National Instruments PXI-5601 RF Downconverter

The NI PXI-5601 is an RF Downconverter. This model has a frequency range of 10 MHz to 6.6 GHz. This RF Downconverter offers an instantaneous bandwidth of 50 MHz. The PXI-5601 is designed to be used with the IF digitizer module (NI PXIe-5622) and LO source module (NI PXI-5652). Together, these three devices compose the NI PXIe-5663- an RF Vector Signal Analyzer. In NI 5663, the IF digitizer module is installed to the right of the NI 5601 and the LO source module is installed to its left.

This RF Downconverter module can be placed in any PXI Express or PXI Express Hybrid peripheral slot. The front panel connectors of the National Instruments PXI-5601 includes RF IN, RF OUT, LO IN and LO OUT. All the front panel connectors incorporated are SMA female connectors designed to operate at 50 Ω, nominal impedance with AC coupling.  For communicating the device’s status, there are two LEDs. An ACCESS LED and ACTIVE LED are also provided on the front panel. The ACCESS LED indicates modules of essential hardware status. However, the ACTIVE LED provides information about the state of the module.

The RF input attenuation to the PXI-5601 can be adjusted in 1 dB steps from 0 to 50 dB.  This module is designed in 3U form-factor and requires 1 PXI Express slot for deployment. The NI PXI-5601 can import and export triggers from PXI start trigger line and PXI trigger bus. This downconverter draws 640 mA and 740 mA of current at +3.3 VDC and –12 VDC respectively.