VectorStar™ MS4640A Series Microwave Vector Network Analyzers : Application Menus - Mixer Setup : MULTI-CHANNEL – Frequency-Based Sweep
 
MULTI-CHANNEL – Frequency-Based Sweep
Mixer Setup – Multi-Channel – Frequency Sweep – Menu Set
The multi-channel mixer setup provides additional measurement capability over multiple channels and consists of one central control dialog box with multiple supporting dialog boxes. The multi-channel mixer setup for frequency-based sweeps is similar to the controls for the active channel version described above. Additional parameters can be measured, requiring addition dialogs to configure the mixer. In Figure: MULTI-CHANNEL MIXER SETUP Dialog Boxes – Frequency-Based Sweep below, the illustration shows the relationship between the main and supporting dialog boxes.
MULTI-CHANNEL MIXER SETUP Dialog Boxes – Frequency-Based Sweep
1. MIXER SETUP CONFIGURATION [Frequency-Based Sweep] Dialog Box
2. SELECT CHANNEL Dialog Box
3. CONFIGURATON 1 SETUP Dialog Box for RF/IF Related Paths
4. Configuration 1 Dialog Boxes for External Source Address, Frequency, and Power.
5. CONFIGURATON 2 SETUP Dialog Box for Isolation LO to Output
6. Configuration 2 Dialog Boxes for External Source Address, Frequency, and Power.
7. CONFIGURATON 3 SETUP Dialog Box for Isolation LO to Input
8. Configuration 3 Dialog Boxes for Frequency and Power.
 
Mixer Setup – Multi-Channel – Frequency Sweep – Available Measurements
The table below lists the available frequency-based mixer measurements. On the main dialog box, check boxes allow individual measurement selections. Within each of the three configuration areas (Configuration 1, Configuration 2, and Configuration 3), selection of any one measurement within a configuration area enables the Next button for that area. Selecting the Next button displays the multiple support dialogs for that configuration area.
Available Measurements for Frequency-Based Sweep
Measurement
Response
Display
Format
Channel
Configuration 1 – RF/IF Related Path – Response selection is based on port configuration.
Input match
S22
Mag/Phase
Channel 1
Isolation, input to output
S12
Mag/Phase
Channel 1
Conversion gain/loss, input to output
B1/1
Magnitude
Channel 2
Output match
S11
Mag/Phase
Channel 3
Isolation, output to input
S21
Mag/Phase
Channel 3
Conversion gain/loss, output to input
B2/1
Magnitude
Channel 4
Next button – Links to the CONFIGURATION 1 SETUP Dialog Box for RF/IF Related Paths.
Configuration 2 – Isolation LO to Output – Response selection is based on port configuration.
Isolation, LO to output
S21
Mag/Phase
Channel 5
LO Match
S11
Mag/Phase
Channel 5
Next button – Links to the CONFIGURATION 2 SETUP dialog box for Isolation LP to Output.
Configuration 3 – Isolation LO to Input – Response selection is based on port configuration.
Isolation, LO to Input
S12
Mag/Phase
Channel 6
Next button – Links to the CONFIGURATION 3 SETUP dialog box for Isolation LO to Input.
 
Mixer Setup – Multi-Channel – Frequency Sweep – Channel Assignments
Six channels are required to support all measurements. See Table: Available Measurements for Frequency-Based Sweep above for the default channel assignments. Skipped measurements do not change the channel assignment. For example, if Input Match and Output Match are required in Configuration 1, the default channel assignment will be Channel 1 and Channel 3. The starting channel can be changed to any of the 16 channels. If Channel 16 is assigned, and another channel is required, the Channel assignment rolls over to Channel 1.
Mixer Setup – Multi-Channel – Frequency Sweep – Procedure
1. Navigate to the APPLICATION menu and select the Mixer Setup (Multi-Channel) button.
• MAIN | Application | APPLICATION | Mixer Setup (Multi-Channel)
2. The MIXER SETUP CONFIGURATION dialog appears. See Figure: MIXER SETUP CONFIGURATION (FREQUENCY SWEEP) Dialog Box – Control Areas below for the initial appearance and its control areas.
MIXER SETUP CONFIGURATION (FREQUENCY SWEEP) Dialog Box – Control Areas 
1. MIXER SETUP CONFIGURATION (FREQUENCY SWEEP) Dialog Box
2. Select Sweep Type as Frequency Sweep or Power Sweep.
3. Channel Start Selection
4. Reverse IF and RF – Default is RF as input and IF as output. Toggles to RF as output and IF as input.
5. Enable Modular-BB – Only for MS4647A VNAs with Option 080/081 BB/m-Wave System.
6. Configuration 1 – Conversion Gain/Loss Swept LO – RF/IF Related Path – Select any combination of measurements. Channels are automatically assigned based on Starting Channel.
7. Next Button – Links to Configuration 1 Dialogs to configure mixer and VNA ports, external sources, frequency, and power levels.
8. Configuration 2 – Compression Pout versus Pin Swept RF – Select any combination of measurements. Channels are automatically assigned.
9. Next Button – Links to Configuration 2 Dialogs to configure mixer and VNA ports, external sources, frequency, and power levels.
10. Configuration 3 – Isolation – LO to Input Available Measurement
11. Next Button – Links to Configuration 3 Dialogs to configure mixer and VNA ports, frequency, and power.
12. Calibration Required Area
13. Dialog Controls
 
Mixer Setup – Multi-Channel – Frequency Sweep – Define the Mixer Setup
3. Use the steps below to set the sweep type, the starting channel, reverse ports, and enable modular broadband.
4. In the Define Setup Select Sweep Type area at the top of the dialog, set the Sweep Type as Frequency Sweep.
• If Power Sweep is selected, the dialog box appearance changes.
• See MULTI-CHANNEL – Power-Based Sweep below for the setup procedure for power-based sweeps.
Mixer Setup – Multi-Channel – Frequency Sweep – Set the Starting Channel
5. The default starting channel is Channel 1. To change the default, select the Starting Channel button.
• The SELECT CHANNEL dialog box appears as shown below in Figure: MIXER SETUP ACTIVE CHANNEL Dialog Box – Frequency Sweep – Control Locations.
SELECT CHANNEL Dialog Box
The SELECT CHANNEL dialog box. Select any starting channel.
If necessary, Channel Number rolls over from Channel 16 to Channel 1.
 
6. Select the required starting channel. The focus autoreturns to the MIXER SETUP CONFIGURATION (FREQUENCY SWEEP) dialog box.
Mixer Setup – Multi-Channel – Frequency Sweep – Reverse IF and RF
7. If required, on the right side of the dialog box, select the check box for Reverse the IF and RF.
• The default non-selected check box provides RF as input on Port 1 and IF as output on Port 2.
• If selected, the RF is set as output on Port 1 and IF as input on Port 2.
• The figure below shows the standard and reversed RF/IF port assignments.
Standard and Reversed IF and RF Ports
At top, the standard port assignments of RF on Port 1 as input and IF on Port 2 as output.
At bottom, reversed port assignments of IF on Port 2 and input and RF on Port 1 as output.
 
Mixer Setup – Multi-Channel – Frequency Sweep – Enable Modular BB
8. If required, also on the right, select the check box for Enable Modular-BB (Broadband).
• This is only available for MS4647A VNAs equipped with Option 080/081 Modular Broadband/Millimeter-Wave (mm-Wave).
• This installation also requires the ME7838 configuration with the 3739x Test Set and two 3743A or MA25300A mm-Wave Modules.
Mixer Setup – Multi-Channel – Frequency Sweep – Configuration 1 – Initial Settings
9. Select the required measurements in the Configuration 1 RF/IF Related Path area.
• The available measurements are:
• Input match
• Isolation, input to output
• Conversion gain/loss, input to output
• Output match
• Isolation, output to input
• Conversion gain/loss, output to input
• See Table: Available Measurements for Frequency-Based Sweep above for more information on measurements.
• At least one measurement must be selected to make the Next button available.
Mixer Setup – Multi-Channel – Frequency Sweep – Configuration 1 – Set Frequency
10. When all selections have been made, select the Next button.
• The CONFIGURATION 1 SETUP (FREQUENCY SWEEP) dialog box appears.
CONFIGURATION 1 SETUP (FREQUENCY SWEEP) – Controls
1. CONFIGURATION 1 SETUP (FREQUENCY SWEEP) Setup Dialog Box.
2. Mixer Schematic with port, frequency, and power assignments.
3. Port Assignments – Each must be unique selecting from None, Port 1, Port 2, or External Sources 1 through 4.
4. Port Assignment pull down field
5. Power Assignments
6. NumPoints – Number of measurement points.
7. Configure External Sources – Links to CONFIGURE EXT. SOURCE ADDRESSES dialog box to configure GPIB addresses.
8. Set Frequency Button – Links to the SET FREQUENCY (FREQUENCY SWEEP) setup dialog to set frequency mode and value for IRF, IF, and LO.
9. Set Power Levels Button – Links to the SET POWERS (FREQUECY SWEEP) setup dialog.
10. Dialog Completion Buttons
 
11. Use the controls on the dialog box to set the following parameters:
• Select the Port 1 or Port 2 button to change port assignments.
• Select the LO field to select the source for LO as External Src (Source) 1, External Src 2, External Src 3, External Src 4, or None.
• Change the NumPoints (Number of Points) field to the required measurement points. The initial value is taken from the setting on the FREQUENCY menu.
Mixer Setup – Multi-Channel – Frequency Sweep – Configuration 1 – Set External Source Addresses
12. When ready, select the Configure External Sources button. The CONFIGURE EXT. SOURCE ADDRESSES dialog box appears.
CONFIGURE EXT. SOURCE ADDRESSES Dialog Box
 
13. Change the address settings as required.
• The mixer dialog uses the settings made on the REMOTE INTER. menu.
• MAIN | System | SYSTEM | Remote Interface | REMOTE INTER.
• Changes made in the mixer dialog are applied to the REMOTE INTER. men.
14. When all changes are complete, select the Apply button. The CONFIGURATION 1 SETUP dialog box reappears.
Mixer Setup – Multi-Channel – Frequency Sweep – Configuration 1 – Set Frequency
15. When ready, select the Set Frequency button. The SET FREQUENCY (FREQUENCY SWEEP) dialog box appears as shown in Figure: Multi-Channel – SET FREQUENCY (FREQUENCY SWEEP) Setup Dialog Box below.
Multi-Channel – SET FREQUENCY (FREQUENCY SWEEP) Setup Dialog Box
1. Multi-Channel – SET FREQUENCY (FREQUENCY SWEEP) Setup Dialog Box
2. Mixer schematic showing mixer and VNA port assignments, frequency values, and power values.
3. RF Frequency Mode and Value Settings
4. RF Mode set as Swept with Swept Frequency Start and Stop input field. For all ports, mode can be any combination of Swept and Fixed. Only one port can be set as Auto.
5. LO Frequency Mode and Value Setting
6. LO Mode set as Fixed with CW Frequency input field.
7. LO CW Frequency field tool bar with vale and units. Appears for RF, IF, and LO input as required.
8. IF Frequency Model and Value Settings
9. IF Mode set as Auto. Value is calculated based on the settings for the other two ports and the Conversion setting below.
10. Conversion setting radio buttons. If default RF as input and LO as output, calculates IF. If R as output and IF and input, calculates RF.
 
16. The mixer schematic drawing shows the current settings for the RF, IF, and LO ports.
Mixer Setup – Multi-Channel – Frequency Sweep – Configuration 1 – Set Frequency – Set RF, LO, and IF Mode and Values
17. In the middle of the dialog box are separate control areas for RF Frequency, LO Frequency, and IF Frequency.
18. For each control area, set the frequency mode.
• The frequency options are Swept, Fixed, or Auto.
• Any combination of Swept or Fixed can be assigned to the RF, IF, and LO ports.
• Only one port can be configured as Auto. In this configuration, the instrument calculates the required frequency based on the conversion setting selected (described below) in the Conversion area at the bottom of the dialog box and the settings on the other two ports.
• Each Frequency Mode selection provides different control immediately below in the next area.
• In the figure above, RF Frequency is set as Swept, LO Frequency is set as Swept, and IF Frequency is set as Fixed.
19. If the RF, IF, and/or LO Frequency Mode is set as Swept:
• The Swept Frequency area appears with controls for Start Frequency and Stop Frequency.
• Select the Start Frequency field, and at the top of the dialog in the field toolbar, enter the required starting frequency and required units from GHz, MHz, kHz, or Hz.
• Note that the field toolbar name changes depending on whether RF, IF, or LO is selected.
20. If the RF, IF, and/or LO Frequency Mode is set as Fixed:
• The Fixed Frequency area appears with a single control for CW Frequency.
• Select the CW field and enter the required CW frequency and required units.
21. If the RF, IF, or LO Frequency Mode is set as Auto:
• No frequency assignment fields are available.
• The frequency is calculated based on the settings for the other two mixer ports and the settings in the Conversion area described below.
Mixer Setup – Multi-Channel – Frequency Sweep – Configuration 1 – Set Frequency – Set the Conversion Required
22. Near the bottom of the dialog is the Conversion area.
23. Select button for the conversion type required from options of:
• IF = RF - LO which is down conversion with Upper SideBand (USB).
• IF = LO - RF which is down conversion with Lower Side Band (LSB).
• IF = RF + LO which is up conversion.
24. When all settings are complete, select the OK button to return to the setup central control dialog.
• The CONFIGURATION 1 SETUP [FREQUENCY SWEEP] setup dialog reappears.
• See Figure: CONFIGURATION 1 SETUP (FREQUENCY SWEEP) – Controls above.
• If any setting is out of range, a warning dialog appears with an error message such as Invalid Frequency Range or Equation Out of Range. Correct the problem as required.
Mixer Setup – Multi-Channel – Frequency Sweep – Configuration 1 – Set Power Levels
25. On the CONFIGURATION 1 SETUP [FREQUENCY SWEEP] setup dialog box, select the Set Power Levels button.
• The SET POWERS (FREQUENCY SWEEP) setup dialog box appears as shown below in Figure: SET FREQUENCY (POWER SWEEP) Dialog Box – Control Areas.
Multi-Channel – Configuration 1 – SET POWERS (FREQUENCY SWEEP) Dialog Box
1. Multi-Channel – Configuration 1 – SET POWERS (FREQUENCY SWEEP) Dialog Box
2. Mixer Schematic with mixer and VNA port assignments and power settings.
3. Port Assignments
4. Power Settings – Note that only the driving ports have assigned power settings. The port and naming assignments depend on the user configuration.
5. RF Power (dBm) input field.
6. LO Power (dBm) input field.
7. Dialog Control buttons.
 
26. Enter the required RF Power level in dBm in the provided field.
• Note that the power setting appears on the Mixer Schematic and also in the POWER menu.
27. Enter the required LO POwer level in dBm.
28. When all settings are complete, select the OK button to return to the main setup control dialog box.
• See Figure: MIXER SETUP CONFIGURATION (FREQUENCY SWEEP) Dialog Box – Control Areas] setup dialog reappears.
29. A dialog report appears with a listing of the required calibrations to support the input mixer configuration. A typical example is shown below.
SUCESS Dialog with Required Calibrations
30. The mixer configuration process is complete.