Understanding RF SpecificationsDownload PDFSelected SectionSelected Section and Subsection(s)Entire ManualUpdated2025-10-202 minute(s) readPXI Vector Signal TransceiverPXI Vector Signal GeneratorPXI RF Analog Signal Generator+ 2NI-RFSGUser Manual Use key parameters to define the performance and quality of RF signal generation.Output AttenuationOutput attenuation is a method of controlling the output voltage level of the signal being generated.Output ImpedanceENOBEffective number of bits (ENOB) is another way of specifying signal-to-noise and distortion ratio (SINAD).EVMError vector magnitude (EVM) is a measurement of demodulator performance in the presence of impairments.Harmonic DistortionHarmonic distortion measures the amount of power that is contained in the harmonics of a fundamental signal. Harmonic distortion is inherent to devices and systems that possess nonlinear characteristics—the more nonlinear the device, the greater its harmonic distortion.MERThe modulation error ratio (MER) is a measure of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in a digitally modulated signal. Like SNR, MER is usually expressed in dB.Noise FigureNoise FloorNoise floor is the noise level below which signals cannot be detected under the same measurement conditions.Phase NoisePhase noise refers to noise in a carrier signal due to phase and frequency modulation in the signal.TOIThird-order intercept (TOI) point is a measurement of the degree of linearity of a system. TOI point is a calculated number derived from a two-tone intermodulation test.SINADSignal-to-noise-and-distortion ratio (SINAD) is the ratio of the RMS signal amplitude to the RMS sum of all other spectral components, including the harmonics but excluding DC. SINAD is usually expressed in dB.Total Harmonic DistortionTotal harmonic distortion (THD) is a representation of the effect that multiple harmonic spurs throughout a spectrum band have on the fundamental tone.IMD3Two-tone third-order intermodulation distortion (IMD3) is the measure of the third-order distortion products produced by a nonlinear device when two tones closely spaced in frequency are fed into its input. This distortion product is usually so close to the carrier that it is almost impossible to filter out and can cause interference in multichannel communications equipment.VSWRVoltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) is the ratio of reflected-to-transmitted waves.
Use key parameters to define the performance and quality of RF signal generation.Output AttenuationOutput attenuation is a method of controlling the output voltage level of the signal being generated.Output ImpedanceENOBEffective number of bits (ENOB) is another way of specifying signal-to-noise and distortion ratio (SINAD).EVMError vector magnitude (EVM) is a measurement of demodulator performance in the presence of impairments.Harmonic DistortionHarmonic distortion measures the amount of power that is contained in the harmonics of a fundamental signal. Harmonic distortion is inherent to devices and systems that possess nonlinear characteristics—the more nonlinear the device, the greater its harmonic distortion.MERThe modulation error ratio (MER) is a measure of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in a digitally modulated signal. Like SNR, MER is usually expressed in dB.Noise FigureNoise FloorNoise floor is the noise level below which signals cannot be detected under the same measurement conditions.Phase NoisePhase noise refers to noise in a carrier signal due to phase and frequency modulation in the signal.TOIThird-order intercept (TOI) point is a measurement of the degree of linearity of a system. TOI point is a calculated number derived from a two-tone intermodulation test.SINADSignal-to-noise-and-distortion ratio (SINAD) is the ratio of the RMS signal amplitude to the RMS sum of all other spectral components, including the harmonics but excluding DC. SINAD is usually expressed in dB.Total Harmonic DistortionTotal harmonic distortion (THD) is a representation of the effect that multiple harmonic spurs throughout a spectrum band have on the fundamental tone.IMD3Two-tone third-order intermodulation distortion (IMD3) is the measure of the third-order distortion products produced by a nonlinear device when two tones closely spaced in frequency are fed into its input. This distortion product is usually so close to the carrier that it is almost impossible to filter out and can cause interference in multichannel communications equipment.VSWRVoltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) is the ratio of reflected-to-transmitted waves.
Use key parameters to define the performance and quality of RF signal generation.Output AttenuationOutput attenuation is a method of controlling the output voltage level of the signal being generated.Output ImpedanceENOBEffective number of bits (ENOB) is another way of specifying signal-to-noise and distortion ratio (SINAD).EVMError vector magnitude (EVM) is a measurement of demodulator performance in the presence of impairments.Harmonic DistortionHarmonic distortion measures the amount of power that is contained in the harmonics of a fundamental signal. Harmonic distortion is inherent to devices and systems that possess nonlinear characteristics—the more nonlinear the device, the greater its harmonic distortion.MERThe modulation error ratio (MER) is a measure of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in a digitally modulated signal. Like SNR, MER is usually expressed in dB.Noise FigureNoise FloorNoise floor is the noise level below which signals cannot be detected under the same measurement conditions.Phase NoisePhase noise refers to noise in a carrier signal due to phase and frequency modulation in the signal.TOIThird-order intercept (TOI) point is a measurement of the degree of linearity of a system. TOI point is a calculated number derived from a two-tone intermodulation test.SINADSignal-to-noise-and-distortion ratio (SINAD) is the ratio of the RMS signal amplitude to the RMS sum of all other spectral components, including the harmonics but excluding DC. SINAD is usually expressed in dB.Total Harmonic DistortionTotal harmonic distortion (THD) is a representation of the effect that multiple harmonic spurs throughout a spectrum band have on the fundamental tone.IMD3Two-tone third-order intermodulation distortion (IMD3) is the measure of the third-order distortion products produced by a nonlinear device when two tones closely spaced in frequency are fed into its input. This distortion product is usually so close to the carrier that it is almost impossible to filter out and can cause interference in multichannel communications equipment.VSWRVoltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) is the ratio of reflected-to-transmitted waves.