Aeroflex 7100 - Radio test set upgrade to network analyzer up-hack - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: jmonette
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2019, 03:40:26 am
content: Hi,I bought myself a few months back an Aeroflex 7100. I tough they were nice. On paper there are 2 signal generator that goes up to 6GHz and 2 signal analyzer that goes at the same frequency. For any hobbyist lab, it is a dream! But, I'm a bit disappointed at the moment. The spectrum works OK and the generator too, but there seems to be so much more it could do with more software and a bit of hardware.So with two sources and two analyzers, I tough maybe it could be upgraded to a 2 port network analyzer. I don't have any idea of the complexity of such project!But, do you think this can be done?The Aeroflex is basically just a PXI mainframe with 2*3035C (Analyzer), 2*3010 (clock generator) and 2*3025C(signal generator). Since the 3035C is using an FFT instead of an actual sweep, I'm not sure how the performance would result. The same goes for the 3025C which is an AWG.What are your thoughts?

author: wldshy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2020, 12:45:29 pm
content: you need another two 3010s & two bridges

author: testpoint1
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 15, 2020, 01:17:03 am
content: Aeroflex already give up the project of 7100, even I want to buy the LTE TDD option, they can not do it.

author: ZL1CVD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2020, 12:08:25 pm
content: Does anyone know what model the controller in the 7100 is?

author: jmonette
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 22, 2020, 01:16:39 am
content: I'm not 100% sure. I did a tear down 3 years ago and can't find the pictures anymore. But, according to the device manager it would be 7100 SFC V5. I'll keep looking for those pictures on my computer and if I find them, I'll linked them here.

author: ZL1CVD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 23, 2020, 03:11:38 am
content: Love to see internal pics - test equipment porn!

author: jmonette
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 29, 2020, 10:41:15 pm
content: There it is!The full resolution picture are available here:https://ibb.co/smtxjyChttps://ibb.co/WxccCJjhttps://ibb.co/P4pPnK5https://ibb.co/9ZsvT7Khttps://ibb.co/N7nqjYshttps://ibb.co/9HB1NZGI'm not absolutely sure but, from what I can see the Kontron SBC should manage the PXI and the board behind would be the motherboard with an other processor. So the PXI controller should be a Kontron AM4100. This is also confirmed by the clock speed limitation of the Kontron.

author: ZL1CVD
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 06, 2020, 03:05:15 am
content: Mine just arrived today.Confirm the PC part is Core 2 Duo T7500 2.2GHz. 3GB RAM (SODIMM). I think this is what windows refers to as 7100 SFC V5 in device manager under NI-VISA PXI Devices.There is a PXI bridge in there to. I think that is talking to the AM4100 controller & 3x Aeroflex RTR111 STV001225 Baseband ModulesIts OK but pretty dedicated to its job. At least they have left the Soft Front Panels in there and the Aeroflex software allows for basic RF generator and analyses up to 6GHz. The 3035C is Digitizer rated 250kHz to 6GHz & the 3025C Generator does 1MHz to 6GHz. So a great range for general RF use.The Aeroflex Windows touch panel UI is also very good and intuitive. Its very easy to get it all up and running - generating or analyzing a singles is quick after only a short play. Fans are noisy, 3x biguns.Its definitely a keeper for me! Time to sell of one of the CMU-200s to make space I think.Now all I need is a PXI version of the Rohde & Schwarz dual audio generator & analyzer CMU-B41

author: Qw3rtzuiop
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 01, 2023, 11:58:35 am
content: I was able to catch a 7100 dual channel. Unfortunately the hdd seems to be corrupt. There are missing files for the 7100 tools. Can someone provide a backup copy of his 7100?

author: cedinu
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 18, 2023, 08:47:07 pm
content: Quote from: Qw3rtzuiop on April 01, 2023, 11:58:35 amI might be able to send you the original image from my 7100, but be cautious that it will not be good for your 7100 as calibration data is not the same. Anyway, the software is kind of useless unless you want to test LTE phones. On mine I've put an SSD, installed W7 32 Embedded, drivers for the 30XX boards and Viavi (the "new" Aeroflex) software(s). The only downside is the calibration for the combiner is unknown until I will calibrate the machine in a laboratory. (this is a recommendation for you to calibrate it in a lab or with the help of already calibrated tools) For the rest of 30XX, cal data is in their EEPROMs.So, please tell me which way you want to go, original or fresh install.

author: Qw3rtzuiop
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 21, 2023, 05:12:48 am
content: Thanks. I was provided with an image a few weeks ago and im probably do the fresh install soon.

author: jmonette
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 27, 2023, 01:09:02 pm
content: If it fails, I think I still have an image of mine. Let me know if you need it.

author: jry
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 05, 2023, 12:14:18 pm
content: any chance of getting a copy of the image.just got one in but it was missing the Aeroflex app touch screen drivers