Agilent Technologies u8903a User manual

Agilent Technologies
Agilent U8903A
Audio Analyzer
Quick Start Guide
Firmware 2.10.1.0 and above

II U8903A Quick Start Guide
Notices
© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2011–2012
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
U8903-90032
Edition
Fourth Edition, November 1, 2012
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
5301 Stevens Creek Blvd.
Santa Clara, CA 95051 USA
Warranty
The material contained in this document is
provided “as is,” and is subject to change,
without notice, in future editions. Further,
to the maximum extent permitted by the
applicable law, Agilent disclaims all war-
ranties, either express or implied, with
regard to this manual and any information
contained herein, including but not limited
to the implied warranties of merchantabil-
ity 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 of any
information contained herein. Should Agi-
lent 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 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 likes
of that, if not correctly performed
or adhered to, could result in dam-
age to the product or loss of impor-
tant 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 likes of that, if not correctly
performed or adhered to, could
result in personal injury or death.
Do not proceed beyond a WARN-
ING notice until the indicated
conditions are fully understood
and met.

U8903A Quick Start 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)
On (supply) 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 Frame or chassis terminal

IV U8903A Quick Start Guide
Safety Considerations
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 the 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 Quick Start 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 Quick Start 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 condition Requirement
Operating temperature 0 °C to 55 °C
Operating humidity 20% to 80% RH noncondensing at 40 °C
Storage temperature –40 °C to 70 °C
Storage humidity 20% to 80% RH noncondensing at 65 °C
NOTE
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/NMB-001:Issue 4, June 2006
• IEC 61326-1:2005/EN 61326-1:2006
• Australia/New Zealand: AS/NZS CISPR11:2004
• USA: ANSI/UL std No. 61010-1:2004

U8903A Quick Start 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 or electronic product in domestic household waste.
The CSA mark is a registered trademark of the Canadian Standards Association.
This symbol indicates the time period during which no hazardous or toxic
substance elements are expected to leak or deteriorate during normal use. Forty
years is the expected useful life of the product.

VIII U8903A Quick Start 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 or 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 as shown below.
Do not dispose in domestic household waste.
To return this unwanted instrument, contact your nearest Agilent Service
Center, or visit
www.agilent.com/environment/product
for more information.

U8903A Quick Start Guide IX
Table of Contents
Introduction 1
LXI Class-C Compliant Audio Analyzer 2
Installation and Configuration 2
Initial inspection 2
Ventilation 2
Rack mounting 3
Standard Shipped Items 3
Optional Items 4
U8903A Digital Audio 4
U8903A options 4
Units for digital audio measurements 5
Product at a Glance 6
Front panel outlook 6
Rear panel outlook 8
LCD display layout 11
Power On the U8903A 12
Preset the U8903A 12
Help System 13
Using the Editing Keys 14
Switching to 2-Panel or 4-Panel View 16
Switching to Generator/Analyzer and Analog/Digital Mode 17

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U8903A Quick Start Guide 1
Introduction
The U8903A is a powerful, multichannel audio measurement
system that combines both generator and analyzer.
The standard option for the U8903A audio analyzer is
Option 200. The U8903A can be further expanded with
digital audio interfaces such as the AES3, SPDIF, and Digital
Serial Interface (DSI). The digital audio interfaces are
available with the U8903A Option 113, 114, and 115. Refer
to “U8903A options” on page 4 for more information on the
available U8903A options.
The U8903A is capable of performing a wide range of audio
parameter measurements on both analog audio and digital
audio interfaces. Measurement functions can be performed
simultaneously on the analog audio and digital audio
interfaces such as analog audio + AES3/SPDIF,
analog audio + DSI, and AES3/SPDIF + DSI.
The U8903A standard features are as follows.
•The analog generator has a frequency range of 5 Hz to
80 kHz, and the digital generator has a frequency range of
2 Hz to 0.45 sampling rate
•The DSI digital generator has a sampling range of
6.75 kHz to 400 kHz, and the AES3/SPDIF digital
generator has a sampling range of 28 kHz to 192 kHz
•The analog analyzer has a frequency measurement range
of 10 Hz to 100 kHz and the digital analyzer has a
frequency measurement range of 5 Hz to 0.45
sampling rate
•Frequency domain and time domain graph display of the
signal
•Sweep capability
•GPIB, LAN, and USB remote interfaces
NOTE
•Refer to the U8903A Audio Analyzer User’s Guide for more information.
•To search for firmware updates for the U8903A, go to the Agilent U8903A
firmware upgrade Web site at www.agilent.com/find/audioanalyzer_firmware.

2U8903A Quick Start Guide
LXI Class-C Compliant Audio Analyzer
The U8903A audio analyzer is an LXI
Class- C compliant instrument, developed
using LXI Technology. LXI, an acronym
for LAN eXtension for Instrumentation, is
an instrument standard for devices that
use the Ethernet (LAN) as their primary communication
interface.
Hence, it is an easy- to- use instrument especially with the
usage of an integrated Web browser that provides a
convenient way to configure the instrument’s functionality.
Installation and Configuration
Initial inspection
When you receive your U8903A, inspect the unit for any
obvious damage such as broken terminals or cracks, dents,
and scratches on the chassis that may occur during
shipment. If any damage is found, notify the nearest Agilent
Sales Office immediately.
Keep the original packaging in case the U8903A has to be
returned to Agilent in the future. If you return the U8903A
for service, attach a tag identifying the owner and model
number. Also, include a brief description of the problem.
Ventilation
The U8903A can operate within the temperature range of
0 °C to 55 °C. The U8903A is cooled by drawing air through
the sides and bottom at the front of the U8903A, and
exhausting it through the ventilation holes on the sides and
top at the rear of the U8903A. The U8903A must be
installed in a location that allows sufficient space at the top,
sides, and rear for adequate air circulation.

U8903A Quick Start Guide 3
Rack mounting
The U8903A can be mounted in a standard 19- inch rack.
Rackmount kits are available as Option 908. Support rails
are also required for rack mounting. These are normally
supplied with the rack and are not included with the
rackmount options.
If you are installing an instrument on top of the U8903A,
ensure that the instrument does not obstruct the ventilation
holes at the top of the U8903A. If required, use a filler panel
above the U8903A to ensure adequate space for
air circulation.
Standard Shipped Items
Verify that you have received the following items. If anything
is missing or damaged, please contact the nearest Agilent
Sales Office.
•U8903A Audio Analyzer
•Power cord
•LAN cable
•USB cable
•Agilent U8903A Audio Analyzer Quick Start Guide
•Agilent U8903A Audio Analyzer Product Reference
CD- ROM
•Certificate of Calibration

4U8903A Quick Start Guide
Optional Items
The following accessories are available for purchase
separately.
•Male BNC to male BNC cable, 1.2 m
•Male BNC to male RCA cable, 2 m
•Male XLR to female XLR cable, 2 m
•Rackmount kit
•Digital serial interface cable
U8903A Digital Audio
U8903A options
U8903A Option 200
The U8903A Option 200 is the standard option with two
channels of analog audio generator and analyzer.
U8903A Option 113
The U8903A Option 113 expands the audio analyzer with the
AES3, SPDIF, and DSI digital audio interfaces.
U8903A Option 114
The U8903A Option 114 expands the audio analyzer with the
AES3 and SPDIF digital audio interfaces.
U8903A Option 115
The U8903A Option 115 expands the audio analyzer with the
DSI digital audio interface.

U8903A Quick Start Guide 5
Units for digital audio measurements
Table 1 Units for digital audio measurements
Unit Description
FFS Fractional of Full Scale
%FS Percent of Full Scale
dBFS Decibels relative to Full Scale
LSB Least Significant Bit
FS/Vrms Ratio between cross-domain input and output levels
measurements (analog input and digital output)
Vrms/FS Ratio between cross-domain input and output levels
measurements (digital input and analog output)

6U8903A Quick Start Guide
Product at a Glance
Front panel outlook
Figure 1 U8903A front panel
12345678
9101112
Table 2 U8903A front panel description
No. Item Description
1 LCD display Provides information on the current function including status indicators, settings,
and error messages
2 Softkeys 1 to 7 Activates the function as displayed on the right side of the LCD display
3 Editing keys The editing keys consists of the knob, Enter key, arrow keys, and data entry keys
4 Mode Enables access to the U8903A main functions such as Generator, Analyzer,
Frequency Domain, Time Domain, and Sweep
5 Graph Enables access to the commonly used graph functions such as Peak Search,
Marker, Marker →, and Full Screen

U8903A Quick Start Guide 7
6 Channel/Output Toggles the Run/Stop key to start or stop signal generation or measurements for
the selected generator or analyzer channel respectively.
The On/Off key toggles on or off the generator output for all active channels.
7 System Enables access to the U8903A system functions
8 Headphone jack Reserved for future expansion
9 USB port Allows an external USB flash storage to be connected to the U8903A
10 Analog analyzer input Receives analog audio signal using a female XLR input connector and a female
BNC input connector. The input connectors are available for each channel.
11 Analog generator output Outputs analog audio signal using a male XLR output connector and a female
BNC output connector . The output connectors are available for each channel.
12 Power on/off Turns the U8903A on or off
Table 2 U8903A front panel description (continued)
No. Item Description

8U8903A Quick Start Guide
Rear panel outlook
Figure 2 U8903A rear panel (Option 200)
Figure 3 U8903A rear panel (Option 113, 114, and 115)
12 3 4
5678
13 12 10 9 2 3 4
5678111

U8903A Quick Start Guide 9
Table 3 U8903A rear panel description
No. Item Description
1 Trigger in Receives an external TTL or CMOS signal using a female BNC input connector for
triggering operation. Triggering can occurs on either the positive or negative edge.
2 Fuse Fuse compartment for AC supply
3 AC power inlet Connects to an AC line voltage
4 VGA port Allows an external monitor to be connected to the U8903A
5 LAN port Allows the U8903A to be controlled remotely over the LAN interface
6 USB Type-B port Allows the U8903A to be controlled remotely over the USB interface
7 USB port Allows an external USB flash storage to be connected to the U8903A
8 GPIB port Allows the U8903A to be controlled remotely over the General Purpose Interface
Bus (GPIB) interface
9Sync in Receives an external sync in clock/frame signal using a female BNC input
connector (for digital audio only)
10 Digital analyzer input and
output (AES3/SPDIF)
Receives and outputs digital audio signal using a female BNC input connector and
a female BNC output connector respectively
11 Digital analyzer input and
output (DSI)
Receives and outputs digital audio signals using a 25-pin male D-SUB connector
12 Digital analyzer input and
output (SPDIF)
Receives and outputs digital audio signal using a TOSLINK input connector and a
TOSLINK output connector respectively
13 Digital analyzer input and
output (AES3)
Receives and outputs digital audio signal using a female XLR input connector and
a male XLR output connector respectively

10 U8903A Quick Start Guide
Figure 4 Connect the TOSLINK cable straight into the connector
CAUTION
Connect the TOSLINK cable straight into the TOSLINK connector.
DO NOT force the cable in or connect at an angle. Failing to do so may
cause damage to the TOSLINK connector.