Using CH 1

By switching between the CH 1 main and direct paths as needed, you can customize the NI PXI-5690 application to the needs of your measurement system. Refer to the NI PXI-5690 Block Diagram for an illustration of both paths.

Note  While the maximum input to CH 1 is +20 dBm, observe the following guidelines for inputs >+15 dBm to ensure that ≥5 dB of input attenuation is applied. Gain: ≤15 dB for input frequencies ≤1.5 GHz ≤10 dB for input frequencies >1.5 GHz

CH 1 Direct Path

The CH 1 direct path allows you to bypass the step attenuator and amplification in the CH 1 main path. For example, if the level of the signal of interest is within the input range of an NI RF vector signal analyzer, switch to the RF amplifier CH 1 direct path. In this configuration, the NI PXI-5690 does not modify the input signal in any way other than a small amount of insertion loss, which can be queried using the ni5690 Get Actual Gain VI or the ni5690_getActualGain function.

CH 1 Main Path

The CH 1 main path allows you to apply adjustable gain or attenuation, in nominal 1 dB steps, to the signal of interest. For example, if the level of the signal of interest drops below the input range of an NI RF vector signal analyzer, switch to the CH 1 main path and configure for amplification. This path allows you to monitor signals that would normally be invisible to the NI RF vector signal analyzer.

Likewise, if the level of the signal of interest predictably varies above the reference level setting of the NI RF vector signal analyzer, the CH 1 main path can programmatically amplify or attenuate the signal into the allowable input range using typical 1 dB steps, without the need to change the settings of the NI RF vector signal analyzer.

CH 1 Main Path Considerations

Because the CH 1 main path consists of an adjustable attenuator (automatically controlled by the ni5690 Configure Gain VI or the ni5690_configureGain function) preceding the amplification block, applying gain at any level other than maximum requires asserting some attenuation. Therefore any CH 1 gain setting, except the maximum, increases the noise figure of the NI PXI-5690 RF amplifier, but consequently improves the linearity.

Whether this increase in noise figure affects your application depends on your system requirements. Use the following equation to determine the noise floor of your system.

where    NFloor_RFSA is the noise floor of the NI RF signal analyzer in dBm/Hz

Gain_AMP is the NI PXI-5690 RF amplifier gain setting in dB

Noise_{FUNDAMENTAL LIMIT} is the fundamental noise floor limit in dBm/Hz (approximately –174 dBm/Hz) at room temperature

Note  –174 dBm/Hz is calculated using this equation: [10 log10(kT) + 30], where k is Boltzmann's constant (1.38 × 10–23), and T is temperature in degrees Kelvin (º C + 273).

NFigure_AMP is the noise figure of the NI RF amplifier in dB

Related Topics

Using the NI RF Signal Conditioning Devices With RF Vector Signal Analyzers

Using the NI RF Signal Conditioning Devices With RF Vector Signal Generators