HP_8410_Operating_Tips_mud2k

Owning and Operating the HP 8410 NetworkAnalyzerMark Kahrs,KB2VSQ9 Everitt PlaceMaplewood,NJ07040Akahrsecaip.rutgers.eduhttp://www.caip.rutgers.edu/kahrsSeptember 8,2000AbstractThe HP 8410 Network Analyzer offers the cheapest and most cost effec-tive solution for network analysis(particularly scattering parameters)above6 GHz.The paper details the various parts of the 8410 along with the varioustrials and tribulations of building an automated 8410 system.1 IntroductionKurokawa[1]introduced the generalized scattering parameter (S-parameter)in1965.S-parameters are extremely useful for all types of microwave circuit de-sign including amplifiers and oscillators[2].Therefore,when the HP 8410 wasintroduced in 1967,it revolutionized microwave design.It used the new 1430A sampler together with a superheterodyne receiver ar-chitecture to produce a calibrated microwave receiver.Together with the test sets,it can measure transmission and reflection coefficients for any two port device.Subsequent offerings from HP(and others)have concentrated on the lower end asshown in the following table:As can be seen,the only analyzers that cover above 3 GHz(without internaldoublers)are the 8410,the 8510Aand the 8720.The 8510A/B/C and 8720A are