Tektronix RSA5100, RSA6100 series calibration. - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: smaultre
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2024, 03:39:16 am
content: I have RSA5126A, that needed calibration.I have some calibration menu in Tek software, but i didn't understand how it works.Maybe someone have such experience, and can help me with calibration?Also i have some parts, or partially worked/untested modules for RSA6100 series.And yes, i'm looking for wide bandwidth module for 5100A series, and a way to generate some new options

author: squadchannel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2024, 03:54:01 am
content: The adjustment procedure is in the service manual, or am I mistaken?page 19.mod:Wait, are you talking about this?QuoteMaybe that's not what I had in mind.By calibration, do you mean you want to adjust the internal oscillator?If so, it may be impossible as the manual says.The adjustment that can be controlled from the settings menu is probably a common alignments in SA.It would not be an calibration.

author: smaultre
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2024, 04:27:35 am
content: Taking about calibration..

author: squadchannel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2024, 04:44:51 am
content: "Calibration" has two meanings: "Performance Verification" and "Adjustment". SA also includes "Alignment"."Peroformance Verification", it is described in the 077-0520-05 PV manual."Alignment", it is done automatically or manually during SA operation."Adjustment", maybe done as described in the SM, perhaps with dedicated software. It would be impossible.don't know what the "Calibration menu" is. Maybe it can be adjusting, but if you mess with it badly, you might be in big trouble.

author: smaultre
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2024, 05:07:26 am
content: I'm own something like prototyping device it's full of special features on menu and additional diagnostic apps..

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2024, 07:21:38 pm
content: QuoteOn my old RSA6114A the internal 10MHz oscillator was out by over 1Hz when I first got it. It was a long time ago now, but I used the cal menu to let me reprogram the setting for the 10MHz oscillator.I recall that I had to write a file with the new cal data for the 10MHz oscillator and then burned the file into flash memory using the official Tek cal GUI. This was a bit fiddly to do (and a bit scary) but it worked. I was able to get the error down to <0.01Hz.

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 29, 2024, 07:59:46 pm
content: QuoteDo you have a list of these modules or parts?I've got a Tek RSA3408A here and also a Tek RSA6114A. Neither of them have been very reliable. I've had to repair the RSA3408A a few times now. Two failed MMICs and a failed PSU and also a synthesiser fault.The RSA6114A had an LO fault and also an unreliable connection internally. It has lots of HW and SW options fitted including extra memory and 110MHz BW and enhanced DPX. It also still has the unrestricted real time performance. Many of these analysers now have restricted real time performance due to export regulations.My RSA3408A also has various HW and SW options fitted. I generally prefer using the RSA3408A over the RSA6114A and only use the 6114A when I really need the extra bandwidth or the enhanced DPX mode.

author: squadchannel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2024, 12:10:29 am
content: g0hzu's RSA have a calibration menu like smaultre's picture?something strange to display such an unfinished calibration menu in a place where we, the users, would touch it.My 3308A had a blown capacitor on the internal PICMG motherboard.I'm glad I got it cheap as a faulty one.

author: smaultre
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2024, 05:37:12 am
content: I also have to repair my RSA3408A (bad PSU module). But my RSA5126 is 26GHz and "26" means there..It have a sensitive non-linearity on the spectrum. But when i change some variables on diagnostic APP,i can make it to show the right amplitude.Maybe you now how to "unrestrict" it's performance? Or principle of option generations?

author: squadchannel
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2024, 09:38:48 am
content: From the option keys shown in the manual and on fleabay in the picture on the back, I would guess that they are the same algorithm as the option keys used on the TDS7K and TLA at the time.there is a keygen that can be used with TDS7K and TLA. but i have never used it.https://github.com/exit-failure/tds7000/tree/main/unlock%20optionsNo, I don't know python, but I can't use it for RSA.

author: G0HZU
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2024, 04:26:53 pm
content: Quote from: squadchannel on September 30, 2024, 12:10:29 amYes, my 6114A has an exe file with a GUI that looks like the 'Calibration View' GUI shown in post #4 as c.jpg.It's over a year since I did this, but I recall that the RSA6114A normally transfers the cal data for the 10MHz oscillator from secure FLASH to volatile RAM during bootup. I think it then uses the value held in RAM to set the value for the frequency trim of the oscillator. I recall that I was able to tweak the value in RAM until the oscillator was within 0.01 Hz of 10 MHz and then I transferred this new cal data into FLASH memory so it loaded the corrected data into RAM during any subsequent reboots. I'm fairly certain that I used that Calibration View menu to do it all.Note that I think it is possible to trash the various calibration tables for this analyser if that GUI is used incorrectly. I made sure I made several copies of all the various calibration data files before I attempted anything.Once you overwrite anything in FLASH you won't be able to put it back to the previous state unless you have a valid copy of the original cal data that you can reload into FLASH.