Agilent Vector Signal Analysis Basics - Agilent Technologies

Interpreting vector diagrams
When viewing signals in the I-Q plane, keep in mind that you are looking
at the signal amplitude and phase relative to the carrier. The unmodulated
carrier is the phase reference (0 degrees). In Figure 2-11, each of the detected
symbols modulate the carrier at differing amplitudes and phases relative
to the unmodulated carrier, but at the same frequency as the carrier. If the
detected symbols were at different frequencies than the unmodulated carrier,
they would appear to move as they continuously gain or lose phase relative
to the unmodulated carrier. Also, digital modulation is a 3-dimensional
measurement, modulation in terms of its I (in-phase) and Q (quadrature)
components versus time. The IQ diagram is only a 2-dimensional display, so
the time parameter, which cannot be seen, is perpendicular to the I-Q plane
(or CRT screen).
Constellation Diagram
Figure 2-11b shows the constellation diagram for the same QPSK signal. The
constellation diagram shows the carrier magnitude and phase synchronous
with the symbol clock. The measurement points are commonly referred to
as detection decision points and represent the detected symbols. It is similar
to the I-Q diagram, without showing the transition traces between states.
Ideally all symbols should appear as a single point centered at the ideal
state location (indicated by the crosshairs). The ideal state is where symbols
occur if your signal is without error. However, signal impairments and other
modulation errors cause deviations and the symbols will disperse and
surround the ideal state location. The VSA allows you to put definable error
limit circles around the ideal states. Showing the actual detected symbols
versus the ideal states gives you a visual indication of the quality of your
signal. Constellation diagrams help identify such signal impairments as
amplitude imbalance, quadrature error, or phase noise.
Error vector magnitude (EVM)
The most widely used modulation quality metric in digital communications
systems is error vector magnitude (EVM). The error vector is the vector
difference at a given time between the ideal reference signal and the measured
signal. See Figure 2-12. The error vector is a complex quantity that contains
a magnitude and phase component. It is important not to confuse the
magnitude of the error vector with the magnitude error, or the phase of
the error vector with the phase error.
Q
I-Q
magnitude
error
Error
vector
EVM [n] = I err[n] 2 + Q err[n] 2 I err
where [n] = measurement at
the symbol time
I err = I ref - I meas
Q err = Q ref - Q meas
Q err
I-Q measured
Phase
error
I-Q reference
Ø
EVM
Error vector
phase
I
Figure 2-12. Error vector magnitude (EVM); difference between actual measured signal and ideal
reference signal
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