Agilent Technologies HP 8566B Owner's manual

Printed in USA March 2000
Notice
Hewlett-Packard to Agilent Technologies Transition
This documentation supports a product that previously shipped under the Hewlett-
Packard company brand name. The brand name has now been changed to Agilent
Technologies. The two products are functionally identical, only our name has changed. The
document still includes references to Hewlett-Packard products, some of which have been
transitioned to Agilent Technologies.

8566B
SPECTRUM ANALYZER
100 Hz - 2.5 GHz/2 - 22 GHz
SERIAL NUMBERS
This manual applies directly to Model 8566B RF
Sections with serial numbers prefixed 2410A and IF-
Display Sections with serial numbers prefixed 2403A.
HEWLETT
PACKARD
OPERATING AND PROGRAMMING MANUAL
0 Copyright HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY 1984
1212 VALLEY HOUSE DRIVE, ROHNERT PARK, CALIFORNIA.94928. U.S.A.
MANUAL PART NO. 08566-90040
Microfiche Part No. 08566-90044
Printed: March 1984

CERTIFICATION
Hewlett-Packard Company certifies that thb product met its published specifications at the time of
shipment from the factory. Hewlett-Packard further certifies that its calibration measurements are
traceable to the United States National Bureau of Standards, to the extent allowed by the Bureau’s
calibration facility, and to the calibration facilities of other International Standards Organization
members.
WARRANTY
This Hewlett-Packard instrument product is warranted against defects in material and workmanship
for a period of one year from date of shipment. During the warranty period, Hewlett-Packard
Company will, at its option, either repair or replace products which prove to be defective.
For warranty service or repair, this product must be returned to a service facility designated by HP
Buyer shah prepay shipping charges to HP and HP shall pay shipping charges to return the product
to Buyer. However, Buyer shall pay all shipping charges, duties, and taxes for products returned to
HP from another country.
HP warrants that its software and firmware designated by HP for use with an instrument will execute
its programming instructions when properly installed on that instrument. HP does not warrant that
the operation of the instrument, or software, or firmware will be uninterrupted or error free.
LIMITATION OF WARRANTY
The foregoing warranty shall not apply to defects resulting from improper or inadequate
maintenance by Buyer, Buyer-supplied software or interfacing, unauthorized modification or misuse,
operation outside of the environmental specifications for the product, or improper site preparation
or maintenance.
NO OTHER WARRANTY IS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED. HP SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS
THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE.
EXCL USI YE REMEDIES
THE REMEDIES PROVIDED HEREIN ARE BUYER’S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES.
HP SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, OR ANY
OTHER LEGAL THEORY
ASSISTANCE
Product maintenance agreements and other customer assistance agreements are available for
Hewlett-Packard products.
For any assistance, contact your nearest Hewlett-Packard Sales and Service Office. Addresses are
provided at the back of this manual.

Section I
Manual Operation
Chapter 1 -GETTING STARTED
Chapter 2 - DATA
Chapter 3 - FUNCTION
Chapter 4 - CRT DISPLAY
Chapter 5 - TRACE
Chapter 6 - MARKER
Chapter 7 - SCALE AND REFERENCE LINE
Chapter 8 - COUPLED FUNCTION
Chapter 9 - SWEEP AND TRIGGER
Chapter 10 - INSTRUMENT STATE
Chapter 1 1 - SHIFT KEY FUNCTIONS
Chapter 12 - USER DEFINED KEYS
Chapter 13 - PLOTTER OUTPUT

GENERAL INFORMATION GENERAL DESCRIPTION
GENERAL INFORMATION
The HP 8566B is a high-performance spectrum analyzer which operates from 100 Hz to 2.5 GHz in the low
frequency band and 2 - 22 GHz in the preselected microwave band. It uses a synthesized LO to provide accurate
frequency tuning and an internal micro-computer to automate controls and provide useful operating features.
HP 8566B SPECTRUM ANALYZER
The HP 8566B consists of an 85662A Display Section and an 85660B RF Section. Connect the two sections
along with the inter-connection cables as shown in the illustration below.
Connect interconnection cables as shown:
Line Module
Line Module.
I
\
Interconnect Cable Interconnect Cable
(85662-60093)
(85662-60094)
REAR PANEL CONNECTIONS
85662A
Display Section
85660B
RF Section
HP-IB
Connector
Manual Operation 1

INITIAL POWER ON GENERAL INFORMATION
CAUTION
Before connecting the line power cords, make sure the appropriate line voltage and
line fuse have been selected for both the RF and Display sections of the analyzer. For
complete information on line voltage and fuse selection, refer to the HP 8566B Opera-
tor’s Handbook. For information on line power cords for a specific country, contact the
nearest Hewlett-Packard office.
INITIAL POWER ON
After making the AC power line connections, the STANDBY lights of both the RF and Display section should be
on. As long as the instrument is operating (LINE ON) or in STANDBY, the accuracy specifications of the internal
frequency standard will be met. After a cold start, such as on-receipt of instrument, the analyzer requires 24 hours
to stabilize prior to meeting specified performance.
LINE ON AND STANDBY INSTR
CHECK LED
Upon LINE ON, the instrument will perform an automatic internal instrument check. If one or both of the red
instrument check lights (INST CHECK I and II) remain on after this brief check routine, refer to the chart below to
localize the problem.
LED On Problem
I Digital Storage failure in 85662A
II
Interface Failure
Solution
Check bus interconnect cable (85662-60094)
Check bus interconnect cable (85662-60094)
and check if Al2 board is connected tightly
Controller (A15)
Check if Al5 is connected tightly in 85660B
and that contacts are clean.
Calibration
In order to meet specified frequency and amplitude accuracy, the analyzer’s calibration must be checked periodi-
cally to ensure the highest performance.
2 Manual Operation

GENERAL INFORMATION RF INPUT
RF INPUT
FREQZERO
c
0
Connect cable from CAL OUTPUT signal to RF input to perform initial calibration.
CAUTION
Excessive signal input power will damage the input attenuator and the input mixer. The
spectrum analyzer total RF power must not exceed + 30 dBm (1 watt).
DC Precaution: The HP 8566B cannot accept DC voltages in 0 dB ATTEN. With 10
dB or greater input attenuation, a maximum of k7V DC can be accepted without
damage. A blocking capacitor is recommended at the input when DC is present with an
RF signal.
Manual Calibration Procedure
1. After instrument has stabilized, press m
2. Press @ 8; this recalls the following stored control settings from the analyzer’s internal memory:
Center Frequency = 100 MHz
Frequency Span = 2 MHz
Reference Level = - 7 dBm
Res BW = 1 MHz
Scale = 1 dB/Div
Marker = Normal
3. Adjust AMPTD CAL for a marker amplitude of - 10 dBm. *
4. Press [1Ic1LLl 9; this recalls the following:
Center Frequency = 100 MHz
Frequency Span = 0 Hz
Reference Level = - 7 dBm
Res BW = 30 Hz
Scale = 1 dB/Div
Sweep Time = 10 Sec.
l If connection cable has significant loss, it must be accounted for separately.
Manual Operation 3

CRT DISPLAY GENERAL INFORMATION
5.
Maximize amplitude response with FREQ ZERO adjustment.
Error Correction Routine
A 30 second internal error correction routine minimizes uncertainties due to control changes in the analyzer. To
start the routine, press (,,,,, W (%?I.
A “CORR’D” readout will appear on the left edge of the CRT upon completion of this routine. If the message
“Adjust AMPTD CAL” appears in the display, repeat the manual calibration before running the error correction
routine again.
CRT DISPLAY
The analyzer’s CRT display presents the signal response trace and all pertinent measurement data. The active
function area names the function under DATA control and shows the function values as they are changed. All the
information necessary to scale and reference the graticule is provided.
MARKER
Reference User display frequency
level
annotation amplitude
Active
function
readout ’
bun 17.wa ass 4 CIHX
- 11
PF’: BW 1 LHX
/ L/
YBW 100 HZ
I
Center Resolution Video Sweep time
span
frequency bandwidth
bandwidth
,TRACE A
/TRACE B
Internally
’ generated
graticule
PLOTTER OUTPUT
The trace data, graticule, and annotation on the analyzer’s screen can be directly output via HP-IB to a Hewlett-
Packard plotter (such as the HP 7245A/B, 7240A, 7470A, or 9872C) by pressing the LOWER LEFT key on the
front pane1 of the analyzer.
4 Manual Operation

GENERAL INFORMATION FRONT PANEL
OVERVI
FRONT PANEL OVERVIEW
Control Groups
1 CRT DISPLAY:
2 TRACE:
3REFERENCE LINE:
4SCALE:
5KEY FUNCTION:
6 SWEEP and TRIGGER:
7 RFINPUT:
8 DATA/FUNCTION:
9 CAL OUTPUT:
10 MARKER:
11 COUPLED FUNCTION:
12 INSTRUMENT STATE:
13 LINE ON &STANDBY:
14 REORDER/PLOTTER
FUNCTIONS:
IEW
Signal response and analyzer settings
Control of signal response display
Measurement and display aids
Selects logarithmic or linear amplitude scale
Access to special functions
Selects trace update trigger
100 Hz to 22 GHz ( + 30 dBm max. power)
Fundamental analyzer control
Calibration signal
Movable bright dot markers for direct frequency and amplitude readout
Maintenance of absolute amplitude and frequency calibration by automati-
cally selecting certain analyzer control settings
Local (1~1) select key, SAVE and RECALL keys and FULL SPAN keys
Powers instrument and performs instrument check
Controls output to recorder or HP-IB controlled plotter
Manual Operation 5

REAR PANEL OUTPUTS GENERAL INFORMATION
REAR PANEL OUTPUTS
Sweep and Tune Output
Frequency Reference
10 MHz Output
21.4 MHz IF Output
IF Input/Output
Video Input/Output
Recorder Outputs
External Trigger
Display Outputs
HP-IB
Connector
Display Outputs
Display outputs allow all the CRT information to be displayed on an auxiliary CRT display such as the HP 1310A
Large Screen Display.
Display Outputs
output
<75 nsec rise times. 1V full deflection.
<30 nsec rise time. Intensity: - 1V blank, 0 to
1V intensity modulation.
BLANK
TTL level >2.4V for blanking. Compatible with
most oscilloscopes.
Recorder Outputs
The recorder outputs allow the x-y plot of trace data with x-y plotters using positive penlift coils or TTL penlift
input. The front panel keys enable outputs for the calibration of x-y plotter reference points:
6 Manual Operation

GENERAL INFORMATION REAR PANEL OUTPUTS
Recorder
outputs
RECORDER
LOWER UPPER
LEFT RIGHT
@ a
RECORDER Outputs
when keys or HP-IB
commands are enabled
Lower
Upper
Left
Right
0
SWEEP
0
A voltage proportional to the horizontal sweep of OV
1ov
the CRT trace that ranges from OV for the left
left right
edge and to + 1OV for the right edge.
0
VIDEO ov +
1v
0
Detected video output (before A-D conversion)
proportional to vertical deflection of the CRT lower
upper
trace. Output increases 100 mV/div from 0 to
1V
PENLIFT A blanking output,
15V occurs during CRT +15v +
15v
retrace; otherwise output is low at OV (pen
down).
21.4 MHz IF Output
21.4 MHz IF Output output
21.4 MHz
IF OUTPUT
A 5052, 21.4 MHz output related to the RF input
to the analyzer.
In log scales, the IF output is logarithmically
related to the RF input signal; in linear, the out-
put is linearly related.
The output is nominally - 20 dBm for a signal at
the reference level.
The analyzer’s resolution bandwidth setting con-
trols the bandwidth. The input attenuator and IF
step gain positions control the amplitude.
Sweep Plus Tune Output
Sweep Plus Tune Output
Output
SWEEP + TUNE
-
l.OV per GHz of tune frequency, 110 kQ load.
OUT Accuracy:
- lV/GHz +2% -t 10mV
10 MHz Output
10 MHz Output
output
10 MHzOUT
> - 5 dBm. 50R output impedance
Manual Operation 7

REAR PANEL OUTPUTS GENERAL INFORMATION
Frequency Reference Input/Output
To lock the spectrum analyzer to an external frequency reference, set the FREQ REFERENCE switch to EXT.
Analyzer performance will be degraded unless frequency reference phase noise and spurious signals are < - 140
dBc single sideband (1 Hz) referred to 10 MHz at a 100 Hz to 10 kHz offset. To lock another spectrum analyzer to
the spectrum analyzer internal frequency reference, set the FREQ REFERENCE switch to INT
Frequency Reference
Input/Output Input/Output
EXT INT
External Frequency Reference Requirements:
Frequency: 5 MHz & 50 Hz
or
10 MHz ? 100 Hz
Power: 0 to 10 dBm
Input Impedance: 5Of2 nominal
Internal Frequency Reference Characteristics.
Frequency: 10 MHz
Power: 0 dBm
Output impedance: 5OQ
HP-IB Input Output Connector
The Hewlett-Packard Interface Bus allows remote operation of the analyzer as well as input and output of mea-
surement data. See Section II of this manual.
IF and Video Connectors
The IF and Video connectors allow the 85650A Quasi-Peak Adapter to be used with the analyzer for EM1
measurements
NOTE
When the Quasi-Peak Adapter is disconnected from the analyzer, make sure the IF INP
connector connects to the IF OUT connector with one short BNC cable, and VIDEO
INP connector connects to the VIDEO OUT connector with the other short BNC cable.
Failure to connect the BNC cables will result in a loss of signal.
8 Manual Operation

GENERAL INFORMATION REAR PANEL OUTPUTS
IF and Video Connectors Input
0
21.4 MHz input. Input is nominally - 11 dBm
0
IF INP
(with spectrum analyzer input attenuator set to
10 dB) .5OQ input impedance.
VIDEO INP
0 - 2V 139Q input impedance.
IF and Video Connectors
IF OUT
21.4 MHz output. Output is nominally - 11
dBm (with spectrum analyzer input .attenuator
set to 10 dB) .5OQ output impedance.
VIDEO OUT
0 - 2V Output impedance < 10 kQ.
External Sweep Trigger Input
The External Sweep Trigger input allows the analyzer’s internal sweep source to be triggered by an external
voltage.
External Sweep Trigger
Input Input
EXT TRIGGER Must be
>2.4V (1OV max) . 1 kQ nominal input
impedance.
Manual Operation 9

GETTING STARTED FRONT PANEL CONCEPT
Chapter 1
GETTING STARTED
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
This chapter is intended to provide you with a quick overview of the use and capability of the HP 8566B Spectrum
Analyzer. The chapters following provide the details on each aspect of operation.
FRONT PANEL CONCEPT
The basic controls on the HP 8566B front panel consist of FUNCTION keys and DATA control keys. Functions are
activated by pressing the appropriate key; its value is then changed via the DATA control knob, step keys or
numeric keyboard. The activated FUNCTION will appear on the CRT as well as its current value.
FUNCTION/DATA
Controls
ACTIVE FUNCTION
and DATA VALUE
The front panel controls are grouped by function. The majority of measurements can be made with only the
FUNCTION/DATA group illustrated. The major FUNCTION controls are CENTER FREQUENCY FRE-
QUENCY SPAN (or START/STOP FREQ), and REFERENCE LEVEL. The value of the activated FUNCTION
can be changed continuously with the knob, incrementally with STEP KEYS or exactly with the numeric key-
board.
Knob
Step
Keys
Numeric
Keyboard
MAKING A MEASUREMENT
Two FULL SPAN keys allow you to select a wide
Manual Operation 1 1

MAKING A MEASUREMENT
GE-l-l-ING STARTED
0- 2.5 GHz or 2 -22 GHz’ frequency span. Both
keys preset all the analyzer functions to automatically
maintain a calibrated display during the course of the
measurement.
Example
Connect the CAL OUTPUT signal to RF INPUT
Press l%J
This presets the analyzer to a full 0- 2.5 GHz span
with 0 dBm Reference level and automatically couples
al1 secondary receiver functions.
,,
e&c 0.0 d&n .Tllh
10 de
:3 &I
--_. _
-.' t -- --' -.'
T --
-. t--
i- '-- -- ---
and use the knob
or the numeric keyboard to t
quency to 100 MHz. Note that the activated FUNC-
TION (CENTER FREQUENCY) appears on the CRT
graticule field.
Press (91 and use the knob
bl
, step keys @
or numeric keyboard to reduce the frequency
$6 to 100 kHz.
/
FREQUENCY
‘The I’;:] key is also activated with LINE ON.
12 Manual Operation

GETTING STARTED DIRECT FREQUENCY AND AMPLITUDE READOUT
and use the knob 0, step keys c)
0
or numeric keyboard to position the peak of the
signal on the top graticule line.
.-. -.
.-
LEVEL
I1 I I I I1
5pbN
1.. .“I
SW’ 3ae Il..=
lzxrEu a...e.. m*
Pf5 ml 1 .“I wn 3 L”,
The frequency and amplitude of the signal are read out from the graticule border. All secondary analyzer functions
(resolution bandwidth, video bandwidth, sweep time, and attenuation) were automatically adjusted to maintain a
fully calibrated display. The coupled functions can also be uncoupled to allow manual operation.
For instance, to manually control the resolution bandwidth, press (::‘1 and change bandwidth with any combina-
tion of DATA control. The above also applies to I’:“:“) , @ , [,,,.) , or [‘::::‘1
DIRECT FREQUENCY AND AMPLITUDE READOUT
Markers can be used to quickly identify signal frequency and
measure signal separation or amplitude differences.
Activate a marker 02 the display with NORMAL.
Tune marker with 0 . The frequency and ampli-
tude of the signal are read out with the marker.
To measure the harmonic(s) of the signal, press A and
tune the second marker to the signal’s harmonic. The
frequency separation and amplitude difference are
read out.
amplitudes -delta (A) markers are available to

SAVE/RECALL GETTING STARTED
SAVE/RECALL
The HP 8566B instrument control settings can be saved in an internal memory and later recalled to make a
measurement. [/ [I(c1111 m
to
0
6 provide access to the six internal storage registers.
SHIFT KEYS
In addition to the front panel functions listed on the keys, another set of functions can be assigned to the same keys
by pressing the blue B key prior to activating a front panel key. These will be covered in more detail in Chapter
11.
AUTOMATIC MEASUREMENTS
The HP 8566B is fully programmable via the Hewlett-Packard Interface Bus (HP-IB) -HP’s implementation of
IEEE STD 488-1975. Internationally, HP-IB is in concert with the IEC main interface document.
A computing controller/calculator can be used with the HP 8566B to configure an automatic measurement
system. Just as the analyzer’s front panel is keyed manually to control functions and change values, simple
program codes are transmitted via the HP-IB with a controller to make measurements automatically These pro-
gram codes are listed in the Remote Operation section of the instrument pull-cards.
Detailed information on remote operation is found in Section II of this manual.
14 Manual Operation

DATA
CHAPTER 2
DATA
DATA CONTROLS
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
DATA controls are used to change function values for functions such as center frequency, start frequency, resolu-
tion bandwidth, or marker position.
DATA CONTROLS
The DATA controls are clustered about the FUNCTION keys which “call up” or activate the most frequently used
spectrum analyzer control functions: center frequency, frequency span (or start/stop frequency), and reference
level. The other functions that accept DATA control are shown below:
FRONT PANEL FUNCTIONS USING DATA CONTROLS
To the left of the FUNCTION Keys are the Data knob 0 and the DATA STEP keys @ @
, which are used
to make incremental changes to the activated function. To the right of the FUNCTION keys is the DATA number/
units keyboard which allows changes to an exact value.
Manual Operation 15

DATA ENTRY READOUT DATA
The DATA controls will change the activated function in a manner prescribed by that function. For example, center
frequency can be changed continuously with the DATA knob 0 , or in steps proportional to the frequency span
with the DATA STEP keys @ a , or set exactly with the DATA number/units keyboard. Resolution band-
width, which can be set only to discrete values, can still be changed with any of the DATA controls. The DATA
knob 0 and DATA STEP keys 13 61
increment the setting from one bandwidth to the next. An entry
from the number/units keyboard which may not coincide with an allowable bandwidth will select the nearest
bandwidth.
DATA ENTRY READOUT
DATA entries are read from the CRT display as they are changed.
PREVENTING DATA ENTRY
A function can be deactivated by pressing m . The active function readout is blanked and the ENABLED light
goes out, indicating no DATA entry can be made. Pressing a function key re-enables the DATA controls.
DATA KNOB
The DATA knob 0 11aows the continuous change of center frequency, frequency span (or start/stop frequen-
cies), reference level, marker positions, display line, and threshold. It can also change the function values which
are only incremented.
Clockwise rotation of the DATA knob will increase the function value. For continuous changes, the knob’s sensitiv-
ity is determined by the measurement range and the speed at which the knob is turned. For example, when the
center frequency is activated, 0
increases the value of the center frequency one horizontal division of span per
one quarter turn.
DATA STEP KEYS
The DATA STEP keys allow rapid increase @ or decrease
r
2) of the active function value. The step size is
dependent either upon the analyzer’s measurements range, on a preset amount,
or, for those parameters with
fixed values, the next value in a sequence. Examples: Activate center frequency and
0
6
will increase the center
frequency value by an amount equal to one division of the frequency span (one tenth of the frequency span). If
the center frequency step size m has hen preset,
El
will increase the center frequency by that preset
amount. If frequency span were activated,
10) would change the span to the next lower value in predetermined
sequence. Activate resolution bandwidth and [& ~will select the next widest bandwidth. Each press results in a
--I
single step,
16 Manual Operation

DATA DATA NUMBER/UNITS KEYBOARD
DATA NUMBER/UNITS KEYBOARD
The DATA number/units keyboard (or DATA keyboard) allows exact value entries to center frequency, frequency
span (or start/stop frequency), reference level, log scale, marker positions, display line, threshold, and the COUP-
LED FUNCTIONS.
An activated parameter is changed by entering the number (with the CRT display providing a readout) then
selecting the appropriate units key. The value is not changed (entered) until the units key is pressed.
The number portion of the entry may include a decimal, l
0
. If not, the decimal is understood at the end of the
number. Corrections to number entries are made with :::,:
0
,
which erases the last digit for each press.
Example: With center frequency activated,
(TJ-Jp-JJQ[Z][Z]~@
will set the center frequency to 1.250 GHz.
If the units key were pressed without a number entry, 1 is entered (except in zero frequency span).
Negative DATA Entry
Negative entries from the number units keyboard can be made for power and frequency but not time and voltage.
““I
Negative power entries can be made using -Z . The “ - dBm” key will enter - dBm, - dBmV or - dBpV For
0
example, in reference level, with the dBmV units, an entry of will enter
- 50 dBmV
Negative frequency entries can be made using
m-m
as a prefix to the frequency entry For example, to enter a negative start frequency, press
p-J(TJ(TJ@~
0
z; (g-m
This enters the frequency value as - 100 MHz.
Not all functions will accept negative entries (the sign will be ignored).
MULTIPLE DATA CHANGES
A function, once activated, may be changed as often as necessary without reactivating that function (see Chapter
3, FUNCTION). Any of the DATA controls can be used in any order. l
It is not always necessary to make a DATA entry. For example, start and stop frequency may be activated simply to
allow readout of the left and right display reference frequencies as start/stop frequencies.
l Exceptions are the SHIFT KEY FUNCTIONS which use only DATA number/units keyboard. See Chapter 11.
Manual Operation 17