PXI-5650 Output to PXI5661 Input Loop Back Test

[Boat_Drinks00]

Guys,

I have a PXI-5661 RF VA and PXI-5142 connected together to gather data generated from a PXI-5650. Using the RFSA soft panel and Measurement and Automation Explorer I cannot get the signal analyzer to see the signal generator.

I am trying to perform a simple loop back test to verify the hardware is connected correctly and functioning.

Hardware Set Up:

PXI-5661 RF In is connected to the PXI-5650 through a 6dB attenuator.

PXI-5661 10MHz out(1) is tied to the PXI-5661 PXI 10MHz I/O with the supplied cable

PXI-5661 10MHz out(2) is tied to the PXI-5142 CLK In with the supplied cable.

PXI-5661 Output is connected to the PXI-5142 CH 0 input.

I have associated the down converter and the IF digitizer as described in the getting started guide.

Using the defaults, the center freq for in/output are set to 1GHz. I am not seeing a change in the incoming RF signal when I change the center freq or the output power level.

Should I connect the CLK OUT of the PXI-5142 to the Ref In terminal of the PXI-5650?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. If you require additional information, please let me know.

Thanks,

-Joe

[chris_amadasun]

Hello Joe,

The hardware set-up is correct.

Do you have a different signal generator and can you use that to output a signal into the 5661? Can you see a signal there?

Do you have a different spectrum analyzer and can you use that to analyze the signal being generated by the 5650?

Finally can you show us the screen-shots of the MAX Test panels for your RF devices?

Thanks