Phase noise mode for Agilent MXA N9020A

[stevevantran]

Hi All,   I am looking for a Labview program of Phase noise mode of Agilent N9020A, because on the driver no configure for this mode. Could someone help and point me how to have it.   Thank you   Steve

[Ray.R]

I am not familiar with that particular Spectrum Analyzer.  Can you do a Phase Noise measurement directly on the SA?  Or do you need a special sw module installed?

If it can be done directly, there should be some commands listed in the Programmer's guide for the instrument.

[stevevantran]

Hi Ray,    I understood that I could set up Phase noise mode directly on the SA, but I would like to have the Labview program to control and run the test. The problem is in the driver of MXA N9020 they do not have an option configure for phase noise.

   Thank you

Steve

[Ray.R]

I understand what you are saying.

You will not likely find the Phase Noise measurement software on this forum, because someone has to develop the code within their own company to do it and likely signed an NDA which prevents them from sharing the code.

What I am trying to say is that there should be some instructions in the User Manual or better yet, the Programmer's Guide.  From these instructions, you can create your own driver.  The first thing I needed to know is if the SA is able to carry out Phase Noise measurements.  Some older models required an additional software to do so and did not support external code.  With newer models, they probably included the feature in order to remain competitive with other SA manufacturer's.

If you can find the instructions, we can also help you create your own driver.  

[stevevantran]

Hi Ray,   Thanks very much for your help. On our SA it has an option for phase noise and set up the step by step are:     Hit MODE   Select PHASE NOISE    Then hit MEAS   Select LOG PLOT    Then hit SPAN to setup the Start offset Freq and Stop Offset Freq    Then hit MARKER FUNCTION to set RMS NOISE to DEGREE and BAND ADJUST for set the Freq Left and Right    Then hit Marker to set MARKERTABLE ON.

  This will measure a DEGREE

  Thank you

   Steve

[Ray.R]

That's good.  The Programmer's Guide probably has equiva;ent commands that can be used to write a driver.  THe commands would look something like:

MOD: PHNOISE:something:something.

The other commands should appear in the existing drivers.  Look in the Programmer's Guide and you should see the MODE command. 

If I have time, I'll visit the Agilent Website and download the manual to see which commands are available.  But you should be able to find it.  Try to write the driver and post your code.  We can help you with it.

Message Edited by Ray.R on 01-11-2010 08:19 AM

[stevevantran]

Hi Ray,   I saw all the command on N9068A Phase Noise User’s and Programmer’s Reference and the Remote Command: SYSTem:PON:MODESA|PNOISE|EDGEGSM|BASIC|WIMAXOFDMA|PNOISE|WCDMA|VSA89601:SYSTem:PON:MODE? The problem is I am a beginning on the labview program therefore with the driver and all the information to complicate, I do not know how to start it in labview could you help me some which beginning step,    Thank you for your help.

[Ray.R]

Sure, I can help.

It may take some time because I do njot get a chance to visit the forum as often as I would like.  I need to finish an example that I wanted to do yesterday and I will prepare your example, next.  Hopefully some time this afternoon.

RayR

[Ray.R]

Since I do not have that instrument, you will have to "test" some of these commands.

You can do this using MAX (Measurement & Automation Explorer).  Under Devices & Interfaces, select the appropriate GPIB interface (if that is what you are using) and open it.  Click Open VISA Session and select Communicate with Instrument.

Try the following command to setup the Phase Noise Measurement for a wide frequency:

FREQ:SYNT 2

or you can set it to auto (may not be what you need)

FREQ:SYNT:AUTO ON

or better,...  after setting the CF & BW, you can use a narrow measurement using this command:

FREQ:SYNT 1

If you wish to do an AC Power measurement as part of the Phase Noise, then the commands would have an ACP: prefic and look like this:

ACP:FREQ:SYNT:AUTO 1

You may need to setup the IF frequency before doing the measurement by using this command:

OUTP:AUX SIF

[stevevantran]

  Hi Ray, 

Thank you for helping me, I will create from your intrusion, will be back with you for next step.

  Steve