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,
Figure 1a. Uncorrected instance of M9168C/E soft front panel
digitizers, and switch multiplexers.
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.
Figure 1b. Corrected instance of M9168C/E soft front panel
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.
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
KEYSIGHT [ Keysight Technologies ]
