Update PD1500A Test Fixture Firmware

Use the following procedure to update the firmware in the PD1500A Double-Pulse Test System Test Fixture. To prepare for this procedure, you must first download the firmware update (*.upd) file and the Keysight Firmware Update Utility to your local PC drive.

Be sure to execute the Firmware Update procedure only under conditions or reliable power and I/O connectivity to the Test Fixture. For example, do not update the firmware with an intermittent LAN connection, a loose power cord, or during a thunderstorm that may interrupt power. Loss of power or connectivity may cause the firmware update to fail, possibly leading to instrument inoperability.

Identify Current Version of Test Fixture Firmware

In the PD1000A Control Software:

  1. Select the Double-Pulse Test Control tab.
  2. Click on the Settings icon at the top of the screen.
  3. Select Hardware Configuration for Double-Pulse Test Control.
  4. Select the Hardware Configuration > Hardware tab to open the following dialog.
  1. Click the Check button to verify that the Control software can communicate with all of the DPT system instruments. After a few moments, all of the addresses should turn green and the Test Fixture serial number and firmware code appears:

     

    If any or all of them are red, it indicates a failure to communicate. At least the Fixture VISA Address must be green before proceeding.

    When pressing the Check button *IDN? is sent to all the test instruments in the DPT system. If this is successful the instrument address turns green. Additionally, for the DPT Test Fixture the complete *IDN? response appears. This includes the serial number and circuit board revision codes.

The full identification string documentation for the *IDN? response format is:

Keysight,PD1000A,<serial number>,<firmware revision codes>

A typical return is:

Keysight,PD1000A,USP600R295,A.XX.YY-01-02

where the revision codes are in the form:

A.XX = major firmware revision

.YY = minor firmware revision

01 = control board id

02 = dpt board id

Firmware Update Process

When firmware updates become available, the update and an installation utility will be available at: www.keysight.com/find/PD1500A.

  1. Install the Keysight Firmware Update Utility on your PC.
  2. Download the latest firmware version to the host PC. Save the firmware file to a temporary location on the host PC. The firmware file name will be in the form: SAKExx_rev_A_yy_zz.upd.
  3. Run the Keysight Firmware Update Utility.
  1. Use the Browse button in the utility to browse to the location where you save the new firmware file. Select the file.
  2. Copy the Fixture VISA Address from the Hardware Configuration > Hardware tab. Paste it into the Address field in the update utility.
  1. Click the Update button in the Firmware utility.

When the utility finishes updating the firmware, the Test Fixture automatically reboots.