Reference solutions slash test system integration time

Agilent has shown that Reference Solutions not only enable quick evaluation of a test solution for specific applications but also dramatically reduce the time it takes to integrate a new test system into a test environment.

Agilent’s first Reference Solution is an RF power amplifier (PA) manufacturing test solution with envelope tracking capability. It includes a graphical user interface program for easy solution evaluation, example source code optimised for speed, extremely fast modulation analysis, and excellent accuracy and measurement repeatability.

The RF PA Reference Solution is built around the Agilent M9391A PXIe VSA and the M9381A PXIe VSG. It uses Agilent measurement software that provides consistency with the benchtop signal generation and analysis instruments. The solution delivers high test throughput, reduces cost, and allows for rapid integration into a PA test environment. It supports the testing of devices that use envelope tracking for improved power efficiency by including the Agilent E33522B waveform generator, which is synchronized to the M9381A VSG.

The M9391A VSA and the M9381A VSG use hardware-accelerated measurements, combined with Agilent’s innovative fast baseband tuning technology, to provide unprecedented servo-loop test times through rapid frequency and amplitude adjustments, enabling test times of less than 300 ms for complete test programs. Leveraging the same user interface and best-in-class measurement IP of the X-Series measurement applications ensures extremely high confidence in measurement results through the entire design and production life cycle. It also allows reuse of existing test code and reduces test development time, facilitating easy migration between test hardware.

The M9391A VSA and the M9381A VSG, with up to 6 GHz frequency coverage and 160 MHz bandwidth, are license-key-upgradeable to adapt to new and changing requirements.