Group Delay and Phase

Measurement on Frequency
Converters
Application Note
Products:
| R&SZVA8 | R&SZVA50
| R&SZVA24 | R&SZVT8
| R&SZVA40 | R&SZVT20

Frequency converters e.g. in satellite

transponders need to be characterized not
only in terms of amplitude transmission
but also in terms of phase transmission or
group delay, especially with the transition
to digital modulation schemes. They often
do not provide access to the internal local
oscillators This application note describes
a method using the R&S ZVA to measure
group delay of mixers and frequency
converters with an embedded local
oscillator very accurately. The key aspect
of this new technique is, that the network
analyzer applies a 2-tone signal to the
frequency converter. By measuring the
phase differences between the two signals
at the input and at the output, it calculates
group delay and relative phase between
output and input.
05.2012-1EZ60_1E
Bednorz
Application Note
 Abstract

Table of Contents
1 Abstract ............................................................................................... 3

2 Theoretical Background..................................................................... 3

3 The Two-Tone Method........................................................................ 6

3.1 Test Setup.....................................................................................................................7
3.1.1 The hardware setup .....................................................................................................8
3.2 The instrument settings ..............................................................................................9
3.2.1 Find optimum settings for low trace noise .............................................................12
3.2.1.1 Increase the power level of Source 1 ......................................................................12
3.2.1.2 Apply averaging .........................................................................................................13
3.2.1.3 Increase the aperture ................................................................................................13
3.2.1.4 Increase number of points and apply smoothing ..................................................14
3.3 Calibration ..................................................................................................................15

4 Test Results ...................................................................................... 17

4.1 Comparing the Two Tone Technique with S-Parameter technique......................17
4.1.1 Measurement of a filter .............................................................................................17
4.1.2 Measurement of a cable ............................................................................................17
4.2 Measurement of a converter.....................................................................................18

5 Appendix ........................................................................................... 19
5.1 Alternative setups for lower frequencies ................................................................19
5.1.1 Setup for input frequencies lower than 700 MHz with ZVA24, ZVA40 or ZVA50
(up-conversion)..........................................................................................................19
5.1.2 Setup for output frequencies lower than 700 MHz with ZVA24, ZVA40 or ZVA50
(down conversion) .....................................................................................................21
5.2 Searching for the correct LO frequency..................................................................22

6 Ordering Information ........................................................................ 23

1EZ60_1E Rohde & Schwarz Group Delay and Phase Measurement of Converters 2
 Abstract

1 Abstract
Mixers are one of the fundamental components of many receivers or
transmitters especially in the microwave range. Any mixer-based receiving or
transmit system requires that the mixers have well-controlled amplitude, phase
and group-delay responses. Especially phase- and group-delay linearity are
essential for low bit error rates of data transmission or high target resolution for
phased antenna array modules of surveillance systems.
A key measurement is the relative and/or absolute group delay for frequency
converters.
Relative phase and group delay can be measured using the so-called
reference or golden mixer technique, as long as the local oscillator is
accessible.
However, due to increasing integration and miniaturization often neither the
local oscillator (LO) nor a common reference frequency signal are accessible.

This application note describes a new technique for measurements on

frequency converters with an embedded LO source and without direct access
to a common reference signal. Key for this new technique is, that the network
analyzer stimulates the device under test with a two tone signal. By measuring
the phase differences between the two signals at the input and the output the
network analyzer calculates the phase transfer function or the group delay of
the device under test..

The measurement accuracy does not depend on the embedded LOs

frequency stability as long as the deviation is within the measurement band-
width of the network analyzer receivers.

2 Theoretical Background
Group delay measurements are based on phase measurements. The
measurement procedure corresponds to the definition of group delay gr as the
negative derivative of the phase (in degrees) with respect to frequency f:

For practical reasons, Vector Network Analyzers measure a difference

coefficient of the transmission parameter S21 instead of the differential
coefficient, which yields a good approximation to the wanted group delay gr, if
the variation of phase is not too nonlinear in the observed frequency range
f, which is called the aperture.

1EZ60_1E Rohde & Schwarz Group Delay and Phase Measurement of Converters 3
 Theoretical Background

Fig. 1 shows the terms = 2- 1 and f = f2- f1 for linearly decreasing

phase response, e.g. of a delay line.

For non frequency converting devices the measurements of S21 at two

different frequencies can happen sequently. This works fine for non frequency
converting DUTs as filters and amplifiers.

With frequency converting devices like mixers, the phase between the input
and output signal cannot be measured directly, because the frequencies are
different. Also the phase is not only influenced by the component itself, but also
by the phase of the local oscillator.
Therefore, phase and group delay measurements on mixers used so-called
reference mixer technique. The reference mixer uses the same local oscillator
as the device under test to reconvert either the RF or IF signal in order to get
identical frequencies at the reference and measurement receiver of the VNA.
This technique also helps to get rid of phase instabilities of the local oscillator.

sig.generator LO
power splitter

reference mixer

f1 f2
generator
PORT 1 PORT 2 f2
meas. channel
RF IF
f2
REF REF
f2

f1
ref. channel
ref. ports

VNA

This measurement delivers phase and group delay relative to a golden mixer,
that was measured for calibration instead of the mixer under test (MUT).
Normally, the golden mixer is assumed to be ideal, so that the measurement
result of the MUT shows the phase and group delay difference in respect of
this golden mixer.

1EZ60_1E Rohde & Schwarz Group Delay and Phase Measurement of Converters 4
 Theoretical Background

If the LO of the device under test is not accessible, group delay measurements
are not possible with a reference mixer, but use AM or FM modulated signals.
Other methods try to reconstruct the LO. They use an external signal generator
as LO for the reference mixer and try to tune the generator frequency until the
phase drift versus time of the IF is minimized.
These techniques have limitations in terms of dynamic range measurement
accuracy and speed. In addition internal local oscillators of the device under
test often are not very stable, which makes it hard for the external generator to
follow.

The R&S ZVA uses a different approach, that overcomes the problems of the
former techniques.

1EZ60_1E Rohde & Schwarz Group Delay and Phase Measurement of Converters 5
 The Two-Tone Method

3 The Two-Tone Method

This new method offered with option ZVA-K9 uses a two tone signal, that is
sent to the device under test.

RF IF
LO

f1 f1+ f f2 f2+ f

The R&S ZVA measures the phase differences between both carriers at the
input and the output of the device under test. Then, the group delay is
calculated as :

1
with 2 1;
360 f

The frequency difference f between both carriers is called the aperture.

To measure the phase difference of two carriers the R&S ZVA provides for
each analogue receiver channel two digital receivers that measure both signals
simultaneously.

IFBW
1Hz...5 MHz (30 MHz)

a
sampling rate
IFBW 80 MHz
30 MHz

IF A
NCO 1

IF D

NCO 2

This technique works also in case of a frequency converting DUT, because

frequency and phase instabilities of the DUTs LO are cancelled out, when
calculating .

1EZ60_1E Rohde & Schwarz Group Delay and Phase Measurement of Converters 6
 The Two-Tone Method

RF IF
cos ((( f 2 f LO ) t ) 2out LO )
cos ( ( f 2 t ) 2in ) LO

cos (( f1 t ) 1in ) cos ((( f1 f LO ) t ) 1out LO )

= (2out +LO- 1out-LO) - (2in - 1in)

Besides group delay, the R&S ZVA also calculates the relative phase of the
DUT by integration of the group delay as well as the dispersion by
differentiation of the group delay. Using a mixer with known group delay for
calibration, provides absolute group delay. If only relative group delay is
necessary, a golden mixer is sufficient for calibration.

3.1 Test Setup

The following accessories are required:

Vector Network Analyzer ZVA 4-port or

ZVT with at least 3 ports
Direct Generator / Receiver Access ZVA-B16
Frequency Conversion ZVA-K4
Embedded LO Mixer Delay Measurement ZVA-K9
Cable Set for ZVA-K9 (recommended) ZVA-B9

This example measures a converter

with the following settings:

Swept RF and IF, fixed LO, IF=RF-LO

RF frequency: 5.37 GHz to 5.47 GHz

LO frequency: 4.5 GHz
IF frequency: 870 MHz to 970 MHz

1EZ60_1E Rohde & Schwarz Group Delay and Phase Measurement of Converters 7
 The Two-Tone Method

3.1.1 The hardware setup

For accurate measurements, it is necessary to generate a two tone signal with

an accurate and stable frequency offset. The R&S ZVA can provide this signal
by using both sources of a 4-port model.
The two tone signal is generated by using an external combiner or using one of
the ZVAs internal couplers as combiner.

For that purpose perform the following connections:

Src out (Port 1) -> Meas out (Port 2)

Port 2 -> Src in (Port 1)

Rohde & Schwarz offers with the ROHDE&SCHWARZ ZVA 24 VECTOR NETWORK ANALYZER 10 MHz 24 GHz

ZVA-B9 a cable set for the

different types of ZVA (see order
information).

Thus the two tone signal runs via

the reference receiver of Port 1 to
the input of the DUT. SOURCE REF MEAS PORT SOURCE REF MEAS PORT SOURCE REF MEAS POR T SOURC E REF M EAS PORT GND

3 OUT

1 OUT

4 2 OUT OUT OUT OUT OUT OUT

This setup is recommended for all IN IN IN IN IN IN IN IN

ZVA models, as long as IF and

RF frequencies are above 700
MHz. If a microwave ZVA as
ZVA-B9
ZVA24, ZVA40 or ZVA50 is used, RF
LO
IF

the attenuation at low frequencies

of the internal coupler may lead to attenuators
an increased trace noise. If this is
too high, alternative setups are
Setup using ZVA-B9
recommended as indicated in the
appendix.
To increase the accuracy, well matched 6 dB to 10 dB attenuators are
recommended at both ports directly in the measurement plane.

1EZ60_1E Rohde & Schwarz Group Delay and Phase Measurement of Converters 8
 The Two-Tone Method

3.2 The instrument settings

Configure the mixer

measurement.

Press
MODE - MIXER DELAY MEAS
- DEFINE MIXER DELAY
MEAS..

Press
Define Mixer Measurement

Select the LO source

Because the LO of the DUT is

internal, NONE is selected

1EZ60_1E Rohde & Schwarz Group Delay and Phase Measurement of Converters 9
 The Two-Tone Method

Configure the frequencies and

conversion type.

Press Set Frequencies in the

scalar mixer measurement
dialog.

RF frequency: Swept
LO frequency : Fixed
IF frequency: Auto

Fixed Frequency LO: 4.5 GHz

Swept frequency:
Start 5.37 GHz

Stop 5.47 GHz

Conversion:
IF=RF-LO

Press OK

Set the power levels:

Press Set Powers in the

scalar mixer measurement
dialog.

CW Power: 0 dBm

The DUT should be measured

with -10 dBm. Because 10 dB
attenuators are applied to the
ports, 0 dBm is selected.

Press OK two times to close

the Set Power and the Define
Mixer Measurement.. dialog

1EZ60_1E Rohde & Schwarz Group Delay and Phase Measurement of Converters 10
 The Two-Tone Method

Configure the settings for the

group delay measurement

Upper Tone: Port 3

Aperture: 3 MHz
Meas Bandwidth: 1 kHz
Selectivity: Normal

External generators can be used as well, but are not recommended, because
frequency and phase stability are very critical.
The selected aperture is 3 MHz. It means that the frequency offset f between
both carriers is 3 MHz. The aperture for the mixer group delay measurement
can be changed in this dialog, only, not in the format menu.
The measurement bandwidth should be as wide as the embedded LOs
frequency stability or deviation. Normal selectivity is sufficient, as long as the
aperture is about 50 times wider than the measurement bandwidth. If the
aperture is very small, selective filters have to be used.

Press Set frequencies and

Powers in the Mixer Delay
Measurement dialog.

Normally all settings are

already done in the previous
dialogs, but can be checked
again.

If the settings exceed the

frequency range of the ZVA,
Fit Frequency Range will
adjust it automatically

Press OK

Now you are back in the Mixer Delay Measurement dialog.

Press OK to activate the mixer group delay, The measurement parameter of
the active trace is switched to group delay automatically.

1EZ60_1E Rohde & Schwarz Group Delay and Phase Measurement of Converters 11
 The Two-Tone Method

It is recommended to measure
conversion loss first, to check
Trc1 b2/a1 dB Mag 10 dB / Ref -40 dB 1 of 2 (Max)
if the settings especially the
Trc2 MixDly Real 10 ns/ Ref 30 ns MCal frequency of the embedded
b2/a1 M 1 5.426000 GHz -40.311 dB
M 1 5.427500 GHz 31.632 ns LO is correct.
-30
Mixer group delay and con-
M1
-40 version loss can be measured
-50
in the same channel so simply
add a trace for the conversion
-60
loss.
-70

-80
Press:
M1
-90
TRACE SELECT ADD
-100 TRACE
-110
MEAS RATIOS b2/a1 Src
Port1
Ch1 Mix Frq RF Center 5.42 GHz Pwr 0 dBm Span 100 MHz
3/22/2009, 11:15 PM
If the trace is noisy or the
magnitude of the conversion
loss changes when reducing
the measurement bandwidth,
the LO frequency of the DUT
is different to the settings of
the ZVA.

3.2.1 Find optimum settings for low trace noise

The settings used above should produce (loss of DUT 6 dB) a group delay
deviation (that looks as trace noise) of 100 ps pk-pk. If the DUT has a higher
loss and thus higher trace noise the following steps can help to reduce the
noise.

3.2.1.1 Increase the power level of Source 1

Using the cable set ZVA-B9 the source of port 1 is injected into the coupler or
bridge of Port 2 via Meas Out. Due to the loss of the coupler or bridge, it is
reduced by this attenuation. The attenuation is about 10 dB. (The coupler of
the microwave ZVAs has 10 dB attenuation above 700 MHz and more for
lower frequencies). That means, that the power of the carrier from source 1 is
about 10 dB lower than the carrier from source 2. Increasing the power of
source 1 will improve the trace noise. This can be done in the port
configuration.

1EZ60_1E Rohde & Schwarz Group Delay and Phase Measurement of Converters 12
 The Two-Tone Method

Press:

MODE Port Config

Pb (from Port 1)

The dialog to configure the

power of port 1 pos up.

Add 20 dB for ZVA8 and 10

dB for the other ZVA
models in Port Power
Offset

The power of source 1 is

now always 10 dB higher
than the power of source 2

Press OK

3.2.1.2 Apply averaging

Reducing the IF bandwidth might help, but can lead to worse results if the
embedded LO is unstable. Applying averaging improves the trace noise
without reducing the bandwidth.

3.2.1.3 Increase the aperture

Increasing the aperture will also improve the trace noise. But there are
limitations. Increasing the aperture, increases also the phase difference of the
two tones. This phase difference should not exceed 180 otherwise the result
is incorrect.

(f) - 360 f
0.5
max 180 f max

The higher the group delay, the lower the maximum aperture. A DUT with 100
ns limits the maximum aperture to 5 MHz. You find information how to select a
suitable aperture in the App.-Note. 1EZ 35 Group and Phase Delay
Measurements with Vector Network Analyzer ZVR.

1EZ60_1E Rohde & Schwarz Group Delay and Phase Measurement of Converters 13
 The Two-Tone Method

3.2.1.4 Increase number of points and apply smoothing

Increasing the aperture is not only limited by the group delay of the DUT, but
will also hide information, especially if the group delay of the DUT changes
versus frequency. Smoothing together with increasing the number of points
improves the trace noise furthermore without loosing information. Smoothing
can sometimes improve the trace noise more than applying averaging.

Example:

Trc1 MixDly Real 5 ns/ Ref 40 ns Smo 2 of 2 (Max)

Press:
Mem3[Trc1] MixDly Real 5 ns/ Ref 40 ns

MixDly
70
M 1 5.425380 GHz 36.811 ns
SWEEP
Number of Points: 2001
65
TRACE FUNCT
60 Smoothing Aperture..: 0.5 %
55

50
Smoothing aperture of 0.5 means
that ZVA takes the average of 10
45
adjacent points (=0.5%*2001).
40
M1

35

30

Ch1 Mix Frq RF Center 5.42538 GHz Pwr 0 dBm Span 50 MHz
3/22/2009, 10:10 PM

1EZ60_1E Rohde & Schwarz Group Delay and Phase Measurement of Converters 14
 The Two-Tone Method

3.3 Calibration
The calibration is done with an ideal or known calibration mixer. To get a
known calibration mixer, it can be characterized with ZVA-K5 before. ZVA-K5
is an option to measure vector error corrected absolute phase and group delay
of mixers.
Often absolute group delay is not required, but only relative group delay and
group delay ripple. In these cases it is sufficient to use a golden mixer with
linear phase and flat group delay for calibration.

Select a suitable aperture for the

measurement before starting the
calibration. Changing the aperture
between calibration and deceases
the measurement accuracy.

Connect the golden or calibration

mixer instead of the DUT.

Use an external signal generator as

LO. Set the frequency and the
power level. Lock the reference
frequencies of the LO to the ZVA
so that narrow bandwidths can be
used.

To lock the ZVA to the sig. gen

connect a suitable cable and press:

System Config - External

Reference
PWR BW AVG
Meas Bandwidth:-100 Hz

AVERAGE FACTOR: 10
AVERAGE ON

Press:
MODE - MIXER DELAY MEAS
CAL MIXER DELAY MEAS

The calibration dialog pops up.

1EZ60_1E Rohde & Schwarz Group Delay and Phase Measurement of Converters 15
 The Two-Tone Method

For absolute group delay, the data

of the calibration mixer have to be
loaded using the button Load

For relative group delay, a data set

with 0 s of delay is loaded, using
the button Zero Delay

Press:
Take Cal Sweep

Wait until the message finished

appears and close the dialog.

If necessary, the calibration data

can be saved and recalled using
the save and Load button.

MCAL In the trace line shows that

Trc1 MixDly Real 100 ps/ Ref 0 s MCal
the trace is calibrated
MixDly

400

1EZ60_1E Rohde & Schwarz Group Delay and Phase Measurement of Converters 16
 Test Results

4 Test Results

4.1 Comparing the Two Tone Technique with S-

Parameter technique

4.1.1 Measurement of a filter

Trc4 S21 Delay 5 ns/ Ref 30 ns S-Par-CalU Cal int 1 of 3 (Max)

Trc8 MixDly Real 5 ns/ Ref 30 ns two-tone-nor... MCal
Trc9 S21

S21
Delay 5 ns/ Ref 30 ns two-tone-nor... Cal
M1 44.653 ns M1 44.696 ns M1 44.690 ns
Blue:
60
M2
M3
30.271 ns
30.998 ns
M2
M3
30.434 ns
30.762 ns
M2
M3
30.157 ns
30.752 ns
Full two port calibrated S-pa-
55
M4
M5
35.679 ns
48.388 ns
M4
M5
35.357 ns
48.525 ns
M4
M5
35.435 ns
48.492 ns rameter technique
50
M5

45
M1
Red:
40
Normalized two tone technique
M4
35

30
M2 M3
Green:
25
Normalized S-parameter technique
20

S-Par-CalU Center 5.42 GHz Pwr 0 dBm Span 50 MHz

two-tone-nor... Center 5.42 GHz Pwr 0 dBm Span 50 MHz
3/8/2009, 12:39 PM

4.1.2 Measurement of a cable

Trc4 S21 Delay 100 ps/ Ref 100 ps S-Par-CalU Ca? Smo 1 of 3 (Max)
Trc8 MixDly Real 100 ps/ Ref 900 ps Ch3
Trc9 S21 M 1
Delay 100 ps/ RefM 2 ps Ch3 M 3
900
MCal Smo
Cal Smo M4 Green:
S21 M1
M2
912.26 ps
896.00 ps
M1
M2
902.76 ps
895.31 ps
M 1
M2
899.37
902.31
ps
ps
Normalized S-parameter meas
1300 M3 902.40 ps M3 895.06 ps M3 903.00 ps
M4 917.79 ps M4 900.84 ps M4 907.18 ps

Read:
1200

Normalized two tone technique

1100

1000
M1 M4
M 4
M 1 M2 M3
900

800
Blue:
700
Full two port calibrated S-
600
parameters
500

S-Par-CalU Center 5.42 GHz Pwr 0 dBm Span 100 MHz

Ch3 Center 5.42 GHz Pwr 0 dBm Span 100 MHz
3/8/2009, 12:06 PM

1EZ60_1E Rohde & Schwarz Group Delay and Phase Measurement of Converters 17
 Test Results

4.2 Measurement of a converter

The measurement results of the

filter and the combination of filter
and mixer are compared.

Trc1 b2/a1 Delay Trc2 MixDly Real 2 The dark green trace shows the
Mem3[Trc1] S21 Delay Mem4[Trc2] MixDly Real
Trc6 MixDly Real Mem7[Trc6] MixDly Real full two port calibrated
MixDly
50 measurement of the filter (in non
45 frequency converting mode).
40 M
M11

35
M
M2
M3 The blue trace shows the
30 measurement result of the filter
25 M 1 5.407426 GHz 38.058 ns
M 2 5.420000 GHz 30.238 ns
M 1 5.407426 GHz 37.422 ns
M 2 5.420000 GHz 30.124 ns
after transmission normalization.
20 M 3 5.429911 GHz 32.905 ns M 3 5.429911 GHz 32.865 ns

15 M 1 5.407426 GHz 37.970 ns

M 2 5.420000 GHz 30.174 ns The purple trace shows the group
M 3 5.429911 GHz 33.037 ns
10
delay of the entire converter, after
Ch1 Mix Frq RF Center 5.42 GHz Pwr 10 dBm
Ch2 Mix Frq RF Center 5.42 GHz Pwr 10 dBm
Span 100 MHz
Span 100 MHz
calibrating with a golden mixer.
Ch5 Mix Frq RF Center 5.42 GHz Pwr 10 dBm Span 100 MHz
1/16/2009, 3:44 PM

The maximum deviation of all

measurements is about 200 ps

1EZ60_1E Rohde & Schwarz Group Delay and Phase Measurement of Converters 18
 Appendix

5 Appendix

5.1 Alternative setups for lower frequencies

Loss of the coupler of the microwave instruments ZVA24, ZVA40 and ZVA50

Trc1 S42 dB Mag 10 dB / Ref 0 dB 1

S42 M1 20.000000 MHz -47.106 dB

M2 50.000000 MHz -39.941 dB
10 M3 70.000000 MHz -37.352 dB
M4 100.00000 MHz -34.584 dB
M 5 1.000000 GHz -16.311 dB
0

-10
M5

-20

-30 M4
M3
M2
-40
M1

-50

-60

-70

1E8 1E9

Ch1 Start 10 MHz Pwr 10 dBm Stop 10 GHz

1/30/2009, 4:08 AM

5.1.1 Setup for input frequencies lower than 700 MHz with ZVA24, ZVA40
or ZVA50 (up-conversion)

This case might have the biggest impact on the trace noise. The reason is, that
the source from port 1 is attenuated by the loss of the coupler of port 3 that is
used as combiner. At 100 MHz the loss is about 35 dB. Additionally, the two
tone signal is attenuated again (e.g. 35 dB @ 100 MHz) before it can be
measured by the a1 receiver of Port 1.

1EZ60_1E Rohde & Schwarz Group Delay and Phase Measurement of Converters 19
 Appendix

Improvement of trace noise using Power Splitters instead of ZVA-B9

Trc1 b2/a1 dB Mag 0.5 dB / Ref 0 dB

Mem6[Trc1] b2/a1 dB Mag 0.5 dB / Ref 0 dB
Math Mem4[Trc1] b2/a1 dB Mag 0.5 dB / Ref 0 dB 1
Black: Conversion loss with ZVA-B9
b2/a1 M1 13.324300 MHz 0.0055 dB
2.0
1.5
1.0
0.5
M1 Blue: Conversion loss with power
splitters
0.0
-0.5
-1.0
-1.5
-2.0
1E8
Ch1 MixFrq RF Start 12 MHz Pwr 10 dBm Stop 1 GHz

Trc2 MixDly Real 200 ps/ Ref 0 s MCal Math 2

Mem3[Trc2] MixDly Real 200 ps/ Ref 0 s
Mem5[Trc2] MixDly Real 200 ps/ Ref 0 s
Invisible
Black: Group delay with ZVA-B9
MixDly M1 725.71994 MHz -25.248 ps
800
M1 730.48366 MHz -44.288 ps
600
400
200
0
M1
M1 Blue: Group Delay with power split-
-200
-400 ters
-600
-800 1E8
Ch1 MixFrq RF Start 12 MHz Pwr 10 dBm Stop 1 GHz
3/8/2009, 6:18 PM

1EZ60_1E Rohde & Schwarz Group Delay and Phase Measurement of Converters 20
 Appendix

5.1.2 Setup for output frequencies lower than 700 MHz with ZVA24,
ZVA40 or ZVA50 (down conversion)

To avoid the coupler loss at Port 2, the direct receiver access can be used.
The output of the DUT then is connected to Meas In of Port 2 to avoid the loss
of the coupler.

1EZ60_1E Rohde & Schwarz Group Delay and Phase Measurement of Converters 21
 Appendix

Improvement of trace noise using Meas In instead of Port 2

Trc1 b2/a1 dB Mag 0.2 dB / Ref 0 dB Math 1

Mem5[Trc1] b2/a1 dB Mag 0.2 dB / Ref 0 dB Invisible
Mem6[Trc1] b2/a1 dB Mag 0.2 dB / Ref 0 dB
b2/a1 M1 146.04734 MHz 0.0006 dB
0.8
0.6
0.4
0.2 M1
Purple: Conversion loss using Port 2
0.0
-0.2
-0.4
-0.6
-0.8 Green: Conversion loss using
Ch1 MixFrq IF Start 12 MHz

Trc2 MixDly Real 200 ps/ Ref 0 s MCal Math

Pwr 0 dBm Stop 200 MHz

2
Meas IN
Mem3[Trc2] MixDly Real 200 ps/ Ref 0 s Invisible
Mem4[Trc2] MixDly Real 200 ps/ Ref 0 s
MixDly M1 44.500000 MHz -23.627 ps
800
600
400
200 M1
0
-200
-400
-600
Red: Group delay using Port 2
-800

Ch1 MixFrq IF Start 12 MHz Pwr 0 dBm Stop 200 MHz

3/8/2009, 5:28 PM
Blue: Group Delay using Meas In

5.2 Searching for the correct LO frequency

Create a new channel

Press:
CHAN SELECT ADD CHAN-
NEL+TRACE+ DIAG AERA

MEAS - WAVE QUANTITIES -

b2 Src Port 1

MODE PORT CONFIG

Push fb (Frequency) of Port 1

Set the RF frequency to a

constant value in the pass band
of the DUT.

In this example 5.42 GHz.

Press OK

1EZ60_1E Rohde & Schwarz Group Delay and Phase Measurement of Converters 22
 Ordering Information

Set the stimulus axis to the IF

frequency

Press Stimulus

Select All Receivers

Press OK two times

Trc1 b2 dB Mag 10 dB / Ref -90 dBm 2 of 3 (Max)

b2 M 1 920.00800 MHz -52.791 dBm Reduce the span and

-20 measurement bandwidth
-30

SWEEP - SPAN 100 kHz

-40

Pwr BW AVG
-50 M1
MEAS BANDWIDTH: 1 kHz
-60

SEARCH MARKER
TRACKING - SEARCH MAX
-70

-80

The marker automatically

searches for the maximum. The
-90

-100 marker value shows the down

converted IF frequency.
Ch1 Arb Port All Rec Center 920 MHz Pwr 0 dBm Span 100 kHz
3/22/2009, 11:03 PM

The LO is RF-IF
LO = 5.42 GHz-920.008 GHz
LO = 4.499992 GHz

6 Ordering Information

Designation Type Order No.

Vector Corrected Mixer Measurements1) ZVA-K5 1311.3134.02

Embedded LO Mixer Delay Measurements 1) ZVA-K9 1311.3128.02
Frequency Conversion ZVA-K4 1164.1863.02
Cable Set for ZVA-K9 for ZVA8 ZVA-B9 1305.6541.02
Cable Set for ZVA-K9 for ZVA24 / ZVA40 2.9mm ZVA-B9 1305.6541.03
Cable Set for ZVA-K9 for ZVA 50 ZVA-B9 1305.6541.04
1)
requires ZVA-K4

1EZ60_1E Rohde & Schwarz Group Delay and Phase Measurement of Converters 23
About Rohde & Schwarz
Rohde & Schwarz is an independent group
of companies specializing in electronics. It is
a leading supplier of solutions in the fields of
test and measurement, broadcasting, radio
monitoring and radiolocation, as well as
secure communications. Established 75
years ago, Rohde & Schwarz has a global
presence and a dedicated service network
in over 70 countries. Company headquarters
are in Munich, Germany.

Regional contact
Europe, Africa, Middle East
+49 1805 12 42 42* or +49 89 4129 137 74
customersupport@rohde-schwarz.com

North America
1-888-TEST-RSA (1-888-837-8772)
customer.support@rsa.rohde-schwarz.com

Latin America
+1-410-910-7988
customersupport.la@rohde-schwarz.com

Asia/Pacific
+65 65 13 04 88
customersupport.asia@rohde-schwarz.com

This application note and the supplied

programs may only be used subject to the
conditions of use set forth in the download
area of the Rohde & Schwarz website.

Rohde & Schwarz GmbH & Co. KG

Mhldorfstrae 15 | D - 81671 Mnchen
Phone + 49 89 4129 - 0 | Fax + 49 89 4129 13777

www.rohde-schwarz.com