FPT Introduction

The demo system is architected as a modular, scalable RF measurement platform while supporting manual SFP‑based workflows and fully automated TestStand sequences. The architecture integrates NI’s measurement software ecosystem—RFmx, InstrumentStudio, and TestStand—with application libraries, for example, PAEML and SPML libraries, to deliver a unified and reusable measurement framework.

Creating your own Measurement Plugin

You will find a folder named "Framework". Use that as the starting point to create your project. Refer to source/Framework/ReadMe.txt for more information.

Measurement Examples

This Repo includes examples of Measurement Plugin listed below that use the same framework.

Measurement List

Small Signal CW and Pulsed S-Parameters

• Vector Calibration with ECal
• Select Stimulus Waveform (CW or Pulsed)
• Graph S-Parameters on Individual Graphs for magnitude and phase separately.

Large Signal CW and Pulsed S-Parameters

• Vector Calibration with manual calkit (Maury)
• Select Stimulus Waveform (CW or Pulsed)
• Graph S-Parameters on Individual Graphs for magnitude and phase separately.

Power Compression

• No Calibration – Compensate Using Pre-Measured Cable Loss
• Select Stimulus Waveform (CW or Pulsed)
• PxdB, Linear Gain, Pout vs Pin, Gain vs Pin and PAE vs Pin graphs for each measured frequency. 

Intermodulation and TOI – VST & RFmx SpecAn

• No Calibration – Compensate Using Pre-Measured Cable Loss
• Select Sweep Type – Power, Frequency, or Tone Spacing
• Graph Output Power of Fundamental and Intermods and Gain (Separate Graphs), and Extrapolate TOI

Noise Figure – VST, Synthetic Noise Source

• Calibrate Using Loopback from VST RF Out to RF In
• Graph NF over Frequency

Noise Figure – VST, External Noise Source (NC346x)

• Calibrate by directly connecting NC346x to VNA port.
• Graph NF over Frequency

Pulse Measurements

• No Calibration – Compensate Using Pre-Measured Cable Loss
• Graph Intra-Pulse Stability, Pulse-to-Pulse Stability, and Acquired Amplitude.
• Table with Pulse Metrics data.

Hardware

• NI PXIe-1095 x1
• NI PXIe-5842 x1
• NI PXIe-5655 x1
• NI PXIe-5633 x1
• NI PXIe-2599 x3
• NI PXIe-2597 x1
• NI PXIe-4139 x2
• NI PXIe-4147 x1
• NI PXIe-4142 x1
• NI PXIe-6571 x1
• NI CAL-5501 x1
• External Noise Source (NC346C) X1
• 20dB attenuator (BW-S20W20+) x1
• 20dB coupler (C1-C31-20 RD Microwave Couplers) x4
• Mechanical SOLT calibration kit x1

Depending on the DUT, you may not need all the NI PXI cards.

Software

• LabVIEW 2023Q3
• niRFmx 26Q1
• niRFSA 26Q1
• niRFSG 26Q1
• niDCPower 26Q1
• niDigital 26Q1
• niSwitch 2023Q3
• ni SPML 2024
• ni PAEML 2024
• Measurement Plug-in SDK 3.5.4.1

Start your first measurement with the example

Prerequisite

1. Power Sequencing File in CSV format. Here are some examples, \source\Example Measurement\Measurement Configuration Files.
2. De-embedding Files. All the path losses characteristic files.
3. Noise Figure Calibration (prior Noise Figure Measurement)

Steps

1. Launch any of the RF measurement LV Project from <source\Example Measurement>, says Compression Test
2. Launch FPT_Compression.lvproj > My Computer > FPT_Compression.lvclass > Run Service.vi
3. Run VI
4. Launch InstrumentStudio, select Manual Layout
5. Select the desired RF Measurement Service, in this case, FPT Compression
6. Select Create large panel from the pull-down menu, then click OK
7. Verify and fill in the Power Sequencing File Path and all the configurations.
8. Make sure power sequencing file is valid and it is recommended to start with a lower RF power.
9. Once verified, click RUN to start the measurement.