TNT4882 with Bus Extender Problem

[SteveW]

Hi,

I have a product (RF power amplifier) with a TNT4882 with which a customer is complaining that it does not work properly ("drops characters") when the system is connected with a bus extender (Agilent, I believe). He claims that communications is okay without the extender. He further claims that other equipment (standard test equipment) works fine with the extender, thus "his setup is not the problem." Getting detailed information is a bit difficult because the test setup with the problem is outside the US. I have absolutely no experience with bus extenders. Any ideas?

Regards,

Steve

[Meghan R]

Hi Steve,

You should have your customer email support via Request Support. 

Thanks!

Meghan
Applications Engineer

[SteveW]

Hi Meghan,

The problem with your suggestion is that my customer considers this issue to be my problem, not his. Our products are very expensive, so telling him to go work the problem himself is not an option. In fact, we are trying to find out what bus extender he is using so that we can buy one and attempt to duplicate the problem.

The only thing that comes to mind with this issue is a timing problem. I believe that all timing parameters in the TNT4882 are at their default values. Is there anything related to timing that you suggest I investigate?

Regards,

Steve

[Meghan R]

Hi Steve,

Those chips are supported by email only, which is why I suggested that you have your customer email in.  I'd recommend that you email in to support if that would be a better option fo ryou. 

Thanks,

Meghan

[Steven_T]

SteveW

The best thing to do would be to get a GPIB analyzer capture on both sides of the extender.  I'm sure that the problem doesn't happen with a simple program (*idn? in a while loop), but you should check the simple programs first.  Make sure that you enable timing, handshaking, and control lines so that we can tell anytime the bus changes.  I agree with Meghan that this could be better over email.

Thanks,
Steven T.

[SteveW]

Hi Steven,

Our customer is shipping us both our equipment and the bus entender they are using. It will take a week or two, as it was installed outside the US. Supposedly it will not even respond to a *idn?. As soon as we get the equipment, we will test it and if the problem is not obvious, will request assistance via e-mail. Thanks to all for your responses.

Regards,

Steve