BB-series and stand-alone signal generator

As I got from the
signalhound.flywheelsites.com/support/forums/topic/usb-tg124a-to-use-with-bb60c/”, scalar network analyzer mode of operation for BB60+TG124A is scheduled on April, 2015.
I’d like use my BB60A with stand-alone signal generator (R&H SMIQ) as a TG for S11, S21 parameter measurements. Is there any chance this capability will be added?

Hello Defect,

Thank you for the question. At this point we do not have plans to extend the line of signal generators for scalar network analysis beyond our tracking generators.

Regards,
A.J.

Andrew,

Thank you for a fast and frustrating reply. Does it require a significant effort add this feature or it’s a product policy?

Best regards,
Victor.

[Andrew]

Hello Victor,

Thank you for the follow up question. We are only going to integrate our tracking generators due to time and it also simplifies our products. We are a small team and don’t have the time to learn how to program and integrate a number of other generators, all of which will come with their own quirks and obstacles.

We do provide a programming interface to all of our devices if you are ambitious enough to build this solution for yourself.

Regards,
A.J.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 8 months ago by Andrew.

SNA mode is available for BB60C with release of Spike 3.0.7. Does it mean a SNA mode for BB60A? Do I have to install the new firmware 5? I couldn’t run firmware update with or without SA connected to PC. I always got error (see attached screenshot). Tested on two different PCs (win 7pro and win 8.1).

[Andrew]

Hi Victor,

Yes, version 3.0.7 means that you can now pair the BB60C with a TG44/TG124 and make scalar network measurements. Yes, you will need to update your existing BB60C to firmware version 5.

I just added two links to the BB60C downloads page under the firmware updater download. To run the firmware updater, you will need to download/install two Microsoft libraries. I apologize for the inconvenience.

Regards,
A.J.

• This reply was modified 10 years, 6 months ago by Andrew.

Hello Andrew,

I had those libraries installed. And reinstalling them didn’t solve the problem. Here are my steps:
1. Unpack updater to separate folder.
2. Updater can’t find ftd2xx.dll, so I copy it from Spike 3.0.7 folder.
3. Updater shows that error from screenshot.
4. I also replaced bb_api.dll with one from Spike with no luck.

Regards,
Victor

Hi Victor,

Thank you for your updates and patience. I looked into this a bit further, and I hope I have come up with a solution. Start with a fresh download of the firmware updater folder and install this driver from FTDI. Link below

https://signalhound.com/sigdownloads/Spike/CDM%20v2.12.00%20WHQL%20Certified.exe

The ftd2xx.dll/bb_api.dll you dropped in are likely 64-bit versions. The FTDI driver install will be necessary for using the TG44/TG124 and will install the 32 and 64-bit versions. I think this is the missing piece. The firmware updater is a 32-bit application and installing the FTDI drivers hopefully will install the last missing DLL.

Let me know if this works.

Regards,
A.J.

Hello Andrew,

The problem with updater statup was solved by coping 32bit version of ftd2xx.dll to updater folder. Updater can’t find installed drivers by itself.

The next problem is updater refused to upload new firmware to my BB60A. Are BB60A supported for this update and SNA capability?

Hello Victor,

I apologize for not making this more clear on our website. The added tracking generator compatibility is only compatible with the BB60C. I apologize for the confusion.

Regards,
A.J.

AJ,

Are there plans to support the BB60A with a TG, or is the BB60A considered abandoned with regards to future software upgrades?

I know that you indicated that you currently are only supporting the BB60C, but are there plans to support the BB60A moving forward?

Thanks,
Ossian

Hello Ossian,

Supporting the tracking generator requires firmware level support. The firmware differs between the BB60A and BB60C so the changes made for the BB60C to be supported did not carry over to the BB60A. We do not have plans at this point to pursue this, but it is not out of the question.

The BB60A is not abandoned though. It still receives PC software level support as we continue to update the Spike software application. In fact the digital demodulation capabilities we are adding late May will be supported for both the BB60A and BB60C. The BB60A shares the same programming interface as the BB60C (by design) so that anytime we make PC side changes/additions/improvements both devices receive the benefits.

Regards,
A.J.

AJ,

Thank you for providing the clarification.

Thanks,
Ossian

oh… well, here’s another person a little disappointed about the BB60A not being included here.

That said, I haven’t bought a TG module to use with it, so no real harm done.. (though I was actually working out when I’d plan to buy a TG before reading this) Guess I’ll just concentrate on working with broadband noise, with its limitations, for now.

Hi Everyone,

I have scheduled Justin to write and publish BB60A/TG compatibility software by the end of September 2015. Thanks for all your input and patience.

Bruce

Great news, I look forward to the updated firmware.

Thanks,
Ossian

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