Open Source DIY HP/Agilent 53131A 53132A 3Ghz Option 030

[RoadRunner]

I have bought my self 53132A and upgraded it with OCXO and 3Ghz option.
As there was no open source design available so i made my own , here the project page.
https://www.circuitvalley.com/2018/08/agilent-53132a-53131a-diy-open-source-3ghz-channel-option-030-board-hp.html


There is short video and few test.

[jadew]

I have bought my self 53132A and upgraded it with OCXO and 3Ghz option.
As there was no open source design available so i made my own , here the project page.
https://www.circuitvalley.com/2018/08/agilent-53132a-53131a-diy-open-source-3ghz-channel-option-030-board-hp.html

This is a direct clone of the HP design (straight form their service manual). Are you even allowed to opensource that? let alone claim that you made it.

Edit:
Also, those resistors you marked as anti-surge, in your schematic - that's not what they are.

As a disclaimer, I also sell a prescaler board for that counter, and it's similar to HP's design because there aren't many ways in which you can achieve this, especially at this price. Mine has better specs tho.

[RoadRunner]

I have bought my self 53132A and upgraded it with OCXO and 3Ghz option.
As there was no open source design available so i made my own , here the project page.
https://www.circuitvalley.com/2018/08/agilent-53132a-53131a-diy-open-source-3ghz-channel-option-030-board-hp.html

This is a direct clone of the HP design (straight form their service manual). Are you even allowed to opensource that? let alone claim that you made it.

Edit:
Also, those resistors you marked as anti-surge, in your schematic - that's not what they are.

As a disclaimer, I also sell a prescaler board for that counter, and it's similar to HP's design because there aren't many ways in which you can achieve this, especially at this price. Mine has better specs tho.

Schematic is already open from Agilent, Making own PCB designed based on any schematic absolutely allowed. I can definitely make open source what i made.

As per Bill of material input 10Ohm 2512 Resistor is definitely anti surge register.

Can you please say how your design has better specs?
Better sensitivity?

[jadew]

Can you please say how your design has better specs?
Better sensitivity?

Yeah, much better sensitivity.

[RoadRunner]

Can you please say how your design has better specs?
Better sensitivity?

Yeah, much better sensitivity.

i have tested my design upto -45dBm , which is way better than Agilent Spec.
what are your values?

[jadew]

i have tested my design upto -45dBm , which is way better than Agilent Spec.
what are your values?

-45 dBm at what frequency?


The best I got was -70 dBm on one board, but in a limited BW. The typical values are better than -45 dBm across most of the range, with almost every board hitting -60 dBm at some point.

For example (typical values, not best):
-49 dBm @ 500 MHz
-53 dBm @ 1 GHz
-53 dBm @ 2 GHz
-44 dBm @ 3 GHz

[RoadRunner]

i have tested my design upto -45dBm , which is way better than Agilent Spec.
what are your values?

-45 dBm at what frequency?


The best I got was -70 dBm on one board, but in a limited BW. The typical values are better than -45 dBm across most of the range, with almost every board hitting -60 dBm at some point.

For example (typical values, not best):
-49 dBm @ 500 MHz
-53 dBm @ 1 GHz
-53 dBm @ 2 GHz
-44 dBm @ 3 GHz

Thank you for numbers.
I do not have a real good RF Generator. I have function gen only upto 120Mhz. And my little RF Gen output level is not adjustable freely.
I can not test sensitivity at more than 120Mhz, i have sent this board to some one who has tested it, sensitivity was better at higher frequency.

Regards

[jadew]

Thank you for numbers.

N.P.


Cheers


Edit:

I do not have a real good RF Generator. I have function gen only upto 120Mhz. And my little RF Gen output level is not adjustable freely.
I can not test sensitivity at more than 120Mhz, i have sent this board to some one who has tested it, sensitivity was better at higher frequency.

A manual step attenuator would go a long way, but they're not as flat as you'd want them to be.

[usagi]

Bought one of these circuitvalley boards for my 53131a and tested it to my CMU200 with RG316:

100mhz -34.3
200mhz -50
300mhz -53.2
400mhz -55.1
500mhz -56
1000mhz -54.8
1500mhz -49.7
2000mhz -34.1
2700mhz -32.6

i think it works OK. adequate for my needs.

[max-bit]

Almost 10 years ago I made a divider up to 12 GHz
Sensitivity up to 10 GHz was ~ -40 dBm, at 12 GHz it dropped to ~ -20 dBm
Photos and diagram below:

 

[TERRA Operative]

Interesting patterns in the vias, was the placement simulated or designed that way or is it just randomly done?