NI PXIe-5842 Third-Generation Vector Signal Transceiver (VST)

Product Brief Description

The NI PXIe-5842 is a high-performance 4-slot PXIe vector signal transceiver, integrating vector signal generator, vector signal analyzer and user-programmable FPGA on a single modular card. It delivers continuous RF coverage from 30 MHz to 26.5 GHz with up to 4 GHz instantaneous bandwidth, offering excellent EVM and noise floor performance for wideband wireless, radar and satellite communication test. It supports phase-coherent multi-unit synchronization for MIMO and phased array test systems, widely used for R&D validation and high-speed production test of RF semiconductors and wireless modules.

Product Features

• 30 MHz – 26.5 GHz continuous frequency range, optional extension up to 54 GHz with RMM-5585 remote module
• Up to 4 GHz instantaneous RF bandwidth, double the bandwidth of prior VST generations
• Class-leading EVM performance: -58 dB for 5G NR 100 MHz, -52 dB for Wi‑Fi 7 (802.11be) 320 MHz
• Typical max CW output power +25 dBm @ 5 GHz; ±0.4 dB amplitude accuracy and ±0.45 dB flatness across 4 GHz bandwidth
• User-programmable FPGA for real-time signal processing, custom trigger, pre-distortion and DPD algorithms
• Phase coherent synchronization via PXI backplane T-Clk, supports 4×4 MIMO within one chassis
• Dual independent local oscillator chains for RF IN and RF OUT, flexible separate tuning of Tx and Rx
• Built-in IF ports for direct connection to beamformers, upconverters and downconverters
• Compact PXIe modular form factor, up to four units in one 18-slot PXIe chassis
• Compatible with NI LabVIEW, TestStand, RFmx and other NI test software toolchains

Application Scenarios

• 5G NR, Wi‑Fi 7 / 802.11be, UWB, Bluetooth and broadband wireless chipset validation & production test
• Aerospace & defense radar, EW, SATCOM and phased array antenna MIMO testing
• RF power amplifier DPD linearization, transceiver front-end and beamformer characterization
• Semiconductor ATE integration for RF SoC, mmWave and high-speed wireless component test
• Over-the-air (OTA) test chambers and massive MIMO system verification
• Communication protocol conformance test, signal capture and deep signal analysis
• Test system upgrade and spare replacement for legacy NI VST platforms

FAQ

Q1: What is the difference between PXIe-5842 and older VST models?

A1: It is the third-generation VST, with wider 26.5 GHz continuous coverage and up to 4 GHz bandwidth, improved EVM and noise density versus PXIe-5840/5841.

Q2: Can it reach 54 GHz?

A2: Native range is 30 MHz–26.5 GHz; pair with RMM-5585 remote measurement module for extension to 54 GHz.

Q3: Does it support MIMO phase coherence?

A3: Yes, T-Clk synchronization supports phase-coherent multi-VST operation for MIMO and phased array tests.

Q4: Is the FPGA programmable?

A4: Yes, onboard FPGA can be customized for real-time signal processing, triggers and algorithm acceleration.

Q5: What software is required to operate it?

A5: It works with NI LabVIEW, RFmx, TestStand and NI-RFSA / NI-RFSG instrument drivers.