Valid RF Inputs for the PXIe-5633

Updated Jun 26, 2025

Reported In

Hardware

  • PXIe-5633

Software

  • RFmx VNA

Issue Details

I have a PXIe-5633 vector network analyzer (VNA).  I am looking to understand if this VNA accepts a Gaussian pulse as input instead of a continuous waveform.

Solution

One of the key features of the PXIe-5633 VNA is that it supports both continuous waveforms and pulsed RF stimulus. The pulsed input can be used when acquiring an S-parameter measurement. 

 

In pulse mode, the VNA measures the S-parameters of devices under test (DUTs) using pulsed RF signals. The VNA generates the pulsed RF signal by modulating the continuous wave source on and off as per the configured pulse period and width. The acquisitions in pulse mode are synchronized with the pulse generation.

 

The PXIe-5633 does not support configuring the shape of the pulse. The pulse is a simple "rectangular" pulse obtained by modulating the source with an on and off effect. Therefore, it does not support Gaussian pulses.