HP 8753E - Calibration - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: Gandalf_Sr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2017, 11:38:48 am
content: The ultimate piece of test equipment to see how a circuit is really performing is called a Vector Network Analyzer. They've been around at least 20 years and used to cost $100,000 (SWAG). A few months back I was lucky enough to pick up a clean HP8753E on eBay for around $3,000 - a good price (thank's Steve for the heads up). I'm an old EE with classic training on vector analysis but I don't claim to be an expert so I'm looking for help in understanding calibration and use of my VNA and will share my experiences here for all. There are many models of the 8753 but the basic functionality is the same. Older versions A - D, have CRT displays which can be upgraded to LCD using a Simmconn kit available on eBay.Details of My HP8753EMine has a 2-port (S parameter test set built in). If an 8753 has option 011 then it has 4 front connectors and does not have the S parameter test set built in but may come with the test set as a bolt-on extra fastened to the underside of the unit. (option 011 seems to be an option for less capability). Anyway, mine has:Option 006Increased to 6 GHz upper limitOption 010According to the we site this means...This option displays the time domain response of a network by computing the inverse Fourier transform of the frequency domain response. It shows the response of a test device as a function of time or distance. Displaying the reflection coefficient of a network versus time determines the magnitude and location of each discontinuity. Displaying the transmission coefficient of a network versus time determines the characteristics of individual transmission paths. Time domain operation retains all accuracy inherent with the correction that is active in the frequency domain. The time domain capability is useful for the design and characterization of such devices as SAW filters, SAW delay lines, RF cables, and RF antennas.Display UpgradeMy LCD display was gloomy so I fixed it. I could have replaced the CCFL tube but decided just to replace the display.This threadshows my efforts but the short version is that you can replace the original Sharp LQ9D340 with a readily available Sharp LQ084V1DG21 although you have to chop lumps off the nylon LCD back plate to make it fit as the new LCD is thicker - other than that, it's plug and play. I bought my LQ084V1DG21 from eBay for $115 but I think it's a second as it has a stuck pixel - that I hardly notice; the new display is nice and bright and clear now and I decided to live with the one I bought.Firmware UpgradeI was able to follow theinstructions on the Keysight websiteto upgrade the firmware on mine from vn7.68 to vn7.74 using a floppy disk, that fixed a few obscure problems and added some nice extra options for multiple screen displays.I'll cover more subjects in follow on posts - I want to move next to calibration and then some examples of use - I may even make some videos. Please feel free to chip in.

author: Gandalf_Sr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2017, 12:18:57 pm
content: Computer SupportI have many PCs, the two I use most are a new Dell XPS 15 laptop with 4k display (awesome) and a 3 or 4 year old homebrewed desktop that uses high end components and has been upgraded several times - it now has dual 24" monitors and a 500 GByte SSD - a super-reliable workhorse. Both these PCs run Windows 10 64 bit but that's an issue when dealing with older gear.GPIBI have several older GPIB-capable instruments like an Agilent E4433B 4 GHz signal generator so I bought an Agilent E5810A LAN-GPIB/Gateway and some GPIB cables on eBay thinking I could run my test gear from my new PCs but ran into issues. You can download Keysight Connection Expert fromwww.keysight.comand it will find and communicate with the older 8753 and E4433B devices via the E8510A.VNA Cal Kit ManagerIt's theoretically possible to perform calibration on an 8753 using a floppy disk and the front panel keys but many have warned that the prompts are not intuitive and the chances for messing things up are high. Then there is a neat tool for calibrating VNAs calledVNA Cal Kit Managerthat I downloaded. The problem was that, although I could install the VNA Cal Kit Manager application on my Windows 10 PCs, I could not make it communicate with E5810A and my test gear. Maybe it's possible but I gave up after a couple of days and I'm pretty good with PCs. Thanks to hendorog I found that I can get my Windows 10, 64-bit PC to connect using the following method:Keysight Connection ExpertSettingsTick 'Enable Keysight GPIB Cards for 488 Programs'Then setup VNA Cal kit manager with 488.2GPIB board number 1VNA GPIB address 16Older is betterI have an older Dell Latitude 820D laptop with Windows XP SP3 on it - I'm a pack rat and this is one of the newer laptops in my laptop graveyard aka the basement. Anyway, I dusted it off, booted it up, downloaded and installed Agilent 10 Libraries Suite 15.0 LXI Class B and then VNA Cal Kit Manager vn2.1 and it just workedI was then able to connect to and retrieve the cal kit from my 8753E via the E8510A.RF ConnectorsThe 8753E comes with APC-7 connectors which are used on alien motherships but not much else (as far as I can tell) so I had to get some APC-7 to 3.5 mm (f) adapters (3.5 mm is compatible with SMA, the former is rated for 3,000 connections and the latter for only 500) - I got my adapters on eBay, they work but I'm looking for better ones. I've ordered a 7 GHz SMA Cal Kit fromKirkby Microwavein the UK and it's supposed to come with a floppy disk (and thumb drive) that has all the calibration data for the kit parts in a format that my 8753E can handle. When it arrives we can move onto the actual calibration - feel free to chip in with comments and suggestions.

author: Gandalf_Sr
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2017, 05:31:37 pm
content: There's apparently been an issue getting the parts together but my Kirkby Microwave Cal kit is finally on its way and due to arrive on Monday.

author: 1audio
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2017, 05:38:45 am
content: I have an Agilent 8753E 75 Ohm and was wondering if you know how to unlock option 10? $3k is a good price. These are all old enough that the corporate world is done with them so bargains are to be had.

author: mgberry
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: April 01, 2017, 12:20:46 am
content: I have the 8753ES and recently bought a Kirby cal kit. Ive had pretty good luck with his kits. The one thing to remember is the sex is backwards from what you traditionally think of on the cal menus.