Agilent N5181A Firmware

Agilent N5181A/82A MXG Signal Generators
Firmware Upgrade Guide

Part Number N5180-90018
Printed in USA September 2006

Notice

The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.

Agilent Technologies makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including but not limited
to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Agilent Technologies shall
not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the
furnishing, performance, or use of this material.

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© Copyright 2006 Agilent Technologies

Introduction

Product Affected: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N5181/82A

Serial Numbers: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . All

Options: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . All

Introduction

To Be Performed By: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (X) Agilent Technologies Service Center

Estimated Installation Time: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N5181A: 2 minutes

Estimated Verification Time: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 minutes

(X) Personnel Qualified by Agilent Technologies
(X) Customer

N5182A: 5 minutes

The instructions in this firmware upgrade guide enable you to upgrade firmware on an Agilent MXG signal generator
from either the Agilent Technologies website or a CD- ROM.

Before using this guide, you should be familiar with the basic operation of the signal generator. If you are not
comfortable with using the signal generator’s menus and with entering parameter values, refer to the instrument’s
User’s Guide and familiarize yourself with the basic operation information.

Basic Upgrade Process

1. Confirm required equipment (page 4).

2. Run the signal generator’s functionality check (page 5).

3. Connect the signal generator to a PC (page 6).

4. Download and install the firmware (page 7).

5. Rerun signal generator’s functionality check (page 5).

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Step 1. Confirm Required Equipment

Step 1. Confirm Required Equipment

PC Requirements



450 MHz Pentium

Operating System, Windows XP, or Windows 2000 (with Service Pack 4)

128 MB RAM

20 MB free disk space

Internet browser to download firmware files from the Internet, or to view firmware release information on your PC over the Internet.

Either browser must be Java enabled with Java 1.02 or above.

If upgrading from a CD, a CD-ROM drive

If using GPIB:

• an installed and configured GPIB IO interface card and a GPIB cable

• either the Agilent or National Instruments I/O Libraries

If using LAN, an installed and configured LAN interface card and LAN cable:

To connect directly to the PC, use a LAN crossover cable

To connect to the PC through the LAN, use a 100Base- T LAN cable

If you encounter problems, contact your network administrator

II or higher



Microsoft
Netscape Navigator 4.0 or later

Internet Explorer 4.01 or later

If using USB:

•an unused USB port

• a USB cable with mini-B connector

•the Agilent I/O Library 14.1 or later

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Agilent N5181/2A MXG Signal Generators Firmware Upgrade Guide

Step 2. Run the Signal Generator’s Functionality Check

Step 2. Run the Signal Generator’s Functionality Check

Use the following procedure to confirm that the signal generator powers up and that the internal check identifies no
errors. The internal check evaluates the operation of the signal generator and returns an error message if it detects a
problem.

1. Turn on power to the signal generator and let it warm up for at least five minutes.

2. Check to see if the ERR annunciator is on.

•If the ERR annunciator is off, the signal generator’s functionality check passed.

•If the ERR annunciator is on:

a. View the error queue:

Error.

Press

Error message in the error queue appear in the display text area. Refer to the signal generator error
messages list on the documentation CD for information about each error message.

b. Resolve all problems causing errors.

If you are unable to resolve the errors, contact Agilent Technologies (see page 10).

c. Clear the error queue: Press

3. Repeat the functionality check:

Cycle the signal generator’s power.

4. Repeat step 2.

Clear Error Queue(s) and go to step 3.

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Step 3. Connect the Signal Generator to the PC

Step 3. Connect the Signal Generator to the PC

Using LAN

1. Connect the signal generator to the PC:

Either

• use a crossover cable to connect the signal generator directly to the PC,
or

• connect the PC to the LAN and use a 100Base- T LAN cable to connect the signal generator to the LAN.

2. Set the hostname or IP Address:

Utility > I/O Config > LAN Setup > Hostname > desired name

Press

or

Utility > I/O Config > LAN Setup > Config Type > DHCP

Press

NOTE If using a crossover cable, use the instrument’s Hostname. Instrument names can be resolved when using

a standard LAN connection, but not when using a cross- over LAN cable.

If you encounter problems, refer to the signal generator’s Programming Guide for details on using the
instrument over LAN.

Using GPIB

1. Connect a GPIB cable between the PC and the signal generator.

2. Set the GPIB address:

Utility > I/O Config > GPIB Setup > GPIB Address > 19

Press

The signal generator’s GPIB address is set to 19 at the factory. The acceptable range of addresses is 0 through 30.
Once initialized, the state of the GPIB address is not affected by a signal generator preset or by a power cycle.
Other instruments on the GPIB cannot use the same address as the signal generator.

NOTE If there is more than one signal generator on the GPIB, turn off all other signal generators on the same

bus whose GPIB address is 19.

Using USB

Connect a USB cable between the PC and the signal generator’s rear panel USB connector.

If the “Found New Hardware” wizard activates, select

Install the Software Automatically.

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Agilent N5181/2A MXG Signal Generators Firmware Upgrade Guide

Step 4. Download and Install the Firmware Files

From the Agilent Technologies website

1. In an Internet browser, enter http://www.agilent.com/find/upgradeassistant.

2. Download and run the latest Agilent MXG Firmware Package.

3. Once the upgrade assistant starts, follow the program’s prompts (see page 8).

4. After the upgrade completes, press the signal generator’s

5. Run the signal generator’s functionality check (see page 5).

From CD–ROM

1. Insert the firmware upgrade CD–ROM into the computer’s CD–ROM drive.

2. Browse the CD for the latest Agilent MXG Firmware Package.

3. Double- click the file.

4. Once the upgrade assistant starts, follow the program’s prompts (see page 8).

5. After the upgrade completes, press the signal generator’s

6. Run the signal generator’s functionality check (see page 5).

Local hardkey to return front panel control.

Local hardkey to return front panel control.

Step 4. Download and Install the Firmware Files

NOTE If the upgrade is interrupted, the instrument tries to load a recovery image; if errors appear, they can

be safely ignored. Run the Upgrade Assistant again to install the proper firmware; additional errors
may appear, but these can also be ignored unless pressing
them. If you cannot clear the errors, contact Agilent Technologies (see page 10).

Error > Clear Error Queue does not clear

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Running the Upgrade Assistant

Running the Upgrade Assistant

To Next Page

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Agilent N5181/2A MXG Signal Generators Firmware Upgrade Guide

From Previous Page

Running the Upgrade Assistant

On the signal generator, press the Local hardkey
to return front panel control of the instrument.

Scroll to see the complete log.

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Contacting Agilent Technologies

Contacting Agilent Technologies

• assistance with test and measurements needs, and information on finding a local Agilent office:

http://www.agilent.com/find/assist

• accessories or documentation: http://www.agilent.com/find/mxg

• new firmware releases: http://www.agilent.com/find/upgradeassistant.

If you do not have access to the Internet, please contact your field engineer.

NOTE In any correspondence or telephone conversation, refer to the signal generator by its model number and full

serial number. With this information, the Agilent representative can determine whether your unit is still
within its warranty period.

Returning a Signal Generator to Agilent

Use the following steps to return a signal generator to Agilent Technologies for servicing:

1. Gather as much information as possible regarding the signal generator’s problem.

2. Call the phone number listed on the Internet (http://www.agilent.com/find/assist) that is specific to your
geographic location. If you do not have access to the Internet, contact your Agilent field engineer.

After sharing information regarding the signal generator and its condition, you will receive information regarding
where to ship your signal generator for repair.

3. Ship the signal generator in the original factory packaging materials, if available, or use similar packaging to

properly protect the signal generator.

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Agilent N5181/2A MXG Signal Generators Firmware Upgrade Guide