Agilent Technologies 53181A Operating Manual
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Agilent Technologies 53181A Operating Manual

225 mhz frequency counter
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Agilent 53181A
225 MHz Frequency Counter
Operating Guide
Manual Part Number 53181-90001
Printed in Malaysia

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Summary of Contents for Agilent Technologies 53181A

  • Page 1 Agilent 53181A 225 MHz Frequency Counter Operating Guide Manual Part Number 53181-90001 Printed in Malaysia...
  • Page 2 NOTES...
  • Page 3 Agilent 53181A Operating Guide This guide describes how to use the Agilent 53181A 225 MHz Frequency Counter. Agilent 53181A 225 MHz Frequency Counter...
  • Page 4 Certification All Rights Reserved. Reproduction, operating power before cleaning. BODILY INJURY OR DEATH adaptation, or translations without Agilent Technologies certifies that MAY RESULT FROM Warning Symbols That May Be prior written permission is this product met its published FAILURE TO HEED A...
  • Page 5 AGILENT SPECIFICALLY via an autotransformer (for voltage For any assistance, contact your DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED reduction) make sure the common nearest Agilent Technologies Sales WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS terminal is connected to the earthed and Service Office. OF MERCHANTABILITY, pole terminal (neutral) of the power SATISFACTORY QUALITY, AND source.
  • Page 6 Date Art Nanawa, Product Regulations Manager For further information, please contact your local Agilent Technologies sales office, agent or distributor. Authorized EU-representative: Agilent Technologies Deutschland GmbH, Herrenberger Stra β e 130, D 71034 Böblingen, Germany Revision: A Document No. 53131A...

  • Page 7: Table Of Contents

    Accessories Supplied xviii Accessories Available xviii Agilent 53181A Quick Reference Guide Getting Started The Front Panel at a Glance The Front Panel Indicators at a Glance The Front Panel Indicators at a Glance (Cont.) The Front Panel Menus at a Glance The Front Panel Menus at a Glance (Cont.)
  • Page 8 Contents The Limit Test Graph Characters at a Glance 1-10 The Rear Panel at a Glance 1-11 Making Measurements 1-12 To Measure Frequency 1-14 To Select Input Coupling and Impedance 1-15 Selecting Input Coupling 1-15 Selecting Input Impedance 1-15 To Set Input Channel Trigger Level/Sensitivity 1-16 Changing Trigger Mode 1-16...
  • Page 9 Contents Operating Your Frequency Counter Introduction Chapter Summary Where to Find Some Key Working Examples How this Counter Works for You Summary of the Measurement Sequence Using the Measurement Control Keys (Run and Stop/Single) Overview of the Measurement Control Keys To Use the Measurement Control Keys Using Entry/Select (Arrow) Keys To Use During Numeric Entry...
  • Page 10 Contents Example Procedure for Changing the Number of Digits of Resolution Displayed for More Precise Measurements 2-19 Using the MATH Menu Keys 2-21 Overview of Scale/Offset Math Menu 2-21 To Use the Scale/Offset Math Menu 2-22 Example Procedure for Scale Function 2-22 Example Procedure for Offset Function 2-23...
  • Page 11 Contents Limits Testing Example 5—Sending the Limit-Detect Output to the RS-232 Serial Port 2-38 Using the DISPLAY Digits Keys 2-39 Overview of the DISPLAY Digits Keys 2-39 To Use the DISPLAY Digits Keys 2-40 Using CHANNEL 1 Input Conditioning Keys 2-41 Overview of Trigger/Sensitivity Menu 2-41...
  • Page 12 Contents To Configure the RS-232 Serial Port for Sending Limit-Detect Output 2-60 To Select the Numerical Convention for the Display 2-61 To Connect the Counter to a Serial Printer via the RS-232 Port 2-61 To Connect the Counter to a Printer via GPIB 2-62 To Select the GPIB Talk-Only Mode for Printing 2-62...
  • Page 13 Contents Measurement Arming and Processing 3-16 General Information 3-17 Index Operating Guide...
  • Page 14 Contents Operating Guide...
  • Page 15 In This Guide This book is the operating guide for the Agilent 53181A 225 MHz Frequency Counter. It consists of a table of contents, this preface, a quick reference guide, three chapters, and an index. This preface contains the following information: page xii •...

  • Page 16: In This Guide

    In This Guide Contents and Organization The Table of Contents lists the beginning of each chapter in the guide, helping you locate information. The Preface introduces you to the operating guide, the Frequency Counter, and provides general information about the Counter. The Quick Reference Guide consists of a Menu Tree (tear-out sheet) that serves as a tool to trigger your memory or get you quickly reacquainted with the instrument, and Menu Roadmaps that illustrate how to navigate through the menus.

  • Page 17: Related Documents

    In This Guide Related Documents For more information on counters refer to the following Series 200 Application Notes: • Fundamentals of Electronic Frequency Counters Application Note 200—Agilent part number 02-5952-7506. • Understanding Frequency Counter Specifications Application Note 200-4— Agilent part number 02-5952-7522. Operating Guide xiii...

  • Page 18: Types Of Service Available If Your Instrument Fails

    • Use the Assembly-Level Service Guide and repair the unit yourself. Standard Repair Services (Worldwide) Contact your nearest Agilent Technologies Service Center. They will arrange to have your Counter repaired. Express Repair/Performance Calibration Service (USA Only) If downtime is critical, you can receive your repaired Counter via overnight shipment.

  • Page 19: Repackaging For Shipment

    If the original shipping container is not available, place your unit in a container which will ensure at least 4 inches of compressible packaging material around all sides of the unit. Use static free packaging materials to avoid additional damage to your unit. Agilent Technologies suggests that you always insure shipments. Operating Guide...

  • Page 20: Description Of The 225 Mhz Frequency Counter

    Programmable control is performed via an GPIB. The GPIB and a talk-only RS-232C serial port are standard for the Agilent 53181A. The serial port is for printing measured and analyzed data on serial printers, or for outputting an out-of-limit signal.

  • Page 21: Options

    In This Guide Options The options available for the Agilent 53181A 225 MHz Frequency Counter are listed following this paragraph. Specifications for the options are listed in Chapter 3, “Specifications.” If you’ve purchased an option with the initial order, it will be installed at the factory and ready for operation at delivery.

  • Page 22: Accessories Supplied And Available

    In This Guide Accessories Supplied and Available Accessories Supplied • Power cord, 2.3 meters Accessories Available • Agilent 34161A Accessory Pouch • Agilent 34131A Transit Case • Printer RS-232 Interface cables, Agilent 24542G or Agilent 24542H • GPIB cables, Agilent 10833A/B/C/D xviii Operating Guide...

  • Page 23: Agilent 53181A Quick Reference Guide

    Frequency Counter. It is intended to be used as a tool to trigger your memory. If you are using the Agilent 53181A for the first time, Agilent recommends that you at least read Chapter 1, “Getting Started,” in the Operating Guide first.
  • Page 24 Preface Operating Guide...
  • Page 25 Agilent 53181A Frequency Counter Freq Other Gate & Ch 1 Meas ExtArm FREQUENCY 1 PERIOD 1 GATE: TIME GATE: AUTO GATE: EXTERNL GATE: DIGITS RATIO 1 TO 2 TIME: .100 s START: POS DIGITS: 4 RATIO 2 TO 1 START:...
  • Page 26 Agilent 53181A Frequency Counter Recall Save & Trigger Print Sensitivity NO REGISTERS SAVE: AUTO TRG: ON AUTO TRG: RECALL 0 UNSAVE: LEVEL: 50 PCT LEVEL: 0.000V RECALL 1 PRINT: OFF RECALL 2 PRINT: SLOPE: POS RECALL 3 PRT HELP: NO...
  • Page 27 Agilent 53181A Frequency Counter Other Freq Freq Meas Ch 2 Ch 1 MEASURE Freq Freq Other Ch 1 Ch 2 Meas Freq Freq Other FREQUENCY 1 FREQUENCY 2 PERIOD 1 Ch 1 Ch 2 Meas Other RATIO 1 TO 2...
  • Page 28 Agilent 53181A Frequency Counter Gate & ExtArm MEASURE Gate & Freq – – – – – – – – – – – – FREQUENCY 1 ExtArm Ch 1 Gate & Gate & GATE: TIME TIME: .100 ExtArm ExtArm Enter TIME: .200...
  • Page 29 Agilent 53181A Frequency Counter Uppr & Limit Lower Modes LIMITS Uppr & Lower Enter Uppr & UPPR: 0.000000 UPPR: 5.100000 Lower Enter Uppr & LOWR: 0.000000 LOWR: 4.900000 Lower Limit Modes Limit LIM TEST: LIM TEST: Modes LIM TEST: Limit...
  • Page 30 Agilent 53181A Frequency Counter Scale & Offset MATH Scale & Offset Enter Scale & SCAL: 1.000000 SCAL: 2.000000 Offset Enter Scale & OFFS: 0.000000 OFFS: 0.500000 Offset Scale & SET REF: Offset SET REF: Enter SET REF: OFFS:-nnnnnnn SET REF: HELP Scale &...
  • Page 31 Agilent 53181A Frequency Counter Stats MATH Stats Stats SHOW: Stats Enter SHOW: MEAS SHOW: STD DEV SHOW: MEAN Stats STATS: SHOW: SHOW: STATS: STATS: Stats USE: USE: ALL MEAS USE: IN LIMIT Stats ON SINGLE: ON SINGLE: ON SINGLE:...
  • Page 32 Agilent 53181A Frequency Counter Trigger Sensitivity CHANNEL 1 Trigger Sensitivity AUTO TRG: AUTO TRG: AUTO TRG: Trigger LEVEL: 0.000V Sensitivity LEVEL: 2.000V Trigger LEVEL: 50 PCT Sensitivity LEVEL: 80 PCT Enter Trigger SLOPE: Sensitivity Trigger SLOPE: Sensitivity SLOPE: Trigger SENSTVTY:...
  • Page 33 Getting Started...

  • Page 34: Getting Started The Front Panel At A Glance

    Chapter 1 Getting Started The Front Panel at a Glance The Front Panel at a Glance CHANNEL 2 5 3181A 3 GHz 100 MHz to MAX FREQUENCY COUNTER µs + / – Enter Gate Damage Lvl: Period Freq Ch 1 Ch 2 Limit ExtRef 5V rms MAX.50Ω...

  • Page 35: The Front Panel Indicators At A Glance

    Chapter 1 Getting Started The Front Panel Indicators at a Glance The Front Panel Indicators at a Glance There are eight different groups of indicators or LEDs. They are listed and described in the following table. Indicators Description of the Indicators When the indicator for the Freq Ch 1 or Freq Ch 2 keys is lit, it indicates that the Frequency function is enabled for the Freq...

  • Page 36: The Front Panel Indicators At A Glance (Cont.)

    Chapter 1 Getting Started The Front Panel Indicators at a Glance (Cont.) The Front Panel Indicators at a Glance (Cont.) Indicators Description of the Indicators When this indicator flashes, it indicates that the Counter is triggering on the input signal. If the input signal is too high, this indicator remains ON.

  • Page 37: The Front Panel Menus At A Glance

    Chapter 1 Getting Started The Front Panel Menus at a Glance The Front Panel Menus at a Glance Freq Other Gate & ExtArm Ch 1 Meas GATE: AUTO GATE: DIGITS FREQUENCY 1 PERIOD 1 GATE: TIME GATE: EXTERNL RATIO 1 TO 2 TIME: .100 s START: POS DIGITS: 4...

  • Page 38: The Front Panel Menus At A Glance (Cont.)

    Chapter 1 Getting Started The Front Panel Menus at a Glance (Cont.) The Front Panel Menus at a Glance (Cont.) Recall Save & Trigger Print Sensitivity NO REGISTERS SAVE: AUTO TRG: ON AUTO TRG: RECALL 0 UNSAVE: LEVEL: 50 PCT LEVEL: 0.000V RECALL 1...
  • Page 39 Chapter 1 Getting Started The Front Panel Menus at a Glance (Cont.) The Front Panel Menus at a Glance (Cont.) NOTE Turn power off, press and hold Recall (Utility) key, then press POWER key to access this menu. POWER Utility Recall On / Stby REV:...

  • Page 40: The Display Annunciators At A Glance

    Chapter 1 Getting Started The Display Annunciators at a Glance The Display Annunciators at a Glance µs Gate Period Freq Ch 1 Ch 2 Limit ExtRef Annunciator Indication Period Counter is set to measure Period. Freq Counter is set to measure Frequency. Ch 1 Counter’s channel 1 is selected to measure an input signal.

  • Page 41: The Display Special Characters At A Glance

    Chapter 1 Getting Started The Display Special Characters at a Glance The Display Special Characters at a Glance Freq Ch 2 The Underscore Placeholder Special Character Description A placeholder that indicates the digit has been blanked using the Display Digits keys. Freq Ch 1 The Asterisk Placeholder...

  • Page 42: The Limit Test Graph Characters At A Glance

    Chapter 1 Getting Started The Limit Test Graph Characters at a Glance The Limit Test Graph Characters at a Glance Freq Ch 1 Special Character Description The colons represent the lower and upper limits. The asterisk represents the last measurement. 1-10 Operating Guide...

  • Page 43: The Rear Panel At A Glance

    Chapter 1 Getting Started The Rear Panel at a Glance The Rear Panel at a Glance WARNING: NO OPERATOR SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE, REFER SERVICING TO SERVICE TRAINED PERSONNEL. AC LINE: ISM 1-A FOR LABORATORY USE BY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL FOUR USAGE EN LABORATOIRE PAR PERSONNEL QUALIFIE OPTIONS 001 MS Oven...

  • Page 44: Making Measurements

    Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements Making Measurements One of the first things you will want to do with your Counter is to become acquainted with its front panel. Therefore, we have written the procedures in this section to familiarize you with some of its controls. The following procedures are provided: •...
  • Page 45 Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements Study and refer to the following legend, as needed, to understand the meaning of the icons which are used throughout this chapter. Legend 1 Press key one time and 5 Result 9 Indicator off release 6 Auto operation 10 Indicator on...

  • Page 46: To Measure Frequency

    Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements To Measure Frequency POWER µs Gate Period Freq Ch 1 Ch 2 Limit ExtRef On / Stby Freq Ch 1 Freq Ch 1 Connect (for demonstration purposes) the Counter’s rear-panel 10 MHz Out signal to CHANNEL 1 input as shown in the illustrated procedure, below.

  • Page 47: To Select Input Coupling And Impedance

    Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements If you need or want to change CHANNEL 1’s coupling, impedance, and triggering conditions to match the input signal you are trying to measure, the next procedures “To Select Input Coupling and Impedance” and “To Set Input Channel Trigger Level/Sensitivity”...

  • Page 48: To Set Input Channel Trigger Level/Sensitivity

    Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements If you want to change the input impedance back to the default 1 MΩimpedance, perform the following step. 50Ω 1MΩ Gate Freq Ch 1 To Set Input Channel Trigger Level/Sensitivity Changing Trigger Mode Trigger Sensitivity Press any one of these arrow keys to toggle to the next state of Auto Trigger.

  • Page 49: Modifying Input Trigger Level

    Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements Modifying Input Trigger Level Trigger Sensitivity The leftmost “0” digit in the LEVEL display is highlighted, indicating that if you press the d key once the displayed value will increase to 1.000 volt as shown in the following step.

  • Page 50: Selecting Input Trigger Slope

    Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements Selecting Input Trigger Slope Trigger Sensitivity Display 1, 7/13/92 Display 1, 7/13/92 Refer to the sub-section titled “To Use the Trigger/Sensitivity Key to Adjust Counter’s Trigger Voltage and Sensitivity Levels” in Chapter 2 for more information about trigger slope, if needed.

  • Page 51: Starting The Measurement

    Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements Starting the Measurement Gate Freq Ch 1 The Run key initiates repetitive measurements, and is described in the section titled “To Control Measurement” at the end of this chapter. To Select Scale and Offset The Scale &...

  • Page 52: Entering The Offset Value

    Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements Press and hold the d key until the value of Scale is 10 as shown in the following step. Enter NOTE BE SURE to press the Enter key to enter the value of 10. The Scale is now set to 10, and MATH has been enabled.

  • Page 53: Displaying The Math Results

    Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements Press the s key six more times to cause the Counter to display your entry in Mega units as shown in the following step. The leftmost “0” digit in the OFFSet display is highlighted, indicating that if you press d key once the displayed value will increase to 1 Mega (that is, 1E6) as shown in the following step.

  • Page 54: Disabling Math

    Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements Disabling Math Scale & Offset Display 1, 7/13/92 Display 1, 7/13/92 Note that the Scale & Offset key indicator is now off. Gate Freq Ch 1 NOTE DO NOT cycle POWER because you will need to use these Scale and Offset values in the following procedure “To Set Limits of Measurements.”...

  • Page 55: To Set Limits Of Measurements

    Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements To Set Limits of Measurements To demonstrate how Math and Limits work together, use the Scale (10) and Offset (1 Mega) values selected in the previous procedure “To Select Scale and Offset.” Enable Math by performing the following steps. Scale &...

  • Page 56: Setting The Upper Limit

    Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements Setting the Upper Limit LIMITS Uppr & Uppr & Lower Lower Limit Modes Press the s key nine times to cause the Counter to display your entry in hundreds of Mega units as shown in the following step. The leftmost “0”...

  • Page 57: Setting The Lower Limit

    Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements 1 102 Mega Upper Limit 2 101 Mega Scale/Offset Measurement Figure 1-1. 102 Mega Upper Limit Setting Setting the Lower Limit Uppr & Lower Press the arrow keys as shown in the following steps to set the lower limit value. Press the s key nine times to cause the Counter to display your entry in hundreds of Mega units as shown in the following step.
  • Page 58 Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements Limits should now be set as shown in Figure 1-2. 1 102 Mega Upper Limit 2 101 Mega Scale/Offset Measurement 3 100 Mega Lower Limit Figure 1-2. 100 Mega Lower and 102 Mega Upper Limits Settings Figure 1-3 represents what transpired during this Math and Limits procedure.

  • Page 59: Setting The Counter To Flag And Stop Measuring On Out-Of-Limit Measurements

    Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements Setting the Counter to Flag and Stop Measuring On Out-of-Limit Measurements If you want the Counter to stop measuring when the signal exceeds the limits (102 to 100 Mega) that you entered in the previous procedure, perform the following steps to select the STOP choice in the ON FAIL display.

  • Page 60: Setting The Counter To Flag On Limits But Continue Measuring

    Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements Setting the Counter to Flag On Limits But Continue Measuring Perform the following steps to select the GO ON choice in the ON FAIL display if you want the Counter to continue measuring even though an measurement result exceeds the limits previously entered.

  • Page 61: Disabling Math

    Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements Disabling Math Scale & Offset Display 1, 7/13/92 Display 1, 7/13/92 Gate Freq Ch 1 The Counter is now making measurements without the scale/offset values calculated into the measurements. To Perform Statistics on Measurements Selecting the Type of Statistics (Stats) Suppose you want the Counter to compute and display the standard deviation of the current input data (which is the 10 MHz signal applied to CHANNEL 1).
  • Page 62 Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements Updating the SHOW configuration caused Stats to be enabled. The Stats indicator is now lit. Stats Enter NOTE BE SURE to press the Enter key to enter the value of 20. 1-30 Operating Guide...

  • Page 63: Computing Stats On Filtered Data Only

    Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements The Counter is now set to make statistics based on 20 measurements. Freq Ch 1 Gate Freq Ch 1 Gate Freq Ch 1 In this case, the displayed standard deviation value is computed on all measurements of the 10 MHz signal since no limits were set.
  • Page 64 Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements Perform the following steps to select the IN LIMIT choice in the USE display if you want the Counter to compute statistics on only frequency measurements within the limits you set. Stats Display 1, 7/13/92 Display 1, 7/13/92 Since the Limits were set to 100 Mega and 102 Mega values that are based on a scale of 10 and offset of 1 Mega, you must re-enable Math now to get the measurements to...

  • Page 65: Displaying Stats After Filtering Data Of Input Signal

    Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements Displaying Stats After Filtering Data of Input Signal Let’s assume you have set the upper and lower limits for the input signal, and selected the IN LIMIT (filtering) choice. Now, perform the following steps to display the standard deviation of the filtered measurements.

  • Page 66: Disabling Stats And Math

    Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements Disabling Stats and Math Stats Scale & Offset Display 1, 7/13/92 Display 1, 7/13/92 Gate Freq Ch 1 The Counter is now making and displaying normal measurements (that is, the Counter is not showing statistics or scale/offset results). 1-34 Operating Guide...

  • Page 67: To Control Measurement

    Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements To Control Measurement Use these two keys to control the measurement of the Counter. The Run key provides repetitive measurements, whereas the Stop/Single key allows you to make one Single/ Stop measurement. With the 10 MHz signal still connected to CHANNEL 1, perform the following steps so you can better understand the Run and Stop/Single operations.
  • Page 68 Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements 1-36 Operating Guide...

  • Page 69: Operating Your Frequency Counter

    Operating Your Frequency Counter Operator’s Reference...

  • Page 70: Chapter Summary

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Introduction Introduction This is the operator’s reference chapter which contains information and procedures for the front-panel keys, operating functions, and menus of the Agilent 53181A 225 MHz Frequency Counter. Chapter Summary • How this Counter Works for You page 2-4 •...

  • Page 71: Where To Find Some Key Working Examples

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Introduction Where to Find Some Key Working Examples • Example Procedure for Gate and External Arm page 2-17 • Example Procedure for Changing the Number of page 2-19 Digits of Resolution Displayed for More Precise Measurements •...

  • Page 72: How This Counter Works For You

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter How this Counter Works for You How this Counter Works for You The following text lists some of the key things the Counter does for you. • The Counter presets the menus to default states and values at power-up (refer to Table 2-6 for a detailed list of the preset values).

  • Page 73: Summary Of The Measurement Sequence

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Summary of the Measurement Sequence Summary of the Measurement Sequence Use Utility menu to: • choose the timebase source. • configure the GPIB if you intend to operate the Counter remotely. • set RS-232 serial port if you intend for the Counter to perform printing and/or limit-detecting.

  • Page 74: Using The Measurement Control Keys (Run And Stop/Single)

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Measurement Control Keys (Run and Stop/Single) Using the Measurement Control Keys (Run and Stop/Single) Overview of the Measurement Control Keys Two measurement control keys are provided on the Counter: Run and Stop/Single. In Stop/ general, the Run key provides repetitive measurements while the Stop/Single key Single...

  • Page 75: To Use The Measurement Control Keys

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Measurement Control Keys (Run and Stop/Single) To Use the Measurement Control Keys The following procedure demonstrates how these keys function. Connect power source to Counter, and turn on Counter. All segments of the front-panel display will light up while the Counter performs its power-on self-test, and then dashes are displayed.
  • Page 76 Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Measurement Control Keys (Run and Stop/Single) Press Stop/Single key. One set of N frequency measurements is taken with each press of the Stop/Single key. One set of statistics is computed with each press of the Stop/Single key. Press Stats key until SHOW menu item appears.

  • Page 77: Using Entry/Select (Arrow) Keys

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using Entry/Select (Arrow) Keys Using Entry/Select (Arrow) Keys There are six entry/select keys of which four are “arrow” keys. The function of the four arrow keys and the Enter key depends on the Counter’s operating mode (that is, numeric entry, state changing, sequencing through choices in a menu, etc.).

  • Page 78: To Use On Prompted Help Messages (Math Help: No/Yes, Prt Help: No/Yes)

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using Entry/Select (Arrow) Keys – Limit Modes – Scale & Offset – Stats – Trigger/Sensitivity – 50Ω/1MΩ – DC/AC – X10 Attenuate – 100kHz Filter – Save & Print – Utility Menu • The +/− key is ignored during the state changing operating mode. To Use on Prompted Help Messages (MATH HELP: NO/YES, PRT HELP: NO/YES) When MATH HELP: YES is displayed, press Enter key to display the “(MEAS...

  • Page 79: Using The Measure Menu Keys

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the MEASURE Menu Keys Using the MEASURE Menu Keys Overview of the MEASURE Menus The measurement function menus are divided into three categories: MEASURE Freq Freq • Frequency measurements on Channel 1. Ch 2 Ch 1 Other Gate &...

  • Page 80: To Measure Frequency

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the MEASURE Menu Keys To Measure Frequency Connect power source to Counter, and turn on Counter. All segments of the front-panel display will light up while the Counter performs its power-on self-test, and then dashes are displayed. The Counter is now ready to measure frequency of a signal applied to CHANNEL 1 input.

  • Page 81: To Measure Frequency Ratio (Optional)

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the MEASURE Menu Keys To Measure Frequency Ratio (Optional) Connect signals to be measured to channels 1 and 2. Press Other Meas key until RATIO 1 TO 2 is displayed to measure the frequency ratio between a signal applied to CHANNEL 1 input and a signal applied to the optional CHANNEL 2 input.

  • Page 82: To Measure Positive/Negative Volt Peaks

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the MEASURE Menu Keys To Measure Positive/Negative Volt Peaks Press Other Meas key until VOLT PEAKS 1 is displayed. VOLT PEAKS 1 is momentarily displayed, the Ch1 annunciator lights, and the Counter is ready to measure minimum and maximum voltage peaks of signals applied to CHANNEL 1.

  • Page 83: Using The Gate & External Arm Menu Key

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Gate & External Arm Menu Key Using the Gate & External Arm Menu Key Overview of Gate/External Arming Functions Table 2-2 lists the menus for all the arming configurations, and shows how the Gate MEASURE and External Arming menu changes as a function of the arming mode.

  • Page 84: Digits Arming

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Gate & External Arm Menu Key DIGITS Arming For frequency, period, and frequency ratio, digits arming means you can set the number of digits of resolution that you require your result to provide. Digits arming is demonstrated in the sub-section titled “Example Procedure for Changing the Number of Digits Displayed.”...

  • Page 85: To Use The Gate And External Arm

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Gate & External Arm Menu Key To Use the Gate and External Arm Example Procedure for Gate and External Arm For demonstration purposes, you want to set up the Counter so that it uses an external arm to start a measurement.
  • Page 86 Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Gate & External Arm Menu Key START: POS is displayed. (If START: NEG is displayed instead, then press any one of the arrow keys to toggle to the next state—POS). Press Gate & ExtArm or Enter key. STOP: NEG is displayed.

  • Page 87: Example Procedure For Changing The Number Of Digits Of Resolution Displayed For More Precise Measurements

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Gate & External Arm Menu Key Example Procedure for Changing the Number of Digits of Resolution Displayed for More Precise Measurements Turn POWER key OFF then ON again (cycle POWER key) to preset the Counter. Connect (for demonstration purposes) the 10 MHz Out signal to the channel 1 input.
  • Page 88 Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Gate & External Arm Menu Key To change the display to the better measurement resolution using digits arming, perform the following steps: Press Gate & ExtArm key GATE: AUTO is displayed. b. Press any one of the arrow keys until DIGITS is displayed. Press Gate &...

  • Page 89: Using The Math Menu Keys

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the MATH Menu Keys Using the MATH Menu Keys Note that Math and Limits are not available for Voltage Peaks measurements. Overview of Scale/Offset Math Menu MATH Scale & The Scale and Offset functions within the Math menu allow you to perform simple Offset mathematical operations on the measurement result before it is displayed.

  • Page 90: To Use The Scale/Offset Math Menu

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the MATH Menu Keys To Use the Scale/Offset Math Menu Example Procedure for Scale Function For demonstration purposes, you have a motor that has a tachometer attached to its rotating shaft that generates a pulse for every revolution of the shaft. Your task is to measure the speed or revolutions per minute (rpm) of the tachometer’s output, and make the Counter directly display the measurement in rpm (which is fundamentally a frequency measurement).

  • Page 91: Example Procedure For Offset Function

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the MATH Menu Keys Press the appropriate arrow keys to set the Offset to “0.000000.” b. Press Enter key. NOTE BE SURE to press the Enter key to complete the numeric entry. The offset is now set to 0. Press Run key.

  • Page 92: Example Procedure For Turning Off Math Mode

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the MATH Menu Keys Press Scale & Offset key, if required, until OFFS: is displayed. OFFS: 0.000000 should be displayed. This is the default value. Set the Offset to -222.127 MHz. Refer to the sub-section titled “Entering the Offset Value” in Chapter 1, “Getting Started,”...

  • Page 93: Example Procedure For Set Reference Function-Offset From The Last Measurement Value (Seeing Digits Not Visible On The 12-Digit Display)

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the MATH Menu Keys MATH: OFF is displayed. Now, Scale and Offset no longer are used to modify the displayed result. Press Run key to return the Counter to its normal operation. Example Procedure for Set Reference Function—Offset From the Last Measurement Value (Seeing Digits Not Visible on the 12-Digit Display) The SET REF: YES menu item uses the negative of the last measurement value, rounded to eleven digits, to set the OFFSET.

  • Page 94: Overview Of Statistics (Stats) Menu

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the MATH Menu Keys Note that this value represents the last measurement of the input signal rounded to eleven digits. The Counter uses it as the reference offset value, and reverses the sign from + to −...

  • Page 95: To Use The Stats Menu For Automatic And Continuous Statistical Analysis

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the MATH Menu Keys To Use the Stats Menu for Automatic and Continuous Statistical Analysis Example Procedure for Computing Stats For demonstration purposes, let’s say you need to know the mean (average) and minimum frequency values of a signal.

  • Page 96: Example Procedure For Easy Viewing Of Stats

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the MATH Menu Keys Press Run key. Immediately after the Run key is pressed, the Counter momentarily displays DOING STATS. When the Counter has made 20 valid measurements, it then displays the mean frequency value of the input signal.

  • Page 97: Example Procedure For Filtering Data (Using Limits) During Stats

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the MATH Menu Keys Example Procedure for Filtering Data (Using Limits) During Stats Using the procedure in the previous sub-section titled “Example Procedure for Computing Stats,” set up the Counter to display the minimum frequency value of an input signal.

  • Page 98: Example Procedure For Configuring Single To Initiate N Measurements

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the MATH Menu Keys Example Procedure for Configuring SINGLE to Initiate N Measurements Please refer to the procedure titled “To Use the Measurement Control Keys” on page 2-7 in this chapter for an example use of ON SINGLE. Example Procedure for Turning Off Stats Mode Press Stats key until STATS: ON is displayed.

  • Page 99: Using The Limits Menu Keys

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the LIMITS Menu Keys Using the LIMITS Menu Keys Note that Math and Limits menus are not available for Voltage Peaks measurements. Overview of Limits Menus LIMITS Uppr & The menu items under the Limits keys allow you to: Lower •...

  • Page 100: To Set And Use Automatic Limit Testing

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the LIMITS Menu Keys To Set and Use Automatic Limit Testing Limits Testing Example 1—Flag and Stop Measuring On Limits Automatic limit testing can be used to monitor a test signal to assure that it does not drift outside of a user-entered set of limits.
  • Page 101 Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the LIMITS Menu Keys Set LOWR to 9.999 MHz. NOTE After you enter the value 9.999 MHz, BE SURE to press the Enter key to complete the entry. Press Limit Modes key until LIM TEST: ON is displayed. Note that once either the upper or lower limits have been set, the limit testing is automatically enabled as indicated by the LIM TEST: ON display, and the Limit Modes indicator.

  • Page 102: Limits Testing Example 2-Flag On Limits But Continue Measuring

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the LIMITS Menu Keys Limits Testing Example 2—Flag On Limits but Continue Measuring If you decide that you want the Counter to flag measurements that are out of limits but to continue taking measurements, then perform the following steps. Press Limit Modes key until ON FAIL: STOP is displayed.
  • Page 103 Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the LIMITS Menu Keys Press Run key to display the graph as shown below. Freq Ch 1 The asterisk represents the measurement and the colons (:) represent the limits you set. This graph indicates that the measurement is within the limits. The colon to the left represents the lower limit, and the colon to the right represents the upper limit.

  • Page 104: Limits Testing Example 4-Selecting Filtering Conditions Of Stats Computation

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the LIMITS Menu Keys To change the Counter back to displaying numbers, press Limit Modes key until SHOW: GRAPH is displayed. Press any one of the arrow keys to toggle to SHOW: NUMBER. Press Run key to display measurements as numbers.
  • Page 105 Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the LIMITS Menu Keys Press Run key to start the measurement. To turn off the Limit Testing, perform the following steps: Press Limit Modes key until LIM TEST: ON is displayed. b. Press any one of the arrow keys to toggle Limits OFF. LIM TEST: OFF is displayed.

  • Page 106: Limits Testing Example 5-Sending The Limit-Detect Output To

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the LIMITS Menu Keys Limits Testing Example 5—Sending the Limit-Detect Output to the RS-232 Serial Port NOTE If you cycle power, you will lose everything except saved measurement setups and special parameters saved to non-volatile memory; therefore, make sure you use the Save and Recall functions of the Counter to retain the measurement setup prior to powering down to set up the Limit-Detect Output line (pin 4) of the RS-232 serial connector.

  • Page 107: Using The Display Digits Keys

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the DISPLAY Digits Keys Using the DISPLAY Digits Keys Overview of the DISPLAY Digits Keys DISPLAY More Digits The DISPLAY Digits keys allow you to control the displayed digits only; these keys Fewer Digits do not change measurements.

  • Page 108: To Use The Display Digits Keys

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the DISPLAY Digits Keys To Use the DISPLAY Digits Keys The following step-by-step procedure describes how to use the Display Digits keys. In this procedure, you are instructed to blank out all digits below 1 kHz for easier reading.

  • Page 109: Using Channel 1 Input Conditioning Keys

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using CHANNEL 1 Input Conditioning Keys Using CHANNEL 1 Input Conditioning Keys The Trigger/Sensitivity keys are menu keys, while the other keys in this group (that CHANNEL 1 Trigger is, 50Ω/1MΩ, DC/AC, X10 Attenuate, and 100kHz Filter) are toggle keys. Sensitivity 50Ω...
  • Page 110 Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using CHANNEL 1 Input Conditioning Keys While AUTO TRIG: is ON, the Counter will, for each measurement, check that the measurement signal is triggering at the current level. If no triggering is found, the Counter will measure and compute a new trigger level.
  • Page 111 Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using CHANNEL 1 Input Conditioning Keys If the signal peaks do not exceed beyond both hysteresis limits, the input signal will not generate a count. For example, the peak-to-peak amplitude is insufficient, or trigger level is set above or below the midpoint of the input signal as shown in the following figures.

  • Page 112: To Use The Trigger/Sensitivity Key To Adjust Counter's Trigger Voltage And Sensitivity Levels

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using CHANNEL 1 Input Conditioning Keys The sensitivity specification is given in terms of volts rms for applications that involve measuring a sine wave signal, though it should be noted that a different waveform with the same rms voltage may not trigger a count. Since the Counter input does not respond to the rms value of the waveform but only to the peak-to-peak value, the sensitivity specification is also given for volts peak-to- peak with a minimum pulse width.
  • Page 113 Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using CHANNEL 1 Input Conditioning Keys Press Trigger/Sensitivity or Enter key. LEVEL: 0.000V is displayed. (Actual value may be different.) Suppose you want to set the trigger level to 1V. Perform the following steps: Press the appropriate arrow keys until LEVEL: 1.000V is displayed.
  • Page 114 Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using CHANNEL 1 Input Conditioning Keys Press any one of the arrow keys until SLOPE: NEG is displayed. The trigger is set at negative; thus, the Counter triggers on the falling edge of the input signal as shown in the following figure.

  • Page 115: Overview Of Input Conditioning Toggle Keys

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using CHANNEL 1 Input Conditioning Keys Press any one of the arrow keys until SENSTVTY: LO is displayed. The Counter’s CHANNEL 1 sensitivity is set low as shown in the following figure. Trigger Band Overview of Input Conditioning Toggle Keys The toggle keys of CHANNEL 1 allow you to: •...

  • Page 116: Using The Save And Recall Menus

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Save and Recall Menus Using the Save and Recall Menus Overview of Save and Recall Functions Utility Local Recall Save & Print The combined use of the Save and Recall functions allows you to save and recall the measurement setups which determine how the Counter measures, analyzes, and reports answers.

  • Page 117: To Use The Save Function

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Save and Recall Menus To Use the Save Function The following step-by-step procedure describes how to SAVE a simple measurement setup to quickly get you familiar with the Save function. You will SAVE the following in register 1 (SAVE: 1): •...

  • Page 118: To Use The Recall Function

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Save and Recall Menus Press Enter key to complete the 1.5V entry. Press 50Ω/1MΩ key to set input impedance to 50Ω . Press DC/AC key to set input coupling to DC. To save these settings, which make up your measurement setup, simply perform the following steps: Press Save &...

  • Page 119: To Unsave A Measurement Setup

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Save and Recall Menus To Unsave a Measurement Setup To unsave the measurement setup you’ve saved in the previous procedure, press Save & Print key until UNSAVE: NO is displayed. Press the appropriate arrow keys to select UNSAVE: 1, then press Enter key. The measurement setup that was saved in register 1 (RECALL: 1) is deleted or unsaved.

  • Page 120: Using The Print Menu

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Print Menu Using the Print Menu Overview of the Print Menu Local Save & Print The Print menu allows you to: • enable or disable printing (PRINT: OFF or ON). • get help on how to print (PRT HELP: NO or YES). To Use the Print Menu Press Save &...

  • Page 121: Using The Utility Menu

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Utility Menu Using the Utility Menu Overview of the Utility Menu POWER The Utility menu is accessed by holding the Recall key and cycling POWER key. Utility Recall Utility Menu: Hold at power up The Utility menu allows you to: •...

  • Page 122: To Set The Gpib Address

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Utility Menu To Set the GPIB Address Each device on the GPIB must have a unique address. You can set the Counter’s address to any value between 0 and 30. The address is set to “3” when the Counter is shipped from the factory.

  • Page 123: To Choose The Timebase Source

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Utility Menu To Choose the Timebase Source The menu choices (AUTO, INT, and EXT) in the timebase menu item (TIMEBAS:) allows you to choose to which timebase source the Counter synchronizes its operations.

  • Page 124: To Run The Self-Test Routines

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Utility Menu To Run the Self-Test Routines Overview of the Self-Test Routines The Utility menu includes the following three self-test menu items: • TEST LOOP: • TST PRINT: • TEST: The Counter includes several self-tests. Some self tests are performed at the power-up of the Counter.

  • Page 125: Example Procedure For Running The Self Test

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Utility Menu EEPROM — checksum the EEPROM, which is used for non-volatile memory. HP-IB — test GPIB chip. QSPI — test serial hardware control loops. FPGA — internally measure the timebase to test count circuitry. FR END —...

  • Page 126: To Configure The Rs-232 Serial Port For Printing

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Utility Menu To Configure the RS-232 Serial Port for Printing Configuring the RS-232 serial port for printing requires that you: • set the hardware pacing in the DTR (Data Terminal Ready) menu item, •...

  • Page 127: Setting The Baud Rate

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Utility Menu Setting the Baud Rate You can select one of five baud rates for RS-232 operation. The rate is set to 9600 baud when the Counter is shipped from the factory. Press Recall (Utility) key until BAUD: is displayed.

  • Page 128: To Configure The Rs-232 Serial Port For Sending Limit-Detect Output

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Utility Menu To Configure the RS-232 Serial Port for Sending Limit-Detect Output NOTE If you cycle power, you will lose everything except saved measurement setups and special parameters stored in non-volatile memory; therefore, make sure you use the Save function of the Counter to retain the measurement setup prior to powering down to set up the Limit-Detect Output line (pin 4) of RS-232 serial connector.

  • Page 129: To Select The Numerical Convention For The Display

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Utility Menu To Select the Numerical Convention for the Display Press and hold Recall (Utility) key, then cycle POWER key. Press Recall (Utility) key until SHOW 9 AS: is displayed. Press any one of the arrow keys until your menu choice is displayed. If you choose SHOW 9 AS: 9.0, the Counter will display a frequency measurement similar to 12.000,000,000,1 MHz, for example.

  • Page 130: To Connect The Counter To A Printer Via Gpib

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Utility Menu To Connect the Counter to a Printer via GPIB You can connect the Counter to a printer via GPIB either with or without a computer. If you connect a computer, you can operate the printer under program control. In the absence of a computer, the Counter, when in talk-only, becomes the controller for the printer.

  • Page 131: Front Panel Display Messages

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Front Panel Display Messages Front Panel Display Messages There are four types of displays: • Measurement Result Displays • Power-Up/Self Test Messages • Menu Messages • GPIB Messages Measurement Result Displays Table 2-3. Measurement Result Displays Display Message Probable Cause DOING STATS...

  • Page 132: Power-Up/Self Test Messages

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Front Panel Display Messages Power-Up/Self Test Messages The following sequence occurs when you turn on the Counter: All of the vacuum-fluorescent display segments and the indicators (or LEDs) are illuminated for the power-up test. If all tests pass: SELFTST: PASS will be displayed.

  • Page 133: Menu Messages

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Front Panel Display Messages Menu Messages Table 2-4. Menu Messages Display Message Description (AC COUPLED) You have selected the VOLT PEAKS function to be measured on a channel which is ac coupled. BAD CODE The Counter’s calibration is secured and you have entered an incorrect code.
  • Page 134 Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Front Panel Display Messages Table 2-4. Menu Messages (continued) Display Message Description NO REGISTERS There are no registers which can be recalled and you selected the Recall menu. NO STAT MENU You currently have the VOLT PEAKS function selected and requested the Stats menu. NO TRIG MENU You currently have the VOLT PEAKS function selected and requested the Trigger/Sensitivity menu.

  • Page 135: Gpib Messages

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Front Panel Display Messages GPIB Messages Table 2-5. GPIB Messages Display Message Description HP-IB +nnnn You have generated the GPIB error corresponding to the indicated error number. Refer to Chapter 5, “Errors,” in the Programming Guide for a list of the error descriptions. HP-IB -nnn You have generated the GPIB error corresponding to the indicated error number.

  • Page 136: Preset Values After Power-Up And *Rst

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Preset Values After Power-up and *RST Preset Values After Power-up and *RST Preset Values for Functions Accessible Via Front Panel or GPIB Table 2-6. Agilent 53181A Preset Values In Non-Volatile Value at *RST Value at Power-...
  • Page 137 Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Preset Values After Power-up and *RST Table 2-6. Agilent 53181A Preset Values (continued) In Non-Volatile Value at *RST Value at Power- Memory Description In Save/Recall (GPIB Reset) Channel 1 auto trigger Channel 1 trigger level (volts) 0.000V...
  • Page 138 Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Preset Values After Power-up and *RST Table 2-6. Agilent 53181A Preset Values (continued) In Non-Volatile Value at *RST Value at Power- Memory Description In Save/Recall (GPIB Reset) Printing on/off Timebase Parameters Timebase auto/internal/external AUTO...
  • Page 139 Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Preset Values After Power-up and *RST Table 2-6. Agilent 53181A Preset Values (continued) In Non-Volatile Value at *RST Value at Power- Memory Description In Save/Recall (GPIB Reset) Calibration count ________ ________ yes, (0) At power-up, the trigger level is defaulted. The default value is shown in the table. The Counter retains this value until the first auto-trigger cycle runs.

  • Page 140: Preset Values For Functions Accessible Via Gpib Only

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Preset Values After Power-up and *RST Preset Values for Functions Accessible Via GPIB Only Table 2-7. Agilent 53181A Preset Values—Accessible Via GPIB Only In Non-Volatile Value at *RST Value at Power- Memory Description In Save/Recall...
  • Page 141 Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Preset Values After Power-up and *RST Table 2-7. Agilent 53181A Preset Values—Accessible Via GPIB Only (continued) In Non-Volatile Value at *RST Value at Power- Memory Description In Save/Recall (GPIB Reset) Miscellaneous GPIB Parameters CONFigure? response...

  • Page 142: Common Questions

    Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Common Questions Common Questions Why is Stats result not available yet? Your Counter has not completed N measurements yet. If you are filtering (Stats menu, USE: IN LIMIT), then stats result will not be available until N in-limit measurements are made.
  • Page 143 Specifications...

  • Page 144: Specifications Introduction

    Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction Introduction The specifications of the Agilent 53181A Frequency Counter are shown in the following table. Instrument Inputs Channel 1 Input Specifications Channel 1 Input Characteristics 1 MΩ or 50 Ω Frequency Range Impedance: 1 MΩ Capacitance:...

  • Page 145: Instrument Inputs (Continued)

    Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction Instrument Inputs (Continued) 3, 4 Channel 2 Input Specifications Channel 2 Input Characteristics 50 Ω Frequency Range Impedance: Coupling: Opt. 015 100 Mhz to 1.5 Ghz VSWR: < 2.5:1 Opt. 030 100 MHz to 3 GHz Opt.

  • Page 146: Time Base

    Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction Time Base Internal Time Base Stability Standard Medium Stability High Stability Oven Ultra High Stability (0° to 50° C) Oven (Option 001) (Option 010) Oven (Option 012) –6 –7 –9 –9 Temperature Stability: < 5 x 10 <...

  • Page 147: Measurement Specifications

    Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction Measurement Specifications Frequency, Period Channel 1 Range: 0.1 Hz to 225 MHz 4.44 ns to 10 s Channel 2 Range: Option 015 100 Mhz to 1.5 Ghz 0.67 ns to 10 ns Option 030 100 MHz to 3 GHz 0.33 ns to 10 ns Option 050 200 MHz to 5 GHz...

  • Page 148: Measurement Specifications (Continued)

    Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction Measurement Specifications (Continued) Agilent 53131A—Worst Case RMS Resolution Automatic or External Arming: 1E+02 Auto Armed 1E+00 10ms 100ms 1E-2 1E-4 1E-6 Gate Time 1E-8 1E-10 1000 10000 100000 1000000 1E+07 1E+08 1E+09 1E+10 Input Frequency (Hz) Time or Digit Arming: 1E+02 1E+00...
  • Page 149 Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction Measurement Specifications (Continued) Agilent 53132A—Worst Case RMS Resolution Automatic or External Arming: 1E+02 1E+00 Auto Armed 10ms 1E-2 100ms 1E-4 1E-6 Gate Time 1E-8 1E-10 1000 10000 100000 1000000 1E+07 1E+08 1E+09 1E+10 Input Frequency (Hz) Time or Digit Arming: 1E+02 1E+00...
  • Page 150 Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction Measurement Specifications (Continued) Frequency Measurement Example: Given an Agilent 53132A with a High Stability Oven that was calibrated 3 days ago, measure a 15 MHz square wave signal (which has negligible trigger error) with a 1 second gate time. Compute the measurement error to within 2-sigma confidence. ±...
  • Page 151 Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction Measurement Specifications (Continued) Time Interval Measurement is specified over the full signal ranges of Channels 1 and 2. Results Range: –1 ns to 10 53131A 53132A LSD: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- - 500 ps 150 ps RMS Resolution: Start Trigger Error Stop Trigger Error 53131A 53132A...
  • Page 152 Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction Measurement Specifications (Continued) Pulse Width Measurement is specified over the full signal range of Channel 1. The width of the opposing pulse must be greater than 4 ns (e.g., when measuring the positive pulse width, the negative pulse width must be greater than 4 ns). Pulse Selection: Positive or Negative Trigger:...
  • Page 153 Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction Measurement Specifications (Continued) Duty Cycle Measurement is specified over the full signal range of Channel 1. However, both the positive and negative pulse widths must be greater than 4 ns. Results Range: 0 to 1 (e.g. 50% duty cycle would be displayed as .5) ×...
  • Page 154 Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction Measurement Specifications (Continued) Worst Case RMS Resolution Automatic or External Arming: 1E+02 Auto Armed 1E+00 10ms 1E-2 100ms 1E-4 1E-6 Gate Time 1E-8 1E-10 1000 10000 100000 1000000 1E+07 1E+08 1E+09 1E+10 Input Frequency (Hz) Time or Digit Arming: 1E+02 1E+00 1E-2...
  • Page 155 63.1 mHz Which is to say that the Agilent 53181A would display results in the range 15 MHz ±63.1 mHz. Note however that the dominant error is the Time Base Error. If an even higher stability time base is available to the instrument or if the instrument can be source locked to the 15 MHz signal, then this error term can be substantially reduced.
  • Page 156 Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction Measurement Specifications (Continued) ⁄ ⁄ Frequency Ratio: Measurement is specified over the full signal range of each input. –10 Results Range: to 10 ‘Auto’ Gate Time: 100 ms (or sufficient cycles on Channel 1 to make a valid measurement, whichever is longer) LSD: Rat io 1 2 ⁄...

  • Page 157: Measurement Definitions

    Multiply this quantity by the measurement result to yield the absolute error for that measurement. Averaging measurements will not reduce (fractional) time base error. The Agilent 53181A counters exhibits negligible sensitivity to line voltage; consequently this term may be ignored.
  • Page 158 Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction Measurement Arming and Processing Gate Time Measurement Throughput Auto Mode, or 1 ms to 1000 s GPIB ASCII: 200 Measurements/s (maximum) (See examples in the Programming Guide for ways to optimize measurement throughput) Measurement Arming Start Measurement: Free Run, Manual, or External Stop Measurement: Continuous, Single, External, or Timed...
  • Page 159 Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction General Information Save and Recall: Up to 20 complete instrument setups may be saved and recalled later. These setups are retained when power is removed from the counter. Rack Dimensions (HxWxD): 88.5 mm x 212.6 mm x 348.3 mm Weight: 3.5 kg maximum AC Line Supply...
  • Page 160 Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction 3-18 Operating Guide...
  • Page 161 Index SYMBOLS changing the numerical convention of the display 2-61 +/- key 1-17 changing the slope 2-45 NUMERICS Channel 1 2-41 10 MHz Output connector 1-11 Channel 2 2-13 2-41 100 kHz Filter key 2-41 characters 50W/1 MW key 1-15 2-41 1-10 limit test graph...
  • Page 162 Index Print menu 2-52 Scale function 2-22 Recall menu 2-48 setting the Offset from the last Remote indicator measurement value 2-25 Save menu 2-48 turning off Math mode 2-25 scale and offset 1-19 turning off Stats mode 2-30 self-test routines 2-56 Example Procedure for Turning Off Math SRQ indicator...
  • Page 163 Index external timebase 2-55 Stats 2-26 filtering data (using limits) during Talk-Only 2-62 Stats 2-29 timebase source selection 2-55 Frequency measurements Trigger/Sensitivity Menu 2-41 channel 1 2-12 Unsave 2-51 channel 2 2-12 Utility Frequency Ratio measurements 2-13 configuring the RS-232 port 2-58 front-panel display messages 2-63...
  • Page 164 Index offset 2-21 scale 2-21 hardware pacing 2-58 Math menu 2-21 help messages 2-10 MEASURE keys how to make measurements 1-12 Freq & Ratio 2-11 how to set limits 1-23 Other & Meas 2-11 hysteresis 2-42 Time & Period 2-11 measurement control keys impedance 2-47...
  • Page 165 2-13 software pacing 2-58 Ratio measurements 2-13 special characters Recall function 2-50 specifications recalling measurement setups 2-48 Agilent 53181A Ref In connector 2-55 frequency range related documents xiii power supply voltage 3-17 remote time base stability Remote indicator (LED) SRQ indicator (LED)
  • Page 166 Index stop using the entry/select keys summary of measurement sequence to change states of menu items 2-10 SW PACE 2-58 2-59 to execute prompted help messages 2-10 to sequence through the menus of the MEASURE keys talk/listen 2-54 using the Ext Arm connector 2-17 talk-only 2-54...

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