Keysight (Agilent HP) 8592D Repair Service
Product model
8592D spectrum analyzer 9kHz-22GHzServices
Description

Repair prices
8592D Specifications – click to expand
8592D Specifications
The 8592D has a frequency range of 9 KHz to 22 GHz rn (or 25 GHz with option H25), a sweep time range from 20 ms to 100 seconds, rn an internal preselector, and a weight of just 35 pounds. rn Amplitude range extends from -114 to +30dBm and the unit is equipped with rn an input attenuator having a range of 0 to 70dB tn 10dB steps.
8592D Options – click to expand
8592D Options
- 003 - Memory Card Reader
- 021 - HP-IB Interface
- 023 - RS-232 INTERFACE
- 024 - Parallel Printer Interface
- 026 - 26.5 GHz Freq ext., APC connect
- 027 - 26.5 GHz Freq ext., Type N connect
- 040 - Front Panel Protective Cover
- 042 - Protective Soft Carrying Case
- 0Q8 - Factory Delivered Service Training
- 711 - 50/75 ohm Matching Pad with DC
- 908 - Rack Flange Kit for Use without Handles
- 909 - Front Handle & Rack Flange Kit
- 910 - Additional operating and service manual
- 915 - Additional Service Manual
- R03 - Memory Card Reader Retrofit Kit
- R21 - GPIB INTERFACE RETROFIT KIT
- R23 - RS-232 INTERFACE RETROFIT KIT
- R24 - Parallel Printer Interface Retrofit Kit
- UK6 - Commercial Calibration Certificate With Test Data
- W30 - 3 Years Return for Repair Service
- W32 - 3 Years Return for Calibration Service
- W34 - 3 year Customer Return Standard Compliance Calibration Service
- W50 - 5 Year Customer Return Repair Service
- W52 - 5 Years Return for Calibration Service
- W54 - 5 Years Return for Calibration Service
HP / Agilent 8592D Error Messages – click to expand
HP / Agilent 8592D Error Messages
Error messages on the HP 8592D (9 kHz to 22 GHz) come in three types: hardware faults (H), user or setup errors (U), and informational prompts (M). The hardware messages below also list the boards most often at fault.
Before anything else: run the self-calibration (CAL FREQ & AMPTD) with CAL OUT cabled to the input and store the results with CAL STORE. Hardware (H) messages that survive a fresh cal mean the 8592D needs service.
8592D notes
- The 8592D is a D-series model covered by the same 8590 Series service guide as the E- and L-series, so these messages and assemblies apply.
- The rear-panel 10 MHz REF OUT must be jumpered to EXT REF IN (or an external reference connected), or the 8592D shows REF UNLOCK.
Most common 8592D hardware messages
| Message | Type | Meaning | Likely assemblies |
|---|---|---|---|
| FREQ UNCAL | U/H | YTO is more than 20 MHz off the frequency it should be on. Run CAL FREQ and CAL STORE; if it stays, suspect the YTO loop or an unlocked reference/sampler on A25. | A3A7 YTO, A7 analog interface, A25 counter lock |
| CAL SIGNAL NOT FOUND | U/H | Self-cal could not find the 300 MHz CAL OUT signal (must be within 50 MHz of 300 MHz and above −45 dBm). Check the CAL cable first. With default cal data loaded, the −37 Hz passcode bypasses this check. | A7 analog interface, A9 third converter |
| ADC-2V FAIL | H | At preset the ADC reading of the +2 V reference on the A16 processor/video board is out of limits. Often caused by a bad ±15 V supply or a card-cage board pulling an A16J1 line high. | A8 power supply, A15 motherboard, A16 processor/video, card-cage boards |
| ADC-GND FAIL | H | At preset the ADC ground reading on A16 is out of limits. Same usual suspects as ADC-2V FAIL: ±15 V supplies or a board loading the A16J1 pins. | A7 analog interface, A8 power supply, A15 motherboard, A16 processor/video, card-cage boards |
| REF UNLOCK | M/H | The A9 third converter oscillator is not locked to 10 MHz. Check the rear-panel jumper from 10 MHz REF OUT to EXT REF IN first, then the reference level and cables. | A22 precision reference (Option 004), A25 counter lock, W17/W18 cables |
| SMPLR UNLCK | U/H | Sampling oscillator is not working correctly. Check the external reference connection, then the frequency diagnostics. | A3A7 YTO, A25 counter lock |
| CAL: GAIN FAIL | H | During CAL AMPTD the signal at the ADC stays too low even with the reference-level DAC at maximum. Trace the signal from the RF input through the IF to the log amp. | A3 front end, A7, A9, A11, A12, A13, A14 |
| CAL: SPAN SENS FAIL | H | Main-coil span calibration failed: it could not find the 0 Hz, 300 MHz and 600 MHz signals in a 750 MHz span. Spurious signals can also cause it. | A3A7 YTO, A7, A9, A16 |
| USING DEFAULTS: _ _ _ | H | Some memory locations failed their check at power-on. Often a dead memory backup battery. | A16 processor/video (battery) |
| FAIL: xxxx xxxxxxxxxx | H | Power-up circuit test failure on the A16 processor board. See the FAIL code section below. | A16, A7, A17 memory card, A25, card-cage boards |
Complete 8592D hardware and calibration message list
| Message | Type | Meaning | Likely assemblies |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADC-2V FAIL | H | At preset the ADC reading of the +2 V reference on the A16 processor/video board is out of limits. Often caused by a bad ±15 V supply or a card-cage board pulling an A16J1 line high. | A8 power supply, A15 motherboard, A16 processor/video, card-cage boards |
| ADC-GND FAIL | H | At preset the ADC ground reading on A16 is out of limits. Same usual suspects as ADC-2V FAIL: ±15 V supplies or a board loading the A16J1 pins. | A7 analog interface, A8 power supply, A15 motherboard, A16 processor/video, card-cage boards |
| ADC-TIME FAIL | H | Time between ADC readings is too long. If the unit will not sweep but everything else works, A16 is the likely cause. | A16 processor/video |
| φ LOCK OFF | U/H | YTO is tuning slowly. Normal for a moment during CAL FREQ, preset or a frequency change. If it stays on, run CAL FREQ. | A3A7 YTO, A9 third converter, A25 counter lock |
| FREQ UNCAL | U/H | YTO is more than 20 MHz off the frequency it should be on. Run CAL FREQ and CAL STORE; if it stays, suspect the YTO loop or an unlocked reference/sampler on A25. | A3A7 YTO, A7 analog interface, A25 counter lock |
| REF UNLOCK | M/H | The A9 third converter oscillator is not locked to 10 MHz. Check the rear-panel jumper from 10 MHz REF OUT to EXT REF IN first, then the reference level and cables. | A22 precision reference (Option 004), A25 counter lock, W17/W18 cables |
| SMPLR UNLCK | U/H | Sampling oscillator is not working correctly. Check the external reference connection, then the frequency diagnostics. | A3A7 YTO, A25 counter lock |
| CAL SIGNAL NOT FOUND | U/H | Self-cal could not find the 300 MHz CAL OUT signal (must be within 50 MHz of 300 MHz and above −45 dBm). Check the CAL cable first. With default cal data loaded, the −37 Hz passcode bypasses this check. | A7 analog interface, A9 third converter |
| CAL: GAIN FAIL | H | During CAL AMPTD the signal at the ADC stays too low even with the reference-level DAC at maximum. Trace the signal from the RF input through the IF to the log amp. | A3 front end, A7, A9, A11, A12, A13, A14 |
| CAL: SPAN SENS FAIL | H | Main-coil span calibration failed: it could not find the 0 Hz, 300 MHz and 600 MHz signals in a 750 MHz span. Spurious signals can also cause it. | A3A7 YTO, A7, A9, A16 |
| CAL: FM SPAN SENS FAIL | H | Could not set the FM coil span sensitivity during CAL FREQ. Run CAL FREQ again. | A3A7 YTO, A7 analog interface |
| CAL: MAIN COIL SENSE FAIL | H | Could not set the main coil span sensitivity. Load DEFAULT CAL DATA (−37 Hz passcode) and run CAL FREQ again. | A3A7 YTO, A7 analog interface |
| CAL: ZERO FAIL | H | Could not set the main coil tuning sensitivity. Load DEFAULT CAL DATA and run CAL FREQ again. | A3A7 YTO, A7 analog interface |
| CAL: RES BW AMPL FAIL | H | During CAL AMPTD a resolution bandwidth filter had more than 2.2 dB loss compared to the 3 kHz filter. The routine stops on the failed bandwidth. | A7, A11/A13 bandwidth filters, A14 log amp |
| CAL: NBW gain / width / 200 Hz notch failed | H | A narrow resolution bandwidth (including 200 Hz) has the wrong gain, width or shape during CAL AMPTD. | A130 narrow RBW board |
| CAL: DATA NOT STORED CAL AMP NEEDED | U/H | You tried to store default cal data. Run CAL FREQ and CAL AMPTD first, then CAL STORE. | A16 processor/video |
| CAL: USING DEFAULT DATA | M | CAL AMPTD did not finish, so default correction factors are in use. | |
| USING DEFAULTS self cal needed | U | Default correction factors are loaded. Run CAL FREQ & AMPTD. | |
| USING DEFAULTS: _ _ _ | H | Some memory locations failed their check at power-on. Often a dead memory backup battery. | A16 processor/video (battery) |
| CAL: cannot execute CALAMP enter: 0 dB PREAMP GAIN | U/H | External preamp gain must be 0 dB before CAL AMPTD. If it is already 0 dB, suspect A16 RAM. | A16 processor/video |
| CONF TEST FAIL | U/H | The confidence test failed; another message names the failed check. Connect CAL OUT, run CAL FREQ & AMPTD, and test again. | |
| POS-PK FAIL | H | Confidence test: the positive-peak detector failed. | A16 processor/video |
| SAMPLE FAIL | H | Confidence test: the sample detector failed. | A16 processor/video |
| VID-BW FAIL | H | Confidence test: the video bandwidths are not reducing the noise as they should. | A14 log amp/detector, A16 |
| RES-BW NOISE FAIL | H | Confidence test: the noise floor did not drop when stepping to a narrower resolution bandwidth. Loose IF cover screws can cause it. | A11/A13 bandwidth filters, A7 control lines |
| RES-BW SHAPE FAIL | H | Confidence test: a resolution bandwidth (10 kHz to 3 MHz) is more than 20% off its nominal 3 dB width. | A7, A11/A13 bandwidth filters |
| STEP GAIN/ATTEN FAIL | H | Confidence test: the 10 dB IF step gains did not raise the noise with each reference level step. | A12 amplitude control, A7 control lines |
| FAIL: xxxx xxxxxxxxxx | H | Power-up circuit test failure on the A16 processor board. See the FAIL code section below. | A16, A7, A17 memory card, A25, card-cage boards |
| INVALID SCRMOVE | H | Possible hardware failure. Remove the unit from the bus and preset. | Any internal assembly |
| SYMTAB EMPTY / EMPTY DLP MEM | U | User-defined functions and personalities in memory were deleted. If it shows at every power-up, suspect hardware. | A16 processor/video |
| Memory Overflow: ERASE DLP MEM and reload | U | Too many downloadable programs or user items loaded. Use DISPOSE USER MEM, then reload. | A16 processor/video |
| OVEN COLD | M | Shown for 5 minutes after power-on on units with the Option 004 precision reference. It is a timer only; the oven temperature is not measured. | A22 precision frequency reference |
| TG UNLVL | U/H | Tracking generator unleveled: power set out of range, span beyond the generator range, or bad TG cal data. | Tracking generator assemblies |
| TG SIGNAL NOT FOUND | U | During CAL TRK GEN no signal was seen; check the cable from RF OUT to the input. | A7A1, A24 tracking generator |
| Gate card not calibrated | U/H | Time gating (Option 105) needs CAL AMPTD with nothing connected to GATE TRIGGER INPUT. | A105 gated video board |
| Cannot engage phase lock with current CAL FREQ data | U | Run CAL FREQ before turning on phase lock. | A9 third converter |
| MEAS UNCAL | U | Sweep time, span and bandwidth settings make the measurement uncalibrated. Press AUTO COUPLE, AUTO ALL. | |
| CAL: PASSCODE NEEDED / PASSCODE NEEDED | M/U | The function needs the service passcode (center frequency −37 Hz). |
8592D power-up FAIL codes
A message like FAIL: DF40 0625C1F72D means the 8592D processor (A16) found a circuit fault at power-up or preset. The first 4 hex digits match the 16 LEDs on the edge of A16 and point to the failed circuit. The 10-digit part is three codes: I/O address bus (2 digits), I/O data bus (4 digits) and A16 video RAM (4 digits). Convert each hex digit to binary to find the failed line.
| First 4 digits (bit) | A16 LED | Circuit | A16 part |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st digit, 8 | 16 | Video RAM | U305, U306 |
| 1st digit, 4 | 15 | I/O bus address | U18 |
| 1st digit, 2 | 14 | CPU | U12 |
| 1st digit, 1 | 13 | 68230 timer/port | U57 |
| 2nd digit, 8 | 12 | I/O bus (odd byte) | U2 |
| 2nd digit, 4 | 11 | I/O bus (even byte) | U3 |
| 2nd digit, 2 / 3rd digit, 8 | 10 / 8 | User RAM | U5 |
| 2nd digit, 1 / 3rd digit, 4 | 9 / 7 | User RAM | U22 |
| 4th digit, 8 | 4 | ROM (odd B) | U6 |
| 4th digit, 4 | 3 | ROM (even B) | U23 |
| 4th digit, 2 | 2 | ROM (odd A) | U7 |
| 4th digit, 1 | 1 | ROM (even A) | U24 |
A video RAM code means the A16 board itself is bad. For I/O bus address or data codes, power down and remove the related boards one at a time; if the code clears, the last board removed is the fault, otherwise suspect A16.
8592D user and setup messages (U)
These mean a setting, cable, card or remote command problem, not a hardware fault.
| Area | Messages |
|---|---|
| Memory card | INVALID CARD, INVALID CARD: BAD MEDIA / DATA ERROR / DIRECTORY / NO CARD / TYPE, No card found, INVALID FILE: NO ROOM, File type incompatible |
| Remote programming | COMMAND ERROR, PARAMETER ERROR, INVALID ITEM, INVALID VALUE PARAMETER, INVALID ENTER FORMAT, INVALID OUTPUT FORMAT, INVALID BLOCK FORMAT: IF STATEMENT, INVALID COMPARE OPERATOR, INVALID REPEAT MEM OVFL, INVALID REPEAT NEST LEVEL, INVALID ACTDEF, INVALID VARDEF, INVALID KEYNAME, INVALID KEYLBL, UNDF KEY, SOFTKEY OVFL |
| Traces, states and files | INVALID SAVE REG, INVALID REGISTER NUMBER, INVALID TRACE, INVALID TRACE NAME, INVALID TRACENAME, INVALID RANGE: Stop < Start, INVALID START INDEX, INVALID STOP INDEX, INVALID STORE DEST, INVALID FILENAME, INVALID <file name> NOT FOUND, INVALID CHECKSUM: USTATE, INVALID WINDOW TYPE, INTERNAL LOCKED, TABLE FULL, No points defined, Trace A is not available, Factory DLP, not adaptable |
| Interface | INVALID HP-IB ADRS/OPERATION, INVALID HP-IB OPERATION REN TRUE, INVALID RS-232 ADRS/OPERATION |
| Measurements | Cannot reach N dB points, Too many signals with valid N dB points, Require 1/3/4 signals > PEAK EXCURSION above THRESHOLD, Signals do not fit expected % AM / TOI pattern, SIGNAL CLIPPED, SETUP ERROR, Marker Count Reduce SPAN, Marker Count Widen RES BW, Stop at marker not available with negative detection, INVALID DET: FM or TV option only, Required option not installed, Function not available in current Mode / with analog display |
| Time gating | Check trigger input, Waiting for gate input, Verify gate trigger input is disconnected before CAL AMPTD |
Need the 8592D fixed? We troubleshoot 8592D YTO, IF, power supply and processor faults to the board and component level and return it calibrated. Free estimate once it arrives; you approve before work starts. Contact us for service.
Message list based on the Agilent 8590 Series Assembly-Level Repair Service Guide (Chapter 14) and the 8590 E-Series and L-Series User's Guide.
