Concepts and features
R&S
®
ZNB/ZNBT
271
User Manual 1173.9163.02 ─ 62
For "real" 6-port analyzers (such as the R&S
ZNBT8), a single sweep per driving port
would be sufficient.
Furthermore, each additional sweep requires at least one matrix switching procedure.
This procedure involves command processing and physical switching and hence can
take some time to complete. For mechanical switches (such as R&S ZV-Z81 variant
66), in particular, switching is slow and causes mechanical wear. To optimize the mea-
surement setup w.r.t. speed and resources, the characteristics of the available switch
matrices have to be accounted for.
4.7.29.2
Matrix setup and operation
Setting up a switch matrix at the R&S
ZNB/ZNBT firmware typically involves the follow-
ing steps:
1. Establish the physical connection via the appropriate management interface (USB
or LAN or Direct Control).
2. Register the matrix (as managed object).
3. Define the RF configuration:
a) Configure the matrix-VNA-connections according to the existing (or planned)
physical connections between VNA test ports and matrix VNA ports.
b) Assign the matrix test ports and the remaining VNA ports (i.e. the VNA ports
not connected to a matrix VNA port) to DUT test ports.
After this initial setup, the R&S
ZNB/ZNBT takes control of the attached matrices: it
allows you to configure the test ports and dynamically establishes the required matrix
routes according to the current measurement task.
To make a measurement, set up a channel where all unused logical ports are disabled.
Switch matrices are global resources: their configuration is not part of a recall set.
However, a recall set contains information about the required matrices and their RF
connections. At the time the recall set is loaded, the R&S
ZNB/ZNBT checks whether
the same matrix setup is still active. If not, a wizard guides the user through the matrix
configuration.
4.7.29.3
RF connections and matrix connectivity
Depending on the design of the switch matrix and the RF connections between VNA
and matrix, the following limitations can occur:
●
Certain matrix test ports are not available for measurements
●
Certain transmission measurements are not possible
Optional extensions and accessories
