Agilent Technical Forums : E4418B RF Pwr Meter firmware update ...

Desertcatfish

Posts: 10
Registered: 09/03/10

E4418B RF Pwr Meter firmware update problem
Posted: Sep 3, 2010 3:29 PM

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So my "new guys" fried two of my old power sensors... Company purchased Agilent N8481A Pwr Sensors($1200 ea), which should work with our power meter E4418B. I need to update my firmware to latest version for them to work, already upgraded the DSP board ($523), so here is the problem-

Even though the E4418B has an RS-232 (we don't use GPIB at all) connector on back; there is no menu selection to choose it over GPIB, even though the manual says there is. I don't want to spend more on a GPIB PCI board and cable just for a simple firmware update.

Firmware installed is A1.03.00 and I need the latest one A1.09.01

The manual says under menus = System/Input -> Remote Interface -> Select Interface, should let me choose between HPIB or Serial. My E4418B instead of displaying Remote Interface shows HPIB.

Any ideas or help would be appreciated

Desertcatfish

Posts: 10
Registered: 09/03/10

Re: E4418B RF Pwr Meter firmware update problem
Posted: Sep 3, 2010 6:27 PM

in response to: Desertcatfish

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Why are posts concerning RF power meters in the Power supplies section? A RF power meter has nothing to do with AC or DC power supplies. Where I posted earlier is where power meter posts should go. Maybe I misunderstand?

jvall

Posts: 382
Registered: 12/08/05

Re: E4418B RF Pwr Meter firmware update problem
Posted: Sep 3, 2010 8:44 PM

in response to: Desertcatfish

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I gotta say, it's hard to argue with your logic...this makes absolutely no sense at all. You did not misunderstand. I am not sure why this was moved here.
The guy that I was going to have answer your question will never find this post now.
I will try to remember to remind him, but that won't be until Tuesday.

Meanwhile try looking at these sites:
http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/edi ... id=1377930

http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/red ... .536881895

odanzy

Posts: 1,537
Registered: 11/16/05

Re: E4418B RF Pwr Meter firmware update problem
Posted: Sep 5, 2010 5:47 PM

in response to: Desertcatfish

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I'm curious if you check the Version information System->(More)->(Service)->(Version), if the power meter thinks it is the E4418A instead of the B. Since you have changed the DSP board more than likely the memory was reset as would happen during the security/memory clearing process. Since the A model did not have a serial port, this would explain why none of the menu structures are present.

If this is the case, it is necessary to reload the information using SCPI commands using GPIB. The process is discussed at this link: http://www.home.agilent.com/agilent/edi ... SR.General

Desertcatfish

Posts: 10
Registered: 09/03/10

Re: E4418B RF Pwr Meter firmware update problem
Posted: Sep 9, 2010 5:08 PM

in response to: Desertcatfish

Reply

I don't have a GPIB interface board or cable, we don't use it. I guess I either need to send it in for the firmware update or purchase a GPIB board and cable. Is it possible to use the 82357B GPIB to USB adapter to do the firmware update? It would be much cheaper and easier for us to use.

-Thanks

odanzy

Posts: 1,537
Registered: 11/16/05

Re: E4418B RF Pwr Meter firmware update problem
Posted: Sep 10, 2010 6:29 AM

in response to: Desertcatfish

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The 82357B USB-GPIB interface will work.

Desertcatfish

Posts: 10
Registered: 09/03/10

Re: E4418B RF Pwr Meter firmware update problem
Posted: Sep 10, 2010 12:53 PM

in response to: Desertcatfish

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Ok thanks, see if I can sell this one to the govt. now...

Desertcatfish

Posts: 10
Registered: 09/03/10

Re: E4418B RF Pwr Meter firmware update problem
Posted: Sep 10, 2010 1:45 PM

in response to: Desertcatfish

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BTW yes the Power Meter shows model number as E4418A now...

Thread: E4418B RF Pwr Meter firmware update problem