Hp 859x Gpib Controller

HP 859x GPIB Controller

HP-style spectrum-analyzer control software for Windows

HP-8590 Control v2.0.2 is a Windows application for remote control, live trace acquisition, measurement analysis, and documentation with HP/Agilent 8590-series spectrum analyzers, including the 8593E.

The interface uses eight context-sensitive HP softkeys. All normal operating functions are available from the softkey panel or by using the F1–F8 keys.

 

 

HP-8590 Control v2.0.2 running in hardware-free Demo Mode.

Main features

  • Live 401-point spectrum display.
  • Center frequency, span, start/stop frequency, and full-span control.
  • Reference level, dB/division, attenuation, and detector selection.
  • RBW, VBW, sweep time, and automatic coupling.
  • Continuous, single, and stopped sweep operation.
  • FREE, LINE, EXT, and VID trigger modes.
  • Exponential averaging with adjustable averaging count.
  • Maximum Hold and Minimum Hold.
  • Marker maximum/minimum and next/previous peak search.
  • Marker-to-center and peak-to-center functions.
  • Automatic −3 dB bandwidth and Q calculation.
  • Binary trace transfer with guarded ASCII fallback.
  • PNG, CSV, clipboard, print, and event-log export.
  • Instrument identification, correction-status reading, and safe calibration backup.
  • Hardware-free Demo Mode for learning and testing the complete interface.

Simple GPIB setup

SYSTEM → GPIB SETUP opens one dialog containing all communication settings:

  • Board number: NI controller index, normally 0.
  • Primary address: the analyzer’s GPIB address, often 18.
  • Secondary address: optional; use −1 when none is assigned.

A live preview shows the resulting address, for example:

GPIB0 :: 18

[Insert GPIB Setup image here]

Board number, primary address, and secondary address are configured together.

Requirements

  • Windows 10 or Windows 11.
  • .NET Framework 4.7.2 or a compatible later 4.x runtime.
  • National Instruments NI-488.2 runtime.
  • A compatible NI GPIB adapter.
  • An HP/Agilent 8590-series spectrum analyzer with an IEEE-488/GPIB interface.

The adapter and analyzer should first be verified in NI MAX. Every device on the GPIB bus must use a unique primary address.

Quick start

  1. Install NI-488.2 and connect the analyzer.
  2. Start HP-8590.exe.
  3. Open SYSTEM → GPIB SETUP.
  4. Enter the board number and analyzer address.
  5. Select SYSTEM → CONNECT.
  6. Run SYSTEM → IDENTITY as the first communication test.
  7. Use FREQUENCY, AMPLITUDE, BANDWIDTH, SWEEP, TRACE, and MARKER to configure the measurement.
  8. Save the result using FILE / HELP → EXPORT HD PNG or EXPORT CSV.

Select SYSTEM → DEMO MODE to explore the complete application without a connected analyzer.

Download

[Download HP-8590 Control v2.0.2 – complete package]

The package contains:

  • Ready-to-run Release application.
  • Complete source code.
  • English user and technical manual in PDF and Word formats.
  • Verification report.
  • Automated unit/data and GUI smoke tests.

Verification

  • Debug and Release builds completed without warnings.
  • 9 unit/data tests passed.
  • 25 automated GUI checks passed.
  • MORE-to-MAIN navigation and the combined GPIB Setup dialog are explicitly tested.

Live electrical GPIB communication and model-specific firmware behavior must still be verified against the target analyzer. A complete hardware-acceptance checklist is included in the manual.

Calibration safety

SAFE CAL BACKUP records readable identification, correction status, and instrument settings. It is not a complete NVRAM image.

Never restore or modify analyzer calibration data without the correct HP service procedure, a verified backup, and knowledge of the exact analyzer model and firmware.

Documentation and measurement export

HP-8590 Control makes it easy to save repeatable spectrum measurements without relying on the analyzer’s memory card system or photographs of the display.

Exports can include:

  • High-resolution 1920 × 1080 PNG images.
  • CSV files with frequency or zero-span time values.
  • Marker information.
  • Event and optional raw GPIB communication logs.

Link to program:

hp-8590-2-02.zip

 

 

 

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