Agilent E8357A

[theamberco]

Hi, Is it really possible to extend the frequency to 9GHz of the E8357A, I have one and I want to know what is needed to do if any one can help, or if I can get the time domain option.
My HostID is:
C48539A0
Installed options:
015

 Thanks.

[PA0PBZ]

According to several people in the thread you also posted in it is possible yes. The thread contains all information, I don't have this device so I never tried.

[joeqsmith]

Hi, Is it really possible to extend the frequency to 9GHz of the E8357A, ...

Thanks to TV84, it is certainly possible to create the license to enable this and any other feature assuming your hardware supports it.   How you go about getting it aligned is another matter.   Then there is getting standards to go with it. 

[tv84]

Thanks to TV84, it is certainly possible to create the license to enable this and any other feature assuming your hardware supports it.   

@theamberco contacted me and I had absolutely no idea that I had done this...    Getting old...

How you go about getting it aligned is another matter.   

That is your game. 

[theamberco]

I got the part of deleting the files and running on dos but I dont get the part of the key generation with the recalculation of the new FLEXlm licenses. I did downloaded the program "imcryptgui" ask for encryption seed 1 and encrypton seed 2 but it does not do nothing just had a button that said new but I have no idea how to generate a key to enter for the frequency extension. Any help apreciated I do have a copy of the image in another hard disk.

[theamberco]

If I succeed with the options upgrades I still dont know how to run the FLEXlm. Do you know what do you need besides two power sensors which I have to align it?

[joeqsmith]

Do you know what do you need besides two power sensors which I have to align it?

This is covered in the service manual.   As long as you have access to all of the equipment they call out, you should be all set. 

[theamberco]

thanks for your help I got at least time domain option running but for some reason I get a lot of errors with the 9 GHz option an it does not even go to more than 6.025GHz, I have the older CPU unit, that is probably why, but at least I got time domain. What other discontinued products can you get options like that is nice to know.

[joeqsmith]

Notice how after setting up the new license, the instrument identifies as being the E8358A.  This is what you should have.
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/agilent-e8357a/msg4507450/#msg4507450

This option is not dependent on the CPU board installed, so you should be fine.   

[theamberco]

It does not get recognized as a 8358A, trace goes crazy and source leveled error and 6GHz max. I reverted back to 6GHz all normal

[tv84]

joe, the option for 9GHz is 1F9, right?

[joeqsmith]

joe, the option for 9GHz is 1F9, right?

I believe so.  If this is in question, I can double check my notes later today. 
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/agilent-e8357a/msg4493539/#msg4493539

It does not get recognized as a 8358A, trace goes crazy and source leveled error and 6GHz max. I reverted back to 6GHz all normal

There is still a problem with the license then.   As I mentioned in this thread, you don't want to try and install features for hardware you don't have.   I suggest only adding the 9GHz option for starts.   

[joeqsmith]

After reading this entire thread, outside of TV84's locating the key, the best post IMO is this one from Caesarv:

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/testgear/agilent-e8357a/msg4507543/#msg4507543

Talking with him early on, he had brought up the TDR feature several times.  I had enable it and tried it out but because of how I use the PNA with a PC, it's never proven useful. 

I never mentioned it in this thread but my only goal with extending the frequency range was to use the PNA for a sanity check for some experiments I have been running in the X-band.   The 9GHz is just barely enough to make it useful.