Pulse Measurement Hardware Requirements

The Pulsed RF Measurement Library provides several suggested hardware configurations to accomplish pulse measurements, including a choice between the PXIe-5831, PXIe-5841, or PXIe-5842 and the ability to use internal or external local oscillation (LO).

Use the Pulsed RF Measurement Library to design a test system using vector signal transceivers (VSTs) for synchronous signal generation and analysis. Use the Pulsed RF Measurement Library to customize and automate measurements.

A VST is a combination of a one-port generator and a one-port analyzer with an onboard FPGA. A VST can simultaneously generate a stimulus and receive back the response from the coupled port with minimal phase noise impact due to the local oscillator (LO) sharing capabilities between the transmission and receiving path.

To minimize the impact of instrument phase noise and improve measurement accuracy, you must share the local oscillator (LO) between the generating and acquiring paths, either by exporting the onboard LO of the VST, or by wiring an external source to both paths.

Note For more information about VSTs, refer to the PXI Vector Signal Transceivers Product Flyer.

The following table lists the NI hardware requirements to perform pulse measurements with the PXIe-5831, PXIe-5841, or PXIe-5842.

Table 14. Required NI Hardware
Hardware Model Minimum Requirements Quantity
PXI Vector Signal Transceiver PXIe-5831, PXIe-5841, PXIe-5841 with PXIe-5655, or PXIe-5842 — 1
PXI Chassis PXIe-1095 — 1
PXI Controller — 16 GB/s bandwidth and 16 GB RAM 1
MMPX-to-MMPX Cables 122 mm Flexible Cables — 1, if using a PXIe-5841