PNA Series Applications and Utilities

Below are descriptions and links to various PNA applications and utilities that are not part of the firmware. They are listed in no particular order! Please note that some of these may be from third parties. Applications and utilities on this page are not officially supported by Agilent and do not have extensive error checking. They are provided as a convenience. Some are self-extracting zipped files which must be executed to extract the files. Source code for some are available upon request. For many of these utilities, it is most convenient to set them up as a "macro", so that they can easily be called from the PNA application itself.

Note: For the 8510 / 8720 / 8753 Code Translator Software Application, see the CXL home page

Direct Connect Millimeter Wave Macro
This macro allows users to setup the FOM on a PNA-X to directly control a set of frequency extenders without using a millimeter wave head controller. The user can set up the millimeter wave frequency bands as well as the frequency multiplication number being used. In addition, you can set the IF frequency and power applied to each of the frequency extenders. Different power settings may also be set for the RF and LO signals applied to each frequency extender. This configuration is not recommended for use with OML frequency extenders since it will limit the dynamic range of the measurement system. Download this 650kB installation program. Date: Sep 4, 2009.

Copy Source Power Cal Setup
This application copies the Source Power Calibration for a specific PNA port from one channel to any other existing channel. When the channels do not have the same frequency range or number of points, interpolation or extrapolation is performed automatically. This application can be run on all PNA models running firmware revision A.07.50 or later. Once installed, execute the program (located in the NA\Applications directory) and click on the Help button for more detailed information. Download this 750kB installation program. Date: Mar 24, 2009.

FIFO Tester For N5264A Measurement Receiver
The FIFO Tester is a C# program that illustrates how to use the FIFO buffer and the Fast CW sweep features of the N5264A Measurement Receiver. This program simultaneously writes data in, and reads data from, the FIFO buffer. The data can then be parsed, stored on the PC, and analyzed using your own programming code. Click here to learn more. Download this 2 MB installation program. Date: Jan 21, 2009.

Equation Editor - Create Custom Functions
Create custom functions for the Equation Editor in the PNA. This file will aid in the creation of a DLL to be used from the PNA's equation editor and requires a working knowledge of C or C++. The DLL may be written with the aid of the template DLL or from scratch, depending upon the user's level of comfort. Note: This is only guaranteed to work with Microsoft Visual Studio 2003. Download this small zip file, then extract it. It contains a readme text file. Date: Aug 13, 2009.

True-Mode Stimulus Application (TMSA)
This application enables users to drive balanced devices (3 or 4-port) using true-differential or true-common mode signals. TMSA is only compatible with the dual-source 4-port PNA-L (N5230A/C Option 146 or 246) or the PNA-X (N5242A Option 400, 419, or 423) with firmware revision A.07.50.00 or later. Installation of this file will automatically set up a Macro key for convenient operation. If a previous version was installed, remove it before installing the latest version. Download this 2MB installation file. Revision Date: Apr 30, 2009.

Wide-Band Pulse Mode Application for PNA-X (N524xA) for Firmware A.08.50.xx and Above
This application is used to configure the PNA-X for measuring pulsed S-parameters using the wideband detection technique. It sets up the correct channel settings for point-in-pulse, pulse-to-pulse, and pulse-profile measurements, including control of the internal pulse generators and modulators. Download this 800kB installation file. Once installed, it is easiest to access it via the macro key. The macro key should point to C:\Program Files\Agilent\Network Analyzer\Applications\WB Pulse\Wideband_pulse.exe. Version 3.06. Last update June 1, 2009.

Pulse Control Application for PNA-X (N524xA) for Firmware A.08.50.xx and Above
This application is used to configure the PNA-X's internal pulse generators and modulators for measuring pulsed S-parameters using the wideband detection technique. It can be used in conjunction with Agilent's Gain Compression Application (Option 086) and Intermodulation Distortion Application (Option 087). Download this 700kB installation file. Once installed, it is easiest to access it via the macro key. The macro key should point to C:\Program Files\Agilent\Network Analyzer\Applications\WB Pulse\PulseTester.exe. Version 0.01. Last update June 1, 2009.

Adaptor Characterization Console
The AdaptorCharConsole.exe is a command-line version of the Characterize Adaptor macro that is available in current PNAs. This creates an S2P file that models a device such as an adaptor, fixture path, or an on-wafer probe head. This is done by calculating the four S-parameters of the device from two 1-port calibrations; one on side A of the device and the other on side B of the device. Such S2P files can be used for embedding (adding) or de-embedding (removing) the device from subsequent S-parameter and FCA measurements. Whereas the Characterize Adaptor macro has a user interface, the AdaptorCharConsole.exe is a command-line only executable. See more info in the Readme.txt file that is contained within this 300kB zip file. Version 2.01; dated Aug 25, 2009..

Interpolation Prevention Utility for Firmware A.05.20 and Above
This utility allows the user to change start/stop frequencies of a calibrated measurement while still maintaining the "cardinal" calibration points. This eliminates any interpolation effects. It does this by varying the number of points used. This allows a user to zoom in on any portion of a calibrated trace with no additional error. For best resolution, you should use a larger number of points when performing your calibration. Currently, this feature only works for linear sweeps. Brief instructions are contained within the program.   Download this small executable. Rev: A.01.01. (Updated Mar 2007 to bypass bug in Firmware 6.03.05 and before)

Cal Kit Editor for Firmware Rev 4.xx and Above
This Cal Kit editor can be installed on a PC running NT code (NT, W2K, or XP) and used to enter or import cal kits without the need for a PNA. Once entered or modified, the kits can then be transferred to the PNA. In this latest version of the Cal Kit Editor, most 8510 Cal kits can now be imported with little or no modification needed. It uses an interface similar to that used in the PNA, so the learning curve is minimal. Please note that this will only function for PNAs with Firmware 4.00 and above. This is an installation program which must be run on your PC; do not install this on a PNA! If a previous version was installed, remove it before installing the latest version. Now includes data-based standards capabilities. It includes a help file with instructions.
  Download this 16MB installation file. Rev A.06.03 (Aug, 2007)
  Download this 2MB beta version for 4.83 to 4.87.01 firmware only! Rev: A.04.83 (Mar 14 2005)

Cal Kit Standards Labeler Utility for Firmware Rev 3.00 and Above
Currently, the PNA does not have the ability to manually label the standards of a Cal Kit. This utility allows one to enter labels quickly. It may be run on the PNA or a PC that is connected to the PNA. Simply select the desired Cal Kit, change the existing labels as desired, then save them. This is only for firmware revision 3.00 and above!   Download this small executable. Rev: A.01.00

GPIB Screen Shot Capture for Firmware Rev 4.82 and Above
This utility allows one to capture a screen shot of the PNA from a PC that is connected to the PNA via GPIB. Up until version 4.82 firmware, this was not easily possible. The image can be stored in .png format (preferred) or .jpg. The PC will need the .Net framework installed. Install this program on your PC, then click on Start, Programs, PNA GPIB Screen Capture.   Download this small installer.

Data Logger Utility
Version A.01.20 Updated May 18, 2007. This improved data logging utility allows a user to automatically store trace data over long periods of time. The save trigger-event can be at end of every sweep, at specified time intervals, or upon an external TTL input. The data can be stored as SnP files(S1P, S2P, S3P ,S4P) for any S-parameter measurement. It can also store up to 4 formatted traces of any measurement (or more using CITIfile format.) Finally, it can also store graphical data. Also included is the ability to merge all text data into one large file, instead of individual files. While active, this program will display a counter showing the total number of traces saved. It now supports command line arguments!   Download this zipped file which includes the executable and a document containing more information. This latest version requires firmware rev A.04.00 or greater.

Data Viewer Utility  
This utility allows PNA-only on-screen display and manipulation of S2P and S1P files that were previously saved with the PNA, 8753, or 872x series of analyzers. Also works with most 8510 CITIFILES. This program can only be run on the PNA; not a PC! Both Linear frequency and Log Frequency sweeps can be displayed, however, only one segment is allowed and any freq list sweeps must be linear (equally spaced.) Allows multiple viewing options.   Download this executable file. Last updated Sep 17, 2007. Brief instructions are contained within the program.

Data List Viewer  
This utility will display the active measurement's data in text list format on the display of the PNA and allows immediate printing of the text data. This is very similar to the feature that the 875x and 872x families had. When run, the data list will be immediately displayed. It shows the point number, frequency (or other X-axis value), and data (or data pair.) The data can be updated either manually or continuously at a rate of about twice per second. An always-on-top "View" button is available so that the data list can be quickly accessed if it is minimized. If the data list is "behind" the PNA application, the "View" button may have to be clicked twice.   Download this 36KB executable. For convenience, it is recommended that this be accessed as a macro.

Speed Test  
This utility is designed to measure sweep and data transfer speeds using COM/DCOM (GPIB is not supported.) The user can choose sweep cycle time, data transfer time, or a combination of both. Data can be transferred in Real32 or Variant formats, and either scalar or complex data can be selected. The user can select the start/stop frequencies, bandwidth, and number of points, as well as the number of loops to perform (more loops gives better timing accuracies.) While designed mainly to run on an external PC, this will also work within the PNA itself. A small help screen is provided. Requires firmware 2.0 or above.   Download this 88KB executable. Rev: A.01.10.
Note: If running from a PC, the PC may need the file MSCHRT20.OCX. Place this ocx file into the PC's Windows\System32 directory.

ECal Module Security Wipe for the PNA  
In high security areas, ECal modules may pose a security risk since it may contain sensitive user data if an ECal characterization has ever been performed. To erase this data, an ECal Data Wipe Utility has been developed which will destroy all user data per US DoD 5220.22-M. This program will also allow you to save and recall all user characterizations to a hard drive. The latest version (3.22) can now display the memory size and dump all memory to a file for security purposes. This utility must be run on the PNA and requires firmware revision A.03.50 or above. Download this self-extracting zipped utility which contains both the program and instructions. Execute it on the PNA and it will extract the files to the Service directory.

ECal Module Security Wipe Stand-Alone for PC  
This is identical to the above ECal security wipe program but is designed for use without a PNA. This can be run on an ENA or any Windows PC. There is no real installation process; the required files are simply placed into the directory: C:\Program Files\ECalWipe. Instructions are included. The latest version (3.22) can now display the memory size and dump all memory to a file for security purposes. Note: To run on the ENA, firmware revision 9.2 or later is required. After the clear/sanitize/recall, the ECal needs to be unplugged/plugged again to reflect the ECal characterization status on the ENA firmware. Download this installation utility.

Notch Filter Readout  
This small utility allows the user to view Bandwidth, Q, and minimum amplitude of a notch filter; a feature the PNA does not yet have. It provides two different means of measuring a notch; either relative to the maximum trace value, or relative to 0dB. Brief instructions are provided within the program. For simplicity, it is recommended that this be called via a macro. Download this small executable and place it in any convenient directory on the PNA.

Min/Max Hold  
Version A.01.21 Updated June 5, 2007. This utility will display the maximum (or minimum) of any given active measurement simultaneously with the real-time data. The held data is displayed as a memory trace. New and improved; it's faster, easier, and does not interfere with using the front panel. This program could be useful for filter tuning or for long-term monitoring. Read the help screen contained in the program. For simplicity, it is recommended that this be called via a macro. Download this small executable and place it in any convenient directory on the PNA. For Firmware A.04.87 or above. This program is for Log or Linear magnitude only.

Memory-to-Data  
Version A.01.00. This utility will transfer the memory trace for any active measurement to a data trace on channel 31. This will allow the user to perform operations on the trace that cannot be done when it only existed in memory; such as format, scale, print, transform, etc. Once transferred, channel 31 will be in hold mode; triggering a sweep will erase the trace. For simplicity, it is recommended that this be called via a macro. There is no user interface; execution is immediate. If no memory trace exists, no error is reported, but the resulting data trace will be at -200dB. Download this small executable and place it in any convenient location on the PNA. For Firmware Rev 6.00 or above.

Attenuator Exerciser  
Version A.01.00. This utility will cycle all sections of all attenuators 5 times each. This is mostly useful on older units that can develop stuck sections if the attenuator is not used occasionally. Newer units (PNA-X) automatically do this upon application startup. While this 3-5 second exercise can be executed manually, it is mostly designed to be automatically called via the macro commands. When call by this method you can also add the command line switch of "/L xx" where xx is the number of cycles to be performed; the default value is 5. The program will preset the instrument, so don't call it if you have any power sensitive devices connected! Download this small executable and place it in any convenient location on the PNA.

Socket Server  
Note: Not needed on revision 6.03.05 and above since sockets is now built-in!   P&H Technology Consultants has developed a socket server utility for the PNA (and other products.) Using a socket server makes it much easier to connect to, and program, the PNA. Use of a socket server will bypass all of the security issues with DCOM, which may or may not be desireable. For more information, go to P&H Technology Consultants and click on PNASocketSvr.