Keysight Technologies PXI Programmable Step Attenuator Module M9168C DC to 26.5 GHz M9168E DC to 50 GHz Data Sheet Introduction Keysight Technologies, Inc. has been a leading designer and manufacturer of RF and microwave step attenuators in the global marketplace for more than 60 years. RF and microwave attenuators are used extensively in microwave test systems for signal conditioning between transmitting and receiving of a device under test (DUT). Keysight designs and manufacturers a comprehensive range of RF and microwave attenuators to meet your signal attenuation requirements. There is a broad range of fixed, manual, and programmable step attenuators with operating frequencies from DC up to 4/18/26.5/40/50 GHz. Product Description Other than connectorized standalone attenuators, Keysight also offers step attenuator modules that operate across a broad frequency range of DC to 26.5/50 GHz. The M9168C/E is a programmable step attenuator module based on the PXI hybrid platform, with 0.03 dB insertion loss repeatability for each section throughout the 5 million cycles operating life. Its excellent attenuation accuracy across a wide operating temperature range ensures precise measurements. The M9168C/E is a signal conditioning module that enhances the measurement accuracy and flexibility of PXI based RF and microwave test systems. Applications –– RF signal path attenuation simulation –– Engineering verification –– RF receiver sensitivity test –– Adjacent channel interference Features –– 0.03 dB insertion loss repeatability through-out the operating life of up to 5 million cycles per section –– Broad attenuation range of 0 to 101 dB with 1 dB step –– High attenuation accuracy and flatness of ± 0.4 dB at 26.5 GHz (M9168C) and ± 0.97 at 50 GHz (M9168E) –– Soft front panel is available for ease of use Customer values –– Peace of mind in technology from Keysight who has a proven track record of providing versatile, quality, RF and microwave step attenuators –– Reduce downtime for recalibration, improve testing efficiency and therefore maximizing throughput –– Maximize measurement accuracy and system flexibility –– Guaranteed precise measurements and stability across a wide temperature range 03 | Keysight | Programmable Step Attenuator Module M9168C DC to 26.5 GHz, M9168E DC to 50 GHz – Data Sheet Easy Setup…Test…and Maintenance Hardware platform Connectors The M9168C/E comes with 3.5 mm (f) (SMA compatible)/2.4 mm (f) high quality RF coaxial connectors for 50 Ω. Compliance The M9168C/E is PXI compliant, using either a PXI-H, PXI-1 or cPCI slot. Designed to benefit from fast data interfaces, the M9168C/E can be integrated with other test and automation modules into PXI, Compact PCI®, and Hybrid chassis. The PXI format offers high performance in a small, rugged package, and it’s an ideal platform for many automated test systems. A wide array of complementary PXI products are currently available and include multimeters, waveform generators, local oscillators, digitizers, and switch multiplexers. Figure 1a. Uncorrected instance of M9168C/E soft front panel Software platform Drivers Keysight‘s M9168C/E comes complete with software drivers for Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and LabVIEW. Also included are application code examples for LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, Visual Studio, C, C++, MATLAB. Soft Front Panel The M9168C/E graphical user interface guides developers through the module setup process. Users can quickly configure the module parameters. The interfaces are implemented using the IVI standard supporting both IVI-COM and IVI-C. Soft front panel of M9168C/E provides an intuitive approach for program simulation and troubleshooting. The soft front panel comes in Uncorrected and Corrected instance. Figure 1b. Corrected instance of M9168C/E soft front panel Uncorrected — User sees the nominal value of the attenuation in this instance, regardless of operating frequency. Corrected — Calibration data is burnt in the module EEPROM at factory and is unique to each step attenuator module. The corrected data is the attenuation value by frequency. User could read the actual attenuation value that changes with frequency, and with accuracy up to 2 decimal points. Figure 1c. Onboard cycle count per attenuation section tracking eases maintenance and reduces unexpected system downtime 04 | Keysight | Programmable Step Attenuator Module M9168C DC to 26.5 GHz, M9168E DC to 50 GHz – Data Sheet Easy Setup…Test…and Maintenance, continued Easy software integration Keysight’s M9168C/E comes complete with software drivers for Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, and LabView. Also included are application code examples for LabView, LabWindows/CVI, Visual Studio, C, C++, C#, Visual Basic, and MATLAB, which provides the M9168C/E with setup and basic switching functionality. The application code examples are easily modified to quickly integrate the module into your measurement system. Calibration intervals The M9168C/E is factory calibrated and shipped with an ISO-9001, NIST-traceable calibration certificate. The recommended calibration interval is 12 months. 05 | Keysight | Programmable Step Attenuator Module M9168C DC to 26.5 GHz, M9168E DC to 50 GHz – Data Sheet Technical Specifications M9168C Specifications Frequency range DC to 26.5 GHz Attenuation resolution 1 dB step Repeatability 0.03 dB Lifecycle 5 million life cycles per section Insertion loss (at 0 dB) DC to 6 GHz: 2.5 dB 6 GHz to 18 GHz: 4.0 dB 18 GHz to 26.5 GHz: 5.0 dB Return loss (VSWR) DC to 6 GHz: 16 dB (1.35) 6 GHz to 18 GHz: 11 dB (1.78) 18 GHz to 26.5 GHz: 7 dB (2.61) Maximum input power 1 W (+30 dBm) average 50 W peak (10 µs max) Maximum reverse power 1 W (+30 dBm) average 50 W peak (10 µs max) Switching speed 20 ms RF connector 3.5 mm (f), SMA compatible Connector compatibility cPCI, PXI-H, PXI-1 Attenuation accuracy Specified across operating frequency of 0 to 50 °C Attenuation setting for step ranges (dB) DC to 18 GHz 18 to 26.5 GHz 1 to 2 0.35 0.40 3 to 6 0.55 0.70 7 to 10 0.70 0.80 11 to 20 1.20 1.40 21 to 40 1.40 1.60 41 to 60 1.90 2.50 61 to 80 2.50 2.70 81 to 101 3.70 4.00 Power requirements Power consumption from the backplane supply is as follows: Voltage +3.3 V +5.0 V –12.0 V +12.0 V Current 0.5 A (typical 0.2 A) 5.8 A (typical 5.5 A) 0V 0.37 A (typical 0.34 A) 06 | Keysight | Programmable Step Attenuator Module M9168C DC to 26.5 GHz, M9168E DC to 50 GHz – Data Sheet Technical Specifications, continued M9168E Specifications Frequency range DC to 50 GHz Attenuation resolution 1 dB step Repeatability 0.03 dB Lifecycle 5 million life cycles per section Insertion loss (at 0 dB) DC to 6 GHz: 2.5 dB 6 GHz to 18 GHz: 4.0 dB 18 GHz to 26.5 GHz: 5.0 dB 26.5 to 50 GHz: 6.5 dB Return loss (VSWR) DC to 18 GHz: 15.5 dB (1.40) 18 to 26.5 GHz: 9.0 dB (2.10) 26.5 to 40 GHz: 7.0 dB (2.61) 40 to 50 GHz: 4.0 dB (4.42) Maximum input power 1 W (+30 dBm) average 50 W peak (10 µs max) Maximum reverse power 1 W (+30 dBm) average 50 W peak (10 µs max) Switching speed 20 ms RF connector 2.4 mm (f), SMA compatible Connector compatibility cPCI, PXI-H, PXI-1 Attenuation accuracy Specified across operating frequency of 0 to 50 °C Attenuation setting for step ranges (dB) DC to 18 GHz 18 to 26.5 GHz 26.5 to 40 GHz 40 to 50 GHz 1 to 2 0.35 0.40 0.69 0.97 3 to 6 0.55 0.70 0.97 1.23 7 to 10 0.70 0.80 1.21 1.62 11 to 20 1.20 1.40 1.87 2.34 21 to 40 1.40 1.60 2.09 2.58 41 to 60 1.90 2.50 3.36 4.22 61 to 80 2.50 2.70 3.59 4.48 81 to 101 3.70 4.00 4.46 4.91 Power requirements Power consumption from the backplane supply is as follows: Voltage +3.3 V +5.0 V –12.0 V +12.0 V Current 0.5 A (typical 0.2 A) 5.8 A (typical 5.5 A) 0V 0.37 A (typical 0.34 A) 07 | Keysight | Programmable Step Attenuator Module M9168C DC to 26.5 GHz, M9168E DC to 50 GHz – Data Sheet Technical Specifications, continued Environmental and physical specifications Temperature range Operating Non-operating 0 to 55 °C –40 to 70 °C Relative humidity Operating Non-operating 95% RF at 40 °C, 24 hours cycling, repeated 5 times 95% RH at 40 °C, 5 cycles Vibration Operating random Vibration Survival random vibration 5—500 Hz, 0.3 g RMS 5—500 Hz, 3.41 g RMS Shock End use handling shock Transportation shock Half sine wave form, 120 in/s, duration < 3 ms Trapezoidal, 50 g Altitude test Operating/non-operation 15,000 ft (4600 m) ESD immunity Air discharge Direct discharge 15 kV per IEC61000-4-2 8 kV per IEC61000-4-2 Safety This product has input power below the requirements as specified in the Low Voltage Directive (2006/95/EC) EMC EMC Standard: IEC 61326-1:2005 / EN 61326-1:2006 Emissions: CISPR 11:2003 / EN55011:2007 Immunity: IEC 61000-4-3:2002 / EN 61000-4-3:2002 Electrostatic Discharge: IEC 61000-4-2:2001 / EN 61000-4-2-:1995+A1:1998+A2:2001 EMC/EMI:CE, C-Tick CE compliance EMC Compatibility Directive (EMC): 2004/108/EC Warm-up time Refer to PXI Chassis warm-up time Dimensions M9168C/E 3U PXI/Compact PCI standard Front panel complies with IEEE 1101.10 certification and compliance. 174.8 x 128.7 x 40.3 mm Weight 0.93 kg Contact material Beryllium copper, gold plated Connector compatibility PXI-H, PXI-1, cPCI 08 | Keysight | Programmable Step Attenuator Module M9168C DC to 26.5 GHz, M9168E DC to 50 GHz – Data Sheet Supplemental Specifications and Characteristics Supplemental characteristics are intended to provide useful information. They are typical but non-warranted performance parameters. Typical performance graphs Return loss 0 -5 -10 -15 -20 -25 -30 -35 -40 -45 -50 -55 -60 -65 0 10 20 30 GHz 09 | Keysight | Programmable Step Attenuator Module M9168C DC to 26.5 GHz, M9168E DC to 50 GHz – Data Sheet Supplemental Specifications and Characteristics, continued Supplemental characteristics are intended to provide useful information. They are typical but non-warranted performance parameters. Typical performance graphs 10 | Keysight | Programmable Step Attenuator Module M9168C DC to 26.5 GHz, M9168E DC to 50 GHz – Data Sheet Configuration and Ordering Information Software Related products Model Description Model Description Software development platform Microsoft Visual Studio with C/C++ Microsoft Visual Studio .NET with C# or Visual Basic, National Instruments LabVIEW, National Instruments LabWindows CVI, The MathWorks MATLAB, Keysight VEE M9392A PXI Vector Signal Analyzer M9351A PXI Downconverter, 50 MHz to 2.9 GHz M9360A PXI Attenuator/Preselector M9155/6/7C PXI Switch Modules, DC to 26.5 GHz Supported operating systems Windows XP SP3, 32-bit Windows Vista 32/64-bit Windows 7 32/64-bit Drivers provided IVI-COM, IVI-C, LabView, MATLAB Included GUI Soft front panel Compatible with all chassis conforming to the 3U PXI and 3U cPCI specifications Application code examples C, C++, C#, Visual Basic, VEE, MATLAB Compatible with Keysight M9018A PXIe chassis, 18-slots, 3U, 8 GB/s Recommended configuration Model and chassis compatibility PXI chassis compatibility Warranty and calibration Advantage Services: Calibration and warranty Model Description M9018A PXIe Chassis, 18-slots, 3U, 8 GB/s Keysight Advantage Services is committed to your success throughout your equipment’s lifetime. M9202A PXIe IF Digitizer: 12-bit, 1 GHz M9168C-UK6 Commercial calibration certificate with test data M9361A PXI Downconverter: 2.75 to 26.5 GHz M9168C PXI-h Programmable Step Attenuator Module, DC to 26.5 GHz R-51B-001-C 1 year Return-to-Keysight warranty M9168E PXI-h Programmable Step Attenuator Module, DC to 50 GHz Ordering information typical configuration Model Description M9168C PXI-h Programmable Step Attenuator Module, DC to 26.5 GHz M9168E PXI-h Programmable Step Attenuator Module, DC to 50 GHz 11 | Keysight | Programmable Step Attenuator Module M9168C DC to 26.5 GHz, M9168E DC to 50 GHz – Data Sheet Mechanical Information Dimensions are in mm nominal, unless otherwise specified. 174.79 165.49 6.761 ± 0.325 (Connector portrusion) 128.70 125.60 40.30 32.83 7.47 26.00 3.00 28.50 45.50 12 | Keysight | Programmable Step Attenuator Module M9168C DC to 26.5 GHz, M9168E DC to 50 GHz – Data Sheet myKeysight www.keysight.com/find/mykeysight A personalized view into the information most relevant to you. http://www.keysight.com/find/emt_product_registration Register your products to get up-to-date product information and find warranty information. www.pxisa.org PCI eXtensions for Instrumentation (PXI) modular instrumentation delivers a rugged, PC-based high-performance measurement and automation system. 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DEKRA Certified ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System This information is subject to change without notice. © Keysight Technologies, 2017 Published in USA, January 10, 2018 5990-8586EN www.keysight.com