Author Topic: Agilent N1996A LF operations.  (Read 901 times)

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Offline wd5jfrTopic starter

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Agilent N1996A LF operations.
« on: February 07, 2023, 03:16:38 am »
The system screen indicates that all options are installed and it covers 100kHz to 6GHz.  I want to sweep some 455 kHz IF filters and I can't set the Start Frequency below 10 mHz. It automatically goes to 10 mHz for any number below 10 mHz.  I hope it's me doing something incorrectly and not the CSA! Any guidance appreciated. Thanks
Hank
 

Offline chilternview

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Re: Agilent N1996A LF operations.
« Reply #1 on: February 07, 2023, 06:18:47 am »
I believe that the stimulus/response unit on that model only goes from 10MHz up, so you may be out of luck.
 

Offline TheSteve

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Re: Agilent N1996A LF operations.
« Reply #2 on: February 07, 2023, 07:02:45 am »
Correct, the return loss bridge is not spec'd for operation below 10 MHz. That doesn't mean the firmware can't be "tweaked" though.  >:D
« Last Edit: February 07, 2023, 07:04:18 am by TheSteve »
VE7FM
 

Offline wd5jfrTopic starter

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Re: Agilent N1996A LF operations.
« Reply #3 on: February 07, 2023, 12:42:22 pm »
Hey Steve
Thanks for the response and now for 3 questions.
!.  How did you get down to 7 mHz?
2.  What does the 100 kHz spec mean as far as when and how can the CSA be used at 100mHz?
3.  I just want to sweep the filter which with a SA doesn't  require a  RLB, so can it be configured to do a sweep without its RLB?
Thanks
Hank
« Last Edit: February 07, 2023, 12:51:13 pm by wd5jfr »
 

Offline TheSteve

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Re: Agilent N1996A LF operations.
« Reply #4 on: February 07, 2023, 04:11:26 pm »
The Spectrum Analyzer is spec'd to 100 kHz. The signal source begins at 10 MHz. I have used it lower but I don't recall how low I had it operating as it was quite a few years ago now. The instructions on how to alter the freq range are in a post on this forum somewhere. I recall you need to login via telnet and then edit a text file.
VE7FM
 

Offline PA0PBZ

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Re: Agilent N1996A LF operations.
« Reply #5 on: February 07, 2023, 04:47:10 pm »
Or just use a noise source, the SA goes down to 100KHz so well within reach.
Keyboard error: Press F1 to continue.
 

Offline wd5jfrTopic starter

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Re: Agilent N1996A LF operations.
« Reply #6 on: February 08, 2023, 01:48:15 pm »
Hey Paul
Thanks for the suggestion.  There's a lot of rf noise sources on Ebay and a few on Amazon and Aliexpress.  I've never used one so I would appreciate any recommendations  for one that goes to 10mHz as the CSA is go to go after that.  I think I rather go with Amazon rather than have to wait on China.
Thanks
Hank
 


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