Strategies for mitigating risk related to the obsolescence of HP 8566/68 spectrum analyzers in ATE systems

The Hewlett-Packard 8566 and 8568 were the first RF and microwave spectrum analyzers offering remote control and data transfer through the GPIB interface. These analyzers have been widely deployed in automated test equipment (ATE) systems and the majority of units produced since introduction 24 years ago are in active use. These instruments were discontinued five years ago, and Agilent Technologies will suspend support for them this year. This situation exposes ATE system managers to higher levels of risk than might be apparent. This paper outlines risk areas and presents a range of mitigation actions that affected managers might take. In describing those actions, a new option for HP 8566/68 programming code compatibility is introduced and discussed.