Electronically Scanned Array Characterization Reference Architecture New Features and Changes

Learn about updates, including new features and behavior changes, introduced in each version of Electronically Scanned Array Characterization Reference Architecture.

Discover what is new in the latest releases of Electronically Scanned Array Characterization Reference Architecture.
Note If you cannot find new features and changes for your version, it might not include user-facing updates. However, your version might include non-visible changes such as bug fixes and compatibility updates. For information about non-visible changes, refer to your product Release Notes.

ESA Characterization Reference Architecture 2.1 New Features and Changes

Introduced April 2025

Features

Electronically Scanned Array Characterization Reference Architecture 2.1 added support for the following features:

  • Separated the S-Parameters measurement support from the Pulsed RF Measurement Library (PRFML) into the S-Parameters Measurement Library
  • Separated the PAE measurement support from PRFML into the Power-Added Efficiency Measurement Library
  • Digital Signal Transceiver (DST) Driver has added flow control support for protocols that could not have valid data every cycle, such as Aurora or Ethernet; refer to Digital Signal Transceiver Driver 2025 Q2 New Features and Changes for more information
  • Performance improvements to Digital Signal Transceiver Driver, capable of up to 4 GHz bandwidth; refer to Digital Signal Transceiver Driver 2025 Q2 New Features and Changes for more information
  • New features for RFmx Pulse; refer to RFmx Pulse 2024 Q4 New Features and Changes for more information

Software Support

Electronically Scanned Array Characterization Reference Architecture 2.1 added support for the following software applications:

  • S-Parameter Measurement Library 2024 Q4
  • Power-Added Efficiency Measurement Library 2024 Q4
  • Digital Signal Transceiver Driver 2025 Q2

Hardware Support

Electronically Scanned Array Characterization Reference Architecture 2.1 added support for the following instruments:

  • PXIe-5842
  • PXIe-7903

ESA Characterization Reference Architecture 2.0 New Features and Changes

Introduced June 2024

Features

Electronically Scanned Array Characterization Reference Architecture 2.0 added support for the following features:

  • Digital TRM support with the Digital Signal Transceiver (DST) Driver with JESD204 protocols

Software Support

Electronically Scanned Array Characterization Reference Architecture 2.0 added support for the following software applications:

  • Digital Signal Transceiver Driver 2024 Q2

ESA Characterization Reference Architecture 1.3 New Features and Changes

Introduced March 2023

Features

Electronically Scanned Array Characterization Reference Architecture 1.3 added support for the following features:

  • Updated the PAE panel and configuration
  • 2 Couplers Per Port, 1 VST systems with HMC-C058 RF solid-state switch

Hardware Support

Electronically Scanned Array Characterization Reference Architecture 1.3 added support for the following instruments:

  • PXIe-5842 (PAE, pulse)
  • PXIe-6535 (S-parameter)
  • PXIe-4137 (PAE)
  • HMC-C058 RF solid-state switch (S-parameter)

ESA Characterization Reference Architecture 1.2 New Features and Changes

Introduced August 2022

Features

Electronically Scanned Array Characterization Reference Architecture 1.2 added support for the following features:

  • Thru-Reflect Line (TRL) calibration
  • XKT file conversion executable
  • Support for third party calibration kits

ESA Characterization Reference Architecture 1.1 New Features and Changes

Introduced March 2022

Features

Electronically Scanned Array Characterization Reference Architecture version 1.1 added support for the following features:

  • S11 1 coupler S-parameter systems
  • S11 2 coupler S-parameter systems
  • Support and interactive examples for trigger and node tabs triggering for PAE systems

ESA Characterization Reference Architecture 1.0 New Features and Changes

Introduced September 2021

Features

The initial version of the ESA Characterization Reference Architecture provided support for the following features:

  • S-parameter measurements
  • Power-added efficiency (PAE) measurements
  • Pulse measurements

Hardware Support

The initial version of the ESA Characterization Reference Architecture provided support for the following instruments:

  • PXIe-5831 (S-parameter, PAE, pulse)
  • PXIe-5841 (S-parameter, PAE, pulse)
  • PXIe-5841 with PXIe-5655 (PAE, pulse)
  • PXIe-1095 (S-parameter, PAE, pulse)
  • PXI-4130 (PAE)
  • PXIe-4139 (PAE)

Software Support

The initial version of the ESA Characterization Reference Architecture provided support for the following software applications:

  • Pulsed RF Measurement Library