Configuring a 1 Coupler Per Port, 1 VST System

  • Refer to the hardware requirements listed in 1 Coupler Per Port, 1 VST System Hardware Requirements.
  • Ensure all components are installed in the chassis before completing the following steps.
  • If using the PXIe-5842, ensure the modules are properly interconnected, as described in Interconnecting the PXIe-5842.
Complete the following steps to configure your hardware for S-parameter measurements using one vector signal transceiver (VST) and one coupler per DUT port.
Note The PXIe-5831 does not have dedicated RF IN/OUT ports. Use the IF IN/OUT 1 port as RF IN and the IF IN/OUT 0 port as RF OUT when using a PXIe-5831.

The following figure shows two PXI-2597 multiplexer switch modules; you can alternately implement this configuration with one PXIe-2543 multiplexer switch module when using the PXIe-5841 VST.

Figure 1. 1 Coupler Per Port, 1 VST System Connections


  1. Connect the RF OUT or IF IN/OUT 0 port of the VST to the COM port of the RF OUT switch or switch bank using an SMA cable.
  2. Install each attenuator on an output port of the RF OUT switch or switch bank.
  3. Connect each attenuator to the output port of a coupler using SMA cables.
  4. Connect the coupled port of each coupler to the channels of the RF IN switch or switch bank using SMA cables.
  5. Connect the COM port of the RF IN switch or switch bank to the RF IN or IF IN/OUT 1 port of the VST using an SMA cable.
  6. Connect the input ports of the couplers to the DUT for measurement or the calibration kit for calibration using SMA cables.
  7. If using the PXIe-5841, share the local oscillator (LO) signal by connecting the TX LO OUT port to the RX LO IN port of the VST using a MMPX-to-MMPX cable. If using the PXIe-5831 or PXIe-5842, no additional connection needs to be made because the LO is shared internally.

1 Coupler Per Port, 1 VST System Hardware Requirements

In this configuration, use one vector signal transceiver (VST), one coupler per port, and one switch per port to measure the reflection and transmission waves of the DUT.

The following tables list the NI and third-party accessories required to perform S-parameter measurements with one coupler per port and one VST.
Table 5. Required NI Hardware
HardwareModelMinimum RequirementsQuantity
PXI Vector Signal Transceiver PXIe-5831, PXIe-5841, or PXIe-5842—1
PXI RF Multiplexer SwitchPXIe-2543, if using the PXIe-5841—1
PXIe-2597, if using the PXIe-5831 or PXIe-5842 —2
PXI ChassisPXIe-1095—1
PXI Controller—16 GB/s bandwidth and 16 GB RAM1
MMPX-to-MMPX Cables122 mm Flexible Cables—

0, if using a PXIe-5831 or PXIe-5842

1, if using a PXIe-5841

Table 6. Required Third-Party Accessories
HardwareModelQuantity
Directional CouplerRD Microwave C1-C31-C202
SMA CablesVelocity Microwave Conexus 3.5 mm Cables8
6 dB Fixed AttenuatorMini-Circuits BW-S6-2W263+2
3.5 mm VNA Calibration KitMaury Microwave 8050CK51 Characterized Device (CD) Fixed Load SOLT Kit with Adapters 1