Agilent 8902A

Measuring Receiver
Product Note

Operation of the Agilent 8902A Measuring An external local oscillator (LO) provides the correct
Receiver for Microwave Frequencies frequency and amplitude level to the microwave
converter for down conversion. The 11793A requires
When you are performing microwave frequency +8 dBm leveled output from the LO. For LO’s with
power measurements, the Agilent Technologies insufficient power above 18 GHz, the 11793A offers
11793A microwave converter extends the superb an optional 10 to 26.5 GHz amplifier. Using the fol-
measurement performance of the 8902A measuring lowing instructions you can select and set the correct
receiver to microwave frequencies. To make meas- LO mixing frequency on the external LO and make
urements on signals from 10 MHz to 1300 MHz, just all necessary measurements on your device-under-
enter the input signal frequency on the measuring test (DUT), including low level power measurements
receiver. For input signals above 1300 MHz the sig- down to –100 dBm.
nals must be downconverted by the 11793A micro-
wave converter to a usable IF frequency before any
measurements can be made by the measuring
receiver.
Setting up the External LO and Measuring Set up the external LO for the correct level:
Receiver • +8 dBm for LO frequencies <18 GHz (11793A
standard or with options)
When the DUT’s signal is greater than 1300 MHz,
you must down convert microwave signals to the • +7 dBm for LO frequencies >18 GHz (11793A
frequency range of the measuring receiver by setting standard)
the correct external LO frequency and amplitude,
and informing the measuring receiver (using special • +0 dBm for LO frequencies >18 GHz (11793A
functions) what the external LO settings are. For Option 001, 011, or 021)
each input signal frequency change greater than
±100 MHz, you must also change the frequency of Setting up the measuring receiver for RF
the external LO to maintain the correct down con- measurements
version process. See Figure 1 for connection details. • Press FREQ, then the green AUTOMATIC OPERA-
TION key, to clear any previous keys.
Selecting the LO frequency
We recommend you select an LO frequency that is • Enter 27.3 SPCL, the LO frequency in MHz, and
120.53 MHz higher than the DUT’s input signal. This then press the MHz key. If measuring signals
is the ideal IF frequency (Agilent 11793A IF output <1300 MHz, press the 27.3 SPCL, 0 key, then the
to the input on the measuring receiver) for meas- MHz key. This tells the measuring receiver that
urement accuracy. the external LO is not needed; or you may enter
27.0 SPCL to exit Frequency Offset Mode.
• For example, if the input signal to be measured
is 1800 MHz, use an LO of 1920.53 MHz (1800 + • If the DUT’s signal is <–15 dBm, enter the DUT’s
120.53 = 1920.53 MHz). frequency, and then press the MHz key to manu-
ally tune.
• If the external LO cannot be set 120.53 MHz
higher than the DUT’s signal due to a minimum • Repeat the previous two steps if the DUT’s fre-
LO frequency range of 2000 MHz, use one of the quency is changed more than ±100 MHz.
following frequencies, if possible, for optimum
measurement performance (added to the test • Select a measurement key on the measuring
frequency): 240.53, 480.53, 600.53, or 680.53 MHz. receiver (except RF POWER) to perform the
These frequencies are recommended because they desired measurement. To perform RF POWER
are half-way between the measuring receiver’s measurements, perform the setup in the follow-
internal LO octave bands. ing section.
• For example, if the input signal to be measured Frequency Offset Control:
is 1800 MHz, you can use an LO of 2040.53 MHz 27.0 SPCL to exit Frequency Offset Mode
(1800 + 240.53 = 2040.53 MHz). The lower the IF 27.1 SPCL to re-enter Frequency Offset Mode
frequency, the better the performance. Any IF fre- 27.2 SPCL to display the External LO frequency
quency between 10 MHz and 700 MHz can be used. 27.3 SPCL to Enter/Enable the External LO

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Setting up the Measuring Receiver for RF Power Normal cal factor table entry instructions
Measurements • Enter 37.9 SPCL (clears all cal factor storage
tables).
The calibration factors listed on the sensor head of
the Agilent 11722A or 11792A sensor module must • Press the RF POWER key. The instrument will dis-
be loaded into the measuring receiver’s Normal play Error 15 indicating no Cal Factors stored.
and Frequency Offset Cal Factor tables before you
can perform any RF power measurements. If you • Enter 37.3 SPCL, and the REF CF value, then
enter a digit incorrectly while following these press the BLUE key, then the MHz key. This is the
instructions just press the CLEAR key and re-enter Reference Cal Factor (REF CF).
that step.

Figure 1. Agilent 8902A Microwave Measurement Interconnections

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Setting up the Measuring Receiver for RF Power Verification of the cal factor tables
Measurements (continued) • Press the Blue key, then the AUTOMATIC OPERATION
key to do an instrument preset.
• Enter 37.3 SPCL, the frequency in MHz, then
press the MHz key. Enter the Cal Factor % for
• Press the RF POWER key. If you get Error 15
this frequency, then press the BLUE key, then the
repeat the Entry Instructions shown on page 3.
MHz key.
• Enter 37.5 SPCL, then press the BLUE key, then
• Repeat the previous step for each Frequency
the MHz key. If the REF CF shown is incorrect,
and related Cal Factor shown on the sensor
repeat the first three entry instructions for the
head.
correct Cal Factor Table Entry Instructions pre-
sented in the previous section.
• Press the green AUTOMATIC OPERATION key to
reset the instrument.
• Enter 37.6 SPCL then press the BLUE key, then the
↑kHz key. This will display the next frequency in
Frequency offset cal factor table entry instructions
the table; then press the BLUE key, then the MHz
• Enter 27.1 SPCL to enter Frequency Offset Mode.
key to display the related cal factor.
• Press the RF POWER key. The instrument will dis-
• Repeat the previous step to view all entered fre-
play Error 15 indicating no Cal Factors stored.
quencies and related cal factors.
• Enter 37.3 SPCL and the REF CF value, then
• To repeat viewing of the table, enter 37.5 SPCL to
press the BLUE key, then the MHz key. This is the
start over. To clear the table and start over,
Reference Cal Factor (REF CF).
enter 37.9 SPCL.
• Enter 37.3 SPCL, the frequency in MHz, then
• To correct any Cal Factor % errors, perform the
press the MHz key. Enter the Cal Factor % for
Cal Factor Entry Instructions only for the fre-
this frequency, then press the BLUE key, then the
quency and cal factor in error. If a frequency is
MHz key.
entered incorrectly, perform Cal Factor Entry
Instructions, and enter the frequency in error
• Repeat the previous step for each Frequency
with a cal factor of zero (0). This will erase the
and related Cal Factor shown on the sensor
frequency from the table.
head.

• Press the green AUTOMATIC OPERATION key to

reset the instrument.

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Performing RF power measurements with a sensor module Low-Level RF Power Measurements
• Connect the sensor to the RF POWER, CALI-
The calibration factors listed on the sensor head of
BRATION port on the measuring receiver.
the Agilent 11722A or 11792A sensor module must
be loaded into the measuring receiver’s Normal
• Press the ZERO key, to zero the sensor. After a
and Frequency Offset Cal Factor tables to be able
few seconds 0.00 W is displayed.
to perform any low-level RF power measurements.
See the previous sections if this has not been done.
• Press the CALIBRATE key, to calibrate the sensor.
The sensor module also must be zeroed and cali-
A reading will be displayed.
brated as described in the previous section. Low-
level power measurements can only be performed
• Press the BLUE key, then the CALIBRATE key, to
on a CW signal without modulation.
save the reference calibration level (SAVE CAL).
1.000 mW should now be displayed.
Setting up the measuring receiver for low-level power
measurements
• Press the CALIBRATE key again to turn off the
• Set the DUT to the desired frequency, set the
calibrator.
amplitude to at least –5 dBm.
• The measuring receiver is now calibrated.
• Turn OFF all modulation.
Measure power levels by pressing RF POWER.
• Tune to the DUT’s frequency as described in the
• If sensor modules are changed, perform the zero
previous section “Setting up the External LO
and calibrate steps again.
and Measuring Receiver”.
• Re-calibrate the sensor when ambient condi-
• Press the GOLD key (shift), then the TUNED RF
tions change or approximately every 8 hours.
LEVEL key.

• Press the BLUE key and the ↑kHz key to view the
DUT’s frequency at any time. The display will
clear in approximately 5 seconds and return to
the previous reading.

• Press the LOG/LIN key for a display of dBm or

watts.

• Enter 1.9 SPCL to insure that 10 dB of attenua-

tion will always be inserted to improve any mis-
match uncertainty, or enter 1.0 SPCL for auto RF
input attenuation and gain selection.

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Low Level RF Power Measurements (continued) Setting up the measuring receiver for low-level power
measurements on drifting signals
• The display should show a power reading, the
This measurement technique is preferred when
RECAL and the UNCAL annunciators should be
you are testing for level accuracy on non-synthe-
lit along with the f OFS (frequency Offset) annun-
sized, or “free running” signal sources that have
ciator (if tuned to a frequency >1300 MHz). The
tendencies to drift in frequency. The Track Mode
UNCAL annunciator light indicates that the cur-
feature (Special Function 32.9) is used to keep the
rent tuned RF level absolute power measurement
measuring receiver locked onto drifting signals.
is uncalibrated. The RECAL light prompts the
When using the Track Mode feature, if the measur-
user to calibrate.
ing receiver loses the drifting signal, increase the
signal to –80 dBm or higher, then press the BLUE
• Press the CALIBRATE key. Calibration may take
key, then the CLEAR key to retune the measuring
several seconds. Once a reading is displayed and
receiver to the drifting signal, then continue with
the RECAL light is no longer displayed, continue.
your measurement.
• Reduce the DUT’s signal level in 10 dB steps.
• Set the DUT to the desired frequency, set the
You should see a reading at each stepped level.
amplitude to at least –5 dBm.
Each time the RECAL annunciator light comes
on, press the CALIBRATE key (see previous step).
• Turn OFF all modulation.
Continue this process until –100 dBm is
reached. You need to calibrate approximately
• Tune the measuring receiver to the DUT’s fre-
three times. Now that the three calibration fac-
quency as described in the previous section,
tors for this frequency have been generated, any
“Setting up the External LO and Measuring
power level may be measured between +0 dBm
Receiver”.
and –100 dBm without further calibration.
• Enter 32.9 SPCL. The TRACK MODE key light
should be on. (This is the same as entering 4.4
SPCL, 8.1 SPCL, Log units, Track Mode, and 27.3
SPCL.)

• Press the MHz key to enter manual tune tracking

mode.

• Press the GOLD key (shift), then the TUNED RF

LEVEL key.

• Press the Blue key and the ↑kHz key to view the
DUT’s frequency at any time. The display will
clear in approximately 5 seconds and return to
the previous reading.

• Press the LOG/LIN key for a display of dBm or

Watts.

• Enter 1.9 SPCL to insure that 10 dB of attenua-

tion will always be inserted to improve any mis-
match uncertainty, or enter 1.0 SPCL for auto RF
input attenuation and gain selection.

6
• The display should show a power reading, the • The calibration remains valid for any CW signal
RECAL and the UNCAL annunciators should be at that frequency ±5% (or ±10 MHz (±5 MHz in
lit, along with the f OFS (frequency Offset) annun- Track Mode), whichever is smaller).
ciator (if tuned to a frequency >1300 MHz). The
UNCAL annunciator light indicates that the cur- • In Tracking Mode, if the DUT’s frequency drifts
rent tuned RF level absolute power measure- past one of the following frequency boundaries,
ment is uncalibrated. The RECAL light prompts the measuring receiver will lose the signal and
the user to calibrate. the measurement process must be restarted:
40 MHz, 80 MHz, 160 MHz, 320 MHz, and 640 MHz.
• Press the CALIBRATE key. Calibration may take
several seconds. Once a reading is displayed and • Higher resolution for dB measurements can be
the RECAL light is no longer displayed, continue. attained by using 32.0 SPCL for a resolution of
0.01 dB or 32.1 SPCL for a resolution of 0.001 dB.
• Reduce the DUT’s signal level in 10 dB steps.
You should see a reading at each stepped level. • If Error 15 is displayed, you need to enter the
Each time the RECAL annunciator light comes cal factors printed on the sensor module.
on, press the CALIBRATE key (see previous step).
Continue this process until –100 dBm is • If Error 31 or 33 is displayed, the sensor module
reached. You should need to calibrate three needs to be zeroed and calibrated.
times. Now that the three calibration factors for
this frequency have been generated, any power • Refer to the 8902A Operation and Calibration
level may be measured between +0 dBm and Manual for more detailed descriptions and other
–100 dBm without further calibration. useful functions. See the "Tuned RF Level" sec-
tion under the "RF Power" and "Level" tab and
Other useful information when setting up the measuring the "Frequency Offset Control" section under the
receiver for low-level power measurements "Additional Capabilities" tab.
• The three calibration factors for a frequency can
be saved in non-volatile memory in one of the
eight STORE/RECALL registers. To store these
cal factors for a frequency in register one, press
the BLUE key, then the STORE, 1 keys. Calibration
factors for other frequencies can now be made
and recalled when needed, by pressing the BLUE
key, then the RECALL, (corresponding register) keys.

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