Specifications

DUT
Reference
mixer
Calibration
mixer/filter
Innovative
Applications
Accurate
characterization
of mixers and
converters
(Options 082, 083, 084)
Mixer and converter measurement challenges
• Traditional approach with spectrum analyzer
and external signal sources is cumbersome,
slow, and does not provide phase or
group delay information
• Conventional VNAs require an external
signal source, which degrades sweep speed
• Conventional VNAs provide phase or group
delay data relative to a “golden” device
• Attenuators are often used to
minimize ripple due to input and output
mismatch, at the expense of dynamic
range and calibration stability
PNA-X frequency converter applications provide:
• Simple setup using internal second signal source as a local oscillator (LO) signal
• Typical measurement time improvement of 100x compared to spectrum analyzer-based
approach
• High measurement accuracy using two patented techniques:
- Scalar Mixer/Converter (SMC) provides match and most accurate conversion
loss/gain measurements by combining two-port and power-meter calibrations
(Option 082), and with Option 083, calibrated
absolute group delay measurements without a
reference or calibration mixer
- Vector Mixer/Converter (VMC) provides
measurements of match, conversion loss/gain,
delay, phase difference between multiple
paths or devices, and phase shifts
within a device, using a vector-
calibrated through mixer (Option 083)
• Input and output mismatch correction
reduces ripple and eliminates the need
for attenuators
• Embedded-LO feature (Option 084)
extends SMC and VMC measurements
to converters with embedded LOs
without access to internal time bases
Option 083’s Scalar Mixer/Converter plus Phase
(SMC+Phase) makes mixer and converter mea-
surements simple to set up since reference and
calibration mixers are not required. Calibration is
easy to perform using three broadband standards:
a power meter as a magnitude standard, a comb
generator as a phase standard, and an S-parame-
ter calibration kit (mechanical or ECal module).
The Vector Mixer/Converter technique provides
measurements of match, conversion loss/gain,
delay, phase difference between multiple paths
or devices, and phase shifts within a device.
Agilent’s patented Vector Mixer/Converter
calibration method uses open, short, and load
standards to create a characterized-mixer
through standard.
SMC+Phase
VMC
LO
IF
IF
+
RF
IF = RF-LO
OPEN
SHORT
LOAD
Calibration mixer/filter pair
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