PathWave Signal Generation

Accelerate your test and design workflows

BROCHURE
Simplify Signal Creation
Reduce the time you spend on signal simulation

Signal Studio comes with performance-optimized signals validated by Keysight. You can easily modify these signals
to meet your needs. Or you may quickly create custom reference signals for testing devices. Its fast and simple user
interface features tree-style navigation and graphical, parameterized signal configuration.

What is Signal Studio?

Signal Studio is signal creation software that runs on a PC. It enables the creation of application specific
test signals at baseband, RF and microwave frequencies.

Enhance component testing with

virtually distortion-free stimulus signals.

Evaluate receiver tolerance by creating

calibrated additive signal impairments.

PathWave Signal Generation | 2

 Keysight

Efficiently configure fully

parameterized signal.

Intuitively navigate signal structure

using tree-style interface.

Visualize signal to validate setup.

Typical measurements

Test components and transmitters:

• CCDF
• EVM
• channel power
• occupied bandwidth
• spectrum

Test receivers:

• component test along receiver chain

• receiver sensitivity
• BER

PathWave Signal Generation | 3

Next-Generation Signal Creation
PathWave Signal Generation Desktop or Embedded

PathWave Signal Generation has two types of applications: Desktop and Embedded. PathWave Signal Generation Desktop
runs on a PC like Signal Studio and can create and download generated waveforms into various signal generators.
PathWave Signal Generation Embedded is a fully integrated application in Keysight VXG or Next Generation MXG signal
generator’s firmware. PathWave Signal Generation Embedded uses the same measurement technology as PathWave
Signal Generation Desktop and includes a graphical user interface (GUI) optimized for touch-based operations.

PathWave Signal Generation is an integrated application

• Supports multiple radio formats in a single application.

• Provides the same user experience and measurement engines across Desktop and Embedded versions.
• Generates encrypted waveforms (*.wfm) for downloading or playback.
• Includes a hardware driver that performs waveform download and setup for play back.
• Provides a high-DPI display with scaling support.

PathWave Signal Generation provides different licensing scheme for use scenarios

• N76xxAPPC can run as PathWave Signal Generation Desktop PC application license.

• N76xxAPPC can run as PathWave Signal Generation Embedded higher tiered licenses on all supported platforms
including VXG (M9383B, M9384B, M9484C) and next generation MXG N5186A.
• E76xxAPPC can run as PathWave Signal Generation Embedded middle tiered licenses on the next generation MXG
N5186A as cost effective licenses compared with N76xxAPPC which can run on all platforms.
• N76xxEMBC can run as waveform playback license installed in all of the signal generators supported.

PathWave Signal Generation | 4

What is PathWave Signal Generation?

Keysight PathWave Signal Generation is Keysight’s next-generation signal-generation software. It unifies

various signal-generation applications together with Waveform Utility and toolkit. It provides a consistent
and optimized user experience from R&D through manufacturing to enable smoother collaboration.

PathWave Signal Generation

PathWave Signal Generation Embedded (on VXG)
Desktop (on PC)

Same user
experience

Touch-optimized UI

PathWave Signal Generation Embedded

Same
(on next generation MXG)
measurement
engine

Mouse / keyboard-optimized UI

Touch-compact UI

PathWave Signal Generation | 5

Easily Create Signals for Your Bench
or Production Line
Whether you need test stimuli in R&D or manufacturing, Signal Studio simplifies creation of the signals you need for
characterization, verification, and pass / fail testing of components, devices, receivers, and more.

Simplify signal creation on the bench

Create your own signal-creation workstation in R&D by connecting Signal Studio to a Keysight instrument through the
LAN or GPIB port of a PC. A built-in configuration tool makes it fast and simple, and the Signal Studio user interface
includes a window that enables direct control of a connected instrument.

For advanced automation and control, the available application programming interface (API) exposes the signal creation and
generation parameters of the software. This capability also enables creation of a custom user interface for signal creation.

Accelerate testing on the production line

To save time during automated testing, waveforms created in Signal Studio can be downloaded to an instrument and
stored in memory. Recall and playback can be initiated programmatically with SCPI commands or through the front panel.

When you need to use custom signals with multiple test systems, flexible right-to-use licenses can meet your specific
needs, schedules and budget requirements. For example, waveform licensing is ideal for cost-effective deployment of
Signal Studio test signals in a manufacturing environment. Each of these licenses is fixed to a single instrument but is
available in packs of 5 or 50 waveform licenses that can be used for different signal formats. Please see the licensing
section for more information about other licensing options.

Key features and attributes

Signal generation • Custom, standards-based, and presets for common test signals
• Arbitrary IQ waveform and real-time IQ generation

Additive impairments • I/Q impairments

• AWGN
• Real-time fading

Graphs • I(t), Q(t), I(t) + Q(t), P(t)

• Spectrum, CCDF, CDP
• Frame structure
• Power envelope

PathWave Signal Generation | 6

 Easy-to-use graphical display for signal
visualization and verification

IQ polar vector display with added IQ impairments

Calibrated AWGN to simulate a

noisy environment

Automate test with SCPI commands (online help)

PathWave Signal Generation | 7

Apply Your Signals in Real-World
Testing
When you have fully defined your signals, you can download them to various Keysight instruments. This offers flexibility
in generating signals at various carrier frequencies with different bandwidths for multiple applications. Signal Studio
complements these instruments by providing a cost-effective way to tailor them to your design, development, and
production test needs. And with our record of support for new standards, Signal Studio will help you stay at the forefront
as wireless systems evolve.

PXIe vector signal generators and vector transceiver

Keysight M9381A PXIe vector signal generator: Accelerate throughput with new levels of speed in your
modular test system with bandwidths up to 160 MHz.

Keysight M9383B PXIe microwave signal generator: Realize 5G signal confidence in your design validation
test solution, with available upgrades of frequency and bandwidth to 44 GHz and 2 GHz, respectively.

Keysight M9421A PXIe VXT vector transceiver:

Features exceptional EVM performance for dense
modulation schemes required by 802.11ax design
verification and manufacturing test up to 8 x 8 MIMO.

Keysight M9410A / M9411A / M9415A PXIe VXT

vector transceiver: Build-in 1.2 GHz signal generation
and analysis bandwidth and frequency extension to
cover millimeter-wave (mmWave) (FR2) with M1740A
mmWave transceiver.

AXIe arbitrary waveform generator (AWG)

M8190A, M8195A, or M8199A is a source of greater

fidelity, delivering high resolution and wide bandwidth
simultaneously. This unique combination lets you create
signal scenarios that push your designs to the limit and
bring new insights to your analysis.

PathWave Signal Generation | 8

 Benchtop vector signal generators

Keysight E8267D PSG: Create reference signals for

aerospace, defense, radar, and broadband wireless
applications up to 44 GHz.

Keysight N5182B and Next Generation N5186A MXG

X-Series: Design and verify receivers for cellular base
stations, wireless connectivity, digital video, and more.

Keysight N5172B EXG X-Series: Maintain tight tolerances in

component and module manufacturing.

Keysight N5166B CXG X-Series: Perform basic parametric

with this low-cost signal generator for general-purpose,
IoT, and educational applications.

Wireless test set

Keysight E6640A / E6680A / E6681A EXM wireless test

sets are scalable to meet your production needs and in
sync with the latest cellular and WLAN chipsets. The EXM
delivers the speed, accuracy, and port density you need to
ramp up rapidly and optimize full-volume manufacturing.

VXG microwave vector signal generator

The Keysight M9484C VXG is the industry’s first dual-

channel microwave vector signal generator capable of up
to 110 GHz signals and 2.5 GHz signal bandwidth. Keysight
M9384B VXG microwave signal generators are dual-
channel 1 MHz to 44 GHz VSG with up to 2 GHz bandwidth.

PathWave Signal Generation | 9

Configure a Suite That Meets
Your Needs
Signal Studio software is scalable to meet a wide range of component and receiver testing requirements. It starts with a
choice of two operating modes: waveform playback mode and real-time mode. Waveform playback mode supports two
levels of functionality: basic and advanced. Real-time mode provides advanced capabilities such as closed-loop control
during signal generation.

A typical component test configuration using Signal Studio with an X-Series signal generator and analyzer

Enhance component and receiver testing with waveform playback

Signal Studio’s basic waveform playback capabilities enable you to create and customize waveform files to test
components and transmitters. Its user-friendly interface lets you manipulate various signal parameters, calculate the
resulting waveforms, and download files for playback with a Keysight instrument.

• Create spectrally correct signals for channel power, spectral mask, and spurious testing.
• View CCDF, spectrum, time domain, and power envelope graphs to investigate the effects of power ramps,
modulation formats, power changes, clipping, and other effects on device performance.
• Adjust peak-to-average ratio with the crest factor reduction technology.
• Save Keysight PathWave Vector Signal Analysis (89600 VSA) or X-Series measurement application setup files using
selected Signal Studio software products for further analysis. See the appropriate technical overview for product-
specific information.

PathWave Signal Generation | 10

Integrated spectrum view of Signal Studio

Integrated CCDF view of Signal Studio

PathWave Signal Generation | 11

Receiver Test with Advanced and
Real-Time Capabilities
Signal Studio can generate standards-compliant or custom signals for early testing of receiver system and component
hardware with channel coding and multi-antenna port. Evaluate receiver performance at various stages of the receiver
chain (RF, IF, and IQ) on signal analyzers and oscilloscopes together with PathWave 89600 VSA software or X Series
measurement applications.

Use selected Signal Studio software to support the following:

• Standards-compliant signals for receiver testing with channel coding.

• Enabling or disabling channel coding, scrambling, and interleaving.
• Uplink and downlink configurations.
• Multi-antenna port transmitters, including spatial multiplexing and transmit diversity.
• Multiuser channel generation.
• Single carrier and multiple carriers.
• Customized data: PN9, PN15, custom bit pattern, or user-defined file with coded bits for bit error ratio (BER) testing.
• Addition of real-time additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) to signal generators to set the carrier-to-noise ratio,
carrier bandwidth, and noise bandwidth.

DUT: Receiver
BER
RF front end Demodulator Decoder analyzer

RF
R IF IQ

Note: Payload data should be coded bits

Generate receiver test signals for early testing of your receiver with Keysight X-Series signal generators and Signal Studio

Real-time capabilities available with selected Signal Studio software provide additional features to help you create
signals for testing receiver designs in all stages of development. Advanced options enable you to create fully channel-
coded signals for analysis of receiver BER, FER, BLER, and PER so you can verify baseband subsystem coding in ASICs,
DSPs, and more. You can also check receiver performance and functionality during RF / baseband integration, system-
level test, and beyond.

PathWave Signal Generation | 12

 Signal Studio’s real-time capabilities include the following:

• GSM / EDGE signal creation

• WCDMA / HSPA+ signal creation
• LTE and LTE-Advanced FDD signal creation
• GNSS signal creation for GPS, Beidou, Galileo, and GLONASS
• digital video signal creation for DVB-T / H / T2 / C / S / S2 and ISDB-T
• broadcast audio signal creation for XM
• fading signal creation
• 5G NR PUSCH signal creation and phase compensation

eNB
Fader

RF RF
Rx A
IN OUT
Wanted, UL

RF RF
Rx B

Interferer

HARQ/TA feedback

LTE receiver performance test with real-time signal generation

PathWave Signal Generation | 13

Signal Studio, PathWave Signal Generation
Software, and Compatible Instruments
Below is a list of Signal Studio, PathWave Signal Generation Desktop, and Embedded software products and supported
instruments. Click the hyperlinked product number in the left column for product-specific information.

Cellular communications
Benchtop PXI AXIe Test set

N5166B CXG M9336A E6640A

M9384B M9383A M941xA
Current Real-time N5172B EXG E8267D M9381A PXIe AWG M819xA E6680A
Communications standard M9484C PXIe MW M9421A
model4 capability1 N5182B MXG PSG PXIe VSG P9336A AXIe AWG E6681A
MW VXG VSG PXIe VXT
N5186A MXG USB AWG EXM

N7600C W-CDMA / HSPA+ ● ●7 ● ●2 ● ●2 ●3 ●2 ●

N7601C cdma2000® / 1xEV-DO ● ●7 ● ●2 ● ●2 ●2 ●2 ●

N7602C GSM / EDGE / Evo ● ●7 ● ●2 ● ●2 ●3 ●2 ●

N7612C TD-SCDMA / HSPA ●7 ● ●2 ● ●2 ●3 ●2 ●

N7624C LTE / LTE-A FDD ● ● ●4 ● ● ● ●3 ●2 ●2 ●

N7625C LTE / LTE-A TDD ● ● ●4 ● ● ● ●3 ●2 ●2 ●

N7626C LTE V2X ● ● ● ● ● ●3 ●2 ●2 ●2

N7630C 5GTF (pre-5G) ●7 ● ●2 ● ● ●3 ●2 ● ●2

N7631C 5G NR (New Radio) ● ● ● ● ● ●3 ●2 ● ●2

Wireless connectivity
Benchtop PXI AXIe Test set

N5166B2 CXG
E8267D M9384B M9383A M941xA E6640A
Current Real-time N5172B EXG M9381A M819xA
Communications standard M9484C M9484C PXIe MW M9421A E6680A
model4 capability1 N5182B MXG PXIe VSG AXIe AWG
PSG MW VXG VSG PXIe VXT EXM
N5186A MXG

Bluetooth® (BR, EDR, 4.0 / 4.2, BT5,

N7606C ● ● ●2 ● ●2 ●
BT5.1 (AoA and AoD) , BT5.3

N7607C DFS radar profiles ● ● ● ● ●

IoT (Internet of Things) (Wi-SUN,

N7610C ● ● ●2 ● ● ●2
ZigBee®, Z-Wave, LoRa, and HRP UWB)

N7615C Mobile WiMAX™ ● ●2 ●2 ●2

WLAN 802.11
N7617C ● ● ●2 ● ● ● ●2 ●
a / b / g / j / p / n / ac / ah / af / ax / be

N7637C mmWave WLAN 802.11ad / ay ●

PathWave Signal Generation | 14

Video, audio, and radio test
Benchtop PXI AXIe Test set

N5172B EXG M9383A

Current Real-time E8267D M9384B M9381A M9421A M819xA E6640A
Communications standard N5182B MXG PXIe MW
model8 capability1 PSG MW VXG PXIe VSG PXIe VXT AXIe AWG EXM
N5186A MXG VSG

Broadcast radio (FM Stereo/RDS,

N7611C ● ● ●2 ●2
DAB, T-DMB)

N7623C Digital video (w / DOCSIS3.1) ● ● ● ●2 ●2 ●

N7640C Land-mobile radio ● ●2 ●2

Detection, positioning, tracking, and navigation

Benchtop PXI AXIe Test set

N5172B EXG
Current Real-time E8267D N519xA M9384B M9381A M9421A M819xA
Description N5182B MXG E6640A EXM
model8 capability1 PSG UXG MW VXG PXIe VSG PXIe VXT AXIe AWG
N5186A MXG

Global navigation satellite systems

N7609C ● ● ●2 ●2 ●2 ●2 ●2 ●2
(GNSS)

N7620B Pulse building ● ● ● ● ●

1. Supports selected standards. Please refer to specific product technical overviews for more information.
2. Supports only file export-based waveform playback.
3. M9420A / 21A supports live connectivity, but M9410A / 11A and M9415A only supports the “file export” based waveform playback.
4. The amplitude accuracy is not guaranteed with ALN turning off which need manual power search.
5. For information regarding Signal Studio products and their supported hardware, please visit www.keysight.com/find/signalstudio_
platforms.
6. Signal Studio 2019 update 1.0 or above does not support MXG-A N5182A and ESG-C E4438C. Signal Studio Pro software N76xxC
with N76xxAPPC as PC license can support N5182A and E4438C.
7. CXG N5166B only supports “file export” based waveform playback with this Signal Studio software.
8. For information regarding legacy Signal Studio or PathWave Signal Generation products (N76xxB) and their supported hardware,
please visit www.keysight.com/find/signalstudio_platforms.

PathWave Signal Generation | 15

General purpose
Benchtop PXI AXIe Test set

M9336A
N5172B EXG M9383A M941xA
Current Real-time E8267D M9384B M9381A PXIe AWG M819xA E6640A
Description N5182B MXG PXIe MW M9421A
model3 capability1 PSG MW VXG PXIe VSG P9336A AXIe AWG EXM
N5186A MXG VSG PXIe VXT
USB AWG

N7605C Real-time fading ● ●

Custom modulation
N7608C ● ● ● ● ●2 ● ●2 ●
(Custom IQ and OFDM)

N7614C Power amplifier test ● ● ●5 ● ● ● ● ●

N7621B Multitone distortion ● ● ●

N7622C IQ toolkit ● ● ● ● ● ●

PathWave Signal Generation — Embedded (on M9383B / M9384B

or M9484C VXG)
Signal Generator

Current M9384B VXG microwave signal generator

Description M9484C vector signal generator
model3 M9383B VXG-m microwave signal generator

N7631APPC 5G NR ●4 ●4

N7621APPC Multitone ●4 ●4

N7642APPC IQ-based AM, FM, PM ●4 ●4

Automatic channel response correction

N7653APPC ●4 ●4
and S-parameter de-embedding

N7605AP0C 3GPP MIMO fading ●4 ●4

PathWave Signal Generation – Embedded (on N5186A MXG)

Current
Description N5186A MXG
model

E7608APPC Custom Modulation (Custom IQ only) ●4

E7621APPC Multi-tone ●4

E7642APPC IQ-based AM, FM, PM ●4

E7653APPC Automatic channel response correction and S-parameter de-embedding ●4

PathWave Signal Generation | 16

PathWave Signal Generation — Desktop
Benchtop Benchtop PXI AWG

N5166B CXG
M9384B VXG
N5172B EXG M941xA M819xA
Model Description M9484C VXG
N5182B MXG PXI VXT M819xA DUC
M9484C+VDI CCU (Beta)
N5186A MXG

N7631APPC 5G NR, PC application6, 7 ● ● ● ●

N7631EMBC 5G NR, waveform playback ● ● ● ●

Advanced Waveform Utility, PC

N7618APPC ● ● ● ●
application6, 7, 8

N7632EMBC NR V2X, waveform playback ● ● ● ●

1. Supports selected standards. Please refer to specific product technical overviews for more information.
2. Supports only file export-based waveform playback
3. For information regarding legacy Signal Studio or PathWave Signal Generation products (N76xxB) and their supported hardware,
please visit www.keysight.com/find/signalstudio_platforms.
4. Those are embedded applications with touch-optimized GUI.
5. For power amplifier test, E8267D supports only DPD and CFR. It can also be used as upconverted with M8190A for wideband
DPD solution.
6. PC application allows you to download the generated waveforms into different signal generators which doesn’t require a waveform
playback license installed but the waveform can’t be saved by this method. You will need N76xxEMBC license installed inside signal
generator to save and offline playback the saved waveforms.
7. PathWave Signal Generation Desktop doesn’t require a license if you only need create and export the waveforms.
8. AWU utility provides some essential features which are free to use like importing waveforms, re-sampling, exporting, or downloading
into supported signal generators.

PathWave Signal Generation | 17

Cellular Communications
Signal Studio provides a comprehensive suite of standards-compliant solutions that address 2G to 5G and other
emerging standards. As cellular technology advances, Signal Studio will help you sync up with the latest technology,
streamline validation, and ensure interoperability. Here are a few examples of Signal Studio for cellular communications:

LTE / LTE-Advanced FDD / TDD

• Create Keysight-validated and performance-optimized reference

signals in compliance with 3GPP LTE, LTE-Advanced, and LTE-
Advanced Pro (with NB-IoT / eMTC) specifications.
• Support LTE co-existence signals with 5G NR for dynamic
spectrum sharing (DSS).
• Use predefined setups for E-UTRA test models (E-TM) and fixed
reference channels (FRC).
• Perform-closed loop HARQ and timing adjustment testing with
real-time signal generation.
• Perform arb-based multi-UE simulation for eNB capacity testing.
• Perform multi-carrier, multiformat tests with multi-standard radio
signal generation.

LTE V2X

• Supports 3GPP Release 14 defined C-V2X sidelink carrier (using

PC5 interface) with transmission mode 4.
• Supports fully coded PSSS, SSSS, PSBCH, PSCCH, and PSSCH
signals and channels.
• Supports multi-UE scheduling.
• Provides FRC wizard.

To learn more about other Signal Studio products for cellular communications, click below:

• W-CDMA / HSPA+
• cdma2000 / 1xEV-DO
• GSM / EDGE / Evo
• TD-SCDMA / HSPA
• NB-IoT / eMTC
• LTE/LTE-A/LTE-A Pro FDD
• LTE/LTE-A TDD
• LTE V2X

PathWave Signal Generation | 18

5G NR (Signal Studio, PathWave Signal Generation
Desktop or Embedded)

• Enables 3GPP 5G NR-compliant signal creation for BTS and UE

testing with LDPC, polar channel coding, and multi-antenna port.
• Support downlink channels for PDSCH and PDCCH and uplink
channels for PUSCH, PUCCH, and PRACH.
• Supports multiuser channel generation with PUSCH and PDSCH.
• Supports downlink and uplink configuration with flexible sub-
frame allocations
• Supports 5G NR signals with LTE co-existence for DSS.
• Enables flexible signal configuration with both single-carrier and
multi-carrier support.
• Supports test model presets, FRC presets, and full-filled
configurations.
• Supports real-time PUSCH HARQ and phase compensation.
• Exports PathWave 89600 VSA setup file for demodulation.

Want to learn more?

Click on the buttons below to download a technical overview for the following Signal Studio products:

5G NR NR V2X

PathWave Signal Generation | 19

Wireless Connectivity
Wireless connectivity formats, such as WLAN, Bluetooth®, ZigBee, and Z-Wave, continue to evolve to address the growing
need for faster data services and larger coverage. Whether you are working on long- or short-range wireless connectivity,
Keysight strives to help you stay ahead of the pack with signal-creation solutions early in the life cycle of new standards
and technologies. Here are a few examples of our wireless connectivity solutions:

WLAN 802.11a / b / g / j / p / n / ac / af / ah / ax / be

• Enables creation of Keysight-validated and performance-

optimized reference signals compliant with the IEEE 802.11a / b /
g / j / p / n / ac / ah / ax / be standards.
• Enables use of partially coded signals for testing components
such as power amplifiers. Use full channel coding, flexible
configuration of MAC headers, spatial stream mapping, and
application of channel models for testing receivers.
• Supports bandwidth from 20 MHz to 160 MHz, and 320 MHz
(802.11be).
• Supports modulation up to 1 024 QAM and 4 096 QAM (802.11be)
• Supports MIMO testing with up to 16 streams / antennas.
• Enables creation of FCC, ETSI, Japan MIC, Korean, or Chinese radar
test signals using N7607C Signal Studio for DFS radar profiles.

Bluetooth®

• Enables creation of Keysight-validated and performance-optimized

reference signals compliant with Bluetooth® BR, EDR, LE 4.0, LE
4.2, Bluetooth® 5, and Bluetooth® 5.1 / 5.2 / 5.3 (AoA / AoD).
• Supports Qualcomm Bluetooth® High Speed Link format with
mode as QHS-P2 / P3 / P4 / P5 / P6.
• Uses fully-coded Bluetooth® packets and modulated data streams
for basic and enhanced data rates.
• Supports data length extension to 255 bytes for Bluetooth® LE 4.2.
• Supports 2 Ms/s symbol rate for higher data rate and channel
coding for long range Bluetooth® 5.
• Uses dirty transmitter test setup for receiver sensitivity tests with
DHx, 2-DHx, 2-EVx, 3-DHx, and 3-EVx packet types.

PathWave Signal Generation | 20

IoT (Internet of Things)

• Create signals for IEEE 802.15.4g SUN FSK and SUN OFDM and
IEEE 802.15.4 O-QPSK / BPSK ZigBee specifications.
• Create signals for ITU-T G.9959 FSK / GFSK Z-Wave specification.
• Create signals for LoRa CSS specification.
• Create signals for IEEE 802.15.4 / 4z HRP UWB.
• Receive support for fully coded signal creation for receiver tests.
• Achieve signals with full-channel coding, flexible configuration of
MAC headers, and data types for receiver testing.

To learn more about other Signal Studio products for wireless connectivity click below:

• DFS radar profiles

• Mobile WiMAX™
• mmWave WLAN 802.11ad/ay

Want to learn more?

Click on the buttons below to download a technical overview for the following Signal Studio products:

WLAN IoT

Bluetooth®

PathWave Signal Generation | 21

Video, Audio, and Radio Test
The push for better-quality mobile services is driving new technologies in broadcasting video, audio, and radio systems
and handheld devices. Whether you are working on satellite, terrestrial, mobile or cable digital video, broadcasting
audio, or radio test systems, count on Signal Studio to provide the tools to help you address the challenges of mobile
device and set-to-box product design and manufacturing test. Here are some examples of our solutions:

Digital video

• Create standards-compliant single- or multi-carrier digital video

waveforms for component or receiver test. Supported standards
include DVB-T / H / T2 / C / S / S2 / S2X, ISDB-T / TB / TSB / Tmm,
J.83 Annex A / B / C, and DOCSIS 3.1 upstream and downstream.
• Create real-time signal generation for DVB-T / H / T2 / C / S / S2
and ISDB-T.
• Select from multiple payload types: MPEG2-TS file or color bar for
subjective evaluation or data pattern for BER test.
• Create fully coded signals with AWGN, IQ impairments, and
multipaths for component or receiver test.

Broadcast radio

• Create standards-compliant waveforms for component or

receiver test to FM stereo / RDS / RBDS, DAB / DAB+, T-DMB, and
DMB-Audio.
• Use arb waveforms or real-time signals for XM.
• Select from multiple payload types: WAV, MP2 or AAC+ audio file,
ETI or STI stream file, or data pattern.
• Use audio sample files and ETI demo stream files for subjective tests.
• Configure multi-carriers / multi-channels for up to 12 carriers
independently.
• Add real-time fading, AWGN, and interferers for performance tests.

PathWave Signal Generation | 22

Radio test for land mobile radio

• Enables generation of standards-compliant LMR APCO25 Phase

1 signals for testing user equipment or fixed station with channel
coding and predefined test pattern generation.
• Enables downloading and playback of LMR signal waveforms with
Keysight-supported signal generators.
• Enables test setups with powerful and intuitive GUI built with
HTML5 and JavaScript.
• Supports Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Microsoft Windows 7 and 10.

Want to learn more?

Click on the buttons below to download a technical overview for the following Signal Studio products:

Digital video Land-mobile radio

Broadcast radio

PathWave Signal Generation | 23

Detection, Positioning, Tracking,
and Navigation
During receiver verification, advanced signal-creation tools provide highly realistic simulations of the operating
environment facing detection, positioning, tracking, and navigation systems. What once required racks of test equipment
can now be accomplished with cost-effective instruments and Signal Studio. Here are examples of detection, positioning,
tracking, and navigation applications:

Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS)

• Enables creation of real-time multi-satellite signals for the Global

Positioning System (GPS), Russian Global Navigation Satellite
System (GLONASS), European navigation system (Galileo),
Chinese navigation satellite system (Beidou, also known as
Compass), and SBAS / QZSS.
• Enables GPS support for single band as L1 C/A, L5I, and L5Q or
dual band as L1 C/A plus L5I and L5Q.
• Supports static scenarios for stationary receivers or dynamic
scenarios for moving receivers.
• Supports up to 24-hour simulation using saved scenario files or
longer simulations using continuous scenario generation mode.
• Controls satellite visibility, power, multipath, and pseudo-range
error in real time.
• Enables creation and editing of custom scenarios and supports
receiver-antenna pattern modeling.
• Provides trajectory generator utility for moving receiver scenarios.
• Provides waveform files that simulate a single satellite for GPS,
GLONASS, Galileo, Beidou (Compass), SBAS, and QZSS for
manufacturing test in basic mode.

Pulse building

• Create waveforms that support custom formats and a variety of

standard intra- pulse modulation formats: linear and non-linear
FM chirp, FM step, AM step, BPSK, QPSK, Barker codes, Frank
codes, and polyphase codes.
• Create, store, and recall complex pulse patterns that maximize
instrument memory to play long scenarios.
• Set repetition interval, number of repetitions, and frequency,
phase, and power offsets on a pulse-by-pulse basis.

PathWave Signal Generation | 24

Want to learn more?

Click on the buttons below to download a technical overview for the following Signal Studio products:

GNSS Pulse building

PathWave Signal Generation | 25

General Purpose
Across a wide range of RF and microwave test applications, Signal Studio shortens development time by simplifying
test setups and lowering the overall cost of test. Our innovative signal-creation and performance-optimization tools can
accelerate the development and manufacturing of receivers and the components that comprise them. You can apply
real-time fading to the signals, apply the CFR / ET / DPD power amplifier technologies to your signals, or create custom-
defined modulation signals. Here are some examples:

Custom modulation (Custom IQ and Custom OFDM)

• Create 5G candidate waveforms, including FBMC, UFMC, GFDM,

and F-OFDM, along with SCMA and NOMA multiple access.
• Create custom OFDM and IQ waveforms for analog modulation,
automotive radar, wireless connectivity, land-mobile radio, digital
video, broadcast audio, emerging wireless, 5G, and aerospace /
defense custom / proprietary applications.
• Customize OFDM and IQ quick setups for applications such as
LTE, WLAN 802.11a, 802.15.4, 802.15.4g, ITU G.9959, DVB-T / H,
ISDB-T, DVB-S2X, DOCSIS 3.1, APCO25, TETRA, NXDN, dPMR,
DECT, DMR, ARIB, DAB, and CDR DMR.
• Receive support for single-carrier or multi-carrier signal generation.
• Save to PathWave 89600 VSA setup file or X-series measurement
application setup file for modulation analysis and MIMO setups.

Power amplifier test

• Perform power amplifier (PA) test flow with crest factor reduction (CFR), envelope tracking (ET), and digital pre-distortion
(DPD); Support wideband DPD, dual-band ET / DPD, and customer-provided IP DPD.
• Waveform block can import user-defined IQ waveforms, Signal Studio waveforms, and preloaded free waveforms.
• PA measurement result displays include CCDF, AM-AM, AM-PM, ACPR, Raw EVM, Demod EVM, Dynamic EVM, EVM vs.
Power, PAE vs. Time, and PAE vs. PA output power.
• Align the envelope signal (you can export it as IQ waveform) and RF signal automatically or adjust them manually.

Envelope
Envelope VREF
tracking signal ETPS
On generator

VCC

Crest factor Digital

reduction predistortion RF signal Signal
Waveform PA
generator analyzer
Thr On

PathWave Signal Generation | 26

PathWave Signal Generation Advanced Waveform Utility

AWU Essential Features (Free to use)

• Import Keysight encrypted waveforms (*.wfm) or user defined

waveforms (*.bin, *.txt/.csv/.dat, *mat, *wv)
• Users can make resampling or specify time scale factor
• Support SCPI command
• Download waveforms with correction to specified signal
generator (X-series SG, PXU VXT, VXG)
• View waveform graph (Spectrum, Time Domain, CCDF)
• Export waveform files (*.wfm)

AWU Premium Features (required N7618APPC license)

• Support three kinds of guided calibration methods (Channel

Equalization, IQ Calibration, Multi-tone Calibration)
• Traditional channel euqalization using the modulated reference
signal (requires 89601200C/89601AYAC)
• IQ calibration using reference sequence mainly for external IQ
modulator (requires 89601200C)
• Multi-tone calibration using multi-tone signals which won’t be
limited by signal generator and signal analyzer’s bandwidth
(requires 89601200C)
• Users can directly imposrt 89600 VSA’s EQ frequency response
trace as correction file (csv file)
• Support waveform segments summing in time domain
• Support multi-carrier usmming in frequency domian
• Support crest factor reduction (CFR)
• Export bin file when all imported waveforms are uncrypted

Want to learn more?

Click on the buttons below to download a technical overview for the following Signal Studio products:

Custom modulation Advanced Waveform Utility

Power amplifier

PathWave Signal Generation | 27

Signal Studio Pro or PathWave Signal
Generation Desktop PC License and
Waveform Playback Licenses
PathWave Signal Generation Desktop or Signal Studio Pro software (N7608C, N7624C, N7625C, N7626C, N7630C, N7631C,
and N7637C) offers two types of licenses: a PC license (N76xxAPPC) and a waveform playback license (N76xxEMBC). For
licensing information for a specific Signal Studio product, please refer to the product’s technical overview.

• N76xxAPPC is a PC-based license that enables N76xxC software or PathWave Signal Generation Desktop application
operating in full capabilities mode to generate and make a live connection to download signal waveforms into the
signal generators, VSG, VXG, VXT, or AWGs. N76xxAPPC is typically recommended for R&D teams.
• N76xxEMBC is an embedded license that runs on a signal generator, VSG, VXG, VXT, or AWGs. It lets you generate,
make a live connection to download, and play back signal waveforms offline. N76xxEMBC is recommended for design
verification, manufacturing teams, or pre-generated waveforms.

N76xxC software With N76xxAPPC license With N76xxEMBC license

Operation mode PC license mode1 or instrument mode2 Instrument mode2

Live connection Yes1, 2 Yes

Programming API Yes Yes

Export VSA .setx or X-Series measurement

Yes Yes
application required setup files (if available)

Waveform export Yes3 Yes3

Offline playback No / yes4 Yes4

Node-locked, transportable, USB portable,

License type Node-locked, transportable
floating (single site, single region, worldwide)

1. PC license mode: When an N76xxAPPC license is installed in a standalone PC, the N76xxC software is working in PC license mode.
No license is required inside the instrument if the generated waveform is downloaded but the downloaded waveform can’t be saved
or renamed.
2. Instrument license mode: The instrument requires a valid license (N76xxAPPC or N76xxEMBC) to play back waveforms. Users can
save waveforms in a signal generator for offline playback.
3. A waveform exported as a waveform file (*.wfm) requires a waveform playback license in the instrument (N76xxAPPC, N76xxEMBC,
or 5- / 50-pack).
4. Offline playback requires an embedded waveform playback license (N76xxAPPC, N76xxEMBC, or 5- / 50-pack license) on the signal
generator, VSG, VXG, VXT, or AWG.

PathWave Signal Generation | 28

PC license mode

No license No license

Download

No license No license

N76xxAPPC

Export as file

Waveform file
(.wfm)
N76xxAPPC or
with license requirement N76xxEMBC is required

Instrument license mode

Download

N76xxAPPC or
N76xxEMBC is required

Down
load

Export as file

N76xxAPPC or
N76xxEMBC is required

Waveform file
(.wfm)
with license requirement
N76xxAPPC or
N76xxEMBC is required

PathWave Signal Generation | 29

PathWave Signal Generation Embedded
PathWave Signal Generation is an embedded signal-generation application inside newly launched Keysight M9383B
VXG-m, M9384B VXG, and M9484C VXG microwave signal generators, or next generation MXG N5186A. M9383B and
M9384B VXG are dual-channel 1 MHz to 44 GHz VXG with up to 2 GHz signal bandwidth. M9484C is the first dual-
channel microwave vector signal generator capable of up to 110 GHz signals and 2.5 GHz signal bandwidth. N5186A MXG
is the compact, four-channel vector signal generator up to 8.5 GHz and 960MHz modulation bandwith per channel.

M9384B and M9484C VXG microwave signal generators are integrated boxes with touch-front panels, and M9383B is
the PXIe modular without a front panel. There are several embedded PathWave Signal Generation software applications
developed with a touch-optimized GUI (see table, right). Furthermore, M9383B / M9384B VXG, M9484C VXG, and M9484C
VXG support other Signal Studio-generated waveforms for offline playback enabled by licenses such as N76xxEMBC.

PathWave Signal Generation Description Key features

N7621APPC (for VXG and MXG)
Multitone Provides multitone functionality.
E7621APPC (for MXG only)
Provides the 5G NR signal creation like N7631C, which supports
dual channels: one for wanted signal and one for interference or
N7631APPC (for VXG only) 5G NR
configured as MIMO. It can import*.setx setup file from N7631C or
export the PathWave 89600 VSA*.setx file for easy demodulation.
N7642APPC (for VXG and MXG) Provides basic analog modulation function for AM / FM / PM with
Based AM, FM, phase modulation
E7642APPC (for MXG only) waveform, rate, AM depth and FM / PM deviation settings.
Provides correction that you can add from supported file formats
N7653APPC (for VXG and MXG) Automatic channel response correction
(.s2p, .csv, uflat) or by direct measurement using one of the supported
E7653APPC (for MXG only) and S-parameter de-embedding
power sensors (power meter, spectrum analyzer, network analyzer).

N7608APPC (for VXG and MXG) Custom modulation (Custom IQ only

Provides custom modulation settings.
E7608APPC (for MXG only) as Beta)

N7605APPC (for VXG only) 3GPP MIMO fading (only with M9484C) Provides fading profiles for 3GPP 5G NR FR1, FR2, and LTE.

M9484C VXG with touch front-panel

M9384B VXG with touch front-panel

N5186A MXG with front-panel

PathWave Signal Generation | 30

Flexible Licensing Terms
Each of the following license types is available as a perpetual or subscription license, as shown in the table below. The
pricing for subscription licenses includes a valid support contract. Perpetual license holders need a separate support
contract to access Keysight technical support and software updates.

License type Description Pricing formula

Node-locked Allows you to use the license on one specified instrument / computer.

Allows you to use the license on one instrument or computer at

Transportable1 a time. You may transfer this license to another instrument or 130% of node-locked
computer using Keysight’s online tool.

Allows you to move the license from one instrument / computer to

USB portable1 another by end-user only with a certified USB dongle, which you 130% of node-locked
can purchase separately.

140% of node-locked (floating single site)

Allows you to access the license on networked instruments /
Floating computers from a server, one at a time. For concurrent access, 200% of node-locked (floating single region)
you may purchase multiple licenses.
250% of node-locked (floating worldwide)

Perpetual Software license for use in perpetuity.

Subscription Software license is limited to a defined period, such as 12 months. 38% of perpetual for a 12-month license

Support contract for Allows license holder access to Keysight technical support and all
15% of perpetual for 12 months of support
perpetual licenses software upgrades.

License and play back individual waveforms created using the Keysight
Waveform pack
Signal Studio software. Available in 5- and 50-waveform packs.

1. Currently N5186A MXG doesn’t support transportable and USB portable license types

PathWave Signal Generation | 31

Signal Studio and PathWave Signal
Generation Ordering Information
PC-based licenses or PathWave Signal Generation Embedded
licenses (N76xxAPPC)

Software license Description Support subscription

R-Y5B-001-A2 Node-locked perpetual R-Y6B-001-y2

R-Y4B-001-z1
Node-locked 12-month Included

R-Y5B-004-D2 Transportable perpetual R-Y6B-004-y2

R-Y4B-004-z 1
Transportable 12-month Included

R-Y5B-002-B2 Floating perpetual (single site) R-Y6B-002-y2

R-Y4B-002-z 1
Floating 12-month (single site) Included

R-Y5B-005-E2 USB portable perpetual R-Y6B-005-y2

R-Y4B-005-z 1
USB portable 12-month Included

R-Y5B-006-F2 Floating perpetual (single region) R-Y6B-006-y2

R-Y4B-006-z 1
Floating 12-month (single region) Included

R-Y5B-010-J2 Floating perpetual (worldwide) R-Y6B-010-y2

R-Y4B-010-z1
Floating 12-month (worldwide) R-Y6B-010-y2

Waveform playback licenses (N76xxEMBC)

Software license Description Support subscription

R-Y5B-001-A2 Node-locked perpetual R-Y6B-001-y2

R-Y4B-001-z1 Node-locked 12-month Included

R-Y5B-004-D2 Transportable perpetual R-Y6B-004-y2

R-Y4B-004-z1 Transportable 12-month Included

1. z means different subscription license durations: F for 6 months, L for 12 months, X for 24 months, and Y for 36 months. All
subscription licenses include support for the duration of the subscription.
2. y means different support subscription durations: L for 12 months (as default), X for 24 months, Y for 36 months, and Z for 60
months. You must purchase a support subscription for all perpetual licenses with 12 months as default. Software licenses with a valid
support subscription include all software upgrades and KeysightCare. You can extend support subscriptions for perpetual licenses
with monthly support extensions.

PathWave Signal Generation | 32

PathWave Signal Generation
Subscription Bundles
If you have a short-term need for multiple applications in the same category, Keysight offers subscription bundles with
several PathWave Signal Generation licenses. You may choose from the licensing types and the duration you need to use
the software. Refer to the following table as the PathWave Signal Generation subscription bundles are predefined, and
each application bundle includes the specified licenses.

A more flexible PathWave Signal Generation subscription bundle enables you to choose any three or five PathWave Signal
Generation licenses from the waveform playback or PC application list in the following table. The supported PathWave Signal
Generation licenses are subject to change according to new application launches or discontinuance of some applications.

Description Model number PathWave signal generation licenses included

• N7624EMBC: LTE / LTE-A / LTE-A Pro FDD
5G and 4G
N7689EM1C • N7625EMBC: LTE / LTE-A TDD
Waveform Playback Bundle
• N7631EMBC: 5G NR
• N7606EMBC: Bluetooth®
Wireless Connectivity • N7607EMBC: DFS radar profiles
N7689EM2C
Waveform Playback Bundle • N7610EMBC: IoT
• N7617EMBC: WLAN 802.11
• N7600EMBC: W-CDMA / HSPA+
2G and 3G • N7601EMBC: cdma2000 / 1xEV-DO
N7689EM4C
Waveform Playback Bundle • N7610EMBC: GSM / EDGE / Evo
• N7612EMBC: TD-SCDMA / HSPA
• N7624APPC: LTE / LTE-A / LTE-A Pro FDD
5 G and 4G
N7689AP1C • N7625APPC: LTE / LTE-A TDD
PC Application Bundle
• N7631APPC: 5G NR
• N7624ORNC: LTE / LTE-A / LTE-A Pro FDD
O-RAN Studio Bundle N7689ORNC • N7625ORNC: LTE / LTE-A TDD
• N7631ORNC: 5G NR
Pick any 3 or 5 from Keysight PathWave Signal Generation N76xxEMBC waveform playback licenses

• N7600EMBC, N7601EMBC, N7602EMBC, N7605EMBC

• N7606EMBC, N7607EMBC, N7608EMBC, N7609EMBC
Pick Any 3 or 5
N7689EAXC • N7610EMBC, N7611EMBC, N7612EMBC, N7614EMBC
Waveform Playback Bundle
• N7615EMBC, N7617EMBC, N7623EMBC, N7624EMBC
• N7625EMBC, N7626EMBC, N7630EMBC, N7631EMBC
• N7637EMBC, N7640EMBC, N7632EMBC
Pick any 3 or 5 from Keysight PathWave Signal Generation N76xxAPPC PC application licenses for
VXG and MXG, or E76xxAPPC for MXG

Pick Any 3 or 5 • N7608APPC, N7621APPC, N7624APPC, N7625APPC

N7689PAXC
PC Application Bundle • N7626APPC, N7630APPC, N7631APPC, N7637APPC
• N7640APPC, N7642APPC, N7653APPC
• E7608APPC, E7621APPC, E7642APPC, E7653APPC

PathWave Signal Generation | 33

 Description Model number PathWave signal generation licenses included
Pick Any 3 or 5 Signal Studio
Pick any 3 or 5 Signal Studio waveform playback and X-apps licenses from the list of N7689EAXC
Waveform Playback and N7689EAYC
and N9089BAXE
X-apps Bundle

Pick Any 3 or 5 Signal Studio

Pick any 3 or 5 Signal Studio PC applications and X-apps licenses from the list of N7689PAXC and
PC Application and X-apps N7689PAYC
N9089BAXE
Bundle

Pick Any 3 or 5 Signal Studio

Pick any 3 or 5 Signal Studio waveform playback and 89600 VSA licenses from the list of
Waveform Playback and N7689EAZC
N7689EAXC and 89601BAXC
PathWave 89600 VSA Bundle

Pick Any 3 or 5 Signal

Pick any 3 or 5 Signal Studio PC applications and 89600 VSA licenses from the list of N7689PAXC
Studio PC Applications and N7689PAZC
and 89601BAXC
PathWave 89600 VSA Bundle

Note:
1. Those subscription bundles support only the node-locked license type.
2. The subscription duration can be 12 months or 36 months.

Try before you buy!

Free 30-day trials of Signal Studio or PathWave Signal Generation software provide unrestricted use of
the features and functions, including signal generation, with your compatible platform.

Redeem a trial license online at www.keysight.com/find/SignalStudio_trial.

PathWave Signal Generation | 34

Hardware configurations

To learn more about compatible hardware and required configurations, please visit the following page:
www.keysight.com/find/SignalStudio_platforms

PC requirements

You need a PC to run Signal Studio or PathWave Signal Generation.

Model numbers and options

To learn more about Signal Studio or PathWave Signal Generation licensing, model numbers, and options,
please visit the PathWave Signal Generation page.

Signal Studio or PathWave Signal Generation software

To download the latest or previous Signal Studio or PathWave Signal Generation software, please visit the
following pages:

• www.keysight.com/find/signalstudio_software
• www.keysight.com/find/PWSG_software

Signal Studio or PathWave Signal Generation Software 30-day free trial

To redeem Signal Studio application 30-day free trial license for your existing signal generators where available, please
visit the follow page:

• www.keysight.com/find/signalstudio_trial

PathWave Signal Generation | 35

 Keysight enables innovators to push the boundaries of engineering by quickly solving design, emulation, and test
challenges to create the best product experiences. Start your innovation journey at www.keysight.com.

This information is subject to change without notice. © Keysight Technologies, 2013 – 2023, Published in USA, September 22, 2023, 5989-6448EN