HP 66311A Mobil Communications DC Source
© Brooke Clarke 2013 |
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When Working with low power micro controllers measuring the power consumption is difficult because it's far from DC but more like a digital signal. One solution is to use an oscilloscope to monitor the supply voltage and current, but a more compact solution is to use a power supply with a built-in scope and that's what the HP/Agilent 66311A does.
The Mobil Communications DC sources (power supplies) can also be used for battery testing as well a charger testing.
The 1997 HP catalog introduced the Dynamic Measurement Single-Output Power Supplies 66312A (half rack width for cell phones) and 66332A (full rack width for mobile radios). The same catalog introduced the HP 8648A for pagers.
There are two current measuring ranges (20 ma, 3A) and they can be forced or you can use AUTO.
There are two ways to use this instrument.
Front Panel
Note: When using the front panel function keys the menus are scrolled using the up & down arrow keys that are in the FUNCTION key group,
NOT the up/down left/right arrow keys in the ENTRY key group.
Software
There are two interfaces for computer control RS-232 or HP-IB.
The RS-232 connector on the 66311A is a Male 9-pin the same connector as on most computer RS-232 ports, i,e. the standard male - female RS-232 cable will not work. Is a simple gender changer or a null modem adapter needed? Tried a gender changer with no luck.
There are a few ways software can be used:
15465 Device Characterization Software
This is an HP/Agilent software package designed specifically for the 66300 series instruments.
The 15465A software works with the 66311A and runs on WIN XP, but is obsolete.
The 15465B software is available for just over $1900. The software gives you the appearance of an oscilloscope.
15465 Drivers
For the common instrument programming languages like Visual Basic, HP Vee, Labview, C++, etc.
Roll Your Own Program
IntuiLink
This only works on the newer models (not the 66311A) and requires WIN95/WIN98/Me/NT
VXI Plug & Play Driver Version 66111A
These typically include LabView drivers as well as HP VEE drivers. requires WIN95/98/NT
With Knob
The knob from the HP 33120 Fun Gen
Here is an LM3900 LED flasher
with a 1 second exposure time.
current readout is to 1 uA.
The 5 contact output connector may be the Phoenix Context 1757048 (Mouser 651-1757048).
The Cable is a DB-9 male-male. Haven't yet got it to talk to Hyper terminal.
The 2003 Catalog lists a number of versions:
Only the "D" models have the optional DVM
Model
Volts
Amps
Battery
Simulation
66311B - 66311D
15
3
No
66309B - 66309D
15
12
3
1.5
No
66319B - 66319D
15
12
3
1.5
Yes
66321B - 66321D
15
3
Yes
Power Supplies
Batteries
Leclanche
No. 6 Battery
BA-5590/U family
Battery Test
Battery Chargers
Battery Patents
PIC 16F88 Micro controller, In Circuit Debugger 2
