Keysight (Agilent HP) 8561E Repair Service
Product model
8561E spectrum analyzer 9kHz-6.5GHzServices
Keep your Agilent HP 8561E Spectrum Analyzer in service with our repair and calibration. We specialize in unsupported equipment. Free evaluations.
Description
The Agilent Keysight 8561E / HP 8561E spectrum analyzer puts high performance, synthesized technology into a lightweight, portable package. Ruggedized to military specifications, this analyzer is engineered to survive harsh field conditions. This unit performs a wide variety of jobs from communication system and component testing to radar and millimeter measurements. The 8561E has a frequency range of 1 kHz to 6.8 GHz with microwave preselection. External mixers extend the range to 325 GHz.
Repair prices
Any failures or unforeseen issues identified during the calibration phase will be detailed in an estimate submitted for your approval prior to any further action. Repair charges are determined by the actual time and materials required. Please be aware that customers are responsible for all associated shipping costs, to and from our location. This initial estimate is provided free of charge.
8561E Specifications – click to expand
8561E Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Frequency accuracy | ± 106 Hz (CF = 1 GHz) |
| Frequency Span Range | 0 Hz, 100 Hz to maximum frequency |
| Frequency Readout Accuracy Span >2 MHz x N | ± (freq. readout x freq. ref. accuracy +5% x span +15% x RBW +10 Hz) |
| Frequency Readout Accuracy Span =2 MHz x N | ± (freq. readout x freq. ref. accuracy +1% x span +15% x RBW +10 Hz) |
| Sweep Time Range | Span = 0 Hz: 50 µs to 6,000 s; Span =100 Hz: 50 ms to 100 ks |
| Resolution bandwidth range | 1 Hz to 2 MHz |
| Resolution bandwidth Accuracy | 1 Hz to 300 kHz: ±10%; 1 MHz: ±25%; 2 MHz: +50%, –25% |
| Video Bandwidth Range | 1 Hz to 3 MHz in a 1, 3, 10 sequence |
| Amplitude Range | Displayed average noise level to +30 dBm |
| Average noise level (narrowest RBW) | -145 dBm |
| Optimum dynamic range 2nd/3rd order | 88 dB / 103 dB |
| Amplitude accuracy | ± 1.85dB |
8561E Options – click to expand
8561E Options
- 001, Second IF Output (310.7 MHz)
- 005, Alternate Sweep Out (cannot be used with Option 002)
- 007, Digitized Fast Time-Domain Sweeps
- 008, Signal Identification
- 042 Protective Soft Carrying Case/Backpack
- 103, Delete Precision Frequency Reference, and 1 Hz and 3 Hz RBWs
- 104, Delete Mass Memory Module
HP / Agilent 8561E Error Codes (ERR 100–922) – click to expand
HP / Agilent 8561E Error Codes
The Agilent 8561E spectrum analyzer (30 Hz to 6.5 GHz) reports faults as numbered ERR messages in the lower-right corner of the screen. More than one error may be stored. To list them on the 8561E, press RECALL, MORE 1 OF 2, then RECALL ERRORS, and step through with the arrow keys. Note every code before you power down.
First step: save your state, press PRESET, CAL, REALIGN LO & IF and let it finish. If a code between 200 and 799 returns, the 8561E needs service.
8561E notes
- The 8561E has a CRT display driven by a high-voltage module. A dim, blank or distorted screen usually has no ERR code at all.
- FADC codes ERR 202–207 and ERR 760 only apply to an 8561E with Option 007 (fast digitized sweeps).
- The 8561E input can be AC or DC coupled (AC is the power-on default). Keep DC under 0.2 V when DC coupled to protect the input mixer.
- Above 2.9 GHz the 8561E uses a YIG preselector. Bad stored preselector peak data shows as ERR 704; use FACTORY PRSEL PK to restore it.
Most common 8561E hardware errors
| Code | Display | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ERR 300 / 301 | YTO UNLK | The YTO (first LO) loop will not lock. |
| ERR 334 | LO AMPL | First LO amplifier not leveled. Put a 50 ohm load on 1ST LO OUTPUT before suspecting the YTO. |
| ERR 333 | 600 UNLK | 600 MHz reference loop unlocked. |
| ERR 337 | FN UNLK | Fractional-N loop cannot lock. |
| ERR 317 / 318 | FREQ ACC | YTO main-coil tuning DAC at its limit. |
| ERR 319 / 320 | WARN COA / FIN | YTO tune DAC near its limit (warning). |
| ERR 351 / 353 | SETL FLD / SRCH FLD | YTO error voltage won't settle, or no usable YTO DAC value found. |
| ERR 499 | CAL UNLK | IF cal oscillator unlocked. |
| ERR 700 | EEROM | Stored calibration data (EEROM A2U501) checksum error. |
| ERR 718 | BATTERY? | Memory battery low; stored states are being lost. |
| ERR 335 | SMP UNLK | Sampling oscillator loop unlocked. |
| ERR 704 | PRESELCT | Preselector peak data checksum error or wrong-mode recall. |
| ERR 906 | OVENCOLD | OCXO not warmed up. Normal right after power-on. |
Code ranges
| Range | Area |
|---|---|
| 100–199 | Programming / GPIB (not a hardware fault) |
| 200–299 | ADC |
| 300–399 | LO and RF |
| 400–599 | IF (automatic IF alignment) |
| 600–699 | System |
| 700–799 | Digital / memory |
| 800–899 | Option modules |
| 900–999 | User / setup |
Complete 8561E error code list
100–199 Programming errors – 8561E
| Code | Display | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ERR 100 | NO PWRON | Saved power-on state is bad; default state loaded instead. |
| ERR 101 | NO STATE | The state you tried to recall was never saved or is invalid. |
| ERR 102–105, 111 | # ARGMTS | Command is missing arguments. |
| ERR 106 | ABORTED! | Operation aborted; GPIB parser was reset. |
| ERR 107 | HELLO ?? | No GPIB listener found. |
| ERR 108 | TIME OUT | Timed out while acting as bus controller. |
| ERR 109 | CtrlFail | Could not take control of the GPIB bus. |
| ERR 110 | NOT CTRL | Analyzer is not the system controller. |
| ERR 112 | ??CMD?? | Command not recognized. |
| ERR 113 / 114 / 115 | FREQ NO! / TIME NO! / AMPL NO! | Command does not accept frequency, time or amplitude units. |
| ERR 116 | ?UNITS?? | Units not recognized. |
| ERR 117–122 | NOP NUM / EP / UPDN / ONOF / ARG / TRC | Argument type not allowed for this command (numeric, enable, UP/DN, ON/OFF, AUTO/MAN or trace register). |
| ERR 123 / 124 | NOP ABLK / NOP IBLK | A-block or I-block data format not allowed here. |
| ERR 125 | NOP STRNG | Strings not allowed for this command. |
| ERR 126 | NO ? | Command cannot be queried. |
| ERR 127 | BAD DTMD | Invalid detector mode. |
| ERR 128 | PK WHAT? | Invalid peak search parameter. |
| ERR 129 | PRE TERM | A-block data ended early. |
| ERR 130 | BAD TDF | Argument only valid with the TDF command. |
| ERR 131–138, 140 | ?? AM/FM, !FAV/RMP, !INT/EXT, ??? ZERO/CURR/FULL/LAST, !GRT/DSP, ?? PWRON | That keyword is not a valid argument for the command sent. |
| ERR 139 | PLOTONLY | Argument only valid with the PLOT command. |
| ERR 141 / 142 | BAD ARG | FDIAG argument or query problem. |
| ERR 143 | NO PRESL | Command needs preselector hardware. |
| ERR 144 | COUPL?? | Bad COUPLING argument; use AC or DC. The 8561E supports both. |
200–299 ADC errors – 8561E
| Code | Display | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ERR 200 / 201 | SYSTEM | ADC driver or controller interaction fault; look for other codes. |
| ERR 202–207 | FADC CAL | Fast ADC offset or slope calibration failed (linear, log, or log 2x expand). Only on an 8561E with Option 007. |
| ERR 250 | OUTOF RG | Signal at the ADC is out of range. |
| ERR 251 | NO IRQ | Processor is not getting interrupts from the ADC. |
300–399 LO and RF errors – 8561E
| Code | Display | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ERR 300 / 301 | YTO UNLK | YTO (first LO) phase-lock loop unlocked. |
| ERR 302 / 327 | OFF UNLK | Offset roller oscillator unlocked. |
| ERR 303 | XFR UNLK | Transfer roller oscillator unlocked. |
| ERR 304 | ROL UNLK | Main roller oscillator unlocked. |
| ERR 305, 306, 312, 324, 325 | FREQ ACC | Coarse or fine adjust DAC cannot null the MAINSENSE voltage. |
| ERR 307 | FREQ ACC | Transfer oscillator pretune DAC out of range. |
| ERR 308 / 309 | FREQ ACC | Offset oscillator pretune DAC outside limits at the low or high end. |
| ERR 310 / 311 / 322 | FREQ ACC | Main roller pretune DAC ran out of range during tuning. |
| ERR 313 | FREQ ACC | Sampler and roller oscillator frequencies don't add up to the required YTO start frequency. |
| ERR 314 / 315 | FREQ ACC | Span calibration problem: unlocked main roller, missing sweep ramp, or span attenuator DAC out of range. |
| ERR 316 / 321 | FREQ ACC | Main roller tuning sensitivity measured as zero or less. |
| ERR 317 / 318 | FREQ ACC | YTO main-coil coarse or fine DAC at its limit. |
| ERR 319 / 320 | WARN COA / WARN FIN | YTO coarse or fine tune DAC near its limit (warning). |
| ERR 326 | FREQ ACC | Fine adjust DAC near the end of its range. |
| ERR 328 / 329 | FREQ ACC | Roller fine or coarse DAC sensitivity measured as zero or less. |
| ERR 331 | FREQ ACC | Invalid YTO frequency. |
| ERR 333 | 600 UNLK | 600 MHz reference loop unlocked. |
| ERR 334 | LO AMPL | First LO distribution amp not leveled; 1ST LO OUTPUT must be terminated in 50 ohms. |
| ERR 335 | SMP UNLK | Sampling oscillator unlocked. |
| ERR 336 | 10 MHz | Cal oscillator would not lock on the internal 10 MHz reference. |
| ERR 337 | FN UNLK | Fractional-N loop cannot lock. |
| ERR 338 / 339 / 340 | LOMA AGC / SBTX AGC / SAMP AGC | LO multiplier/amplifier main, SBTX or sampler loop AGC not leveled. |
| ERR 351 | SETL FLD | YTO error voltage not settling. |
| ERR 352 | TWID FLD | Error-voltage DACs cannot reach their quiescent point. |
| ERR 353 | SRCH FLD | No acceptable YTO DAC value found. |
| ERR 354 | LK ITERS | Lock routine stopped without locking. |
| ERR 355 | SMP CAL | Sampler unlocked during calibration; stays until a good recalibration. |
| ERR 356–361 | SPAC CAL | Span accuracy calibration sweep failed (bucket search, intersection, start or percent-of-span correction out of range). |
400–599 IF errors – 8561E
These come from the automatic IF alignment. It aligns amplitude first, then the resolution bandwidths in this order: 300 kHz, 1 MHz, 2 MHz, 100 kHz, 30 kHz, 10 kHz, 3 kHz, 1 kHz, 300 Hz down to 1 Hz. Bandwidths aligned before the failure are usually still good; ones after it are suspect.
| Code | Display | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ERR 400–404 | AMPL <300 / 300 / 1K / 3K / 10K | Cannot set the amplitude of that resolution bandwidth. |
| ERR 405–449 | RBW 300 / 1K / 3K / 10K | Cannot align an individual pole of a crystal resolution bandwidth filter. |
| ERR 450–452 | IF SYSTM | General IF hardware failure; look for other codes. |
| ERR 454–465, 571 | AMPL | Cannot adjust the step gain amplifiers. |
| ERR 466 | LIN AMPL | Cannot adjust the linear amplitude scale. |
| ERR 467–470, 552–570, 573–577, 591, 592 | LOG AMPL | Cannot adjust amplitude in log scale (log amplifier). |
| ERR 471–478, 583–590 | RBW 30K / 100K / 300K / 1M | Cannot align that LC resolution bandwidth. |
| ERR 483–498, 517–521 | RBW 100 Hz to 10K | Cannot align that narrow resolution bandwidth. |
| ERR 499 | CAL UNLK | IF cal oscillator unlocked. |
| ERR 500–507, 572 | AMPL 30K / .1M / .3M / 1M | Cannot set amplitude of an LC resolution bandwidth. |
| ERR 508–511 | AMPL | Not enough gain during LC bandwidth calibration. |
| ERR 512–516 | RBW | Not enough gain during crystal bandwidth calibration. |
| ERR 522–525 | RBW 10K | Cannot align symmetry of a 10 kHz filter pole. |
| ERR 526–540 | RBW <300 | Digital narrow-bandwidth (under 300 Hz) calibration failed: sampling timeout, step gain, DC level, demod data, VCXO, flatness, gain, or cal oscillator count/lock problems. |
| ERR 550 | IDCALOSC | Cal oscillator ID doesn't match; incompatible hardware. |
| ERR 551 | ID LOGBD | Log board ID doesn't match; incompatible hardware. |
| ERR 578–580, 593–599 | LOG AMPL / LOG TUNE / LOG OFST / LOG ATTN / LOG FID / LOG GAIN | DC logger calibration error (limiter, attenuator level, fidelity offset, gain or tune). |
| ERR 581 / 582 | AMPL | Cannot adjust 100 kHz and the 10 kHz-and-below bandwidths; 582 adds a bad cal oscillator sweep-rate calibration. |
600–699 System errors – 8561E
| Code | Display | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ERR 600 / 601 | SYSTEM | Hardware/firmware interaction fault; look for other codes. |
| ERR 650 | OUTOF RG | Signal at the ADC is out of range. |
| ERR 651 | NO IRQ | Processor is not getting interrupts from the ADC. |
700–799 Digital and memory errors – 8561E
| Code | Display | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ERR 700 | EEROM | Checksum error in EEROM A2U501 (stored calibration data). |
| ERR 701 / 703 | AMPL CAL | Frequency response correction data checksum error. |
| ERR 702 | ELAP TIM | Elapsed-time data checksum error. |
| ERR 704 | PRESELCT | Preselector peak data checksum error, or internal/external preselector data recalled in the wrong mode. |
| ERR 705–710 | ROM U306–U311 | Program ROM checksum error (A2U306 through A2U311). |
| ERR 711–716 | RAM U300–U305 | System RAM checksum error (A2U300 through A2U305). |
| ERR 717 | BAD uP!! | Microprocessor not fully working. |
| ERR 718 | BATTERY? | Nonvolatile RAM not holding; check the memory battery. |
| ERR 719 / 720 | MODEL #? / OPTION #? | Cannot identify the model or an installed option. |
| ERR 721 | AMPC RAM | Amplitude correction (ampcor) data checksum error. |
| ERR 750–759 | SYSTEM | Firmware math or system fault (divide by zero, overflow, underflow, unknown); look for other codes. |
| ERR 760 | NO FADC | Fast ADC failed its power-on check. Only on an 8561E with Option 007. |
800–899 Option module errors – 8561E
Reported by an attached rear-panel module such as the 85620A mass memory module or the 85629B test and adjustment module. See that module's manual.
900–999 User and setup errors – 8561E
| Code | Display | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| ERR 900 | TG UNLVL | Tracking generator output not leveled (only with Option 002 tracking generator models). |
| ERR 901 | TGFrqLmt | Tracking generator unleveled because the start frequency is below its 300 kHz limit. |
| ERR 902 | BAD NORM | Current state doesn't match the state stored for normalization. |
| ERR 903 / 904 | A > DLMT / B > DLMT | Trace A or calibration trace B is off screen with trace math or normalization on. |
| ERR 905 | EXT REF | Cannot lock to the external reference; check that it is 10 MHz and in tolerance. |
| ERR 906 | OVENCOLD | OCXO oven still cold. |
| ERR 907 | DO IFCAL | IF calibration still running, or still needed after an OVENCOLD condition. |
| ERR 908–911 | BW>>SPCG / SPAN<ACP / SPAN>ACP / ACP STATE | Adjacent channel power setup is invalid (bandwidth, spacing or span). |
| ERR 919 / 920 | SP <CHBW / RBW>CHBW | Channel power setup invalid: spacing too narrow or resolution bandwidth too wide. |
| ERR 921 / 922 | AMPCOR | Ampcor corrected data that was above or below the screen, so its accuracy is unspecified. |
Need your 8561E fixed? We troubleshoot 8561E LO, IF and digital faults to the component level and return it calibrated. Tell us the error codes when you contact us; the estimate is free once it arrives. Contact us for service.
Code list based on the Agilent 8560 E-Series and EC-Series User's Guide, Chapter 9.
HP / Agilent 8561E Replaceable Parts – click to expand
HP 8561E Replaceable Assemblies and Part Numbers
Need a part number for your 8561E? These are the 8561E board and module numbers listed in the HP 8561E/EC and 8563E/EC Service Guide (08563-90214). Rebuilt exchange numbers are traded for your old assembly.
| Reference | Assembly | HP part number | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1A1 | Keyboard board | 08562-60140 | |
| A1A2 | RPG (rotary knob) assembly | 0960-0745 | Later serials |
| A2 | Controller assembly | 08563-60032 | Serial prefix 3310A and later |
| A2 | Controller assembly | 08563-60017 | Before serial prefix 3310A |
| A3 | Interface assembly | 08563-60021 | |
| A3 | Interface assembly | 08563-60033 | Option 007 |
| A4 | Log amplifier / cal oscillator assembly | 08563-60050 | |
| A5 | IF filter assembly | 08563-60023 | |
| A6 | Power supply assembly (without A6A1) | 08563-60020 | |
| A6A1 | High voltage assembly | 5062-7089 | |
| A7 | LO distribution amplifier | 5086-7744 | |
| A8 | Dual band mixer | 5086-7821 | |
| A8 | Dual band mixer (rebuilt) | 5086-6821 | |
| A9 | Port attenuator, 6.5 GHz | 5086-7822 | |
| A9 | Port attenuator, 6.5 GHz (rebuilt exchange) | 5086-6822 | |
| A10 | Switched YIG-tuned filter | 5086-7803 | |
| A11 | Leveled YTO | 5086-7906 | |
| A11 | Leveled YTO (rebuilt exchange) | 5086-6906 | |
| A13 | Second converter | 5086-7812 | |
| A14 | Frequency control assembly | 08561-60034 | |
| A15 | RF assembly (standard) | 08563-60044 | |
| A15 | RF assembly (TCXO) | 08563-60043 | Option 103 |
| A15 | RF assembly (SIG ID) | 08563-60046 | Option 008 |
| A15 | RF assembly (TCXO / SIG ID) | 08563-60045 | Options 103 and 008 |
| A15U100 | Sampler | 5086-7806 | |
| A16 | Fast ADC assembly | 08563-60030 | Option 007 (standard on EC) |
| A17 | CRT assembly | 08563-60101 | |
| A18MP1 | CRT wiring assembly | 5062-7095 | |
| A18V1 | CRT tube, 6.7 in | 2090-0225 | |
| A19 | GPIB assembly | 08562-60042 | |
| A20 | Battery assembly | 5062-7755 | |
| BT1 | Battery, 3.0 V lithium | 1420-0341 | |
| A21 | OCXO, 10 MHz | 5063-0245 | Standard |
| AT1 | DC block | 0955-0994 | |
| B1 | Fan assembly | 5061-9036 | |
| FL1 | Low-pass filter | 0955-0703 | |
| FL2 | Low-pass filter, 4.4 GHz | 0955-0519 | |
| FL4 | Line filter assembly | 5061-9032 | |
| F1 | Fuse 5 A 250 V (230 VAC) | 2110-0709 | |
| F1 | Fuse 5 A 125 V (115 VAC) | 2110-0756 |
Boards marked for HP's rebuilt exchange program use the same number with the 7th digit changed to 9 (for example 08563-60044 becomes 08563-69044).
Part obsolete? Most 8561E assemblies are no longer sold new. Analyzer Repair Inc. repairs 8561E boards and RF modules at the component level in Cocoa, Florida. Free estimate once the unit is in our lab. Contact us for service.
From the HP 8561E/EC and 8563E/EC Service Guide (08563-90214).
Located in: Spectrum Analyzers