Using 4GFSK .modulation.
PRAM file on N5182B not behaving the same as on a E4483C.
My unit under test responds to the message, but I need the RF off at the end of the message.
Using 4GFSK .modulation.
PRAM file on N5182B not behaving the same as on a E4483C.
My unit under test responds to the message, but I need the RF off at the end of the message.
Hi, I have an E4437B not a E4438C but, for using PRAM, I suppose that very similar or identical. You must set bit2 to enable RF or not at the RF output. There are an example below. I've done a test with basic sequence and 2FSK signal.
In this example, I set bit0 to have a marker (cyan trace), bit2 to have burst (yellow trace)
For more details about these functions TRIG and BURST:
Yves
I have the TRIG and BURST set in my file. It does work on the E4438C, I have been using it for years. We purchased a N5182B ,the recommended replacement with correct options,for the E4438C, and I loaded the same PRAM file with the TRIG and Burst bits set. The message is sent correctly as the receiver hears it, but the RF does not turn off. The carrier stays present. I loaded the latest software from July of this year which stated it fixed a bug with the Internal Burst but the problem still persists.
Hi,
I have two RF generators, E4432B and E4437B, option UN8 on both: with the same PRAM file, it works well on my E4437B but not on the E4432B, the carrier is still ON. The only difference between the two generators is that the UN8 option is a version A on the E4432B but version C on the E4437B. Your N5182B is much newer, and I checked the information for the PRAM command, and it's the same as the procedure. It would have worked for your E4438C as well as for your N5182B.
I find this problem quite frustrating, in my case they are discontinued generators, I do not expect to have firmware changes, but in your case, it is a recent generator, the latest firmware is B.01.80. I guess you're not the only one with this problem, in your case I would try to contact Keysight directly for help.
Yves
Hi,
I used a new sequence with PRAM and compare results: my E4437B is OK but for my E4432B, RF is always ON.
I decided to use the signal EVENT1, inverted it and inserted to Ext-2 input connector and enable PULSE mode on ext 2 dc coupled option. The end of the signal EVENT1 was little short, I've add 19x code 16 before the end of last byte (208).
I took the signal from the EVENT1 connector, I inverted it with a simple GATE inverter, and sent its output to the EXT 2 INPUT connector ... everything worked fine. I know it is a patch but it is a solution while waiting to find the cause of the problem of your generator.
MEM:DATA:PRAM:LIST 85,20,21,20,21,20,21,20,21,20,21,20,21,20,21,20,21,20,21,20,21,20,21,20,21,20,21,20,21,20,21,20,20,20,20,20,21,21,21,21,20,20,20,20,21,21,21,21,20,20,20,20,21,21,21,21,20,20,20,20,21,21,21,21,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,20,20,20,20,21,21,21,21,20,20,20,20,21,21,21,21,20,20,20,20,21,21,21,21,20,20,20,20,21,21,21,21,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,20,20,20,20,21,21,21,21,20,20,20,20,21,21,21,21,20,20,20,20,21,21,21,21,20,20,20,20,21,21,21,21,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,20,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,21,16,16,16,16,16,16,16,16,16,16,16,16,16,16,16,16,16,16,16,208
Have a Good Day
Yves
Anyone from Keysight read these comments? Any suggestions? Is it just my unit or is this a common problem?
Hi,
I continued to work on the PRAM function and try different methods such as the MEM: DATA: PRAM: BLOCK command much faster, but nothing helps, the PRAM function does not work on my E4432B ... but on my E4437B everything is OK (Both devices have the same firmware, but different version of option UN8). In fact only bit 2 does not work (control of the BURST function).
I checked that the bytes sent on the communication port were without error. On the block diagram of the UN8 option, we see that there is indeed control of the BURST function coming from the PRAM (Pattern RAM) section.
My next step will be to open the device and see if the BURST signal is present.
In the meantime, what I have done is that I have modified my PRAM LIST file to create a signal of the right polarity and the right width at the EVENT1 connector on the rear panel which I send to the EXT 2 connector input on the front and I activate the PULSE function ... as shown in the following images ... it works very well but it is the PRAM function in its integrity that I want.
Soon, I will open my E4432B and go and check directly, I will inform you of the results.
Regards
Yves
'--------------------------------------------------------
Trace R1 is PRAM function enabled with a signal 2GFSK, but RF is always ON (PRAM function FAIL).
Trace1 is the result of the external patch: signal from EVENT1 connector to EXT 2 input connector, PULSE function enabled.
Trace2, it's the EVENT1 signal created and modified by PRAM LIST to use to control PULSE mode via EXT2 input connector.
In the PRAM LIST, the values 20 and 21 corresponding to RF ON and logic value 1 or 0, are replaced by 84 and 85 to allow adjustment of the delay, and the correct polarity for EVENT1 output signal. The values 80 at the end of the list are only used to adjust the width of the EVENT1 pulse.
With these modifications, result is OK measured on N1910A with VXA option.
Block diagram with option UN8
'=====================================================
I opened my E4432B and followed the BURST GATE signal from the UN8 option: the UN8 option really generates the BURST GATE signal when I use the PRAM function, it is filtered (shaping), and goes to the motherboard towards the output PCB. The signal is well aligned with the packet to be transmitted, so it looks like it is a hardware problem.
I still have to check the PCB output to find the exact cause of the problem.
So if you have the same problem with your generator for the PRAM function, you may also have a hardware problem.
Yves
Hi,
I checked my 2 generators E4432B and E4437B, from the PRAM memory to the IQ DACs and I finally understood that the problem with the PRAM memory and the pulsed signal was only a misunderstanding of the generators in this mode particular. Their behavior was different because their material versions are not the same.
To activate BURST mode, go to the IQ menu, and activate BURST Envelope ON. This is valid for your E4438C and your N5182B. This function activates the RF ON signal from the PRAM LIST file. The rising, falling and shape edges can be programmed if necessary.
I think this should fix your problem...in my case, the problem is solved.
Yves
I have loaded the latest software but still does not work.