Rohde & Schwarz SMIQ03B with Error 313, Error 180 Calibration failed and Erro183 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: lcharman
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 19, 2024, 09:28:39 am
content: HelloI have a R&S SMIQ03B with the error in the subject.Four errors 313 Calibration memory lost shows;1. - LEV PRESET, 2. - VECTOR MOD, 3. - LEV ATT and 4. - ALC OFF MODE = TABLE - run internal calibrationI perform the internal calibration. 3 Errors 180 occur 1. Calibrate ALL Failed; execution stopped, 2. Calibration failed; Level Preset and 3. Calibration failed; Vector Modulation.During the internal calibration:Error: reference voltage oot (6.9...12.0V) occurs for Vector MOD calibration.Error: No IQCON no convergence occurs for LEV PRESET calibration.I run the learn table in LEVEL>ALC, error: CW: ALC_ON Voltage oot occurs.I am not sure if it is the problem from IQ modulator or IQ Converter.Every advice is welcome

author: oe7dbhnew
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2025, 11:35:57 am
content: Hi Guys .....Happy new YearI have almost the same problem, I get the message:Error: nominal Level ootError 180 Calibration failed Level presetOf course, according to this, the measured output power is by no means the same as the value shown on the display,e.g. the absolute output power is just 3mW despite the +16dBm setting.I would also be grateful for some good information that will lead to success.Vy 73 de OE7DBHDarko

author: wn1fju
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2025, 02:33:32 pm
content: For what it's worth, we had one of these signal generators at work which threw all kinds of errors. Turned out it was simply that the internal battery was dead. Try replacing it first.

author: oe7dbhnew
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2025, 03:54:41 pm
content: Thank you for answer and Happy new yearYes, I have already ordered it(6 batteries, 2 each for both devices - i have two SMIQ )and will see if the errors disappear.The lower one shows no errors after internal calibration until switched off-on again - probably a memory battery problem.PS. Rene´ danke fürs Info

author: drhex
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 02, 2025, 08:22:58 pm
content: Usually the output amplifier or frequency switch for ALC and output level errors. Plenty of threads on these errors on the board.

author: oe7dbhnew
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 04, 2025, 04:28:06 pm
content: The message they sent you was:Hallo,wie ich gelesen habe, hast du oot Fehler (out of tolerance),der Fehler 180 kommt immer, sobald eine Kalibrierung fehl schlägt.Wenn du Preset bei Power ON drückst, wird das Gerät komplett auf default gesetzt und die Calibrierspeicher gelöscht, dann werden einige 300er Fehler auftreten, hier erstmal die Service Keys bis level 2LEVEL1 -----> 123456LEVEL2 -----> 250751der erste Key ist klar zur internen Kalibrierung , bitte führe keine interne Frequenzcal durch, die Speieroutine dafür ist etwas seltsam von R&S umgesetzt, es werden nicht die alten einträge Überschrieben sondern neue anghangen, bis das eeprom voll ist, dann wird es sehr schwierig dir zu helfen.I made a preset after switching itON, but now there are more error messages.... belowNot: The batteries have not yet been replaced with new ones.

author: oe7dbhnew
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 11:32:40 am
content: As I have already reported, I have purchased two SMIQ 03Bs, both with almost the same errors, we will call them No. 1 and No. 2.I ordered batteries for both of them, which arrived recently( 6pcs in total for 2 devices )Signal generator Nr 1First I want to replace the battery in the front panel behind the display and start with number 1.a. After unscrewing all the screws I get to the button battery CR2477N.Measure the battery voltage for the first time ! ---> 0,0V measured , that means empty, time to exchange...I want to take it out and start, suddenly it "click" ---> Instead of the battery coming out, it slipped in--->that means it was not inserted correctly by R&S guy.I measured the battery voltage again --> it shows 3.29V( i have a full new old battery in there "according to the R&S sticker" since the last battery change at the end of 2017 ).Nevertheless, I took it out and put in a new one ----> measured the voltage again ---> shows 3.26V ---> now I'm leaving the new one in.b. Now I check the voltage of the battery SL2780 on the rear panel ---> and measure 3.62V ---> that means it is also good and I leave it in without replacing it.c. At this point I thought to myself: "maybe replacing the first battery was enough to eliminate all errors" ---> i should try starting without checking the last battery SL750 in the slot.Power ON ----> started ----> Preset button pressed, several errors appeared on the display again....Uttilities ---> Protect ----> code 123456 input ---> Calib All ----> it took 1.5~2 minutes, again and again comes the messagesuccessfuland this is the end result.....Now I'm checking whether the output frequency and output power actually match the information in the display, because that was far from the case with existing errors.I also connected an external GPS 10MHz reference signal.And lo and behold, everything is fine,output frequency is exact, output power +9dBm instead of 7.943 shows 7.802mW, I can live with thatno uncontrolled RF power jumps !!Nr1. Conclusion: it was only battery contact in front panel that caused all the errors.Now Signal generator Nr 2I thought maybe I could play it easier again just with batteries.I went through all the steps as with generator No. 1all the batteries were correctly inserted and soldered and had a very good voltage capacity, but I still replaced the button battery in the front-display panel with new ones.Power ON ---> preset --->recalibration performed, and again several errors related to output level occur....Recalibrated, and again several errors related to output level.Moved by youtube video....I decided to replace MMIC H1 directly without any complex measurements( SHF0189 was in stock )After the successful exchange and everything reassembled....Power ON ---> preset ---> protect 123456 ---> recalibration performed ---> again and again comes the message successfulNow both generators are error free "i thought"Now I want to make sure that the frequency and power match the display.a. The frequency is again exactly right(like with generator No. 1)without any errors,b. but I notice clear, uncontrolled jumps in the output power and cannot achieve full output power(instead of 31mW, i only get 13mW output )....that means problem despite "No static errors in this system"Output power problem, here below list:on display set valuevs.measured valueMaybe one of the R&S experts and members ( maybeharry22) here in the forum knows how to solve this problem.Translated from the original into German with Google, sorry for mistakes....Best regards Darkohttps://oe7dbh.blogspot.com

author: Harry_22
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 08:06:14 pm
content: Hi!It's likely that some section of the output attenuator has burned out and is adding an extra 5dB.What about the second one generatior? Have you measured its output power?You can simply exchange both attenuators and check again the levels to be 100% sure.

author: oe7dbhnew
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 16, 2025, 09:36:45 pm
content: Do you speak German ? ....It would be easier for me than with a google translatorHarry, Thank you very much for the answer and introduction to the topic of conversation.With the other generator( No. 1 )the output runs continuously from -140 to +15dBm and back without any jumps - everything is OK.It's likely that some section of the output attenuator has burned out and is adding an extra 5dBAre we talking about this attenuator.....( between IQ Modulator and Output N Connector )or another attenuator on PCB ?Best regards Darkohttps://oe7dbh.blogspot.com/

author: Harry_22
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 17, 2025, 07:53:55 pm
content: Yes, we are talking about this mechanical attenuator.It is connected directly to Output N Connector.Exhange both attenuators and test the levels again.