NI Extends PXI RF Test Performance to 14GHz

National Instruments has introduced a 14GHz version of its NI PXIe-5665 high-performance RF vector signal analyzer (VSA), which delivers best-in-class dynamic range and accuracy in a cost-effective PXI form factor. The new VSA features improved phase noise and dynamic range, regardless of form factor, including traditional rack-and-stack instruments. Because of its PXI platform, the VSA can deliver measurement speeds up to 20 times faster than box instruments and for less cost. Additionally, it takes advantage of multicore computing architectures and parallel programming capabilities through NI LabVIEW system design software. It also offers peer-to-peer data streaming for signal processing and a flexible multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) architecture for phase-coherent measurements. Such features make it ideal for demanding RF test applications including radio detection and ranging (RADAR), satellite, radio and harmonic testing.

The VSA offers the same performance as the 3.6GHz version of the NI PXIe-5665 while extending the capabilities into the 14GHz frequency range. The VSA consists of the new NI PXIe-5605 downconverter, the NI PXIe-5653 local oscillator synthesizer and the NI PXIe-5622, a 150MS/s intermediate frequency (IF) digitizer. This combination creates an ideal solution for spectrum and wideband vector signal analysis over a frequency range of 20Hz to 14GHz with analysis bandwidths up to 50MHz. It features the industry’s best third-order intercept point at +24dBm with an absolute amplitude accuracy of ±0.10dB as well as an impressive error vector magnitude of 0.33percent for a 256 QAM modulated signal. It also delivers an exceptionally low phase noise of -129dBc/Hz at a 10kHz offset at 800MHz and an average noise level of -165dBm/Hz.

Because the new 14GHz NI PXIe-5665 joins an industry portfolio of more than 1,500 software-defined PXI modular instruments, engineers can mix and match the VSA with a variety of modules and control an entire automated test system with LabVIEW system design software. Engineers can take advantage of the VSA’s software-defined performance with RF software toolkits for LabVIEW, NI LabWindows/CVI and .NET to test the latest RADAR, satellite, radio and numerous RF and wireless communication standards including GSM/EDGE, WCDMA, LTE, WLAN and WiMAX.

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