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Measure Cable and Antenna Using The N9321 - 22C Basic Spectrum Analyzer (BSA)

The document describes how to use the Keysight N9321/22C basic spectrum analyzer to measure cable and antenna performance characteristics like return loss and VSWR. It provides details on setting up the instrument, performing an open-short-load calibration, and making a reflection measurement on a device under test like an antenna.

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49 views8 pages

Measure Cable and Antenna Using The N9321 - 22C Basic Spectrum Analyzer (BSA)

The document describes how to use the Keysight N9321/22C basic spectrum analyzer to measure cable and antenna performance characteristics like return loss and VSWR. It provides details on setting up the instrument, performing an open-short-load calibration, and making a reflection measurement on a device under test like an antenna.

Uploaded by

nguyenxuankhanh206
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Measure Cable and Antenna Using the

N9321/22C Basic Spectrum Analyzer


(BSA)
Abstract
In addition to measuring the frequency power characteristics of your device or system
with a spectrum analyzer, sometimes you need to evaluate the performance characteristics
of antenna, RFID tags, or RF Tx modules, such as their return loss, insertion loss, and
VSWR. The Keysight N9321C (9 kHz to 4 GHz) and N9322C (9 kHz to 7 GHz) basic
spectrum analyzer (BSA) support those additional measurements using an optional tracking
generator (Option TG4/TG7) and reflection measurement (Option RM4/RM7). The built-in
bridge in the tracking generator makes the N9321/22C an easy-to-use reflection analyzer.

Introduction
A scalar reflection measurement evaluates how efficiently energy is transferred into a
device and reveals the degree of mismatch between a device and a Z0 transmission line
(Z0 = characteristic impedance, typically 50 Ω). Not all the energy incident upon a device
can be absorbed by the device, and a portion of the energy is reflected back toward the
source. We can determine the efficiency of energy transfer by comparing the incident and
reflected signals. See Figure 1.

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Figure 1. Reflection measurements

The Benefits of Using the N9321/22C BSA for Cable and Antenna Measurement
The N9321/22C BSA is a multi-use spectrum analyzer. You can easily set it up to cover
reflection measurements by adding Option TG4/TG7 and Option RM4/RM7. The benefits
of using this solution include:

1. Simple test setup


The built-in VSWR bridge on the tracking generator makes the connection straightforward
and eliminates the need for an external bridge (Refer to Figures 2 and 3).
Figure Y. Figure/caption goes here.
2. Excellent reliability and repeatability
The simple test setup reduces potential measurement error from the cable.

3. Superior reflection measurement accuracy


The N9321/22C BSA reflection measurement mode uses an open-short-load (OSL)
calibration procedure, which eliminates system errors better than others that use a single
calibration (open or short) procedure.

4. Simple operation
Once the OSL calibration is finished, the N9321/22C BSA is in vector network analyzer
mode, therefore, you only need to control the frequency range of interest. The N9321/22C
BSA allows you to read both return loss and VSWR.

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Figure 2. Conventional test setup requires an external bridge

Figure 3. Simple test setup with N9321/22C BSA

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Key Specifications of the N9321/22C Tracking Generator and Reflection
Measurement Options
Tracking generator (Option N9321C-TG4, N9322C-TG7)

Frequency
Range 5 MHz to 4 GHz (TG4), 5 MHz to 7 GHz (TG7)
Resolution 1 Hz
Resolution bandwidth (RBW) 3 kHz to 3 MHz

Output power
Range –20 to 0 dBm
Resolution 1 dB
Measurement dynamic range Max. output power: – DANL with 3 kHz RBW
3-in-1 OSL precision mechanic calibrator (N9311X-201, refer to Figure 4)
Option RM7
Frequency range DC to 7 GHz
Port Open, short, and load
Directivity > 40 dB
Reflection measurement (Option N9321C-RM4, N9322C-RM7)

Frequency
Range 5 MHz to 4 GHz (RM4), 5 MHz to 7 GHz (RM7)
Resolution 100 kHz

Output power
−4 to +2 dBm (nominal)

Trace point
461

Return loss
Range 0 to 60 dB
Resolution 0.01 dB

Accuracy 1

VSWR
Range 1 to 65
Resolution 0.01
1. “D” refers to the directivity of the calibrator; “RL” refers to return loss.

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Making a Reflection Measurement with the N9321/22C BSA
Three-step guide to make an accurate reflection measurement:
• Set up the spectrum analyzer’s control settings (mode, frequency, RBW, sweep time, etc)
• Calibrate the N9321/22C BSA with the Keysight N9311x-201 OSL calibrator in order to
eliminate system error and temperature drift errors
• Re-connect the DUT and read the measurement result from the analyzer

Example: Measuring the return loss and VSWR of an antenna


In this example, the DUT is a Yagi antenna with frequency coverage from 824 to 960 MHz.
The demonstration procedures use text in [ ] to indicate a hardkey and { } to indicate a
softkey on the N9321/22C spectrum analyzer.

Figure 4. N9311X-201, OSL precision mechanic Calibrator

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Step 1. Set up the N9322C BSA
Press [Mode] > {Reflection Measurement} to enter the reflection measurement mode of the
N9322C BSA

1. Press [Frequency] > {Start Freq} > [824] > {MHz} to set the start frequency at 824 MHz
2. Press [Frequency] > {Stop Freq} > [960] > {MHz} to set the stop frequency at 960 MHz
3. Toggle {Cal Type} to {Selected} for higher calibration accuracy, comparing to Full band calibration

Figure 5. Reflection measurement mode waiting for OSL calibration

Step 2. Calibrate the N9321/22C BSA with the OSL calibrator


1. Press {Calibrate} to initiate the open-short-load calibration procedure
2. Follow the instrument instructions and connect the open, short, and load port of the
calibrator to the TG output port of the N9321/22C BSA
3. Once finished, the instrument displays “Calibrated” on the left upper corner of the display

Figure 6. Performing open-short-load calibration on the N9322C BSA

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Figure 7. The calibrated N9321/22C BSA ready for measuring return loss/VSWR

Step 3. Connect DUT to the N9321/22C for reflection measurement


1. Disconnect the calibrator from the TG output port of the N9321/22C
2. Connect the DUT to the TG output
3. Press [Amplitude] > {Auto Scale} to optimize the amplitude scale automatically
4. Press [Marker] to turn on the markers to read the points of interest for the frequency, return
loss, and VSWR parameters

Figure 8. A calibrated return loss measurement across the selected frequency range

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Summary
The tracking generator with its built-in VSWR bridge makes the N9321/22C basic spectrum analyzer
(BSA) an efficient, reliable, and cost-effective solutions for RF engineers who need to measure both
frequency power characteristics and stimulus-response performance of their devices.

Ordering Information
Model number Description

N9321C Basic spectrum analyzer, 9 kHz to 4 GHz

N9321C-TG4 Tracking generator, 5 MHz to 4 GHz

N9321C-RM4 Reflection measurement

N9322C Basic spectrum analyzer, 9 kHz to 7 GHz

N9322C-TG7 Tracking generator, 5 MHz to 7 GHz

N9322C-RM7 Reflection measurement

N9311X-201 3-in-1 precision mechanic calibrator

Learn more at: www.keysight.com


For more information on Keysight Technologies’ products, applications, or services,
please contact your local Keysight office. The complete list is available at:
www.keysight.com/find/contactus

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This information is subject to change without notice. © Keysight Technologies, 2013 - 2021, Published in USA, August 25, 2021, 5991-2082EN

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