Rohde & Schwarz CMU200 Universal Radio Communication Tester resources

Rohde & Schwarz CMU200 Universal Radio Communication Tester resources

Introduction

This post is a collection of information for the Rohde & Schwarz CMU200 Universal Radio Communication Tester that I have purchased. They can be bought on eBay and other places often for a very reasonable sum. In its day it was an expensive but capable instrument.

While the CMU200 is primarily designed for testing now obsolete mobile phone equipment, it can be used for working with analog radio. It has a spectrum analyser, RF generator, RF power measurement and with the option, an audio test set. While not directly having a tracking generator function, there are two PC programs that allow it to be used for testing filters. It can also be done with a noise source or an external tracking generator.

The CMU200 uses an embedded Celeron or similar AMD processor running MS-DOS. It has an internal IDE HDD that is wise to replace as the instrument can do tens of thousands of hours. An IDE SSD allows the instrument to boot much faster.

Documentation is available from R&S. The CMU200 is discussed often in the eevblog forum.

The CMU200 can be used with a PC via a GPIB USB adaptor. There is R&S and third party software that increases the instument's functionality.

I have compared a duplexer response with the CMU200 and Siglent SSA3021Z with a $20 noise source and the Siglent's tracking generator.

My machine while replacing HDD, yes that is it on the top. The screen is dimmed around the edge presumably from curling of reflector around fluro tube. Will fix/replace. Screen is spectrum analyser showing local DVB-T TV stations. Nice!

Resources

Search "CMU200" in:
https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/home_48230.html
https://gloris.rohde-schwarz.com/anonymous/en/pages/toplevel/home.html?    must register (free)
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.php
https://www.mikrocontroller.net

Replace HDD with SSD

My analyser had its original HDD c2000 with 35000 hours. As such I was keen to back it up and replace it. No trouble extracting HDD or backing it up. I unsuccessfully tried the Kingspec drive as per below, but the drive was not recognized. I did the same with an old 20GB HDD from a laptop and that worked fine. My analyser uses earlier AMD CPU and older BIOS. That may be the difference? Cute using PS2 keyboard on an instrument to do MSDOS.

cut and paste from eevblog forum in italics

"The HDD-Raw-Copy-Tool tool does a sector by sector copy of the entire drive. The resulting RAW image can be opened by a tool like PowerISO and this what I used to upgraded the CMU200 DOS software.

 Both the CMU200 Celeron and CRTU-RU Pentium III boards have worked with various Fujitsu 20GB and IBM 30GB IDE drives I have connected.  BIOS has autodetected all OK. I have replaced the CMU200 drive with Kingspec PATA IDE 2.5" 32GB SSD and again HDD-Raw-Copy-Tool was used to write the image to the drive before installation. Now the CMU200 boots like a rocket.

 I note the Award BIOS FLASH tool and bios image can be found in \internal\install\bios folder. Run the batch file FLASH.BAT to reflash."



"1) remove the hard drive from the CMU, and attached is to a device like this: http://www.dx.com/p/unitek-y-3321-usb3-0-to-ide-sata-hard-disk-drive-hdd-docking-converter-black-230128

 2) made an exact image of the drive to a file with this software: http://hddguru.com/software/HDD-Raw-Copy-Tool/ (I used the portable version to avoid installing the software)

 3) removed an IDE harddrive from a back-up USB drive I had lying around (the HD in my CMU was a 20GB one, but I replaced it with a 40GB one without any issues

 4) restored the image from the file to the "new" HD using the same software as in step 2"

Screen fix: LCD & EFI glass

LCD fix or replace

The screens can fail or go dim. A dim screen seems to often be just the reflector curling around the tube. The tube back-light can be replaced with LED strip.
Detailed fix:  http://www.rbarrios.com/projects/LCD2LED/
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/repair/rohde-schwarz-cmu200-lcd-backlight-success/

It seems possible to replace the screen with a new one. The screen seems to be a Sharp LQ084V1DG21  They are on eBay for US$100+. I have ordered one and will replace it when it arrives, with a report here. Main trouble with mine was EFI glass.

PDF: https://www.mouser.com/ds/2/365/LQ084V1DG21_SP_071305-184349.pdf
Graphic LCD Display Module Transmissive Red, Green, Blue (RGB) TFT - Color Parallel, 18-Bit (RGB) 8.4" (213.36mm) 640 x 480 (VGA)

EFI glass

The EFI glass commonly discolours. It was the main problem with my CMU200. Removing the glass fixed the problem, but getting a replacement EFI glass is a problem, but looking. The screen is still a little dim and I will replace it.

Manuals

Operating, quick start and service manuals:
http://www3.rohde-schwarz.com/www/FileTranCS.nsf/alias/sr001Man?OpenDocument

manufacturer page:

https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/en/product/cmu200-productstartpage_63493-7830.html

and the brochure:
https://cdn.rohde-schwarz.com/pws/dl_downloads/dl_common_library/dl_brochures_and_datasheets/pdf_1/CMU200_bro_en.pdf

Detailed specifications:
http://www.upc.edu/sct/documents_equipament/d_175_id-448.pdf

Service manual:
https://www.ntecusa.com/docs/RS_CMU200_CMU300_other.pdf

Drivers
https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/driver/cmu200/

Firmware

Only the most recent firmware seems to be available from R&S. Earlier versions seem to have expired. Probably a good idea to keep a copy of current firmware before updating. May be a good idea not to update if little extra functionalityis added. See firmware text file for earlier versions.

CMU200 last firmware downloadable via R&S GLORIS account (picture is screen shot from GLORIS not links). Other links are below.

Base 5.21 firmware
http://www3.rohde-schwarz.com/www/FileTranCS.nsf/alias/SR001Z?OpenDocument
CMU200_GSM_5.22
http://www3.rohde-schwarz.com/www/FileTranCS.nsf/alias/SR003Z?OpenDocument
http://www3.rohde-schwarz.com/www/FileTranCS.nsf/alias/SR004Z?OpenDocument
http://www3.rohde-schwarz.com/www/FileTranCS.nsf/alias/SR006Z?OpenDocument
CDMA 2000 MS 5.20 package is here :
http://www3.rohde-schwarz.com/www/FileTranCS.nsf/alias/sr009z2?OpenDocument
http://www3.rohde-schwarz.com/www/FileTranCS.nsf/alias/sr015m?OpenDocument - manual
http://www3.rohde-schwarz.com/www/FileTranCS.nsf/alias/sr015Z?OpenDocument - install

http://www3.rohde-schwarz.com/www/FileTranCS.nsf/alias/DATS?OpenDocument - It is PC part of CMU-K92 option, GPRS application testing package. Manual is also there.




All new firmware?
http://gotroot.ca/cmu200/

Text file from eevblog?
https://www.mikrocontroller.net/attachment/337287/EEVBLOG_CMU200.txt

R&S software

CMU200 Software- CMUgo- Remote control software
https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/au/software/cmu200/

RSCommander
https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/de/applikationen/rscommander-flexibles-software-tool-fuer-instrumente-von-rohde-schwarz-application-note_56280-15410.html

The free software FreRes from Rohde & Schwarz allows to make sweep and test for example filters or duplexers.
https://www.rohde-schwarz.com/us/applications/freres-program-for-frequency-response-measurements-application-note_56280-15551.html
https://www.keysight.com/upload/cmc_upload/All/readme_IOLibraries_18_1_22603_1.htm?&cc=US&lc=eng

Third Party software

http://vma-satellite.blogspot.pt/2018/03/vma-simple-spectrum-analyser-for-crtu.html
https://vma-satellite.blogspot.com/2018/06/remote-control-of-r-cmu200-and-crtu.html
https://vma-satellite.blogspot.com/2018/03/vma-simple-spectrum-analyser-for-crtu_24.html

My unit

Serial Number: 10133X, X=bd-23
Options
CMU-B11 (HW): Reference oscillator OXCO, aging 2 X 10E-7/year
CMU-B12 (HW): Reference oscillator OXCO, aging 3.5x10E-8/year
CMU-B21 (HW): Universal signalling unit CMU-B21V14 incl. CMU-B54
CMU-B41 (HW): Audio Generator and Analyzer
CMU-B83 (HW): CDMA2000® signaling unit (requires R&S®CMU-U65)
CMU-U61 (HW): PCMCIA
CMU-U65 (HW): Upgrade kit for CMU200: Measurement DSP module for measurement speed improvement
CMU-K29 (SW): Analog AMPS, for CMU-B21, CMU-B41 required V5.20
CMU-K84 (SW): CDMA2000 (cellular band) for CMU-B83 V5.20
CMU-K85 (SW): CDMA2000 (PCS band) for CMU-B83r V5.20
Hardware
Front Module: FMR5
CPU: AMD K6-III
Memory: 128 MB
Firmware: V8.50 02.05.06

Duplexer tuning

A duplexer response with the CMU200 and Siglent SSA3021Z with a $20 noise source and the Siglent's tracking generator, respectively. The tracking generator is best, not surprisingly, but the noise source with the CMU200 is quite usable. Adjusting for insertion loss would be awkward. A noise source avoids needing a PC to run the tracking generator in the CMU200.





VMA simple spectrum analyser/remote-control-of-r-cmu200

I tried out VMA's spectrum analyser software with a Agilent 82357B USB GPIB adapter and the . Needed to read the instructions, but easy enough to get going. Works nicely, giving a waterfall to the CMU200 spectrum.

The Keysight IO control package screen


VMA's spectrum analyser screen shot showing waterfall and eight local DVB-T free to air channels. Nice!


The CMU200 screen set as per the last VMA photo above (with EFI glass removed, no brown edge, but still a bit dim)




Comments

  1. Sinewave11 July 2018 at 18:05

    How could you ever be disappointed with a rohde-schwarz. Half the fun is learning all the features.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dr Andrew (Drew) Wollin11 July 2018 at 21:24

    Yes, they are a great bit of gear. Certainly a lot of features. Part of the point of the blog post is to document things so I can find them again.

    I have just imaged another HDD and put it and a copy on DVD in the machine so there are always two copies.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Unknown1 November 2018 at 17:12

    Witam.
    Mam problem z softem w cmu200,czy mogę liczyć na obraz ISO.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jesper Friis Brahe12 November 2018 at 09:48

    Hey all
    I am considering buying a cmu200 Does anybody know if you can make a phase measurement with this instrument. I need to measure gain and phase for antenna OTA measurement.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Dr Andrew (Drew) Wollin12 November 2018 at 12:16

    For phase you need a vector network analyser.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Unknown29 July 2019 at 02:22

    Hi.
    I am searching for information about a NONVOLATILE RAM EMPTY OR WITHOUT POWER SUPPLY message while booting.
    Any help welcomed.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Jeffrey M. Swiger ( N8NOE )20 September 2019 at 05:54

    Do you have Dimensions of this? I will need a Cart for it at work, have one coming in..?

    ReplyDelete
  8. Unknown1 September 2020 at 20:07

    Is the VSA hardware in the CMU200 as capable as the Agilent E4406A? Is there any software for the CMU200 that has the same level of capabilities as the Agilent 89600A software?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dr Andrew (Drew) Wollin2 September 2020 at 19:33

      The CMU200 is a more convenient analog spectrum analyser than the E4406A.

      I have not been able to find similar software for the CMU200 compared to the 89600A. Not that the 89600A software is that easy to use, especially as it needs hacking to use with old test hardware; but can be done.

      Delete
    2. hardy hansen7 April 2021 at 17:07

      The cmu200 are more like an traditional spectrum analyzer--the E4406A is an fft machine--but combined with the Agilent 89601a software it outperforms most other solutions--so if you have both you are in great luck

      Delete
    3. Dr Andrew (Drew) Wollin7 April 2021 at 17:42

      Thanks for the comment. Yes, the two machines are different but useful. Most modern spectrum analysers seem to include a lot of the functionality of the Agilent software, but at considerable cost. I do amateur TV and have been impressed with the signal analysis software that is available with cheap dongle or amateur designed receivers, for both DVB-T and DVD-S.

      Delete
    4. hardy hansen7 April 2021 at 22:59

      Hi Drew
      Do you have acces to an E4406a?
      Regards
      Hardy

      Delete
  9. Dr Andrew (Drew) Wollin8 April 2021 at 01:07

    Yes, but haven't used it for ages. There are some notes about it in a blog post.

    https://vk4zxi.blogspot.com/2018/11/modulation-analysis-agilent-89600-vsa.html

    ReplyDelete
  10. Unknown18 August 2021 at 06:20

    Hello,
    Can you please tell me what is the file structure on a compact flash for firmware update? Thank you.
    Best regards,
    Heitor

    ReplyDelete
  11. Unknown19 January 2022 at 23:08

    The CF card on the front panel needs to be basic DOS format, as the screen controller is just an embedded DOS PC that drives this. The front panel embedded PC also has an ethernet port for remote access / config, but it is not wired anywhere. You can get to it by removing the front panel PC. The firmware and OS in the RF cards are all LINUX based, accessible thru the Ethernet port on the rear. It's a bit old school.

    ReplyDelete
  12. fårulv21 April 2022 at 05:27

    Hello,
    I have a CMU200 with base V5.20 and VersionManager V4.06. Tried to update it with option 29. Downloaded IS1MV5.20.exe and unpacked it with the result folder ISMV5.20 Installed it with R&S RemoteServiceTool V1.7.1. Everything seemed to be going well. But when CMU200 rebooted, I got the message: The version you selected is corrupt! (and so on). IS1MV5.20.exe was downloaded from https://gotroot.ca/cmu200/ Does anyone have any idea what might be wrong?

    ReplyDelete
  13. Dr Andrew (Drew) Wollin21 April 2022 at 17:18

    I am afraid not. Sorry. There is a CMU200 interest group on Facebook. Some of the members are very familiar with the gear.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. fårulv24 April 2022 at 04:45

      The problem is solved.

      It turned out that my CMU200 was the older model with FrontModule FMR5 but it was equipped with Base V5.20. Downgraded to version V5.10 and now it works as it should.

      I found the V5.10 files via CMU200 Facebook group. Thanks so much for the tip.

      Delete

Post a Comment