You can verify proper installation and configuration of your instrument by making a measurement using InstrumentStudio.

Complete the following steps to generate an RF test signal from one port of your PXIe-5842 instrument and acquire that test signal on another port of the instrument to verify its functionality.

The hardware connections and test frequencies that you can generate and acquire through the connections are dependent on your PXIe-5842 instrument. Use the following test frequencies depending on your instrument:

Instrument Test Frequency
PXIe-5842 VST (Up to 2 GHz BW) 1 GHz
PXIe-5842 VST with 54 GHz Frequency Extension 1 GHz or 28 GHz
PXIe-5842 VST with S-Parameters 1 GHz
PXIe-5842 VST (4 GHz BW) 2 GHz

Complete the following steps to make a test measurement and validate that your PXIe-5842 instrument is configured correctly.

  1. Depending on your instrument and, if applicable to your configuration, the frequency you want to test, connect the relevant RF input and RF output ports using the appropriate cable.
    InstrumentConnection
    PXIe-5842 VST (PXIe-5842 VST (Up to 2 GHz BW) or PXIe-5842 VST (4 GHz BW))
    • Ports: PXIe-5842 RF IN to RF OUT
    • Cable: 3.5 mm (m)-to-3.5 mm (m)
    PXIe-5842 VST with 54 GHz Frequency Extension

    Frequency < 23 GHz: Make connections to the PXIe-5543 module.

    • Ports: RF IN/OUT 0 to RF IN/OUT 1 (one port configured as input; other port configured as output)
    • Cable: 3.5 mm (m)-to-3.5 mm (m)

    Frequency ≥ 23 GHz: Make connections to the RMM-5585 module.

    • Ports: RF IN/OUT PORTS: 0 to RF IN/OUT PORTS: 1 (one port configured as input; other port configured as output)
    • Cable: 1.85 mm (m)-to-1.85 mm (m)
    PXIe-5842 VST with S-Parameters
    • Ports: PXIe-5633 PORT 1 to PORT 2
    • Cable: 3.5 mm (m)-to-3.5 mm (m)
  2. Launch InstrumentStudio at Start » National Instruments » InstrumentStudio.
  3. Click File » New » RF Signal Generator.
  4. Generate a test CW tone RF signal at the RF output terminal of your instrument.
    1. Select CW in the panel for the instrument.
    2. In the Frequency box, input the test frequency.
    3. In the Level box, enter 0 dBm.
    4. For certain instruments, choose the correct port:
      • PXIe-5842 VST with 54 GHz Frequency Extension only: In the Selected Port field, select the relevant port for the frequency you are generating.
      • PXIe-5842 VST with S-Parameters only: In the Selected Port field, choose port1.
  5. If the generator is not already running, click Run, and set the output to On.
    The instrument generates a signal with the settings you specify.
  6. Click File » New » RF Signal Analyzer.
  7. PXIe-5842 VST with 54 GHz Frequency Extension and PXIe-5842 VST with S-Parameters only: In the RF signal analyzer panel, for Selected Port, choose the counterpart port for the port that is generating the RF signal.
  8. Verify on the RF signal analyzer panel that the PXIe-5842 is receiving the CW tone.
    Confirm that the frequency is set to the frequency of the generated tone and that the reference level is set to an appropriate value, such as 5 dBm.
  9. Close InstrumentStudio.