ssa3032x-r errors normal? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: EmBlocks
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2022, 01:22:36 pm
content: Hi All,I just received a SSA3032X and had some problems right from the start. The first check was connecting a SignalHound TG and the SA was showing a signal of -10db as -85db. I had to turn the pre-amplifier on to make it visible. My other SA was just spot on. After 2 restarts the machine started to show the right values. The messages log however shows all kind of alarming messages, is this normal?I also noticed some beeps (nothing on screen) but ADC_ERROR in the log.Attached system log info.Thanks.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 06, 2022, 06:49:38 pm
content: Can we clear up which model you have please SSA3032X-R or SSA3032X or SSA3032X Plus ?Do you have the latest firmware installed ?Beeps are sometimes a RF input overload warning so hopefully you have not damaged the input.Sanity check is to use the analysers own TG to check if TG settings and display levels match, they should within a dB or 2 over the whole sweep. (Don't Normalise)Check that first and post a screenshot of your findings please> Save/Enter to save to USB.NOT a picture but a screenshot please.

author: EmBlocks
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2022, 11:41:25 am
content: SSA3032x-R (problems with latest-1 currently updated)Damaging the input seems a bit odd with -10dbm input. The machine is a real slow starter (looks like his new boss). At initial startup it was -75db off over the whole range. After 2 power cycles the readings are as expected but I had a lot of ADC_ERRORS and beeping and also other messages. After another few power cycles, everything becomes quiet and the machine seems to now what is expected from him. Also the log events are gone.

author: EmBlocks
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2022, 12:38:51 pm
content: Seems alright, worst case 2db.BTW At the beginning of this "awakening", even an antenna at the input could throw ADC_ERROR's

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 07, 2022, 07:15:45 pm
content: Quote from: EmBlocks on December 07, 2022, 12:38:51 pmYes of course they will unless you either place an attenuator before the RF input or dial in lots of attenuation of which you have some 50dB available.Nearby cellphones are particularly bad at providing random bursts of signal as they handshake with cell towers and good practice is to place them some meters away when doing any sensitive RF work especially with antennas connected to the RF input.....they are only doing what they are designed to do and with a nearby RF sourcewillexceed the input limits and sound the overload buzzer.

author: EmBlocks
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 08, 2022, 08:57:01 am
content: When I looked at the system log at the first startup I noticed that the unit was used before for about 3 days long and had also ADC_ERROR's and RBW_OOC etc etc. Maybe calibration at factory but I can't imagine that they do a 3 days calibration. Perhaps repair cycles in the factory?? The machine was brand new because all the option timers started at 128h and it is coming from a local distributor.But it looks all oke now so I'm happy. I'm in the learning curve of this machine.