PXIe-5842 VST (4 GHz BW) RF Input Amplitude

RF Input Amplitude Range

Table 102. RF Input Amplitude Range

PXIe-5842 VST (4 GHz BW)
Amplitude range Average noise level to +25 dBm (CW RMS)[1]1 Reference levels up to +26 dBm are available when headroom is reduced to 0 dB.
Gain resolution 1 dB, nominal
Amplitude Range refers to the settable range of the reference level. For input damage levels, see Front Panel I/O and Safety Voltages.
Table 103. Analog Gain Range (dB), Nominal

PXIe-5842 VST (4 GHz BW)
Center Frequency Analog Gain Range
1.75 GHz to 6 GHz 58
>6 GHz to 12 GHz 55
>12 GHz to 18 GHz 51
>18 GHz to 23 GHz 54
>23 GHz to 26.5 GHz 52

RF Input Amplitude Settling Time

Table 104. RF Input Amplitude Settling Time*

PXIe-5842 VST (4 GHz BW)
<0.5 dB of final value 15 μs, typical
<0.1 dB of final value 20 μs, typical
*: Constant RF input signal, varying input reference level.
Note Amplitude Settling Time refers to the time it takes to switch between two analog gain states with frequency unchanged once the hardware receives the amplitude change request from the driver software. The additional time due to software-initiated amplitude changes is not included and varies by computer. When changing frequencies, reconfiguration time is dominated by the frequency setting. Refer to Frequency Settling Time for more information.

RF Input Amplitude Accuracy

Table 105. RF Input Absolute Amplitude Accuracy (dB)

PXIe-5842 VST (4 GHz BW)
Center Frequency Warranted 23 °C ± 5 °C Warranted Typical-95 Typical
1.75 GHz to 6 GHz 1.05 1.10 0.55 0.25
>6 GHz to 12 GHz 1.20 1.20 0.60 0.30
>12 GHz to 18 GHz 1.35 1.35 0.70 0.35
>18 GHz to 22 GHz 1.40 1.45 0.70 0.35
>22 GHz to 26.5 GHz 1.55 1.65 0.95 0.65

Conditions:

  • Reference level -30 dBm to 25 dBm.
  • Measured with a CW signal at the center frequency unless both Signal Bandwidth > Maximum Offset Bandwidth and Center Frequency ≥ 1.75 GHz, in which case measured at 20 MHz offset from the center frequency.
  • Verified with signal source at 0 dBr for Reference Level ≤ 10 dBm and at 10 dBm for Reference Level > 10 dBm.
Figure 31. RF Input Absolute Accuracy vs. Center Frequency, Measured.

PXIe-5842 VST (4 GHz BW)

Conditions: Measured in 1 dB steps between -30 dBm and +25 dBm reference levels.

Table 106. RF Input ADC Linearity (dB)

PXIe-5842 VST (4 GHz BW)
Warranted 0.5
Typical-95 0.35
Typical 0.15
ADC linearity describes the residual error when comparing the amplitude of an input signal anywhere within the ADC dynamic range to the amplitude of the signal when the input signal power level is equal to the reference level (0 dBr).

Conditions: -40 dBr to 0 dBr; measured with a CW signal at the center frequency unless both Signal Bandwidth > Maximum Offset Bandwidth and Center Frequency ≥ 1.75 GHz, in which case measured at 20 MHz offset from the center frequency.
Table 107. RF Input Amplitude Accuracy for Reference Level (dB) < -30 dBm

PXIe-5842 VST (4 GHz BW)
Center Frequency Warranted Typical-95 Typical
1.75 GHz to 6 GHz 1.60 0.90 0.40
>6 GHz to 12 GHz 1.70 0.95 0.45
>12 GHz to 18 GHz 1.85 1.05 0.50
>18 GHz to 22 GHz 1.95 1.05 0.50
>22 GHz to 26.5 GHz 2.15 1.30 0.80
This specification extends the reference level range by combining the RF Input Amplitude Accuracy specification and the RF Input ADC Linearity specification.

Conditions: Reference level -70 dBm to <-30 dBm; 0 dBr input signal level. Measured with a CW signal at the center frequency unless both Signal Bandwidth > Maximum Offset Bandwidth and Center Frequency ≥ 1.75 GHz, in which case measured at 20 MHz offset from the center frequency.
Table 108. RF Input Relative Amplitude Accuracy (dB)

PXIe-5842 VST (4 GHz BW)
Center Frequency Typical
1.75 GHz to 6 GHz 0.20
>6 GHz to 12 GHz 0.20
>12 GHz to 18 GHz 0.20
>18 GHz to 22 GHz 0.20
>22 GHz to 26.5 GHz 0.25
Relative accuracy describes the residual absolute error when compared to the absolute accuracy error at the 0 dBm reference level.

Conditions:

  • Reference level -30 dBm to 25 dBm.
  • Measured with a CW signal at the center frequency unless both Signal Bandwidth > Maximum Offset Bandwidth and Center Frequency ≥ 1.75 GHz, in which case measured at 20 MHz offset from the center frequency.
Figure 32. RF Input Relative Accuracy vs. Center Frequency, Measured.

PXIe-5842 VST (4 GHz BW)

Conditions:

  • Measured in 1 dB steps between -30 dBm and +25 dBm reference levels.
  • Normalized to absolute accuracy at 0 dBm reference level.

RF Input Frequency Response

Table 109. RF Input Magnitude Response (dB)

Center Frequency Warranted 23 °C ± 5 °C Warranted Typical-95 Typical
≥1.75 GHz to 6 GHz 0.90 1.10 0.60 0.25
>6 GHz to 12 GHz 1.05 1.35 0.75 0.25
>12 GHz to 18 GHz 1.10 1.40 0.80 0.25
>18 GHz to 22 GHz 1.20 1.55 0.90 0.30
>22 GHz to 25.5 GHz 1.20 1.55 0.90 0.35
Magnitude response is defined as the maximum relative amplitude deviation from the amplitude observed at the reference frequency, the frequency where absolute amplitude accuracy is defined. For the absolute amplitude accuracy at the reference frequency, refer to the table in RF Input Amplitude Accuracy. For the PXIe-5842, the reference frequency is the center frequency, except when both Signal Bandwidth > Maximum Offset Bandwidth and Center Frequency ≥ 1.75 GHz, in which case the reference frequency is 20 MHz offset from the configured center frequency.

Conditions:

  • Reference level -30 dBm to +25 dBm.
  • This specification excludes the bandwidth between -20 MHz and +20 MHz when both Signal Bandwidth > Maximum Offset Bandwidth and Center Frequency > 1.75 GHz. See Common NI RF Terminology for more information on the offset mode.
  • Verified with signal source at 0 dBr for Reference Level ≤ 10 dBm and at 10 dBm for Reference Level > 10 dBm.
Figure 33. RF Input Magnitude Response (Maximum Offset Bandwidth), Measured.



Conditions: 0 dBm Reference Level, normalized to 0 Hz

Figure 34. RF Input Magnitude Response (Maximum Bandwidth), Measured.



Conditions: 0 dBm Reference Level, normalized to 20 MHz

RF Input Return Loss

Figure 35. RF Input Return Loss, Measured.

PXIe-5842 VST (4 GHz BW)

Conditions: Return loss measured at center frequency.

1 Reference levels up to +26 dBm are available when headroom is reduced to 0 dB.