Hello,
I am working with an 2-port E8362C, running firmware version, A.09.42.22. Using DCOM.
Using one or more of the auxiliary I/O pins, or material handler pins, is it possible to directly drive from the PNA a single, Keysight SPDT N1810 RF switch configured for TTL? The current max on the PNA analog outputs looks like 10 mA, which should work for the TTL signal. The +22VDC out pin could be used for the supply voltage, because the switch will draw less than 100 mA at +22VDC Yes, no, maybe not, bad idea? All feedback is more than welcome. Thank you.
Best regards,
Andy
I am working with an 2-port E8362C, running firmware version, A.09.42.22. Using DCOM.
Using one or more of the auxiliary I/O pins, or material handler pins, is it possible to directly drive from the PNA a single, Keysight SPDT N1810 RF switch configured for TTL? The current max on the PNA analog outputs looks like 10 mA, which should work for the TTL signal. The +22VDC out pin could be used for the supply voltage, because the switch will draw less than 100 mA at +22VDC Yes, no, maybe not, bad idea? All feedback is more than welcome. Thank you.
Best regards,
Andy
My ultimate solution was to use a latching, TTL-controlled, mechanical switch (*with an external power supply). Latch command came from AuxTrigger1 out, unlatch came from AuxTrigger2 out.
I had two REAL 'channels' (with multiple measurements on each) setup in the PNA. These REAL channels were interlaced with DUMMY channels. AuxTrigger1 out was tied to one dummy channel, AuxTrigger2 out was tied to the other dummy channel (I think the triggers were set to occur BEFORE the measurement). I had to do this with dummy channels, as best as I can remember, to turn off RF during switch transitions. So the dummy channels had RF output levels set for a very low level. AuxTrigger widths were set to allow switch transition time (and the measurement is automatically delayed for the duration of the trigger output). PNA measurement trigger was set for free-running, internal.
The AuxTriggers are nice because they have settings for: pulse width, delay, before/after measurements, polarity (pos/neg-going), and you can tie them independantly to channels.
At that point, my only task was to pull off data the PNA with a callback event as it became available.
I'm not sure if the E8362C has the AuxTrigger outputs. Also, I could only control one switch in this configuration (because there are only two AuxTrigger outputs). And you can't use a momentary switch because the triggers don't stay high during the measurement.
One gotcha I remember is that I had to use the 'ALL_SWEEPS_COMPLETED_AND_PROCESSED' eventID (for an OnChannelEvent) to trigger the data pull. Before adding the AuxTriggerOut I had been using the 'CHANNEL_SWEEP_COMPLETE' event (which no longer worked properly).
And to get RF output power low during the dummy channels, there was some trick... you had to get the transmit attenuators into the proper state for your real measurement, but then set the synthesizer power level low for the dummy measurement. If you don't do it right, you end up with a message about trying to switch the mechanical attenuators too quickly (which will prematurely wear them out).