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  1. HP-Agilent-Keysight-Equipment
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85097A VNA ECal controller replacement

 

Hi All,

I made some good progress with the ECal controller replacement. It's effectively an 85097A but with opensource software using scikit-rf.
If you're into python you can check out the code on github:

I plan to post my hardware implementation too, but I have to work on the docs and I'm not overly happy with it anyway.?


I wanted to be smart and use an Ftdi usb device instead of an arduino to avoid having to maintain two sets of code, but I regret it now as the solution is not as elegant as I hoped for and the port direction changes of the Ftdi chip make EEPROM readouts very slow.
The program is written so that that has to be done only once though, then, if present, standards data are loaded from touchstone files on disc. (This could be a way to re-characterize the ECal devices without having to write data back to them.)

I can cal my 8720C with it, although the top-level functions are still missing. I'll be finishing that and add a few features such as multiple ECal units covering the frequency range and pre-characterized adapter (gender changer) removal.
My python is not very good so it's rough around the edges, but I tried to separate functional blocks for easy additions/modification/reuse. E.g. the ECal class has a separate hardware abstraction layer so the Ftdi based interface could be easily replaced with something else, while keeping everything above intact.

Let me know if you're interested in replicating and testing/using/improving this.
 

Hi,

Interesting project. I am interested to use it with an 8510C.

Please post updates.

Thanks,
Razvan

On 06/05/2024 05:14, bagojfalvibagoj via groups.io wrote:
Hi All,

I made some good progress with the ECal controller replacement. It's
effectively an 85097A but with opensource software using scikit-rf.
If you're into python you can check out the code on github:
OwlvilleWol/VnaCalWizard (github.com)
<>

I plan to post my hardware implementation too, but I have to work on the
docs and I'm not overly happy with it anyway.

image.png (1136×852) (ibb.co) <>
image.png (639×852) (ibb.co) <>

I wanted to be smart and use an Ftdi usb device instead of an arduino to
avoid having to maintain two sets of code, but I regret it now as the
solution is not as elegant as I hoped for and the port direction changes
of the Ftdi chip make EEPROM readouts very slow.
The program is written so that that has to be done only once though,
then, if present, standards data are loaded from touchstone files on
disc. (This could be a way to re-characterize the ECal devices without
having to write data back to them.)

I can cal my 8720C with it, although the top-level functions are still
missing. I'll be finishing that and add a few features such as multiple
ECal units covering the frequency range and pre-characterized adapter
(gender changer) removal.
My python is not very good so it's rough around the edges, but I tried
to separate functional blocks for easy additions/modification/reuse.
E.g. the ECal class has a separate hardware abstraction layer so the
Ftdi based interface could be easily replaced with something else, while
keeping everything above intact.

Let me know if you're interested in replicating and
testing/using/improving this.
 

开云体育

Hi
I'm interested in your E-cal controller as well, for the hp 8510C that I have as well too. I think it would be a popular option for a few of us.
I also believe it would be a popular replacement for the old hp controller that some may have as well due to the age and slowness of the controller. Please keep us up to date. I would be even interested in it more if you had it as a kit or completed device, as I'm time poor.
Thanks
James

James Goodwin

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Razvan Popescu via groups.io <yo8ryr@...>
Sent: Monday, May 6, 2024 6:32:35 PM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] 85097A VNA ECal controller replacement
?
Hi,

Interesting project. I am interested to use it with an 8510C.

Please post updates.

Thanks,
Razvan

On 06/05/2024 05:14, bagojfalvibagoj via groups.io wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I made some good progress with the ECal controller replacement. It's
> effectively an 85097A but with opensource software using scikit-rf.
> If you're into python you can check out the code on github:
> OwlvilleWol/VnaCalWizard (github.com)
> <>
>
> I plan to post my hardware implementation too, but I have to work on the
> docs and I'm not overly happy with it anyway.
>
> image.png (1136×852) (ibb.co) <>
> image.png (639×852) (ibb.co) <>
>
> I wanted to be smart and use an Ftdi usb device instead of an arduino to
> avoid having to maintain two sets of code, but I regret it now as the
> solution is not as elegant as I hoped for and the port direction changes
> of the Ftdi chip make EEPROM readouts very slow.
> The program is written so that that has to be done only once though,
> then, if present, standards data are loaded from touchstone files on
> disc. (This could be a way to re-characterize the ECal devices without
> having to write data back to them.)
>
> I can cal my 8720C with it, although the top-level functions are still
> missing. I'll be finishing that and add a few features such as multiple
> ECal units covering the frequency range and pre-characterized adapter
> (gender changer) removal.
> My python is not very good so it's rough around the edges, but I tried
> to separate functional blocks for easy additions/modification/reuse.
> E.g. the ECal class has a separate hardware abstraction layer so the
> Ftdi based interface could be easily replaced with something else, while
> keeping everything above intact.
>
> Let me know if you're interested in replicating and
> testing/using/improving this.
>
>





 

I'm not familiar with the 8510C, but looking at the manual all the relevant HP-IB commands are the same as for the 8720C so I'm pretty confident it would work fine with minimal modifications.
In fact, if a VNA has the capability to send out uncorrected S-Parameter data and take in error coefficients through some interface that has a python library, regardless of make or model, it could use this cal system.
 

Oh, and yes, the "old hp controller". I started this whole thing because my 85060C cal controller is dying and finding an 85097A is close to impossible.
 

I'd like to inform the public, that the development of the ECal controller replacement has made serious progress and the most important features are being prioritized.

:D

I thought I'll pull my hair out over the HP-GL.
 

开云体育

Good to hear that you have made progress, and for the update.

James Goodwin

From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of bagojfalvibagoj@... <bagojfalvibagoj@...>
Sent: Tuesday, May 14, 2024 1:59:12 PM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [HP-Agilent-Keysight-equipment] 85097A VNA ECal controller replacement
?

I'd like to inform the public, that the development of the ECal controller replacement has made serious progress and the most important features are being prioritized.

:D

I thought I'll pull my hair out over the HP-GL.
 

Interesting project, have you made further progress with this? Did you manage to use the Arduino or are you still using the FTDI chip instead?
?
Thanks
Saevar

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