HP 16555A cards in a 16700 series analyzer - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: davorin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 21, 2015, 05:05:50 pm
content: As I'm thinking selling my old 16500B analyzer and replace it with a bigger model....I would like to know if someone is using 16555A cards in a 16700 model....and if the trace screen is updated faster as on a 16500B....Or is it wiser to also upgrade the blades with newer models?

author: blacknoise
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2015, 09:28:53 pm
content: The attached PDF lists the compatibility between 16500x, 16700x, and 16900x mainframes with various cards...

author: davorin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 21, 2015, 09:33:37 pm
content: This chart I already have, thanks :-)What I would like to know is if older cards meant for 16500 mainframes show some drawbacks in performance when used in 16700 mainframes....or if the CPU board is always the bottleneck...Experienced on my 16500B takes it takes several 10s of seconds to update the screen when debugging a GPIB bus with 16 signals...

author: davorin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 23, 2015, 06:23:56 am
content: Is there a big performance difference between the 16702A and 16702B model?16702B seem to go around double/triple price than 16702A models on ebay...

author: davorin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 23, 2015, 08:06:53 pm
content: Well I will found out myself as I just bought a 16702A from Ebay (o;

author: BloodyCactus
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 23, 2015, 08:12:29 pm
content: B has nice larger touch screen, may have faster cpu/ more ram, or that is an option. i forget.

author: davorin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 23, 2015, 08:15:58 pm
content: Well too late ;-)What is fast anyways...remember when I upgraded my Macintosh 512k to a SE/30 model with 68030 @ 16MHz...wow...that machine fast incredible fast....there were even some software additions to slow down text scrolling back then *gg

author: Johnny10
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2015, 05:30:48 pm
content: I see you have been upgrading your HP 16500A to B and now to 16702a What has your experience been?I just this morning got two 16500A units up and running off floppies.And ... Slow refresh, yes!Bid on a 16702B this morning. But hey what am I doing maybe be more patient.Did you try out the 16505A?

author: davorin
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 16, 2015, 05:39:50 pm
content: Well...the 16500A is unbearable slow....16500B was much better asit also had a LAN card where I could control it remotely via X-Windows...The 16702A was to my surprise much slower in starting up, as it is a different beast running HPUX 10 off a slow SCSI drive...(SCSI2SD Adapter is on the way ;o)But when it runs it is quite okay for me....also since I can control it via X-Windows as well, which gives you a large Screen compared to the built-in LCD...I would recommend to use mocaXterm for Windows...fast Screen redraws and the Software is free...Hmm...never heard of HP 16505A (o;

author: Johnny10
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2015, 06:10:20 pm
content: The 16505a was an add on to the 16500 series which added a RISC processor and LAN capabilities.I was thinking about trying it out but I believe it works only with the C model.Anyone here using one?

author: gslick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2015, 04:08:32 am
content: Quote from: Johnny10 on October 16, 2015, 06:10:20 pmAn HP 16505A (actually just an HP 712/60 or 712/100 workstation running HP-UX 9.0x and a special application) with work with an HP 16500C, or an HP 16500B with the optional 16500H Ethernet interface which also has a SCSI port for the 16505A connection. The optional 16500L Ethernet interface does not have a SCSI port.

author: gslick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2015, 04:24:35 am
content: Quote from: davorin on June 23, 2015, 06:23:56 amA 16700A or 16702A normally has either 64MB of base system RAM or 160MB of system RAM with Opt 003 installed. There are some late production models which have either 128MB of base system RAM or 256MB of system RAM with Opt 003.A 16700B or 16702B has either 128MB of base system RAM or 256MB of system RAM with Opt 003.They all have the same speed CPU. I have never tried to measure any possible performance differences between 64M, 128MB, 160MB, and 256MB of system RAM.Other difference are 10Mb Ethernet on the 16700A/16702A vs 10/100Mb Ethernet on the 16700B/16702B, which might make a big difference if you need to copy large data files between the LA and other systems, and the built in CD-ROM drive in the 16700B/16702B which really only makes things easier if you need to reinstall the software.I wouldn't pay a large premium for a 16702A/B over a 16700A/B unless you really need a self-contained system. The built in LCD is only 800x600 and an external LCD monitor at 1024x768, 1280x1024, or 1600x1200 can be a lot more useful.