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Remote Language Compatibility (RLC) X-Series Measurement Application N9061A and Demo Guide

Technical Overviews

  • Seamless ATE system migration to next generation
  • Reduce ATE system cost with X-Series analyzers
  • Run legacy programming codes using newer SCPI-based instruments without code modification
  • RLC Measurement Application

In addition to a superior combina­tion of speed, accuracy, flexibility, and dynamic range, the Keysight Technology, Inc. X-Series signal analyzers offer the broadest set of measurement applications. The RLC measurement application is an ideal tool for seamlessly evolving your ATE system to the next generation.

The RLC measurement application is just one in a common library of more than 25 measurement applications in the Keysight X-Series, an evolution­ary approach to signal analysis that spans instrumentation, measure­ments, and software. The X-Series analyzers and MXE EMI receiver, with upgradeable CPU, memory, removable solid-state drive, and I/O ports, enable you to keep your test assets current and extend instrument longevity. Proven algorithms, 100% code-compatibility, and a common UI across the X-Series create a consistent measurement framework for signal analysis that ensures repeatable results and measurement integrity so you can leverage your test system software through all phases of product development. In addition to fixed, perpetual licenses for our X-Series measurement appli­cations, we also offer transportable licenses which can increase the value of your investment by allowing to you transport the application to multiple X-Series analyzers.

RLC Overview

You selected HP/Keysight’s legacy spectrum analyzers, such as the 856xE/EC or 8566/68 family, for your automatic test equipment (ATE) systems. After decades of success, you are probably considering transitioning your ATE system to the next generation, and, as your partner, Keysight is here to help make that transition as seamless as possible—so you can focus on achieving new successes in mission-critical tasks.

We understand the problems you are facing when evolving ATE systems. Some or all of the instruments in your ATE system racks become obsolete and some of them are no longer sup­ported. Those instruments have to be replaced with the modern ones. How­ever, ATE systems are very expensive to develop and certify. Once the remote test program sets for these ATE systems have been certified, changes require recertification which is expensive and time-consuming.

Finding modern replacement instru­ments with comparable performance to the legacy ones may not be so difficult. However, finding the instru­ments that can be placed in an ATE system with minimal disruption to test program sets, while still meeting the required specifications, can be a real challenge.

The X-Series signal analyzers (PXA/MXA/EXA), Keysight’s next-generation signal analyzers and the fastest signal analyzers in the industry, offer a remote language compatibility (RLC) application (N9061A-2FP) with the legacy HP/Keysight 856xE/EC spectrum analyz­ers and N9061A-1FP for the 8566/68 spectrum analyzers. This application is an excellent solution to help you upgrade old ATE systems, which include 856xE/EC spectrum analyz­ers, to those including Keysight’s next-generation X-Series signal analyzers. The X-Series N9061A-2FP RLC application currently provides as many as 164 supported programming commands from 856xE/EC for the most frequently used spectrum analysis functions in ATE systems.

Gain competitive edge with innovative X-Series signal analyzers

The HP 856xE was launched 16 years ago and the 856xE family was very well received because of its unprecedented RF performance and features. Emerging in the pre-SCPI (standard commands for program­ming instruments) era, when an electronic memory device used inside the instrument was prohibitively expensive, the 856xE employed a very instrument-specific command set for remote programming.

Eight years later, HP/Keysight introduced the 856xEC family, which replaced the spectrum analyzer’s monochrome CRT tube with a color LCD display while sharing the same remote programming language with its predecessor, the 856xE.

Today, the Keysight X-Series signal analyzers drive signal analysis to the next level, with a combination of Keysight’s technological in­novations and decades of spectrum analyzer design and manufacturing experiences. The X-Series’ excellent performance provides an ideal hardware replacement for the 856xE/EC and 8566/68. By replacing your legacy 856xE/EC with an X-Series, you will take full advantage of the technology breakthroughs in the X-Series signal analyzers:

Speed

The X-Series are the industry’s fast­est signal analyzers in their class. At up to 300% faster than other signal and spectrum analyzers, the X-Series signal analyzers help you to signifi­cantly reduce test time and increase your manufacturing throughput.

Performance

The X-Series signal analyzers deliver outstanding performance. For example, the MXA signal analyzer offers 0.23 dB of typical absolute amplitude accuracy—over 3 times better than the 856xE/EC accu­racy. The improvement in amplitude accuracy enables you to set more stringent test criteria to increase your manufacturing yields.

Cost

The X-Series signal analyzers are significantly less expensive than the 856xEC. A 26.5 GHz MXA is about 24% less expensive than the 8563EC, and a 3.6 GHz MXA is about 37% less. And if the economy-class EXA can meet your test requirements, you can save even more.

Like all other modern signal/spectrum analyzers, the X-Series signal analyzers use SCPI commands for remote programming. Therefore, a bridge between the legacy 856xE/EC or 8566/68 remote language and the SCPI language that Keysight X-Series uses becomes necessary when migrating the 856xE/EC to the X-Series analyzer in your ATE system. The X-Series RLC application (N96061A-2FP/1FP) is that bridge. It enables an X-Series analyzer to run most customers’ 856xE/EC or 8566/68 programming codes without modification.

Measurement Application Demonstration Guide

How the X-Series RLC application works

Figure 2 shows a simplified working block diagram for the X-Series RLC application, specifically for the N9061A-2FP/1FP. The X-Series signal analyzer, using the SCPI commands for remote user interface (RUI), is unable to understand the legacy remote program commands. Like­wise, the instrument-specific, legacy remote program will not recognize the responses returned from X-Series signal analyzers in the form of SCPI commands.

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