National Instruments PXIe-5644 Vector Signal Transceiver

The PXIe-5644, also known as the PXIe-5644R, (Part Number: 782376-01, 150818E-02L) is an 80 MHz Bandwidth, 6 GHz, RF PXI Vector Signal Transceiver, featured with real-time signal control and processing, based on FPGA and combined as a single unit. This model includes the flexibility of a software-based radio architecture with Radio Frequency (RF) class performance. The NI PXIe-5644 offers ±200 × 109 initial adjustment accuracy and an aging factor of just ±1 × 10 -6 per year.

The National Instruments PXIe-5644 comes with an amplitude range for the average noise level to +30 dBm, and ≥60 dB in 1 dB nominal steps RF reference level resolution/range.  This model’s frequency range is 65 MHz to 6 GHz and <1 Hz timing resolution. This model comes with an SMA (female) connector, which is designed to operate at 50 Ω nominal input impedance while operating in AC coupled configuration.

The NI PXIe-5644 comes with a 50 Ω, SMA (female) RF OUT connector and similar connectors with similar impedance rating are provided to receive and deliver CAL IN and CAL OUT signals. This model also has LO IN, and LO OUT connectors, which are set to operate within the frequency range of 65 MHz to 6 GHz. The REF IN ton the PXIe-5644 is an SMA (female) connector, which works at 10 MHz frequency and ±10 × 10-6 tolerance. Other connectors are the REF OUT, PFI 0, DIGITAL I/O, and the RF IN 0.

The PXIe-5644 is compatible with three software options: the NI-RFmx, NI-RFSA, NI-RFSG driver software, and the Instrument design libraries, depending on your intended use. To program the device, the NI LabVIEW and the NI LabVIEW FPGA Module software must be installed–the NI LabVIEW Real-Time Module is also an option, though not mandatory. Application development environments (ADEs) are also installed in conjunction with the software of choice-ADEs such as LabVIEW, LabWindows/CVI, and Microsoft Visual C++. The NI instrument can be configured using the Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) tool.

For handling digital inputs and outputs, the NI PXIe-5644 features a VHDCI connector. This connector can operate at -0.5 V to 4.5 V absolute maximum input range and 10 kΩ, nominal input impedance.