Controlling HP S-parameters test set(8513/14/15/16/17) with custom FW

[klondike]

Hi there,

There was a thread couple years back about using a HP 851x S parameter test set without a HP 8510C. https://www.eevblog.com/forum/rf-microwave/how-to-use-a-hp8517-s-parameter-test-set-without-a-hp510c/

Unfortunately, the internal HPIB commands listed in the thread doesn't actually set the relays for the attenuators and samplers as one would hope.

After painstakingly reverse engineered the A3 VTO/sampler summing AMP, A5 Attenuator Driver and A4 MCU/HPIB assemblies and the HP FW, I was able to write my now mc6800 FW that will accept custom HPIB commands to control each sampler, VTO bias, attenuators for both ports and fwd/rev switch. Basically I can controller every essential component and LEDs on the S parameter test set to allow one to take full control of the instrument.

My goal is to develop my own Software Defined Radio to do awesome stuff(VNA is one of many) with the test set. Is there anyone interested in pursuing similar project? If it benefits the community, I will clean up and document my findings and put my FW in a GitHub so others can save some time and headache.

[jjoonathan]

Congrats! This is something I thought about doing back in the day but it seemed like a lot of work -- which you have now done. The next person to need this will be thankful! 

[rplabs]

Hi,

Very nice project. I am definitely interested. I have a spare 8514B to play with.

Many thanks for your hard work!