PXIe-5842 Specifications

Applicable Instruments

These specifications apply to PXIe-5842 instruments that are based around a PXIe-5842 module with assembly part number 138862x-yL, where the hardware revision x is a letter and y is one or more digits.

This assembly number series is used in shipping kits with the following part numbers:

  • PXIe-5842 VST: 789600-x, where x is a series of digits
  • PXIe-5842 with S-parameters: 788568-01

Definitions

Warranted specifications describe the performance of a model under stated operating conditions and are covered by the model warranty. Warranted specifications account for measurement uncertainties, temperature drift, and aging. Warranted specifications are ensured by design or verified during production and calibration.

Characteristics describe values that are relevant to the use of the model under stated operating conditions but are not covered by the model warranty.

  • Typical specifications describe the performance met by a majority of models.
  • Typical-95 specifications describe the performance met by 95% (≈2σ) of models with a 95% confidence.
  • Nominal specifications describe an attribute that is based on design, conformance testing, or supplemental testing.
  • Measured specifications describe the measured performance of a representative model.

Specifications are Warranted unless otherwise noted.

Conditions

All specifications are valid under the following conditions unless otherwise noted.

  • 30 minutes warm-up time; warm-up time begins when the PXI Express chassis has been powered on and the operating system has completely loaded
  • Self-calibration is performed after the warm-up time has completed
  • Calibration cycle is maintained
  • Environment temperature is within the ambient range, onboard temperature sensors within the PXIe-5842 instrument are within ±5 °C of the last self-calibration temperature, and temperature correction is enabled (default driver behavior)
  • Installed in chassis with 82 W slot cooling capacity with fan mode set to Auto
  • Empty chassis slots contain slot blockers and EMC filler panels to minimize temperature drift and reduce emissions
  • Modules are connected with NI cables according to setup instructions, as documented in PXIe-5842 user documentation
  • Indicated instrument driver is used with driver default settings unless otherwise noted:
    • PXIe-5842 VST: RFmx 2023 Q3 or later, NI-RFSA 2023 Q3 or later, or NI-RFSG 2023 Q3 or later
    • PXIe-5842 with S-parameters: RFmx 2023 Q4 or later, NI-RFSA 2023 Q4 or later, or NI-RFSG 2023 Q4 or later

Warranted specifications are valid under the following condition unless otherwise noted.

  • Over an ambient temperature range of 0 °C to 40 °C

Typical and Typical-95 specifications are valid under the following condition unless otherwise noted.

  • Over an ambient temperature range of 23 °C±5 °C

Typical specifications do not include measurement uncertainty.

Measured specifications do not include measurement uncertainty and are measured immediately after a device self-calibration is performed.

Interpreting the PXIe-5842 Specifications

The PXIe-5842 name applies to multiple instruments, each of which comprises a different set of individual modules. This document uses shorthand Configuration names to denote specifications that apply to a specific PXIe-5842 instrument; additionally, the ports at which specifications apply depend on the instrument.

Note PXIe-5842 instruments are integrated at the time of purchase and one instrument cannot be modified into another after purchase.

The following table describes which configuration name applies to which PXIe-5842 instrument and where the specifications apply within each PXIe-5842 instrument.

Table 1. PXIe-5842 Specifications Configurations and Applicable Ports
Instrument Constituent Modules Specification Configuration Specifications Apply At
Module RF Input RF Output VNA Input/Output
PXIe-5842 VST
  • PXIe-5842
  • PXIe-5655
A PXIe-5842 RF IN RF OUT N/A
PXIe-5842 with S-parameters
  • PXIe-5842
  • PXIe-5655
  • PXIe-5633
B PXIe-5633 PORT 1/PORT 2 PORT 1/PORT 2 PORT 1/PORT 2

The following figures illustrate these configurations and the modules within them:

Figure 1. PXIe-5842 Configuration A. PXIe-5842 VST


Figure 1. PXIe-5842 Configuration B. PXIe-5842 with S-parameters


PXIe-5842 Specifications and Licensed Capabilities

Various capabilities of the PXIe-5842 including but not limited to center frequency range, bandwidth, and capability for generation, analysis, or both are subject to licensing. Specifications for the PXIe-5842 cover the full possible performance, but your specific PXIe-5842 instrument must be appropriately licensed to realize the performance described in the specifications.

Common NI RF Terminology

Refer to the following list for definitions of common NI terms related to RF hardware and software-configured settings for the PXIe-5842 and used throughout documentation.

Table 2. Common Terminology Definitions
Term Definition
Center Frequency

Refers to the IQ Carrier Frequency property in NI-RFSA, the Frequency property in NI-RFSG, and the Center Frequency property in RFmx.
Frequency Offset Mode is Automatic

Refers to the NI-RFSADownconverter Frequency Offset Mode property or NI-RFSGUpconverter Frequency Offset Mode property set to Automatic.

Equivalent to the term Offset Mode is Automatic.

The PXIe-5842 uses a direct conversion architecture. Offset Mode allows the instrument to operate in low IF mode, which increases the separation between the signal of interest and the residual sideband image and residual LO leakage power. However, low IF mode limits the available instantaneous bandwidth. A setting of Automatic allows the driver to set Offset Mode to Enabled when the signal bandwidth is configured as small enough to allow it. You can read back the Offset Mode to determine if the driver selected Enabled or User-Defined.

Automatic is the default value. NI recommends keeping Offset Mode set to the default value.
Frequency Offset Mode is Enabled

Refers to the NI-RFSA Downconverter Frequency Offset Mode property or NI-RFSGUpconverter Frequency Offset Mode property set to Enabled.

Equivalent to the following terms or conditions:

  • Offset Mode is Enabled
  • Signal Bandwidth ≤ Maximum Offset Bandwidth

The PXIe-5842 uses a direct conversion architecture. Offset Mode allows the instrument to operate in low IF mode, which increases the separation between the signal of interest and the residual sideband image and residual LO leakage power.
Frequency Offset Mode is User-Defined

Refers to the NI-RFSADownconverter Frequency Offset Mode property or NI-RFSGUpconverter Frequency Offset Mode property set to User-Defined.

Equivalent to the following terms or conditions:

  • Offset Mode is User-Defined
  • Signal Bandwidth > Maximum Offset Bandwidth

The PXIe-5842 uses a direct conversion architecture. Offset Mode set to User-Defined allows the instrument to operate with maximum instantaneous bandwidth.
Onboard

With respect to local oscillators, refers to the value of the LO Source property. A value of Onboard configures the hardware to use the integral local oscillator of the instrument, that of the associated PXIe-5655 module(s).

With respect to reference clocks, refers to the value of the NI-RFSGReference Clock Source or NI-RFSARef Clock Source properties. A value of Onboard Clock configures the hardware to use the integral reference clock of the instrument, that of the associated PXIe-5655 module(s).
dBr
  • For input—Power of an acquired signal with respect to the instrument's configured reference level. For example, if the reference level is set to -10 dBm and the acquired tone is -17 dBm, the signal is said to be at -7 dBr.
  • For output—Generated power of a CW with respect to the instrument's peak power setting. For example, with a peak power level setting of +5 dBm and a -3 dBr setting, the power of the generated CW is +2 dBm.