Another not working HP 5340A counter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: psykok
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 13, 2019, 10:25:24 pm
content: Hi,I just bought a nice HP 5340A with nixi display.The instrument is turning on but it's not counting.On the first visual check nothing looks broken or burned. Actually the inside is really clean, almost no dust.All PSU output voltage are ok and completely in spec.Follow the troubleshooting charts, helped me to validate a couple of things like the ocxo, reset switch and brought me to the step : A21 troubleshooting.The A21 board is the command board.To be able to follow the trouble procedure, an HP 10526T logical probe is needed. I do not have that in my lab and also no logic analyzer.Any idea how I could operate the next tests or validate the good working condition of this board?Alex

author: psykok
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2020, 01:06:04 pm
content: Hi,Recently I managed to acquire an other 5340A in half working condition, thanks eBay.This new unit is really dirty and not in the same nice shape as the other one but it will help me to advance in the repair process.The interesting thing is that the device is equipped with a quite rare option for this counter, the GPIB interfaceAfter another session of card swapping, I was able to confirm my doubts about the faulty Command Board (A21).Using the board from the new device made the old device counting againThe responsible of the faulty board is the 1816-0003.This CI is a PROM and after some investigation I found in a old HP catalogue that the equivalent references are : 74S188, 54S188, DM8022The content of the PROM is available in thee Service Documentation.Now I have to find a way to program this PROM, I do not have any clue how to do that (first time I have to deal with a PROM)

author: Ordinaryman1971
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2020, 02:24:40 pm
content: I found the datasheet... you most likely have it and info that BP Microsystems programmers are able to read and write those..I have one of those as well that doesn't count....

author: Ordinaryman1971
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2020, 02:39:19 pm
content: Here is a website that I think explains it all..https://apollo181.wixsite.com/apollo181/programming-74188-ttl-prom

author: psykok
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2020, 02:50:54 pm
content: Thanks for the link.Looks like I have to buy another programmer or build one just for one IC

author: ffranzini
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2020, 03:06:55 pm
content: In the past i was able to write a similar PROM (AM27LS19D) using Arduino to control timing and voltage and setting by hand words and address, on the web site from the previous post you can take a look on the timing, to set the different voltage you can use Arduino output to select the right voltage level.For reference you find attached my small Arduino software (pse rename in .INO)

author: psykok
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2020, 03:10:15 pm
content: thanks but that will not help, I need the blank device and program it with the HP config.Actually I found nos devices and already order a couple of them.Now I have to figure out how to deal with the programming.Everybody has EEPROM tools but nothing suitable for such special old devices.

author: psykok
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2020, 03:14:39 pm
content: Quote from: ffranzini on September 25, 2020, 03:06:55 pmI found that programmer with an Arduino :https://hackaday.io/project/25953/logs

author: ffranzini
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 25, 2020, 06:57:46 pm
content: Quote from: psykok on September 25, 2020, 03:14:39 pmMine is very similar using same output stage to control the voltage, i still have it, i preferred to program by hand (using jumpers) because the PROM was very small, i do not have complete recollection but i am pretty sure that to write the PROM the word have to be reversed.Checking the programmed device is very simple and can be done on any eprom programmer, you need to select on your programmer any eprom memory (in my case i have set 27512), don't mind if memory capacity is much bigger, put your prom on breadboard, wire the addresses and data pin to the same addresses and data pin on the programmer, wire the power and read the device, on the first 32 bits you can read your prom content, of course since you miss the most significant addresses the 32 bits repeat theirself until you reach the device set on the programmer.If you need i can give you also an excel file to translate address and data from DEC to HEX to BINARY (this to set the right bits during the programming stage)Francesco

author: shakalnokturn
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2020, 07:52:39 am
content: I also have a HP 5340A that had a bad PROM, rather than looking for a spare PROM then suitable programmer I emulated it using a GAL16V8.Unfortunately there's no way to make it pin compatible without an an adapter.

author: up8051
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 26, 2020, 02:58:06 pm
content: I have LabTool48, it support old PROMs (74S188 , 27s18 ...)In local shop I found 27S19 chip (about 4$), this is also 32x8 PROM but with tristate output not open collector.IN HP5340A Gate pin is connected to GND so the type of output should not matter here.

author: psykok
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2020, 05:11:05 pm
content: I found a possible compatible programmer for the PROM. A friend has a Data I/O 212 programmer which has the 75188 listed as compatible device.I did some other test with the working unit.Everything is fine as long as it operate in direct modeIf I try over 300Mhz nothing works and specially if I switch the input in 250MHz-18GHz mode.

author: compet17
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2025, 12:28:13 pm
content: HiI hope you were able to program that PROM. We still have an ALL07 programmer here which has your PROM in the devices list. Long time ago I used to program such PROMs for DEC PDP computers. :-)BTW... looking at your photos, I assume you are from Switzerland too. :-) (The PTT sticker and the mains outlets gave a hint...)

author: psykok
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2025, 12:32:25 pm
content: Hi,Thanks for the information.Fun fact, I aquire also an All07 some time ago (on Ricardo) after I got my PROM problem fixed.You are almost right, the device is coming from Switzerland but I leave just on the other side of the border in France.Alex