MODEL 8559A

TROUBLESHOOTING HINTS

Begin troubleshooting by measuring the mainframe-supplied voltages as close to the H P 8559A as possible. The Vertical Driver/Blanking Assembly A15 offers three test points (A15TP6, A15TP7, A15TP8) to make the measurements. The + l00V supply is available at A15TP6, the + 15V supply at A15TP7, and the - 12.6V supply at A15TP8. If any of these voltages are low, refer to the mainframe Operation and Service manual and make the necessary adjustments before continuing. Common symptoms caused by low mainframe-supplied voltages include: increased residual FM (caused by a low + 15V supply) and poor frequency accuracy or intermittent lockup of the frequency display LED'S(also caused by a low power supply).

Residual FM

Residual FM is a short-term jitter or an undesired frequency modulation of a local oscillator (LO). It appears as noise riding on the displayed trace and may be random or cyclical (usually as a function of the line frequency). The following procedure is a guide for isolating a source of residual FM. Further troubleshooting hints concerning residual FM are included following the circuit descriptions of the indicated assemblies.

Set H P 8559A controls as follows:

 

FREQUENCY BAND GHz

.................................................. .01- 3

TUNING ...............................................................

.010GHz

FREQSPAN/DIV ...............................................................

0

RESOLUTION BW .......................................................

300 kHz

INPUT ATTEN ..............................................................

0 dB

REFERENCE LEVEL .....................................................

- 10dB

REFLEVELFINE ..............................................................

0

Amplitude Scale ........................................................

10 dB/DIV

SWEEPTIME/DIV ........................................................

AUTO

SWEEPTRIGGER ...........................................................

OFF

VIDEOFILTER .............................................................

OFF

BLCLIP ....................................................................

OFF

SIGIDENT .................................................................

OFF

ALT IF .....................................................................

OFF

Verify that the mainframe supply voltages are correct at the Vertical Driver/Blanking Assembly A15 of the H P 8559A by checking the voltages at A15TP6, A15TP7, and A15TP8.

Use a second spectrum analyzer to check each LO of the H P 8559A for FM.

First LO: check at the H P 86559A front-panel RF input jack with test analyzer tuned to about 3 GHz (LO power is - 8 dBm +3 dBm).

Second LO: check at A5J3 on Second Converter Assembly AS.

Third LO: check at AlOJ1, the 300 MHz output on Third Converter Assembly A10.

If the source of FM is the first LO, check the Frequency Control Assembly A7 and the YIG-Tuned Oscillator Assembly A6.

If the source of the FM is the second LO, short A5A2TPl to ground while observing the second LO with the second spectrum analyzer. This isolates the possible source of FM to the Second Converter Assembly A5 by removing the varactor bias voltage. Note that removing this bias voltage will cause the second LO frequency to shift. If FM is still present, check the Second Converter Assembly A5 as the source. If the FM disappears, check the bias voltage source on the Marker Board Assembly A8.

If the source of the FM is the third LO, check the Third Converter Assembly AlO.