National Instruments VRTS User manual
GETTING STARTED GUIDE
VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth
Automotive Radar Measurement and Object-Simulation System
This document explains how to install, configure, and test the Vehicle Radar Test System with
4 GHz Bandwidth.
The VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth and NI-VRTS instrument driver can be used to test
automotive radars at frequencies of 75 GHz to 82 GHz.
Contents
Unpacking the Kit..................................................................................................................... 1
Required Equipment................................................................................................................. 2
Verifying the System Requirements..........................................................................................2
Installing the Software.............................................................................................................. 2
Installing the Hardware.............................................................................................................3
Installing the VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth Modules..................................................... 3
Installing Antennas onto the mmRH-5591....................................................................... 4
Setting up the mmRH-5591.............................................................................................. 5
Cabling the VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth....................................................................... 5
Configuring the VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth in MAX..........................................................7
Programming the VRTS............................................................................................................8
NI-VRTS Instrument Driver............................................................................................. 8
NI-VRTS VIs.................................................................................................................... 8
Using the NI Example Finder........................................................................................... 8
Using your System with Software.................................................................................... 9
Removing the VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth Modules............................................................ 9
Module Front and Back Panels............................................................................................... 10
Where to Go Next................................................................................................................... 12
Unpacking the Kit
Notice To prevent electrostatic discharge (ESD) from damaging the device, ground
yourself using a grounding strap or by holding a grounded object, such as your
computer chassis.
1. Touch the antistatic package to a metal part of the computer chassis.
2. Remove the device from the package and inspect the device for loose components or any
other sign of damage.
Notice Never touch the exposed pins of connectors.
Note Do not install a device if it appears damaged in any way.
3. Unpack any other items and documentation from the kit.
Store the device in the antistatic package when the device is not in use.
Required Equipment
VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth configurations require a combination of the following hardware:
• PXIe-5551 Variable Delay Generator
• mmRH-5591 mmWave Radio Head and power supply
• PXIe-5841 Vector Signal Transceiver (optional)
• PXI Express Chassis
• PXI Express Controller
• Cables included in your product bundle(s)
– 0.15 m SMA-SMA cable(s), part number 763187-06
– 0.46 m SMA-SMA cable(s), part number 763187-18
– 1 m MINI HDMI-MINI HDMI cable(s), part number 143045A-01
– 0.12 m MMPX-MMPX cable(s), part number 763376-01 (optional)
The term system describes the modules and radio head assembled as described in this
document. There is no single system component labeled “VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth.”
Verifying the System Requirements
To use the NI-VRTS instrument driver, your system must meet certain requirements.
Refer to the product readme, which is available on the driver software media or online at
ni.com/manuals, for more information about minimum system requirements, recommended
system, and supported application development environments (ADEs).
Installing the Software
You must be an Administrator to install NI software on your computer.
Ensure that you have installed the latest version of NI Package Manager. To access the
download page for NI Package Manager, visit ni.com/r/nipmdownload.
1. Install LabVIEW.
2. Install the latest NI-VRTS instrument driver.
3. Follow the instructions in the installation prompts.
Note Windows users may see access and security messages during
installation. Accept the prompts to complete the installation.
2| ni.com | VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth Getting Started Guide
4. If you are using a PXIe-5841, install the software described in the PXIe-5841 Getting
Started Guide.
Installing the Hardware
The Vehicle Radar Test System with 4 GHz Bandwidth is a modular system with a variety of
configuration options. This guide uses two example configurations to illustrate the hardware
installation process. Module placement and cabling varies depending on the modules that
comprise your system.
Installing the VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth Modules
Notice To prevent damage to the VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth caused by ESD or
contamination, handle the module using the edges or the metal bracket.
1. Ensure the AC power source is connected to the chassis before installing the module.
2. Power off the chassis.
3. Inspect the slot pins on the chassis backplane for any bends or damage prior to
installation. Do not install a module if the backplane is damaged.
4. Identify supported slots in the chassis.
• Place the controller in the first slot.
• Place the PXIe-5551 module(s) in the slots to the right of the controller.
• If you are using a PXIe-5841, place it in the slots to the right of the PXIe-5551
module(s).
Note PXIe-5551 and PXIe-5841 modules can be placed in PXI Express
peripheral slots, PXI Express hybrid peripheral slots, or PXI Express system
timing slots.
5. Touch any metal part of the chassis to discharge static electricity.
6. Ensure that the ejector handle is in the downward (unlatched) position.
7. Place the module edges into the module guides at the top and bottom of the chassis. Slide
the module into the slot until it is fully inserted.
8. Latch the module in place by pulling up on the ejector handle.
9. Tighten the screws on the front panel of the module.
10. Repeat steps 5 through 9 for all PXIe modules in your system.
11. Cover all empty slots using EMC filler panels or fill using slot blockers to maximize
cooling air flow, depending on your application.
VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 3
Figure 1. VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth with One PXIe-5551, Installed Modules
LOW POWER
NI PXIe-1078
PXIe-8861
Embedded Controller
PXIe-5551
Variable Delay Generator,4 GHz BW
DP
DP
Pulse
ACCESS ACTIVE
0
1
10/100
/1000
ACT/
DRIVE
USER1
USER2
GPIB
FAULT
PWR OK / LINK
TRIG
RESET
RX IF2 OUT
ALL PORTS
50 Ω
+10 dBm MAX
RX IF2 IN
PFI 1
PFI 0
TX IF1 OUT
TX IF1 IN
+13 dBm MAX
REF IN
DIO
REF OUT
OBJ
2 3 4 5 H H
6H
7H
8H
9
1
2
1
Figure 2. VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth with Two PXIe-5551 Modules and One
PXIe-5841 Module, Installed Modules
1
1H
17 H
18
11 H H
12 H
13 14 H H
15 H
16
H
2H
3 5 H H
6H
7H
8H
9H
10
H
4
STATUS PXIe-1084
PXIe-5551
VariableDelay Generator, 4 GHz BW
ACCESS ACTIVE
RX IF2 OUT
ALL PORTS
50 Ω
+10dBm MAX
RX IF2 IN
PFI 1
PFI 0
TX IF1 OUT
TX IF1 IN
+13dBm MAX
REF IN
DIO
REF OUT
OBJ
PXIe-5551
VariableDelay Generator, 4 GHz BW
ACCESS ACTIVE
RX IF2 OUT
ALL PORTS
50 Ω
+10dBm MAX
RX IF2 IN
PFI 1
PFI 0
TX IF1 OUT
TX IF1 IN
+13dBm MAX
REF IN
DIO
REF OUT
OBJ
PXIe-8861
Embedded Controller
DP
DP
Pulse
0
1
10/100
/1000
ACT/
DRIVE
USER1
USER2
GPIB
FAULT
PWR OK / LINK
TRIG
RESET
1
2
PXIe-5551
VariableDelay Generator, 4 GHz BW
ACCESS ACTIVE
REF
IN
REF LO IN
LO OUT
LO IN
LO OUT
RF OUT
50 Ω
50 Ω
50 Ω
50 Ω
50 Ω
50 Ω
50 Ω
OUT
PFI 0
DIO
+33 dBm MAX
+15dBm MAX
+15dBm MAX
RF IN
+33 dBm MAX
Reverse Power
Installing Antennas onto the mmRH-5591
Install antennas onto the mmRH-5591 prior to operation.
1. Locate the clips on the right and left sides of the plastic covering with integrated
microwave absorber on the front of the radio head and pry them outward.
2. Pull off the plastic covering with integrated microwave absorber.
3. Place the antenna over one of the two waveguides on the radio head.
4. Insert the four waveguide screws. Evenly tighten the screws.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 to attach the second antenna to the radio head.
6. Replace the plastic covering with integrated microwave absorber on the front of the radio
head.
4| ni.com | VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth Getting Started Guide
Setting up the mmRH-5591
1. Connect the radio head to the power source included in its kit.
2. Situate the radio head so that it is level and directly across from the radar under test.
Ensure that the distance between the radio head and radar under test is within the setup
distance range described in the VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth Specifications.
Cabling the VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth
1. Collect the cables that shipped with your VRTS modules and separate them by cable type.
2. Connect your modules and radio head as shown in the following figures.
Adhere to the following guidelines when cabling your system:
• Do not remove terminations from unused ports. If a cable connector is capped with a
termination, remove it to connect cables.
• Screws on all Mini HDMI connections must be tightened after they are connected.
• Tighten all SMA connections to 8 in-lb. to 9 in-lb.
Figure 3. VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth with One PXIe-5551 Connections
1
PXIe-8861
Embedded Controller
PXIe-5551
Variable Delay Generator, 4 GHz BW
DP
DP
Pulse
ACCESS ACTIVE
0
1
10/100
/1000
ACT/
DRIVE
USER1
USER2
GPIB
FAULT
PWR OK / LINK
TRIG
RESET
RX IF2 OUT
ALL PORTS
50 Ω
+10 dBm MAX
RX IF2 IN
PFI 1
PFI 0
TX IF1 OUT
TX IF1 IN
+13 dBm MAX
REF IN
DIO
REF OUT
10 MHz
TX IF1 IN TX IF2 IN RX IF1 OUTRX IF2 OUT
OBJ
REF IN
10 MHz
REF OUT
12 V 3.0A MAX
+10 dBm MAX
ACCESS
+–
ACTIVE
+10 dBm MAX
1
2
3
2
VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 5
Table 1. VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth with One PXIe-5551 Connections
Cable Type Connection 1 Connection 2 Label in
Figure
0.46 m SMA-SMA PXIe-5551, slots 2 and 3,
TX IF1 OUT
mmRH-5591,
TX IF1 IN
1
PXIe-5551, slots 2 and 3,
RX IF2 IN
mmRH-5591,
RX IF2 OUT
2
1 m Mini HDMI-
Mini HDMI
PXIe-5551, slots 2 and 3,
DIO
mmRH-5591, DIO 3
Figure 4. VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth with Two PXIe-5551 Modules and One
PXIe-5841 Connections
PXIe-5551
Variable Delay Generator,4 GHz BW
ACCESS ACTIVE
RX IF2 OUT
ALL PORTS
50 Ω
+10 dBm MAX
RX IF2 IN
PFI 1
PFI 0
TX IF1 OUT
TX IF1 IN
+13 dBm MAX
REF IN
DIO
REF OUT
OBJ
PXIe-5551
Variable Delay Generator,4 GHz BW
ACCESS ACTIVE
RX IF2 OUT
ALL PORTS
50 Ω
+10 dBm MAX
RX IF2 IN
PFI 1
PFI 0
TX IF1 OUT
TX IF1 IN
+13 dBm MAX
REF IN
DIO
REF OUT
OBJ
PXIe-8861
Embedded Controller
DP
DP
Pulse
0
1
10/100
/1000
ACT/
DRIVE
USER1
USER2
GPIB
FAULT
PWR OK / LINK
TRIG
RESET
1
2
PXIe-5551
Variable Delay Generator,4 GHz BW
ACCESS ACTIVE
REF
IN
REF LO IN
LO OUT
LO IN
LO OUT
RF OUT
50 Ω
50 Ω
50 Ω
50 Ω
50 Ω
50 Ω
50 Ω
OUT
PFI 0
DIO
+33 dBm MAX
+15 dBm MAX
+15 dBm MAX
RF IN
+33 dBm MAX
Reverse Power
10 MHz
TX IF1 IN TX IF2 IN RX IF1 OUTRX IF2 OUT
REF IN
10 MHz
REF OUT
12 V 3.0A MAX
+10 dBm MAX
ACCESS
+–
ACTIVE
+10 dBm MAX
1 2
6
3
4 5
7
9
8
6| ni.com | VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth Getting Started Guide
Table 2. VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth with Two PXIe-5551 Modules and One PXIe-5841
Connections
Cable Type Connection 1 Connection 2 Label in
Figure
0.15 m SMA-
SMA
PXIe-5551, slots 2 and 3,
TX IF1 IN
PXIe-5551, slots 4 and 5,
TX IF1 OUT
1
PXIe-5551, slots 2 and 3,
RX IF2 OUT
PXIe-5551, slots 4 and 5,
RX IF2 IN
2
PXIe-5551, slots 4 and 5,
RX IF2 OUT
PXIe-5841, slots 6 and 7,
RF IN
3
0.46 m SMA-
SMA
PXIe-5551, slots 2 and 3,
TX IF1 OUT
mmRH-5591, TX IF1 IN 4
PXIe-5551, slots 2 and 3,
RX IF2 IN
mmRH-5591,
RX IF2 OUT
5
PXIe-5841, slots 6 and 7,
RF OUT
mmRH-5591, TX IF2 IN 6
1 m Mini HDMI-
Mini HDMI
PXIe-5551, slots 2 and 3,
DIO
mmRH-5591, DIO 7
0.12 m MMPX-
MMPX
PXIe-5551, slots 2 and 3,
REF OUT
PXIe-5551, slots 4 and 5,
REF IN
8
PXIe-5551, slots 4 and 5,
REF OUT
PXIe-5841, slots 6 and 7,
REF IN
9
3. (Optional) Connect the controller to a monitor, as described in its Getting Started Guide.
4. Power on the chassis and controller.
Configuring the VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth in
MAX
Use Measurement & Automation Explorer (MAX) to configure your NI hardware. MAX
informs other programs about which NI hardware products are in the system and how they are
configured. MAX is automatically installed with NI-VRTS.
1. Launch MAX.
2. In the configuration tree, expand Devices and Interfaces to see the list of installed NI
hardware.
Installed modules appear under the name of their associated chassis.
3. Expand your Chassis tree item.
VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 7
MAX lists all modules installed in the chassis. Your default names may vary.
Note If you do not see your module listed, press <F5> to refresh the list of
installed modules. If the module is still not listed, power off the system, ensure
the module is correctly installed, and restart.
4. Record the identifier MAX assigns to the hardware. Use this identifier when
programming the VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth.
5. Self-test the hardware by selecting the item in the configuration tree and clicking Self-
Test in the MAX toolbar.
The MAX self-test performs a basic verification of hardware resources.
Programming the VRTS
NI-VRTS Instrument Driver
The NI-VRTS instrument driver features a set of VIs and examples that exercise the
capabilities of the VRTS, including object simulation, object simulation with measurement,
and other system-specific functions.
NI-VRTS VIs
NI-VRTS includes a variety of examples and VIs for use with the VRTS with 4 GHz
Bandwidth.
Locate NI-VRTS VIs at Functions »Instrument I/O »Instrument Drivers »NI-VRTS .
Using the NI Example Finder
Use the NI Example Finder in LabVIEW to locate programming examples.
1. Launch LabVIEW.
2. Select Help » Find Examples to open the NI Example Finder.
3. In the NI Example Finder window, select the Browse tab.
4. Select the Directory Structure option button.
5. Navigate to instr » niVRTS .
6. Open the example that best matches your application requirements.
NI-VRTS includes the following examples:
•VRTS Basic Single Object Simulation.vi demonstrates how to simulate
an object.
•VRTS Basic Multiple Object Simulation.vi demonstrates how to
simulate multiple objects.
•VRTS Object Simulation and CHP Measurement.vi demonstrates how to
simultaneously simulate an object and perform a measurement.
8| ni.com | VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth Getting Started Guide
Using your System with Software
Beginning Object Simulation
Complete the following steps to simulate objects at frequencies within either Band 1, 76 GHz
to 80 GHz, or Band 2, 77 GHz to 81 GHz.
1. Use the NI Example Finder to locate NI-VRTS examples.
2. Select VRTS Basic Single Object Simulation or VRTS Basic Multiple Object
Simulation. Click Open.
Note Only systems containing more than one PXIe-5551 module support
multiple object simulation.
3. Follow the instructions on the VI front panel.
4. Run the VI.
5. Click STOP to conclude the simulation.
Taking a Measurement with the PXIe-5841
Complete the following steps to take measurements at frequencies within any of the supported
frequency bands.
Only systems containing a PXIe-5841 support measurement capabilities.
1. Use the NI Example Finder to locate NI-VRTS examples.
2. Select VRTS Object Simulation and CHP Measurement. Click Open.
3. Follow the instructions on the VI front panel.
4. Run the VI.
5. Click STOP to conclude the measurement.
Removing the VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth
Modules
To remove the VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth modules from a PXI Express chassis, complete
the following steps.
1. Power off the chassis.
2. Remove any cables that may be attached to the module front panels.
3. Unscrew the four bracket-retaining screws in the front panel.
4. Press the ejector handle down.
5. Slide the unit out of the chassis.
VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth Getting Started Guide | © National Instruments | 9
Module Front and Back Panels
Figure 5. mmRH-5591 Front Panel
mmRH-5591
76–81 GHz
Bistatic mmWave Transceiver
RX TX
Figure 6. mmRH-5591 Back Panel
10 MHz
TX IF1 IN TX IF2 IN RX IF1 OUTRX IF2 OUT
REF IN
10 MHz
REF OUT
12 V 3.0A MAX
+10 dBm MAX
ACCESS
+–
ACTIVE
+10 dBm MAX
Figure 7. PXIe-5551 Front Panel
PXIe-5551
Variable Delay Generator, 4 GHz BW
ACCESS ACTIVE
RX IF2 OUT
ALL PORTS
50 Ω
+10 dBm MAX
RX IF2 IN
PFI 1
PFI 0
TX IF1 OUT
TX IF1 IN
+13 dBm MAX
REF IN
DIO
REF OUT
OBJ
10 | ni.com | VRTS with 4 GHz Bandwidth Getting Started Guide
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