HP 71100A 2.9 GHz Spectrum Analyzer

© Brooke Clarke 2012

Fig 1

Fig 2

Background

While working at Aertech I wrote a proposal for testing some piece of satellite hardware where there was a spurious oscillations test.  This was a non harmonically related test, that's to say the oscillation could be anywhere in frequency and also it could be very weak.  This means that the spectrum analyzer needs to be run at the minimum Resolution Band Width (RBW) and over a small range of frequencies between start and stop frequencies.  Then that range stepped and the process repeated.  It would take maybe a day or more with computer control to do this test and the speed depended a lot on the brand and model number of spectrum analyzer.  At the time we had a number of HP 8566B spectrum analyzers, but the 70000 series analyzers could do this test much much faster.  Not sure way as I'm writing this but it may be because they use a digital IF filter like the HP 4395A.  The 4395A uses a 12 MHz wide IF feeding an I&Q detector that drives a DSP based filter and detector.  The sweep time for a 100 kHz band is much much faster than any analog spectrum analyzer.

In the 1987 HP catalog (listed under Signal Analyzers) the 71100A retailed for $33,000.  My unit is an "A" version.
In the 1989 HP catalog the 71100A lists for $35,740 (pg 118).
In the 1991 HP catalog the 71110C lists for $46,450 (pg 193).  The key difference is the 70900B LO module, all the other modules are "A" versions.

The "Redwood Project" at HP Santa Rosa developed this family of instruments. (HP Memories: From WWII Switzerland to HP Santa Rosa, an Engineer's Life)

Description

This is a rack mount instrument that's 4 units high (7").  It's a little more than 20" deep and heavy.  The 70000 series instruments are modular and so can have different capabilities depending on what modules are being used.  The 71100C is a 100 kHz to 2.9 GHz spectrum analyzer, but by changing the RF module to another model the frequency range can be extended.  In a similar manner the choice of RBWs can be changed by using a different module.  In a like manner there are different display modules.

8 narrow modules will fit into the 70001A system rack.  4 narrow modules will fit into the 70206A or 70004A display racks.

This system is known as the Modular Measurement System (MMS) and uses an electrical buss known as the Measurement System Interface Buss (MSIB).
If you have any documents on either of these please contact me.

IF Frequencies

The common FM radio has an IF center frequency of 10.7 Mhz with a bandwidth on the order of 100 kHz.  To process signals with a slightly wider bandwidth an IF center frequency of twice that or 21.4 Mhz is used.  There are a number of systems that have panoramic frequency displays where the input is 21.4, i.e. this is a very standard IF frequency.  For even wider IF bandwidths HP has chosen 321.4 MHz which can easily be down converted to 21.4 Mhz using a 300 MHz LO.

W.W.II radar systems used 30 MHz (MC then) IF strips.  The IF consisted of a long skinny chassis with about a half dozen tubes all in a line.

Changes in Configuration

70004A Color Display

To use the color display a pair of MSIB interface calbls are needed.
I found Black Box EDN37T-0005-MF cables on eBay.  They come in male-male, female-female & male-female versions.
They are 5 feet long and on one end there's a DB-37m and on the other end a DB-37f connector.
But they need to be modified to become MSIB cables.  The stock cable has 19 pairs numbered and with one if it's pin numbers from 1(&20) to 18 (&37).
The metal shells are not electrically connected but for MSIB they should be.  Pin 19 connects to pin 19 and so could be connected to both metal shells.
But the HP MSIB cable has the two terminals of pair 16 shorted together.

70310A Precision Frequency Reference

This is the Option 002 unit which does not have the ovenized oscillator, but rather depends on a precision external oscillator, like the PRS10 Rubidium or Thunderbolt GPSDO.
It does not have Option 001 which is the distribution amplifier (probably needed for systems with many modules) & external DC power input (not needed since there's no oven to maintain)

This module will fit into the unused space in the existing 71100A rack.

70300A Tracking Generator

LO: LO Out 3.0-6.6 RF: 1st LO LO: Tune Span 4.5-9.9V TG: Tune+Span In LO: Sweep d TG: Sweep In LO: HSWP In/Out TG: HSWP In LO: 300 MHz Out RF: 300 MHz LO: Video In IF: Video Out RF: 21.4 IF: 21.4 In RF: 1st LO Out TG: LO In 3.0-6.6 TG: 0-2.9 Out TG: 0-2.9 In Installed TG: 3.6214 Out TG: 3.6214 In	Addressing: Row 6 Coul 18 TG Row 4 Coul 18 RF Row 1 Coul 18 IF Row 0 Coul 18 LO

To Do List As Received

Error 2049 - Battery Failed

On rear panel behind plate held by 2 screws (Fig 2).  TL-5104 3.6 Volt Lithium.  Old battery had date code: K/06/87 (it's now Aug 2012) i.e. the battery is 25 years old.
2 Aug 2012 - on order from eBay California seller (local Radio Shack out of stock).

CRT Image Rotated

This can be fixed by rotating either the CRT or it's yoke.

Fig 3	Fig 4	Fig 5

Move modules into 70004A Color mainframe and get cables to use old mainframe as secondary.

(cables are not obtainable and the connectors are very hard to find)

Roberto Barrios, EB4EQA - DIY HP-MSIB Cable 

70900A Firmware

This is the key firmware controlling the instrument.
Mine is 870501 and the newest is 960418 B.06.03.
How can I update my LO firmware?  Let me know.

Models & Manuals

70000 Series Spectrum Analyzers & Related

Articles

A Microwave Receiver for Wide-Bandwidth Signals, HP Journal Oct. 1995
Optical Spectrum Analyzers with High Dynamic Range and Excellent Input Sensitivity, David A. Bailey & Jamer R. Stimple, HP Journal Dec 1993
A Double-Pass Monochromator for Wavelength Selection in an Optical Spectrum Analyzer, Kenneth R. Wildnauer & Zoltan Azary, HP Journal Dec 1993
A High-Resolution Direct-Drive Diffraction Grating Rotation System, Joseph N. West & Douglas Knight, HP Journal Dec 1993
A Broadband, General-Purpose Instrumentation Lightwave Converter, HP Journal Feb 1991

HP 8566 Spectrum Analyzer, HP Journal Aug 1979

Patents HP Santa Rosa

3990004 Multi-frequency range operation of a network analyzer system, Sterling Lewis Newton, HP, 1976-11-02, - 8410A Network Analyzer
-----------
4244024 Spectrum analyzer having enterable offsets and automatic display zoom, Michael S. Marzalek, Lynn M. Wheelwright, HP, - after the 8566A, 8566?
4253152 Spectrum analyzer with parameter updating from a display marker, Steven N. Holdaway, HP, 1981-02-24, -  - after the 8566A, 8566B?
4264958   Video processor for a spectrum analyzer, Joseph Rowell, Jr.Michael S. Marzalek, Michael J. Neering, HP, 1981-04-28, - includes a schematic - after the 8566A, 8566B?
4257104 Apparatus for spectrum analysis of an electrical signal, Larry R. Martin, Michael S. Marzalek, HP,  - includes a schematic - after the 8566A
4244024 - after the 8566A
4649496 Spectrum analyzer with improved data analysis and display features, Gregory A. Anderson, Paul M. Eason, Lynn M. Wheelwright, HP, 1987-03-10, - includes a schematic in parts - after the 8566A
------------ 8510?
4636717 Vector network analyzer with integral processor, David D. Sharrit, Robert G. Dildine, Mark D. Roos, John T. Barr, IV, HP, 1987-01-13, -
4641085 "
4641086 "
4644486 "
4661767 "
4669051 "
4703433 "
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4660150 Spectrum analyzer with improved data analysis and display features, Gregory A. Anderson, Paul M. Eason, Michael S. Marzalek, Lynn M. Wheelwright, HP, 1987-04-21, - includes a schematic in parts -
4669051 Vector network analyzer with integral processor, Vector network analyzer with integral processor, John T. Barr, IV, HP, 1987-05-26, -
4890236 Method and apparatus for aiding manual instrument settings by displaying estimates of future measurement results, Erik Kilk, David A. Smith, Alan W. Schmidt, Agilent, 1989-12-26
5177560 Optical spectrum analyzer having adjustable sensitivity, James R. Stimple, Zoltana D. Azary, Kenneth R. Wildnauer, Steven D. Warwick, HP, 1993-01-05, - 70951A
5233405 Optical spectrum analyzer having double-pass monochromator, Kenneth R. Wildnauer, James R. Stimple, John D. Knight, Joseph N. West, Barry G. Broome, HP, 1993-08-03, - 7095x
5359409 Diffraction grating position sensing and control for a scanning monochromator, Kenneth R. Wildnauer, James R. Stimple, John D. Knight, Joseph N. West, Barry G. Broome, HP, 1994-10-25, -
5396444 Terminator keys having reciprocal exponents in a data processing system, Wayne C. Cannon, S. Bruce Donecker, Michael J. Neering, HP, 1995-03-07, -
5550747 Unbounded marker for spectrum analysis, James P. Newman, Jr., HP, 1996-08-27, -
5796479 Signal monitoring apparatus for wavelength division multiplexed optical telecommunication networks, Dennis Derickson, Roger Lee Jungerman, HP, 1998-08-18, -
6177992 Low insertion loss optical monochromator, David M. Braun, Loren F. Stokes, HP, 2001-01-23, -
6249343 Wavelength reference standard using multiple gases,  Gary Wang, Peter Egerton, Kenneth R. Wildnauer, HP, 2001-06-19, -
6362878 Multipoint wavelength calibration technique, Gary Wang, Paul S. Bussard, Zoltan D. Azary, Kenneth R. Wildnauer, Peter Egerton, HP, 2002-03-26, -
6421120 Extended wavelength calibration reference, Kenneth R. Wildnauer, Agilent, 2002-07-16, -

Related

Test Equipment - Microwave Test Equipment - Spectrum Analyzers & some 70000 info
Agilent E4404B ESA-E 9kHz - 6.7 GHz Spectrum Analyzer
HP 4395A combo box: Network, Spectrum & Impedance Analyzer
Optical Spectrum Analyzers
Avcom PSA-45D Portable Spectrum Analyzer
RF Viewer — Wireless USB Dongle, RF Spectrum Analyzer from Nuts about Nets

Links

HP 70k - Inside the 70310A  - 70310A Oscillator Investigations - Master HP70K Document Index
DIY HP-MSIB Cable -
HP 70000 MMS Information - Epiphan VGA2USB LR (not clear which models are needed/work) - CuteSDR (see Bats/SDR-IQ) 
Full-resolution 70004A Screen Capture  - Using the R, G & B outputs on the 70004 with a USB converter Epiphan VGA2USB LR to get the display into a computer

PRC68, Alpha numeric web page index, Products for Sale

This page created 2 Aug 2012