11A-series plug-in NVRAM replacement: Difference between revisions

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[[11A16]], [[11A32]], [[11A33]], [[11A34]], [[11A52]], [[11A72]] plugin is courtesy of [[John Addis]].
[[11A16]], [[11A32]], [[11A33]], [[11A34]], [[11A52]], [[11A72]] plugin is courtesy of [[John Addis]].



Some portions of John’s procedure do not appear in any Tek manual
==Replacing NVRAM in Tektronix 11000 Series Plug-ins==
which makes it impossible to permanently recalibrate the plugin after the NVRAM has been replaced
without the information John compiled into this procedure.




An expired battery inside the NVRAM in 11A16, 11A32, 11A33, 11A34, 11A52, 11A72 plugins results in three problems:


A non volatile random access memory (NVRAM) integrated circuit in Tektronix 11000 series plugins
1. “Serial Sum” diagnostic failure at turn-on (loss of the plugin’s serial number).  
remembers information such as serial number and control settings. It contains a lithium battery that eventually dies.
2. Running calibration routine at every turn on even though the plugin has not been removed from the mainframe.
Rated lifetime is 10 years, but 25-30 years is common. The date code (format: YYWW) indicates when the part was manufactured.
3. Failure to retain V/Div, Offset, Probe calibration, etc. after turn off.
When it fails, there are several problems:
# “Serial Sum” diagnostic failure at turn-on (loss of the plugin’s serial number).
# Calibration routine runs at every turn on even though the plugin has not been removed from the mainframe.
# Failure to retain V/Div, Offset, Probe calibration, etc. after power is turned off.
# Serial number is not displayed on screen in Mainframe’s Utility Menu (Select “Ident”)
There may be other failures directly caused by the NVRAM failure,
so multiple failure codes should not discourage you.
They may just be lost information from the last probe attached.
These failures should be cleared by recycling the power on the mainframe after replacing the NVRAM.


There may be other failures directly caused by the NVRAM,
Other than these failures, the plugin will operate normally
so multiple failures should not discourage you.
once the diagnostic error codes are cleared by exiting the diagnostic screen.
If the oscilloscope shows no failures after Enhanced Calibration,  
operation is fully calibrated except for transient response in the 11A52.


Note: the 11A52 is a special case in that the high frequency response
To avoid these recurring and annoying problems,
(a single pot pre channel in the 11A32 and 11A34)
the NVRAM must be replaced ​'''and​''' the plug in serial number must be written into the NVRAM.
is instead encoded in 12 calibration constants (six per channel).
These are lost in the 11A52 along with the serial number, instrument settings, and probe settings at last turn off.




These are the result of a failed battery inside the NVRAM (U801).
The NVRAM is identified as a Dallas Semiconductor 1220Y and is the tallest, thickest chip on the board.
"Serial Sum" error code is a check on the integrity of the NVRAM part.
It has 24 pins.
The information stored there is the plugin’s calibration settings, the last control settings,
This NVRAM can be replaced with Dallas 1220AD-200,
and the serial number, which the mainframe interrogates to determine
which is currently still in production and will have a battery that should last 25 years.
if that plugin was the last one residing in that plugin slot (LEFT, CENTER, or RIGHT).


Unsolder and remove the Dallas NVRAM.
I recommend that the replacement NVRAM be socketed with a Mill-Max 110-41-624-41-001000 socket,  
available from Mouser Electronics and other suppliers.


The NVRAM is identified as a Dallas Semiconductor 1220Y and is the tallest, thickest chip on the board, 24 pins.
The procedure to replace the NVRAM and install a serial number is the same for the
The internal battery is not
rechargeable even if you could get to it.
11A16, 11A32, 11A33, 11A34, 11A71, and 11A72 plugins,
One of mine is still working 29 years after manufacture without failing.
except for 12 additional constants required by the 11A52.
A replacement part is available on the internet (DS1220Y-200 works).
The date code (format: YYWW) indicates when the part was manufactured
and was originally stated to last at least 10 years after that date.
I have found DS1220Y-200s on the internet with a 1503 date code (third week in 2015).




The part is soldered into the board.  
'''Note''':​ The 12 calibration constants for 11A52 high frequency transient response
After removing the DS1220Y, I suggest soldering a socket into the board and installing the replacement part in the socket.
cannot be set using an 11300 series mainframe.  
The 24 pin socket is Mill-Max 110-41-624-41-001000.
This is apparently due to a failure of the plug-in design group and the 11300 series design group
to communicate in spite of the fact that the two groups were contiguous and had the same manager.




I have successfully programmed the serial number into my 11A32 using an NVRAM purchased for $7.50 from China.
When given a choice, do not use an 11401 main frame for setting the 11A52 high frequency calibration constants
Reprogramming the serial number is necessary to prevent the plugin from going through a calibration cycle at every turn on.
as the 11401 bandwidth is not quite adequate to adjust the 11A52 properly,  
Any legitimate serial number will work,
although you can probably come pretty close.
but I suggest you program the serial number printed on the top rail of the plugin. That is what Tektronix did.


The DSA601 mainframe can be used as well as the 11402 and 11403.


The plugin service manual tells you how to reprogram the serial number, BUT THAT DOES NOT WORK BECAUSE IT IS INCOMPLETE.


For all plug-ins, you must enter a serial number into the NVRAM using an 11000 series mainframe,  
a personal computer and either an RS232C cable or GPIB cable connected between them.


The well-kept secret is that a mainframe J450 (Cal Lock) Jumper on the time base board
==Writing the Serial Number Into NVRAM==
on the bottom of the mainframe needs to be installed in order to program the plugin.
'''IMPORTANT: Both 11400 main frame and plugin jumpers need to be installed to write the serial numbers or the 11A52 high frequency calibration constants into NVRAM. The 11300 series mainframes do not have a “Cal Lock” jumper but still allow the serial number to be written.'''
It is not like they tell you where to find a spare jumper to do this, no, they will, however, sell you one.
Or, you can borrow one from an unused plugin if you happen to know that the jumper is a short.
You can also jump the pins with alligator clips.  Be careful!




So both the plugin and mainframe need jumpers installed to program the plugin serial number.
The relevant plugin jumper is J611, (J400 on 11A71).
The mainframe SN can be programmed without a plugin, if you have a spare jumper someplace.


For writing the plugin serial number and the 11A52 calibration constants,
J611 needs to be in the “horizontal position”.  
(In the 11A71, this is the two pins toward the instrument top.)
For normal operation the jumper is set to the “vertical position” (bottom in 11A71).


NEITHER the plugin manual NOR the mainframe manual makes any statement (that I have found)
The mainframe jumper on 11400 series mainframes is located
to the effect that BOTH INSTRUMENTS have to have jumpers installed to program the plugin serial number.


on the large bottom board in the front of the instrument.
Remove the mainframe bottom cover.
The jumper, labeled “Cal Lock”, is located about 1” away from the board’s (left to right) center
on the CRT side of the instrument
and centered in the front to back dimension of the bottom board. There are just two pins,
there is no third pin to hold the jumper during normal operation.
If the jumper is missing, one has to be stolen from some two pin shorting socket,
preferably from another instrument such as a plugin not in use.
You may also use an alligator clip. Be careful.


Here is what you do:


Establish communications between the mainframe and a personal computer with GPIB or an RS232 port
using either Hypertext support (Win XP or earlier) or a modem capable of RS-232-C support.
For Hyperterminal on Win XP and earlier Windows computers: START > All Programs > Accessories > Communications > Hyper Terminal.
Use a normal RS-232-C cable. Do not use a Null Modem cable.


Remove the bottom panel of the mainframe.
The 11403A I have is set to the following
On the board closest to the front panel (Time Base board), locate J450 labeled “CAL-LOCK”.
{| class=wikitable
This is hard to find.
| '''parameter'''
It is near the center of the board, about 1” toward the rear of center and 1.5” away from the CRT side. See Fig 3-15 if you have a manual.
| '''value'''
Short these two pins together with a jumper of some sort.
|-
J450 is probably the name on all 11K mainframes.
|Baudrate
|19200
|-
|Echo
|On
|-
|Stop bits
|1
|-
|Parity
|Even
|-
|Flag
|Hard
|-
|Delay
|0
|-
|EOL String
|CR/LF
|-
|Verbose
|On
|-
|Debug
|On
|}




In the plugin, remove the left side panel, remove and rotate the J611 jumper on the plugin
Some PC modems may need a lower baudrate (​e.g.​ 4800 or less).  
from vertical (normal) position to horizontal position, and re-install. Install the plugin in the mainframe.
Whichever baudrate you choose must be the same in both the computer and the mainframe.
(I used the center hole, and the commands below assume you used the center hole.
If not, substitute RIGHT or LEFT for CENTER in the following instructions.)




Connect either a GPIB or an RS232 cable between the mainframe real panel and a computer.
Into the computer, type:
In the case of an RS232, you will have to have a cable capable of mating to both ends
<code>UID? LEF</code> then hit ENTER if the plugin is in the left hole,
(RS232, or computer COM port connectors varied over time, but they all work).
<code>UID? CEN</code> or <code>UID? RIG</code> if the plug-in is in one of the other two holes.
The mainframe should respond with the serial number of the plugin located in the specified hole.  
If you have replaced the NVRAM, if the number returned is not the serial number of the instrument,
or it is gibberish, you will have to enter a serial number.



I recommend setting the 11K mainframe RS-232-C settings as follows:
To query the serial number:
* <code>UID? LEF</code>​ returns the Left plugin serial number
* <code>UID? CEN​</code> returns the Center plugin serial number
* <code>UID? RIG</code>​ returns the Right plugin serial number
* <code>UID? MAI​</code> returns the Mainframe serial number


<pre>
Examples to enter the serial number:


Baud Rate: 19,200
* <code>UID LEF:“B010525”</code>
Parity: EVEN
* <code>UID CEN:“B061532”</code>
EOL String: CR/LF
* <code>UID RIG:“B120518”</code>
Echo: ON Flagging: HARD
Verbose: ON
Stop bits: 1
Delay: 0
Debug: ON
</pre>


Some COM ports will not support 19,200 speed.  
UID means User IDentification. Use the serial number for your plugin printed on the top plugin rail. Notice that there is no space between : and ​“
Just use a much slower speed on both the computer and the mainframe.




If you are using GPIB, you are on your own.
The full words,
<code>​LEFT​</code>,
<code>​CENTER</code>​, or
<code>​RIGHT​</code> are also acceptable in place of
<code>LEF</code>,  
<code>CEN</code>, or
<code>RIG</code>.




To connect the computer to the mainframe, I used HyperTerminal, a free program on any Windows XP computer
You can check that the serial number is correct by pressing the mainframe front panel “UTILITY” button and touching the “Ident” part of the screen.  
(START > All Programs > Accessories > Communications > HyperTerminal).
All the installed plugin serial numbers and firmware versions should be shown.
I set the HyperTerminal options (Baud rate, Parity, etc.) to match that on the oscilloscope mainframe
(Utilities button > Page to Utility 2 Menu > RS-232-C).
HyperTerm is not free on Windows versions after XP but any serial communications program will work.
See [http://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-7/windows-7-hyperterminal http://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-7/windows-7-hyperterminal]
for some alternative suggestions.




You can check that this is working by typing in any legitimate (probably case sensitive) command:
If your plug-in is anything except an 11A52, you are done.  
<pre>
Replace the jumpers to their original positions.  
UID? MAIN
UID? CENTER
UID? RIGHT
CHL1 IMP:50
CHR4 IMP:1E6
CHC2 SENS: 0.1
CHR2 BW:1E6
</pre>
CH means CHannel.
The letter following CH specifies the plugin hole you are using L, C, or R.  LEF, RIG, and CEN are also acceptable.
The number following L, C, or R is the channel number.  Once this is all working (answering in English),
type in the following command to program the serial number:

UID CENTER:″B010200″
where you substitute the serial number on the top rail of your plugin for B010200 and LEFT or RIGHT for CENTER as appropriate.
No space between the colon and the  double quotation mark.




You can use all the same commands using GPIB.


The mainframe will read the new serial number and invoke calibration at the next turn on.


The response on the computer should be OK.
==11A52 High Frequency Calibration Constants==
Check that the scope identifies the plugin serial number.  
The 11A32 and 11A34 use a single pot per channel to manually set the high frequency transient response.
The 11A71 and 11A72, I think, have all manual transient response adjustments.
The 11A52 does not use pots for high frequency adjust.
Instead, the two high frequency adjustment voltages (one per channel)
are driven by the D/A converter (digital to analog converter),
S/H (sample and hold) farm, and processor.  
The voltage is set differently by the processor for each channel and for each of the [[M377]] step gains:
50mV/div, 20mV/div, 10mV/div, 5mV/div, 2mV/div, and 1mV/div to optimize transient response.


Mission accomplished, unless you have an 11A52, and that is the subject of another article.
With a bad or unprogrammed NVRAM, the 11A52 fails '''​HFadj Cksum​''' at turn on
and the high frequency transient response will be poor
unless these 12 additional calibration constants (cal constants) are all set correctly.
The information for the voltages is held along with the other cal constants in the NVRAM.




Remove the CAL-LOCK jumper from the mainframe.
The 11A52 CH 1 cal constants known to me are:
Reinstall the plugin jumper in the vertical position.
{| class=wikitable
|'''cal constant'''
|'''description'''
|-
|1
|unknown
|-
|2
|unknown
|-
|3
|unknown
|-
|4
|unknown
|-
|5
|unknown
|-
|6
|unknown
|-
|7
|VAR Gain characterization?
|-
|8
|VAR Gain characterization?
|-
|9
|VAR Gain characterization?
|-
|10
|VAR Gain characterization?
|-
|11
|Off Centering?
|-
|12
|Off Centering?
|-
|13
|1 mV dc balance
|-
|14
|2 mV dc balance
|-
|15
|5 mV dc balance
|-
|16
|10 mV dc balance
|-
|17
|20 mV dc balance
|-
|18
|50 mV dc balance
|-
|26
|VAR Gain sensitivity
|-
|28
|1 mV/div gain
|-
|29
|2 mV/div gain
|-
|30
|5 mV/div gain
|-
|31
|10 mV/div gain
|-
|32
|20 mV/div gain
|-
|33
|50 mV/div gain
|-
|34
|X1 atten gain
|-
|35
|X10 atten gain
|-
|36
|X100 atten gain (probably just the other X10 attenuator as two X10 attenuators are cascaded)
|-
|37
|100 MHz BWL gain (20MHz BWL gain is the reference setting)
|-
|38
|Full BWL gain (20MHz BWL gain is the reference setting)
|-
|39
|OFFSET X100 attn gain
|-
|40
|OFFSET X10 attn gain
|-
|53
|HFAdj at 1mV/div (11A52 only) (HFAdj means High Frequency Adjust)
|-
|54
|HFAdj at 2mV/div (11A52 only)
|-
|55
|HFAdj at 5mV/div (11A52 only)
|-
|56
|HFAdj at 10mV/div (11A52 only)
|-
|57
|HFAdj at 20mV/div (11A52 only)
|-
|58
|HFAdj at 50mV/div (11A52 only)
|}




And you are done. You can confirm the serial number and the firmware version on the mainframe (Utility button > Page 1 > Ident).
All cal constants for Channel 2 are 128 higher.  
For example, CH 2 HFAdj at 50mV/div is cal constant 186.


Turn the mainframe off and restart. If there are probe error codes, they can be cleared by installing a probe.
Except for the 11A52 HFAdj cal constants, you will ​'''not'''​ have to set any of these numbers.
11A52s will still have an "HFAdj Cksum" or similar error code.
They are all set by the calibration cycle.  
The transient response on the 11A52 will not be correct until new constants are installed.  See elsewhere.


They are reset at turn on (with a new NVRAM, or a change in plugin location)
or whenever you press Enhanced Accuracy, assuming the instrument has warmed up.  
All of this is very automatic and should not be of concern to you.


NOTE: John did this from memory so he hopes it is all correct.


You do, however, have to set the serial number of the plugin in the NVRAM. See above.


Dennis Tillman W7PF
==Setting the Twelve 11A52 Calibration Constants==
For optimum transient response in the 11A52, every M377 preamplifier gain setting sensitivity has a different HFAdj associated with it.
For example, 58 is for CH1 (​i.e.​ input 1) at 50mV/div. 184 is for CH2 at 10mV/div. See the Table below for a full list.
The random number assigned when the NVRAM is replaced will result in bad transient response, particularly from 10mV/div to 10V/div.
The effect is seen in frequencies above 100MHz and for about the first two nanoseconds of the transient response.
 
Transient response for the plugin must be set for the 1mV to 50mV/div settings on each channel.
The 11A52 reuses the 10mV, 20mV and 50mV settings for 100mV through 10V.
1mV/div, 2mV/div and 5mV/div are used only on those sensitive settings.
 
To clear the HFAdj chksum error, and obtain good high frequency/transient response,
you must enter all six cal constants for each channel.
 
==11A52 High Frequency Calibration Constant Commands==
{| class="wikitable"
|+Query examples
|Command
|Description
|-
|style="width: 30%"|<code>CCAL? 58</code>
|Returns present value of cal constant 58 of the center plugin.
58 is the cal constant for CH 1 (​i.e.​ input 1) at 50mV/div HFAdj pin in volts delivered to the M377 (165-2129-xx) preamplifier.
Add 128 to 58 = 186 to get CH 2 at 50mV/div.
|-
|<code>RCAL? 58</code>
|Returns Cal constant 58 for the Right plugin (CH1, 50mV/div)
|-
|<code>RCAL? 186</code>
|Returns Cal constant 186 for the Right plugin (CH2, 50mV/div)
|-
|<code>LCAL? 56</code>
|Returns Cal constant 56 for the Left plugin (CH1, 10mV/div)
|}
 
{| class="wikitable"
|+Command examples
|Command
|Description
|-
|style="width: 30%"|<code>CHC1 SENS:.05</code>
|Sets the Channel 1 of the Center plugin to 50mV/div.
CH means Channel, or input. C1 means Center plugin hole, CH1 (​i.e.​ input 1).
|-
|<code>CHR2 SENS:5E-2</code>
|Sets the Channel 2 of the Right plugin to 50mV/div.
As you can see, scientific notation works as well as fixed point
|}
 
To adjust transient response of Channel 1 of the center plugin at 50mV/div,
use a TD pulser to observe transient response.
Set the CH 1 V/div to 50mV/div using either the mainframe front panel control (easier) or by using the computer interface (takes time).
Query the present value of cal constant 58:
 
{| class="wikitable"
|style="width: 30%"|<code>CCA? 58</code>
|The value should be between -1 and +1. Adjust the transient response by changing the value between -1 and +1 by typing in a voltage. The ​'''effect will be observed only at the oscilloscope’s faster sweep speeds,​ i.e.​ 2ns/div.''' ​ More positive numbers increase the transient response peaking.
|}
 
'''Important:'''​ When changing the HFAdj cal settings, the 11A52 processor has to actually invoke that cal constant in order to make the voltage change.
This means that when you, for example, set the CH 1 transient response for 50mV/div by changing cal constant 58,
you must then manually select a different V/div setting (​e.g.​ 20mV/div)
and then return to 50mV/div to see the cal constant and transient response change actually take place.
 
{| class="wikitable"
|style="width: 30%"|<code>CCAL 58:-.4</code>
|Sets CH1 HFAdj to -0.4V at 50mV/div for the Center plug-in
|-
|<code>RCAL 185:4E-1</code>
|Sets CH2 HFAdj to 0.4V at 20mV/div for the plugin in the Right plug-in compartment.
|}
 
Adjust the 1mV/div to 50mV/div transient responses for both channels.
You must use an appropriate coaxial attenuator between the TD pulser
and the 11A52 input to be sure the signal remains entirely on screen.
2mV/div and 1mV/div are slower than the other sensitivities,
and the adjustment will have less effect at these sensitivities.
A setting of +1V will not be uncommon at 1mV/div and 2mV/div.
 
==Deflection Factors and Associated Address Table==
{| class=wikitable
|Deflection Factor
|CH1 Cal Address
|CH2 Cal Address
|-
|50mV/div
|58
|186
|-
|20mV/div
|57
|185
|-
|10mV/div
|56
|184
|-
|5mV/div
|55
|183
|-
|2mV/div
|54
|182
|-
|1mV/div
|53
|181
|}
 
That should do it.
 
Return the plug-in J611 jumper to the vertical position.
Return the mainframe Cal Lock jumper to the disconnected state.
 
With 12 new HFAdj cal constants and a new serial number, the instrument will probably come up without errors.
If there are probe related errors,
they can be eliminated by putting a level 2 probe
(one which tells the plugin its offset and attenuation ratio with a small pin next to the BNC connector)
on the front panel with the instrument running and then removing it.
Simply recycling the power or shorting the probe ring may also do this.
 
You can check that the serial number is correct by pressing
the mainframe front panel “UTILITY” button and touching the “Ident” part of the screen.
All the installed plugin serial numbers and firmware versions should be shown.
 
== Addendum: Programming the 11K Series Plug-ins Remotely==
Knowledge of these commands is not necessary for replacement of the NVRAM or 11A52 high frequency calibration constants.
They are given here as a quick tutorial.
 
Programming the 11A32, 34, 52, and 72 is fairly straight forward.
Sending the mainframe the following example commands has the following result.
The 11A71 and 11A72 do not respond to BW or IMP commands as they do not have changeable bandwidth or input impedance.
 
{|
|CHC1 BW:100E6
|sets the
|bandwidth limit
|to 100MHz
|on the center plugin
|channel 1
|-
|CHR2 IMP:1E6
|sets the
|input impedance
|to 1 megohm
|on the right plugin
|channel 2
|-
|CHL4 SENS:.2
|sets the
|sensitivity
|to 0.2V/div
|on the left plugin
|channel 4
|-
|CHR3 COU:DC
|sets the
|input coupling
|to DC
|on the right plugin
|channel 3
|}
 
There is a space after the channel number, but none after the colon. The commands are not case sensitive.
The 11A33 does not have a channel 2, just two inputs. The 11A32, 11A52 and 11A72 do not have a channel 3 or channel 4.
 
John Addis, Revised February 13, 2019
 
 
[[Category:Repair issues]]

Latest revision as of 14:26, 13 February 2019

The following detailed explanation of how to replace the NVRAM of an 11A16, 11A32, 11A33, 11A34, 11A52, 11A72 plugin is courtesy of John Addis.

Replacing NVRAM in Tektronix 11000 Series Plug-ins

A non volatile random access memory (NVRAM) integrated circuit in Tektronix 11000 series plugins remembers information such as serial number and control settings. It contains a lithium battery that eventually dies. Rated lifetime is 10 years, but 25-30 years is common. The date code (format: YYWW) indicates when the part was manufactured. When it fails, there are several problems:

  1. “Serial Sum” diagnostic failure at turn-on (loss of the plugin’s serial number).
  2. Calibration routine runs at every turn on even though the plugin has not been removed from the mainframe.
  3. Failure to retain V/Div, Offset, Probe calibration, etc. after power is turned off.
  4. Serial number is not displayed on screen in Mainframe’s Utility Menu (Select “Ident”)

There may be other failures directly caused by the NVRAM failure, so multiple failure codes should not discourage you. They may just be lost information from the last probe attached. These failures should be cleared by recycling the power on the mainframe after replacing the NVRAM.

Other than these failures, the plugin will operate normally once the diagnostic error codes are cleared by exiting the diagnostic screen. If the oscilloscope shows no failures after Enhanced Calibration, operation is fully calibrated except for transient response in the 11A52.

To avoid these recurring and annoying problems, the NVRAM must be replaced ​and​ the plug in serial number must be written into the NVRAM.

The NVRAM is identified as a Dallas Semiconductor 1220Y and is the tallest, thickest chip on the board. It has 24 pins. This NVRAM can be replaced with Dallas 1220AD-200, which is currently still in production and will have a battery that should last 25 years. Unsolder and remove the Dallas NVRAM. I recommend that the replacement NVRAM be socketed with a Mill-Max 110-41-624-41-001000 socket, available from Mouser Electronics and other suppliers.

The procedure to replace the NVRAM and install a serial number is the same for the 11A16, 11A32, 11A33, 11A34, 11A71, and 11A72 plugins, except for 12 additional constants required by the 11A52.

Note:​ The 12 calibration constants for 11A52 high frequency transient response cannot be set using an 11300 series mainframe. This is apparently due to a failure of the plug-in design group and the 11300 series design group to communicate in spite of the fact that the two groups were contiguous and had the same manager.

When given a choice, do not use an 11401 main frame for setting the 11A52 high frequency calibration constants as the 11401 bandwidth is not quite adequate to adjust the 11A52 properly, although you can probably come pretty close. The DSA601 mainframe can be used as well as the 11402 and 11403.

For all plug-ins, you must enter a serial number into the NVRAM using an 11000 series mainframe, a personal computer and either an RS232C cable or GPIB cable connected between them.

Writing the Serial Number Into NVRAM

IMPORTANT: Both 11400 main frame and plugin jumpers need to be installed to write the serial numbers or the 11A52 high frequency calibration constants into NVRAM. The 11300 series mainframes do not have a “Cal Lock” jumper but still allow the serial number to be written.

The relevant plugin jumper is J611, (J400 on 11A71). For writing the plugin serial number and the 11A52 calibration constants, J611 needs to be in the “horizontal position”. (In the 11A71, this is the two pins toward the instrument top.) For normal operation the jumper is set to the “vertical position” (bottom in 11A71).

The mainframe jumper on 11400 series mainframes is located on the large bottom board in the front of the instrument. Remove the mainframe bottom cover. The jumper, labeled “Cal Lock”, is located about 1” away from the board’s (left to right) center on the CRT side of the instrument and centered in the front to back dimension of the bottom board. There are just two pins, there is no third pin to hold the jumper during normal operation. If the jumper is missing, one has to be stolen from some two pin shorting socket, preferably from another instrument such as a plugin not in use. You may also use an alligator clip. Be careful.

Establish communications between the mainframe and a personal computer with GPIB or an RS232 port using either Hypertext support (Win XP or earlier) or a modem capable of RS-232-C support. For Hyperterminal on Win XP and earlier Windows computers: START > All Programs > Accessories > Communications > Hyper Terminal. Use a normal RS-232-C cable. Do not use a Null Modem cable.

The 11403A I have is set to the following

parameter value
Baudrate 19200
Echo On
Stop bits 1
Parity Even
Flag Hard
Delay 0
EOL String CR/LF
Verbose On
Debug On

Some PC modems may need a lower baudrate (​e.g.​ 4800 or less). Whichever baudrate you choose must be the same in both the computer and the mainframe.

Into the computer, type: UID? LEF then hit ENTER if the plugin is in the left hole, UID? CEN or UID? RIG if the plug-in is in one of the other two holes. The mainframe should respond with the serial number of the plugin located in the specified hole. If you have replaced the NVRAM, if the number returned is not the serial number of the instrument, or it is gibberish, you will have to enter a serial number.

To query the serial number:

  • UID? LEF​ returns the Left plugin serial number
  • UID? CEN​ returns the Center plugin serial number
  • UID? RIG​ returns the Right plugin serial number
  • UID? MAI​ returns the Mainframe serial number

Examples to enter the serial number:

  • UID LEF:“B010525”
  • UID CEN:“B061532”
  • UID RIG:“B120518”

UID means User IDentification. Use the serial number for your plugin printed on the top plugin rail. Notice that there is no space between : and ​“

The full words, ​LEFT​, ​CENTER​, or ​RIGHT​ are also acceptable in place of LEF, CEN, or RIG.

You can check that the serial number is correct by pressing the mainframe front panel “UTILITY” button and touching the “Ident” part of the screen. All the installed plugin serial numbers and firmware versions should be shown.

If your plug-in is anything except an 11A52, you are done. Replace the jumpers to their original positions.

The mainframe will read the new serial number and invoke calibration at the next turn on.

11A52 High Frequency Calibration Constants

The 11A32 and 11A34 use a single pot per channel to manually set the high frequency transient response. The 11A71 and 11A72, I think, have all manual transient response adjustments. The 11A52 does not use pots for high frequency adjust. Instead, the two high frequency adjustment voltages (one per channel) are driven by the D/A converter (digital to analog converter), S/H (sample and hold) farm, and processor. The voltage is set differently by the processor for each channel and for each of the M377 step gains: 50mV/div, 20mV/div, 10mV/div, 5mV/div, 2mV/div, and 1mV/div to optimize transient response.

With a bad or unprogrammed NVRAM, the 11A52 fails ​HFadj Cksum​ at turn on and the high frequency transient response will be poor unless these 12 additional calibration constants (cal constants) are all set correctly. The information for the voltages is held along with the other cal constants in the NVRAM.

The 11A52 CH 1 cal constants known to me are:

cal constant description
1 unknown
2 unknown
3 unknown
4 unknown
5 unknown
6 unknown
7 VAR Gain characterization?
8 VAR Gain characterization?
9 VAR Gain characterization?
10 VAR Gain characterization?
11 Off Centering?
12 Off Centering?
13 1 mV dc balance
14 2 mV dc balance
15 5 mV dc balance
16 10 mV dc balance
17 20 mV dc balance
18 50 mV dc balance
26 VAR Gain sensitivity
28 1 mV/div gain
29 2 mV/div gain
30 5 mV/div gain
31 10 mV/div gain
32 20 mV/div gain
33 50 mV/div gain
34 X1 atten gain
35 X10 atten gain
36 X100 atten gain (probably just the other X10 attenuator as two X10 attenuators are cascaded)
37 100 MHz BWL gain (20MHz BWL gain is the reference setting)
38 Full BWL gain (20MHz BWL gain is the reference setting)
39 OFFSET X100 attn gain
40 OFFSET X10 attn gain
53 HFAdj at 1mV/div (11A52 only) (HFAdj means High Frequency Adjust)
54 HFAdj at 2mV/div (11A52 only)
55 HFAdj at 5mV/div (11A52 only)
56 HFAdj at 10mV/div (11A52 only)
57 HFAdj at 20mV/div (11A52 only)
58 HFAdj at 50mV/div (11A52 only)

All cal constants for Channel 2 are 128 higher. For example, CH 2 HFAdj at 50mV/div is cal constant 186.

Except for the 11A52 HFAdj cal constants, you will ​not​ have to set any of these numbers. They are all set by the calibration cycle. They are reset at turn on (with a new NVRAM, or a change in plugin location) or whenever you press Enhanced Accuracy, assuming the instrument has warmed up. All of this is very automatic and should not be of concern to you.

You do, however, have to set the serial number of the plugin in the NVRAM. See above.

Setting the Twelve 11A52 Calibration Constants

For optimum transient response in the 11A52, every M377 preamplifier gain setting sensitivity has a different HFAdj associated with it. For example, 58 is for CH1 (​i.e.​ input 1) at 50mV/div. 184 is for CH2 at 10mV/div. See the Table below for a full list. The random number assigned when the NVRAM is replaced will result in bad transient response, particularly from 10mV/div to 10V/div. The effect is seen in frequencies above 100MHz and for about the first two nanoseconds of the transient response.

Transient response for the plugin must be set for the 1mV to 50mV/div settings on each channel. The 11A52 reuses the 10mV, 20mV and 50mV settings for 100mV through 10V. 1mV/div, 2mV/div and 5mV/div are used only on those sensitive settings.

To clear the HFAdj chksum error, and obtain good high frequency/transient response, you must enter all six cal constants for each channel.

11A52 High Frequency Calibration Constant Commands

Query examples
Command Description
CCAL? 58 Returns present value of cal constant 58 of the center plugin.

58 is the cal constant for CH 1 (​i.e.​ input 1) at 50mV/div HFAdj pin in volts delivered to the M377 (165-2129-xx) preamplifier. Add 128 to 58 = 186 to get CH 2 at 50mV/div.

RCAL? 58 Returns Cal constant 58 for the Right plugin (CH1, 50mV/div)
RCAL? 186 Returns Cal constant 186 for the Right plugin (CH2, 50mV/div)
LCAL? 56 Returns Cal constant 56 for the Left plugin (CH1, 10mV/div)
Command examples
Command Description
CHC1 SENS:.05 Sets the Channel 1 of the Center plugin to 50mV/div.

CH means Channel, or input. C1 means Center plugin hole, CH1 (​i.e.​ input 1).

CHR2 SENS:5E-2 Sets the Channel 2 of the Right plugin to 50mV/div.

As you can see, scientific notation works as well as fixed point

To adjust transient response of Channel 1 of the center plugin at 50mV/div, use a TD pulser to observe transient response. Set the CH 1 V/div to 50mV/div using either the mainframe front panel control (easier) or by using the computer interface (takes time). Query the present value of cal constant 58:

CCA? 58 The value should be between -1 and +1. Adjust the transient response by changing the value between -1 and +1 by typing in a voltage. The ​effect will be observed only at the oscilloscope’s faster sweep speeds,​ i.e.​ 2ns/div. ​ More positive numbers increase the transient response peaking.

Important:​ When changing the HFAdj cal settings, the 11A52 processor has to actually invoke that cal constant in order to make the voltage change. This means that when you, for example, set the CH 1 transient response for 50mV/div by changing cal constant 58, you must then manually select a different V/div setting (​e.g.​ 20mV/div) and then return to 50mV/div to see the cal constant and transient response change actually take place.

CCAL 58:-.4 Sets CH1 HFAdj to -0.4V at 50mV/div for the Center plug-in
RCAL 185:4E-1 Sets CH2 HFAdj to 0.4V at 20mV/div for the plugin in the Right plug-in compartment.

Adjust the 1mV/div to 50mV/div transient responses for both channels. You must use an appropriate coaxial attenuator between the TD pulser and the 11A52 input to be sure the signal remains entirely on screen. 2mV/div and 1mV/div are slower than the other sensitivities, and the adjustment will have less effect at these sensitivities. A setting of +1V will not be uncommon at 1mV/div and 2mV/div.

Deflection Factors and Associated Address Table

Deflection Factor CH1 Cal Address CH2 Cal Address
50mV/div 58 186
20mV/div 57 185
10mV/div 56 184
5mV/div 55 183
2mV/div 54 182
1mV/div 53 181

That should do it.

Return the plug-in J611 jumper to the vertical position. Return the mainframe Cal Lock jumper to the disconnected state.

With 12 new HFAdj cal constants and a new serial number, the instrument will probably come up without errors. If there are probe related errors, they can be eliminated by putting a level 2 probe (one which tells the plugin its offset and attenuation ratio with a small pin next to the BNC connector) on the front panel with the instrument running and then removing it. Simply recycling the power or shorting the probe ring may also do this.

You can check that the serial number is correct by pressing the mainframe front panel “UTILITY” button and touching the “Ident” part of the screen. All the installed plugin serial numbers and firmware versions should be shown.

Addendum: Programming the 11K Series Plug-ins Remotely

Knowledge of these commands is not necessary for replacement of the NVRAM or 11A52 high frequency calibration constants. They are given here as a quick tutorial.

Programming the 11A32, 34, 52, and 72 is fairly straight forward. Sending the mainframe the following example commands has the following result. The 11A71 and 11A72 do not respond to BW or IMP commands as they do not have changeable bandwidth or input impedance.

CHC1 BW:100E6 sets the bandwidth limit to 100MHz on the center plugin channel 1
CHR2 IMP:1E6 sets the input impedance to 1 megohm on the right plugin channel 2
CHL4 SENS:.2 sets the sensitivity to 0.2V/div on the left plugin channel 4
CHR3 COU:DC sets the input coupling to DC on the right plugin channel 3

There is a space after the channel number, but none after the colon. The commands are not case sensitive. The 11A33 does not have a channel 2, just two inputs. The 11A32, 11A52 and 11A72 do not have a channel 3 or channel 4.

John Addis, Revised February 13, 2019