Wanted: Source of genuine MB510 prescaler or drop in sub - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 17, 2020, 10:17:49 pm
content: I built a clone of the prescaler option for my 53131A. Unfortunately I realized once the last of the parts I needed finally got here that the MB510 I bought seems to be a fake, it's a narrower SO8 than the correct part and installed on the board I see a signal going into it but nothing coming out. It's an obsolete IC so not a lot of options other than various China sellers, anyone know of one who sells the real deal or a more readily attainable modern replacement?

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 04:17:32 am
content: IF i recal this one LMX5080 is supposed to do the same thing, not sure about the availability ?http://pdf.dzsc.com/LMX/LMX5080_1233914.pdfNot sure if this one sells genuine ones ?https://www.utsource.net/sch/LMX5080Mhttps://www.utsource.net/sch/mb510Maybe this one too ?https://www.psemi.com/pdf/datasheets/PE83342ds.pdf

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 06:32:23 am
content: UTSource is a mixed bag.I'm really hoping to find someone who can say "Yeah I bought one of these from this seller and it worked" rather than taking a gamble on a part that maybe does the same thing from a seller that may or may not be selling the real deal. It's not a lot of money but it's a big waste of time when I end up with something fake. I already spent an hour troubleshooting before I realized it had to be a fake IC, everything going in looked just fine but none of the pins were doing anything like I'd expect.

author: Jwalling
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 09:23:17 am
content: I've always had great luck with Quest.https://www.questcomp.com/part/4/mb510pf/255292586?utm_term=mb510pf&utm_campaign=aktype0&utm_medium=industry-cpc&utm_source=oemstrade&utm_content=standardpricingMinimum order is $25, though...

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 01:41:17 pm
content: only 3 left ? thats a gamble to take ...There was some already made prescaler boards sold on Ebay ?i think i saw something going up to 3 ghz or maybe 6 ghz ??https://www.ebay.com/itm/3GHz-Prescaler-for-HP-Agilent-53131A-53132A-53181A-freq-counters-HPO-030-S/333197247591?https://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-Agilent-53131A-52181A-53132A-Clone-Option-030-3GHz-Frequency-Counter/181866472102?

author: bartver
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 18, 2020, 02:01:36 pm
content: I'm using the MC12079 from NXP/Motorola in my design.It's pincompatible with the MB510, only the ratio's differ a bit (64/128/256 vs the MB510 128/144/256/272)regards,Bart

author: ni.st
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 23, 2020, 09:54:44 am
content: I have bought 2 MB510 from the link below on ebay. They are most likely salvaged parts, because the legs are tinned. Nevertheless they are working fine in my opt. 030 clone.https://www.ebay.com/itm/2PCS-MB510-MB510PF-G-BND-SOP8-5-2MM/372247349059Another option could be to use the prescaler section from a syntesizer like the ADF4106, which can also be set to /128.

author: artag
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2020, 10:46:42 am
content: I've seen the readymade opt 030 clones - is there a DIY design out there or have you built it from scratch ?

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 23, 2020, 10:48:07 pm
content: I built one of thesehttps://www.circuitvalley.com/2018/08/agilent-53132a-53131a-diy-open-source-3ghz-channel-option-030-board-hp.htmlI built the OCXO board too and that works perfectly.

author: artag
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2020, 01:09:34 pm
content: Thanks, I'm tempted to try that. Not sure if it will work out cheaper than the Romanian guy on ebay who I think does a very decent implementation, by the time I've found all the bits.Does that version self-oscillate when there's no input ? Something I always found irritating on the board I built for my Philips counter.

author: ni.st
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 25, 2020, 01:43:30 pm
content: The opt 30 from circuitvalley is actually a 1:1 clone, therefore it shouldn't oscillate.You can compare the schematic and layout from the github repo (https://github.com/circuitvalley/agilent_53131A_53132A_options/tree/master/3Ghz_option) to the Agilent Component Level Information (p. 7 ffhttp://literature.cdn.keysight.com/litweb/pdf/5989-6308EN.pdf)

author: RoadRunner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 25, 2020, 03:57:52 pm
content: Quote from: artag on May 25, 2020, 01:09:34 pmI am maker of the design at circuitvalley.com as pointed out by ther member, I have only change zener to a proper LDO , other than that it 1:1 clone, I basically made it for my own instrument , With good quality components and high quality BNC to MCX cable from amphnol. I did sell few of them. Blank PCB is also available.If you any one feel in need of this option please drop in a message, Special offer for forum member.Regards

author: Jackob
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2020, 07:22:30 am
content: RoadRunner - an off the topic question - what is the type and vendor of the four grounding posts you used in the corners of the prescaler pcb?Br, Jackob

author: RoadRunner
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2020, 08:57:47 am
content: These are Steel Stnadoff from Würth Electronic, They are M3 8mm. Only 8mm Will Fit as low clearance with other connectors. Extact part number 9774080360R . Cost around 1,6 EUR each but quality seems to be worth it.https://www.we-online.de/katalog/de/SMSI_SMT_STEEL_SPACER_M3_THREAD_INTERNAL/

author: Jackob
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 26, 2020, 01:30:31 pm
content: Very good; thanks for the good info RoadRunner.Br, Jackob

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: May 27, 2020, 05:34:01 am
content: Those standoffs are indeed very nice, Digikey had them in stock.I have a few extra PCBs here too but it's not going to be worth sending them outside the USA.

author: artag
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 05, 2020, 10:42:55 pm
content: I've received Roadrunner's (circuitvalley.com) opt 030 board for my 53131A. Fitted easily and worked immediately.It doesn't self-oscillate yet seems reasonably sensitive : I don't have a source for 3GHz but it's easily within spec at 1GHz and is more sensitive than my Philips PM6666 counter, which has a factory 1.3Ghz prescaler. AT 1GHz it triggers reliably at -33dBm but the Philips is borderline. Sig gen not calibrated but it gives an indication.Taking the 51313A off the shelf to work on it seems to have upset the fan though - it's got a little noisy (I think it was going that way but I blamed the PC for the noise). So I'm looking for a replacement, the quieter the better. I'm aware of Gerry's mod to turn off the unit completely but not sure that I want to do that.

author: coromonadalix
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2020, 02:50:41 am
content: I would try to add a fan with different impeller blades angle, like computer one to have it quietter ?? or maybe a new one with good bearings inside instead of sleeves found in cheaper fans ?

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 06, 2020, 04:55:33 am
content: I put a Noctua NF-A4x20 in mine, and in my 33120a, I've been very happy with them, they're extremely quiet fans.