Agilent N4010A Wireless Connectivity Test Set Performance Guide Using the 89601A Vector Signal Analysis Software and the 89607A WLAN Test Suite Software Application Note
Table of Contents Introduction Product Overview Introduction… . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Product Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 N4010A/89601A Features . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Performance Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Time and Waveform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Measurement, Display, and Control. . . . . 7 Software Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Vector Modulation Analysis (Option 89601A-AYA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Quickly evaluate and troubleshoot digitally modulated signals with the modulation analysis tools in the 89601A software. Examine symbol behavior with trellis/eye diagrams. Use the constellation and vector diagrams for an overall indication of signal behavior and to obtain clues to the cause of the problem. Take advantage of the EVM, EVM spectrum, and EVM time capabilities for more sensitive examination of signal errors. Perform time domain analysis using the 89601A software RF scope capability.
N4010A/89601A Features The N4010A/89601A combination requires a PC for the software’s operation. Detailed configuration requirements for the N4010A, the software, and the PC are provided in the appendix. N4010A feature availability 89601A feature availability When the N4010A is controlled by the 89601A software, users have control of the following features via the 89601A software When the 89601A software is used with the N4010A, almost all of the features of the 89601A and its options are available.
Performance Summary Frequency range Option N4010A-101 or 102 The following is a summary of the features and capabilities provided by the N4010A in combination with the 89601A software. These are nominal values and are not warranted. 2.381 to 2.
Time and Waveform Time record characteristics In the 89601A software, measurements are based on time records (for example, blocks of waveform samples from which time, frequency and modulation domain data is derived.) Time records have these characteristics: Time record length = (number of frequency points – 1)/span, with RBW mode set to arbitrary, auto-coupled Time sample resolutions = 1/(k x span) Where k = 1.
Measurement, Display, and Control Triggering Trigger types Vector signal analyzer Free run, IF magnitude, external TTL Internal trigger range –65 to +23 dBm for 5 MHz bandwidth –60 to +23 dBm for 22 MHz bandwidth Pre-trigger delay range 4.5 ms or time capture length, whichever is shorter Post-trigger delay range 5.2 ms Trigger hold-off 20 ns to 0.65 ms Averaging Number of averages, maximum > 108 Overlap averaging 0 to 99.
Marker functions Peak signal track, frequency counter, band power Band power markers Markers can be placed on any time, frequency, or demodulated trace for direct computation of band power, rms square root (of power), C/N, or C/No, computed within the selected portion of the data. Trace math Trace math can be used to manipulate data on each measurement. Applications include user-defined measurement units, data correction, and normalization.
Software Interface The 89601A software appears to other Windows® software as an ActiveX® object. Implemented according to the industry-standard Component Object Model (COM), the software exposes a rich object model of properties, events, and methods, as fully described in the 89601A documentation. Software development environments that are capable of interacting with COM objects include Agilent VEE, Microsoft® Visual Basic®, Microsoft Visual C++®, MATLAB®, National Instruments® LabVIEW, and others.
Vector Modulation Analysis (Option 89601A-AYA) Note that analysis and presets are only valid over the frequency range of the N4010A-101/102.
Maximum symbol rate Symbol rate is limited only by the measurement span; that is, the entire signal must fit within the analyzer’s currently selected frequency span.
Error summary (formats other than FSK) Measured rms and peak values of the following: Error vector magnitude, magnitude error, phase error, frequency error (carrier offset frequency), I-Q offset amplitude droop (PSK and MSK formats), SNR (8/16VSB and QAM formats), quadrature error, gain imbalance For VSB formats, VSB pilot levels is shown in dB relative to nominal. SNR is calculated from the real part of the error vector only. For DVB formats, EVM is calculated without removing IQ offset.
Accuracy (nominal) Formats other than FSK, 8/16VSB and OQPSK Conditions: Specifications apply for a full scale signal at 2.4 GHz, 0 to –55 dBm signal level Residual EVM span = 5 MHz span = 22 MHz Frequency error (added to frequency accuracy if applicable) < 2.0% rms < 2.0% rms symbol rate/500,000 Adaptive equalizer Removes the effects of linear distortion (e.g. non-flat frequency response, multipath, etc.) from modulation quality measurements.
WLAN Modulation Analysis OFDM modulation analysis (Option 89601A-B7R) Signal acquisition Note that analysis is only valid over the frequency range of the N4010A-101/102. Supported standards 802.11a, HiperLAN2, and 802.11g (OFDM) Modulation formats BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM (auto detect or manual override) Search length Minimum Result length + 6 symbol times (28 µs) Maximum 5.
Equalizer measurement results Equalizer impulse response Computed from preamble Channel frequency response Computed from preamble Pre-demodulation measurement results Time Instantaneous Spectrum Instantaneous, average Search time Instantaneous Display formats Error vector spectrum Error values for each symbol time plotted for each carrier Error vector time Error values for each carrier plotted for each symbol time Accuracy (nominal) Residual EVM < 2% rms Residual constellation error –34 dB
DSSS modulation analysis Signal acquisition Modulation format Auto detect or manual override: Barker1, Barker2, CCK5.5, CCK11, PBCC11, PBCC22, PBCC33 Preamble Auto detect (short, long) Search length Adjustable between result length and 5.
Demodulation measurement results IQ measured IQ measured time, IQ measured spectrum, instantaneous IQ measured spectrum IQ reference IQ reference time, IQ reference spectrum, instantaneous IQ reference spectrum Other IQ error traces IQ magnitude error, IQ phase error Error vector Error vector time, error vector spectrum, instantaneous error vector spectrum Despread symbols Preamble, header, data Symbol and error table summary 802.
WLAN Test Suite Software Specifications (nominal) (89607A) Standard IEEE 802.11g IEEE 802.11b Total power accuracy ±0.5 dB1,2 ±0.5 dB1,2 Center frequency tolerance ±1 kHz2 ±1 kHz2 Clock frequency tolerance ±0.5 ppm2 ±0.5 ppm2 Residual constellation error –34 dB — Speed standards-based testing of your 802.11b/g WLAN transmitter with the 89607A WLAN test suite software and the N4010A.
Appendix Required hardware and software Ordering an N4010A wireless connectivity test set 89601A vector signal analysis software The following options must be installed in the N4010A. The N4010A/89601A combination works with 89601A vector signal analysis software version 5.20 or greater. Table 1. Options required in the N4010A Option Description 89601A software revision 101 or Bluetooth 5.
Related Literature N4010A Bluetooth Test Set, data sheet, literature number 5989-0251EN N4010A Wireless LAN Tx/Rx Custom Option, technical overview, literature number 5988-0145EN 89600 Series Wide-Bandwidth Vector Signal Analyzer, brochure, literature number 5980-0723E 89607A WLAN Test Suite Software, technical overview, literature number 5988-9547EN Agilent Technologies’ Test and Measurement Support, Services, and Assistance Agilent Technologies aims to maximize the value you receive, while minimizing you
