Agilent Technologies E4438C Installation Guide

Calibration GuideAgilent TechnologiesESG Vector Signal GeneratorThis guide applies to signal generator models and associated serial number prefixes li

x Contents

AdjustmentsAnalog Bus ADC Calibration4-8Analog Bus ADC CalibrationDescriptionThis adjustment is used to calibrate the gain of the ABUS. The ABUS is co

AdjustmentsPretune Calibration (Option UNJ or Option 506 Only)4-9Pretune Calibration(Option UNJ or Option 506 Only)DescriptionThis adjustment determin

AdjustmentsInternal Source Calibration4-10Internal Source CalibrationDescriptionThis adjustment is used to calibrate the internal source amplitude ver

AdjustmentsVCO Bias Potentiometer Calibration4-11VCO Bias Potentiometer CalibrationDescriptionThis adjustment sets the VCO bias potentiometer at a lev

AdjustmentsLock Angle Potentiometer Calibration (Not Used with Option UNJ or Option 506)4-12Lock Angle Potentiometer Calibration(Not Used with Option

AdjustmentsKV versus Frequency Calibration4-13KV versus Frequency CalibrationDescriptionThis calibration determines the tuning sensitivity of the synt

AdjustmentsTimebase DAC Calibration4-14Timebase DAC CalibrationDescriptionThis calibration ensures that the signal generator has warmed-up sufficientl

AdjustmentsFM Scale DAC Offset Calibration4-15FM Scale DAC Offset CalibrationDescriptionThis calibration is used to remove the offset associated with

AdjustmentsFM Path Offset Calibration4-16FM Path Offset CalibrationDescriptionThis calibration is used to remove the offsets associated with the vario

AdjustmentsFM In-Band DAC Offset Calibration4-17FM In-Band DAC Offset CalibrationDescriptionThis calibration is used to remove the offset associated w

1-11 Getting Started

AdjustmentsFM Inverting Amplifier Offset Calibration4-18FM Inverting Amplifier Offset CalibrationDescriptionThis calibration is used to remove the off

AdjustmentsFM 1/2 Path Ratio Gain Calibration4-19FM 1/2 Path Ratio Gain CalibrationDescriptionThis calibration equalizes the gain between the FM1 and

AdjustmentsModulation Source Relative Gain Calibration4-20Modulation Source Relative Gain CalibrationDescriptionThis calibration provides a scaling fa

AdjustmentsFM Out-of-Band Calibration (Not Used with Option UNJ or Option 506)4-21FM Out-of-Band Calibration(Not Used with Option UNJ or Option 506)De

AdjustmentsFM/PM Out-of-Band Calibration (Option UNJ or Option 506 Only)4-22FM/PM Out-of-Band Calibration(Option UNJ or Option 506 Only)DescriptionThe

AdjustmentsFM/PM YO Frequency Compensation Calibration (Option UNJ or Option 506 Only)4-23FM/PM YO Frequency Compensation Calibration(Option UNJ or Op

AdjustmentsDCFM Calibration4-24DCFM CalibrationDescriptionThis calibration removes all of the dc offsets associated with the FM path while in DCFM mod

AdjustmentsExternal Input Peak Detector Calibration4-25External Input Peak Detector CalibrationDescriptionThis calibration is used to calibrate the po

AdjustmentsAM Audio Path Offset Calibration4-26AM Audio Path Offset CalibrationDescriptionThis calibration is used to calibrate the AM path and remove

AdjustmentsBurst Modulator Calibration4-27Burst Modulator CalibrationDescriptionThis calibration is used to adjust the bias modulator circuitry to pro

Getting StartedOverview of Getting Started1-2Overview of Getting StartedAgilent’s service support software allows fast and accurate testing of the Agi

AdjustmentsPrelevel Calibration4-28Prelevel CalibrationDescriptionThis calibration adjusts the PRE LEVEL REF DAC on the A13 Output. This DAC is used t

AdjustmentsVBLO Mixer Bias Calibration4-29VBLO Mixer Bias CalibrationDescriptionThis calibration adjusts the VBLO MIXER BIAS DAC on the A13 Output. Th

AdjustmentsDigital Gain Adjust Calibration4-30Digital Gain Adjust CalibrationDescriptionThis calibration adjusts the GAIN ADJUST DAC on the A13 Output

AdjustmentsBypass Gain Adjust Calibration4-31Bypass Gain Adjust CalibrationDescriptionThis calibration adjusts the gain adjust DAC on the A13 Output f

AdjustmentsALC Calibration4-32ALC CalibrationDescriptionThis calibration is used to ensure zero offset and linear performance of the ALC Reference DAC

AdjustmentsALC Calibration4-33Required Test Equipment• Agilent E4418B E-Series power meter• Agilent E9304A E-Series power sensorProcedureFigure 4-25 A

AdjustmentsPower Level Accuracy, High Power Calibration4-34Power Level Accuracy, High Power CalibrationDescriptionThis calibration adjusts both power

AdjustmentsALC Modulation Driver Bias Calibration4-35ALC Modulation Driver Bias CalibrationDescriptionThis calibration adjusts the ALC MOD DRV BIAS DA

AdjustmentsPower Level Accuracy, Low Power Calibration4-36Power Level Accuracy, Low Power CalibrationDescriptionThis calibration adjusts the step atte

AdjustmentsPower Level Accuracy, Low Power Calibration4-37Procedure1. Connect the equipment as shown below.2. Preset all of the equipment.3. Follow th

Getting StartedConfirming Equipment1-3Confirming Equipment• Confirm that you have the proper test equipment. (Refer to Chapter 2 for a complete listin

AdjustmentsPower Level Accuracy, Low Power Calibration4-38Figure 4-28 Low-Power, Power Level Accuracy ≥ 10 MHz and ≤ 2 GHz SetupFigure 4-29 Low-Power,

AdjustmentsPower Search Calibration4-39Power Search CalibrationDescriptionThis calibration adjusts the RF Output power so that it is the same whether

AdjustmentsAM Gain Calibration4-40AM Gain CalibrationDescriptionThis calibration adjusts the gain of the AM circuitry to provide a 10 dB drop for a 1

AdjustmentsI/Q Gain/Offset/Quadrature Calibration4-41I/Q Gain/Offset/Quadrature CalibrationDescriptionThis calibration determines the required I/Q gai

AdjustmentsI/Q Impairment Calibration4-42I/Q Impairment CalibrationDescriptionThis calibration sets internal calibration array values to minimize erro

5-15 Contacting Agilent Technologies

Contacting Agilent TechnologiesContacting Agilent Technologies5-2Contacting Agilent TechnologiesYou can obtain up to date product information, from Ag

IndexIndex I-1Aadd/remove programs, 1-6adding datapacks, 1-19adjustmentsALC Calibration, 4-32ALC Modulation Driver Bias Calibration, 4-35AM Audio Pat

I-2 Index IndexFM Out-of-Band Calibration (Not Used with Option UNJ or Option 506), 4-21FM Path Offset Calibration, 4-16FM Scale DAC Offset Calibratio

IndexIndex I-3Pulse Modulation On/Off Ratio, 3-31records, 3-42Residual FM (Not Used with Option UNJ or Option 506), 3-18Timebase Aging Rate (Manual T

Getting StartedInstalling Service Support Software1-4Installing Service Support SoftwareNOTE If you are installing service support software onto a com

I-4 Index Indexinformation window, 3-4name in service software, 1-22VVBLO Mixer Bias Calibration, 4-29VCO Bias Potentiometer Calibration, 4-11WWCDMA A

Getting StartedInstalling Service Support Software1-5the status of each disk that is being copied, and the status of the overall memory of the destina

Getting StartedUninstalling Service Support Software1-6Uninstalling Service Support Software• MS Windows 95 or Windows NT:1. Display the Control Panel

Getting StartedAdministration of Service Support Software1-7Administration of Service Support SoftwareThe following section shows you how to administe

Getting StartedAdministration of Service Support Software1-8Administration ConfigurationLogging on in Administration Configuration supports all admini

Getting StartedAdministration of Service Support Software1-95. Select the OK button.6. The Select Test Equipment and Tests window appears on the displ

iiNoticeThe material contained in this document is provided “as is”, and is subject to being changed, without notice, in future editions.Further, to t

Getting StartedAdministration of Service Support Software1-10Figure 1-3 Adding Test Equipment Using the Test Equipment Menu 3. Select the model of the

Getting StartedAdministration of Service Support Software1-115. In the New Test Equipment window (refer to Figure 1-4), enter the following parameters

Getting StartedAdministration of Service Support Software1-12Figure 1-4 Adding the Equipment Information Using the New Test Equipment Window 6. Click

Getting StartedAdministration of Service Support Software1-13Figure 1-5 Removing and Editing Test Equipment Using the Test Equipment Window 2. Select

Getting StartedAdministration of Service Support Software1-14Adding Device DriversFollow these instructions to add test equipment device drivers to th

Getting StartedAdministration of Service Support Software1-15Figure 1-7 Adding a Device Driver Using the Test Equipment Drivers Window5. Refer to Fig

Getting StartedAdministration of Service Support Software1-16Removing Device DriversRemoving device drivers is accomplished using the Test Equipment D

Getting StartedAdministration of Service Support Software1-17Figure 1-10 Test Drivers in the File Drop-Down Menu2. Refer to Figure 1-11. To add a tes

Getting StartedAdministration of Service Support Software1-183. Refer to Figure 1-12. Using the standard file search procedure, select the test driver

Getting StartedAdministration of Service Support Software1-19Removing Test DriversRemoving test drivers is accomplished using the Test Drivers dialog

Contents iii1. Getting StartedOverview of Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Getting StartedAdministration of Service Support Software1-20Figure 1-14 Datapacks in the File Drop-Down Menu2. Refer to Figure 1-15. To add a datapa

Getting StartedAdministration of Service Support Software1-21Figure 1-16 Using the Open Dialog Box to Search for a Datapack File to AddThe selected d

Getting StartedRunning Service Support Software1-22Running Service Support SoftwareStarting the Software1. Start the service support software using th

Getting StartedRunning Service Support Software1-23Identifying the DUTWhen the DUT Selection dialog box is displayed,1. Make sure that ESG_C is select

Getting StartedRunning Service Support Software1-24Selecting Performance Tests, Adjustments, and Test EquipmentWhen the Select Test Equipment and Test

Getting StartedRunning Service Support Software1-25NOTE If necessary, the test equipment GPIB address can be changed after it is added to the Selected

Getting StartedRunning Service Support Software1-26Defining the Location where Test Results are Saved1. When the Save As dialog box is displayed, sele

Getting StartedRunning Service Support Software1-27Running the Tests and AdjustmentsOnce the Agilent Service Support Software window is displayed:1. S

Getting StartedRunning Service Support Software1-28Reviewing the Test and Adjustment ResultsOnce the tests have finished running, you will want to rev

Getting StartedRunning Service Support Software1-29Printing the Test and Adjustment ResultsOnce the tests are complete, a dialog box is displayed that

iv ContentsAM Frequency Response. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-14Rec

Getting StartedRunning Service Support Software1-30

2-12 Required Equipment

Required Equipment2-2This section lists the test equipment needed to run performance tests and adjustments, any critical specification requirements, a

Required Equipment2-3Table 2-1 Required EquipmentTest Equipment Preferred Modelor Alternate ModelCritical SpecificationsPower Meter Agilent E4418B E-S

Required Equipment2-4Function Generator,Output: BNC (f)Agilent 8904A function generator Function Generator,Output: BNC (f)Agilent 33120A function gene

Required Equipment2-5Baseband Generator Agilent E4438CESG vector signal generatorwith Option 001 or 002,orAgilent E4430B thru E4437BESG-D Series signa

Required Equipment2-6Phase Noise System, Input: APC 3.5 (m)Agilent E5502B Option 001 phase noise system with Option 401 or Option 402 added Option 401

Required Equipment2-7Cable,APC 3.5 (m) to (m)Agilent 8120-4921APC 3.5 (m) to (m) cable1 meter cable lengthCable,BNC (m) to (m)Agilent 8120-1840BNC (m)

Required Equipment2-8Adapter,APC 3.5 (m) to (m)Agilent 1250-1748APC 3.5 (m) to (m) adapter Adapter,APC 3.5 (f) to (f) Agilent 1250-1749APC 3.5 (f) to

3-13 Performance Tests

Contents vRecommended Equipment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-31Equipment Set

Performance TestsOverview of Performance Tests3-2Overview of Performance TestsIn this chapter you will learn about all available performance tests as

Performance TestsOverview of Performance Tests3-3Service Support Software runs performance tests and, where applicable, generates performance test rec

Performance TestsOverview of Performance Tests3-4Running Performance Tests1. Load the Service Support Software into the personal computer. Refer to Ch

Performance TestsOverview of Performance Tests3-5Figure 3-2 The DUT Selection Window7. In the Select Test Equipment and Tests window (Figure 3-3), cre

Performance TestsOverview of Performance Tests3-6Figure 3-3 The Select Test Equipment and Tests Window 8. Create a list of performance tests that you

Performance TestsOverview of Performance Tests3-711.Click OK (item 23).Figure 3-4 The Save As Window 12.In the Main Test and Results window (Figure 3-

Performance TestsOverview of Performance Tests3-8Next Test Quit running the current test and give it a Fail status. Then, continue testing with the

Performance TestsInternal FM Accuracy and Distortion3-9Internal FM Accuracy and DistortionThese automated tests verify the FM accuracy and distortion

Performance TestsInternal AM Accuracy and Distortion3-10Internal AM Accuracy and DistortionThese automated tests verify the AM accuracy and distortion

Performance TestsInternal AM Accuracy and Distortion3-11Figure 3-8 Accuracy and Distortion for AM > 1300 MHz and ≤ 2500 MHz SetupFigure 3-9 Accurac

vi ContentsDescription . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Performance TestsPhase Modulation Accuracy and Distortion3-12Phase Modulation Accuracy and DistortionThese automated tests verify the phase modulation

Performance TestsFM Frequency Response3-13FM Frequency ResponseThis automated test verifies the FM frequency response specifications. The equipment me

Performance TestsAM Frequency Response3-14AM Frequency ResponseThis automated test verifies the AM frequency response specifications. The equipment me

Performance TestsAM Frequency Response3-15Figure 3-13 AM Frequency Response > 1300 MHz Setup

Performance TestsPhase Modulation Frequency Response3-16Phase Modulation Frequency ResponseThis automated test verifies the phase modulation frequency

Performance TestsDCFM Frequency Offset Relative to CW3-17DCFM Frequency Offset Relative to CWThis automated test verifies the carrier frequency offset

Performance TestsResidual FM (Not Used with Option UNJ or Option 506)3-18Residual FM(Not Used with Option UNJ or Option 506)This automated test verifi

Performance TestsResidual FM (Not Used with Option UNJ or Option 506)3-19Figure 3-17 Residual FM(Not Used with Option UNJ or Option 506) > 2500 MHz

Performance TestsHarmonic, Subharmonic, and Nonharmonic Spurious Signals3-20Harmonic, Subharmonic, and Nonharmonic Spurious SignalsThese automated tes

Performance TestsPower Level Accuracy3-21Power Level AccuracyA power meter is used to verify performance over the +13 to −45 dBm range. The absolute p

Contents viiFM Path Offset Calibration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-16De

Performance TestsPower Level Accuracy3-22Equipment SetupsFigure 3-19 High-Power, Power Level Accuracy SetupFigure 3-20 Low-Power, Power Level Accurac

Performance TestsPower Level Accuracy3-23Figure 3-21 Low-Power, Power Level Accuracy (≥ 10 MHz and ≤ 2 GHz) SetupFigure 3-22 Low-Power, Power Level A

Performance TestsTimebase Aging Rate (Manual Test - Option UNJ, Option 506, or Option 1E5 Only)3-24Timebase Aging Rate(Manual Test - Option UNJ, Optio

Performance TestsTimebase Aging Rate (Manual Test - Option UNJ, Option 506, or Option 1E5 Only)3-25Equipment SetupFigure 3-23 Timebase Aging Rate(Manu

Performance TestsTimebase Aging Rate (Manual Test - Option UNJ, Option 506, or Option 1E5 Only)3-264. If the signal drifts a full cycle (360°) in less

Performance TestsDigital Modulation Level Accuracy3-27Digital Modulation Level AccuracyThis automated test verifies the level accuracy of the signal g

Performance TestsInternal Digital Modulation Quality (Option 402 Only)3-28Internal Digital Modulation Quality(Option 402 Only)NOTE This test is only r

Performance TestsCustom I/Q RF Modulation Quality (Option 402 Only)3-29Custom I/Q RF Modulation Quality(Option 402 Only)This automated test verifies t

Performance TestsCustom I/Q RF Modulation Quality (Option 402 Only)3-30Figure 3-27 Custom I/Q RF Modulation Quality(Option 402 Only) > 2000 MHz Set

Performance TestsPulse Modulation On/Off Ratio3-31Pulse Modulation On/Off RatioThis automated test verifies the pulse modulation on/off ratio. The sig

viii ContentsProcedure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Performance TestsBurst Modulation On/Off Ratio3-32Burst Modulation On/Off RatioThis automated test verifies the burst modulation on/off ratio. The sig

Performance TestsCDMA Adjacent Channel Power (Not Used with Option UNB or Option 506)3-33CDMA Adjacent Channel Power(Not Used with Option UNB or Optio

Performance TestsWCDMA Adjacent Channel Power (Option 400)3-34WCDMA Adjacent Channel Power(Option 400)This automated test measures the ratio of energy

Performance TestsPhase Noise and Residual FM (Manual Test - Option UNJ or Option 506 Only)3-35Phase Noise and Residual FM(Manual Test - Option UNJ or

Performance TestsPhase Noise and Residual FM (Manual Test - Option UNJ or Option 506 Only)3-36Using an Agilent 8662A/8663A high-performance RF signal

Performance TestsPhase Noise and Residual FM (Manual Test - Option UNJ or Option 506 Only)3-37Using Electronic Frequency Locking (EFC)Figure 3-33 show

Performance TestsPhase Noise and Residual FM (Manual Test - Option UNJ or Option 506 Only)3-38Figure 3-34Measuring Residual FMResidual FM is closely r

Performance TestsDual Arbitrary Waveform Generator Check3-39Dual Arbitrary Waveform Generator CheckThis check verifies the functionality of the dual a

Performance TestsDual Arbitrary Waveform Generator Check3-40out of phase and that they do not have any discontinuities. Refer to the illustration belo

Performance TestsGSM Loopback BER Check (Option 300 Only)3-41GSM Loopback BER Check(Option 300 Only)This test is a functionality check of the Option 3

Contents ixALC Modulation Driver Bias Calibration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-35Description.

Performance TestsPerformance Test Records3-42Performance Test RecordsThe test records at the end of this chapter are provided as masters for you to ph

Performance TestsPerformance Test Records3-43Table 3-3 Agilent E4438C ESG Vector Signal GeneratorTimebase Aging Rate Performance Test RecordModel ____

Performance TestsPerformance Test Records3-44

4-14 Adjustments

AdjustmentsOverview of Adjustments4-2Overview of AdjustmentsIn this section you will learn about all available adjustments for the Agilent E4438C ESG

AdjustmentsOverview of Adjustments4-3Adjustments are listed in the order that they should be performed to minimize changes in test equipment configura

AdjustmentsOverview of Adjustments4-4“Power Level Accuracy, Low Power Calibration” on page 4-36“Power Search Calibration” on page 4-39“AM Gain Calibra

AdjustmentsAdjustment Relationships4-5Adjustment RelationshipsAnytime an adjustment is made to the signal generator other related adjustments may be a

AdjustmentsAdjustment Relationships4-6FM Accuracy Related Adjustments• “Internal Source Calibration” on page 4-10• “KV versus Frequency Calibration” o

AdjustmentsInternal Reference Oscillator Calibration4-7Internal Reference Oscillator CalibrationDescriptionThis is a manual adjustment. An automated v