TSP #137 - Teardown, Repair and Analysis of an Anritsu MS2721B 7.1GHz Portable Spectrum Analyzer
23.1K views
November 5, 2018 12:21 AM
In this episode Shahriar investigates the failure of an Anritsu MS2712B 7.1GHz portable spectrum analyzer with built-in tracking generator. The instrument is missing the main firmware flash card which is easily replaced. A full teardown of the instrument is presented with focus on both the tracking generator PCB and main RF deck. Various ASICs and microwave components are closely examined. To help with removing and replacing many microwave screws, a Hitachi/Metabo electric screwdriver is used which can be purchased here:
https://amzn.to/2We8yoP
After re-assembly of the unit, it becomes apparent that a mechanical push on the RF deck causes the LO1 PLL to unlock. This points to a fault in one of the microwave components. The issue is traced to a broken solder joint inside of the VCO modules. After repair, the instrument functions normally. The performance and tracking generator functionality is verified by measuring a tuneable band-pass filter.
The Signal Path
http://www.TheSignalPath.com
http://www.YouTube.com/TheSignalPath
http://www.Patreon.com/TheSignalPath
TSP #136 - Tutorial on Programming a Waveshare 7.5-Inch Multi-Color e-Paper Display & Info-Frame
125.1K views
November 4, 2018 12:23 AM
In this episode Shahriar demonstrates the capabilities of a Waveshare 7.5-Inch tricolor e-Paper display. By combining the display with a Raspberry Pi Zero, the SPI interface of the mini-computer can be used to program and configure the e-Paper display using Python scripts. Furthermore, the Python script takes advantage of the available API of a few website to provide relevant information such as the current date, calendar, task list with due-dates as well as the current weather and weather forecast all in a clean user interface.
The complete Python code is presented and analyzed and the principle operation of the display is also presented. Do not forget to check Applied Science’s video on this topic as well:
https://youtu.be/MsbiO8EAsGw
Finally, the individual pixels are examined under the microscope while the screen undergoes a refresh which demonstrated how various colors are displayed.
The complete code can be downloaded here:
http://www.TheSignalpath.com/uploads/ePaper_Frame.zip
You can also buy the e-Paper display here:
https://amzn.to/2BtCuW8
Raspberry Pi Zero kit here:
https://amzn.to/2DV7LDE
If you are interested in using an ESP WiFi module with Arduino to interface with the e-Paper display, it can be found here:
https://amzn.to/2Kv874k
You can chose any picture frame to complete the project. The Task Manager and Weather APIs can be found here:
https://www.ToDoist.com
https://openweathermap.org
Some inspiration for this project:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW4GYmzWOb8
The Signal Path
http://www.TheSignalPath.com
http://www.YouTube.com/TheSignalPath
http://www.Patreon.com/TheSignalPath
TSP #135 - Teardown, Repair & Analysis of an Agilent N5230A 13.5GHz PNA-L Network Analyzer (Part 2)
15.1K views
October 26, 2018 5:16 PM
In this two-part episode Shahriar repairs an Agilent N5230A 13.5GHz PNA-L which suffers from un-leveled output in full frequency sweep range. The instrument is not able to produce any outputs above -25dBm above 10.5GHz and shows below specification output power levels below 10.5GHz.
Teardown of the unit reveals various microwave modules with the SSLAM final module responsible for amplitude leveling and frequency multiplication for frequencies above 10.5GHz. Teardown of this module shows a collection of MMIC dies wirebonded together using micro-strip ceramic pieces and interconnects. MMIC include switches, amplifiers, filters, multipliers, power detectors and attenuators. After examining the input/output signals of the module it becomes clear that the input switch IC is damaged. Unfortunately, an attempt to replace the die with a packaged QFN GaAs device fails. However, a lucky eBay find of a used SSLAM module saves the day and the instrument is restored to full functionality. Some measurements of an packaged evaluation board of a GaAs IC is demonstrated using the newly repaired PNA-L.
The Signal Path
http://www.TheSignalPath.com
http://www.YouTube.com/TheSignalPath
http://www.Patreon.com/TheSignalPath
TSP #134 - Teardown, Repair & Analysis of an Agilent N5230A 13.5GHz PNA-L Network Analyzer (Part 1)
29.2K views
September 22, 2018 8:11 PM
In this two-part episode Shahriar repairs an Agilent N5230A 13.5GHz PNA-L which suffers from un-leveled output in full frequency sweep range. The instrument is not able to produce any outputs above -25dBm above 10.5GHz and shows below specification output power levels below 10.5GHz.
Teardown of the unit reveals various microwave modules with the SSLAM final module responsible for amplitude leveling and frequency multiplication for frequencies above 10.5GHz. Teardown of this module shows a collection of MMIC dies wirebonded together using micro-strip ceramic pieces and interconnects. MMIC include switches, amplifiers, filters, multipliers, power detectors and attenuators. After examining the input/output signals of the module it becomes clear that the input switch IC is damaged. Unfortunately, an attempt to replace the die with a packaged QFN GaAs device fails. However, a lucky eBay find of a used SSLAM module saves the day and the instrument is restored to full functionality. Some measurements of an packaged evaluation board of a GaAs IC is demonstrated using the newly repaired PNA-L.
The Signal Path
http://www.TheSignalPath.com
http://www.YouTube.com/TheSignalPath
http://www.Patreon.com/TheSignalPath
TSP #133 - Keysight UXR 110GHz BW, 256GS/s, 10-bit Real-Time Oscilloscope Teardown & Experiments
182.1K views
September 18, 2018 11:50 AM
In this episode Shahriar takes a look at one of the most advanced electrical test and measurement instruments ever created. The Keysight UXR-Series Real-Time Oscilloscope brings 110GHz of analog bandwidth and 256GS/s real-time sampling at 4-channels simultaneously. To make it even more impressive, the entire data-conversion architecture is in 10-bits. This implies that the instruments captures, processes, stores and displays over 10Tb/s of information.
Various architectures of state-of-the art oscilloscopes from Keysight, LeCroy and Tektronix are examined and compared against the new real-time architecture of the UXR-Series oscilloscope. The teardown of the front-end 110GHz module along with the data acquisition board is presented and analyzed in detail. The instrument showcases a wide range of Keysight technologies implemented in various technologies such as InP, SiGe BiCMOS, 65nm CMOS and 28nm CMOS nodes. In combination with Hyper-Cube memory module, data can be captured at 256GS/S from all 4-channels at the same time. Several variants of the UXR-Series oscilloscope will be available from 13GHz to 110GHz bandwidths.
A new calibration probe is also introduced based on the Keysight InP process capable of producing signal edges with sub-3.5ps of rise/fall times with NIST traceable calibration data. This enables users to perform NIST alignment and bandwidth calibration on site without needing to send the instrument back to Keysight.
Several measurements with the scope demonstrates its extraordinarily low noise floor, jitter as well as the capability of the new probe module for instrument calibration. The 110GHz 4-channel variant of the UXR-Series oscilloscope has an MSRP of $1.3 Million US dollars.
The Signal Path
http://www.TheSignalPath.com
http://www.YouTube.com/TheSignalPath
http://www.Patreon.com/TheSignalPath
