HP 8591C User 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.
Advanced Test Equipment Rentals
www.atecorp.com 800-404-ATEC (2832)
®
E
s
t
a
b
l
i
s
h
e
d
1
9
8
1

I
-
User’s Guide
HP 8591C
Cable TV Analyzer
Cable TV Measurements

I
-
HP part number: 08591-90176 Supersedes: 08591-90124
Printed in USA, October 1996
Notice.
The information contained in this document is subject to change without
notice.
Hewlett-Packard 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. Hewlett-Packard 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.
Regulatory Information.
The regulatory information is in the calibration guide for your analyzer.
acopyright 1996 Hewlett-Packard Company
All Rights Reserved. Reproduction, adaptation, or translation without prior
written permission is prohibited, except as allowed under the copyright laws
1400 Fountaingrove Parkway, Santa Rosa, CA 95403-1799, USA

Hewlett-Packard Software Product License
Agreement and Limited Warranty
Important
Please carefully read this License Agreement before opening the media envelope or operating the
equipment. Rights in the software are offered only on the condition that the Customer agrees to
all terms and conditions of the License Agreement. Opening the media envelope or operating the
equipment indicates your acceptance of these terms and conditions. If you do not agree to the License
Agreement, you may return the unopened package for a full refund.
111

I
-
License Agreement
In return for payment of the applicable fee, Hewlett-Packard grants the
Customer a license in the software, until terminated, subject to the following:
Use.
l Customer may use the software on one analyzer instrument
l Customer may not reverse assemble or decompile the software.
Copies and Adaptations.
l Customer may make copies or adaptations of the software:
q For archival purposes, or
q When copying or adaptation is an essential step in the use of the
software with a computer so long as the copies and adaptations are used
in no other manner.
l Customer has no other rights to copy unless they acquire an appropriate
license to reproduce which is available from Hewlett-Packard for some
software.
l Customer agrees that no warranty, free installation, or free training is
provided by Hewlett-Packard for any copies or adaptations made by
Customer.
l All copies and adaptations of the software must bear the copyright
notices(s) contained in or on the original.
Ownership.
l Customer agrees that they do not have any title or ownership of the
software, other than ownership of the physical media.
a Customer acknowledges and agrees that the software is copyrighted and
protected under the copyright laws.
l Customer acknowledges and agrees that the software may have been
developed by a third party software supplier named in the copyright
notice(s) included with the software, who shall be authorized to hold the
Customer responsible for any copyright infringement or violation of this
License Agreement.
iv

I
-
Transfer of Rights in Software.
l Customer may transfer rights in the software to a third party only as part
of the transfer of all their rights and only if Customer obtains the prior
agreement of the third party to be bound by the terms of this License
Agreement.
l Upon such a transfer, Customer agrees that their rights in the software are
terminated and that they will either destroy their copies and adaptations or
deliver them to the third party.
l Transfer to a U.S. government department or agency or to a prime or
lower tier contractor in connection with a U.S. government contract shall
be made only upon their prior written agreement to terms required by
Hewlett-Packard.
Sublicensing and Distribution.
l Customer may not sublicense the software or distribute copies or
adaptations of the software to the public in physical media or by
telecommunication without the prior written consent of Hewlett-Packard.
Termination.
l Hewlett-Packard may terminate this software license for failure to comply
with any of these terms provided Hewlett-Packard has requested Customer
to cure the failure and Customer has failed to do so within thirty (30) days
of such notice.
Updates and Upgrades.
l Customer agrees that the software does not include future updates
and upgrades which may be available for HP under a separate support
agreement.
Export.
l Customer agrees not to export or re-export the software or any copy or
adaptation in violation of the U.S. Export Administration regulations or
other applicable regulations.
V

I
-
Limited Warranty
Software.
Hewlett-Packard warrants for a period of 1 year from the date of purchase
that the software product will execute its programming instructions when
properly installed on the analyzer instrument indicated on this package.
Hewlett-Packard does not warrant that the operation of the software will
be uninterrupted or error free. In the event that this software product
fails to execute its programming instructions during the warranty period,
customer’s remedy shall be to return the measurement card (“media”) to
Hewlett-Packard for replacement. Should Hewlett-Packard be unable to
replace the media within a reasonable amount of time, Customer’s alternate
remedy shall be a refund of the purchase price upon return of the product
and all copies.
Media.
Hewlett-Packard warrants the media upon which this product is recorded
to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use
for a period of 1 year from the date of purchase. In the event any media
prove to be defective during the warranty period, Customer’s remedy
shall be to return the media to Hewlett-Packard for replacement. Should
Hewlett-Packard be unable to replace the media within a reasonable amount
of time, Customer’s alternate remedy shall be a refund of the purchase price
upon return of the product and all copies.
Notice of Warranty Claims.
Customer must notify Hewlett-Packard in writing of any warranty claim not
later than thirty (30) days after the expiration of the warranty period.
Limitation of Warranty.
Hewlett-Packard makes no other express warranty, whether written or oral,
with respect to this product. Any implied warranty of merchantability or
fitness is limited to the 1 year duration of this written warranty.
This warranty gives speciEc legal rights, and Customer may also have other
rights which vary from state to state, or province to province.
vi

I
-
Exclusive Remedies.
The remedies provided above are Customer’s sole and exclusive remedies.
In no event shall Hewlett-Packard be liable for any direct, indirect, special,
incidental, or consequential damages (including lost profit) whether based on
warranty, contract, tort, or any other legal theory.
Warranty Service.
Warranty service may be obtained from the nearest Hewlett-Packard sales
office or other location indicated in the owner’s manual or service booklet.
vii

I
-
Safety Symbols
The following safety symbols are used throughout this manual. F’amiliarize
yourself with each of the symbols and its meaning before operating this
instrument.
CAUTION
The caution sign denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a procedure which,
if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in damage to or
destruction of the instrument. Do not proceed beyond a caution sign until
the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.
WARNING
The warning sign denotes a hazard. It calls attention to a procedure
which, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in injury or
loss of life. Do not proceed beyond a warning sign until the indicated
conditions are fully understood and met.
Vlll

I
-
General Safety Considerations
WARNING
Before the analyzer is switched on, make sure it has been properly
grounded through the protective conductor of the ac power cable to a
socket outlet provided with protective earth contact.
Any interruption of the protective (grounding) conductor, inside or
outside the instrument, or disconnection of the protective earth terminal
can result in personal injury.
CAUTION
Before the analyzer is switched on, make sure its primary power circuitry has
been adapted to the voltage of the ac power source.
Failure to set the ac power input to the correct voltage could cause damage to
the instrument when the ac power cable is plugged in.
ix

I
-
The HP 85721A with Supported Analyzer
The HP 85721A with supported analyzer can perform tests channel-by-
channel, or over multiple channels with multiple tests performed on each
channel. (Refer to Chapter 1 for supported analyzer information.)
With the Option 107 TV receiver, the analyzer provides video testing and
TV receiver capability. The HP 85721A with supported analyzer has three
operating modes:
1. Spectrum analyzer
2. Cable TV analyzer
3. TV receiver
1. The analyzer is a full-featured spectrum analyzer. Some key spectrum
analysis features include the following:
l Zoom window
l Analog+ display (digital implementation of an analog display)
l Peak zoom
l Title, execute remote commands, and edit DLPs with a PC keyboard
l Adjacent channel power, occupied BW, and channel power
l Multiple markers and marker table
l Peak table
l % AM, TOI, and N dB bandwidth
l AM measurements with FFT menu
l Gate driver (Option 105 or 107 required)
2. The HP 85721A with supported analyzer is a cable TV analyzer.
With the Option 107 added, the analyzer can also perform three
video measurements: differential gain, differential phase, and
chrominance-to-luminance delay inequality. In addition, the Option 107
allows the analyzer to perform previously interfering RF measurements
in a non-interfering manner. That is, carrier-to-noise ratio, composite
second order distortion, and in-channel frequency response tests can be
performed without disrupting service.
X

I
-
There are two measurement modes within the cable TV analyzer mode of
operation:
l Channel measurement mode
l System measurement mode
Channel measurement mode is used to perform channel-by-channel
measurements. That is, you can execute a single measurement on a single
channel.
System measurement mode is used to create test plans that allow you to
execute selected (or all) measurements on a selected channel or range of
channels. After setting up these test plans, system measurement mode
is used to execute a test plan immediately, or schedule the tests to be
performed at a later tune. Measurement results can be stored to a RAM
card, sent to the screen for viewing, or dumped to a printer.
3. The HP 85721A with supported analyzer is a TV receiver (Option 107
required). You can listen to the sound and see the picture simultaneously.
This allows you to quickly identify picture quality problems such as noise,
distortion, hum, and ingress.
xi

I
-
In This Guide
l Chapter 1 explains how to install the personality and access channel or
system measurement mode.
l Chapter 2 provides information about performing channel-by-channel cable
TV measurements using the channel measurement mode.
l Chapter 3 provides information about performing cable TV measurements
by creating and executing a test plan using the system measurement mode.
In addition, information about storing and recalling test plans and test data
to and from a RAM card is provided.
l Chapter 4 contains information about what to do if you have a problem.
l Chapter 5 contains menu maps and descriptions of softkey functions in the
channel measurement mode.
l Chapter 6 contains menu maps and descriptions of softkey functions in the
system measurement mode.
l Chapter 7 contains menu maps and descriptions of softkey functions in the
Setup menu.
l Chapter 8 provides descriptions of all tests.
l Chapter 9’contains specifications and characteristics of the HP 85721A
Cable TV Measurements and System Monitor Personality with supported
analyzer. In addition, channel identiEcation plans and a channel survey
map for characterizing your system are provided as test aids.
xii

I
-
Conventions
This guide uses the following conventions:
Front-Panel Key
So9 tkey
Softkey OM OFF (ON)
Softkey AUTO PlAN (AUTO)
Screen Text
A boxed, uppercase name in this typeface
represents a key physically located on the
instrument.
A boxed word written in this typeface
indicates a “softkey,” a key whose label is
determined by the instrument’s firmware.
A boxed word written in this typeface with
the words ON and OFF can turn a function
on or off. The underlined function is shown
in parenthesis.
A boxed word written in this typeface with
the words AUTO and MAN can either be
auto-coupled or have its value manually
changed. The underlined function is shown
in parenthesis.
Text printed in this typeface indicates text
displayed on the spectrum analyzer screen.
x111

I
-
Analyzer Operation
NOTE
If you are not familiar with your analyzer, refer to the analyzer’s installation and operation and
programming manuals. These manuals describe analyzer preparation and verification, and tell you
what to do if something goes wrong. Also, they describe analyzer features and tell you how to
make spectrum analyzer measurements. Consult these manuals whenever you have a question about
standard analyzer use.
Firmware Requirements
Your analyzer must have firmware that was released on September 23, 1993 or later to use the HP
85721A personality To determine the firmware date for your analyzer:
l Turn on the analyzer.
l Read the firmware date that is displayed (the firmware date is displayed on the analyzer’s display
when the analyzer is first turned on). The date is displayed in a day, month, year format. For
example, if rev 930923 is displayed, the release date of the firmware was September 23,
1993.
If the release date for the analyzer’s firmware was prior to September 23, 1993, the firmware must
be updated to use the HP 85721A personality Contact your HP sales office for more information about
updating analyzer firmware.
xiv

I
-
Contents
1. Getting Started
What You’ll Find in This Chapter...........
Supported Spectrum Analyzer Requirements ......
Setup for Cable TV Measurements ..........
Step 1. Load the HP 85721A personality into analyzer
memory....................
Step 2. Perform the self-calibration routines .....
Step 3. Install a printer ..............
Step 4. Connect cables for non-interfering
measurements ..................
Step 5. Start channel or system mode of operation . .
Deleting the HP 85721A Personality from the Analyzer
.
2. Channel Measurements
What You’ll Find in This Chapter...........
Making Channel Measurements............
Step 1. Configure the test system..........
Step 2. Connect the signal to the analyzer ......
Step 3. Make the measurements...........
Method
#l - Tune by center frequency and frequency
span ....................
Method
#2 - Tune by start and stop frequencies . .
Step 4. Access the spectrum analyzer mode......
Step 5. Access the TV receiver mode (optional)....
3. System Measurements
What You’ll Find in This Chapter...........
Making System Measurements ............
Step 1. Configure the test system..........
Step 2. Connect the signal to the analyzer ......
Step 3. Enter the location code...........
Step 4. Enter the temperature ...........
Step 5. Recall a test plan .............
Step 6. Make the measurements now.........
Step 7. Access the spectrum analyzer mode......
Step 8. Access the TV receiver mode (optional)....
l-2
1-3
l-4
1-5
l-8
l-10
1-12
1-14
l-15
2-2
2-3
2-4
2-9
2-11
2-42
2-43
2-62
2-63
3-2
3-3
3-4
3-8
3-10
3-11
3-12
3-14
3-18
3-19
Contents- 1

I
-
Making Timed System Measurements .........
Creating a Test Plan
Step 1. Select an inbiiidu&l 'channkl ....... 1 1 1 ......
Step 2. Select a range of channels (optional) .....
Step 3. Save the current test plan in internal memory .
Step 4. Save the current test plan to a RAM card
(optional) ...................
Editing the Current Test Plan ............
Clearing the Current Test Plan ............
Cataloging Analyzer Memory .............
Recalling a Test Plan from a RAM Card ........
Recalling Test Data from the RAM Card ........
Cataloging a RAM Card ...............
Formatting a RAM Card ...............
Deleting All the Files from a RAM Card ........
Deleting Individual Files from a RAM Card ......
4. If You Have a Problem
Error Messages ...................
ALREADYENTERED ..................
CAUTION - RecalledTest Plan Corrupted
SelectedTest PlanCleared. ..........
CAUTION - STOPTIME ALREADYPASSED ........
CAUTION - STOPTIME LESS THAN STARTTIME. SET STOP
TIMEANDTRYAGAIN ...............
CHECK CARD IN SLOT (SAVE OFF?) ..........
ILLEGAL COMMAND ..................
INVALID SYMTAB ENTRY: SYMTAB OVERFLOW ......
INVALID FILENO ROOM ...............
MUSTBE > FIRST. ..................
NO CARD FOUND ...................
NO TEST PLAN SELECTED ...............
OUTOFRANGE ....................
PLEASE SELECT A CHANNEL ..............
PRINTER IS NOT CONNECTED, NOTTURNED ON, OR A
CONTROLLERCONFLICTEXISTS ..........
RAM CARD REQUIRED .................
RAM CARD IS NOT FORMATTED, FORMAT RAM CARD AND TRY
AGAIN ......................
VIDEO SYNCNOT RECOGNIZED .............
Other Problems ...................
3-20
3-22
3-23
3-25
3-28
3-30
3-31
3-32
3-33
3-34
3-35
3-36
3-37
3-38
3-39
4-3
4-3
4-4
4-4
4-5
4-5
4-6
4-6
4-7
4-7
4-8
4-a
4-9
4-9
4-10
4-11
4-11
4-11
4-12
Contents-2

I
-
If a test fails in SYSTEM MEAS mode .........
4-12
If files are missing from a RAM card ..........
4-12
If a “-” appears in the data fields ..........
4-13
If the test results are not what you expected .....
4-14
If the wrong date or time is displayed ........
4-15
How to Contact Hewlett-Packard ...........
4-16
5. Channel Measurements Menu Map and Softkey Descriptions
What You’ll Find in This Chapter ...........
5-2
Channel Measurements Menu Map ..........
5-3
Channel Measurements Softkey Function Descriptions . .
5-8
CHANNEL SELECT Description ............
5-9
DL DELTA ON OFF Description ...........
5-12
DO FRQ RESP TST Description ...........
5-14
GATE ON OFF Description .............
5-17
LISTEN ON OFF Description ............
5-19
RECALL FRM INT Description ............
5-20
SAVE TRB TO INT Description ...........
5-21
TAKE REF TRACE Description ............
5-23
VIEW CO-CHNL Description .............
5-27
6. System Measurements Menu Map and Softkey Descriptions
What You’ll Find in This Chapter ........... 6-2
System Measurements Menu Map ........... 6-3
System Measurements Softkey Function Descriptions ... 6-6
ABORT Description ................ 6-6
ALL TESTS Description .............. 6-6
CATALOG CARD Description
............. 6-7
CLEAR TESTS Description ............. 6-9
CLEAR TST PLAN Description ............ 6-9
Create TstPlan Description ............ 6-10
DATA TO PRINTER Description ........... 6-10
DONE Description .................
6-13
DUMP TO PRINTER Description ...........
6-13
Contents-3

DUMP TO RAM CARD Description
...........
6-16
DUMP TO SCREEN Description
.............
6-17
ENTER BY CHANNEL Description
...........
6-18
ENTER BY RANGE Description
............
6-18
ENTER LOCATION Description
............
6-19
ENTER TEMP Description ..............
6-20
GOT0 PAGE Description ..............
6-21
Main Menu Description ..............
6-21
Measure Now Description .............
6-22
NEXT PAGE Description ..............
6-22
NO Description ..................
6-23
PLAN 1 Description ................
6-23
PLAN 2 Description ................
6-24
PLAN 3 Description ................
6-25
PLAN 4 Description ................
6-25
PLAN 5 Description ................
6-25
Prev Menu Description ..............
6-26
PREV PAGE Description ..............
6-26
PRINT REPORT Description .............
6-26
Recall Data Description .............
6-27
RECALL FRM CRD Description
............
6-27
RECALL FRM INT Description ............
6-28
Recall TstPlan Description ............
6-29
SAVE TO INT MEM Description ...........
6-29
SAVE TO MEM CRD Description
...........
6-30
Save TstPlan Description .............
6-30
START TIME Description ..............
6-31
STOP TIME Description ..............
6-31
SYSTEM MEAS Description .............
6-32
Timed Measure Description ............
6-33
Contents-4

I
-
TIME INTERVAL Description ............
6-34
TODAY’ S DATE Description
..............
6-35
TODAY’ S TIMEDATE Description...........
6-35
VIEW CH SEL Description .............
6-36
VIEW LAST Description ..............
6-36
YES Description .................
6-37
7. TV Receiver, Setup, and AUX CTRL Menu Maps and Softkey
Descriptions
What You’ll Find in This Chapter.....
TV RECEIVER Menu Map .......
Setup Menu Map ............
AUX CTRL Menu Map .........
Softkey Descriptions...........
AIR Description ...........
Analyzer Input Description......
CHANNEL SELECT Description
......
Channel Tuning Description......
CSO FREQ OFFSET and
CM? FREQ OFFSET
Description..............
EXT AMP GAIN Description.......
EXT AMP NZ FIG Description......
EXT AMP YES NO Description......
EXT PAD YES NO Description......
HRC Description ...........
IRC Description ...........
Monitor TV Description........
PICTURE ON OFF Description......
PIX
&SND ON OFF Description .....
Setup Description ..........
SOUND ON OFF Description.......
STD Description ...........
SYS BTS TST CHNL Description.....
......
......
......
......
......
. . . . . .
. . . . . .
. . . . . .
. . . . . .
7-2
7-3
7-4
7-5
7-6
7-6
7-7
7-8
7-8
7-9
7-10
7-10
7-11
7-11
7-12
7-13
7-13
7-14
7-14
7-15
7-16
7-16
7-17
Contents-5