System Requirements

Power-Added Efficiency Measurement Library has the following requirements:

  • Processor1 GHz 64-bit (x64)
  • RAM4 GB RAM
    Note Depending on the amount of data acquired and/or processed, a larger amount of memory may be required.
  • Screen Resolution—Minimum 1,024 × 768
  • Operating System—Any supported OS, with all available critical updates and service packs
  • Supported Operating Systems

    Determine which versions of Power-Added Efficiency Measurement Library are compatible with your Windows operating system.

    Table 1. Compatibility Information for Power-Added Efficiency Measurement Library and Windows Operating Systems
    Software Name Supported Operating System (64-bit)
    Power-Added Efficiency Measurement Library 2024 Q3 Windows 11/10

    Supported Application Development Environment Versions

    Determine which versions of NI application development environment (ADEs) are compatible with Power-Added Efficiency Measurement Library.

    Table 2. Compatibility Information for Power-Added Efficiency Measurement Library and NI ADEs
    Power-Added Efficiency Measurement Library API Earliest Supported ADE Version
    API LabVIEW 2021
    InstrumentStudio Plugin InstrumentStudio 2024 Q3
    Note The Power-Added Efficiency Measurement Library installation includes InstrumentStudio.

    Supported Hardware

    Power-Added Efficiency Measurement Library provides support for the following hardware models.

    Vector Signal Transceivers (VSTs)

  • PXIe-5831—44 GHz, 1 GHz Bandwidth PXI Vector Signal Transceiver
  • PXIe-5841—6 GHz, 1 GHz Bandwidth, RF PXI Vector Signal Transceiver
  • PXIe-5842—26.5 GHz or 54 GHz, Up to 2 GHz BW, RF PXI Vector Signal Transceiver
  • Source Measure Units (SMUs)

  • PXI-4130—±20 V, ±2 A DC, 40 W PXI Source Measure Unit
  • PXIe-4137—PXIe, ±200 V, ±1 A DC, ±3 A Pulsed, Up to 40 W DC, 100 fA Precision System PXI Source Measure Unit
  • PXIe-4139—PXIe, ±60 V, ±3 A DC, ±10 A Pulsed, 40 W DC, 100 fA Precision System PXI Source Measure Unit
  • Hardware Requirements

    The Power-Added Efficiency Measurement Library (PAEML) 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 PAEML 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 Power-Added Efficiency 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 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 Power-Added Efficiency Measurement Library system includes the following hardware components.

    Notice A system and the surrounding environment must meet the requirements defined in the specifications documents for each hardware component.
    Table 3. System Hardware Components
    Component Description and Recommendations
    PXI Chassis

    A PXI chassis houses the RTG system and supplies power, communication, and timing/synchronization for the RTG functions.

    Required Model: PXIe-1095

    PXI Controller

    A PXI controller, installed in the same PXI chassis as the VST instruments, interfaces with the instrument using NI device drivers.

    Minimum Requirements: 16 GB/s bandwidth and 16 GB RAM

    Vector Signal Transceiver (VST) Instrument(s)

    The VST instrument.
    • PXIe-5831
    • PXIe-5841 or PXIe-5841 (with PXIe-5655)
    • PXIe-5842 (VST Only)
    Source Measure Unit (SMU)

    The SMU instrument.
    • PXI-4130
    • PXIe-4137
    • PXIe-4139
    Note 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.
    Cables and Accessories

    Cables and accessories not included in the hardware kits that allow connectivity to/from the instruments for measurements.

    Visit NI SMU Cable and Accessory Compatibility for more information about supported cables and accessories for your SMU.