HP 3712A 3793B IF/BB Receiver Diff Phase Detector Microwave Link Analyzer

HP 3712A 3793B IF/BB Receiver Diff Phase Detector Microwave Link Analyzer

The HP 3712A IF/BB Receiver and HP 3793B Differential Phase Detector together form the receiver portion of the Hewlett-Packard Microwave Link Analyzer system. The 3712A handles intermediate frequency (IF) and baseband (BB) signal reception and display, while the 3793B provides differential phase detection and phase lock/level measurement — both housed in a single integrated benchtop chassis with a built-in CRT oscilloscope display.

Specifications & What's Included

• HP 3712A IF/BB Receiver module
• HP 3793B Differential Phase Detector module
• Combined integrated benchtop chassis with CRT oscilloscope display and graticule
• Power requirements: 220/240V – 1AT or 100/120V – 3AT fuse configurations; 48–66 Hz; 160 VA max
• Front panel: Y1 Display section (Gain, Position, IF Flat, BB Flat, Slave, Y-Ext Input controls)
• Front panel: Y2 Display section (Gain, Position, IF Flat, BB Flat, Slave controls)
• Front panel: BB Level (dBm) digital display with Return Loss indicator
• Front panel: Power Measurement section with analog baseband power meter
• Front panel: Spectrum and Sweep Source selection
• Front panel: IF Level (dBm) control
• Front panel: Digital LED frequency readout (MHz)
• Front panel: Phase Adjust, Blanking, LPIC, Calibration controls (3712A section)
• 3793B section: Phase Lock/Level display, Set Level, Phase Lock, BB Frequency selector
• 3793B section: Diff Phase Calibration controls, Display Bandwidth control
• 3793B section: Markers (Off / Comb MHz / Sliding)
• Rear panel: X-Y Recorder output (5-pin DIN connector)
• Rear panel: Normaliser D-Sub connector
• Rear panel: Slave Y1, Slave Y2, Slave Output, Ext Sweep Input, Y1/Y2 BNC connectors
• Rear panel: IEC AC power inlet with fuse holder
• Rear ventilation fans with air filter (periodic cleaning required per service manual)

Applications

The HP Microwave Link Analyzer system was designed for testing and analyzing microwave radio relay links and satellite communications (Satcom) systems. The 3712A IF/BB Receiver demodulates and displays IF and baseband signals from microwave link receivers, allowing engineers to evaluate signal quality, noise, and level. The 3793B Differential Phase Detector measures phase noise and differential phase distortion in the baseband signal — a critical parameter for digital microwave links carrying PDH/SDH or analog FDM traffic. Together these instruments were widely used by telecommunications carriers, satellite earth station operators, and microwave link engineers from the 1970s through the 1990s to commission, maintain, and troubleshoot point-to-point microwave and Satcom links. This system is sought today by legacy telecom labs, Satcom maintenance facilities, and collectors of HP/Agilent precision test equipment.