3458A - "Error 209: Harware Failure: Timeout - Unable to read A/D"

[ManateeMafia]

What is it reading in AC 10V mode? Is it something unreaslistically high like 40V?

That would be an indication the Elantec IC is bad. I would have to look up its U number but it is common.

[Dr. Frank]

Hi to all,

..

A tech @ Keysight told me that my 3458a is an older version and needs to be updated with the newest ROM, which is way too expensive to add to the costs already put in.

I suspect a temperature drift or error somewhere... Anyone have an idea? Thanks in advance for any tip

Please identify your current ROM version, and the number of EPROMs inside your unit, very probably, it's a 6 IC version.

You can program the latest version, 8 or 9 ( no difference) by yourself, at no cost, if you erase the existing EPROMs and reprogram them.
There exist different versions of the firmware in the net, and somebody already had partitioned the newer 1 - chip -versions into 6 files .
All firmware versions will work with your board, and a re-calibration is also not necessary.

This will not cure your ACV problem, but will fix a number of bugs.

You might also equip your instrument with opt. 01, 128k additional memory, by adding 4 x32k RAMs.

The replacement of the CALRAM is also recommended, if its datecode it elder than 10 years.

Frank.

[texaspyro]

The replacement of the CALRAM is also recommended, if its datecode it elder than 10 years.

Frank.

Before mucking around with the memories,  I HIGHLY recommend making a backup copy of the CALRAM data.  I wrote a program (based on Poul-Henning Kamp's work) to do this over GPIB.  The backup program is now included in ke5fx's GPIBKIT package.  Note that you cannot write the calram over GPIB... you will need a device programmer to do that.  Once the calram chip is pulled, I'd also back it up using the device programmer... belts and suspenders are a good thing.

[leighcorrigall]

Hi all,

I am aware this is an old thread, but I ran into the "Error 209: Hardware Failure: Timeout - Unable to read A/D" when replacing an older U210 with a newer one.

Interestingly, the ACAL works on everything but AC. Also, there are no measurements, even when setting NPLC to 0.001.

This is what the U210 chips look like:
https://xdevs.com/doc/HP_Agilent_Keysight/3458A/a3pcbs/pcba_a3_d.jpg [original]
https://xdevs.com/doc/HP_Agilent_Keysight/3458A/a3pcbs/pcba_a3_n.jpg [replacement]

The reason for attempting a replacement is that the room when to 35 C one day in the summer and failed unexpectedly within the 3458A operating range. Now the drift is all over the place. I have hope that it is something else on the board besides the U180.

On replacement of U210, it appears that I need the daughter board (03458-66530) that is connected to U142 and U405. Luckily, someone has already reproduce the board for us on PCBWay:

https://www.pcbway.com/project/shareproject/EL2018_EL2252_board_for_HP_3458A_b625a37e.html

Has anyone 'uprgraded' their U210 before? What other board changes were made besides the daughter board? I do not see anything else significantly different.

Regards.

[Kleinstein]

U210 in the original is a gate array chip with digital logic. So it is not really a cadidate to have issue with a slightly higher temperature. I would consider a replacement there an odd attempt to fix a problem with high temperature. The replacements are some CPLDs/FPGAs with level shifters. As U210 replacements are rare this is more a change at production. Ideally there should be no extra changes needed, but not all version may work mechanically with all PCB versions.

The adapter board is not related and a replacement for the fast comperator with a dual version, that is slightly better available.

[leighcorrigall]

I replaced the two E2018 chips with the E2252 daughter board. Previously, the U210 chip was swapped.

The symptoms are the same:

There are sometimes readings on startup.
202, "Hardware Failure -- Slave Test: Convergence"
Test fails.
ACAL DC pass
ACAL OHMS pass
ACAL AC (instantly fails)
209, "Hardware Failure -- Timeout: Unable to Read A/D: 243"
101, "Calibration Error"

I tested the supply voltages for the A2 (AC) board:

+2V ... 2.5V +/- 1.2mV
+5Va ... 4.6V [questionable]
+18V ... 18.4V +/- 0.4mV
+14Va ... 14.0V
-18V ... -18.4V +/- 0.6mV
-15Vd ... 15.3V
-17Va ... 17.6V

Seems OK.

What I have noticed is that the board occasionally works when it is cold. I am wondering if a part or a solder joint could be bad somewhere.