Agilent Technologies N5242A User manual

Service Guide
N5241A
(10 MHz–13.5 GHz)
and
N5242A
(10 MHz–26.5 GHz)
Agilent Technologies
2-Port and 4-Port PNA-X
Microwave Network Analyzers
Part Number N5242-90001
Printed in USA
September 10, 2009
Supersedes Print Date: September 2, 2009
©Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2007-2009

ii Service Guide N5242-90001
Warranty Statement
THE MATERIAL CONTAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED “AS IS,” AND IS SUBJECT
TO BEING CHANGED, WITHOUT NOTICE, IN FUTURE EDITIONS. FURTHER, TO THE
MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, AGILENT DISCLAIMS ALL
WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WITH REGARD TO THIS MANUAL AND
ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE. AGILENT SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ERRORS OR FOR INCIDENTAL
OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE FURNISHING, USE, OR
PERFORMANCE OF THIS DOCUMENT OR ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN.
SHOULD AGILENT AND THE USER HAVE A SEPARATE WRITTEN AGREEMENT WITH
WARRANTY TERMS COVERING THE MATERIAL IN THIS DOCUMENT THAT CONFLICT
WITH THESE TERMS, THE WARRANTY TERMS IN THE SEPARATE AGREEMENT WILL
CONTROL.
DFARS/Restricted Rights Notice
If software is for use in the performance of a U.S. Government prime contract or
subcontract, Software is delivered and licensed as “Commercial computer software” as
defined in DFAR 252.227-7014 (June 1995), or as a “commercial item” as defined in FAR
2.101(a) or as “Restricted computer software” as defined in FAR 52.227-19 (June 1987) or
any equivalent agency regulation or contract clause. Use, duplication or disclosure of
Software is subject to Agilent Technologies’ standard commercial license terms, and
non-DOD Departments and Agencies of the U.S. Government will receive no greater than
Restricted Rights as defined in FAR 52.227-19(c)(1-2) (June 1987). U.S. Government users
will receive no greater than Limited Rights as defined in FAR 52.227-14 (June 1987) or
DFAR 252.227-7015 (b)(2) (November 1995), as applicable in any technical data.
Certification
Agilent Technologies, Inc. certifies that this product met its published specifications at the
time of shipment from the factory. Agilent Technologies, Inc. further certifies that its
calibration measurements are traceable to the United States National Institute of
Standards and Technology, to the extent allowed by the Institute's calibration facility, and
to the calibration facilities of other International Standards Organization members.

Service Guide N5242-90001 iii
Assistance
Product maintenance agreements and other customer assistance agreements are available
for Agilent Technologies, Inc. products. For information about these agreements and for
other assistance, contact Agilent. Refer to “Contacting Agilent” on page 2-15.
Safety and Regulatory Information
The safety and regulatory information pertaining to this product is located in Chapter 1,
“Safety and Regulatory Information.”
Safety Notes
The following safety notes are used throughout this manual. Familiarize yourself with
each of the notes and its meaning before operating this instrument. All pertinent safety
notes for using this product are located in Chapter 1, “Safety and Regulatory Information.”
WARNING Warning denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a procedure which, if
not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in injury or loss
of life. Do not proceed beyond a warning note until the indicated
conditions are fully understood and met.
CAUTION Caution denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a procedure that, if not
correctly performed or adhered to, could result in damage to or destruction of
the instrument. Do not proceed beyond a caution sign until the indicated
conditions are fully understood and met.

iv Service Guide N5242-90001
Documentation Map
The online Help files are embedded in the analyzer, offering quick
reference to programming and user documentation. From the Help
drop-down menu, you can access the Help system in five different
languages. Also, you can view the Analyzer Product Overview
multimedia presentation and access the analyzer’s Web page.
The Installation and Quick Start Guide helps you to quickly
familiarize yourself with the analyzer. Procedures are provided for
installing, configuring, and verifying the operation of the analyzer.
Printing Copies of Documentation from the Web
To print copies of documentation from the Web, download the PDF file from the Agilent
web site:
•Gotohttp://www.agilent.com.
• Enter the document’s part number (located on the title page) in the Quick Search box.
• Click GO.

Contents
Service Guide N5242-90001 Contents-1
1 Safety and Regulatory Information
Information in This Chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2
Chapter One at-a-Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-2
Safety Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3
General Safety Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3
Safety Earth Ground . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3
Before Applying Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-3
Servicing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-4
Electrostatic Discharge Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-6
Regulatory Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-7
Instrument Markings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-7
Lithium Battery Disposal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1-8
2 General Product Information
Information in This Chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2
Chapter Two at-a-Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-2
Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Physical Maintenance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Electrical Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Analyzer Options Available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Options as Upgrades. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Option H08, Pulsed RF Measurement Capability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Option H85, High Power Configuration Capability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-3
Option 010, Time Domain Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4
Option 020, Add IF Inputs for Antenna and Millimeter-Wave. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4
Option 021, Add Pulse Modulator to 1st Internal Source. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4
Option 022, Add Pulse Modulator to 2nd Internal Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4
Option 025, Add Four Internal Pulse Generators. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4
Option 029, Noise Figure Measurement Capability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4
Option 080, Frequency Offset Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-5
Option 082, Scalar Calibrated Converter Measurements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-5
Option 083, Vector and Scalar Calibrated Frequency Converter Measurements . . . . . . . .2-5
Option 1CM, Rack Mount Kit for Instruments without Handles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-5
Option 1CP, Rack Mount Flange Kit for Instruments with Handles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-5
Option 200, Standard 2-Port Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-5
Option 219, 2-Port with Extended Power Range and Bias Tees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-6
Option 224, 2-Port with 2nd Source, Combiner, and Mechanical Switches. . . . . . . . . . . . .2-6
Option 400, Standard 4-Port Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-6
Option 419, 4-Port with Extended Power Range and Bias Tees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-6
Option 423, 4-Port with Combiner, and Mechanical Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-6
Option 551, N-Port Calibrated Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-6
Option 897, Built-In Tests for Commercial Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-7
Option 898 Built-In Tests for Standards Compliant Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-7
Calibration Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-8
Analyzer Upgrades Available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-9
Analyzer Accessories Available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-11
CD-RW Drive–N4688A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-11
USB Hub–N4689A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-11
Pulse I/O Adapter–N1966A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-11

Contents-2 Service Guide N5242-90001
Contents
Required Service Test Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-12
Agilent Support, Services, and Assistance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Service and Support Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
Contacting Agilent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-15
Shipping Your Analyzer to Agilent for Service or Repair. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-15
3 Tests and Adjustments
Information in This Chapter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-2
Conventions Used for Hardkeys, Softkeys, and Menu Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Chapter Three at-a-Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-2
Before You Begin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Verify the Operating Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Protect Against Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Allow the Analyzer to Warm Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-4
Review the Principles of Connector Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
About System Verification and Performance Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
System Specifications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
Instrument Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-6
System Verification Procedure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Performance Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-7
Certificate of Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-8
ANSI/NCSL Z540–1–1994 Verification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-9
Non-ANSI/NCSL Z540–1–1994 Verification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-10
Preliminary Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
The Operator’s Check. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-11
The Test Port Cable Checks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-13
System Verification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-20
What the System Verification Verifies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-20
Measurement Uncertainty. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-21
Measurement Traceability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-22
Performing System Verification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-23
Performance Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-29
Source Power Accuracy Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-29
Source Maximum Power Output Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30
Source Power Linearity Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-30
Frequency Accuracy Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-31
Trace Noise Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-31
Receiver Compression Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-32
Noise Floor Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-33
Calibration Coefficients Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-34
Dynamic Accuracy Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-35
Adjustments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-36
10 MHz Frequency Reference Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-37
IF Gain Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-38
Synthesizer Bandwidth Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-38
Source Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-39
Receiver Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-40
Receiver Characterization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-43
EE Default Adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-43

Contents
Service Guide N5242-90001 Contents-3
Noise Figure Adjustment (Available Only with Option 029 Installed) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-44
4 Troubleshooting
Information in This Chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-2
Chapter Four at-a-Glance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-2
Conventions Used for Hardkeys, Softkeys, and Menu Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3
Operating the Analyzer With Covers Removed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3
Protect Against Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3
Assembly Replacement Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-3
Getting Started with Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-4
Check the Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-4
Troubleshooting Organization . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-5
Power Up Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-6
Power Supply Check . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-7
Troubleshooting LCD Display Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-12
Front Panel Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-13
Front Panel Keypad and RPG Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-13
A3 Display Test . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-15
Checking the A2 USB Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-16
A1 Front Panel Interface Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-16
Rear Panel Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-17
Checking the USB Ports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-17
Checking the CONTROLLER Port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-17
LAN Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-18
Measurement System Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-23
Before you begin—consider: Where do you see a problem? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-23
Verifying the A, B, C, D, and R Traces (Standard S-Parameter Mode) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-25
Where to Begin Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-27
Checking the Source Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-29
Checking the Signal Separation Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-33
Checking the Receiver Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-37
Instrument Block Diagrams Sheet 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-41
Microwave PNA, N5241A/42A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-41
Instrument Block Diagrams Sheet 2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-43
Microwave PNA, N5241A/42A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4-43
5 Theory of Operation
Information in This Chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-2
Chapter Five at-a-Glance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-2
Network Analyzer System Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-3
Functional Groups of the Network Analyzer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-4
Synthesized Source Group Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-7
Basic Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-7
A4, A13, and A11 13.5 GHz Synthesizer Boards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-10
A5 and A8 26.5 GHz Source Boards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-10
A21 Multiplier/Amplifier 26.5 Board (HMA26.5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-11
A10 Frequency Reference Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-11
A19 Test Set Motherboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-12

Contents-4 Service Guide N5242-90001
Contents
Signal Separation Group Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-16
Configurable Test Set . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-16
A25–A28 Bridges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5-17
A29–A32 Test Port Couplers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-17
A34–A37 65-dB Source Step Attenuators and A38–A41 Bias Tees (Optional). . . . . . . . . 5-20
A46–A49 Mechanical Switches and A50 Combiner (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-20
Receiver Group Operation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
A42–A45 35-dB Receiver Step Attenuators (Optional) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
A33 Reference Mixer Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
A23 and A24 Mixer Bricks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-21
A20 IF Multiplexer Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
A12 SPAM Board (Analog Description). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-24
Noise Measurement Group Operation (Option 029) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27
A52 and A53 Test Port 1 and 2 Option 029 Switches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27
A54 Test Port 2 Option 029 Bridge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27
A55 Noise Downconverter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27
A7 Noise Receiver Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-27
Digital Processing and Digital Control Group Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-29
Front Panel Subgroup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-31
Data Acquisition and Processing Subgroup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-32
Power Supply Group Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-34
6 Replaceable Parts
Information in This Chapter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-2
Chapter Six at-a-Glance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-2
Ordering Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Assembly Replacement Sequence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-3
Rebuilt-Exchange Assemblies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Replaceable Parts Listings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-5
Front Panel Assembly, Front Side, All Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-10
Front Panel Assembly, Back Side, All Options. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-12
Top Assemblies, All Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-14
Top Cables, All Cables—All Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-16
Bottom Assemblies, Standard 2-Port Configuration, Option 200 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-18
Bottom RF Cables, Standard 2-Port Configuration, Option 200 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-20
Bottom Ribbon Cables and Wire Harnesses, Standard 2-Port Configuration, Option 200 . . .
6-22
Bottom Assemblies, 2-Port, Option 219 (including Option 029) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-24
Bottom RF Cables, 2-Port, Option 219 without Option 029 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-26
Bottom RF Cables, 2-Port, Option 219 with Option 029 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-28
Bottom Ribbon Cables and Wire Harnesses, 2-Port, Option 219 (including Option 029) 6-30
Bottom Assemblies, 2-Port, Option 224 (including Option 029) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-32
Bottom RF Cables, 2-Port, Option 224 without Option 029 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-34
Bottom RF Cables, 2-Port, Option 224 with Option 029 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-36
Bottom Ribbon Cables and Wire Harnesses, 2-Port, Option 224 (including Option 029) 6-38
Bottom Assemblies, Standard 4-Port Configuration, Option 400 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-40
Bottom RF Cables, Standard 4-Port Configuration, Option 400 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-42
Bottom Ribbon Cables and Wire Harnesses, Standard 4-Port Configuration, Option 400 . . .
6-44

Contents
Service Guide N5242-90001 Contents-5
Bottom Assemblies, 4-Port, Option 419 (including Option 029). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-46
Bottom RF Cables, 4-Port, Option 419 without Option 029 (Ports 1 and 2) . . . . . . . . . . .6-48
Bottom RF Cables, 4-Port, Option 419 with Option 029 (Ports 1 and 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-50
Bottom RF Cables, 4-Port, Option 419 without Option 029 (Ports 3 and 4) . . . . . . . . . . .6-52
Bottom RF Cables, 4-Port, Option 419 with Option 029 (Ports 3 and 4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-54
Bottom Ribbon Cables and Wire Harnesses, 4-Port, Option 419 (including Option 029).6-56
Bottom Assemblies, 4-Port, Option 423 (including Option 029). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-58
Bottom RF Cables, 4-Port, Option 423 without Option 029 (Ports 1 and 2) . . . . . . . . . . .6-60
Bottom RF Cables, 4-Port, Option 423 with Option 029 (Ports 1 and 2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-62
Bottom RF Cables, 4-Port, Option 423 without Option 029 (Ports 3 and 4) . . . . . . . . . . .6-64
Bottom RF Cables, 4-Port, Option 423 with Option 029 (Ports 3 and 4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-66
Bottom Ribbon Cables and Wire Harnesses, 4-Port, Option 423 (including Option 029).6-68
Top Hardware and Miscellaneous Parts, All Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-70
Bottom Hardware and Miscellaneous Parts, All Options Except 029 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-72
Bottom Hardware and Miscellaneous Parts, Option 029 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-74
Internal Hardware and Miscellaneous Parts, All Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-76
External Hardware and Miscellaneous Parts, All Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-78
Rear Panel Assembly, All Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-80
Miscellaneous Part Numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6-82
7 Repair and Replacement Procedures
Information in This Chapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-2
Chapter Seven at-a-Glance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-2
Personal Safety Warnings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-3
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-3
Removal and Replacement Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-4
Removing the Covers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-6
Removing and Replacing the Front Panel Assembly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-8
Removing and Replacing the A1–A3 and Other Front Panel Subassemblies. . . . . . . . . . . .7-10
Removing and Replacing the A4–A13 Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-14
Removing and Replacing the A14 System Motherboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-16
Removing and Replacing the A15 Midplane Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-18
Removing and Replacing the A16 Power Supply Assembly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-20
Removing and Replacing the A17 CPU Board Assembly. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-22
Removing and Replacing the A18 GPIB Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-24
Removing and Replacing the A19 Test Set Motherboard. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-26
Removing and Replacing the A20 IF Multiplexer Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-28
Removing and Replacing the A21 HMA26.5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-30
Removing and Replacing the A22 Splitter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-32
Removing and Replacing the A23 and A24 Mixer Bricks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-34
Removing and Replacing the A25–A28 Bridges and Bridge Mounting Brackets. . . . . . . . .7-36
Removing and Replacing the A29–A32 Test Port Couplers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-38
Removing and Replacing the A33 Reference Mixer Switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-40
Removing and Replacing the A34–A37 Source Attenuators, the A38–A41 Bias Tees, and the
A42–A45 Receiver Attenuators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-42
Removing and Replacing the A38–A41 Bias Tees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-44
Removing and Replacing the A46–A49 Bypass Switches and the A50 Combiner . . . . . . . .7-46
Removing and Replacing the A51 Hard Disk Drive (HDDA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-48
Removing and Replacing the A52 and A53 Option 029 Test Port Switches . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-54

Contents-6 Service Guide N5242-90001
Contents
Removing and Replacing the A54 Option 029 Test Port 2 Bridge and the A55 Option 029 Noise
Downconverter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-56
Removing and Replacing the Rear Panel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-58
Removing and Replacing the Front Panel LED Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-60
Removing and Replacing the Fans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-62
Removing and Replacing the Lithium Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-64
Post-Repair Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7-68
8 General Purpose Maintenance Procedures
Information in This Chapter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-2
Chapter Eight at-a-Glance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
Conventions Used for Hardkeys, Softkeys, and Menu Items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-2
Error Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
Using Error Terms as a Diagnostic Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-3
Performing Measurement Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
Using Flowgraphs to Identify Error Terms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-4
Accessing Error Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8-8
Error Term Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-10
Option Enable Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-13
Accessing the Option Enable Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-13
Option Entitlement Certificate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-13
Enabling or Removing Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-14
Repairing and Recovering Option Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-15
Installing or Changing a Serial Number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-16
Firmware Upgrades. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-17
How to Check the Current Firmware Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-17
Downloading from the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-17
Operating System Recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-18
Recovering from Hard Disk Drive Problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-18
Correction Constants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-19
Storing Correction Constants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-19