Anritsu MS4630 Network / Impeadance Analyzer - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: sixtimesseven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 24, 2020, 01:56:55 pm
content: Who has experience with the Anritsu MS4630A Network/Impeadance Analyzer?I'm looking into replacing the 3577 with one. I like the HP to get basic impedance measurements but I have been looking around for a more modern option with more integrated analysis functionality. Unfortunatly, HP options are far outside my budget.I was wondering how good and fast the Anritsu model is UI wise from someone which has used it.If I compare the specs to the HP3577A, then HP has better specs accuracy wise (amplitude and phase) from an input level of about -80dBm downwards. Before that they are pretty similar. The specified accuracy on the HP really is a lot better <-80dbm and the "typical" spec curve blows the Anritsu away. However, Anritsu only specifies at rbw:1khz were it is comparable with the HP at rbw:1khz. But since HP specifies at lower rbw as well, it is much better on paper. Question is what is typical for the anritsu at lower rbw's?Also, HP specifies accuracy at one frequency, which might be cherry picking as well.Apart from that, the 3577 it is really old, has no analysis functionality to speak of, slow and has only 401 points vs 1001 for the Anritsu.It also has a LCD. And it displays 4 Traces from 2 Inputs vs 2 Traces from 1 input for the 3577A.The anritsu really has a ton of integrated analysis functionality which seems great to have. No Service manual thought.The Anritsu I'm looking at has opt. 10 and 12 so input attenuator (-70-23dB output) and three receiver inputs (TR, TA, TB) like the HP (R,B,W).One thing that worries me on the Anritsu is that it is sold with a dead psu (700 USD). And it has a HDD inside which might be dead as well. Does the Anritsu store cal data on the HDD or in separate eeprom? And is a HDD image available somewhere in case the hdd is trash?Datasheets:http://www.testequipmenthq.com/datasheets/ANRITSU-MS4630A-Datasheet.pdfhttps://accusrc.com/uploads/datasheets/HP%203577A%20Datasheet.pdf

author: sixtimesseven
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 26, 2020, 09:54:04 am
content: No one

author: jwet
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2020, 05:16:19 pm
content: I don't have direct experience with that model but I might have some advice for these types of instruments and considering you got nothing on your request.Anritsu makes good stuff. I had one of the portable spectrum analyzers and it was very solid. Getting parts is almost impossible though all this semi modern pro equipment even HP is this way. I ended up buying a broken parts unit on ebay to repair my analyzer when the input attenuator went out. The lack of a service manual is kind of a bummer even if it just gives you modules. You'll get cal information and a bit of theory.I own the HP4396B and HP4195 which are similar to the instruments you're looking at. Both of these have some good analysis stuff- much more in the 4396B. My 4396 also has the "Basic" programming language option that let's you write your own analysis stuff. I can count on one hand the number of times I've actually done this but its there. The other nice thing is that it can be setup as a IEEE-488 Master (controller) and control other instruments. I have an HP bench voltmeter hooked up to it that I can control it. I did a project where I graphed the RSSI sensitivity of an FM IF module using the 4396 and DVM with some hacked together basic. The problem with the 4396B is that there is no component level service manual for it. Its never broken but if it does, it won't be easy to get running. The 4195 is sort of the big brother of the 3577. The 3577 was designed in house by HP and the 4195 and later models are made by Yokogawa in Japan. It doesn't have a ton of analysis but one thing I like is the equivalent circuit mode for impedance measurements. It can take raw Z type data and generate equivalent circuits for things like crystals. Pretty nice. It has broken once or twice but has very extensive service data available and few custom parts though something like an attenuator would be a buy type deal. I actually like it more than the newer unit in many ways though use the 4396B more often- I like the LCD screen over the CRT.If all you're lacking is the analysis and the 3577 specs are workable, I would consider hooking it up with 488 to a PC running LabView or Python. Labview now has a free community edition that does a ton of stuff if you're willing to put in some time. You'll need a supported 488 I/F card. There is also good library support for 488 in Python and some online resources. The advantage of the 3577 is being able to repair it. You can work around the 400 data points,etc with a PC using multiple scans etc.My two cents- good luck.

author: hagster
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2020, 07:16:24 pm
content: Never had a problem with Anritsu kit. I have used various SiteMaster VNAs and the new Shockline units. All are good and easy to use.

author: PartialDischarge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 29, 2020, 07:34:27 pm
content: Quote from: sixtimesseven on June 26, 2020, 09:54:04 amMe, I just saw the threadI had a 3589A and sold it for this one basically because I do a lot of work in the -80dB, low frequency region and the HP was too noisy/slow down there, I get better results in the anritsu. Although yes HP are very accurate on dB level and frequency.Also the anritsu has a 3 1/2 floppy disk that works and can port images to a document, that is enough and a must for me. The software menus are much more limited in the anritsu, for example in the HP you can set start at 20kHz and stop at 80MHz, where the anritsu will only allow 10k to 100M... things like that. But most of all menus are different, different organization and different optionsAlso I don't think there is a HDD in the anritsu, its all solid state, with a few internal batteries to replace for the daytime and some configuration, but I don't think this is for cal data.If your unit has a broken PSU it might be easy to repair because it seemed like a big easily accesible boardMy advice, go for the anritsu and keep the HP for a while, cause you will need it for sanity checks with the anristu. In my case I had some really weird results to the point where I was sure the anritsu was broken but it wasn't, I just needed to configure it in some different way. I do some mixed measurements with TR at 50ohm and TA at 1Mohm and in this case power references do change.