Agilent CSA Spectrum Analyzer N1996A Demonstration Guide Introduction This step-by-step demo guide will help you explore the unprecedented value of the Agilent CSA spectrum analyzer for meeting your design, test, and measurement challenges. Demos 1. Physical Attributes and Features Large, high resolution screen Robust Connectivity options Easy-to-use UI Size/weight 2. Performance TOI (distortion) DANL w/ preamp (noise) 1-dB step attenuation 3. Stimulus/Response Measurement Suite Two-port insertion loss Distance to fault 4. Automatic Features Auto-scale Auto-tune Auto-range 5. Measurements Spectrogram Occupied bandwidth Adjacent channel power Many of these demos are also available in the online demo at www.agilent.com/find/csademo.
1Demo Physical Attributes and Features The industry-leading attributes of the Agilent CSA are shown in Figure 1. Signal source for stimulus/response suite Largest display with best resolution 21.3 cm (8.4 in), color XGA LCD Most notable is the large screen, which is the same screen that we use on our high-performance spectrum analyzers. The bail handle allows you to setup the analyzer in an easily viewable configuration as well as easily carry it to where the measurement needs to be made. The USB ports, shown in Figure 2, enable the following functions: Firmware upgrades Screen shot transfer to a PC Trace data transfer to PC or Agilent CSA State capture transfer to PC or Agilent CSA Built-in bridge and signal source for stimulus/response measurements other analyzers require an external bridge to make these measurements. 20 cm (7.8 in) 25 cm (9.7 in) 48 cm (18.8 in) Figure 1. N1996A Batteries (opt) Connection for power adapter 7.5 kg / 8.5 kg w/batteries USB 10/100BT LAN Ext ref Ext trig USB Kennsington lock for secure cable +33 dbm (2W) Type N connector Figure 2. Back of N1996A 2
2Demo Excellent Performance The Agilent CSA provides excellent performance in its class, offering a mix of performance and features to meet your design, test, or measurement challenges: +18 dbm TOI (nominal) -148 dbm DANL (w/ PreAmp) 1 db Step Attenuation Fast Narrow RBW Sweep Speeds Third Order Intercept (TOI) Two sources are needed to demonstrate TOI using the following steps. 1. First connect two sources outputting CWs with a 1 MHz spacing at 0 dbm using a power splitter/combiner. 2. Enter the Spectrum Analyzer mode. Mode > Spectrum Analyzer 3. Set the attenuation. AMPTD > Elec. Atten > ## 4. Set the start and end frequencies. FREQ > Start Freq > ## FREQ > Stop Freq > ## Set these to capture the span including the two CWs and the intermodulation distortion product at an offset of 1 MHz (high or low). 5. Use the auto-scale function and markers to align the signal on the screen to make it easily viewable and measurable. 1-dB Step Attenuation Change the setting in the AMPTD menu to demonstrate the 1 db adjustability. Fast Narrow RBW Sweep Speeds The Agilent CSA sweeps faster than most analyzers in wide spans and narrow RBWs. This capability can be seen with many configurations, such as a 1 GHz span and a 3 khz RBW. To set up this configuration, follow the steps below: 1. Preset the instrument. 2. Set the span. SPAN > 1 > GHz 3. Set the RBW. BW > 3 > khz DANL The noise floor on the Agilent CSA permits you to see very low signals. The Agilent CSA will automatically choose a resolution bandwidth that helps view the signals of interest in a reasonable amount of time by making the trade-off between sweep time and noise floor. Leave the RBW set to automatic and use the pre-amp. To demo the DANL, follow the steps below: 1. Turn on the pre-amp. AMPTD > More > Internal Preamp (On) 2. Set the frequency. FREQ > 1 GHz 3. Set the span. SPAN > 1 khz 4. Lower the RBW. BW > 10 Hz 5. Autoscale to see the signal. AMPTD > Autoscale 3
3Demo Stimulus/Response Measurement Suite The stimulus/response (S/R) measurement suite comprises four measurements: Two-port insertion loss, one-port insertion loss, distance-to-fault (DTF), and return loss. In order to demonstrate these measurements, a DUT is required. For two-port insertion loss, a filter is recommended. For all other measurements, some length of cable is required. Two different measurements are shown below: Two-port insertion loss and distance-to-fault. Two-Port Insertion Loss 1. Enter the two-port insertion loss Mode > Stimulus/Response > measurement. two-port Insertion Loss 2. Set the start and end frequencies. FREQ > Start Freq > ## FREQ > Stop Freq > ## 3. Normalize for the measurement. FREQ > Normalize Then follow the instructions displayed on screen. 4. After this, connect your DUT. The Agilent CSA now displays the two-port insertion loss of your DUT. Distance-to-Fault 1. Enter the distance-to-fault Mode > Stimulus/Response > measurement. Distance-to-Fault 2. Input your start and stop distances. FREQ > Start Distance > ## FREQ > Stop Distance > ## This automatically sets the start and stop frequencies. 3. Select your cable type. Meas. Setup > Cable Type > Select Cable 4. Calibrate the measurement. FREQ > Calibrate Then follow the on-screen instructions for the calibration sequence (open/short/load). 5. Finally, connect the cable to be AMPTD > Autoscale measured and observe the results. The display can be scaled easily by using the auto-scale function. Figure 4. Stimulus/response two-port insertion loss Figure 5. Stimulus/response distance-to-fault 4
4Demo Automatic Features The automatic features of the Agilent CSA enhance your measurement experience. They make measurements more efficient for expert users and more effective for students. The primary automatic features are: 1. Auto-scale 2. Auto-tune 3. Auto-range Each of these can be demonstrated separately. Auto-Scale Auto-scale is designed to give the best view of the signal with very few key strokes. Choose a signal that would otherwise be difficult to show on an analyzer or choose the noise-floor as a measurement specimen. 1. Activate auto-scale. AMPTD > Autoscale Auto-Tune To demonstrate the auto-tune feature well, a distinct (higher power) input signal should be present. The auto-tune feature will search the spectrum looking for the most powerful signal and then attempt to zoom around it and display it near the center of the screen. 1. Activate the feature. Auto-Tune If you want to change the settings, use Undo Auto-Range Auto-ranging ensures accurate measurement by automatically controlling the attenuator and pre-amp to adjust for the input signals. It performs a full-band background sweep, optimizing input attenuation and preamplifier settings to ensure that off-screen signals are not compressing the RF gain stage. To demonstrate this capability, perform the following: 1. Enable auto-ranging. AMPTD > Auto Range (On) 2. Observe the status bar above the graticule displaying the preamplifier status (Preamp On) and the attenuation (Atten: 0 db). Figure 6. Analyzer setup keypad 3. Connect the 10 MHz Reference (REF OUT ) from the back of the instrument to the RF input on the front panel. 4. Observe the status bar again. The Preamplifier is now off and some attenuation has been inserted. The instrument automatically adjusts for the presence of the large signal to ensure no compression occurs. 5
5Demo Measurements The Agilent CSA has several built-in measurements with more to come. An input CDMA signal is needed to create the spectrogram display shown in Figure 7. Spectrogram The spectrogram view allows you to view signals changing over time. It can be used for interference analysis, circuit stability, etc. 1. Set the signal to the proper scale AMPTD > Autoscale before enabling the spectrogram view. The color scale of the spectrogram directly corresponds to position (vertical) on the graticule. 2. Enable the spectrogram view in the View/Display > Spectrogram > On spectrum analyzer mode. Figure 7. Spectrogram 6
5Demo Measurements (continued) Occupied Bandwidth (OBW) The Occupied Bandwidth measurement in the Agilent CSA will be of use for determining the power and bandwidth of modulated signals. 1. Activate this measurement in the Meas > Occupied BW spectrum analysis mode. 2. There are then several parameters Meas Setup in the measurement than can be This will allow you to demonstrate the power adjusted to view these. of the measurement to your customer. Further Information For further information regarding the Agilent CSA, including ordering information, brochures, datasheets, and on-line demos please refer to: www.agilent.com/find/csa. Adjacent Channel Power (ACP) 1. Activate the measurement. Mode > Channel Analyzer > Adjacent Channel Power 2. Configure the measurement. Meas Setup In this menu, change the format type to the input signal that you have connected. Note: Center Frequency can also be changed in the same manner as the above demos. 3. Activate limit lines. Meas Setup > Limits > Power Limits > On This will allow you to display the pass/fail capability of the measurement. Figure 8. Adjacent channel power 7
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