Power-Added Efficiency Measurement Hardware Requirements

The ESA Characterization Reference Architecture provides several recommended hardware configurations to accomplish PAE measurements, including a choice between the PXIe-5831, PXIe-5841, or PXIe-5842 and the ability to use internal or external local oscillation (LO).

Use the ESA Characterization Reference Architecture to design a test system comprised of a source measurement unit (SMU) and a combination of one or more vector signal transceivers (VSTs) for RF generation and analysis. Use the Pulsed RF Measurement Library to customize and automate measurements.

The following figure demonstrates how NI hardware is connected to perform a power-added efficiency (PAE) measurement.

Figure 1. Power-Added Efficiency Diagram


A VST is a combination of a one-port generator and a one-port analyzer with an onboard FPGA. A VST can simultaneously generate a stimulus and receive back the response from the coupled port with minimal phase noise impact due to the local oscillator (LO) sharing capabilities between the transmission and receiving path.

A source measure unit (SMU) is used to power the DUT and measure the power consumption.

The following table lists the NI hardware requirements to perform PAE measurements with the PXIe-5831, PXIe-5841, or PXIe-5842.

Table 12. Required NI Hardware
Hardware Model Minimum Requirements Quantity
PXI Vector Signal Transceiver PXIe-5831, PXIe-5841, PXIe-5841 with PXIe-5655, or PXIe-5842 — 1
PXI Source Measure Unit PXI-4130*, PXIe-4137, or PXIe-4139 — 1
PXI Chassis PXIe-1095 — 1
PXI Controller — 16 GB/s bandwidth and 16 GB RAM 1
* The PXI-4130 supports Constant DC Stimulus and CW RF Stimulus measurements only, and does not support Pulsed DC Stimulus or Pulsed CW RF Stimulus measurement operations.
Table 13. Required Third-Party Accessories
Hardware Model Quantity
Source Measure Unit Cable Refer to NI SMU Cable and Accessory Compatibility for cabling information for your PXI Source Measure Unit. 1