Agilent Technologies E4406A VSA Series Installation and operation manual

Installation Note
Part Number E4406-90278
Printed in USA April 2011 Supersedes February 2005
Agilent E4406A VSA Series Transmitter Tester CPU
Retrofit Kit for Instruments with Serial Prefix
US3948 and below and with CPU Assemblies
E4406-60073 or E4406-60040
Kit Part Number E4406-60238

Notice.
The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.
Agilent Technologies makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including but not
limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Agilent
Technologies shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in
connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.
© Copyright 2005, 2011 Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Installation Note E4406-90278 3
A22 CPU Retrofit Kit
A22 CPU Retrofit Kit
Introduction
This kit provides the hardware and installation instructions necessary for installing the E4406-60060
CPU assembly into E4406As with serial prefix US3948 and below and with CPU assemblies
E4406-60073 or E4406-60040.
E4406A instruments with serial numbers US38330001 through US39480824 were originally shipped
with CPU assembly E4406-60040, which was subsequently updated to part number E4406-60073.
This kit enables those instruments with either the E4406-60040 or E4406-60073 assembly to be
updated to the E4406-60060 CPU assembly, which has been standard in the E4406A since February
2000. The E4406-60060 CPU assembly has different drive levels than the E4406-60040 /
E4406-60073 CPU assemblies for the Front Panel Interface assembly and the SCSI assembly. This kit
includes instructions for installing the replacement E4406-60060 CPU assembly and E4406-60065
SCSI board assembly and E4406-60064 Front Panel Interface board assembly.
Contents
Products Affected: VSA E4406A
Serial Numbers: US3948 and below
To Be Performed By: (X) Agilent Service Center
(X) Personnel Qualified by Agilent
(X) Customer
Estimated Installation Time: 2 Hours
Description Agilent Part
Number
CPU Assembly (includes standoff for flash memory and seven
spacers) E4406-60243
Front Panel Interface Board Assembly E4406-63199
SCSI Board Assembly E4406-60065
Installation Note This note

4Installation Note E4406-90278
A22 CPU Retrofit Kit
Before You Start
Before starting to disassemble the instrument:
• Check that you are familiar with the safety symbols marked on the instrument, and read the general
safety considerations and the safety note definitions given in the front of this guide.
• The instrument contains static sensitive components. Read the section entitled “ESD Information”
in the service manual.
WARNING The opening of covers or removal of parts is likely to expose dangerous
voltages. Disconnect the product from all voltage sources while it is being
opened.
WARNING WARNING The instrument contains potentially hazardous voltages. Refer to
the safety symbols on the instrument and the general safety considerations at
the beginning of this service guide before operating the unit with the cover
removed. Failure to heed the safety precautions can result in severe or fatal
injury.
Tools Required
Figure 1 TORX Tool
Description Agilent Part Number
TORX Hand Driver - Size T10 8710-1623
TORX Hand Driver - Size T15 8710-1622
TORX Hand Driver - Size T20 8710-1615
9/16” Deep-Socket Nut Driver 8720-0008
static-free work area N/A

Installation Note E4406-90278 5
Installation Procedure
Installation Procedure
Step 1. Remove the Outer Case
CAUTION If the instrument is placed on its face during any of the following procedures, be
sure to use a soft surface or soft cloth to avoid damage to the front panel, keys, or
input connector.
1. Disconnect the instrument from ac power.
2. There are two handles on the sides of the instrument that must be taken off. Refer to Figure 2.
Using the T-20 driver, loosen the screws that attach each handle (1). Remove the handles.
3. Remove the four bottom feet (2). This is done by lifting up on the tabs on the feet, and sliding the
feet in the direction indicated by the arrows.
4. Using the T-20 driver, remove the four screws (3) that hold the rear feet (4) in place.
5. Pull the instrument cover (5) off toward the rear of the instrument.
Figure 2 Instrument Outer Case Removal

6Installation Note E4406-90278
Installation Procedure
Step 2. Remove the Top Brace
1. Using the T-10 driver, remove the 7 top screws, one is covered with the security label (3) and the
10 side screws (2) attaching the top brace (1) to the deck. The top screws are different from the
side screws. Be careful not to mix them.
2. The top brace can now be removed from the deck.
Figure 3 Top Brace Removal

Installation Note E4406-90278 7
Installation Procedure
Step 3. Remove the A25 SCSI Board
1. At the rear of the instrument, use a T-10 driver to remove the 7 screws (1) securing the small
panel to the frame.
2. The A25 board can be removed through the rear panel by pulling upon the board to disengage it
from the CPU board.
3. If the board hits the rear frame and will not come out, using the flat blade screwdriver, remove the
2 screwlocks (2) that secure the dress panel (3) to the A25 board
Figure 4 SCSI Board Removal

8Installation Note E4406-90278
Installation Procedure
Step 4. Remove the A22 CPU Assembly
1. Locate and unseat the A10 Digital IF assembly and the A7 BaseBand IQ assembly (if present).
(See Figure 5.) It is not necessary to completely remove the assemblies from the instrument or
disconnect any of the cables connected to the digital IF assembly or the baseband IQ assembly. The
assemblies must be pulled up far enough to clear the processor board enclosure when removing the
A22 Processor assembly.
2. On the rear of the instrument, remove the 14 screws that secure the A22 Processor assembly to the
rear frame. (See Figure 5.)
3. Carefully pull out the processor assembly using the handle on the processor plate. There are
standoffs on the bottom of the processor board that could be damaged or come loose if they catch
on the instrument frame when the processor is being removed.
Figure 5 CPU Board Removal

Installation Note E4406-90278 9
Installation Procedure
Step 5. Remove the A22A1 DRAM and A22A2 Flash Memory Assemblies
1. Orient the A22 Processor assembly so its rear-panel plate is facing you. Locate the A22A1 DRAM
Memory and A22A2 Flash Memory assemblies. (See Figure 5).
2. Cut the 4 plastic standoffs around the A22A1 assembly and the 4 plastic standoffs around the
A22A2 assembly with diagonal pliers or a utility knife. Carefully lift the A22A1 DRAM and the
A22A2 Flash Memory assemblies to avoid damaging the connectors on the processor assembly.
3. Remove the remains of the standoffs with long-nosed pliers.
4. Set aside the old CPU assembly.
Step 6. Install the A22A1 DRAM and A22A2 Flash Memory Assemblies onto the
replacement A22 E4406-60060 CPU Assembly
1. Orient the replacement A22 Processor assembly so its rear-panel plate is facing you.
2. Install the 8 plastic standoffs (included in the CPU Retrofit Kit) into the CPU board.
3. Carefully position the Flash board over the plastic standoffs and press on the 4 corners of the Flash
board to snap the board into the standoffs. Assure the CPU connector and Flash board connector
are mated.
CAUTION When installing the A22A2 Flash Memory assembly or A22A1 DRAM Memory
assembly, do NOT press on the center of the boards to seat them. Pressing on the
center of the assembly could result in damage to the PC board traces or
components on the PC board.
4. Carefully position the DRAM board over the plastic standoffs and press on the 4 corners of the
DRAM board to snap the board into the standoffs. Assure the CPU connector and DRAM board
connector are mated.

10 Installation Note E4406-90278
Installation Procedure
Step 7. Install the replacement A22 CPU Assembly and A25 SCSI Assembly
1. Slide the CPU assembly back into the chassis and assure the CPU and motherboard connector
mate. The CPU plate should fit snugly against the rear frame.
2. Install the Digital IF (A10) assembly into slot 4. Assure the cables are not pinched when the
assembly is inserted. Hook the ejectors under the tabs on the rear frame and mid web. Carefully
push down on the ejectors to mate the assembly with the motherboard connectors.
NOTE If the Digital IF (A10) assembly is not snugly installed so that it mates well with
the mother board and CPU board, the instrument will not function correctly when
turned on. If the instrument reports a serial number of “0” after completing this
retrofit and does not align correctly, you must re-seat the Digital IF so that it mates
properly with the motherboard and CPU assembly. If a problem persists with not
being able to correctly insert the Digital IF assembly, remove the CPU rear plate
and install the CPU board, then install the Digital IF, then re-attach the CPU plate.
3. Install the Base band I/Q (A7) assembly (if present) into the slot that it was originally installed
(either slot 1 or slot 2). Assure the cables are not pinched when the assembly is inserted. Ensure
that the Base band I/Q assembly mates snugly with the mother board assembly and CPU assembly.
4. Install the replacement SCSI board by inserting it into the opening on the rear frame. Carefully
position the board in the CPU board connector and push down to mate. Replace the 6 screws using
a T-10 driver. Torque to 9 inch pounds.
5. Using the T-10 driver, secure the CPU assembly to the rear frame with the 14 screws. Torque to 9
inch pounds.

Installation Note E4406-90278 11
Installation Procedure
Step 8. Detach the Front Frame
1. Refer to Figure 6. Using the T-10 driver, remove the 6 screws (1) that attach the front frame
assembly (2) to the deck.
2. Disengage the green external front trigger cable (4) from the clips that secure it to the inside of
the front frame.
3. Disengage the four Base Band I/Q input cables (if present) from the clips that secure them to the
inside of the front frame.
4. Using a 9/16” socket drive, remove the nuts securing the External Trigger Input BNC connector
and Base Band I/Q input cables (if present). Take care to not scratch the front dress panel.
5. Pull the front frame off of the deck until it is disengaged from the disc drive. At this point, the front
frame can be placed flat on the bench.
6. Refer to Figure 6. Disconnect the ribbon cable (3) from the A3 front panel interface board. Pull
the coaxial cable (4) from the front frame. Pull the coaxial cables (if present) for the base band
I/Q inputs (not shown in Figure 5) from the front frame.
7. Set the main deck of the instrument aside and orient the front frame assembly so that it is facing
you.
Figure 6 Front Frame Assembly Removal

12 Installation Note E4406-90278
Installation Procedure
Step 9. Install the new Front Panel Interface Board Assembly
1. Refer to Figure 7. Using the T-10 driver, remove the 11 screws (1) securing the shield (2) to the
front frame. Lift the shield from the front frame.
Figure 7 Front Frame Shield Removal
2. Remove the front panel knob (RPG knob) by pulling it straight off of the control shaft.
3. Refer to Figure 8. Disconnect both of the 2-wire backlight cables (2) from the inverter boards
(3).
Figure 8 Front Panel Interface Board Removal

Installation Note E4406-90278 13
Installation Procedure
4. Unplug the display flat flex cable (4) from the front panel interface board. To do this, you must
first pull up on both sides of the locking mechanism of the ribbon cable connector.
5. Using the T-10 driver, remove the 7 screws (1) that secure the front panel interface board (5) to
the front frame assembly.
6. Lift the front panel interface board from the front frame assembly.
7. Place the new front panel interface board into position in the front frame assembly. Mate the
connector with the connector in the keyboard.
8. Using the T-10 driver, replace the 7 screws that secure the board to the front frame. Torque to 9
inch pounds.
9. Plug the display flat flex cable (4) into the front panel interface board connector. Push down on
both sides of the locking mechanism.
NOTE It is recommended that you use a magnification device such as a lighted arm
magnifier when you connect the flat flex cable into the front panel. The metal
contacts on the flat flex cable must be correctly aligned with the front panel
interface board connector or the display will be unstable or intermittent.
10.Reconnect both of the 2-wire backlight cables.
11.Press the front panel knob (RPG knob) onto the control shaft.
12.Replace the front shield using the 11 screws that were removed earlier.

14 Installation Note E4406-90278
Installation Procedure
Step 10. Reattach the Front Frame Assembly
1. Place the front frame assembly in front of the deck.
2. Refer to Figure 6. Connect the ribbon cable (3) to the A3 front panel interface board if it became
disconnected.
3. Position the connector of front external trigger input (green coaxial cable) through the front frame.
4. Using the 9/16” socket, replace the nut to secure the connector to the front frame. Torque to 21
inch pounds.
5. If the instruments has Base Band I/Q inputs (Option B7C), position the connectors of the I/Q
inputs through the front frame. Using the 9/16” socket, replace the nuts to secure the connectors to
the front frame and torque to 21 inch pounds. The position of the I/Q input cables on the front
panel are as follows:
6. Clip the green external trigger coaxial cable and Base Band I/Q input cables (if present) into the
two original cable clamps positioned on the front frame shield.
7. Position the front frame on the deck using the alignment bosses on the deck (5). Remember to
tuck the ribbon cable under the fans when pushing the frame onto the deck. This will insure proper
airflow to cool the instrument. Using the T-10 driver, replace the 6 screws (1) that secure the front
frame to the deck. Torque to 9 inch pounds.
8. Ensure that the green external trigger coaxial cable is securely run through the gap between the
fans. Also, ensure that the external trigger table is tightly secured so that there is no possibility that
it can be caught in the fans. The external trigger cable may be routed through the base band I/Q clip
instead of the bottom clip, in order to reduce the slack in the cable.
Cable Position Cable ID Part Number
I Top 12 E4406-60161
Q Second from top 14 E4406-60163
I-not Second from bottom 13 E4406-60162
Q-not Bottom 15 E4406-60164

Installation Note E4406-90278 15
Installation Procedure
Step 11. Install the Top Brace and Outer Case
1. Carefully position the top brace on the deck. Reference the two alignment pins and the two
alignment holes. Make sure that no coaxial cables will get pinched underneath the brace.
2. Using the T-10 driver, replace the 7 top screws first, and then the 10 side screws after the top
screws are tightened. Torque to 9 inch pounds.
3. Slide the instrument cover back onto the deck from the rear. The seam on the cover should be on
the bottom. Be sure the cover seats into the gasket groove in the front frame.
4. Using the T-20 driver, attach the four rear feet with the four screws to the instrument. Torque to 21
inch pounds.
5. Using the T-20 driver, replace the handles. Torque to 21 inch pounds.
6. Replace the four bottom feet by pressing them into the holes in the case and sliding in the opposite
direction of the arrows until they click into place. Note that the feet at the front have the tilt stands.
Step 12. Test the front panel keys and knob
1. Plug in the instrument and turn it on.
2. Wait for the instrument to completely boot up and run through its internal alignment routine.
3. Start the front panel key test by pressing Mode, More until (3 of 3), Service, More (1 of 2), Front
Panel Test.
4. Test all of the front panel keys by pressing each of the keys (in any order, with the exception of the
ESC key, which must be pressed last). The first time you press a key a “1” will replace the “0” for
that row that originally appeared to the right of the key column. (Note: The up and down arrow
keys are described as the Rpg Dn and Rpg Up keys.)
5. Rotate the front panel knob (RPG knob) clockwise and counter-clockwise to test its functionality.
Rotating the front panel knob will result in a rapidly incrementing or decrementing value
appearing to the right of the RPG knob entry.
6. Press the ESC key to exit the front panel test.

16 Installation Note E4406-90278
Installation Procedure
Step 13. Program the instrument's serial number into the replacement CPU
Whenever the main CPU is replaced it is necessary to configure the instrument’s serial number stored
on the CPU assembly. You are given just once chance to correctly enter the instrument's serial number
from the front panel. This procedure only works on factory initialized CPUs which are initially
programmed with a serial number of ten zeroes (0000000000).
1. Press System, More until (2 of 3) is displayed, Show System, Service Password, 7378423, and
Enter. The Service Number softkey that was previously shown as inactive (grayed out) should
now be shown as active (black).
CAUTION You have only one chance to enter the serial number into the replacement
processor memory. Ensure that the number you enter matches the number on the
serial tag on the rear panel. Use extreme care when entering the number from the
front panel.
2. Press Serial Number - alpha editor will be activated - and carefully enter the serial number. If you
make an error, press Backspace.
3. Then press Done to write the serial number to the instrument memory.
4. Cycle the power on the E4406A and wait for it to boot up.
5. Press System, More, Show System and ensure that the correct serial number is displayed.