Experiences in replacing obsolete spectrum analyser as part of an ATE uplift program

The paper explains the pit falls and issues, which can be experienced when supporting legacy equipment and replacing an obsolete established instrument with a modern fully functional top of the range totally superior replacement, and the problems you can still, run into. The paper describes the experiences encountered and the lessons learnt with replacing a ATE Spectrum Analyzer, both in selecting the replacement instruments, and the issues encountered when integrating with existing Application Test Packages. The paper explains the difficulties of finding like-for-like replacements and the hazards of using improved testing methods as a replacement for an established longstanding procedure. Final the paper concludes with some guidelines and simple pointers that test engineers could use to try and use to smooth any obsolescent replacement functions they find themselves doing.