How to Display Keysight U2000A RF Sensor Readings - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: starlite4321
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2025, 09:15:51 pm
content: I just purchased a used Keysight U2000A RF Sensor for use with my Siglent SNA5004A's Scalar Mixer Measurement Mode. Works great.Now that I've got this thing (with 18gHz bandwidth), I'd like to be able to use it as a stand alone RF sensor. Trouble is, the default method of reading it out is Keysight's BenchVue software. And while the software is free, the modules to actually USE it with anything aren't. Not only that, they require a subscription - which ain't happening. I've contacted the used vendor and apparently the license stays with the software. It isn't attached to the hardware so they understandably can't provide it.So the question is, is there another more reasonable way to read out a U2000A via its USB connector in stand alone mode ? Some other, hopefully free, software perhaps ?Thanks for any info you may have.

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 08, 2025, 10:59:16 pm
content: https://www.keysight.com/au/en/assets/9018-01701/programming-guides/9018-01701.pdfbehind the keysight personal details extractor

author: hendorog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2025, 12:36:46 am
content: Code:import pyvisaimport timeclass USBPowerSensor:def __init__(self, resource_name):self.rm = pyvisa.ResourceManager()self.instrument = self.rm.open_resource(resource_name)self.instrument.timeout = 5000 # timeout in millisecondsdef identify(self):return self.instrument.query("*IDN?").strip()def measure_power(self):response = self.instrument.query("MEASure?").strip()return float(response)def calibrate_zero_internal(self):self.instrument.write("CALibration:ZERO:TYPE INTernal")self.instrument.write("CALibration:ZERO:AUTO ONCE")time.sleep(5) # give some time to complete calibrationdef calibrate_zero_external(self):self.instrument.write("CALibration:ZERO:TYPE EXTernal")self.instrument.write("CALibration:ZERO:AUTO ONCE")time.sleep(5) # give some time to complete calibrationdef set_display_unit(self, unit):if unit.lower() == "dbm":self.instrument.write("UNIT:POWer DBM")elif unit.lower() == "mw":self.instrument.write("UNIT:POWer W")else:raise ValueError("Invalid unit. Use 'mW' or 'dBm'.")def close(self):self.instrument.close()self.rm.close()# Example usageif __name__ == "__main__":resource = "USB::0x2A8D::0x1B01::MYXXXXXXXX::INSTR" # replace with your sensor's actual VISA resourcesensor = USBPowerSensor(resource)try:print("Sensor ID:", sensor.identify())print("Performing internal zero calibration...")sensor.calibrate_zero_internal()print("Calibration complete.")sensor.set_display_unit("dBm")power_dbm = sensor.measure_power()print(f"Measured Power: {power_dbm:.3f} dBm")sensor.set_display_unit("mW")power_mw = sensor.measure_power()print(f"Measured Power: {power_mw*1000:.3f} mW")finally:sensor.close()Report any bugs to ChatGPT

author: starlite4321
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2025, 12:37:26 am
content: Thanks for the response.This is a programming guide. I'm looking for software besides Keysight's BenchVue application to use the U2000A as a stand alone device.What does, "behind the keysight personal details extractor" mean ?

author: Someone
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2025, 12:39:29 am
content: Quote from: starlite4321 on April 09, 2025, 12:37:26 amThey have their paid for software, or a documented interface for you to attach your own software to.

author: starlite4321
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2025, 12:40:03 am
content: Thanks for the response hendorog,Is this a python script ? I don't know what to do with it in any case. Are you aware of a software program besides Keysight's BenchVue that can read the U2000A ?

author: starlite4321
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2025, 12:41:14 am
content: Thanks for the response Someone.So the answer is, "no" ?

author: hendorog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 09, 2025, 01:18:46 am
content: Quote from: starlite4321 on April 09, 2025, 12:40:03 amI am not aware of any but I don't have a sensor so never looked.Instead of doing proper work, I've just written an app and compiled it into an .exeYou are welcome to try it. Maybe it works. Maybe it doesn't work and you've wasted 10 minutes of your day.Up to you.

author: TheSteve
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 09, 2025, 02:43:17 am
content: They had an older software package - N1918A, there was also a Power panel option which was free.https://www.keysight.com/us/en/product/N1918A/power-analysis-manager-licensed-and-power-panel-software-free.htmlThere is also this:https://www.keysight.com/us/en/assets/9018-20604/programming-examples/Agilent-U200xA-USB-Power-Sensor-Virtual-Panel-revB.zipOf course you can always buy a FieldFox and get the USB power sensor option, lolLooks like you can find N1918A here -https://archive.org/download/ftp.agilent.com/2014.06.ftp.agilent.com.tar/ftp.agilent.com%2Fcallpub2%2Frfmw%2FN1918A_Power_Panel%2FN1918A_Power_Analysis_Manager_PowerPanel_R03_09_00.exeNo idea if it works with newer windows, needs drivers etc.

author: james38
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2025, 11:27:48 pm
content: The last Agilent Power Analysis Manager version was R03_11.Keysight still offers R03_09.However, you can only install option 100 because it's free.https://www.keysight.com/us/en/lib/software-detail/instrument-firmware-software/n1918a-power-analysis-manager-software-2226267.html#################The new "BenchVue Basic" is now completely free.Not to be confused with "Bench Vue."https://www.keysight.com/us/en/lib/software-detail/computer-software/benchvue-basic-offline-installer-download.htmlRegards Chris