TSP #251 - Agilent 50GHz PSA (E4448A) Spectrum Analyzer Teardown, Repair & Experiments (Part 1)
18.2K views
October 18, 2024 11:08 PM
In this episode Shahriar takes a look at the faulty Agilent 50GHz spectrum analyzer which does not power on. After tracing the issue and restoring the bootting sequence, it is clear that the instrument has several other issues. The attenuator step calibration failure is addressed which clears all startup errors. However, the instrument still does not measure some frequency bands correctly which points to a failure in the band-selection & mixer assembly. We will have to return to this instrument again in Part 2!
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TNP #52 - A Faxitron MX-20 Micro-Focus X-Ray Tube Teardown & Analysis
10.9K views
October 12, 2024 9:06 PM
In this episode Shahriar tales a close look at a defective X-Ray tube from a Faxitron MX-20 x-ray machine. The tube overloads the high-voltage power supply and does not produce any x-ray. The protective mold is removed from the tube to reveal its inner design. The glow of the heating element is also shown.
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TSP #250 - Tektronix TriMode Active 10GHz (TDP7000) Probe/Tips Review, Teardown & Experiments
15.8K views
October 12, 2024 6:00 PM
In this episode Shahriar takes a close look at the TDP7000 Series TriMode Probe and accompanying active probe tips.
https://www.tek.com/en/datasheet/trimode(tm)-probe-family-1
The review is organized as follows:
00:00 – Introductions
01:23 – TriMode principle of operation
02:37 – Using the 2.92mm/SMA 50-Ohm probe tip adapter, single-ended, differential, common-mode measurements
10:39 – Solder-in flexible probe tip, measurements of a PCI-E 2.5Gbps data stream, eye diagrams, jitter analysis
20:22 – Differential browser use-case, in-circuit synthesizer measurements, frequency domain analysis
25:47 – Detailed look at the flexible, solder-in probe tip, front-end design, integrated circuit reverse engineering
35:58 – Concluding remarks
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TNP #51 - Thorabs PM320E Dual Channel Optical Power & Energy Meter Teardown, Repair & Experiments
12.5K views
September 15, 2024 8:29 PM
In this episode Shahriar takes a look at faulty Thorlabs optical power meter which has been scored from eBay at a very low price. The listing shows the screen with a white background without any text. Upon close inspection however, it is clear that the screen contrast is the problem. The fault is traced to a basic voltage setting problem (230V versus 115V) which was causing the +/-15V supplies to be significantly under biased.
With the screen issue resolved, the unit is paired with two C-series optical detectors. Various laser power measurements & experiments demonstrate the full functionality of the unit.
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TSP #249 - Rohde & Schwarz MXO-5, 2-GHz, 8-Channel, 12-Bit Oscilloscope Teardown & Trigger Zone Exp.
28.1K views
August 23, 2024 9:56 PM
In this episode Shahriar takes a look at the Rohde & Schwarz MXO-5 Series, their first 8-Channel oscilloscope:
https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/products/test-and-measurement/oscilloscopes/rs-mxo-5-oscilloscope_334228.html
The instrument sports some of the best noise, linearity and acquisition speeds in the industry. With R&S custom ASICs, the instrument provides hardware accelerated time & frequency domain measurements (FFTs) as well as a unique Zone Triggering mechanic. This video focuses on the teardown of the acquisition board as well as several demos of the Zone Triggering feature.
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