Getting phase noise data off an HP 3048A
Hi,
I have an HP 3048A that I'm running from an HP 382 controller. After
performing a phase noise measurement, I'd like to be able to retrieve
the data on another computer as a table of frequency offsets and phase
noise values. What are my options for doing this? Answers about how to
get the plot also appreciated, but I'd really prefer the table of
values.
The HP 3048A can save results as RESU_x files, which appear to be binary
files including the measurement results as well as a parameter
summary. It can plot the graph to an external plotter too (or plotter
emulator of course). I didn't see much else.
So, one option would seem to be to figure out the format of the RESU_x
files. That would be nice, as it would come with the parameter summary,
as well as locations of the spurs. Has anyone investigated this?
Another option would be to plot them to a plotter emulator (I don't have
a physical plotter, and wouldn't want to plot and then scan anyway) and
then use a tool like WebPlotDigitizer to extract the numeric
data. That's a bit tedious and I don't currently have a GPIB controller
I can use with Windows to do this. (Actually, I've been meaning to get
one for some time, but am a bit reluctant as my last NI GPIB-USB-HS
broke after just a handful of uses, whereas my E5810A is rock
solid. Anyway, that's a separate topic...).
Another option might be to use the PN3048 software - maybe it can do
this. I haven't used that much since I have the 382. But, again, that
requires (I think) a GPIB adapter I don't have at the moment.
Or maybe HTBasic, but I don't have a license and the GPIB adapter still
applies.
Or, maybe I missed something really obvious in the 3048A manual and this
is natively possible. But, I wouldn't be surprised if, when this
software was written, it wasn't anticipated that someone would want this
data in another form than as a physical hard-copy or graph on a 200/300
series controller.
Thanks
Matt
Hi Matt, I don't have an answer, but I was curious about the equipment you
mentioned, and it would appear that the e5810a has windows libraries:
downoadable link on
https://www.keysight.com/us/en/product/E5810A/langpib-gateway.html. Good
luck --mike
On Wed, Apr 12, 2023 at 7:49 AM Matt Huszagh via time-nuts <
time-nuts@lists.febo.com> wrote:
Hi,
I have an HP 3048A that I'm running from an HP 382 controller. After
performing a phase noise measurement, I'd like to be able to retrieve
the data on another computer as a table of frequency offsets and phase
noise values. What are my options for doing this? Answers about how to
get the plot also appreciated, but I'd really prefer the table of
values.
The HP 3048A can save results as RESU_x files, which appear to be binary
files including the measurement results as well as a parameter
summary. It can plot the graph to an external plotter too (or plotter
emulator of course). I didn't see much else.
So, one option would seem to be to figure out the format of the RESU_x
files. That would be nice, as it would come with the parameter summary,
as well as locations of the spurs. Has anyone investigated this?
Another option would be to plot them to a plotter emulator (I don't have
a physical plotter, and wouldn't want to plot and then scan anyway) and
then use a tool like WebPlotDigitizer to extract the numeric
data. That's a bit tedious and I don't currently have a GPIB controller
I can use with Windows to do this. (Actually, I've been meaning to get
one for some time, but am a bit reluctant as my last NI GPIB-USB-HS
broke after just a handful of uses, whereas my E5810A is rock
solid. Anyway, that's a separate topic...).
Another option might be to use the PN3048 software - maybe it can do
this. I haven't used that much since I have the 382. But, again, that
requires (I think) a GPIB adapter I don't have at the moment.
Or maybe HTBasic, but I don't have a license and the GPIB adapter still
applies.
Or, maybe I missed something really obvious in the 3048A manual and this
is natively possible. But, I wouldn't be surprised if, when this
software was written, it wasn't anticipated that someone would want this
data in another form than as a physical hard-copy or graph on a 200/300
series controller.
Thanks
Matt
time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com
To unsubscribe send an email to time-nuts-leave@lists.febo.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Matt Huszagh via time-nuts [mailto:time-nuts@lists.febo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2023 9:57 PM
...
So, one option would seem to be to figure out the format of the RESU_x
files. That would be nice, as it would come with the parameter summary,
as well as locations of the spurs. Has anyone investigated this?
TimeLab can import 3048A result files saved from the RMB version under
HTBasic or the native PN3048 application, and then export the PN trace and
spur data to a .CSV-style text file.
It won't do you much good if you are planning to stick with the 382, though.
But you could start with the import_3048A_data() function in timelab.cpp if
you wanted to write your own importer.
-- john
Mike Ingle via time-nuts time-nuts@lists.febo.com writes:
Hi Matt, I don't have an answer, but I was curious about the equipment you
mentioned, and it would appear that the e5810a has windows libraries:
downoadable link on
https://www.keysight.com/us/en/product/E5810A/langpib-gateway.html. Good
luck --mike
Hi Mike,
I think you're right that this should work with the 7470 plotter
emulator and other Windows programs that make use of some sort of GPIB
adapter. I made a brief attempt to get it working with the 7470 emulator
(which I would have a lot of uses for) a few months back and didn't have
any luck, but I probably just need to spend a bit more time with it. My
real problem is that I'm still not very proficient with Windows, but
this gives me a good excuse to learn.
Thanks,
Matt
Hi Matt:
There may be an answer at:
https://hpmemoryproject.org/technics/bench/3048/bench_3048_home.htm
--
Have Fun,
Brooke Clarke
https://www.PRC68.com
axioms:
- The extent to which you can fix or improve something will be limited by how well you understand how it works.
- Everybody, with no exceptions, holds false beliefs.
-------- Original Message --------
Hi,
I have an HP 3048A that I'm running from an HP 382 controller. After
performing a phase noise measurement, I'd like to be able to retrieve
the data on another computer as a table of frequency offsets and phase
noise values. What are my options for doing this? Answers about how to
get the plot also appreciated, but I'd really prefer the table of
values.
The HP 3048A can save results as RESU_x files, which appear to be binary
files including the measurement results as well as a parameter
summary. It can plot the graph to an external plotter too (or plotter
emulator of course). I didn't see much else.
So, one option would seem to be to figure out the format of the RESU_x
files. That would be nice, as it would come with the parameter summary,
as well as locations of the spurs. Has anyone investigated this?
Another option would be to plot them to a plotter emulator (I don't have
a physical plotter, and wouldn't want to plot and then scan anyway) and
then use a tool like WebPlotDigitizer to extract the numeric
data. That's a bit tedious and I don't currently have a GPIB controller
I can use with Windows to do this. (Actually, I've been meaning to get
one for some time, but am a bit reluctant as my last NI GPIB-USB-HS
broke after just a handful of uses, whereas my E5810A is rock
solid. Anyway, that's a separate topic...).
Another option might be to use the PN3048 software - maybe it can do
this. I haven't used that much since I have the 382. But, again, that
requires (I think) a GPIB adapter I don't have at the moment.
Or maybe HTBasic, but I don't have a license and the GPIB adapter still
applies.
Or, maybe I missed something really obvious in the 3048A manual and this
is natively possible. But, I wouldn't be surprised if, when this
software was written, it wasn't anticipated that someone would want this
data in another form than as a physical hard-copy or graph on a 200/300
series controller.
Thanks
Matt
time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com
To unsubscribe send an email to time-nuts-leave@lists.febo.com
John - This is great news!
I cut my teeth on the 3048A and I have squirreled away all the pieces to
it in our lab. I've used the E5505A for the last 15 years and we
recently purchased the N5511 from keysight.
I am back to the 3048A for nostalgia, and as it turns out, practical
purposes. The new project I'm on does not have allot of funding now.
I think our unit was from an air force cal lab as it came with all kinds
of bits and pieces - precision adapters, splitters, strange bnc loads,
and K21 AM detector filters, etc.
In ca 2000, it was really frustrating to only get out .png files using
the "grafplus" software and I was not smart enough to figure any other way.
Funny, now the problem is getting files from 3.5" floppys to the
network! I think I can muddle through that though...
Jim
On 2023-04-12 2:22 AM, John Miles via time-nuts wrote:
-----Original Message-----
From: Matt Huszagh via time-nuts [mailto:time-nuts@lists.febo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, April 11, 2023 9:57 PM
...
So, one option would seem to be to figure out the format of the RESU_x
files. That would be nice, as it would come with the parameter summary,
as well as locations of the spurs. Has anyone investigated this?
TimeLab can import 3048A result files saved from the RMB version under
HTBasic or the native PN3048 application, and then export the PN trace and
spur data to a .CSV-style text file.
It won't do you much good if you are planning to stick with the 382, though.
But you could start with the import_3048A_data() function in timelab.cpp if
you wanted to write your own importer.
-- john
time-nuts mailing list --time-nuts@lists.febo.com
To unsubscribe send an email totime-nuts-leave@lists.febo.com
--
Jim Muehlberg
Senior Engineer
National Radio Astronomy Observatory
ngVLA Local Oscillator Lead
1180 Boxwood Estates Rd B-111
Charlottesville, VA 22903-4602
P 434.296.0270
C 434.422.2017
John - This is great news!
I cut my teeth on the 3048A and I have squirreled away all the pieces to
it in our lab. I've used the E5505A for the last 15 years and we
recently purchased the N5511 from keysight.
I am back to the 3048A for nostalgia, and as it turns out, practical
purposes. The new project I'm on does not have allot of funding now.
I can see why funding is short after buying the N5511A. :) Fun toy to play with, though!
I think our unit was from an air force cal lab as it came with all kinds
of bits and pieces - precision adapters, splitters, strange bnc loads,
and K21 AM detector filters, etc.
In ca 2000, it was really frustrating to only get out .png files using
the "grafplus" software and I was not smart enough to figure any other way.
Funny, now the problem is getting files from 3.5" floppys to the
network! I think I can muddle through that though...
Seriously, you should consider using Kent Falkenstein's app at http://www.ke5fx.com/pn3048.htm for that, assuming it supports what you need to do. It's challenging enough to use a 3048A without also having to deal with antique controller hardware and/or software, goof around with floppy disks and plotters, and so on.
I just ran PN3048 for the first time in two or three years, and yep, it all still works, hardware and software both. Good thing, too, as I'm on the verge of forgetting how to fix it...
-- john
HI
The real magic of the 3048A is all in the one “big box”. The counters, volt meters, spectrum analyzers
and the like that attach to that could be replace with just about anything similar.
Keeping all of those antique boxes running properly is a chore. Finding enough room on the bench
for all of them is also a bit exciting. Something that would run the beast into a good audio analyzer
could go a long way towards breathing life back into that fine old setup.
To bad the source code for that VB app is MIA.
Bob
On Apr 14, 2023, at 2:18 AM, John Miles via time-nuts time-nuts@lists.febo.com wrote:
John - This is great news!
I cut my teeth on the 3048A and I have squirreled away all the pieces to
it in our lab. I've used the E5505A for the last 15 years and we
recently purchased the N5511 from keysight.
I am back to the 3048A for nostalgia, and as it turns out, practical
purposes. The new project I'm on does not have allot of funding now.
I can see why funding is short after buying the N5511A. :) Fun toy to play with, though!
I think our unit was from an air force cal lab as it came with all kinds
of bits and pieces - precision adapters, splitters, strange bnc loads,
and K21 AM detector filters, etc.
In ca 2000, it was really frustrating to only get out .png files using
the "grafplus" software and I was not smart enough to figure any other way.
Funny, now the problem is getting files from 3.5" floppys to the
network! I think I can muddle through that though...
Seriously, you should consider using Kent Falkenstein's app at http://www.ke5fx.com/pn3048.htm for that, assuming it supports what you need to do. It's challenging enough to use a 3048A without also having to deal with antique controller hardware and/or software, goof around with floppy disks and plotters, and so on.
I just ran PN3048 for the first time in two or three years, and yep, it all still works, hardware and software both. Good thing, too, as I'm on the verge of forgetting how to fix it...
-- john
time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@lists.febo.com
To unsubscribe send an email to time-nuts-leave@lists.febo.com