89600 VSA Measurement Platform Overview
Hardware That Supports Segmented Capture
About the 89600 VSA Platform
The 89600 VSA receives input time data from various measurement platforms, either from Measurement Hardware (including a wide assortment of hardware or through direct data connectivity), or from Simulation Software. The 89600 VSA software performs the signal analysis and presents the measurement results to the user. The 89600 VSA software has two operating configurations: "Remote PC operation," where the 89600 VSA software runs on a standalone PC that is linked to a measurement front end; or "Embedded PC operation," where the 89600 VSA software runs on an embedded PC instrument (includes many Keysight Signal Analyzers, Oscilloscopes, and Logic Analyzers).
The 89600 VSA also links to select Keysight signal generators. The VSA can be used to control basic signal generator functionality and to play back recordings as real-time signals (see Source Overview for more information).
Measurement Hardware
In most cases, connected hardware is the measurement front-end or data acquisition subsystem for the 89600 VSA software. A large variety of Keysight test and measurement equipment are supported, including signal analyzers, oscilloscopes, and logic analyzers; see Available Measurement Hardware.
The hardware measurement front-end provides the following functions: input connection to the device under test, signal processing (down convert and digitize the signal), signal capture capability, and data transfer to the PC in a sequential stream of data blocks.
The 89600 VSA software performs the signal analysis (processes the data in the time, frequency, and modulation domains) and presents the measurement results to the user. In Embedded PC operation, the measurement hardware has a Windows Operating System that enables the 89600 VSA software to run inside the measurement hardware, removing the requirement to connect to a PC.
The following types of measurement hardware are supported by the 89600 VSA software:
- Signal analyzers - provide excellent dynamic range, baseband analysis, two RF Radio Frequency: A generic term for radio-based technologies, operating between the Low Frequency range (30k Hz) and the Extra High Frequency range (300 GHz). channels, and longest capture memory
- Oscilloscopes - provide widest analysis bandwidth, good dynamic range, and baseband analysis
- Logic analyzers - provide direct measurement on digital buses, FPGAs and ASICs
- Other - includes ESG, PSG, and MXG signal generators, and more
For a complete listing of supported hardware, see the Available Measurement Hardware topic.
For specifications regarding your measurement hardware with the 89600 VSA software, see the
technical overviews for each demodulation type. Links to these technical overviews are listed in the Product Literature topic. You can also download the technical overviews from the 
89600 VSA software website.
Direct Data Connectivity
Data can also be acquired without connecting to a hardware front-end using Direct Data Connectivity (Option 89601101C).
Simulation Software
The Design and Simulation software platforms enable the 89600 VSA software to integrate into the following electronic development and simulation software applications
- ADS - Keysight EEsof Advanced Design System (ADS) is a powerful electronic design automation software system.
- SystemVue - Keysight EEsof SystemVue is a focused EDA environment for electronic system-level (ESL) design.
Hardware That Supports Segmented Capture
The following hardware supports Fixed Length Segmented Capture when used with the 89600 VSA Software:
- All Keysight Infiniium oscilloscope models supported by VSA.
- All Keysight InfiniiVision oscilloscope models with Option SGM (standard with 3000T, 4000, and 6000 X-Series) supported by VSA.
- X-Series signal analyzers with Options B2X or B5X (255 or 510 MHz Megahertz: A unit of frequency equal to one million hertz or cycles per second. analysis bandwidth) and DP4 (Digital processor with 4 GB capture memory)
- M9703A AXIe 12-bit High-speed Digitizer
The following hardware supports Variable Length Segmented Capture when used with the 89600 VSA Software:
- UXR series Infiniium oscilloscope models
- X-Series signal analyzers with Options B2X or B5X (255 or 510 MHz analysis bandwidth) and DP4 (Digital processor with 4 GB capture memory)
Instrument-Based Timestamps
Some hardware models like X-Series Signal Analyzers support instrument-based timestamps that are added to VSA trace headers and recording files when Timestamp Source is set to Analyzer Instrument.
See Also
