R&S SMW-K553 User manual

R&S®SMW-K553
Frontend Control
User Manual
1179424002
Version 02
(;ÝZX2)

This document describes the following software options:
●R&S®SMW-K553 Frontend Control (1414.6758.xx)
© 2021 Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
Mühldorfstr. 15, 81671 München, Germany
Phone: [phone] - 0
Email: [email protected]
Internet: www.rohde-schwarz.com
Subject to change – data without tolerance limits is not binding.
R&S® is a registered trademark of Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG.
Trade names are trademarks of the owners.
1179.4240.02 | Version 02 | R&S®SMW-K553
The following abbreviations are used throughout this manual: R&S®SMW200A is abbreviated as R&S SMW, R&S®FE is abbreviated
as R&S FE and R&S®FSV3000 and the R&S®FSVA3000 are abbreviated as R&S FSV/A. The license types 02/03/07/11/12/13/16
are abbreviated as xx.

Contents
R&S®SMW-K553
3User Manual 1179.4240.02 ─ 02
Contents
1 Welcome to the Frontend Control option............................................ 5
1.1 Key features...................................................................................................................5
1.2 Accessing the Frontend Control dialog......................................................................5
1.3 What's new.....................................................................................................................6
1.4 Documentation overview..............................................................................................6
1.4.1 Getting started manual....................................................................................................6
1.4.2 User manuals and help................................................................................................... 6
1.4.3 Tutorials...........................................................................................................................7
1.4.4 Service manual............................................................................................................... 7
1.4.5 Instrument security procedures.......................................................................................7
1.4.6 Printed safety instructions............................................................................................... 7
1.4.7 Data sheets and brochures............................................................................................. 7
1.4.8 Release notes and open source acknowledgment (OSA).............................................. 7
1.4.9 Application notes, application cards, white papers, etc...................................................8
1.5 Scope............................................................................................................................. 8
1.6 Notes on screenshots...................................................................................................8
2 About the Frontend Control option...................................................... 9
2.1 Required options...........................................................................................................9
2.2 External frontend basics.............................................................................................. 9
2.3 Test setup.....................................................................................................................10
3 Operating external frontends..............................................................12
3.1 Connecting external frontends.................................................................................. 12
3.2 Controlling external frontends...................................................................................14
3.3 Generating external frontend RF signals..................................................................19
4 External frontend configuration and settings................................... 20
4.1 External RF settings................................................................................................... 20
4.2 RF frontend settings................................................................................................... 20
4.2.1 General settings............................................................................................................ 21
4.2.2 Versions and options information.................................................................................. 24
4.2.3 Attenuator settings........................................................................................................ 25

Contents
R&S®SMW-K553
4User Manual 1179.4240.02 ─ 02
4.2.4 Cable correction settings...............................................................................................26
4.2.5 Network settings............................................................................................................28
5 Troubleshooting Frontend Control.....................................................30
6 Remote control commands.................................................................32
6.1 SOURce:EFRontend subsystem................................................................................33
6.2 CALibration subsystem..............................................................................................42
List of commands................................................................................ 43
Index......................................................................................................44

Welcome to the Frontend Control option
R&S®SMW-K553
5User Manual 1179.4240.02 ─ 02
1 Welcome to the Frontend Control option
The R&S SMW-K553 option Frontend Control is a firmware application that allows you
to configure and calibrate external frontends connected to the R&S SMW.
This user manual contains a description of the functionality that the application pro-
vides, including remote control operation.
All functions not discussed in this manual are the same as in the base unit and are
described in the R&S SMW user manual. The latest version is available at:
www.rohde-schwarz.com/manual/SMW200A
Installation
You can find detailed installation instructions in the delivery of the option or in the
R&S SMW service manual.
1.1 Key features
The R&S SMW-K553 features:
●Configuring external frontends, including setting the output RF level and RF fre-
quency of the connected external frontend at R&S SMW taskbar
●Correcting frequency responses of the external frontend
●Correcting cable losses within the connecting cable between external frontend and
R&S SMW
1.2 Accessing the Frontend Control dialog
Accessing the functionality requires, that an external frontend is connected to the
R&S SMW. You need connections for control of the external frontend (LAN), for the ref-
erence signal and for the IF signal.
How to: Chapter 3, "Operating external frontends", on page 12
To open the dialog with Frontend Control settings
► Select one of the following in the block diagram:
● Click the "FE ..." icon to the right of the "RF A/RF B" block.
For example, the icon displays "FE44S" for an R&S FE44S connected to the
R&S SMW.
● Select "RF A/RF B" > "RF Frontend" > "Frontend Device".
A dialog box opens to configure external frontend settings.
Accessing the Frontend Control dialog

Welcome to the Frontend Control option
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6User Manual 1179.4240.02 ─ 02
To output the upconverted IF signal from the R&S SMW at the external frontend, select
"RF A/RF B > On".
1.3 What's new
This manual describes firmware version FW 5.00.044.xx and later of the
R&S®SMW200A.
Compared to the previous version, it provides the new features listed below:
●Controlling external frontends description added to operating, see Chapter 3.2,
"Controlling external frontends", on page 14.
●Network configuration of the external frontend, see Chapter 4.2.5, "Network set-
tings", on page 28.
●Network connection errors description added to troubleshooting, see "Network con-
nection errors" on page 31.
1.4 Documentation overview
This section provides an overview of the R&S SMW user documentation. Unless speci-
fied otherwise, you find the documents on the R&S SMW product page at:
www.rohde-schwarz.com/manual/smw200a
1.4.1 Getting started manual
Introduces the R&S SMW and describes how to set up and start working with the prod-
uct. Includes basic operations, typical measurement examples, and general informa-
tion, e.g. safety instructions, etc. A printed version is delivered with the instrument.
1.4.2 User manuals and help
Separate manuals for the base unit and the software options are provided for down-
load:
●Base unit manual
Contains the description of all instrument modes and functions. It also provides an
introduction to remote control, a complete description of the remote control com-
mands with programming examples, and information on maintenance, instrument
interfaces and error messages. Includes the contents of the getting started manual.
●Software option manual
Contains the description of the specific functions of an option. Basic information on
operating the R&S SMW is not included.
Documentation overview

Welcome to the Frontend Control option
R&S®SMW-K553
7User Manual 1179.4240.02 ─ 02
The contents of the user manuals are available as help in the R&S SMW. The help
offers quick, context-sensitive access to the complete information for the base unit and
the software options.
All user manuals are also available for download or for immediate display on the Inter-
net.
1.4.3 Tutorials
The R&S SMW provides interactive examples and demonstrations on operating the
instrument in form of tutorials. A set of tutorials is available directly on the instrument.
1.4.4 Service manual
Describes the performance test for checking compliance with rated specifications, firm-
ware update, troubleshooting, adjustments, installing options and maintenance.
The service manual is available for registered users on the global Rohde & Schwarz
information system (GLORIS):
https://gloris.rohde-schwarz.com
1.4.5 Instrument security procedures
Deals with security issues when working with the R&S SMW in secure areas. It is avail-
able for download on the Internet.
1.4.6 Printed safety instructions
Provides safety information in many languages. The printed document is delivered with
the product.
1.4.7 Data sheets and brochures
The data sheet contains the technical specifications of the R&S SMW. It also lists the
options and their order numbers and optional accessories.
The brochure provides an overview of the instrument and deals with the specific char-
acteristics.
See www.rohde-schwarz.com/brochure-datasheet/smw200a
1.4.8 Release notes and open source acknowledgment (OSA)
The release notes list new features, improvements and known issues of the current
firmware version, and describe the firmware installation.
Documentation overview

Welcome to the Frontend Control option
R&S®SMW-K553
8User Manual 1179.4240.02 ─ 02
The open-source acknowledgment document provides verbatim license texts of the
used open source software.
See www.rohde-schwarz.com/firmware/smw200a
1.4.9 Application notes, application cards, white papers, etc.
These documents deal with special applications or background information on particu-
lar topics.
See www.rohde-schwarz.com/application/smw200a and www.rohde-schwarz.com/
manual/smw200a
1.5 Scope
Tasks (in manual or remote operation) that are also performed in the base unit in the
same way are not described here.
In particular, it includes:
●Managing settings and data lists, like saving and loading settings, creating and
accessing data lists, or accessing files in a particular directory.
●Information on regular trigger, marker and clock signals and filter settings, if appro-
priate.
●General instrument configuration, such as checking the system configuration, con-
figuring networks and remote operation
●Using the common status registers
For a description of such tasks, see the R&S SMW user manual.
1.6 Notes on screenshots
When describing the functions of the product, we use sample screenshots. These
screenshots are meant to illustrate as many as possible of the provided functions and
possible interdependencies between parameters. The shown values may not represent
realistic usage scenarios.
The screenshots usually show a fully equipped product, that is: with all options instal-
led. Thus, some functions shown in the screenshots may not be available in your par-
ticular product configuration.
Notes on screenshots

About the Frontend Control option
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9User Manual 1179.4240.02 ─ 02
2 About the Frontend Control option
This chapter provides information on required options and basics for controlling exter-
nal frontends.
2.1 Required options
The equipment layout for external frontend operation includes:
●Standard or wideband baseband generator (R&S SMW-B10/-B9)
●Baseband main module (R&S SMW-B13/-B13T) or wideband baseband main mod-
ule (R&S SMW-B13XT)
●Frequency option:
– RF A: R&S SMW-B106/B1006 or higher
– RF B: R&S SMW-B206/B2006 or higher
●Frontend control option R&S SMW-K553
For more information, see data sheet.
2.2 External frontend basics
Due to the physical dimensions of modern signal generators, long RF cables between
the DUT and the signal generator are often necessary in complex test setups. When
measuring high frequency signals, the long RF cable can lead to unwanted loss.
An external frontend with smaller physical dimensions allows for testing closer to the
DUT. The test signal is transferred (Tx mode) from the R&S SMW to the external fron-
tend on a lower intermediate frequency (IF). At the external frontend, the IF signal is
upconverted and further transerred to the DUT, for which loss does not have a major
effect.
Thus, the external frontend outsources the conversion of the IF input signal to the RF
output signal required for processing at the DUT. The external frontend upconverts the
low-frequency IF input signal to a higher frequency RF signal using its own internal
local oscillator (LO). For all subsequent signal generation steps in the R&S SMW, this
process is transparent.
Outsourcing has two main advantages:
●Extended frequency range:
The external frontend can process RF data in a higher frequency range than the
R&S SMW itself supports. For example, using an R&S FE44S external frontend
and R&S SMW, you can generate RF signals in a range of 24 GHz to 44 GHz.
●Minimized RF cable loss:
Difficult testing environments, long RF cables between the R&S SMW and the DUT
are no longer necessary. The external frontend, which is much smaller than the
R&S SMW, can be placed closer to the DUT using much shorter RF cables. The
External frontend basics

About the Frontend Control option
R&S®SMW-K553
10User Manual 1179.4240.02 ─ 02
required IF cable between the R&S SMW and the external frontend is not as vul-
nerable to distortion effects and power loss. Furthermore, since the IF cable is usu-
ally part of the fixed setup, any existing frequency response can be calculated in
advance. The R&S SMW can then adapt signal generation automatically.
A typical application is a test involving a DUT placed in an RF shield box, see "OTA
microwave test setup" on page 10. The external frontend is connected directly to the
RF shield box, while the R&S SMW and R&S FSV/A are placed in a measurement rack
elsewhere in the laboratory.
2.3 Test setup
The R&S SMW supports the following external frontend types:
●R&S FE44S
●R&S FE50DTR
For details, see the data sheet of the R&S SMW.
OTA microwave test setup
You can use an external frontend, e.g., for over-the-air (OTA) microwave testing. Fig-
ure 2-1 illustrates an example of a test setup including a vector signal generator, an
external frontend, a DUT inside an RF shield box and a vector signal analyzer.
The signal generator provides the IF signal and the reference signal to the external
frontend. The signal analyzer can also provide the reference signal. All instruments are
connected to the same LAN. The signal generator or signal analyzer control the exter-
nal frontend via LAN using a secure sockets layer (SSL) connection, see "Frontend
control connection" on page 11
The external frontend up-converts the IF signal from the signal generator and transmits
the RF signal to the DUT (Tx mode). The DUT receives the RF signal and responds by
transmitting an RF signal to the external frontend. The frontend down-converts the RF
signal to an IF signal and transmits the IF signal to the signal analyzer (RX mode).
Vector signal
analyzer
Vector signal
generator
RF
Ref Out
Ref Out
RF
LAN
IF In
Ref
IF Out
IF Out A
LAN
IF In B
RF A
RF B
Ref In
LAN LAN
LAN
DUT
RF shield box
RF Out
RF In
R&S
FE50DTR
Rx mode
Tx mode
Figure 2-1: Typical setup using an external frontend
Test setup