IN to CAL OUT.
Removing the cable from or tampering with the CAL IN or CAL OUT front
panel connectors voids the product calibration and specifications are no longer
warranted.
6. Remove the black plastic covers from all the captive screws on the module front panel.
7. Identify a supported slot in the chassis. The following figure shows the symbols that
indicate the slot types.
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Figure 2. Chassis Compatibility Symbols
NI PXIe-1062Q
1
2
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 5646R can be placed in PXI Express peripheral slots, PXI Express Hybrid
peripheral slots, or PXI Express system timing slots.
8. Touch any metal part of the chassis to discharge static electricity.
9. Ensure that the ejector handle is in the unlatched (downward) position.
10. Hold the module by the edges and slide it into the empty compatible slots. Ensure the
base engages with the guides in the chassis.
Figure 3. NI 5646R Module Installation
1
2
3
ESD
SENSITIVE
NIPXIe-5646R
VectorSignal Transceiver
65MHz - 6.0 GHz, 200 MHz BW
1. PXI Express Chassis
2. NI PXIe-5646R Module
3. Ejector Handle in Down Position
11. Latch the module in place by pulling up on the ejector handle.
12. Secure the module 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.
13. Cover all empty slots using filler panels or fill using slot blockers to maximize cooling air
flow.
NI PXIe-5646R Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 9

14. Power on the chassis.
Direct Connections to the NI 5646R
The NI 5646R 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 5646R to avoid
damaging the device.
Caution Apply external signals only while the NI 5646R 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 5646R RF IN connector.
• If you are using nonisolated devices, such as a nonisolated 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 5646R
RF IN connector, ensure that the device cannot generate signal transients greater than the
RF and DC specifications of the NI 5646R RF IN connector.
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