HP 8552B Spectrum Analyzer IF Section Plugin Module Hewlett-Packard 141T

HP 8552B Spectrum Analyzer IF Section Plugin Module Hewlett-Packard 141T

The HP 8552B is the IF Section plugin for the Hewlett-Packard 141T spectrum analyzer mainframe system. It provides the intermediate frequency processing, sweep timing, video filtering, and display-drive functions that turn the 141T mainframe into a complete spectrum analysis system. The 8552B pairs with an RF Section plugin (such as the 8553B, 8554B, or 8555A) to define the overall frequency range and input characteristics of the system.

Specifications & What's Included

• Manufacturer: Hewlett-Packard (HP)
• Model: 8552B Spectrum Analyzer — IF Section
• Form Factor: Plugin module for HP 141T mainframe
• Compatible mainframe: HP 141T Spectrum Analyzer
• Compatible RF sections: HP 8553B, 8554B, 8555A, and similar 14x-series plugins
• Log reference level control with scale selections: 2 dB Log, 10 dB Log, Linear
• Scan Time Per Division: calibrated dial in milliseconds (1.2, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100ms ranges)
• Video Filter: OFF, 10 kHz, 100 Hz, 10 Hz
• Scan Mode: Single, Man, Ext, Int
• Scan Trigger: Video, Ext, Line, Auto
• Manual Scan knob and Base Line Clipper control on front panel
• Display Adjust: Horizontal Position, Vertical Gain controls
• Cal Output: −30 dBm (7.1 mV), 30 MHz — BNC connector
• Pen Lift / Trig Blank Input — BNC connector
• Vertical Output — BNC connector
• Scan In/Out — BNC connector
• Internal fuses: F1 1A, F2 1A
• Power supply rails: −10 VDC, −12.6 VDC (supplied by mainframe)
• Internal module: MOD TG-2 (visible on rear panel label)
• Serial Number: 2138A20616 (see internal_fields)
• IF Section plugin only — no mainframe, RF section, cables, or accessories included

Applications

The HP 141T modular spectrum analyzer system was introduced by Hewlett-Packard in the late 1960s and remained a standard piece of RF and microwave test equipment through the 1980s. The system used a mainframe-plus-plugin architecture: the 141T mainframe provided the CRT display and power, the IF Section (8552B) handled sweep, video filtering, and log amplification, and the RF Section plugin determined the frequency coverage. This made the system highly flexible — a single mainframe could be configured for different frequency ranges simply by swapping plugins. The 8552B specifically remains sought after by engineers maintaining vintage HP spectrum analyzer systems, by universities and hobbyist labs keeping legacy test equipment operational, and by collectors of classic Hewlett-Packard instrumentation. It is also compatible with other HP 140-series mainframe variants used in the same era of RF measurement work.