Open Source DIY HP/Agilent 53131A 53132A 3Ghz Option 030 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: RoadRunner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 05, 2018, 08:14:55 pm
content: I have bought my self 53132A and upgraded it with OCXO and 3Ghz option.As there was no open source design available so i made my own , here the project page.https://www.circuitvalley.com/2018/08/agilent-53132a-53131a-diy-open-source-3ghz-channel-option-030-board-hp.htmlThere is short video and few test.

author: jadew
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2018, 05:41:45 pm
content: Quote from: RoadRunner on August 05, 2018, 08:14:55 pmThis is a direct clone of the HP design (straight form their service manual). Are you even allowed to opensource that? let alone claim that you made it.Edit:Also, those resistors you marked as anti-surge, in your schematic - that's not what they are.As a disclaimer, I also sell a prescaler board for that counter, and it's similar to HP's design because there aren't many ways in which you can achieve this, especially at this price. Mine has better specs tho.

author: RoadRunner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2018, 07:14:56 pm
content: Quote from: jadew on September 12, 2018, 05:41:45 pmSchematic is already open from Agilent, Making own PCB designed based on any schematic absolutely allowed. I can definitely make open source what i made.As per Bill of material input 10Ohm 2512 Resistor is definitely anti surge register.Can you please say how your design has better specs?Better sensitivity?

author: jadew
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2018, 07:28:36 pm
content: Quote from: RoadRunner on September 12, 2018, 07:14:56 pmYeah, much better sensitivity.

author: RoadRunner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2018, 07:45:58 pm
content: Quote from: jadew on September 12, 2018, 07:28:36 pmi have tested my design upto -45dBm , which is way better than Agilent Spec.what are your values?

author: jadew
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2018, 08:11:37 pm
content: Quote from: RoadRunner on September 12, 2018, 07:45:58 pm-45 dBm at what frequency?The best I got was -70 dBm on one board, but in a limited BW. The typical values are better than -45 dBm across most of the range, with almost every board hitting -60 dBm at some point.For example (typical values, not best):-49 dBm @ 500 MHz-53 dBm @ 1 GHz-53 dBm @ 2 GHz-44 dBm @ 3 GHz

author: RoadRunner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2018, 08:47:13 pm
content: Quote from: jadew on September 12, 2018, 08:11:37 pmThank you for numbers.I do not have a real good RF Generator. I have function gen only upto 120Mhz. And my little RF Gen output level is not adjustable freely.I can not test sensitivity at more than 120Mhz, i have sent this board to some one who has tested it, sensitivity was better at higher frequency.Regards

author: jadew
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 12, 2018, 08:55:50 pm
content: Quote from: RoadRunner on September 12, 2018, 08:47:13 pmN.P.CheersEdit:Quote from: RoadRunner on September 12, 2018, 08:47:13 pmA manual step attenuator would go a long way, but they're not as flat as you'd want them to be.

author: usagi
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 19, 2023, 08:32:15 am
content: Bought one of these circuitvalley boards for my 53131a and tested it to my CMU200 with RG316:100mhz -34.3200mhz -50300mhz -53.2400mhz -55.1500mhz -561000mhz -54.81500mhz -49.72000mhz -34.12700mhz -32.6i think it works OK. adequate for my needs.

author: max-bit
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2023, 08:53:26 am
content: Almost 10 years ago I made a divider up to 12 GHzSensitivity up to 10 GHz was ~ -40 dBm, at 12 GHz it dropped to ~ -20 dBmPhotos and diagram below:

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 25, 2023, 11:44:49 am
content: Interesting patterns in the vias, was the placement simulated or designed that way or is it just randomly done?