Products: SMU, SME, SMGU, SMHU, SMHU58, SMIQ, SML, SMP, SMR, SMT, SMY, SMV, SM300,

ESCS, ESHS, ESIB, ESPC, ESS, ESVB, ESVD, ESVN, ESVS, FSE, FSP, FSU, FSQ, FS300,
NRVD, NRVS, NRT, NRP, URV35, URV55, NRP-Zx

Program for Frequency Response

Measurements
FreRes
This application note introduces the program FreRes. Use this program to measure the frequency and/or
level response of a device under test, using a generator as signal source and a power meter, a receiver or
a spectrum analyzer as indicator

Subject to change – Ottmar Gerlach 02.04 - Application Note 1MA09_16E

 FreRes – Frequency Response Measurement

Contents
1 Overview ................................................................................................. 3
2 Software Features................................................................................... 4
3 Hardware and Software Requirements................................................... 4
Hardware Requirements.................................................................... 4
Software Requirements ..................................................................... 4
4 Connecting the Instruments .................................................................... 5
5 Installing the Software............................................................................. 5
Download ........................................................................................... 5
Installation .......................................................................................... 5
6 Starting the Software/Measurement ....................................................... 6
User Interface .................................................................................... 6
Performing a Measurement ............................................................... 8
Configure Sweep Parameters.......................................................... 10
Configure Graphics Display ............................................................. 12
Testing ............................................................................................. 12
Measurement Data Format (ASCII) ................................................. 13
7 Additional Information ........................................................................... 14
8 Ordering Information ............................................................................. 14

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 FreRes – Frequency Response Measurement

1 Overview
This application note introduces the program FRERES. Use this program to
measure the frequency and level response of a device under test, using a
generator as signal source and a power meter, an emi receiver or a spec-
trum analyzer as indicator. Virtually any Rohde & Schwarz signal genera-
tor, spectrum analyzer, or power meter is supported (see table 1-1).The
program runs under Windows 98ME/2000/XP and comes with a
comprehensive help file FRERES.CHM.

Table 1-1 Supported sources and indicators

Supported sources Supported indicators

SMU200A Vector Signal Generator ESHSxx EMI Test Receiver

SMIQ02 Vector Signal Generator ESIB7 EMI Test Receiver
SMIQ02E Vector Signal Generator ESIB26 EMI Test Receiver
SMIQ03 Vector Signal Generator ESIB40 EMI Test Receiver
SMIQ03E Vector Signal Generator ESPC EMI Test Receiver
SMIQ06 Vector Signal Generator ESS EMI Test Receiver
SMV03 Vector Signal Generator ESVBxx Test Receiver
SM300 Vector Signal Generator ESVD Test Receiver
SML01 Signal Generator ESVNxx Test Receiver
SML03 Signal Generator ESVSxx EMI Test Receiver
SME02 Signal Generator ESCS30 EMI Test Receiver
SME03 Signal Generator FSEA20 Spectrum Analyzer
SME03A Signal Generator (fast CPU) FSEA30 Spectrum Analyzer
SME03E Signal Generator FSEB20 Spectrum Analyzer
SME06 Signal Generator FSEB30 Spectrum Analyzer
SMGU Signal Generator FSEK20 Spectrum Analyzer
SMHU Signal Generator FSEK30 Spectrum Analyzer
SMHU58 Signal Generator FSEM20 Spectrum Analyzer
SMP02 Signal Generator FSEM30 Spectrum Analyzer
SMP03 Signal Generator FSIQ3 Spectrum Analyzer
SMP04 Signal Generator FSIQ7 Spectrum Analyzer
SMP22 Signal Generator (high power) FSIQ26 Spectrum Analyzer
SMR20 Signal Generator FSP3 Spectrum Analyzer
SMR27 Signal Generator FSP7 Spectrum Analyzer
SMR40 Signal Generator FSP13 Spectrum Analyzer
SMT02 Signal Generator FSP30 Spectrum Analyzer
SMT03 Signal Generator FSU8 Spectrum Analyzer
SMT06 Signal Generator FSU3 Spectrum Analyzer
SMY01 Signal Generator FSQ3 Spectrum Analyzer
SMY02 Signal Generator FSQ8 Spectrum Analyzer
FSQ26 Spectrum Analyzer
FS300 Spectrum Analyzer
NRVD Dual Channel Power Meter
NRVS Single Channel Power Meter
NRT Power Reflection Meter
NRP Power Meter
NRP-Zx All available Power Sensors
URV35 Level Meter
URV55 Level Meter

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 FreRes – Frequency Response Measurement

2 Software Features
FreRes provides functions for setting up the following measurement in-
struments and parameters:
• Source selection and GPIB setup.
• Indicator selection and GPIB setup.
• Sweep parameters setup.
• Graphic panel parameters setup.
• Measurement normalization.
• Repeated measurements.
• Save results as an ASCII file or a bitmap.
• Print results as a listing or a diagram.
• Load and display a previously saved ASCII file.
• Store individual measurement configurations.

3 Hardware and Software Requirements

Hardware Requirements
• Pentium II 450 MHz or higher, 128 MByte RAM, 50MByte free harddisc
space, XGA monitor (1024x768), optional LAN interface
• National Instruments GPIB interface card
• Optional Agilent GPIB interface card

Software Requirements
• OS Windows 98SE / 2000 / ME / XP
• NI-GPIB v1.7 (or higher) IEEE-488.2 driver from National Instruments
(see http.//www.natinst.com for latest revision).
• Optional Agilent GPIB driver
• NI-VISA v3.01 (or higher) driver from National Instruments (see
http.//www.natinst.com for latest revision).
• Optional Agilent VISA driver
• RSIB-Passport v1.4 (or higher) – (see R&S application note 1EF47 at
hhtp://www.rohde-schwarz.com)
• When using a R&S NRP-Zx Power Sensor install the corresponding
VXIpnp driver and NRP-Toolkit first (see hhtp://www.rohde-
schwarz.com for latest revision) and read the device’s installation in-
structions before running it with FreRes.
• When using a R&S SM300 Vector Signal Generator and/or FS300 Ana-
lyzer install the corresponding VXIpnp driver(s) first (see
hhtp://www.rohde-schwarz.com for latest revisions) and read the instal-
lation instructions before running them with FreRes.

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 FreRes – Frequency Response Measurement

4 Connecting the Instruments

Fig. 1 Connecting computer to instruments

• Connect the source and the indicator via GPIB cables to the PC acting
as controller.
• The DUT (device under test) is normally connected in the cable path
between the source and the indicator.

5 Installing the Software

Download
FreRes.exe is a self extracting zipped file containing:

FreRes v3.xx.msi

DistFile.cab

Installation
Run FRERES V3.XX.MSI to install Frequency Response. The setup proce-
dure creates a user defined directory (default C:\Program
Files\Rohde&Schwarz\FreRes) containing following files:

FreRes.EXE
FreRes.CFG

FreRes.DAT

FreRes.CHM
RsDevLib.DLL
RsFunLib.DLL

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 FreRes – Frequency Response Measurement

6 Starting the Software/Measurement

Start the program with: Start -> Programs -> Frequency Response / Fre-
quency Response or - double click on FRERES.EXE in the installion direc-
tory. The main menu appears using the previous configuration. The con-
figuration is saved in the file FRERES.CFG. FreRes is largely self explana-
tory. See the online help (FRERES.CHM) for additional information.

User Interface

Main Menu
The main menu appears as shown below and features 5 pull-down menus;
File, Settings, Run, Results and Help.

Fig. 2 Main Menu

File

Fig. 3 File Menu

• OPEN – open a configuration file previously stored with SAVE or SAVE

A S.

• SAVE – store the current configuration into the previously selected file.
• SAVE AS – store the current configuration into a selected file.

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 FreRes – Frequency Response Measurement

The default extension is ".CFG". When you close the program the current
configuration is saved in "FRERES.CFG". This file is automatically loaded
when FreRes is run next time.

Settings

Fig. 4 Settings Menu

• DEVICE – Opens Device configuration window. See chapter ‘SELECT

DEVICES’ for details.
• SWEEP – Specifies FreRes sweep parameters. See chapter
‘CONFIGURE SWEEP PARAMETERS’ for details.
• DISPLAY – Specifies FreRes display parameters. See chapter
‘CONFIGURE DISPLAY PARAMETERS’ for details.

Results

Fig. 5 Results Menu

• GRAPH TO CLIPBOARD – Transfers results graph to the controller’s clip-

board for use with other programs.
• PRINT GRAPH – Send results graph to a printer.
• PRINT DATA – Sends results to a printer. See chapter “Measurements
Data Result” for a detailed description of the data format.
• SAVE DATA – Saves results; a list file is generated. The default exten-
sion is *.rdt.
• LOAD DATA – Loads and displays previously stored results.

Help

Fig. 6 Help Menu

• CONTENTS – Opens online help, displaying list of contents.

• ABOUT – Displays information about program version.

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 FreRes – Frequency Response Measurement

Performing a Measurement
This section describes how to prepare a test run, by selecting the source
and indicator devices, configuring the test sweep and results display.

Select Devices
From Settings > Device select the source(s) and indicator to use.

Fig. 7 Select Devices

Select the source from the GENERATOR1 / GENERATOR2 list and enter the
correct GPIB-, IP address or USB serial number. TEST will query the in-
strument’s ID string and display it in the message box.
Select indicator from the signal ANALYZER list and enter the correct GPIB
address. TEST will query the instrument’s ID string and display it in the
message box.
When the RESET checkbox is turned ON the instrument performs a reset as
soon as the according TEST or START button (see fig. 2, p. 6) is pressed.

Note: An error message will pop up in case no appropriate VISA driver is

installed (e.g. NI-VISA v3.01 and higher) or a NRP-Zx, FS300 or SM300
driver has not been installed before selecting it in the FreRes device menu
(see Software Requirements p.4).

• INTERFACE (Analyzer) – Allows selection of interface type. Range:

GPIB, LAN or USB.
• IP ADDR – In case the LAN Interface is selected this control is visible.
See FSx analyzer / SMU generator manual for correct setup (e.g.
89.10.71.55).
• USB SERIAL NO – Generator SM300, spectrum analyzer FS300 serial
number which is printed on the device’s rear side or can be displayed
on the front panel by pressing SYS -> INFO -> STATISTICS
(SM300/FS300). The NRP-Zx serial no. is printed on the power sen-
sor’s label.

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 FreRes – Frequency Response Measurement

Note: The R&S SM300 Vector Signal Generator and FS300 must be set to
remote mode manually by pressing SYS -> CONFIG -> INTERFACE->
ENTER -> AUTO -> ENTER before initializing it or starting a scan.

• REF.OSC – Selects INTernal or EXTernal reference oscillator of accord-

ing device.
• METER ZERO – Is visible in case a NRP-Zx, NRVS, NRVD, URV35 or
URV55 power sensors is selected as ANALYZER device type. By press-
ing this button the program turns OFF the Generator1 RF output and
zeroes the power sensor. Then the Generator1 RF output is turned
back ON.

• RS232 PORT – Is visible as soon as an URV35 meter is selected.

• BAUD – Baudrate of RS232 device. Range 9600 bps.
• PARITY – Parity of RS232 device. Range 0, 1 or 2.

Some instruments need further information concerning reference level, IF-

bandwidth and detector type (ESPC). An additional window pops up if nec-
essary.

Fig. 8 ESPC Detector Setup

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 FreRes – Frequency Response Measurement

Configure Sweep Parameters

Fig. 9 Sweep Parameters

This menu allows configuration of frequency and level sweep. A second

generator can be configured for measuring frequency shifting DUTs such
as mixers, numerators and denumerators.

• GENERATOR1 (RF) – The generator providing the RF frequency.

• MIN LVL – minimal (start) level. Range depends on device type.
• MAX LVL – maximal (stop) level. Range depends on device type.
• STEP – step level.
• LEVEL SWEEP – Turn level sweep ON or OFF. When turned OFF MAX
LVL and STEP controls are dimmed. The number of level sweeps is
calculated as N = (Max Level – Min Level) / Step Level + 1
• START FREQuency – Sweep start frequency. This value is changed,
if CENTER or SPAN controls are used.
• STOP FREQuency – Sweep stop frequency. This value is changed, if
CENTER or SPAN controls are used.
• CENTER – Sweep center frequency. This value is changed, if START
FREQ or STOP FREQ controls are used.
• SPAN – Sweep start frequency. This value is changed, if START
FREQ or STOP FREQ controls are used.
• STEP – sweep step frequency. Is dimmed if LOGARITHMIC sweep
mode is selected.
• SPAN – sweep span frequency. Is dimmed if LINEAR sweep mode is
selected.
• LOG – Linear (not checked) or logarithmic (checked) sweep mode. If
Log mode is selected STEP is dimmed and COUNT undimmed.

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 FreRes – Frequency Response Measurement

• GENerator2 (LO) – The generator acting as local oscillator.

• LEVEL – absolute LO level.
• START FREQuency – LO start frequency. Is dimmed if GEN2 (LO)
SWEEP is set to FIXED.
• STOP FREQuency – LO stop frequency. Is dimmed if GEN2 (LO)
SWEEP is set to FIXED.
• CENTER – LO center frequency. This value is changed, if START
FREQ or STOP FREQ controls are used.
• SPAN – LO start frequency. This value is changed, if START FREQ or
STOP FREQ controls are used.

• ANALYZER (IF) – Analyzer settings.

• START FREQuency – Analyzer start frequency.
• STOP FREQuency – Analyzer stop frequency.
• CENTER – Analyzer center frequency.
• SPAN – Analyzer start frequency.

Note: Analyzer settings are automatically adapted to start-stop (center

span) frequencies and Lin/Log mode. This feature ensures correct plot
visibility without auto scale activation. Changing display parameters only
affects generator1 sweep settings in case ANALYZER (IF) SWEEP is set to
FIXED.

• RF RANGE – FreRes graph window shows measured level over genera-

tor1 frequency range.
• IF RANGE – FreRes graph window shows measured level over analyzer
frequency range.
• GEN2 (LO) SWEEP – Variable / Fixed frequency range.
• ANALYZER (IF) SWEEP – Variable / Fixed frequency range. If set to
Fixed the frequency sweep range of generator 1 is automatically set to
variable.

Note: GEN2 and ANALYZER SWEEP switches cannot be set to FIXED simulta-
neously.

• SIDEBAND – In case a mixer and a second generator are involved, the

resulting analyzer frequency is fIF = fGen1 * num / den + fGen2 when the
switch is set to UPPER. In case LOWER is chosen, the analyzer fre-
quency results to fIF = |fGen1 * num / den + fGen2|.

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 FreRes – Frequency Response Measurement

Configure Graphics Display

Fig. 10 Graphics Display

Set scaling for X- and Y- Axes

Set the scale type:

• LOG – logarithmic display when checked (unchecked for linear display).

Set limits manually or automatically:

• START – the minimum value shown.

• STOP – the maximum value shown.
• AUTO – minimum and maximum values are automatically matched to
test results.

Testing

• START – starts frequency sweep. Existing measurement plots are de-

leted prior to the new run. Measured points are displayed in real time. At
the end of a sweep all points are connected by a line to enhance read-
ability.
• REPEAT – starts measurement without deleting existing measurement
plots. Pressing NORMALIZE causes all further measurements to be nor-
malized to the first measurement scan invoked by START.
• NORMALIZE – uses current measurement as reference for measure-
ments to come. There are two different correction methods:

Fig. 11 Normalize Measurement

• REC – The resulting value is corrected after measurement.

• GEN – The generator level is corrected before measurement.
• INDEX – selects Level Sweep index to normalize to. If no Level
Sweep is selected Index is set to 0.
• STOP MEAS – stops measurement immediately. After measurement has
been stopped both the NORMALIZE and the REPEAT buttons become ac-
tive.
• DEL LAST TRACE – deletes last trace if there are more than one traces.

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 FreRes – Frequency Response Measurement

Measurement Data Format (ASCII)

The format used for results data in an ASCII file is shown below. The file’s
default extension is *.DAT".
Example: D:\RSAPPL\TEST.DAT
Repetition Count: 001
Level Sweep Count: 005
Measurement Count: 011
1100.000000 -39.516 -36.738 -32.923 -28.101 -23.279
1120.000000 -39.974 -37.379 -33.381 -28.376 -23.584
1140.000000 -40.279 -37.624 -33.839 -28.925 -24.195
1160.000000 -40.706 -37.868 -34.053 -29.108 -24.378
1180.000000 -40.523 -37.837 -34.175 -29.047 -24.836
1200.000000 -41.194 -38.997 -35.335 -30.238 -26.209
1220.000000 -41.805 -39.119 -35.945 -31.459 -27.338
1240.000000 -41.255 -38.966 -35.548 -31.550 -27.582
1260.000000 -42.202 -40.004 -36.922 -32.252 -28.559
1280.000000 -41.591 -39.516 -36.677 -32.557 -28.101
1300.000000 -41.317 -39.424 -36.220 -32.008 -27.491

The format used for results data in an ASCII file is shown below. The left
column shows the frequency steps and the resulting level (power) values
for one trace with 5 level sweeps.

Note: To export data correctly to Microsoft Excel, save the file with an *.xls
extension. Under Excel the data is formatted to match local country set-
tings (e.g. decimal point).

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 FreRes – Frequency Response Measurement

7 Additional Information
Please contact [email protected] for comments
and further suggestions.

8 Ordering Information
Signal Generator
SMU200A (100 kHz to 3.0 GHz) 1141.2005.02
SME02 (5 kHz to 1.5 GHz) 1038.6002.02
SME03 (5 kHz to 3.0 GHz) 1038.6002.03
SME06 (5 kHz to 6.0 GHz) 1038.6002.06
SMIQ03B (300 kHz to 3.3 GHz) 1125.5555.03
SMIQ03HD (300 kHz to 3.3 GHz) 1125.5555.33
SMIQ04B (300 kHz to 4.4 GHz) 1125.5555.04
SMIQ06B (300 kHz to 6.0 GHz) 1125.5555.06
SML01 (9 kHz to 1.1 GHz) 1090.3000.11
SML02 (9 kHz to 2.2 GHz) 1090.3000.12
SML03 (9 kHz to 3.3 GHz) 1090.3000.13
SMP02 (10 MHz to 20 GHz) 1035.5005.02
SMP03 (10 MHz to 27 GHz) 1035.5005.03
SMP04 (10 MHz to 40 GHz) 1035.5005.04
SMP22 (10 MHz to 20 GHz) 1035.5005.22
SMR20 (10 MHz to 20 GHz) 1104.0002.20
SMR27 (10 MHz to 27 GHz) 1104.0002.27
SMR30 (10 MHz to 30 GHz) 1104.0002.30
SMR40 (10 MHz to 40 GHz) 1104.0002.40
SMR50 (10 MHz to 50 GHz) 1104.0002.50
SMR60 (10 MHz to 60 GHz) 1104.0002.60
SMT02 (5 kHz to 1.5 GHz) 1039.2000.02
SMT03 (5 kHz to 3.0 GHz) 1039.2000.03
SMT06 (5 kHz to 6.0 GHz) 1039.2000.06
SMV03 (9 kHz to 3.3 GHz) 1147.7509.13
SM300 (9 kHz to 3GHz) 1147.1498.03

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 FreRes – Frequency Response Measurement

Test Receiver
ESCS30 (9 kHz to 2750 MHz) 1102.4500.30
ESIB7 (20 Hz to 7 GHz) 1088.7490.07
ESIB26 (20 Hz to 26,5 GHz) 1088.7490.26
ESIB40 (20 Hz to 40 GHz) 1088.7490.40
ESPI3 (9 kHz t 3 GHz) 1142.8007.03
ESPI7 (9 kHz t 7 GHz) 1142.8007.07
ESVN40 (9 kHz to 2750 MHz) 1056.9497.40

Spectrum Analyzer
FSEA30 (20 Hz to 3.5 GHz) 1065.6000.35
FSEB30 (20 Hz to 7.0 GHz) 1066.3010.35
FSEK30 (20 Hz to 40 GHz) 1088.3494.35
FSEM30 (20 Hz to 26.5 GHz) 1079.8500.35
FSIQ3 (20Hz to 3.5GHz) 1119.5005.13
FSIQ7 (20Hz to .7 GHz) 1119.5005.17
FSIQ26 (20Hz to .26 GHz) 1119.6001.27
FSP3 (9 kHz to 3 GHz) 1093.4495.03
FSP7 (9 kHz to 7 GHz) 1093.4495.07
FSP13 (9 kHz to 13 GHz) 1093.4495.13
FSP30 (9 kHz to 30 GHz) 1093.4495.30
FSP40 (9 kHz to 40 GHz) 1093.4495.40
FSU3 (20 Hz to 3 GHz) 1129.9003.03
FSU8 (20 Hz to 8 GHz) 1129.9003.08
FSU26 (20 Hz to 26.5 GHz) 1129.9003.26
FSQ3 (20 Hz to 3 GHz) 1155.5001.03
FSQ8 (20 Hz to 8 GHz) 1155.5001.08
FSQ26 (20 Hz to 26 GHz) 1155.5001.26
FS300 (9 kHz to 3GHz) 1147.0991.03

Power Meters
NRVD 0857.8008.02
NRVS 1029.2908.02
NRT 1080.9506.02
NRP 1143.8500.02
NRP-Z11 (10 MHz to 8 GHz) 1138.3004.02
NRP-Z21 (10 MHz to 18 GHz) 1137.6000.02
NRP-Z22 Average Power Sensor 1137.7506.02
NRP-Z23 Average Power Sensor 1137.8002.02
NRP-Z24 Average Power Sensor 1137.8502.02
NRP-Z51 Thermal Power Sensor 1138.0005.02
NRP-Z3 USB adapter (active) 1146.7005.02
NRP-Z4 USB adapter (passive) 1146.8001.02
NRP-Z2 Sensor Extension Cable 1146.6750.05
NRP-Z2 Sensor Extension Cable 1146.6750.10

. . . . .
ROHDE & SCHWARZ GmbH & Co. KG Mühldorfstraße 15 D-81671 München P.O.B 80 14 69 D-81614 München
. .
Telephone +49 89 4129 -0 Fax +49 89 4129 - 13777 Internet: http://www.rohde-schwarz.com

This application note and the supplied programs may only be used subject to the conditions of use set forth in the download
area of the Rohde & Schwarz website.

1MA09_17E.doc 15 Rohde & Schwarz