I have an Aeroflex PN9000 system main module without PC digitiser and software. These are often listed on eBay for anywhere between $200 to $20,000.
From what I understand it is just a dumb frontend - mixer, filter, LNA and PLL loop - like HP 11848A.
I have pulled all the modules out and did not find anything more intelligent than a GBIP controller. Just a bunch of almost homemade quality perfboards with simple PTH analogue circuits, relays and simple digital logic.
Does anybody have one of them and can shed some light on how does it communicate with the rest of their system? Is there a known GPIB protocol? I doubt there will be anything parsable. If it is anything like 11848A then it is just bit-banging at a specified GPIB address.
It is also known as NoiseXT/Aeroflex/Cobham/Weinschel/IFR/Marconi/Europtest and whatnot else PN9000...
Cheers
Leo