PXIe-5842 Hardware Option and Software Capability Mapping

The hardware options for the PXIe-5842 unlock specific capabilities of the instrument that are generally accessible with NI-RFSA, NI-RFSG, RFmx, and InstrumentStudio software. Use these relationships to help evaluate which licenses you need.

Analysis

VSA functionality

  • Valid values: present or not
  • Associated capability:
    • Programming the instrument with NI-RFSA
    • Programming the instrument with RFmx
    • Running signal analyzer panels in InstrumentStudio

Generation

VSG functionality

  • Valid values: present or not
  • Associated capability:
    • Programming the instrument with NI-RFSG
    • Running signal generator panels in InstrumentStudio

Frequency Range

Range of usable center frequencies

  • Valid values:
    • 30 MHz - 8 GHz
    • 30 MHz - 12 GHz
    • 30 MHz - 18 GHz
    • 30 MHz - 26.5 GHz
  • Associated capability:
    • For analysis:
      • In NI-RFSA sessions where Acquisition Type is set to IQ, setting Downconverter Center Frequency to a value within the licensed range
      • In NI-RFSA or RFmx spectrum acquisition, acquiring spectrum up to an upper limit of Frequency Range + (Bandwidth / 2).

        For example, a licensed frequency range of 30 MHz - 26.5 GHz combined with a 2 GHz bandwidth license enables acquiring spectrum from 30 MHz to 27.5 GHz.

    • For generation:
      • In NI-RFSG sessions where Generation Mode is set to Arb Waveform, setting Upconverter Center Frequency to a value within the licensed range
      • In NI-RFSG sessions where Generation Mode is set to CW, setting Frequency to a value within the licensed range

Bandwidth

Maximum instantaneous bandwidth

  • Valid values:
    • 500 MHz
    • 1 GHz
    • 2 GHz
  • Associated capability:
    • Setting the Signal Bandwidth and Device Instantaneous Bandwidth properties up to the maximum licensed value.1 A lower limit may apply at low center frequencies or low carrier frequencies. Refer to PXIe-5842 Specifications for maximum bandwidth and maximum offset bandwidth across frequencies.[1]
    • When Frequency Offset Mode is Automatic, the instrument driver can apply automatic offset for signal bandwidths up to roughly half the license value:
      • 500 MHz option: 250 MHz
      • 1 GHz option: 500 MHz
      • 2 GHz option: up to 900 MHz[1]
    • Setting the IQ Rate property up to 1.25 × Bandwidth License Value

Pulse Modulation

Ability to pulse modulate RF signal generation

  • Valid values: present or not
  • Associated capability: In NI-RFSG, setting the Pulse Modulation Enabled property to True, and setting the PULSE: IN connector as a trigger source.

MGT Streaming

Ability to use the MGT ports for waveform streaming

  • Valid values: present or not
  • Associated capability: Ability to access the MGT ports for streaming purposes.

1 A lower limit may apply at low center frequencies or low carrier frequencies. Refer to PXIe-5842 Specifications for maximum bandwidth and maximum offset bandwidth across frequencies.