Save Multiple Calibration ID for RFmx Noise Figure Measurements

For Noise Figure measurements, the user may need to perform and store calibration setup for various hardware setups. This article discusses how to perform multiple calibrations and save each calibration setup with a unique string identifier using RFmx Noise Figure.

The article assumes familiarity with LabVIEW and the user has installed RFmx SpecAn already.

RFmx NF allows users to associate a unique string identifier with the hardware setup used to perform calibration for NF measurement. Thus, the user can perform calibration for multiple setups and assign a unique identifier for each setup. Below user can find steps to add identifier string in RFmx NF example vi.

1. In LabVIEW, go to Help >> Find Examples.
2. In NI Example Finder browse to folder Hardware Input and Output >> Modular Instruments >> NI-RFmx >> SpecAn.
3. Open RFmxSpecAn NF Y-Factor (Advanced).vi.
4. In the block diagram, add property NF Cal Setup ID as shown in the image below. Create string control for the input terminal of the property node.



5. Go to File >> Save As. In the dialogue box, select Substitute copy for original. Save the vi in the desired location.
 

By implementing above changes users can now perform multiple calibration and store calibration information for each setup with unique string identifier.

 

Using the 'NF Cal Setup ID' property node is the recommended approach for saving NF calibration data within RFmx. RFmx will associate the calibration data with a unique string identifier and then save it to a hidden file. This hidden file will remain on the local disk and persist across all RFmx sessions. The RFmx software handles everything under the hood, so the user should only need to specify the NF Cal Setup ID when doing the calibration measurement, and then query that same ID during the actual NF measurement. 

 

Note: RFmx stores the calibration data in a binary format, so it is not possible to edit the calibration information or convert your own calibration data into the format.