Products > Test Equipment

Making the N1996A CSA Dance

(1/2) > >>

Gandalf_Sr:
I got myself a used Agilent N1996A CSA Spectrum Analyzer on eBay, it was delivered yesterday and I thought I'd start this thread to a) allow me to ask dumb questions as I learn how it works and b) to allow others to learn from my experience.

First Thoughts
This just oozes of quality, it's solid and heavy with bumper feet at every corner.  The color LCD screen is about 8.25 inches diagonally and very high resolution (need reading glasses).  It came with no batteries but when I checked on Agilent's web site, this was how the standard version was delivered - i.e. batteries are an option.  It seems Agilent used a commercial, off-the-shelf rechargeable battery which can still be purchased for about $150 (each, it takes 2) and the part numbers I've found so far are:
1420-0891, 1420-0899, 9770066, N9910X-870, NF2040, NF2040-AG24, SM206, SM206-5.2 please don't treat this as gospel, tell me if any is not compatible and I'll amend the list.  Anyway, I can run with no batteries for now.

Supporting Stuff
I've ordered some medium priced cables, adapters, and attenuaters to get me started.  I decided that, going to 3 or 6 GHz means that I should standardize on SMA connectors so I've got N-male to SMA female adapters, SMA cables, and SMA - RP-SMA gender changers.  I've also ordered some BNC adapters to allow me to interface with my other stuff like my Rigol DG4202 signal generator.  I'm also considering a Nortel NTBW50AA GPS-modified oscillator to give me accurate 10 MHz signal for my lab.

Gandalf_Sr:
First dumb question - how do I connect a serial terminal to this?  If I set up the LAN connection, can I then use Hyperterminal from a PC?  Although there is a LOT of documentation out on the web for programming and remotely controlling this puppy, this simple aspect seems to have been overlooked.

[EDIT] OK, I figured out the first part.  On my N1996A, I had to go into System>Controls>IP Admin and change IP Config to DHCP. Then you have to restart the N1996A and you'll see the IP address that your DHCP server has assigned to the CSA.  I use Windows 10 and Telnet is disabled by default so you have to enable it - follow the instructions here

bingo600:

--- Quote from: Gandalf_Sr on November 15, 2015, 12:21:21 pm ---  I use Windows 10 and Telnet is disabled by default

--- End quote ---

Install Putty , and get a decent Terminal package , bonus is that it's also available on Linux.

http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/download.html

/Bingo

Gandalf_Sr:
The first N1996A I bought had a problem and I returned it. 

I got a different one over the Xmas break and I'm only just getting to play with it - the testing procedure for performing a one port insertion loss measurement requires some calibration up front and the built-in procedure requires a short, an open, and a calibrated 50 Ohm load.  Given that I'm working with SMA I thought I'd look for these 3 items in SMA so I can do tests and I'm looking for advice an what to buy...

Does anyone know of any reasonably-priced stuff that would meet my needs?

Is 3.5 mm stuff way better than SMA and is it compatible? I think it is.

Thanks in advance.

TheSteve:
Well you can spend real money on a name brand kit or go with something cheap like ebay item # 371528395137 - who knows how good it really is but the price is a magnitude(or two!) cheaper then something name brand. For spectrum analyzer use I suspect the cheapie kit may actually meet your needs.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page

There was an error while thanking
Thanking...
Go to full version
Powered by SMFPacks Advanced Attachments Uploader Mod