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Products => Test Equipment => Topic started by: Leo Bodnar on January 08, 2020, 06:37:42 pm

Title: Aeroflex PN9000 phase noise measurement system
Post by: Leo Bodnar on January 08, 2020, 06:37:42 pm

I have an Aeroflex PN9000 system main module without PC digitiser and software.  These are often listed on eBay for anywhere between $200 to $20,000.

From what I understand it is just a dumb frontend - mixer, filter, LNA and PLL loop - like HP 11848A.
I have pulled all the modules out and did not find anything more intelligent than a GBIP controller.  Just a bunch of almost homemade quality perfboards with simple PTH  analogue circuits, relays and simple digital logic.

Does anybody have one of them and can shed some light on how does it communicate with the rest of their system?  Is there a known GPIB protocol?  I doubt there will be anything parsable.  If it is anything like 11848A then it is just bit-banging at a specified GPIB address.

It is also known as NoiseXT/Aeroflex/Cobham/Weinschel/IFR/Marconi/Europtest and whatnot else PN9000...

Cheers
Leo

Title: Re: Aeroflex PN9000 phase noise measurement system
Post by: Leo Bodnar on January 10, 2020, 04:34:57 pm

This is how insert modules look inside.  I believe HEF4738 is just a simple interface that latches GP-IB data in and out of parallel registers in individual modules.
Leo

Title: Re: Aeroflex PN9000 phase noise measurement system
Post by: Gytis on September 02, 2020, 09:54:45 pm

I was wondering if you had any progress on cracking into that PN9000 interface?

Title: Re: Aeroflex PN9000 phase noise measurement system
Post by: Dany on October 16, 2020, 05:08:02 pm

hi,
I have the original software for the PN8000 model.
I think it might work for yours too
Dany

Title: Re: Aeroflex PN9000 phase noise measurement system
Post by: NiaDebesis on May 08, 2021, 10:50:21 am

Hi, I have the same system.

You also need a spacial card that plug in in a ISA slot in the pc.

You are forced to have WIN95 system to control the hardware.

Title: Re: Aeroflex PN9000 phase noise measurement system
Post by: nonlinear on May 09, 2021, 08:05:41 pm

Hi.

I also have such system equipped with Win98.

Can send SW and picture of the card.

Title: Re: Aeroflex PN9000 phase noise measurement system
Post by: Krysz on December 28, 2023, 11:35:27 am

Hi
Does anyone have a service manual for this type?
Thanks