Rohde & Schwarz NRPM OTA Power Measurement Solution User manual

R&S®NRPM
OTA Power Measurement
Solution
Mannual
1425866302
Version 08
(>IäÍ2)

This document describes the R&S®NRPM OTA Power Measurement Solution,
including the following components:
●R&S®NRPM3N Three-channel sensor module LAN, 1425.8592.02
●R&S®NRPM3 Three-channel sensor module, 1425.8563.02
●R&S®NRPM-A90 Single-polarized antenna module, 1426.7760.02/.03/.04/.05
●R&S®NRPM-A90D Dual-polarized antenna module, 1426.7777.02/.03/.04/.05
●R&S®NRPM-ZD3 Feedthrough module, 1425.8786.02
●R&S®NRPM-Z3 Three-channel interface module, 1426.7602.02
© 2022 Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG
Muehldorfstr. 15, 81671 Muenchen, 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.
All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.
1425.8663.02 | Version 08 | R&S®NRPM
Throughout this manual, products from Rohde & Schwarz are indicated without the ® symbol, e.g.
R&S®NRPM is abbreviated as R&S NRPM. Microsoft®Windows® is abbreviated as MS Windows, macOS®
is abbreaviated as macOS and Linux® is abbreviated as Linux.

Contents
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Contents
1 Safety and regulatory information....................................... 9
1.1 Safety instructions................................................................................9
1.2 Labels on the product........................................................................ 10
1.3 Warning messages in the documentation........................................ 11
2 Welcome to the R&S NRPM OTA power measurement sol-
ution...................................................................................... 12
2.1 Key features........................................................................................ 12
2.2 About the R&S NRPM OTA power measurement solution..............13
3 Documentation overview.................................................... 15
3.1 User manual........................................................................................ 15
3.2 Tutorials............................................................................................... 15
3.3 Instrument security procedures........................................................ 15
3.4 Basic safety instructions................................................................... 15
3.5 Data sheets and brochures................................................................16
3.6 Release notes and open source acknowledgment (OSA)...............16
3.6.1 Application notes, application cards, white papers, etc........................ 16
4 Preparing for use................................................................. 17
4.1 Unpacking and checking....................................................................17
4.2 Choosing the operating site.............................................................. 17
4.3 Considerations for test setup............................................................ 18
4.4 Powering the R&S NRPM3(N) sensor module..................................20
4.5 Hardware and software requirements...............................................20
4.5.1 Hardware.............................................................................................. 20
4.5.2 Mandatory software.............................................................................. 21
4.5.3 Optional software.................................................................................. 22

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4.6 Installing the software application and drivers................................23
4.6.1 VISA driver installation..........................................................................24
4.6.2 R&S NRP Toolkit installation.................................................................24
4.6.3 R&S Power Viewer installation..............................................................27
5 R&S NRPM tour....................................................................29
5.1 R&S NRPM3(N) sensor modules....................................................... 29
5.2 R&S NRPM-A90 and R&S NRPM-A90D antenna modules.............. 32
5.3 R&S NRPM-ZD3 feedthrough module............................................... 34
5.4 R&S NRPM-Z3 interface module........................................................36
5.5 R&S NRPM-Z3 connected to the R&S NRPM3................................. 37
6 Setting up a measurement..................................................38
6.1 Test setup examples...........................................................................38
6.2 R&S CMQ200 shielding cube.............................................................42
6.3 Connecting an R&S NRPM OTA power measurement.....................43
6.3.1 Connecting the RF frontend..................................................................44
6.3.2 Connecting to the controller PC............................................................ 46
6.3.3 Using the USB connection.................................................................... 47
6.3.4 Using the LAN connection.................................................................... 50
6.3.5 Connecting to the network.................................................................... 54
6.4 Starting the measurement..................................................................57
7 Performing measurements................................................. 58
7.1 Sensor module readings.................................................................... 58
7.2 Measurement applications.................................................................58
7.2.1 Using R&S Power Viewer..................................................................... 59
7.2.2 Using the web browser-based user interface........................................66
8 Firmware update.................................................................. 83

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8.1 Hardware and software requirements...............................................83
8.2 Updating the firmware........................................................................ 83
8.2.1 Using the firmware update for R&S NRP family program..................... 84
8.2.2 Using the web browser-based user interface........................................86
8.2.3 Using remote control.............................................................................87
9 Network and remote operation...........................................89
9.1 Remote control interfaces and protocols.........................................89
9.1.1 USB interface........................................................................................90
9.1.2 Ethernet interface..................................................................................91
9.2 Status reporting system.....................................................................95
9.2.1 Hierarchy of the status registers........................................................... 95
9.2.2 Structure of an SCPI status register..................................................... 97
9.2.3 Status byte (STB) and service request enable register (SRE)..............99
9.2.4 IST flag and parallel poll enable register (PPE).................................. 100
9.2.5 Device status register......................................................................... 101
9.2.6 Questionable status register............................................................... 102
9.2.7 Standard event status and enable register (ESR, ESE)..................... 104
9.2.8 Operation status register.....................................................................105
10 Remote control commands...............................................112
10.1 Conventions used in SCPI command descriptions....................... 112
10.2 Notations............................................................................................113
10.3 Common commands.........................................................................114
10.4 Configuring the general functions.................................................. 120
10.4.1 Configuring the system....................................................................... 120
10.4.2 Handling of available antenna modules.............................................. 134
10.4.3 Selecting the reference source........................................................... 135
10.4.4 Setting the power unit......................................................................... 135

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10.4.5 Setting the result format......................................................................136
10.5 Controlling the measurement.......................................................... 137
10.5.1 Triggering............................................................................................137
10.5.2 Controlling the measurement results.................................................. 141
10.5.3 Interplay of the controlling mechanisms..............................................142
10.6 Selecting a measurement mode and retrieving results................ 148
10.7 Configuring the measurement modes............................................ 153
10.7.1 Configuring a continuous average measurement............................... 153
10.7.2 Configuring a list mode measurement................................................ 156
10.7.3 Configuring a trace measurement.......................................................157
10.8 Configuring basic measurement parameters.................................165
10.8.1 Configuring averaging.........................................................................165
10.8.2 Setting the frequency.......................................................................... 168
10.8.3 Configuring corrections....................................................................... 168
10.9 Starting and ending a measurement...............................................170
10.10 Configuring the trigger.....................................................................172
10.11 Using the status register..................................................................180
10.11.1 General status register commands..................................................... 181
10.11.2 Reading out the CONDition part......................................................... 181
10.11.3 Reading out the EVENt part................................................................182
10.11.4 Controlling the ENABle part................................................................ 182
10.11.5 Controlling the negative transition part............................................... 183
10.11.6 Controlling the positive transition part.................................................184
10.12 Testing the R&S NRPM OTA Power Measurement Solution......... 184
10.13 Calibrating/zeroing the R&S NRPM3(N) sensor module............... 185
11 Programming examples.................................................... 187
11.1 Performing a simple measurement................................................. 187

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11.2 Performing measurements in continuous average mode.............187
11.3 Performing measurements in list mode......................................... 192
11.4 Performing measurements in trace mode...................................... 199
12 Troubleshooting.................................................................203
12.1 Displaying status information......................................................... 203
12.2 Performing a selftest........................................................................ 203
12.3 Problems during a firmware update................................................204
12.4 Cannot establish a LAN connection............................................... 205
12.4.1 Components of the R&S NRP Toolkit................................................. 205
12.5 Replacing antenna cables................................................................206
12.5.1 Spare parts and recommended tools..................................................206
12.5.2 Cable replacement..............................................................................207
12.6 Contacting customer support..........................................................210
13 Transporting....................................................................... 211
14 Maintenance, storage and disposal................................. 212
14.1 Cleaning.............................................................................................212
14.2 Storage...............................................................................................212
14.3 Disposal............................................................................................. 213
Glossary: List of used terms and abbreviations............ 214
List of commands.............................................................. 218
Index................................................................................... 223

Contents
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Safety and regulatory information
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1 Safety and regulatory information
The product documentation helps you use the product safely and efficiently. Fol-
low the instructions provided here and in the following chapters.
Intended use
The R&S NRPM OTA power measurement solution is intended for accurate
power measurements in production, R&D and calibration labs, and for installation
and maintenance tasks. Observe the operating conditions and performance limits
stated in the data sheet.
Target audience
The target audience is developers and technicians. The required skills and expe-
rience in power measurements depend on the used operating concept.
The R&S NRPM OTA power measurement solution is designed for use in
anechoic environments as RF shielded boxes or benchtop applications in RF test
chambers. You can use it for Over-the-Air (OTA) beamforming verification in 5G,
WLAN IEEE 802.11ad and IEEE 802.11ay and the calibration of the transmit
antenna output power.
Where do I find safety information?
Safety information is part of the product documentation. It warns you of potential
dangers and gives instructions on how to prevent personal injury or damage
caused by dangerous situations. Safety information is provided as follows:
●In Chapter 1.1, "Safety instructions", on page 9. The same information is
provided in many languages as printed "Safety Instructions". The printed
"Safety Instructions" are delivered with the product.
●Throughout the documentation, safety instructions are provided when you
need to take care during setup or operation.
1.1 Safety instructions
Products from the Rohde & Schwarz group of companies are manufactured
according to the highest technical standards. To use the products safely, follow
Safety instructions

Safety and regulatory information
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the instructions provided here and in the product documentation. Keep the prod-
uct documentation nearby and offer it to other users.
Use the product only for its intended use and within its performance limits. Inten-
ded use and limits are described in the product documentation such as the data
sheet, manuals and the printed "Safety Instructions". If you are unsure about the
appropriate use, contact Rohde & Schwarz customer service.
Using the product requires specialists or specially trained personnel. These users
also need sound knowledge of at least one of the languages in which the user
interfaces and the product documentation are available.
Reconfigure or adjust the product only as described in the product documentation
or the data sheet. Any other modifications can affect safety and are not permitted.
Never open the casing of the product. Only service personnel authorized by
Rohde & Schwarz are allowed to repair the product. If any part of the product is
damaged or broken, stop using the product. Contact Rohde & Schwarz customer
service at https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/support.
Operating the product
Only use the product indoors. The product casing is not waterproof.
Observe the ambient conditions such as altitude, operating temperature and cli-
matic loads; see the data sheet.
Meaning of safety labels
Safety labels on the product warn against potential hazards.
Potential hazard
Read the product documentation to avoid personal injury or product damage.
1.2 Labels on the product
Labels on the product inform about:
●Personal safety
See "Meaning of safety labels" on page 10.
●Environment safety
See Table 1-1.
Labels on the product