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APPLICATION NOTE 155-3
PACKARD
JANUARY 1981
AUTOMATING THE HP 8755
SCALAR NETWORK ANALYZER
PREFACE
This application note describes an economical computer controlled scalar network measure-
ment system using the HP 87555 Frequency Response Test Set, the HP 8350A Sweep Oscillator,
the HP 59313A Analog to Digital Converter, and the HP 85A Computing Controller. When the HP
83592A Sweep Oscillator Plug-in is used with the 8350A, the system is capable of making inser-
tion loss measurements over a frequency range of 0.01 to 20 GHz and return loss measurements
over a range of 0.04 to 18 GHz. Other plug-ins offer different frequency coverage (up to 22 GHz)
and different power levels (up to +17 dBm) for specific applications.
System control is provided through the Hewlett-Packard Interface Bus, or HP-IB. HP-IB is not
just IEEE-488, but the hardware, documentation, and support that delivers the shortest path to a
measurement system. Because it's computer controlled, this system can make transmission and re-
flection measurements quickly and with reduced chance of operator error. The computer improves
the accuracy of the system by measuring known standards at each frequency of interest and using
this information to correct the measured insertion or return loss of the test device. In addition to
increasing the measurement accuracy, the computer can print or display automatically scaled
graphical plots or data tables of device response versus frequency. The sample program included
in this note demonstrates the capabilities of the system and provides a starting point to those who
want to create programs tailored to their specific measurement needs.
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