National Instruments PXIe-5842 User manual

PXIe-5842

PXIe-5842 Getting Started2023-03-29

ContentsPXIe-5842 Product Overview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
PXIe-5842 Soware Setup. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Installing and Interconnecting PXIe-5842 Instruments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
PXIe-5842 Operation Guidelines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Setting up the PXIe-5842 for Measurements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Using NI Soware with the PXIe-5842. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
PXIe-5842 Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
PXIe-5842 Instrument Interface Descriptions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
ni.com2PXIe-5842 Getting Started

PXIe-5842 Product Overview
What is the PXIe-5842?The PXIe-5842 is a modular RF vector signal transceiver (VST). The PXIe-5842
module combines with other modules to form complete PXIe-5842 instruments.
The PXIe-5842 combines a vector signal generator and vector signal analyzer with
FPGA-based, real-time signal processing and control.
The PXIe-5842 name encompasses the following instruments:
Table 1. PXIe-5842 Instruments
Instrument Constituent Modules
PXIe-5842 VST ■PXIe-5842
■PXIe-5655
Components of a PXIe-5842 SystemThe PXIe-5842 is designed for integration into a broader test system that requires
test soware, drivers, and, in addition to the parts included in your kit, hardware
beyond the PXIe-5842 itself. Use the following list of typical PXIe-5842 system
components as a starting point for building your test system.
PXIe-5842 VST Kit Contents■PXIe-5842
■PXIe-5655
■Cables
Cable Type Part Number Quantity
Semi-rigid cable, PXIe-5842
REF: IN to PXIe-5655
136103A-01 1 © National Instruments3PXIe-5842 Getting Started

Cable Type Part Number Quantity
REF OUT, 2.92 mm to
2.92 mm
Semi-rigid cable, PXIe-5842
RF OUT: LO IN to PXIe-5655
LO 0 OUT, 2.92 mm to
2.92 mm
136104A-01 1
Semi-rigid cable, PXIe-5842
RF IN: LO IN to PXIe-5655
LO 1 OUT, 2.92 mm to
2.92 mm
136106A-01 1
■SMA driver bit
■Screwdriver
■PXIe-5842 Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory Information
■PXIe-5655 Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory Information
Other Hardware ComponentsA complete PXIe-5842 system also requires equipment that is not included in the kit
for your PXIe-5842 instrument.
■A PXI Express chassis. Use a chassis capable of meeting the conditions
stated in the Conditions section of the PXIe-5842 Specifications and in
PXIe-5842 System Requirements.
■A PXI Express embedded controller or MXI controller compatible with your
chosen chassis.
■PXI chassis slot blockers and EMC filler panels for unoccupied slots of the
chassis.
■A 0.9 N · m (8 lb · in.) calibrated torque wrench, 5/16 in., NI part number
751120-01.
■A small flat blade screwdriver.
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Software Components•Application development environment—Development environments that
support the development of applications that make use of the PXIe-5842 in
supported programming languages.
■LabVIEW
■LabWindows™/CVI
■C/C++
■C# (.NET)
■InstrumentStudio
•Driver software—Drivers that provide the API for controlling and taking
measurements with the PXIe-5842.
■RFmx
■NI-RFSG
■NI-RFSA
The version of the driver you install must provide support for your instrument.
Refer to the release notes or readme for a driver to determine which versions of
the driver support your instrument.
Note Driver soware should be installed aer you install any
application development environment.
Related information:■NI soware downloads
■NI soware release notes
PXIe-5842 System RequirementsYour system must meet the following minimum requirements to use the PXIe-5842.
© National Instruments5PXIe-5842 Getting Started

Chassis Requirements•Slot cooling capacity—Must be ≥82 W
•Clearances—Maintain the minimum required clearances around your PXI
Express chassis. Clearances may vary by chassis. Follow the guidelines in the
documentation for the chassis.
•Available adjacent, compatible slots—PXIe-5842 VST: 4
■3 for PXIe-5842 module
■1 for PXIe-5655 module
The modules that compose PXIe-5842 instruments can be installed in the
following PXI chassis slot types:
■PXI Express Hybrid Peripheral Slot
■PXI Express System Timing Slot
■PXI Express Peripheral Slot
•Power delivery—See PXIe-5842 Safety, Environmental, and Regulatory
Information or PXIe-5842 Specifications.
Note Power requirements may be specified on a module basis;
the chassis must provide enough power for the complete PXIe-5842
instrument.
Controller or Host Computer Requirements•RAM—4 GB. Depending on the amount of data acquired and/or processed, a
larger amount of memory may be required.
•Processor—1 GHz 64-bit (x64)
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PXIe-5842 Soware Setup
Choosing Your SoftwareYou can choose among multiple options for taking measurements with the
PXIe-5842.
Depending on the measurements you want to take and how you want to customize
your test system, choose the appropriate soware from the following options.
If you want to Choose
Perform physical layer measurements of
supported communications and connectivity
signals
RFmx personalities
Measure spectral performance and understand
spectral characteristics
RFmx SpecAn
Measure modulation quality, including error
vector magnitude (EVM)
RFmx Demod
Create, visualize, and play back RF waveforms RFmx Waveform Creator
Perform custom measurements or applications
that require I/Q data
NI-RFSA
Generate CW or modulated waveforms NI-RFSG
Take interactive measurements with your
instrument
InstrumentStudio
Installing the SoftwareYou must be an Administrator to install NI soware on your computer.
1. Install an ADE, such as LabVIEW or LabWindows™/CVI™.
2. Download the driver soware installer from ni.com/downloads.
NI Package Manager downloads with the driver soware to handle the
installation. Refer to the NI Package Manager Manual for more information
© National Instruments7PXIe-5842 Getting Started

about installing, removing, and upgrading NI soware using NI Package
Manager.
3. 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.
4. When the installer completes, select Restart in the dialog box that prompts
you to restart, shut down, or restart later.
ni.com8PXIe-5842 Getting Started

Installing and Interconnecting PXIe-5842
Instruments
PXIe-5842 Installation and InterconnectionOverviewFollow this general process to complete physical setup for your PXIe-5842
instrument.
Refer to the detailed procedures in this article to complete the following tasks:
1. Unpack your kit.
2. Install the PXI Express modules of your instrument in your PXI Express chassis.
3. Read and understand the guidelines before interconnecting the modules of
your instrument.
4. Interconnect the PXI Express modules of your instrument.
Unpacking the KitNotice 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.
Notice Never touch the exposed pins of connectors.
Note Do not install a device if it appears damaged in any way.
© National Instruments9PXIe-5842 Getting Started