Getting Started

  • N7841A calibration application versions E.04.02 and greater require a minimum version of firmware to be installed in the FieldFox to successfully run tests and adjustments. Refer to the Firmware Requirements section for more information.

  • Some FieldFox model and option combinations will require the installation of the CFG Option in order to complete tests. All adjustments will require the CFG Option. Refer to the CFG Option section for more information.

Before You Start

Installing Over Previous Versions

Please see the Readme.txt of TME for information on the compatibility of this package with previous versions of the application and the Test Management Environment (TME).

TME applications E.01.00 and later cannot be installed over older TME applications (A.xx, C.xx, or D.xx) or on top of TME versions prior to E.01.00. You must remove TME and all applications from the PC before installing the latest TME and this application.

Please see the TME help, Getting Started, Installation section for details of how to remove pre-E.01.00 versions of TME and its applications.

Separation of TME from Applications

Keysight TME is no longer packaged and installed with TME applications. TME must be installed separately. Once TME is installed on the target PC, the applications can then be installed.

Please see the TME help system and Readme for information on installing the Keysight Test Management Environment.

System Requirements

Please see the Readme.txt for minimum system requirements to run this application.

Installation Steps

There are two ways to install TME and its applications:

Installation

Network Installation

In a network installation, order information is stored centrally and can be accessed by any TME client in the network. This allows you to combine data from tests that were run on multiple stations into a single report. Equipment data and order information are also accessible from any station.

To set up a new TME network, please see the instructions in the TME help system.

  • The installation of the application network data must take place on the same PC that installed the TME network data.

  • If TME is setup as a network installation, the application will automatically be setup as a network on that machine when the installation is executed. The application server must be installed before any clients can be installed.

  • TME client must also be installed on all machines intending to run this application as clients of the network.

To install an application on a network follow the following steps:

  1. Find the PC where the TME network was installed (shows “TME Server” in Programs & Features).

  2. Run Setup.exe for the application on that PC. This will install all networked components for that application.

  3. Install application clients:

Or

\\FileServer\Test Management Environment\Install\(AppName)\(AppName)ClientSetup.exe

The client setup must be run from this location. It should not be moved or renamed.

Local Installation

TME must be installed on the target PC before the application installation can occur.

On a local installation, all application data is stored on the target PC. Once TME has been installed as a local installation, the application installation will automatically install locally when executed. Order information, test results, and equipment data will not be shared with other users.

Uninstallation

If you uninstall TME completely or uninstall any TME application, you will lose the data associated with those applications. Create any reports needed and save them as PDF files before you uninstall that product.

Uninstall of Network Install

To uninstall an application client, select that package from Programs & Features, and click Remove.

Data will not be lost if only a client is uninstalled. Other clients will still have access to the data in the network.

To uninstall an application server:

  1. Follow the directions above to uninstall all application clients.

  2. Once all application clients have been uninstalled, uninstall the application server from the PC where the server installation was performed.

  3. Select the application server from Programs & Features, and click Remove.

Uninstall of Local Install

To uninstall an application local installation, select that package from Programs & Features, and click Remove.

N7841A Application Installation

  • N7841A calibration application versions E.04.02 and greater require a minimum version of firmware to be installed in the FieldFox to successfully run tests and adjustments. Refer to the Firmware Requirements section for more information.

  • Some FieldFox model and option combinations will require the installation of the CFG Option in order to complete tests. All adjustments will require the CFG Option. Refer to the CFG Option section for more information.

The N7841A test application must be installed on a PC with a LAN port. The LAN connection for the PC is required because the N7841A test application communicates with the UUT via LAN. (This does not mean the N7800A installation must be a network installation; a local installation is acceptable.)

The N7841A test application communicates with the test equipment via GPIB. The LAN connection for the FieldFox analyzer is required because the UUT is not equipped with a GPIB interface.

Check the following PC configuration:

File and Printer Sharing should be enabled on the PC running TME.  On the PC:

  1. Select Start > Control Panel > Windows Firewall and select the Exceptions tab. 
  2. Check the File and Printer Sharing box. 
  3. Click OK.

 

If the PC is not configured properly, an error may be generated with DrivingDataFiles in the filename path.

Connecting the FieldFox Analyzer to a LAN and Configuring the IP Address

The calibration software communicates with the FieldFox through LAN. Therefore, the FieldFox needs to be configured for network activity.

The procedures below can be made during the UUT warm-up.

Enter IP Address in TME

Follow the steps below to enter the FieldFox IP address in TME.

  1. When creating a new order in TME, select the model number and click the Model Info… button.

  2. In the UUT Setup dialog box (example below), type in the IP address of the FieldFox analyzer and then click on the Detect button.

  3. After you click on the Detect button, the information from the UUT will be displayed. After reviewing the information and entering the desired data, press the Done button.

  4. Press Save to complete the creation of the order.

To change the IP address for an order after it has been saved, select File > Edit Order.... at the top of the window. Then click the Model Info.... button.

Connecting GPIB Test Instruments

This section describes the preparation of the instruments used by the test software at a given test station. The test software does not check instruments for proper operation on the GPIB bus before attempting to perform tests.

All test equipment controlled by GPIB should be connected to the GPIB connector of the controller PC (typically GPIB0).

The typical GPIB address configuration for a test station is:

Signal Generator

19

Power Meter

13

Frequency Counter

3

Source

19

Network Analyzer

16

DVM

22

Function Generator

10

Oscilloscope

4

It is recommended that the operator follow the steps below to manually check for proper connection of the GPIB devices before performing tests on a newly connected test station.

  1. Note the GPIB address of each instrument associated with the test station/test plan defined earlier.

  2. Connect a power cord to each instrument, and then connect each instrument to the computer serving as the GPIB controller.

  3. Power up all the instruments on the GPIB bus.

  4. Check each GPIB instrument for proper communication over the bus and the required detectable options. Follow the process described in "Checking GPIB Bus Devices" below.

Checking GPIB instruments

When checking the basic operation of each instrument or when checking for detectable options on a given instrument, you may need to look up the actual command for retrieving the identification string before performing these steps.

  1. Start the Keysight Connection Expert from the task bar or access it through Start > All Programs > Keysight Connection Expert.

  2. Check for all expected GPIB devices. Verify that all expected GPIB devices are shown in the left window. If a device is missing, correct the problem and re-scan for connected instruments.

  3. Check for basic operation of each GPIB device:

    If an instrument does not support SCPI, refer to the user guide for the product to learn more about checking the basic operation of its GPIB.

    1. Select a GPIB device.

    2. Select the Interactive I/O from the right window.

    3. The command window should be pre-populated with the *IDN? query. You can also select from the Commands > drop-down menu, or simply type *IDN? in the command window.

    4. Select Send & Read.

    5. Verify that the expected model number is contained in the response text string.

  4. Check for detectable options on a given device:

    This does not work with the power meter.

    1. Select a GPIB device to highlight it.

    2. Select the Interactive I/O from the right window.

    3. Type *OPT? in the command window.

    4. Select Send & Read.

Warm-up Procedures

Ambient temperature recommended during adjustments and tests: 20° to 26° C.

To display the temperature sensor readings on the FieldFox, press System (7) > Service Diagnostics > Internal Temperatures

Internal temperature range required for adjustments and recommended for tests:

RF1 and RF2 sensors are located on the RF PCA.

SB1 and SB2 sensors are located on the System Board PCA.

Model

Sensor

Temperature Range:
Firmware < A.09.00

Temperature Range:
Firmware ≥ A.09.00

N9923A1

SB2

43 to 55° C

48 to 58° C

N9912A

RF2, SB22

40 to 50° C

45 to 55° C

N991xA/N992xA/N993xA

RF2, SB22

43 to 55° C

48 to 60° C

N995xA/N996xA

RF2, SB22

N/A

48 to 62° C

1. Temperature range for Phaselock Accelerator Adjustment is 43° C to 53° C.

2. SB2 is only checked in the Frequency Accuracy Adjustment.

Typical stabilization time: 60 to 90 minutes

When positioned with an open kick stand, the internal temperature of the unit will typically rise above ambient temperature by the following degrees:

The temperature rise will depend on operating mode and battery charge level.

The UUT must remain in a consistent thermal environment during warm-up, adjustments, and testing. This includes ambient air temperature, circulation of ambient air on the unit, and physical position of the unit (kick stand, etc). The UUT should have a battery installed and be continuously connected to external power during warm-up, adjustment, and testing.

Warm-up Procedure

This procedure assumes the UUT is off.

  1. Connect external power to the UUT, turn it on, and preset it (Preset > Preset).

  2. Position the UUT in the upright position using the built-in kick stand.

  3. Allow the internal temperature to stabilize before performing any tests (less than a one degree change in ten minutes). Typical stabilization time: 60 to 90 minutes.

  4. Before performing adjustments, make sure the UUT is stabilized in the required temperature range (see above).

When the stabilized temperature is not within the required range:

ESD Precautions

Protection against ESD (electrostatic discharge) is essential while connecting, inspecting, or cleaning connectors attached to a static-sensitive circuit (such as those found in test sets). Static electricity can build up in your body and can easily damage sensitive internal circuit elements when discharged. Static discharges too small to be felt can cause permanent damage. Devices such as calibration components and units under test (UUTs) can also carry an electrostatic charge. To prevent damage to the test set, components and devices: