Agilent Technologies 8560 E-Series User manual

Quick Reference Guide
Agilent Technologies
8560 E-Series and EC-Series
Spectrum Analyzers
Manufacturing Part Number: 08560-90159
Printed in USA November 2000
© Copyright 1993 −2000 Agilent Technologies
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Introduction
This Quick Reference Guide is a convenient reference for b oth manual and
automated measurements. It is provided for the exp erienced spectrum analyzer
user.
Chapter 1 gives an overview of front-panel keys and connectors, rear-panel
connectors, and display annotation.
Chapter 2 leads you through a simple measurement procedure.
Chapter 3 diagrams the front-panel key lo cation menus.
Chapter 4 do cuments front-panel key and softkey functions.
Chapter 5 do cuments programming commands and information.
Chapter 6 do cuments the error messages.
Appendix A provides simplied blo ck diagrams of the instruments.
For additional instrument information, consult the:
Agilent Technologies 8560 E-Series and EC-Series Spectrum Analyzers User's
Guide
Agilent Technologies 8560 E-Series and EC-Series Spectrum Analyzers
Calibration Guide
iii

Contents
1. InstrumentOverview
The FrontPanel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
Display Annotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
The Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
2. Making a Basic Measurement
Reference Level Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-6
3. MenuTrees
4. FrontPanel Key Functions
Finding the FrontPanel Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
Key Descriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-15
5. Programming Reference
Programming Commands (functional index) . . . . . . . . . 5-2
Key versus Programming Command . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
Mass Memory Mo dule Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-37
Programming Commands (alphab etical index) . . . . . . . . 5-42
Notation Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-88
Syntax Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-89
Secondary Key Word Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-90
6. Error Messages
A. Blo ck Diagrams
Contents-1

Figures
1-1. 8560 E-Series and EC-Series FrontPanel . . . . . . . . . . 1-2
1-2. Display Annotation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-6
1-3. 8560 E-Series Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-8
1-4. 8560 EC-Series Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-9
2-1. 300 MHz Center Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-2
2-2. 20 MHz Frequency Span . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3
2-3. Activated Normal Marker . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-4
2-4. 0 10 dBm Reference Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-5
2-5. Peaked Signal to Reference Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-7
Tables
1-1. Front-Panel Connector Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-4
4-1. FrontPanel Softkey Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-2
4-2. Conversion-Loss Flatness Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-21
4-3. External Mixing Frequency Bands and Recommended
Harmonics (For Unpreselected External Mixers) . . . . . 4-25
5-1. FrontPanel Key Versus Command . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-22
5-2. Mass Memory Mo dule Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5-37
6-1. Remote Operation Errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-2
6-2. Data and Other User-Generated Errors . . . . . . . . . . 6-4
Contents-2

1
Instrument Overview
This chapter introduces the front-panel and rear-panel keys and connectors on
the 8560 E-Series and EC-Series spectrum analyzers. Complete descriptions
of each front-panel function are in Chapter 5 of the 8560 E-Series and 8560
EC-Series User's Guide.
Instrument Overview 1-1

The Front Panel
Figure 1-1. 8560 E-Series and EC-Series Front Panel
1. FREQUENCY, SPAN, and AMPLITUDE are the fundamental functions for
most measurements. The HOLD key freezes the active function and holds it
at a set value until a function key is pressed again. HOLD also blanks the
softkey menu and expands the graticule display horizontally to ll the full
CRT.
2. INSTRUMENT STATE functions generally aect the state of the entire
spectrum analyzer, not just the state of a single function.
3. MARKER functions read out frequencies and amplitudes along the
spectrum analyzer trace, let you make relative measurements, automatically
lo cate the signal of highest amplitude on a trace, and tune the analyzer to
track a signal automatically.
4. CONTROL functions allowyou to adjust the resolution and video
bandwidths, the sweep time, and the display, and let you vary other
functions that control spectrum analyzer measurement capabilities.
1-2 Instrument Overview

5. DATAkeys, STEP keys, and the knob allowyou to change the numeric
value of an active function. Use the data keys to enter an exact value or
to move quickly from one end of the frequency range to the other. The
step keys vary a value in predened increments or, for some functions, in
increments that you cho ose. The knob allows you to ne-tune most numeric
values.
6. The front-panel connectors include an RF input, an active-probe power,
a 300 MHz calibrator signal, a 310.7 MHz IF input (not available on the
8560E/EC ,Option 002), and a rst LO output. A short sp ecication
summary of these connectors is outlined in Table 1-1.Avolume knob is
provided for making adjustments to the volume of the built-in sp eak
er. The
LINE button turns the sp ectrum analyzer on and o. The LED ab o
ve the
LINE button indicates whether or not ac p o
wer is applied to the spectrum
analyzer.
Caution
Do not exceed the maximum safe input lev
els. This can
damage the input attenuator and the input mixer. The
maximum input level to the 50 RF input is +30 dBm with a
minimum of 10 dB input attenuation.
The 8560E/EC, 8561E/EC, and 8562E/EC can be ac or
dc coupled. When ac coupled, the maximum dc input v
oltage
is 6 50 V. When dc coupled, the maximum dc input v
oltage
< 0.2 V. The default p ower-up mo de is ac coupled, whichis
best for maximum protection.
The 8563E/EC, 8564E/EC, and 8565E/EC are dc coupled
only. A maximum of 0.2 V dc should b e input. Option 006,
which extends the frequency coverage down to 30 Hz, is
especially susceptible to damage from dc voltages.
Instrument Overview 1-3

Table 1-1. Front-Panel Connector Data
Connector Frequency Range Amplitude/
Voltage Limits
INPUT 50 8560E/EC
30 Hz | 2.9 GHz (dc coupled)
100 kHz | 2.9 GHz (ac coupled)
+30 dBm Max
0.2 V dc Max (dc coupled)
50 V dc Max (ac coupled)
8561E/EC
30 Hz | 6.5 GHz (dc coupled)
100 kHz | 6.5 GHz (ac coupled)
+30 dBm Max
0.2 V dc Max (dc coupled)
50 V dc Max (ac coupled)
8562E/EC
30 Hz | 13.2 GHz (dc coupled)
100 kHz | 13.2 GHz (ac coupled)
+30 dBm Max
0.2 V dc Max (dc coupled)
50 V dc Max (ac coupled)
8563E/EC
9 kHz | 26.5 GHz (dc coupled)
Option 006
30 Hz | 26.5 GHz (dc coupled)
+30 dBm Max
0.2 V dc Max (dc coupled)
8564E/EC
9 kHz | 40 GHz (dc coupled)
Option 006
30 Hz | 40 GHz (dc coupled)
+30 dBm Max
0.2 V dc Max (dc coupled)
8565E/EC
9 kHz | 50 GHz (dc coupled)
Option 006
30 Hz | 50 GHz (dc coupled)
+30 dBm Max
0.2 V dc Max (dc coupled)
PROBE
POWER
|| +15 V, 0 12.6 V
(150 mA max)
CAL OUTPUT 300 MHz 0 10 dBm 6 0.3 dB
IF INPUT*
(for use with
external mixers)
310.7 MHz 0 V dc Max
1ST LO
OUTPUT
3.00 GHz | 6.81 GHz +16.5 dBm 6 2.0 dB
+14.5 dBm 6 3.0 dB y
RF OUT 50 z 300 kHz | 2.9 GHz 0 10 dBm to +1 dBm
* Not available with Option 002 or Option 327.
y LO output of an 8560E/EC Option 002.
z Available only with an 8560E/EC Option 002.
1-4 Instrument Overview

This page intentional ly left blank.
Instrument Overview 1-5

Display Annotation
Figure 1-2. Display Annotation
1. Number of video averages.
2. Logarithmic or linear amplitude scale p er division.
3. Marker amplitude and frequency.
4. Title area.
5. Data invalid indicator, displayed when analyzer settings are changed before
completion of a full sweep.
6. Menu title and softkey menu.
7. Error message area.
8. Frequency span or stop frequency.
1-6 Instrument Overview

9. Sweep time.
10. Indicator of uncoupled function for sweep time, resolution bandwidth,
video bandwidth, or input attenuation.
11. Video bandwidth.
12. Resolution bandwidth.
13. Center or start frequency.
14. Active special functions: these characters app ear along the left edge of the
display. Press 4
DISPLAY
5 ,
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
ANNOT HELP to view this information.
A = IF adjust turned OFF
C = DC coupling selected (ac coupling is default)
D = Detector mo de set to sample, negative p eak, or p ositiv e p eak
E = SR sweep-time equations in use (refer to tracking generator menus)
F=Frequency oset is less than or greater than 0 Hz
G=Internal tracking generator is ON
K = Signal trackisON
M=Trace math is ON
N = Normalization is ON
R = Reference level oset is less than or greater than 0 dB
S = Single-sweep mo de
T=Trigger mo de set to line, video, or external
W = Amplitude correction (amp cor) is ON
X = 10 MHz reference is external
+ = External mixer bias is greater than 0 mA
0 = External mixer bias is less than 0 mA
15. Active function area.
16. Message area.
17. Marker indicator.
18. Indicator of reference-level p osition when in normalized mo de.
19. Reference level.
20. Input attenuator value (internal mixing) or conversion loss
(external mixing).
Instrument Overview 1-7

The Rear Panel
The functions available from the rear panels of the 8560 E-series and the 8560
EC-series are shown in Figure 1-3 and Figure 1-4; 8560 E-series and EC-series
instruments are functionally identical, except that 8560 EC-series instruments
oer a VGA p ort. Descriptions of these functions follow.
Figure 1-3. 8560 E-Series Rear Panel
1-8 Instrument Overview

Figure 1-4. 8560 EC-Series Rear Panel
Caution
To prevent damage to the instrument, be sure to set the
voltage selector to the appropriate value for your lo cal
line-voltage output. (Item 9 in Figure 1-3.) For more
information, refer to the user's guide.
Instrument Overview 1-9

1. J4 provides a detected video signal proportional to the vertical deection
of the displayed trace. The output range is nominally 0 V to 1 V when
terminated in 50, and can b e used when the displayisin10 dB per
division or LINEAR mo de. For resolution bandwidth settings less than
300 Hz, a 4.8 kHz IF signal with a dc oset is present at J4. The video
output connector is deleted in Option 327.
2. J1 provides a 4 imp edance earphone jack for 8560 E-series instruments.
3. J5 accepts a TTL signal as an external trigger, or as a trigger for gated
video. The input signal range is 0 V to 5 V (TTL). When the spectrum
analyzer is in the external trigger mo de, the instrumentsweep triggers
on the rising or falling edge (as determined b
y
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
TRIG POL POS NEG )of
the signal at ab out +1.5 V. When the spectrum analyzer is congured to
trigger in gated video mo de, the instrumentsweep trigger depends up on
the setting of
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
GATE CTL EDGE LVL .
4. J6 provides either blanking output or gate output. The blanking output
is 0 V to 5 V (TTL) that is lo
w (0 V) during sp ectrum analyzer sweeps.
The output is high (5 V) during retrace and when the instrumen
tis
between bands in multiband sweeps. Use the blanking output for pen
lift when plotting with nondigital plotters. This output is also useful for
synchronizing instruments. When used as the gate output, it pro
vides a
TTL signal that indicates the status of the gate when the gate is in edge
trigger mo de. A high TTL signal indicates the gate is on, while a lo
w TTL
signal indicates the gate is o. The gate output is not active in lev
el mo de.
5. J2 is the General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB) connector.
6. J3 allows connection of option mo dules, such as the 85620A mass memory
mo dule or the 85629B test and adjustment mo dule (TAM). The 85629B
is not compatible with the 8564E/EC or 8565E/EC. The 562E/TAM
Interface Software is required when using the TAM with the 8562E
spectrum analyzer.
7. X POSN, Y POSN, and TRACE ALIGN on 8560 E-series instruments
allow you to align the sp ectrum analyzer display using a special pattern.
Refer to the softkey
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
CRT ADJ PATTERN under the 4
CAL
5 menu, or consult
the user's guide. 8560 EC-series instruments are not adjustable.
1-10 Instrument Overview

8. J11 is either an alternate sweep output with Option 005, or an external
leveling input with an 8560E/EC Option 002 (built-in tracking generator).
9. The VOLTAGE SELECTION switchchanges the line voltage setting for
the appropriate lo cal voltage.
10. J10 is the output for the 310.7 MHz IF output. (Option 001)
11. J9 provides a 10 MHz, 0 dBm minimum, time-base reference signal. This
connector can b e switched to an input, in order to connect an external
reference. An external reference must be 10 MHz at a minimum of 0 dBm.
To select the external reference mo de, use the softkey
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
10 MHZ EXT INT in
the
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
REAR PANEL softkey menu under the 4
AUX CTRL
5 key.
12. J8 provides dierent selectable outputs: a 0 V to 10 V ramp corresp onding
to the sweep ramp that tunes the lo cal oscillator, or a sw
eeping dc output
of 0.5 V/GHz (0.25 V/GHz is also available with the 8564E/EC and
8565E/EC). The output can b e selected from the softkeys a
vailable when
you press 4
AUX CTRL
5 and
NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN
REAR PANEL . External tracking generators, such
as the 85640A, require the 0.5 V/GHz output for op eration. When y
ou
have selected preselected external mixers, the 0.5 V/GHz output pro
vides a
signal of approximately 1.5 V/GHz of LO frequency to con
trol the mixer.
13. The LINE input op erates at nominally 115 V (47 Hz to 440 Hz) or at
nominally 230 V (47 Hz to 66 Hz).
14. J1 on 8560 EC-series instruments provides a VGA port. The VGA p ort is
always active and do es not require user in
terface.
15. J7 provides a 4 imp edance earphone jack for 8560 EC-series instruments.
Instrument Overview 1-11