Agilent Technologies u8903a User manual

Agilent Technologies
Agilent U8903A 
Audio Analyzer
User’s Guide

II U8903A User’s Guide
Notices
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. , 2009 - 2010
No part of this manual may be reproduced in
any form or by any means (including elec-
tronic storage and retrieval or translation
into a foreign language) without prior agree-
ment and written consent from Agilent
Technologies, Inc. as governed by United
States and international copyright laws.
Manual Part Number
U8903-90002
Edition
Second Edition, January 5, 2010
Agilent Technologies, Inc. 
5301 Stevens Creek Blvd. 
Santa Clara, CA 95051 USA
Warranty
The material contained in this docu-
ment is provided “as is,” and is sub-
ject to being changed, without notice,
in future editions. Further, to the max-
imum 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 par-
ticular purpose. Agilent shall not be
liable for errors or for incidental or
consequential damages in connec-
tion with the furnishing, use, or per-
formance of this document or of 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 sep-
arate agreement shall control.
Technology Licenses
The hardware and/or software described in
this document are furnished under a license
and may be used or copied only in accor-
dance with the terms of such license.
Restricted Rights Legend
U.S. Government Restricted Rights. Soft-
ware and technical data rights granted to
the federal government include only those
rights customarily provided to end user cus-
tomers. Agilent provides this customary
commercial license in Software and techni-
cal data pursuant to FAR 12.211 (Technical
Data) and 12.212 (Computer Software) and,
for the Department of Defense, DFARS
252.227-7015 (Technical Data - Commercial
Items) and DFARS 227.7202-3 (Rights in
Commercial Computer Software or Com-
puter Software Documentation).
Safety Notices
CAUTION
A CAUTION notice denotes a haz-
ard. It calls attention to an operat-
ing procedure, practice, or the like
that, if not correctly performed or
adhered to, could result in damage
to the product or loss of important
data. Do not proceed beyond a
CAUTION notice until the indicated
conditions are fully understood and
met.
WARNING
A WARNING notice denotes a
hazard. It calls attention to an
operating procedure, practice, or
the like that, if not correctly per-
formed or adhered to, could result
in personal injury or death. Do not
proceed beyond a WARNING
notice until the indicated condi-
tions are fully understood and
met.

U8903A User’s Guide III
Safety Symbols
The following symbols on the instrument and in the documentation
indicate precautions which must be taken to maintain safe operation of
the instrument.
Direct current (DC) Equipment protected throughout by
double insulation or reinforced
insulation
Alternating current (AC) Off (supply)
Both direct and alternating current On (supply)
Three-phase alternating current Caution, risk of electric shock
Earth (ground) terminal Caution, risk of danger (refer to this
manual for specific Warning or Caution
information)
Protective conductor terminal Caution, hot surface
Frame or chassis terminal Out position of a bi-stable push control
Equipotentiality In position of a bi-stable push control

IV U8903A User’s Guide
General Safety Information
The following general safety precautions must be observed during all
phases of operation of this instrument. Failure to comply with these
precautions or with specific warnings elsewhere in this manual violates
safety standards of design, manufacture, and intended use of the
instrument. Agilent Technologies, Inc. assumes no liability for the
customer’s failure to comply with these requirements.
WARNING
• Ground the equipment.
For Safety Class 1 equipment (equipment having a protective earth
terminal), an uninterruptible safety earth ground must be provided from
the mains power source to the product input wiring terminals or supplied
power cable.
• DO NOT operate the product in an explosive atmosphere or in the
presence of flammable gases or fumes.
For continued protection against fire, replace the line fuse(s) only with
fuse(s) of the same voltage and current rating and type. DO NOT use
repaired fuses or short-circuited fuse holders.
• Keep away from live circuits.
Operating personnel must not remove equipment covers or shields.
Procedures involving the removal of covers or shields are for use by
service-trained personnel only. Under certain conditions, dangerous
voltages may exist even with the equipment switched off. To avoid
dangerous electric shock, DO NOT perform procedures involving cover or
shield removal unless you are qualified to do so.
• DO NOT operate damaged equipment.
If the built-in safety protection features have been impaired through
physical damage, excessive moisture, or any other reason, REMOVE
POWER and do not use product until safe operation is verified by
service-trained personnel. If necessary, return the product to Agilent for
service and repair to ensure that the safety features are maintained.
• DO NOT service or adjust alone.
Do not attempt any internal service or adjustment unless a person
capable of rendering first aid and resuscitation is present.
• DO NOT substitute parts or modify equipment.
To avoid the occurrence of additional hazards, do not install substitute
parts or perform any unauthorized modification to the product. Return the
product to Agilent for service or repair to ensure that the safety features
are maintained.

U8903A User’s Guide V
WARNING
• This equipment is under CAT 1 measurement category, do not connect the
cable to MAIN.
• Do not measure more than the rated voltage (as marked on the
equipment).
CAUTION
•Use the device with the cables provided.
•Repair or service that is not covered in this manual should only be
performed by qualified personnels.
•Observe all markings on the device before establishing any connection.
•Always use dry cloth to clean the device. Do not use ethyl alcohol or
any other volatile liquid to clean the device.
•Do not permit any blockage of the ventilation holes of the device.
CAT 1
Maximum Working Voltage: 200 Vp for altitude up to 
3000 m
Maximum Transient Voltage: 1210 V

VI U8903A User’s Guide
Environmental Conditions
This instrument is designed for indoor use and in an area with low
condensation. The table below shows the general environmental
requirements for this instrument.
Environmental conditions Requirements
Operating temperature 0 °C to 55 °C
Operating humidity 30% to 80% RH noncondensing at 40 °C
Storage temperature –40 °C to 70 °C
Storage humidity 30% to 80% RH noncondensing at 65 °C
CAUTION
The U8903A audio analyzer complies with the following safety and EMC
requirements.
•IEC 61010-1:2001/EN 61010-1:2001 (2nd Edition)
•Canada: CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 61010-1-04
•Canada: ICES-001:2004
•IEC 61326-1:2005/EN 61326-1:2006
•Australia/New Zealand: AS/NZS CISPR11:2004
•USA: ANSI/UL 61010-1:2004

U8903A User’s Guide VII
Regulatory Markings
The CE mark is a registered trademark
of the European Community. This CE
mark shows that the product complies
with all the relevant European Legal
Directives.
The C-tick mark is a registered
trademark of the Spectrum
Management Agency of Australia.
This signifies compliance with
the Australia EMC Framework
regulations under the terms of the
Radio Communication Act of 1992.
ICES/NMB-001 indicates that this
ISM device complies with the
Canadian ICES-001.
Cet appareil ISM est confomre a la
norme NMB-001 du Canada.
This instrument complies with the
WEEE Directive (2002/96/EC)
marking requirement. This affixed
product label indicates that you must
not discard this electrical/electronic
product in domestic household waste.
The CSA mark is a registered
trademark of the Canadian Standards
Association.

VIII U8903A User’s Guide
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive
2002/96/EC
This instrument complies with the WEEE Directive (2002/96/EC) marking
requirement. This affixed product label indicates that you must not discard
this electrical/electronic product in domestic household waste.
Product Category:
With reference to the equipment types in the WEEE directive Annex 1, this
instrument is classified as a “Monitoring and Control Instrument” product.
The affixed product label is shown as below.
Do not dispose in domestic household waste
To return this unwanted instrument, contact your nearest Agilent
Technologies, or visit:
www.agilent.com/environment/product
for more information.

U8903A User’s Guide IX
In This Guide…
1GettingStarted
This chapter provides an overview of the U8903A, which includes the
product outlook, dimensions, and layout. This chapter also contains
instructions on how to install and configure the U8903A.
2 Operation and Features
This chapter describes the operation and features that are offered by the
U8903A, such as test capabilities, key features, and front panel menu
operation.
3 Instrument Configuration
This chapter guides you through the configuration of the U8903A input and
output settings for optimum measurement results.
4 Audio Generator Functions
This chapter provides you the information on the audio generator
functions and settings of the U8903A.
5 Audio Analyzer Measurement Functions
This chapter describes the audio analyzer measurement functions and
settings of the U8903A.
6 Frequency and Time Domain Analysis
This chapter describes the U8903A graph configuration for the frequency
and time domain analysis.
7SweepFunction
This chapter explains the sweep operation of the U8903A.
8 Specifications
This chapter lists the specifications and characteristics of the U8903A.
Appendixes

XU8903A User’s Guide
DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY
According to EN ISO/IEC 17050-1:2004
Generic example
Manufacturer’s Name:
Agilent Technologies Microwave Products (M) Sdn. Bhd
Manufacturer’s Address:
Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone,
11900, Bayan Lepas, Penang, Malaysia
Declares under sole responsibility that the product as originally delivered
Product Name:
Agilent Audio Analyzer
Model Number:
U8903A
Product Options:
This declaration covers all options of the above product(s)
complies with the essential requirements of the following applicable European Directives, and carries
the CE marking accordingly:
Low Voltage Directive (2006/95/EC)
EMC Directive (2004/108/EC)
and conforms with the following product standards:
EMC
Standard
Limit
IEC61326-1:2005 / EN61326-1:2006
CISPR 11:2003 / EN 55011:2007
Class A Group 1
IEC 61000-4-2:2001 / EN 61000-4-:1995+A1:1998+A2:2001
4 kV CD, 8 kV AD
IEC 61000-4-3:2002 / EN 61000-4-3:2002
3 V/m (80 MHz-1.0 GHz)
3 V/m (1.4 GHz-2.0 GHz)
1 V/m (2.0 GHz-2.7 GHz)
IEC 61000-4-4:2004 / EN 61000-4-4:2004
1 kV signal lines, 2 kV power lines
IEC 61000-4-5:2001 / EN 61000-4-5:1995:A1:2001
1 kV line-line, 2 kV line-ground
IEC 61000-4-6:2003 / EN 61000-4-6:2007
3 V, 0.15-80 MHz
IEC 61000-4-11:2004 / EN 61000-4-11:2004
100% Dip (1 cycle)
60% Dip (10 cycles)
30% Dip (25 cycles)
100% short interruptions (250 cycles)
Canada: ICES-001:2004
Australia/New Zealand: AS/NZS CISPR11:2004
The product was tested in a typical configuration with Agilent Technologies test systems.
Safety
IEC 61010-1:2001 / EN 61010-1:2001
USA: ANSI/UL 61010
-1:2004
Canada:
CAN/CSA-C22.2 No. 61010-1-04
206349
This DoC applies to above-listed products placed on the EU market after:
4-May-2009
Date
Tay Eng Su
Quality Manager
For further information, please contact your local Agilent Technologies sales office, agent or distributor,
or Agilent Technologies Deutschland GmbH, Herrenberger Straße 130, 71034 Böblingen, Germany.
Template: A5971-5302-2, Rev. E00
U8903A
DoC Revision A

U8903A User’s Guide XI
Product Regulations
EMC
Standards
Performance Criteria
IEC61326-1:2005 / EN61326-1:2006
CISPR 11:2003 / EN 55011:2007
Group 1 Class A
IEC 61000-4-2:2001 / EN 61000-4-2:1995+A1:1998+A2:2001
A
IEC 61000-4-3:2002 / EN 61000-4-3:2002
A
IEC 61000-4-4:2004 / EN 61000-4-4:2004
A
IEC 61000-4-5:2001 / EN 61000-4-5:1995:A1:2001
A
IEC 61000-4-6:2003 / EN 61000-4-6:2007
A
IEC 61000-4-11:2004 / EN 61000-4-11:2004
o100% Dip (1 cycle)
A
o60% Dip (10 cycles)
A
o30% Dip (25 cycles)
B
o100% Short Interruptions (250 cycles)
B
1Performance Criteria:
A Pass - Normal operation, no effect.
B Pass - Temporary degradation, self recoverable.
C Pass - Temporary degradation, operator intervention required.
D Fail - Not recoverable, component damage.
N/A –Not applicable
Notes:
Regulatory Information for Canada
ICES/NMB-001:2004
This ISM device complies with Canadian ICES-001.
Cet appareil ISM est confomre à la norme NMB-001 du Canada.
Regulatory Information for Australia/New Zealand
This ISM device complies with Australian/New Zealand AS/NZS CISPR11:2004

XII U8903A User’s Guide

U8903A User’s Guide XIII
Contents
1 Getting Started 1
Introduction 2
LXI Class-C Compliant Audio Analyzer 4
Product at a Glance 5
Product outlook 5
Product Dimensions 9
Standard Accessories 10
Optional Accessories 10
Installation and Configuration 11
Initial inspection 11
Ventilation 11
Rack mounting 11
Maintenance 12
Fuse removal/replacement 12
Power On the U8903A 13
Preset 14
Help System 15
2 Operation and Features 17
Test Capabilities 18
Key Features 20
Remote interface 20
Sweep function 20
Frequency domain analysis 20
Digital filters 21
Front Panel Operation 22

XIV U8903A User’s Guide

Mode 22
Graph functions 39
Run/Stop and On/Off 40
System 42
Front Panel LCD Display 49
Editing Keys 50
3 Instrument Configuration 53
U8903A Block Diagram 54
Input Settings 56
AC/DC coupling 57
AC level detection 58
Digital filters 59
Input configuration 60
Input ranging 61
Common Settings 62
Measurement bandwidth 62
Measurement time 63
Trigger 65
Output Settings 66
Output type 66
Output impedance 67
4 Audio Generator Functions 69
Audio Generator 70
Sine waveform 72
Variable phase waveform 73
Dual sine waveform 74
Noise signals 80
DC signal 81
Multitone waveform 82

U8903A User’s Guide XV
Square waveform 84
Arbitrary waveform 84
5 Audio Analyzer Measurement Functions 87
Audio Analyzer 88
Measurement Functions 93
Frequency 93
AC voltage level (Vac) 93
DC voltage level (Vdc) 94
THD + N Ratio and THD + N Level 94
SINAD 96
SNR and Noise Level 97
SMPTE intermodulation distortion (SMPTE IMD) 99
Difference frequency distortion (DFD) 100
Phase 101
Crosstalk (channel driven and channel measured) 103
6 Frequency and Time Domain Analysis 105
Frequency Domain and Time Domain 106
Monitor settings 108
Input settings 111
Axis settings 111
Harmonics display 112
Graph Functions 113
Peak search 113
Marker 114
Marker –> 115
Full screen 116
7 Sweep Function 117
Sweep 118
Sweep mode 120

XVI U8903A User’s Guide

Sweep settings 121
I/O settings 122
Axis settings 123
List view 124
8 Specifications 125
Characteristics 126
Specifications 127
Audio generator 127
Audio analyzer 130
131
Graph mode 132
Audio filters 132
Sweep capability 133
Measurement Category 135
Measurement category definitions 135
Index 137
Appendixes 139
Appendix A: SMPTE IMD and DFD Default Settings 140
Appendix B: Arbitrary File Format 141
Appendix C: User-defined Filter File Format 144
Appendix D: User-defined Sweep Points File Format 147
Appendix E: Spot Parameters 148

U8903A User’s Guide XVII

List of Figures
Figure 1-1 U8903A front panel 5
Figure 1-2 U8903A rear panel 7
Figure 1-3 Help dialog information example 15
Figure 2-1 Mode panel 22
Figure 2-2 Generator: Waveform (Sine, Variable Phase, and Dual Sine)
menu tree 24
Figure 2-3 Generator: Waveform (Noise, DC, Multitone, Square, and
Arbitrary) menu tree 25
Figure 2-4 Generator: Output Settings, Frequency, Amplitude, and DC
Offset menu tree 26
Figure 2-5 Analyzer function menu tree 30
Figure 2-6 Analyzer: Units menu tree 31
Figure 2-7 Analyzer: Ref/Rel menu tree 32
Figure 2-8 Frequency and time domain menu trees 36
Figure 2-9 Sweep function menu tree 38
Figure 2-10 Graph panel 39
Figure 2-11 Run/Stop or On/Off option 40
Figure 2-12 Channel selection and status 41
Figure 2-13 System panel 42
Figure 2-14 File Manager menu for saving the U8903A state 43
Figure 2-15 File Manager menu for recalling the U8903A state 44
Figure 2-16 Analyzer 8-channel display 45
Figure 2-17 System function menu tree 46
Figure 2-18 Power-up display 49
Figure 2-19 Editing function keys 50
Figure 3-1 U8903A block diagram 54
Figure 3-2 Analyzer input settings 56
Figure 3-3 AC/DC coupling selection 57
Figure 3-4 AC level detector selection 58
Figure 3-5 Digital filter selection 59
Figure 3-6 Input signal connector configuration 60

XVIII U8903A User’s Guide

Figure 3-7 Common settings 62
Figure 3-8 Measurement bandwidth selection 63
Figure 3-9 Measurement time selection first page 64
Figure 3-10 Measurement time selection second page 64
Figure 3-11 Trigger settings selection 65
Figure 3-12 Output settings 66
Figure 4-1 Generator waveform selection 71
Figure 4-2 More generator waveform selection 71
Figure 4-3 Sine waveform menu 72
Figure 4-4 Typical sine waveform and parameters 73
Figure 4-5 Variable phase waveform menu 74
Figure 4-6 Dual sine waveform selection 75
Figure 4-7 Dual waveform menu 75
Figure 4-8 More dual sine waveform parameters 76
Figure 4-9 SMPTE IMD waveform menu 77
Figure 4-10 DFD IEC 60118 waveform menu 78
Figure 4-11 DFD IEC 60268 waveform menu 79
Figure 4-12 Noise signal selection 80
Figure 4-13 Gaussian noise signal menu 80
Figure 4-14 DC signal menu 81
Figure 4-15 Multitone waveform menu 82
Figure 4-16 More multitone waveform parameters 82
Figure 4-17 Multitone waveform preview 83
Figure 4-18 Square waveform menu 84
Figure 4-19 Arbitrary waveform menu 85
Figure 4-20 More arbitrary waveform parameters 85
Figure 4-21 Arbitrary waveform preview 86
Figure 5-1 Analyzer menu functions 88
Figure 5-2 Function 1 selection 89
Figure 5-3 Function 2 selection first page 90
Figure 5-4 Function 2 selection second page 91
Figure 5-5 Function 2 selection third page 91
Figure 5-6 Function 2 selection fourth page 92

U8903A User’s Guide XIX

Figure 5-7 THD + N Level measurement 95
Figure 5-8 THD + N Ratio measurement 96
Figure 5-9 SINAD measurement 97
Figure 5-10 SNR measurement 98
Figure 5-11 Noise level measurement 99
Figure 5-12 SMPTE IMD measurement 100
Figure 5-13 DFD measurement 101
Figure 5-14 Phase measurement 102
Figure 5-15 Crosstalk: Channel driven mode 104
Figure 5-16 Crosstalk: Channel measured mode 104
Figure 6-1 Frequency domain mode 106
Figure 6-2 Time domain mode 107
Figure 6-3 Monitor settings page 108
Figure 6-4 Input settings page 111
Figure 6-5 Axis settings page 112
Figure 6-6 Harmonics display 112
Figure 6-7 Peak Search menu 113
Figure 6-8 Marker menu 114
Figure 6-9 Marker measurement data display 115
Figure 6-10 Marker –> menu 116
Figure 6-11 Full screen 116
Figure 7-1 Sweep menu first page 118
Figure 7-2 Sweep menu second page 119
Figure 7-3 Sweep mode selection 120
Figure 7-4 Sweep settings page 121
Figure 7-5 I/O settings page 122
Figure 7-6 Axis settings page 123
Figure 7-7 List View 124

XX U8903A User’s Guide
