Configuring a 2 Couplers Per Port, 1 VST System

Complete the following steps to configure your hardware for S-parameter measurements using one vector signal transceiver (VST) and two couplers per DUT port.

Refer to the hardware requirements listed in 2 Couplers Per Port, 1 VST System Hardware Requirements. Ensure all components are installed in the chassis before completing the following steps.

Note The PXIe-5831 does not have dedicated RF IN/OUT ports. Use the IF IN/OUT 1 port as RF IN and the IF IN/OUT 0 port as RF OUT when using a PXIe-5831.

1. Install one attenuator to each output port of the RF OUT switch or switch bank.
2. Connect the RF OUT or IF IN/OUT 0 port of the VST to the COM port of the RF OUT switch or switch bank using an SMA cable.
3. Connect the output ports of two couplers together to form a coupler group using an SMA male-to-male adaptor. Repeat this step for the remaining two couplers.
4. Connect the attenuators installed on the RF OUT switch or switch bank to the coupler groups using SMA cables.
5. Connect the coupled port of each coupler to the channels of the RF IN switch or switch bank using SMA cables.
6. Connect the COM port of the RF IN switch or switch bank to the RF IN or IF IN/OUT 1 port of the VST using an SMA cable.
7. Connect the remaining input ports of each coupler group to the DUT for measurement or to the calibration kit adapters for calibration using SMA cables.
8. If using the PXIe-5841, share the local oscillator (LO) signal by connecting the TX LO OUT port to the RX LO IN port of the VST using an MMPX-to-MMPX cable. If using the PXIe-5831, no additional connection needs to be made as the LO is shared internally.

The following figure shows a specific implementation of the 2 Couplers Per Port, 1 VST system using the Analog Devices HMC-C058 as the solid-state switch. Control this switch using the PXIe-6535 DIO board and any commercially available 3.3 V to 5 V voltage converter.