New firmware for Keysight 3446xA/34470A version 2.17

[TheSteve]

Looks like Keysight recently released new firmware for the 34460A/34461A/34465A/34470A series of bench DMM's.

Firmware here:
https://www.keysight.com/main/software.jspx?ckey=2367633&lc&cc

Release notes here:
https://www.keysight.com/upload/cmc_upload/All/Firmware_2_17_Release_Notes.pdf

34460A/34461A/34465A/34470A Revision 2.17 Enhancements and Fixes

1. Firmware modifications to support and recognize the new measurement board within the instrument.
2. Resolved a defect that caused the DMM to down-range with a 1000V range specified in the
CONFigure:VOLTage:AC command together with SENSe:VOLTage:AC:RANGe:AUTO ON, thus producing
two readings.
3. Resolved a defect where the DMM would incorrectly accept negative values for
CALCulate:SCALe:DBM:REFerence.
4. Resolved a defect where CONFigure:VOLTage:DC and CONFigure:VOLTage:DC:RATio would not set the
impedance (Input Z) to ‘Auto’.


Doesn't seem like anything too major but it is interesting to read about a new measurement board - perhaps they have made a change with respect to the whole maximum voltage issue?

[Faith]

1. Firmware modifications to support and recognize the new measurement board within the instrument.

(...)

Doesn't seem like anything too major but it is interesting to read about a new measurement board - perhaps they have made a change with respect to the whole maximum voltage issue?

From earlier this year:

Keysight has begun redesigning the 3446XA and 34470A digital multimeters to reinstate the original maximum input ratings of 1000VDC/750VAC. We have set a goal to ship the redesigned products by December of 2017, and will make every effort to begin shipment sooner than that.

Emphasis mine. It's now December... so I guess that's related?

[HighVoltage]

Thanks for pointing the new FW out, I had not seen this.

Also interesting for Keysight to point to the new hardware.
Hmm, may be they made some changes after all.

[AndyC_772]

Hard to see why new firmware would be needed just because of a voltage rating somewhere in the front-end. Usually a firmware update would imply some change that can't be backward compatible, ie. some new circuit that needs to be driven differently to an old one.

[Dr. Frank]

I've updated my 34465A, and now a new licensing option shows up, when you press HELP => ABOUT.

There's now: AVG - Enable AC average measurements.

I can't find that license on the support site, nor any description, what's behind.
Does anybody have a clue?

Frank

[HighVoltage]

I updated one of my 34465A and 34470A and both showed up with the new AVG option.
Also, there is no info in the release notes.
Hmm, may be time to send an email to Keysight.

[HighVoltage]

I just updated two of my 34461A
The installation went smooth and both show up with the new AVG option (Not installed)