Learn about the NI analog cable options for LO sharing, reference clock, and triggering for your system.

Note You can use any 50 Ω SMA-to-SMA cable with your RF Playback Software system.

NI offers the following SMA-to-SMA cables, although you can use cables with less bandwidth to save on cost.

Table 44. NI SMA-to-SMA Cables
Cable Notes Part Number
SMA (M) to SMA (M) Cable 0.150 m, 0.300 m, 0.600 m, and 1.000 m lengths 137833-0150/0300/0600/1000
SMA (M) to SMA (M) Temp Stable Cable 0.400 m, 0.670 m, and 0.870 m lengths 136691-0400/0670/0870

Minimum Cable Lengths

Cable guidance for PXIe-5842 RF daisy-chain reference when using a multi-VST configuration (common LO):

  • PXIe-5655 REF OUT to the first PXIe-5842 RF IN should use the provided semi-rigid cable provided with the PXIe-5842.
  • For any inter-PXIe-5842 REF OUT to PXIe-5842 RF IN connections adjacent to each other in the same chassis, the minimum length is 0.254 m (10.0 in.).
  • For any inter-PXIe-5842 REF OUT to PXIe-5842 RF IN connections in the same chassis, the minimum length is 0.406 m (16.0 in.).
  • For any inter-PXIe-5842 REF OUT to PXIe-5842 RF IN connections in different chassis, the minimum length is 0.508 m (20.0 in.). Assumes the chassis are rack mounted with the minimum required cooling distance as specified in the PXIe-1095 User Manual.

Cable guidance for PXIe-5842 LO sharing up to 4 channels:

  • Assumptions:
    • At most two PXIe-1095 chassis rack mounted with the minimum required cooling distance as specified in the PXIe-1095 User Manual.
    • LO Splitters are placed in front of the PXIe chassis and in between them vertically.
    • Splitter output cables to any PXIe-5842 LO IN are of the same length.
  • For any PXIe-5655 LO OUT to the LO splitter input terminal, the minimum length is 0.300 m (12.0 in.).
  • For any splitter output to any PXIe-5842 LO IN, the minimum length is 0.406 m (16.0 in.).

Cable guidance for PXIe chassis signals:

  • Assumptions:
    • At most two PXIe-1095 chassis rack mounted with the minimum required cooling distance as specified in the PXIe-1095 User Manual.
    • Any clock and trigger splitting is mounted above or below both PXIe chassis with the minimum required cooling distance as specified in the PXIe-1095 User Manual.
    • Splitter output cables to any PXIe-6674T inputs are of the same length.
  • For any PXIe-6674T output to the splitter input terminal, the minimum length is 0.508 m (20.0 in.).
  • For any splitter output to the PXIe-6674T input terminal, the minimum length is 0.660 m (26.0 in.).