GETTING STARTED GUIDE NI RF Signal Generators This guide explains how to install, configure, test, and begin using NI RF signal generators. For more information, such as NI RF signal generator features and programming, refer to the NI RF Signal Generators Help, accessible at Start»All Programs» National Instruments»NI-RFSG»Documentation. Refer to the specifications document that ships with your device for detailed specifications. For the most current versions of documentation, visit ni.com/manuals.
Generate a Signal Using the NI 5670/5671/5672 RF Signal Generator Test Panel ..............................................................18 Configuring the NI 5650/5651/5652 in MAX..................................19 Rename the NI 5650/5651/5652 ...............................................20 Generate a Signal Using the NI 5650/5651/5652 RF Signal Generator Test Panel ..............................................................20 8. Setting up Synchronization for NI-DAQmx Devices in MAX ...........
AWG Arbitrary Waveform Generator—refers to the NI-RFSG-supported arbitrary waveform generator hardware module used in the NI 5670/5671/5672 devices. bold Bold text denotes items that you must select or click in the software, such as menu items and dialog box options. Bold text also denotes parameter names. italic Italic text denotes variables, emphasis, a cross-reference, or an introduction to a key concept. Italic text also denotes text that is a placeholder for a word or value that you must supply.
PXI/PXIe Refers to a PXI or PXI Express module. PXI Express compatible module A PXI module compatible with existing PXI slots and PXI hybrid slots. PXI Express compatible modules maintain hardware and software compatibility, with the exception of local bus functionality. RF Radio Frequency—refers to the signal output from the RF OUTPUT connector on the NI RF signal generator device front panels.
appears damaged in any way. Do not install a damaged module into the system. 3.
Table 1.
4. Installing the Software This section describes the software installation process for NI RF signal generators. Installing Application Development Software You can create applications for NI RF signal generators using application development environments (ADE) such as LabVIEW, LabWindows™/CVI™, or other development environments. Any ADE you intend to use must be installed before you install your driver software.
5. Installing the Hardware This section describes how to install hardware for PXI platforms. PXI Modules NI PXI modules are sensitive instruments that should be handled carefully. Do not expose the module to temperatures or humidity beyond the rated maximums. Keep the module free of dust by cleaning with compressed air only. Do not clean the module with any solvents or liquids. Refer to the Cooling section for more information about module cooling.
4. Remove the black plastic connectors from all the captive screws in the module front panel. 5. Make sure that the ejector handle is in the unlatched (downward) position. 6. Hold the module by the ejector handle and slide it into an empty slot. Make sure that the base engages with the guides in the chassis. 7. Slide the module completely into the chassis and latch it by pulling up on the ejector handle. 8. Tighten the captive screws at the top and bottom of the module front panel.
Installing the NI 5610 Upconverter Module Install the NI 5610 RF upconverter module by completing steps 1 through 11 under the Installing PXI Modules section. After completing all the steps, continue with the procedure in the Installing the NI 5421/5441 AWG Module section. Installing the NI 5421/5441 AWG Module Install the NI 5421/5441 AWG module by completing steps 1 though 11 in the Installing PXI Modules section. After completing all the steps, continue with the procedure in section 6.
Figure 2 shows the correct installation of a PXI Express module into a compatible chassis slot. 1 3 2 1 2 PXI Express Chassis Ejector Handle in Down Position 3 NI PXI Express Module Figure 2. PXI Express Module Installation NI 5672 Installation of the NI 5672 hardware requires three vacant slots—two PXI slots for the NI 5610 upconverter module and one PXIe compatible slot for the NI 5442 AWG module.
Figure 3 and Figure 4 show the two possible slot configurations for the NI 5672 module in an 8-slot PXI Express chassis. 8 NI PXIe-1062Q 7 6 1 1 2 3 4 2 System Controller Expansion Slots PXI Express System Controller Slot PXI Peripheral Slots PXI Express Hybrid Peripheral Slots 3 4 5 4 5 6 7 8 3 PXI Express System Timing Slot NI PXI-5610 Module NI PXIe-5442 Module PXI Filler Panels Figure 3. NI 5672 Module in Slots 2, 3, and 4 NI RF Signal Generators Getting Started Guide 12 ni.
8 NI PXIe-1062Q 7 6 2 1 1 2 3 4 System Controller Expansion Slots PXI Express System Controller Slot PXI Peripheral Slots PXI Express Hybrid Peripheral Slots 3 4 5 4 5 6 7 8 3 PXI Express System Timing Slot NI PXI-5610 Module NI PXIe-5442 Module PXI Filler Panels Figure 4. NI 5672 Module in Slots 3, 4, and 5 The NI PXI-5610 module blocks the PXI Express System Timing Slot in the configuration shown in Figure 4.
Inadequate air circulation could cause the temperature inside the chassis to rise above the optimal operating temperature for the NI RF signal generator, potentially causing thermal shutdown, shorter lifespans, or improper performance.
Figure 5. Proper NI 5670/5671/5672 Front Panel Interconnection 3. Carefully tighten all SMA connectors to 100 N-cm using an SMA torque wrench (not included), as shown in Figure 6. Tighten only until the wrench clicks. Incorrect torque at SMA connections can degrade signal fidelity, PLL performance, and insertion loss. Use an SMA torque wrench to ensure all SMA connections are properly torqued to 100 N-cm.
1 2 1 100 N-cm SMA Torque Wrench 2 Apply Force Here Until Wrench Clicks Figure 6. Torque All SMA Connectors to 100 N-cm 4. Power up the PXI chassis and controller system. 5. Verify that the ACCESS LEDs on both modules are illuminated. If the LEDs are not illuminated, refer to Appendix C: Troubleshooting. 7. Configuring NI RF Signal Generators in MAX Use Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) to configure your National Instruments hardware.
transparent operation of both modules as a single instrument (the NI 5670/5671/5672) using NI-RFSG. To use MAX to configure, self-test, associate, and generate signals with the NI 5670/5671/5672, complete the following steps: 1. Launch MAX by navigating to Start»All Programs»National Instruments»Measurement & Automation or by clicking the MAX desktop icon. 2. In the Configuration pane, double-click Devices and Interfaces to see the list of installed devices. 3. Expand the NI-DAQmx Devices folder.
9. Click OK. 10. Verify that the new names for both modules are displayed. Associate the Upconverter with the AWG Module You must create a MAX association between the NI 5610 upconverter module and the NI 5421/5441/5442 AWG module to control both hardware modules as a single NI RF signal generator. Complete steps 11 through 13 to make this association. 11. Right-click NI PXI-5610 and select Properties. 12.
3. The test panel allows you to verify that the device is operating properly. Click Start to begin signal generation. During signal generation the ACTIVE LEDs on both NI 5670/5671/5672 hardware modules are activated. Note Refer to Appendix C: Troubleshooting if either ACTIVE LED does not illuminate or if the NI RF signal generator test panel generates an error. 4. Click Stop to stop waveform generation. 5. Click Close to return to MAX. 6. Exit MAX.
Rename the NI 5650/5651/5652 MAX allows you to rename the NI 5650/5651/5652 hardware module. The MAX name is used in software to operate the NI 5650/5651/5652 hardware resources. You do not have to change the module name from the default but doing so can make programming easier. To rename the NI 5650/5651/5652 hardware modules, complete steps 1 through 4. If you do not wish to rename the modules, proceed to the Generate a Signal Using the NI 5650/5651/5652 RF Signal Generator Test Panel section. Note 1.
4. Click Stop to stop waveform generation. 5. Click Close to return to MAX. 6. Exit MAX. You have completed setup, configuration, and testing of the NI 5650/5651/5652 RF Signal Generator. 8. Setting up Synchronization for NI-DAQmx Devices in MAX If you plan to share triggers or clocks to synchronize NI-DAQmx devices, you must identify or configure certain components in MAX. The following steps are required for any type of synchronization involving an NI-DAQmx device.
NI-RFSG Instrument Driver The NI-RFSG driver configures and operates the NI RF signal generator hardware, performs waveform programming and generation, and performs basic modulation tasks using LabVIEW VIs or LabWindows/CVI functions. In the case of NI 5670/5671/5672 RF signal generators, the NI-RFSG instrument driver operates the NI 5610 upconverter module and the NI 5421/5441/5442 AWG module as a single instrument.
Refer to the Installing Toolkits or Add-On Software section and the NI-RFSG Instrument Driver Readme for more information about installing the Modulation Toolkit and included examples. Appendix A: Hardware Front Panel Connectors and Indicators This appendix describes the connectors and LED indicators on the front panels of both NI RF signal generator hardware modules. All input connectors and output connectors are AC-coupled.
Table 3. NI 5610 RF Upconverter Module Front Panel Connectors Connector Purpose TO AWG CLK IN Output terminals for replications of the upconverter 10 MHz frequency reference signal, which is useful for driving other devices. Each replication is 180° out-of-phase with the other. The output signal at these connectors is always on and cannot be disabled. 10 MHz OUT Connect the TO AWG CLK IN connector to the CLK IN connector on the NI 5421/5441/5442 module front panel.
NI 5421/5441 AWG Module The front panel of the NI 5421/5441AWG module contains five connectors and two multicolor LEDs, as shown in Figure 9. NI PXI-54XX ACCESS ACTIVE CH 0 CLK IN PFI 0 DIGITAL DATA & CONTROL PFI 1 Figure 9. NI 5421/5441 AWG Module Front Panel Table 5. NI 5421/5441 AWG Module Front Panel Connectors Connector CH 0 Purpose Output terminal for an IF waveform for upconversion to the desired RF frequency. Connect to the IF INPUT connector on the NI 5610 front panel.
Table 5. NI 5421/5441 AWG Module Front Panel Connectors (Continued) Connector Purpose PFI 0 Bidirectional SMB connectors. As an input, the PFI terminals can accept a trigger from an external source to start or step through signal generation. PFI 1 DIGITAL DATA & CONTROL Routes the 16-bit digital pattern outputs, digital pattern clock output, trigger outputs, trigger inputs, and a clock input. Table 6.
NI 5442 AWG Module The front panel of the NI 5442 AWG module contains four connectors and two multicolor LEDs, as shown in Figure 10. Figure 10. NI 5442 AWG Module Front Panel Table 7. NI 5442 AWG Module Front Panel Connectors Connector CH 0 Purpose Output terminal for an IF waveform for upconversion to the desired RF frequency. Connect to the IF INPUT connector on the NI 5610 front panel. CLK IN Output terminal for the AWG module reference clock signal.
Table 8. NI 5442 AWG Module Front Panel LEDs LED ACCESS Indications Indicates the basic hardware status of the NI 5442 AWG module. This LED functions identically to the ACCESS LED on the NI 5610 upconverter module front panel. OFF—The module is not yet functional or has detected a problem with a power rail. AMBER—The module is being accessed. GREEN—The module is ready to be programmed. ACTIVE Indicates the state of the NI 5442 AWG module. OFF—The module is not armed or triggered.
NI 5650/5651/5652 RF Signal Generator Module The NI 5650/5651/5652 RF signal generator module front panel contains two connectors and two multicolor LEDs, as shown in Figure 11. NI PXI-5652 RF Signal Generator ACCESS ACTIVE 500 kHz-6.6 GHz RF OUT Reverse Power 2 W MAX REF IN/OUT IN 5 Vp-p MAX OUT 1 Vp-p Figure 11. NI 5650/5651/5652 RF Signal Generator Module Front Panel Table 9.
Table 10. NI 5650/5651/5652 RF Signal Generator Module Front Panel LEDs LED ACCESS Indications Indicates the basic hardware status of the NI 5650/5651/5652 module. OFF—The module is not yet functional or has detected a problem with a PXI power rail. AMBER—The module is being accessed. GREEN—The module is ready to be programmed. ACTIVE Indicates the status of the NI 5650/5651/5652. OFF—The module is in an uninitialized state; there is no error. AMBER—The module PLLs are attempting to lock.
6. Navigate to the NI-RFSG VIs on the Functions»Measurement I/O» NI-RFSG palette. 7. Create the block diagram shown in Figure 12 by wiring the five VIs on the block diagram in the order in which they appear in the top row of the NI-RFSG palette. Figure 12. Basic NI-RFSG Block Diagram 8. Hover the cursor over the resource name terminal on the niRFSG Initialize VI and right-click. Select Create»Control to create a front panel control where you specify the NI RF signal generator device name.
Figure 15. Frequency and Power Level Controls on the Block Diagram 11. Display the VI front panel by clicking it or by selecting Window» Show Front Panel. Controls are displayed in which you can specify a frequency and power level. 12. In the VI front panel power level (dBm) control, enter 0. In the frequency (Hz) control, enter 100M (100 MHz). 13.
Figure 16. Enclose niRFSG Check Generation Status VI in the While Loop 17. Right-click the While Loop tunnels and select Replace with Shift Register. 18. Select the Unbundle by Name primitive on the Functions» Programming»Cluster & Variant palette. Place the primitive inside the While Loop. 19. Wire the error out terminal of the niRFSG Check Generation Status VI to the Unbundle by Name primitive. 20.
22. Create an error indicator by right-clicking the error out terminal of the niRFSG Close VI and selecting Create»Indicator. The error out terminal is highlighted in Figure 18. Figure 18. Error Out Terminal on niRFSG Close VI 23. Verify that the VI block diagram now looks like the example in Figure 19. Figure 19. Basic Sine Wave Generation VI Block Diagram NI RF Signal Generators Getting Started Guide 34 ni.
24. Verify that the VI front panel looks like the example in Figure 20. Figure 20. Basic Sine Wave Generation VI Front Panel Using NI 5670/5671/5672 Populate the resource name control with the NI 5610 upconverter module name (refer to the Rename Both Modules section for more information) or the NI 5650/5651/5652 name specified in MAX. Note 25. Click the Run icon on the VI taskbar to initiate sine wave generation. 26. Click the VI front panel STOP button to stop sine wave generation.
The LEDs may not light until the device has been configured in MAX. Before proceeding, verify that the NI RF signal generator module(s) appear in MAX. Note Troubleshoot this issue by completing the following steps: 1. Power off the PXI chassis. 2. Disconnect any signals from the PXI module front panels. 3. Remove any module front panel connections from the NI RF signal generator hardware module(s). 4. Remove the NI RF signal generator hardware and inspect for damage.
• 5. If using a MXI controller, right-click PCI-to-PCI Bridge and select Properties from the shortcut menu to verify that the bridge is enabled. If either module still fails to appear in the MAX NI-DAQmx Devices folder, contact NI technical support or visit ni.com/support. Module Fails the Self-Test The MAX self-test performs a brief test of device resources. If an NI RF signal generator hardware module does not pass the self-test, complete the following steps: 1. Reboot the system. 2.
For MXI-3 optimization, select Start»All Programs»National Instruments MXI-3»MXI-3 Optimization. MXI-4 optimization is performed automatically by the MXI-4 hardware. If the MXI software is not installed, refer to the setup instructions included with the MXI kit to install the software from the MXI software CD or National Instruments Driver CD. After installation, you may be required to reboot the computer before using the MXI application.
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