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Agilent 53181A - 225 MHz Frequency Counter

1. E LH LALLA LI LLL oe 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 Continue to the following procedure 1 22 Operating Guide 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 LL A ws A Tots 24 3 cdi MATH RIA 5 9 JE TC D N EJ TELA APT 28 ie x The result of this Math operation is a measurement of 101 MHz Measurement x Scale Offset Result 10 MHz x 10 1 Mega 101 Mega Now set the upper limit to 102 Mega and the lower limit to100 Mega by performing the following procedures Figure 1 1 and Figure 1 2 illustrate the limits settings Operating Guide 1 23 Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements Setting the Upper Limit Uppr amp UPR Press the s key nine times to cause the Counter to display your entry in hundreds of units as shown in the following step 2 e 07 The leftmost 0 digit in the UPPR display is highlighted a
2. Agilent 53181A Frequency Counter LIMITS is UPPR 0 000000 5 100000 f Y 2 um LOWR 0 000000 4 900000 LIM TEST moses 9 ON FAIL GO ON o gt SHOW NUMBER 5 Agilent 53181A Frequency Counter 5 Scale amp Offset SCAL 1 000000 7 22212000000 4 4 CJ OFFS 0 000000 7 0 500000 4 Scale amp A Offset Enter nnnnnnn Enter oa L HELP YES X SCALE OFFS RESULT J uw Agilent 53181A Frequency Counter 2 STATS IN LIMIT ON SINGLE ep SES Agilent 53181A Frequency Counter CHANNEL 1 Trigger 4 X Sensitivity T AUTO TRG ON C mg i OFF eser LEVEL 0 000V Sensitivity
3. 10 100 1000 10000 100000 1000000 1E 07 1E 08 1E 09 1E 10 Input Frequency Hz 1ms 10ms 100ms 1s 195 Gate Time 10 100 1000 10000 100000 1000000 1 07 1 08 1 09 1E 10 Input Frequency Hz The preceding graphs do not reflect the effects of trigger error To place an upper bound on the added effect of this error term determine the frequency error from the appropriate graph and add a trigger error term as follows Time or Digit Arming Frequency Error ___24 42 Trigger Error 2x Trigger Error x Gate Time x Number of Samples Operating Guide Frequency or Period Automatic or External Arming Frequency Error 42x Trigger Error Gate Time Frequency or Period 3 7 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 Measurement Error Systematic Uncertainty X 2x RMS Resolution t 4 2x Trigger Error t Time Base Errort gt ger Tod M res 2 1100 Gate Time sss x Frequency Gate Time x Number of Samples Gate Time Number of Samples 200 000 since Frequency is greater than 200kHz and gate time equals 1 second Time Base Error Tempe
4. AA P 2 000V esse Sensitivity T Y Trigger T Sensitivity POS gt a NEG a SENSTITY Sensitivity Getting Started Chapter 1 Getting Started The Front Panel at a Glance The Front Panel at a Glance 5 1 2 3 4 6 7 CHANNEL 2 100 MHz to MAX Enter gt ds Cr MEASURE Remote e Error Flashing Freq Freq SRQ Ch1 Ch2 on POWER Other Gate amp Meas ExtArm DISPLAY More Digits Fewer Digits CHANNEL 1 Trigger Sensitivity e 0 1 Hz 225 MHz Damage Lvl Local 5V rms 500 Utilit STBY Utility Menu Save amp Stop X10 e 100kHz Hold at powe up Print Single Attenuate Filter e AO OF ee 12 13 8 9 11 1 Measurement function menu keys 8 Utility menu key Hold during power up to access 2 Limits menu keys Utility functions 3 Math menu keys 9 Recall Save and Print menu keys 4 Sign or selection toggle key 10 Gate and External Arm menu key 5 Data Entry Select or arrow keys 11 Measurement control keys 6 Enter numeric data terminate key Also 12 Display Digits keys tranverses a menu and exits at the end of a 13 Channel Trigger Sensitivity menu key and input menu conditioning
5. You currently have the VOLT PEAKS function selected and requested the Scale amp Offset menu Operating Guide 2 65 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 NOT ENTERED The Enter key was NOT pressed after you changed a numeric parameter The parameter for example SCAL nnnnn was returned to its previous value and must be re entered Press the Enter key to save changes made to numeric parameters This message will also be displayed when an event for example TEST ALL or SET REF YES or help HELP YES is selected but not invoked with Enter key OFFS 1 FAIL You have invoked the OFFS choice from the Calibration menu item CAL and the calibration failed OFFS 1 PASS You have invoked OFFS choice from the Calibration menu item CAL and the calibration passed RECALL FAIL You have requested the Counter to perform a recall from the Recall menu and a hardware failure has resulted 1 SAVE FAIL You have requested the Counter to perform a save from the Save amp
6. x 1 Fare Frequency x 360 360 t 53131A 53132A Tes 750 ps 300 ps Systematic Uncertainty Trigger Level Timing Error 1 5 ns Differential Channel Error x Frequency x 360 Agilent 53131A Trigger Level Timing Error 900 ps Differential Channel Error x Frequency x 360 Agilent 531324 8 Restrictions noted on page 3 2 for Auto Trigger apply to the proper operation of these measurements The Peak Volts measurement is used to determine the signal amplitude and inaccuracies from this noted on page 3 11 should be included in calculating the Trigger Level Timing Error 3 10 Operating Guide 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 5096 duty cycle would be displayed as 5 RMS Resolution J 2 2x Trigger x 1 Duty Cycle x Frequency t 53131A 53132A res 750 ps 300 ps Totalize Measurement is specified over the full signal range of Channel 1 Results Range 0101015 Resolution 1 count Peak Volts Measurement is specified on Channels 1 and 2 for DC signals or for AC signals of frequencies between 100 Hz and 30 MHz with peak to peak amplitude greater than 100 mV The measurement will continue to operate up to 225 MHz though results are for indication only Results
7. Press Run key The Counter will now perform the statistical computations that is standard deviation mean maximum and minimum on only those measurements that are within the user entered limits The Counter then displays the statistics you picked minimum in this case Press Stats key until USE is displayed Press any one of the arrow keys to toggle to ALL MEAS state USE ALL MEAS is displayed Press Run key The Counter will now perform the statistical computations that is standard deviation mean maximum and minimum on all measurements whether they fall in or out of the user entered limits The Counter then displays the statistic you picked minimum in this case Operating Guide 2 29 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 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 1 Press Stats key until STATS ON is displayed 2 Press any one of the arrow keys STATS OFF is displayed 3 Press Run key to return the Counter to its normal operation 2 30 Operating Guide 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
8. 1 MQ Capacitance Coupling Low Pass Filter Input S ensitivity Trigger Slope Auto Trigger Level Range Frequency Input Amplitude Attenuator Voltage Range Trigger Range 1MQor 50 Q 30 pF AC or DC 100 kHz or disabled 20 dB at gt 1 MHz Selectable between Low Medium or High default Low is approximately 2x High S ensitivity Positive or Negative 0 to 100 in 10 steps gt 100 Hz gt 100 mVpp No amplitude modulation x10 x10 Values shown are for X1 attenuator setting Multiply all values by 10 nominal when using the X10 attenuator setting Note that it may be necessary to recalibrate the input offset in the application environment especially at high temperature to achieve maximum sensitivity When ordered with optional rear terminals the Channel 1 input is active on both the front and rear of the counter though the specifications provided only apply to the rear terminal Performance for the front terminal is degraded but may be improved by terminating the rear terminal into 50 Q 3 2 Operating Guide Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction Instrument Inputs Continued Channel 2 Input Specifications Frequency Range Opt 015 100 Mhz to 1 5 Ghz Opt 030 100 MHz to 3 GHz Opt 050 200MHz to 5 GHz Opt 124 200 MHz to 12 4 GHz Power Range and Sensitivity Sinusoid Option 015 100 MHz to 1 5 GHz 27 dBm to 419 dBm Option 030 100 MHz to 2 7 GHz 27 dBm to 19 dBm
9. To Control Measurement at the end of this chapter 1 LI Gate To Select Scale and Offset The Scale amp Offset key allows for multiplication and addition respectively of the measurement by user specified constants Modification of the displayed measurement by these Math operations is represented by the following equation Measurement x Scale Offset Displayed Results The Scale and Offset Math operations can be used for example to subtract systematic errors or display the percentage difference between signals Entering the Scale Value gt Scale amp LI Offset o To demonstrate the Scale Math operation set Scale to 10 as shown in the following steps Operating Guide 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 mE 4 gt SEAL IH Enter We C gt DETRE NOTE BE SURE to press the Enter key to enter the value of 10 IIIT LESE EST Ee EE EJ The Scale is now set to 10 and MATH has been enabled The Scale amp Offset indicator is now lit to show that MATH is enabled Since MATH is enabled the results are being scaled and offset Entering the Offset Value To demonstrate the Offset Math operation set the Offset to 1 MHz as shown in the following steps N Nl i V x8 TEP ald At this point pressi
10. m a MESSBAR MEHR Ihr Spezialist f r Mess und Pr fger te datalec Agilent Technologies L Authorized Distributor Agilent 53181A 225 MHz Frequency Counter Operating Guide Manual Part Number 53181 90001 Printed in Malaysia E dataTec GmbH Ferdinand Lassalle Str 52 72770 Reutlingen Telefon 07121 51 50 50 Telefax 07121 51 50 10 info datatec de www datatec de NOTES Agilent 53181A Operating Guide This guide describes how to use the Agilent 53181A 225 MHz Frequency Counter Agilent 53181A 225 MHz Frequency Counter Copyright 1994 2003 Agilent Technologies Inc All Rights Reserved Reproduction adaptation or translations without prior written permission is prohibited except as allowed under the copyright laws Printed November 2003 Printed in Malaysia Manual part number 53181 90001 Agilent Technologies Inc 900 South Taft Avenue Loveland Colorado 80537 U S A Certification and Warranty Certification Agilent Technologies certifies that this product met its published specification at the time of shipment from the factory Agilent Technologies further certifies that its calibration measurements are traceable to the United States National Institute of Standards and Technology formerly National Bureau of Standards to the extent allowed by the Institute s calibration facility and to the calibration facilities of other International Standards Organ
11. 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 Also you want the Counter to make 20 measurements before it performs these statistical computations Perform the following procedure to accomplish this task 1 Connect the signal to channel 1 input and press Freq Ch 1 key 2 Press Stats key until N is displayed N 10015 displayed 100 is the default value 3 Set N to 20 since you want the Counter to make 20 measurements before computing the mean and minimum values by pressing the appropriate arrow keys N 20 is displayed 4 Press Enter key NOTE BE SURE to press the Enter key to complete numeric entry The Counter is now set to make 20 measurements before computing statistics 5 Press Stats key until SHOW is displayed 6 Press any one of the arrow keys until SHOW MEAN is displayed Operating Guide 2 27 NOTE CAUTION NOTE 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 The Counter will display updated statistics results every 20 measurements Press Stop Single key after you have a mean value displayed To display the minimum frequency value perform the following
12. 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 2is displayed to measure the frequency ratio between a signal applied to CHANNEL 1 input and a signal applied to the optional CHANNEL 2 input RATIO 1 TO 2 will be momentarily displayed and the Freq Ch1 and Ch2 annunciators will light The Counter will be ready to measure the frequency ratio of a signal applied to CHANNEL 1 in relation to a signal applied to CHANNEL 2 1 2 RATIO 2 TO 1 is also available Ch2 Ch1 Note that Ratio 1 to 2 and Ratio 2 to 1 menu items are not available in Counters that do not contain the optional Channel 2 Note the result is not scaled by 100 it is not a percentage The front panel arrow or entry select keys can also be used when sequencing through the Other Meas menu Refer to the section titled Using Entry Select Arrow Keys for details To Measure Period Press Other Meas key until PERIOD 1 is displayed PERIOD 1 15 momentarily displayed the Period and Ch1 annunciators light and the Counter is ready to measure the period of a signal applied to CHANNEL 1 Operating Guide 2 13 NOTE NOTE 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
13. Math on off OFF OFF Scale 1 000000 1 000000 Offset 0 0000000000 0 0000000000 Limits Parameters Limit test on off OFF OFF On fail stop go on GO ON GO ON Lower limit 0 0000000000 0 0000000000 Upper limit yes 0 0000000000 0 0000000000 no Limit display number graph yes NUMBER NUMBER no Stats Parameters Stats on off OFF OFF Stats measurement count N 100 100 Display measurement stats MEAS MEAS Stats use all in limits USE ALL USE ALL On single measurement count 1 AUTO OFF 1 AUTO OFF Print Parameters Operating Guide 2 69 Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Preset Values After Power up and RST Table 2 6 Agilent 53181A Preset Values continued Description Printing on off In Save Recall Value at RST GPIB Reset Value at Power Up In Non Volatile Memory Timebase Parameters Timebase auto internal external Expected Frequency Parameters Channel 1 expected frequency Channel 2 expected frequency Auto Frequency Parameters Channel 1 auto frequency on off Channel 2 auto frequency on off Trigger Calibration Parameters Channel 1 trigger offset cal yes 2048 Channel 1 trigger ga
14. Press and hold Recall Utility key then cycle POWER key Press Recall Utility key until TEST is displayed Press any one of the arrow keys to select the desired menu choice in the menu item for example the ALL menu choice Press Enter key to start the test If you are asked to do something press Enter key when you have completed the requested task A pass or fail message will be displayed Operating Guide 2 57 NOTE 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 setthe baud rate in the BAUD menu item e set the parity type in the PARITY menu item and e software pacing in the SW PACE menu item Setting the Hardware Pacing Press and hold Recall Utility key then cycle POWER key Press Recall Utility key until DTR is displayed Press any one of the arrow keys until the desired hardware pacing is displayed e Choose HW PACE to use the DTR line for pacing CAUTION You should only choose this option if your printer and cable support DTR handshaking e Choose HIGH to disable hardware pacing The Counter s talk only RS 232 port is now set to be the driver for a RS 232 serial printer The hardware pacing choice is stored in non volatile memory and does not change when power has been
15. menu roadmaps xix menu tree xix menus of 100kHz Filter key 1 6 50 Ohm 1M Ohm key 1 6 DC AC key 1 6 Freq amp Ratio key 1 5 Gate amp ExtArm key 1 5 Limit Modes key 1 5 Other Meas key 1 5 Recall key 1 6 Save amp Print key 1 6 Scale amp Offset key 1 5 Stats key 1 5 Time amp Period key 1 5 Trigger Sensitivity key 1 6 Uppr amp Lower key 1 5 Utility key 1 7 X10 Attenuate key 1 6 messages front panel 2 63 GPIB 2 67 menu 2 65 power up self test 2 64 More Digits key 2 39 Operating Guide N numeric entry for a menu item 2 4 numerical convention 2 53 2 61 O offset 1 19 2 21 ON SINGLE menu item 2 8 options xvii oscillator adjust potentiometer 1 11 Other Meas key 2 13 P pace software 2 59 pacing 2 58 parity 2 59 parity type 2 58 peak voltage 2 11 performing statistics on measurements 1 29 period 2 11 period measurements 2 13 placeholders 1 9 preset values 2 68 2 72 presetting the Counter 2 4 print 2 52 printer connect Counter to printer 2 62 printing 2 52 2 58 Q questions 2 74 quick reference guide xii xix R ratio 2 11 2 13 Ratio measurements 2 13 Recall function 2 50 recalling measurement setups 2 48 Ref In connector 2 55 related documents xiii remote 1 4 Remote indicator LED 1 4 repackaging for shipment xv resetting the Counter 2 4 resolution 2 15 Operating Guide RS 232 interface 1 11 RS 232 serial port 2 38 Run
16. oN USE ALL MEAS USE Limit ON SINGLE 1 Agilent 53181A Frequency Counter 4 NO REGISTERS SAVE AUTO TRG ON OFF 2 2 RECALL 0 UNSAVE LEVEL 50 PCT LEVEL 0 000V RECALL 1 PRINT E a a RECALL 2 ON SLOPE POS 1 RECALL 3 PRT HELP bd EUELULEp e RECALL 4 YES SENSTVTY HI i RECALL 5 a n po m RECALL 20 100kHz Filter CH 1 50 OHM CH 1 De CH1 X10 CH1 LP FILT t t 1M OHM AC X1ATT NO FILT Agilent 53181A Frequency Counter FREQUENCY 1 wes gt RATIO 1 TO 2 es RATIO 2701 a VOLT PEAKS 1 Agilent 53181A Frequency Counter Gate amp ExtArm MEASURE Gate amp ExtArm Gate amp ExtArm i scs START ac POS B NEG GATE EXTERNL 2 5 l gt ExtArm 4 TIME 100 we 4 aar DIGITS A E D Enter 3 5 ATC
17. 115 momentarily displayed the Ch1 annunciator lights and the Counter is ready to measure minimum and maximum voltage peaks of signals applied to CHANNEL 1 In Volt Peaks function the Counter measures the input signal after the signal has been conditioned by the input settings impedance coupling attenuation and filter One reminder of this is the AC COUPLED message which is displayed when Voltage Peaks is selected and the measurement channel is ac coupled The result is corrected for X10 attenuation Arming is not used for Voltage Peaks measurements Also Limits Math and Display Digits are not available for Voltage Peaks measurements 2 14 Operating Guide NOTE NOTE Gate amp ExtArm Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Gate amp External Arm Menu Key Using the Gate amp 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 and External Arming menu changes as a function of the arming mode The Counter has four arming modes auto external digits and time The arming modes are defined in the following paragraphs TIME Arming For frequency period and frequency ratio time arming means you can set the gate time the length of time for which your signal is measured Gate time and resolution are linked the longer the gate time the greater the resolution With an increase in resolution y
18. 2 7 GHz to 3 GHz 21 dBm to 13 dBm Option 050 200 MHz to 5 GHz 23 dBm to 13 dBm Option 124 200 MHz to 12 4 GHz 23 dBm to 13 dBm Damage Level Option 015 030 Option 050 124 5 Vrms 25 dBm Channel 2 Input Characteristics Impedance 50 Q Coupling AC VSWR 2 51 External Arm Input Specifications Signal Input Range TTL compatible Timing Restrictions Pulse Width gt 50 ns Transition Time 250 ns Start to Stop Time gt 50 ns Damage Level 10 Vrms 3 Channel 2 is available as an option External Arm Input Characteristics Impedance 1kQ Input Capacitance 17 pF Start Slope Positive or Negative Stop Slope Positive or Negative Notes External Arm available for all measurements except P eak Volts External Arm is referred to as External Gate for some measurements 4 When ordered with optional rear terminals the Channel 2 connector on the front panel for Options 015 or 030 will be removed There is no degradation in specifications for this input Option 050 and Option 124 input connectors are available on the front panel only Operating Guide 3 3 Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction Time Base Internal Time Base Stability Standard 0 to 50 C Temperature Stability referenced to 25 C Medium Stability Oven Option 001 2x107 High Stability Oven Option 010 25x10 Ultra High Stability Oven Option 012 25x10 Aging Rate after 30 d
19. Counter s input conditions for measuring input signals applied to CHANNEL 1 The Trigger Sensitivity menu is LLL unavailable for Voltage Peaks measurements Overview of Trigger Sensitivity Menu NOTE Most of the measurement functions that is frequency period and ratio automatically set the auto trigger mode and trigger level The Trigger Sensitivity menu items allow you to override the automatic settings The menu items under the Trigger Sensitivity key allows you to manually e select the auto trigger mode AUTO TRIG ON or OFF If auto trigger is OFF you are allowed to select the voltage level at which CHANNEL 1 will trigger LEVEL n V where n is a numeric value If auto trigger is ON you are allowed to select the percentage of an input signal at which the Counter will trigger LEVEL n PCT where n is a numeric value Setting AUTO TRIG to ON causes the Counter to measure and compute a trigger level corresponding to the auto trigger percentage of CHANNEL 1 NOTE The optional Channel 2 RF Input Option 015 030 or 050 requires no manual input conditioning Just connect the RF signal to CHANNEL 2 and the Counter measures the signal Operating Guide 2 41 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 tri
20. Counter to flag turn on the Limits annunciator in the front panel display and stop making measurements if this signal drifts more than 1 kHz Connect the 10 MHz input signal to channel 1 of the Counter and press Freq Ch 1 key Assume that the frequency measured is 10 MHz If the drift is not to be larger than 1 kHz then the upper limit should be set to 10 001 MHz and the lower limit to 9 999 MHz Let s set these values in the following steps Press Uppr Lower key until UPPR is displayed UPPR 0 000000 is displayed 0 is the default value Set UPPR to 10 001 MHz Refer to the section in Chapter 1 titled To Set Limits of Measurements if needed After you enter the value 10 001 MHz BE SURE to press the Enter key to complete the entry Press Uppr Lower key if required until LOWR is displayed LOWR 0 000000 is displayed 0 is the default value 2 32 Operating Guide Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the LIMITS Menu Keys 5 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 6 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 7 Press Limit Modes key ON FAIL GO is displayed 8 Press any one of the arrow keys to toggle to the next s
21. Output Transmit Data TxD Output Data Terminal Ready DTR Measurement In Limit Signal Signal Ground Input Data SetReady DSR All other pins no connection Operating Guide 3 17 Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction 3 18 Operating Guide Index SYMBOLS key 1 17 2 9 NUMERICS 10 MHz Output connector 1 11 100 kHz Filter key 2 41 50W 1 MW key 1 15 2 41 A abort 2 6 ac line selection 1 11 accessories available xviii supplied xviii addressed talk listen 2 54 adjusting trigger level 2 45 analog graph limit test 1 10 annunciators 1 8 arming modes auto 2 15 3 16 digits 2 15 3 16 external 2 15 3 16 time 2 15 3 16 arrow keys entry select keys 2 9 Assembly Level Service Guide xiv asterisk 2 35 asterisk placeholder 1 9 auto arming 2 15 3 16 Auto timebase 2 55 auto trigger 2 41 2 42 auto triggering 2 44 available options xvii B baud rate 2 58 2 59 cables xviii Operating Guide changing the numerical convention of the display 2 61 changing the slope 2 45 Channel 1 1 2 2 41 Channel 2 1 2 1 5 2 13 2 41 characters 1 9 1 10 limit test graph 1 10 X 1 9 1 10 choosing HIGH to disable hardware pacing 2 58 choosing HW PACE 2 58 choosing the timebase source 2 55 common questions 2 74 computing Stats on filtered data only 1 31 configuring the RS 232 for sending limit detect output 2 60 configuring the RS 232 port
22. and Ratio Frequency arm Frequency start arm yes IMMediate no Frequency stop arm yes TIMer no Frequency stop arm digits yes 4 4 no Frequency gate time yes 100 E 3s 100 E 3s no Frequency ext start arm slope yes POS POS no Frequency ext stop arm AUTO Input Parameters Channel 1 input coupling AC AC Channel 1 input impedance 1E 6 Ohms 1E 6 Ohms Channel 1 input attenuation yes X1 X1 no Channel 1 input filter Display Parameters Display digits masked yes 0 0 no Display blank no disabled disabled no Display mode result menu no results results no 2 68 Trigger Sensitivity Parameters Operating Guide Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Preset Values After Power up and RST Table 2 6 Agilent 53181A Preset Values continued Description Channel 1 auto trigger Value at RST In Save Recall GPIB Reset Value at Power Up In Non Volatile Memory Channel 1 trigger level volts Channel 1 trigger level percent Channel 1 trigger slope Channel 1 sensitivity Measurement Control Parameters Run Single selection yes SINGLE RUN Math Operation Parameters
23. channel 1 and press Freq Ch 1 key Using the Uppr amp Lower key set the upper limit to 10 2 MHz and the lower limit to 9 8 MHz Refer to the section in Chapter titled To Set Limits of Measurements if needed Press Limit Modes key until SHOW NUMBER is displayed Press any one of the arrow keys to toggle to the next state SHOW GRAPH is displayed 2 34 Operating Guide Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the LIMITS Menu Keys Press Run key to display the graph as shown below 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 Adjust your signal down to 9 7 MHz The asterisk is now out of the limits as it is below the entered 9 8 MHz lower limit Note the Limit annunciator lights since the signal is out of limits Now adjust your signal up to 10 3 MHz The asterisk is now out of the limits as it has exceeded the entered 10 2 MHz upper limit Note the Limit annunciator lights since the signal is out of limits Operating Guide 2 35 NOTE 10 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 Pres
24. data using your upper and lower limits if you set Stats to USE IN LIMIT 8 Press Run key to return the Counter to computing statistics on all measurements Operating Guide 2 37 NOTE 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 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 Refer to the appropriate section in this chapter for details on how to use Save and Recall To use the Limit detect output from the serial port perform the following steps a Save your measurement setup that includes your Limit Testing choices by simply pressing the Save amp Print key until SAVE 1 is displayed then Enter key to save to register 1 b Turn off the Counter Press and hold Recall Utility key then press POWER key d Press Recall Utility key until DTR is displayed e Press any one of the arrow keys until DTR LIMIT is displayed Press Run key Press Recall Utility key until RECALL 115 displayed then wait a few seconds to recall the measurement setup saved in register 1 Since your measurement setup included your settings
25. for printing 2 58 connecting to a printer via GPIB 2 62 connecting to a serial printer via the RS 232 port 2 61 controlling measurement 1 35 counter description xvi coupling 2 47 D data entry keys numeric entry 2 9 DC AC key 1 15 2 41 definition of sensitivity 2 42 description of input conditioning toggle keys 2 47 LIMITS keys Limit Modes 2 31 Uppr amp Lower 2 31 Localkey 1 4 MATH keys Scale amp Offset key 2 21 Stats 2 26 Index 1 Print menu 2 52 Recall menu 2 48 Remote indicator 1 4 Save menu 2 48 scale and offset 1 19 self test routines 2 56 SRQ indicator 1 4 Trigger Sensitivity menu key 2 41 Utility menu 2 53 description of counter xi xvi digits arming 2 16 3 16 display menu messages 2 65 messages 2 63 numerical convention other countries 2 61 USA 2 61 power up self test messages 2 64 SHOW GRAPH 2 34 NUMBER 2 36 Display Digits keys 1 9 displaying Stats after filtering data of input signal 1 33 DTR Data Terminal Ready menu 2 58 E Enter key 2 9 entering numeric values 2 9 entering offset value 1 20 entry select keys arrow keys 2 9 equation scale and offset 1 19 example procedure for changing the number of digits of resolution 2 19 2 44 computing Stats 2 27 easy viewing of Stats 2 28 filtering data using limits during Stats 2 29 Gate and External Arm 2 17 Offset function 2 23 running the self test 2 57 Index 2 Scale function 2 22 settin
26. for Voltage Peaks measurements Overview of Scale Offset Math Menu The Scale and Offset functions within the Math menu allow you to perform simple mathematical operations on the measurement result before it is displayed The Scale and Offset functions allow for multiplication and addition Modification of the displayed measurement by these math operations is represented by the following equation Measurement x Scale Offset Displayed Result The math operations can be used for example to subtract systematic errors or display the percentage difference between signals Also the overall math operation can be disabled and then re established without having to re enter constants The menu items of the Scale and Offset Math functions allow you to e enter a desired multiplication factor for a measurement SCAL e enter a desired addition or subtraction value for a measurement OFFS e getand display the last measurement value and use it as a negative offset SET REF NO or YES e disable or enable the Math mode MATH OFF or ON Note that the Math mode is automatically enabled when you enter the scale and or offset value s thus the primary function of this menu item is to allow you to turn the Math mode off e get Help which displays the equation MEAS X SCALE OFFS RESULT to tell you how the scale and offset results are computed by the Counter MATH HELP NO or YES Operating Guide 2 21 NOTE Chapt
27. input conditioning parameters auto trigger to off trigger level to 1 5V input impedance to 500 input coupling to DC Cycle POWER key to preset the Counter setup The Counter is now ready to measure the frequency of a signal applied to CHANNEL 1 input as indicated by the Freq and Ch1 annunciators Press Other Meas key until PERIOD 1 is displayed The Counter is now ready to measure the period of a signal applied to CHANNEL 1 input as indicated by the Period and Ch1 annunciators Press Trigger Sensitivity key AUTO TRG ON is displayed Press any one of the arrow keys AUTO TRG OFF is displayed Press Trigger Sensitivity key or Enter key LEVEL 0 000v is displayed Using the appropriate arrow keys set the trigger level to 1 5V Operating Guide 2 49 NOTE 10 Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Save and Recall Menus Press Enter key to complete the 1 5V entry Press 50Q 1MQ key to set input impedance to 500 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 a Press Save amp Print key SAVE NOis displayed b Press the appropriate arrow key until SAVE 1 is displayed c Press Enter key The measurement setup is now saved in register To recall this measurement setup perform the recall procedure in the following section To Use the Recall Function This procedure desc
28. keys 7 Channel2 optional RF input NOTE It is normal operation for the fan in the Counter to continue to run after the Counter is placed in Standby mode Power to the timebase is continuous to maintain long term measurement reliability and the fan helps maintain timebase temperature stability 1 2 Operating Guide 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 Freq ol Freq lit it indicates that the Frequency function is enabled for the 204 Ch 1 Ch2 corresponding input channel When the indicator for the Other Meas key is lit it sA Other simultaneously indicates that the key s menu and its menu item for example PERIOD 1 is enabled When these indicators are lit the key s enable menu item So ses eim that is Limit Modes LIM TEST Scale amp Offset MATH Offset J lt 1 Modes Stats STATS and Save amp Print PRINT is enabled z i Local Stats Save amp 5 25 Print ST When this indicator is lit it indicates that auto triggering is Trigget O enabled Sensitivity When this indicator flashes it indicates that the arrow keys can be
29. limits condition can be indicated by any of the following methods The limits annunciator will light on the front panel display The instrument will generate an SRQ if enabled via GPIB The limits hardware signal provided via the RS 232 connector will go low for the duration of the out of limit condition see the description of this connector under the General Information section of this specifications table Ifthe Analog Display mode is enabled the asterisk appears outside the vertical bars which define the upper and lower limits 3 16 Operating Guide Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction General Information Save and Recall Rack Dimensions HxWxD Weight Power Supply Voltage Power Requirements Operating Environment Storage Environment Remote Interface GPIB Interface Capabilities Remote Programming Language Safety EMC RS 232C Note on Pin 4 Up to 20 complete instrument setups may be saved and recalled later These setups are retained when power is removed from the counter 88 5 mm x 212 6 mm x 348 3 mm 3 5 kg maximum AC Line Supply DC Supply Option 002 Only 100 to 120 VAC 10 50 60 or 400 Hz 10 10 to 32 VDC 3 pin male XLR connector 220 to 240 VAC 10 50 or 60 Hz 10 AC Line Voltage Selection Automatic Option 002 may not be ordered with Option 060 170 VA maximum 30 W typical AA initial inrush at 10 VDC 3A max once stabilized 0 C to 55 C 40
30. measurement control keys Run Key 2 6 Stop Single Key 2 6 menu messages 2 65 messages 2 63 numerical convention 2 61 Offset 2 21 2 23 ON SINGLE 2 8 Peak Voltage or Volt Peaks measurements 2 14 Period measurements 2 13 Preset values after power up and RST 2 68 Print Menu 2 52 PRINT OFF ON 2 52 PRT HELP NO YES 2 52 Ratio measurements 2 13 Recall 2 48 Save 2 48 Scale 2 21 seeing digits not visible on the 12 digit display 2 25 self test routines 2 56 sensitivity 2 42 2 44 SET REF 2 25 slope 2 42 2 45 Statistics 2 26 Operating Guide Stats 2 26 Talk Only 2 62 timebase source selection 2 55 Trigger Sensitivity Menu 2 41 Unsave 2 51 Utility configuring the RS 232 port 2 58 2 60 connecting to a printer 2 62 connecting to a serial printer 2 61 selecting the numerical convention 2 61 self tests 2 56 Talk Only 2 62 Utility Menu 2 53 GPIB Address 2 54 timebase 2 55 X10 Attenuate key 2 47 Fewer Digits key 2 39 Frequency 2 11 2 12 ratio 2 13 front panel indicators 1 4 front panel menus 1 5 1 6 1 7 function frequency 2 12 period 2 13 volt peaks 2 14 G Gate 2 15 Gate and External Arming menu 2 15 auto 2 15 digits 2 16 external 2 15 time 2 15 gate time 2 17 Gate time and resolution 2 15 GPIB Address 2 54 GPIB connector 1 11 GPIB messages 2 67 GPIB to talk only 2 62 graph characters 1 10 limit test 1 10 Index 3 H hardware pacing 2 58 help m
31. off or after a remote interface reset 2 58 Operating Guide 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 Press any one of the arrow keys until the desired baud rate is displayed The baud rate is stored in non volatile memory and does not change when power has been off or after a remote interface reset Setting the Parity You can select the parity for RS 232 operation The Counter is configured for parity off when shipped from the factory Press Recall Utility key until PARITY is displayed Press any one of the arrow keys until the desired parity is displayed The parity choice is stored in non volatile memory and does not change when power has been off or after a remote interface reset Setting the Software Pace You can select the software pace for RS 232 operation Press Recall Utility key until SW PACE is displayed Press any one of the arrow keys until the desired software pacing is displayed The software pacing choice is stored in non volatile memory and does not change when power has been off or after a remote interface reset Operating Guide 2 59 NOTE Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Utility Menu To Configure the RS 232 Serial Port for Sending Lim
32. the following figure 7 Press Trigger Sensitivity or Enter key SLOPE POS is displayed The trigger slope is set at positive thus the Counter triggers on the rising edge of the input signal as shown in the following figure If you want to trigger on the negative or falling edge of the input signal then perform the following step Operating Guide 2 45 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 To set the input channel sensitivity press Trigger Sensitivity key until SENSTVTY Hl is displayed If sensitivity is not set to HI then press any one of the arrow keys to change to HI The Counter s CHANNEL 1 sensitivity is set high as shown in the following figure Refer to the section titled DEFINITION OF SENSITIVITY on page 2 42 in this chapter for information on sensitivity Trigger Band The Counter should now be triggering as determined by the sensitivity level and displaying the input signal s frequency if the input signal peak to peak voltage is large enough for the selected sensitivity level The signal must travel completely through the trigger band before a valid trigger is recognized 2 46 Operating Guide 10 Chapter 2 Operating Your Fr
33. to elapse before the end of measurement trigger will be accepted on Channel 2 Please refer to Measurement Arming for additional information Frequency Ratio ena m Chen Measurement is specified over the full signal range of each input Results Range 10 19 10 Auto Gate Time 100 ms or sufficient cycles on Channel 2 or 3 to make a valid measurement whichever is longer LSD s Rato Tagann 2 Ch2 Freq x Gate Time 3 Ch3 Freq x Gate Time Ratio 2 1 Ch2 Fre Ratio 3 1 chs Fe Ch1 x Gate Time Ch1 Freq x Gate Time RMS Resolution e 414 Freqx Ch2 Trigger Error Ratio o 2 J1 Ch1 Freqx Ch3 Trigger Erron 2 Ch2 Freqx Gate Time 3 Ch3 Freqx Gate Time latio 2 2x Ch2 Freq x J1 Fre x Ch2 Trigger Error 3 2X Ch3 Freqx 1 Ch1 Freqx Ch3 Trigger Error Ch1 Freq x Gate Time 1 Ch1 Freq x Gate Time To minimize relative phase measurement error connect the higher frequency signal to Channel 1 when possible 7 See Specifications for Pulse Width and Rise Fall Time measurements for additional restrictions on signal timing characteristics Operating Guide 3 9 Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction Measurement Specifications Continued Pulse Width Measurementis 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 pul
34. you must re enable Math now to get the measurements to be within the limits Perform the following steps 22 Scae amp dg po OCE 2 8 O 2 MOTLL gt Ii UIN 1 32 Operating Guide 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 Note that the first step in the following procedure is optional since you should have already set Stats to show standard deviation at the beginning of this Stats procedure But you may want to perform the step anyway to verify that the Counter is displaying the standard deviation of the measurement X ETU TCI 7 gt 31H ome Freq Ch1 The standard deviation value shown in the previous illustration is for demonstration purposes The statistic is computed using only those measurements which fell within the limits you set For more details on the Stats and Limits functions refer to the appropriate sections in Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Now disable Math and Stats as shown in the following procedure Operating Guide 1 33 Chapter 1 Getting Sta
35. 12 Operating Guide Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction Measurement Specifications Continued Frequency Measurement Example Given an Agilent 53181A 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 Measurement Error Systematic Uncertainty x 2x RMS Resolution 4x J the 2x Trigger Error bitter x Frequency Gate Time x Number of Samples Gate Time Number of Samples 200 000 since Frequency is greater than 200kHz and gate time equals 1 second Time Base Error Temperature Stability 3 Days x Daily Aging Rate 25x 10 3x 5x 10770 lace s Time Base Error Gale Ti 2 2 40 10 10 12 2 12 Measurement Error 4 0 19 P093 22x 4x 4 500 10725 2 0 50x 107 x 15MHz 15 1sx 4200 000 15 1 10 2x 447x 10 50x 10 2 x 15MHz 54 1x 10 1 09 10 x 15MHz 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 The measurement resolution under these conditions is 0 8 MHz 1 sigma which determines the number o
36. 181A Preset Values Accessible Via GPIB Only continued Description Miscellaneous GPIB Parameters In Save Recall Value at RST GPIB Reset Value at Power Up In Non Volatile Memory CONFigure response no undefined no Device trigger definition yes INIT INIT no Key queue no cleared no Macros disabled disabled Response format ASCii ASCii no READ FETCh function memory Operating Guide 2 73 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 If you are using the ON SINGLE N measurements make sure you have pressed the Single or Run key The instrument is collecting measurements if the Gate annunciator is flashing on and off Why won t printer work Go to the Utility menu and set up serial port Why did Counter stop measuring e Did you set the Counter to stop on limits e Are all measurements outside the limits Why did Counter go to its default state after I set up my RS 232 port e Did you save your state before you cycled power e Did you restore your state after configuring the port Counter s numeric display does not follow
37. 2 4GHz 80psto5ns Period 2 selectable only via the GPIB interface For Automatic or External Arming and signals 100 Hz using Timed Arming LSD Displayed bs Frequency j x or Bate nine Period RMS Resolution dis 2x Trigger Enor Frequency Gate Time tres 650 ps typical N Frequency where N 1 for Chl Frequency lt 1 MHz 4 for Chl Frequency gt 1 MHz 128 for Ch2 For Automatic Arming Gate Time Systematic Uncertainty s Time Base Error or Gate Time Period tacc 350 ps typical 1 25 ns worst case Trigger Default setting is Auto Trigger at 50 For Time or Digits Arming LSD Displayed 2 2x bes Litter Gate Time x Number or Samples Gate Time RMS Resolution Gate Time x Number or Samples Gate Time Frequency or Period Frequency of Period tres 500 ps typical 50 ps typical Number of Samples Gate Time x Frequency Frequency lt 200 kHz Gate Time x 200 000 Frequency 200 kHz Frequency Systematic Uncertainty s Time Base Error eu tacc 100 ps typical 300 ps worst case Trigger Default setting is Auto Trigger at 50 The following graphs may also be used to compute errors for Period Measurements To find the Period error AP calculate the frequency of the input signal F and find the frequency error AF from the chart Then calculate the period error as
38. 2 Operating Guide Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the MATH Menu Keys a 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 5 Press Run key The rpm measurement is displayed Note that units indicators Hz and s do not appear when MATH is ON Example Procedure for Offset Function The offset function can be used to add or subtract a fixed value from measurement results This can be very useful for example when tuning or aligning odd frequencies of a local oscillator LO The target frequency can be entered as a negative offset then the Counter can display the differences between the LO s frequency and the target frequency You can then adjust the LO until zero is displayed in the Counter s display Your task is to use the offset function to tune or align an LO to the target frequency of 222 127 MHz Perform the following procedure to accomplish this task 1 Cycle POWER key to preset the Counter 2 Connect the LO to channel 1 and press Freq Ch 1 key to measure the frequency of the LO 3 Press Scale amp Offset key until SCAL is displayed 4 Set Scale to 1 by pressing the appropriate arrow keys to enter the value 1 000000 if Scale is not already set to 1 5 Press Enter key NOTE BE SURE to press the Enter key to complete the numeric entry Operating Gui
39. 9600 19200 300 1200 or 2400 set print parity PARITY OFF EVEN or ODD set the software pace SW PACE XON or NONE set the hardware pace to send data to a serial printer or to send the Limit detect output to a computer or controller via the RS 232 port DTR HIGH HW PACE or LIMIT change the numerical convention of the Counter s displayed measurement values The numeric convention used in the USA separates the integral and fractional portions of a number with a period a decimal point and separates groups of three digits in the integer portion with a comma You can reverse this setting to conform to the numerical convention used in many other countries SHOW 9 AS 9 0 or 9 0 Operating Guide 2 53 NOTE 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 Selecting Operating Mode Talk Listen Talk Only The Counter has two GPIB operating modes e Addressed talk listen This mode is for bi directional communication The Counter can receive commands and setups from the computer and can send data and measurement results To select the talk listen operating mode set the Counter s GPIB address from 0 to 30 Refer to the following sub section titled Setting the GPIB Address for ins
40. C to 71 GPIB IEEE 488 1 1987 IEEE 488 2 1987 SH1 AH1 T5 L4 LEO SR1 RL1 DC1 CO E2 SCPI 1992 0 Standard Commands for P rogrammable Instruments Designed in compliance with IEC 1010 1 UL 3111 1 draft CAN CSA 1010 1 CISPR 11 EN50082 1 IEC 801 2 3 4 Electrostatic Discharge and Fast Transient Burst Immunity Testing When the product is operated at maximum sensitivity 20 mVrms and tested with 8kV AD according to 1 801 2 or with 1kV power line transients according to IEC 801 4 frequency miscounts may occur that will affect measurement data made during these disturbances Radiated Immunity Testing When the product is operated at maximum sensitivity 20 mVrms and tested at 3 V m according to IEC 801 3 external 100 to 200 MHz electric fields may cause frequency miscounts The rear panel RS 232 connector is a 9 pin connector DB 9 male You can connectthe universal counter to any terminal or printer with a properly configured DTE connector DB 25 You can use a standard interface cable Agilent part number 245426 or 24542H Data is output only the instrument can not be programmed via the RS 232 interface May be used as either a DTR signal indication of measurement in limit as configured by the Utility menu When used as an in limit indicator the signal will be high for every measurement within the user set limits Pin Number Description Input Receive Data RxD for Xon Xoff only
41. ECT SPECIAL INCIDENTAL CONSEQUENTIAL INCLUDING LOST PROFIT OR DATA OR OTHER DAMAGE WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT TORT OR OTHERWISE For consumer transactions in Australia and New Zealand the warranty terms contained in this statement except to the extent lawfully permitted do not exclude restrict or modify and are in addition to the mandatory statutory rights applicable to the sale of this product to you Assistance Product maintenance agreements and other customer assistance agreements are available for Agilent Technolo gies products For any assistance contact your nearest Agilent Technologies Sales and Service Office Safety Considerations contd Acoustic Noise Emissions LpA 47 dB at operator position at normal operation tested per EN 27779 All data are the results from type test WARNING INSTRUCTIONS FOR ADJUSTMENTS WHILE COVERS ARE REMOVED AND FOR SERVICING ARE FOR USE BY SERVICE TRAINED PERSONNEL ONLY TO AVOID DANGEROUS ELECTRIC SHOCK DO NOT PERFORM SUCH ADJUSTMENTS OR SERVICING UNLESS QUALIFIED TO DO SO Gerauschemission LpA 47 dB am Arbeits platz normaler Betrieb gepr ft nach EN 27779 Die Angagen beruhen auf Ergebnissen von Typenpr fungen WARNING ANY INTERRUPTION OF THE PROTECTIVE GROUNDING CONDUCTOR INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE PRODUCT S CIRCUITRY OR DISCONNECTING THE PROTECTIVE EARTH TERMINAL WILL CAUSE A POTENTIAL SHOCK HAZARD THAT COULD RESULT IN PERSONAL I
42. 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 Note that ON FAIL GO ON is the default state after power up x ON E 7N Modes LIT 9 5 LL LBBBBBWBE M ES rh n 9 7 EUN Lol C The current modified measurement of the input signal applied to CHANNEL 1 is displayed Since the Counter is now in the stop on fail mode the Limit annunciator in the display will light and the Counter will stop making measurements when a measurement exceeds the limits you set The measurement result that exceeded the entered limits will be held on the display for observation Operating Guide 1 27 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 A Limit 1 E T M i Modes BM Pie tj S0 COTI CO PM e 9 LA UIN 9 X As DEL PTT The current modifie
43. GHz RF Input Channel 2 Refer to Chapter 2 in this guide for details on the Gate amp ExtArm menu Operating Guide 1 5 Chapter 1 Getting Started The Front Panel Menus at a Glance Cont The Front Panel Menus at a Glance Cont Print Sensitivity 4 4 4 3 NO REGISTERS SAVE AUTO TRG ON OFF 4 RECALL 0 5 UNSAVE LEVEL 50 PCT 00007 RECALL 1 PRINT OFF on SLOPE POS RECALL 3 PRT HELP NO NEG CRECAL4 yes SENSTVIY HI RECALLS 0 RECALL20 50Q DC X10 100kHz 1MQ AC Attenuate Filter 4 n 1 i CH1 500HM CH1 DC CH1 X10ATT CH1 LP FILT 1M OHM ic cu XATT NO FILT 3 This appears when nothing can be recalled Only registers which can be recalled will appear in this menu 5 This menu item only appears if an instrument setup has been saved 1 6 Operating Guide 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 De Stby REV HP IB 3 TEST NO BAUD 9600 TIMEBAS AUTO 6 Disp 19200 Y CPU 300 ROM 1200 4 CAL HELP No RAM 2400 YES EEPROM PARITY OFF TEST LOOP OFF EVEN QSPl ODD TST PRINT OFF FPGA SWPACE XON FR END NONE MEAS DT
44. Limits Menus The menu items under the Limits keys allow you to select the desired upper and lower measurement limits UPPR LOWR disable or enable Limit Testing LIM TEST OFF or ON Note that the Limit Testing is automatically enabled when you set the upper and lower limits or update any menu item in the Limit Modes menu thus the primary function of the LIM TEST menu item is to allow you to turn Limit Testing off set the Counter to stop making measurements when a measurement exceeds the user entered limits ON FAIL STOP Stop on limits does not have any effect if the Counter is in the single measurement mode enable the Counter to continue taking measurements after a measurement exceeds the user entered limits ON FAIL GO ON change the Counter display from numeric to analog graph to quickly visualize changes in the signal or to quickly see when measurements are in or out of limits SHOW NUMBER or GRAPH Operating Guide 2 31 NOTE Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the LIMITS Menu Keys To Set and Use Automatic Limit Testing Limits Testing Example I 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 For demonstration purposes you want to first measure the frequency of a 10 MHz signal applied to channel 1 of the Counter Next you want to set limits that would cause the
45. NJURY GROUNDING ONE CONDUCTOR OF ATWO CONDUCTOR OUTLET IS NOT SUFFICIENT PROTECTION Whenever it is likely that the protection has been impaired the instrument must be made inoperative and be secured against any unintended operation If this instrument is to be energized via an autotransformer for voltage reduction make sure the common terminal is connected to the earthed pole terminal neutral of the power source Instructions for adjustments while covers are removed and for servicing are for use by trained personnel only To avoid dangerous electric shock do not perform such adjustments or servicing unless qualified to do so For continued protection against fire replace the line fuse s of the same current rating and type for example normal blow time delay Do not use repaired fuses or short circuited fuseholders Agilent Technologies DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY C According to ISO IEC Guide 22 CEN CENELEC EN 45014 Manufacturer s Name Agilent Technologies Incorporated Manufacturer s Address Santa Clara Site 5301 Stevens Creek Blvd Santa Clara California 95051 Declares that the product Product Name Universal Counter Frequency Counter Model Number 53131A 53132A 53181 Product Options This declaration covers all options of the above product Conforms with the following European Directives The product herewith complies with the requirements of the Low Voltage Directi
46. OS 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 amp ExtArm or Enter key STOP NEG is displayed Press any one of the arrow keys until STOP TIME is displayed Set the Gate Time to 5 ms by performing the following steps a Press Gate amp ExtArm or Enter key TIME 100 seconds the default time is displayed b Press the appropriate arrow keys until TIME 00500 5 is displayed Press Enter key BE SURE to press the Enter key to complete the numeric entry The counter will now gate for a duration of 5 ms The 5 ms interval will begin after the external edge is detected Press Stop Single key to start the measurement The measurement is started after the external arm pulse occurs 2 18 Operating Guide Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Gate amp 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 70 MHz Out signal to the channel 1 input Press Other Meas key until PERIOD 1 is displayed After a few seconds 0 100 000 000 0 ys is displayed Hence the default number of digits or resolution displays a precise measurement To demonstrate how to use digits arming to change the number of digits displayed perf
47. Operating Guide F 3 5 Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction Measurement Specifications Continued Agilent 53131A Worst Case RMS Resolution Automatic or External Arming Time or Digit Arming 1E 02 1E 00 Auto Armed m 100 1000 10000 100000 1000000 1 07 Input Frequency Hz 1E 08 1E 09 1E 10 Gate Time 100 1000 10000 1000001000000 1E 07 1E 08 1E 09 1E 10 Input Frequency The preceding graphs do not reflect the effects of trigger error To place an upper bound on the added effect of this error term determine the frequency error from the appropriate graph and add a trigger error term as follows Automatic or External Arming Frequency Error Gate Time 42x Trigger Em 3 6 Frequency or Period Frequency Error Time or Digit Arming 4 42x Trigger Error eg ey Gate Time x Number of Samples Period Operating Guide Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction Measurement Specifications Continued Agilent 53132A Worst Case RMS Resolution Automatic or External Arming 1E 02 1E 00 1E 2 1E 4 1E 6 Frequency Error Hz 1E 8 1E 10 Time or Digit Arming 1E 02 1E 00 1E 2 1E 4 1E 6 Frequency Error Hz 1E 8 1E 10
48. Print menu and a hardware failure has resulted TB CAL FAIL You have invoked the TIMEBAS choice from the Calibration menu item CAL and the calibration failed TB CAL PASS You have invoked the TIMEBAS choice from the Calibration menu item CAL and the calibration passed If this condition recurs your Counter may need servicing 2 66 Operating Guide Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Front Panel Display Messages GPIB Messages Table 2 5 GPIB Messages 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 Refer to Chapter 5 Errors in the Programming Guide for a list of the error descriptions nnnn and nnn represent GPIB error code numbers that would actually be displayed Operating Guide 2 67 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 Description Function Select Parameters Preset Values In Save Recall Value at RST GPIB Reset Value at Power Up In Non Volatile Memory Measurement function Arming Parameters Frequency Period
49. Printer RS 232 Interface cables Agilent 24542G or Agilent 24542H e GPIB cables Agilent 10833A B C D xviii Operating Guide Agilent 53181A Quick Reference Guide The Quick Reference Guide is designed for experienced users of the Agilent 53181A Frequency Counter It is intended to be used as a tool to trigger your memory If you are using the Agilent 531814 for the first time Agilent recommends that you at least read Chapter 1 Getting Started in the Operating Guide first The Quick Reference Guide follows this page and consists of the following items e A Menu Tree which may be torn out of the guide for external use pages 1 and 2 e Menu Roadmaps which illustrate via key press sequences how to navigate through the menus under the menu keys pages 3 through 10 Key press sequences are provided for the following menu keys Freq Ch1 Freq Ch2 Other Meas Gate amp ExtArm Uppr amp Lower Limit Modes Scale amp Offset Stats Trigger Sensitivity Operating Guide xix Preface XX Operating Guide Agilent 53181A Frequency Counter GATE TIME AUTO EXTERNL DIGITS V V TIME 100 s START DIGITS 4 4 4 UPPR 0 000000 LIM TEST OFF SCALE 1 000000 SHOW MEAS LOWR 0 000000 ON OFFS 0 000000 STDDEV ON FAIL GO ON SET REF NO sto ves ae eee 1 SHOW NUMBER HELP t GRAPH MATH d ON MATH HELP no YES STATS OFF
50. R HIGH INTERP KEYPAD Hil PACE PR NT SHOW 9 AS 9 0 9 These menu items appear only if TEST LOOP is OFF Operating Guide 1 7 Chapter 1 Getting Started The Display Annunciators at a Glance The Display Annunciators at a Glance MHz us Gate Period Freq Ch1 Ch2 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 Ch2 Counter s channel 2 is selected to measure an input signal Limit Counter is limit testing and the current measurement exceeds the user entered limits ExtRef Counter is set to use the signal connected at rear panel Ref In connector as the timebase TIMEBAS EXT or Counter is set to automatically TIMEBAS AUTO select the timebase and has chosen the signal connected at the rear panel Ref In connector The displayed data is in units of Hertz The prefix for the units of the displayed data is mega 105 The prefix for the units of the displayed data is micro 10 The displayed data is in units of seconds The gate is open Before a measurement cycle starts this annunciator is OFF indicating the gate is closed During a measurement cycle the annunciator is ON indicating the gate is open 1 8 Operating Guide Chapter 1 Getting Started The Display Special Characters at a Glance The Display Special Characte
51. Range 5 1V to 5 1V Resolution 10 mV Systematic Uncertainty for AC signals 25 mV 10 of V for DC signals 25 2 of V Use of the input attenuator multiplies all voltage specifications input range results range resolution and systematic uncertainty by a nominal factor of 10 For example with AC signals Systematic Uncertainty becomes 250 mV 10 of V Operating Guide 3 11 Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction Measurement Specifications Continued Worst Case RMS Resolution Automatic or External Arming 1E 02 Auto Armed 1E 00 ims A 10ms T 1E 2 100m I 1E S 5 1s 1 4 gt 10s 2 1E 6 2 Gate Time 1E 8 1E 10 10 100 1000 10000 100000 1000000 1E 07 1 08 1 09 1 10 Input Frequency Hz Time or Digit Arming 1E 02 1E 00 Frequency Error Hz Gate Time O 100 1000 10000 100000 1000000 1E 07 1E 08 1E 09 1E 10 Input Frequency The preceding graphs do not reflect the effects of trigger error To place an upper bound on the added effect of this error term determine the frequency error from the appropriate graph and add a trigger error term as follows Automatic or External Arming Time or Digit Arming Frequency Frequency Frequency Error 2 un a Error x or Frequency Error x J2x Trigger Error x or ate Time Period Gate Time x Number of Samples Period 3
52. STVTY MED HI or LOW menu choices in the Trigger Sensitivity key menu for optimum sensitivity for certain measurement applications For example low sensitivity setting is very useful when measuring noisy signals To Use the Trigger Sensitivity Key to Adjust Counter s Trigger Voltage and Sensitivity Levels Turn POWER key OFF then ON again cycle POWER key to preset the Counter Connect a signal to CHANNEL 1 input and press Freq Ch 1 key to measure the frequency of the signal Press CHANNEL 1 Trigger Sensitivity key AUTO TRG ON is displayed Note that the Trigger Sensitivity LED indicator is on corresponding to AUTO TRG ON Press any one of the arrow keys to toggle to the auto trigger off mode AUTO TRG OFF is displayed Note that the Trigger Sensitivity LED indicator is off corresponding to AUTO TRG OFF 2 44 Operating Guide NOTE Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using CHANNEL 1 Input Conditioning Keys Press Trigger Sensitivity or Enter key LEVEL 0 000Vis 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 The trigger level adjustment is live The CHANNEL 1 LED indicates the trigger state that is flashing when triggering ON when trigger is too low and OFF when trigger is too high The trigger voltage level for CHANNEL 1 is now set to 1V as shown in
53. 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 To Use the Trigger Sensitivity Key to Adjust Counter s Trigger Voltage and Sensitivity Levels 2 44 Overview of Input Conditioning Toggle Keys 2 47 Using the Save and Recall Menus 2 48 Overview of Save and Recall Functions 2 48 To Use the Save Function 2 49 To Use the Recall Function 2 50 To Unsave a Measurement Setup 2 51 Using the Print Menu 2 52 Overview of the Print Menu 2 52 Use the Print Menu 2 52 Using the Utility Menu 2 53 Overview of the Utility Menu 2 53 To Set the GPIB Address 2 54 Selecting Operating Mode Talk Listen Talk Only 2 54 Setting the GPIB Address 2 54 To Choose the Timebase Source 2 55 To Run the Self Test Routines 2 56 Overview of the Self Test Routines 2 56 Example Procedure for Running the Self Test 2 57 To Configure the RS 232 Serial Port for Printing 2 58 Setting the Hardware Pacing 2 58 Setting the Baud Rate 2 59 Setting the Parity 2 59 Setting the Software Pace 2 59 Operating Guide vii 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 Counte
54. a Press Stats key b Press any one of the arrow keys until SHOW MIN is displayed Press Freq Ch 1 key Pressing the Run key now would clear the present statistics results and calculate a new set of results after N measurements Example Procedure for Easy Viewing of Stats The d and f arrow keys provide a short cut to viewing each of the stats that is standard deviation mean maximum and minimum when the Counter is already displaying a statistic measurement These keys allow you to cycle through the different Stats results and automatically view them While the Counter is displaying a statistics measurement press either the d or f arrow key to cycle through and display each of the four computed statistics and the current measurement The Display Digits keys that is More Digits and Fewer Digits do NOT affect standard deviation display results 2 28 Operating Guide 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 Set the upper and lower limits Refer to the section in Chapter 1 titled To Set Limits of Measurements if needed Press Stats key until USE is displayed Press one of the arrow keys to toggle to IN LIMIT state USE IN LIMIT is displayed
55. a detailed list of the preset values Cycling the POWER key presets the Counter e Counter s Utility menu allows you to select such things as timebase source GPIB configuration and RS 232 serial port configuration After your selections the Counter automatically stores all these selections in non volatile memory except the timebase source thus these settings except timebase source will not change when power has been off or after a remote interface reset e Counter automatically displays measurement s in a couple of seconds after you select a measurement function e g Period Counter accepts your numeric entry for a menu item after you press the Enter key You MUST press the Enter key to complete numeric entry e Counter automatically enables Limits when you enter a numeric value for upper and or lower limits or update any menu item in the Limit Modes menu e Counter automatically enables Math after you enter a numeric value for scale and offset e Counter performs Statistical analyses for you and will enable Stats when you update any item in the Stats menu e Counter automatically disables Limits Math and Stats when you select another measurement function e Counter saves measurement setup s e Counter instantly recalls the measurement setup you want to use e The Counter prints out your measurement and analysis data 2 4 Operating Guide Chapte
56. against calibration CAL UNSECURE You are in the Calibration menu and the first menu item indicates that the Counter is unsecure for calibration CALIBRATING You have invoked calibration from the Calibration menu item CAL and the Counter is currently performing the calibration 1 EEPROM FAIL You have requested that a Counter setting which is stored in the EEPROM HP IB BAUD PARITY SW DTR SHOW 9 AS be updated and a hardware failure has resulted FAIL NO MEAS You have selected SET REF YES without a valid measurement GAIN 1 FAIL You have invoked the GAIN choice from the Calibration menu item CAL and the calibration failed GAIN 1 PASS You have invoked the GAIN choice from the Calibration menu item CAL and the calibration passed IN REMOTE LOCAL LCKOUT NO CHANNEL 2 You have pressed a key other than Local while in remote You have pressed the Local Save amp Print key while in remote with local lockout You have pressed the Freq Ch 2 key and your Counter does not contain the optional 1 5 GHz or 3 0 GHz RF Input CHANNEL 2 NO GATE MENU You currently have the VOLT PEAKS function selected and requested the Gate amp Ext Arm menu NO LIM MENU You currently have the VOLT PEAKS function selected and requested the Upper amp Lower or Limit Modes menu NO MATH MENU
57. and Stop Measuring On Out of Limit Measurements 1 27 Setting the Counter to Flag On Limits But Continue Measuring 1 28 Disabling Limit Testing 1 28 Disabling Math 1 29 To Perform Statistics on Measurements 1 29 Selecting the Type of Statistics Stats 1 29 Computing Stats on Filtered Data Only 1 31 Displaying Stats After Filtering Data of Input Signal 1 33 Disabling Stats and Math 1 34 To Control Measurement 1 35 iv Operating Guide Contents Operating Your Frequency Counter Introduction 2 2 Chapter Summary 2 2 Where to Find Some Key Working Examples 2 3 How this Counter Works for You 2 4 Summary of the Measurement Sequence 2 5 Using the Measurement Control Keys Run and Stop Single 2 6 Overview of the Measurement Control Keys 2 6 To Use the Measurement Control Keys 2 7 Using Entry Select Arrow Keys 2 9 To Use During Numeric Entry 2 9 To Use When Sequencing Through the Other Meas and Recall Menus 2 9 To Use During State Changing ON OFF LO MED HI etc 2 10 To Use on Prompted Help Messages MATH HELP NO YES PRT HELP NO YES 2 10 Using the MEASURE Menu Keys 2 11 Overview of the MEASURE Menus 2 11 To Measure Frequency 2 12 To Measure Frequency Ratio Optional 2 13 To Measure Period 2 13 To Measure Positive Negative Volt Peaks 2 14 Using the Gate amp External Arm Menu Key 2 15 Overview of Gate External Arming Functions 2 15 TIME Arming 2 15 AUTO Arming 2 15 EXTERNAL Arming 2 15 DIGITS Arming 2 16 To Use the Gate and Exte
58. ays Per Day Per Month Per Year 4x10 2x107 lt 5x107 15x10 1x 10 20 3x10 2x10 Turn on stability vs time in 30 minutes 2x107 referenced to 2 hours 5x10 referenced to 24 hours 5x10 referenced to 24 hours Calibration Manual Adjust Electronic Electronic Electronic Note that power to the time base is maintained when the counter is placed in standby via the front panel switch The internal fan will continue to operate under this condition to maintain long term instrument reliability External Time Base Input Specifications 200 mVrms to 10 Vrms 10 Vrms Voltage Range Damage Level External Time Base Input Characteristics Threshold 0v Impedance 1kQ Input Capacitance 23 pF Frequency Manual Automatic Time Base Output Specifications 10 MHz gt 1Vpp into 500 centered around 0 V Output Frequency Voltage 3 4 1 MHz 5 MHz or 10 MHz automatic selection Internal vs External Time Base Selection Select Internal or External default Internal used when External not present Operating Guide Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction Measurement Specifications Frequency Period Channel 1 Range 0 1 Hz to 225 MHz 444 nsto 10s 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 0 2 ns to 5 ns Option 124 200MHzto1
59. cations Introduction Measurement Definitions Definitions of Systematic Uncertainty Terms Trigger Error External source and input amplifier noise may advance or delay the trigger points that define the beginning and end of a measurement The resulting timing uncertainty is a function of the slew rate of the signal and the amplitude of spurious noise spikes relative to the input hysteresis band The rms trigger error associated with a single trigger point is 2 2 Ein ut Ei nal Trigger Error Input Signal Slew Rate at Trigger Point in seconds where RMS noise of the input amplifier 1 mVrms 350 uVrms typical Note that the internal measurement algorithms significantly reduce the contribution of this term RMS noise of the input signal over a 225 MHz bandwidth 100 kHz bandwidth when the low pass filter is enabled Note that the filter may substantially degrade the signal s slew rate at the input of the trigger comparator Fractional Time Base Error Time base error is the maximum fractional frequency variation of the time base due to aging or fluctuations in ambient temperature or line voltage Time Base Error T a Af F laging rate B F temperature F line voltage 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
60. d One measurement is taken with each press of Stop Single key Note that the Stop Single key indicator is ON Press Run key The Counter aborts any measurement in progress and starts making repetitive measurements That is the Counter is in a continuous measurement loop Press Stop Single key The Counter is put into Single mode Press Stats key until ON SINGLE menu item appears then press any one of the arrow keys to set ON SINGLE menu item to N The Counter is set to take N measurements on each Stop Single keypress note N 100 at power up The state of ON SINGLE menu item affects the Stop Single key operation while statistics are enabled Observe that the Stats indicator is ON This indicates statistical processing is enabled Operating Guide 2 7 10 11 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 Press any one of the arrow keys to select a statistical result to display and press Freq Ch 1 key The Counter is now displaying one of the statistical results Press Stop Single key One set of N frequency measurements is taken with each press of the Stop Single key At the completion of the Nth measurement the Counter displays th
61. d measurement of the input signal applied to CHANNEL 1 is displayed Since the Counter is now in the go on fail mode the Limit annunciator in the display will light each time a measurement exceeds the limits you set However the Counter will continue to make measurements Disabling Limit Testing PA sg ub ue WELT Modes PF bclli LUIN t aa L TM Pie be RYT E IM The Counter is now making measurements without limit testing 1 28 Operating Guide Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements Disabling Math Yd Scale amp E TNN Offset 3 3 l LI N MAT FIEL IAI UFI fR 3 amp 4 a 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 Also you want the Counter to make 20 measurements before it computes the standard deviation Perform the following steps goe A a ELI E E ETE a 19 09 AMUN 214 Operating Guide 1 29 Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements Updating the SHOW configuration caused Stats to be enabled The Stat
62. d to the internal 10 MHz oscillator EXT allows the Counter to be synchronized to an external 1 5 or 10 MHz house standard or reference this reference signal must be connected to the Counter s rear panel Ref In connector Perform the following procedures to choose the timebase source Press and hold Recall Utility key then cycle POWER key Press Recall Utility key until TIMEBAS is displayed Press any one of the arrow keys until desired choice that is AUTO INT or EXT is displayed Operating Guide 2 55 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 e TEST LOOP e TST PRINT e TEST The Counter includes several self tests Some self tests are performed at the power up of the Counter Some of these self tests can also be invoked from the Utility menu Other tests can also be invoked from the Utility menu but a slightly different test is performed For example a power up self test might work regardless of connections to the inputs while a Utility menu self test may require a specific signal to be connected Some self tests can only be invoked from the Utility menu for example the keypad test You can specify that the tests should loop forever TEST LOOP ON or OFF or until any key is pressed You can also specify that failure messages be sent to a print
63. de 2 23 NOTE Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the MATH Menu Keys Press Scale amp 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 for details on how to perform numeric entry for Offset a Use the appropriate combination of the arrow keys to display a value of 222 127 MHz b Press which is located below the arrow keys to change the plus sign to minus OFFS 222 127 MHz is displayed c Press Enter key BE SURE to press the Enter key to complete numeric entry Press Run key The resultant frequency is displayed with 222 127 MHz subtracted from each measurement result The Counter displays the error or differences from the targeted 222 127 MHz For example the display might indicate 000 023 MHz Adjust the LO as necessary until the Counter displays zero 00 000 000 0 Your local oscillator is now properly aligned Example Procedure for Turning Off Math Mode Press Scale amp Offset key until MATH ONis displayed Press any one of the arrow keys 2 24 Operating Guide 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 operati
64. ditioning 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 Upper Hysteresis Level Y Peak to Peak Ls Trigger Sensitivity Level Lower T Hysteresis ional Level nput signa to Counter Signal will not generate a count because the peak to peak amplitude of the signal is insufficient Upper Hysteresis Level i Peak to Peak Trigger Sensitivity 7 Level Lower A Hysteresis Level Input signal to Counter Signal will not generate a count because the trigger level is set below the midpoint of the signal causing the lower hysteresis level to not be crossed Operating Guide 2 43 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 As previously mentioned the sensitivity of the Counter can be changed by using the SEN
65. e Types of Service Available if Your Instrument Fails page xiv e Repackaging for Shipment page xv e Description of the 225 MHz Frequency Counter page xvi e Options page xvii e Accessories Supplied and Available page xviii Operating Guide xi 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 It is located after this preface Chapter 1 Getting Started is a quick start guide that gives you a brief overview of the Counter s keys indicators menus display and connectors Last a graphical procedure for performing a complete measurement is provided Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter is an operator s reference You are given an overview of each group of front panel keys operating functions and menus followed by a series of exercises that guide you through the operation of the Counter Chapter 3 Specifications lists the specifications and characteristics of the Counter The Index helps you find items easily by arranging information in a sequence different from that
66. e 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 Refer to the Retrofitting Options chapter in the Assembly Level Service Guide for instructions on field installation of the options The Os and 1s in the following option numbers are numeric characters that is they are not letters Hardware Medium Stability Oven Timebase Option 001 e DC Power Input Option 002 High Stability Oven Timebase Option 010 e Ultra High Stability Oven Timebase Option 012 e 1 5 GHz RF Input Channel Channel 2 Option 015 e 3 0 GHz RF Input Channel Channel 2 Option 030 e 5 0 GHz RF Input Channel Channel 2 Option 050 12 4 GHz RF Input Channel Channel 2 Option 124 e Rear Terminals Option 060 e Rack Mount Kit Option 1CM Support e 5 year Return to Agilent for Repair Option W50 e 5 year Return to Agilent for Calibration Option W52 Channel 1 will have both front and rear terminals Option 015 and Option 030 Channel 2 will have a rear terminal only Option 050 and Option 124 Channel 2 will have a front terminal only Operating Guide xvii In This Guide Accessories Supplied and Available Accessories Supplied e Power cord 2 3 meters Accessories Available e Agilent 34161A Accessory Pouch e Agilent 34131A Transit Case e
67. e statistical result selected in step 9 Press Stats key until ON SINGLE menu item appears then press any one of the arrow keys to set ON SINGLE menu item to 1 The Counter is set to take one measurement on each Stop Single keypress Disabling the statistics with the STATS OFF menu item is another way to cause the Stop Single key to initiate one measurement at a time 2 8 Operating Guide o Enter E 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 This section describes how the keys perform in the different operating modes To Use During Numeric Entry e Use the s key to move left to select adjustable digits it does not wrap around se the g key to move right to select adjustable digits it does not wrap around se the d key to increment the selected highlighted digit of the displayed value U U e Use f key to decrement the selected highlighted digit of the displayed value Use the key to change the sign of the numeric value U se the Enter key to complete a numeric entry If a numeric entry is changed and the Enter key is NOT pressed then the value is not changed To Use W
68. easurement In addition if STATS ON all statistics that is standard deviation mean maximum and minimum will be printed Printing may slow the update rate of the Counter because the Counter may have to wait for the printer Press Save amp Print or Enter key PRT HELP NO is displayed Press any one of the arrow keys to select PRT HELP YES Press Enter key The instruction CONFIGURE PORT ON UTILITY MENU REMEMBER TO SAVE SETUP FIRST is displayed Save your current setup as shown in the section titled Use the Save Function Refer to the section in this chapter titled Configure the RS 232 Serial Port for Printing for information on how to configure and connect the Counter to a printer 2 52 Operating Guide POWER Utilit Utility Menu Hold at power up d Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Utility Menu Using the Utility Menu Overview of the Utility Menu The Utility menu is accessed by holding the Recall key and cycling POWER key The Utility menu allows you to view the firmware revision of your Counter REV n select and or display the current GPIB address HP IB 1 30 or TALK choose timebase source TIMEBAS AUTO INT or EXT execute several self tests refer to the paragraph in this section titled To Run the Self Test Routines for details configure the following parameters for the RS 232 port set the print baud rate BAUD
69. equencies to 225 MHz on Channel 1 Depending on which optional Channel 2 the counter contains this capability is extended to 1 5 GHz Option 015 3 0 GHz Option 030 5 0 GHz Option 050 or 12 5 GHz Option 124 The Agilent 53181A has a frequency resolution of 10 digits in one second The Agilent 53181A provides users with a GPIB measuring speed of up to 200 measurements per second and is suitable for bench top and ATE operation The Agilent 53181A basic measurement functions include Frequency Period Peak Voltage and Frequency Ratio if Channel 2 is installed The Agilent 53181A includes additional measurement functions and features that are designed specifically for manufacturing and service applications 1 5 10 MHz external reference capability to match customer s house standard optional ultra high high or medium stability oven oscillators for high accuracy needs and lengthened calibration cycles e external gating full math and statistics e automatic limit testing e analog display mode limit testing and e SCPI programming capability 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 xvi Operating Guide NOTE In This Guide Options The options available for the Agilent 53181A 225 MHz Frequency Counter ar
70. equency 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 e select 50Qinput impedance or 1 MQ input impedance for the input channel CH 1 50 OHM or 1M OHM e select dc coupling or ac coupling for the input channel CH 1 DC or select the attenuation of signals at the input channel The normal or no attenuation state key indicator OFF connects the input signal directly to the input amplifier The X10 state attenuates the input signal by a factor of 10 e inserta low pass filter into the input channel which attenuates frequencies above 100 kHz When the 100 kHz filter is enabled the key indicator is ON When the filter is disabled key indicator OFF the Counter resumes normal operation over the entire bandwidth CH 1 LP FILT or NO FILT Use the low pass filter for input signals that are very low frequency but noisy to prevent the Counter from counting unwanted noise which will distort your measurement Operating Guide 2 47 Utility Local Save amp Print d Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Save and Recall Menus Using the Save and Recall Menus Overview of Save and Recall Functions The combined use of t
71. er the RS 232 and the GPIB if in talk only TST PRINT ON OFF There are 14 choices for the TEST menu item They are listed and described in the following text TEST NO no test ALL run all tests except display keypad and printer tests DISP illuminate the indicators and vacuum fluorescent display VFD segments Note this test is not available if TEST LOOP is ON TEST LOOP must be OFF CPU test processor s ROM checksum the ROM RAM test RAM 2 56 Operating Guide 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 check front end circuits either by swinging trigger levels during power on test and ALL test or asking you to connect the timebase output to channel 1 MEAS make a measurement either by swinging trigger levels during power on test and ALL test or asking you to connect the timebase output to channel 1 INTERP test interpolators KEYPAD request user to press all keys Note this test is not available if TEST LOOP is ON TEST LOOP must be OFF PRINT send three test lines to a printer via the RS 232 If in talk only also send three test lines to a printer via the GPIB Example Procedure for Running the Self Test
72. er 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 The equation for this task is Frequency Revolution Sec x Scale 60 Sec Min Results Revolution Min Perform the following procedure to accomplish this task Connect the output to channel 1 input and press Freq Ch 1 key The frequency of the signal is displayed Press Scale amp Offset key until SCAL 1 000000 is displayed Set the Scale to 60 since there are sixty seconds in a minute by performing the following steps a Press appropriate arrow keys to set Scale to 60 b Press Enter key BE SURE to press the Enter key to complete the numeric entry The scale is now set to 60 When the scale factor is set both scale and offset are applied to the measurement result Verify that the offset value is zero for applications requiring only scale by performing the following step Press Scale amp Offset key if required until OFFS is displayed OFFS 0 000000 should be displayed If the Offset value is not set to 0 000000 2 2
73. er up test If all tests pass SELFTST PASS will be displayed See NOTE below HP IB AT 3 is displayed and then the Counter will start taking measurements If there is a failure each test that fails will display a failure message and SELFTST FAIL will be displayed You must press any key in order for the Counter to go on Possible individual failure messages are FAIL DISP display test FAIL CPU processor test FAIL ROM ROM test FAIL RAM RAM test FAIL EEPROM EEPROM test FAIL HP IB GPIB hardware test FAIL QSPI serial hardware loops test FAIL FPGA count circuit test FAIL FR END front end test FAIL MEAS measurement test FAIL INTERP interpolator test In addition the following power up message may be displayed UNCALIBRATED This means that at least one type of calibration has NOT been performed 2 64 Operating Guide Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Front Panel Display Messages Menu Messages Table 2 4 Menu Messages Display Message AC COUPLED Description You have selected the VOLT PEAKS function to be measured on a channel which is ac coupled BAD CODE CAL ABORTED The Counter s calibration is secured and you have entered an incorrect code Calibration was aborted because of GPIB or the user pressing a key besides the Enter key CAL SECURE You are in the Calibration menu and the first menu item indicates that the Counter is secure
74. essages 2 10 how to make measurements 1 12 how to set limits 1 23 hysteresis 2 42 I impedance 2 47 in case of trouble 2 74 indicators LEDs 1 4 initiating measurements 2 6 input conditioning keys 2 41 input impedance 2 47 internal 10 MHz oven oscillator 2 55 Internal timebase 2 55 L limit test graph 1 10 2 35 Limit testing 2 32 Limit detect output 2 38 2 60 Limit Detect Output connector 1 11 Limits Testing Example 1 Flag and Stop Measuring On Limits 2 32 Limits Testing Example 2 Flag On Limits but Continue Measuring 2 34 Limits Testing Example 3 Use Analog Graph Display While Adjusting Input Signal 2 34 Limits Testing Example 4 Selecting Filtering Conditions of Stats Computation 2 36 Limits Testing Example 5 Sending the Limit Detect Output 2 4 2 38 list of options xvii Local key 1 4 2 65 low pass filter 2 47 M making repetitive measurements 1 35 making the Counter flag on limits but continue measuring when the signal exceeds the user entered limits 1 27 Math Index 4 offset 2 21 scale 2 21 Math menu 2 21 MEASURE keys Freq amp Ratio 2 11 Other amp Meas 2 11 Time amp Period 2 11 measurement control keys 2 6 Run key 2 6 Stop Single key 2 6 measurement function menus 2 11 measurement gate 2 17 measurement sequence 2 5 measuring frequency 2 12 measuring period 2 13 measuring positive negative peaks voltage 2 14 menu messages 2 65
75. f digits displayed Operating Guide 3 13 Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction Measurement Specifications Continued Frequency Ratio UA ehe Ch2 F Measurement is specified over the full signal range of each input Results Range 10 10 101 Auto Gate Time 100 ms or sufficient cycles on Channel 1 to make a valid measurement whichever is longer LSD AR CHOROS PCR Ratio 7 27552 Freq x Gate Time Ratio 2 Cere Ch1 Freq x Gate Time RMS Resolution E 41 Ch1 Freqx Ch2 Trigger Error 2 Ch2 Freqx Gate Time aatio 2 2x Ch2 Freqx 41 Ch1 Freq x Ch2 Trigger Error Ch1 Freq x Gate Time To minimize relative phase measurement error connect the higher frequency signal to Channel 1 when possible Peak Volts Measurement is specified on Channels 1 for DC signals or for AC signals of frequencies between 100 Hz and 30 MHz with peak to peak amplitude greater than 100 mV The measurement will continue to operate up to 225 MHz though results are for indication only Results Range 5 1 V to 5 1V Resolution 10 mV Systematic Uncertainty for AC signals 25 mV 10 of V for DC signals 25 mV 2 of V Use of the input attenuator multiplies all voltage specifications input range results range resolution and systematic uncertainty by a nominal factor of 10 For example with AC signals the Systematic Uncertainty becomes 250 mV 10 of V 3 14 Operating Guide Chapter 3 Specifi
76. for upper and lower limits and LIM TEST was set to ON the Counter is now set for limit testing with the Limit detect output If a measurement drifts out of the user entered limits the Limit annunciator in the display will light Also pin 4 on the RS 232 connector will change state to a low voltage RS 232 level to flag each time a measurement drifts out of the limits RS 232 voltage levels swing from 12V 2 38 Operating Guide DISPLAY More Digits Fewer Digits NOTE NOTE Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the DISPLAY Digits Keys Using the DISPLAY Digits Keys Overview of the DISPLAY Digits Keys The DISPLAY Digits keys allow you to control the displayed digits only these keys do not change measurements Each press of the Fewer Digits key blanks out a digit with an underscore _ whereas each press of the More Digits key re displays the digit A minimum of three digits is displayed no matter how many times you press the Fewer Digits key The More Digits key allows you to display the maximum number of digits for the current arming setting To get more digits displayed for a measurement refer to the sub section titled TIME Arming page 2 15 in this chapter for information on using the Gate amp ExtArm key to change the gate time resolution Also refer to the Example Procedure for Changing the Number of Digits of Resolution Displayed for More Precise Measurements page 2 19 in this chapte
77. found in the Table of Contents disclosing relationships among items xii Operating Guide In This Guide Related Documents For more information on counters refer to the following Series 200 Application Notes e Fundamentals of Electronic Frequency Counters Application Note 200 Agilent part number 02 5952 7506 e Understanding Frequency Counter Specifications Application Note 200 4 Agilent part number 02 5952 7522 Operating Guide xiii In This Guide Types of Service Available if Your Instrument Fails If your Counter fails within one year of original purchase Agilent will repair it free of charge If your instrument fails after your 1 year warranty expires Agilent will repair it or you can repair it yourself by ordering the service guide There are three types of repair services e Standard repair service if downtime is not critical e Express Repair Performance Calibration Service if downtime is critical e 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 Just call 1 800 403 0801 and ask for Express Repair Performance Calibration Service When your Counter is repaired it will be returned via overnight ship
78. g the Offset from the last measurement value 2 25 turning off Math mode 2 25 turning off Stats mode 2 30 Example Procedure for Turning Off Math Mode 2 25 Ext Arm connector 2 15 2 17 external 1 5 10 MHz reference 2 55 external arm 2 17 External Arm input connector 1 11 external arming 2 15 3 16 external reference 2 55 External Reference Input connector 1 11 External timebase 2 55 F fan 1 2 1 11 Features and Functions 100 KHz Filter low pass filter 2 47 Arming 2 15 arrow keys 2 9 auto timebase 2 55 auto trigger 2 41 2 42 changing the number of digits of resolution displayed 2 19 CHANNEL 1 input conditioning keys 2 41 2 47 100 kHz Filter low pass filter 2 47 X10 Attenuate key 2 47 configuring the RS 232 port for limit detect output 2 60 configuring the RS 232 port for printing 2 58 connecting to a printer via GPIB 2 62 connecting to a serial printer via RS 232 2 61 DISPLAY Digits keys Fewer Digits 2 39 More Digits 2 39 underscore 2 39 Enter key 2 9 Entry Select arrow keys 2 9 External arming 2 15 Operating Guide external timebase 2 55 filtering data using limits during Stats 2 29 Frequency measurements channel 1 2 12 channel 2 2 12 Frequency Ratio measurements 2 13 front panel display messages 2 63 Gate and External Arming Menu 2 15 GPIB messages 2 67 internal timebase 2 55 Limit test analog graph 2 35 Limits Menu 2 31 Math Menu Offset 2 21 Scale 2 21
79. ggering is found the Counter will measure and compute a new trigger level While AUTO TRIG is ON the Counter also measures and computes a new trigger level whenever measuring is invoked with the front panel Stop Single and Run keys or whenever the auto trigger percentage is updated The menu items under the Trigger Sensitivity key also allows you to manually e select what slope or edge positive or negative of an input signal will trigger the Counter SLOPE POS or NEG e select medium high or low sensitivity levels thus varying the hysteresis window or trigger band for the optimum sensitivity for certain measurement applications SENSTVTY MED HI or LOW DEFINITION OF SENSITIVITY Sensitivity is the lowest amplitude signal at a particular frequency that the Counter will count The amplifier gain and the voltage difference between the input trigger hysteresis levels determine the Counter s sensitivity Sensitivity is specified with the trigger level set at a value equal to the midpoint of the input signal The input waveform must cross both the upper and lower hysteresis levels to generate a count as shown in the following figure Upper Hysteresis Level y Peak to Peak _L_ Trigger Sensitivity Level Lower Hysteresis diee Input signal to Counter Signal crosses through both hysteresis levels to effect a count 2 42 Operating Guide Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using CHANNEL 1 Input Con
80. he Save and Recall functions allows you to save and recall the measurement setups which determine how the Counter measures analyzes and reports answers A setup can include the measurement to be made the precision desired offset and scaling factor to apply limits to be met and statistics to compute Setups can also control printing of hardcopy Setups saved to memory registers are preserved when the Counter is powered down or disconnected from a power source The Save and Recall functions enable faster and easier operation fewer operator errors and minimum training The Save and Recall keys allow you to e create and save up to 20 different instrument measurement setups into internal non volatile memory SAVE e recall up to 20 user selected measurement setups that were previously saved RECALL 1 2 3 20 With a total of 21 save recall registers there are 20 registers available to you for save recall operations The Counter automatically saves the current setup to register O RECALL 0 before executing a recall function delete any of the saved setups UNSAVE 2 48 Operating Guide 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 e Period measurement function e the
81. hen Sequencing Through the Other Meas and Recall Menus e Usethedor s key to go back to the previous choice in a function or recall menu Repeatedly pressing this key will cycle through and loop around the list of choices e Use the for g key to go forward or to the next choice in a function or recall menu Repeatedly pressing this key will cycle through and loop around the list of choices e Use the Enter key to select the function or execute the recall or wait for the menu to time out for automatic selection execution To Use During State Changing ON OFF LO MED HI etc Press any of the arrow keys to toggle or change to the next state of the parameters found in the following menus Gate amp ExtArm Operating Guide 2 9 Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using Entry Select Arrow Keys Limit Modes Scale amp Offset Stats Trigger Sensitivity 50 1MO DC AC X10 Attenuate 100kHz Filter Save amp Print Utility Menu e 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 X SCALE OFFS RESULT message When PRT HELP YES is displayed press Enter key to display the CONFIGURE PORT ON UTILITY MENU REMEMBER TO SAVE SETUP FIRST instruction Operating Guide NOTE WARNING Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency C
82. holder 1 9 Unsave 2 51 using Enter key 2 9 using LIMITS 2 32 using ON FAIL GO ON menu item 1 28 STOP menu item 1 27 using SET REF 2 25 using SHOW Stats menu item 2 27 using Stats key 2 27 using the sign key 1 17 using the arrow keys to change states of menu items 2 10 to enter numeric values 2 9 to execute prompted help messages 2 10 to sequence through the menus of the MEASURE keys 2 9 using the entry select keys to enter numeric values 2 9 Index 6 Telefon 07121 51 5050 Telefax 07121 51 50 10 info datatec de E a MESSBAR MEHR Ihr Spezialist f r Mess und Prifgerate using the entry select keys to change states of menu items 2 10 to execute prompted help messages 2 10 to sequence through the menus of the MEASURE keys 2 9 using the Ext Arm connector 2 17 using the Gate amp ExtArm key 2 17 using the input coupling toggle keys 1 15 using the input impedance toggle keys 1 15 using the Math operations offset 2 22 scale 2 22 using the measurement control keys Run key 2 7 Stop Single key 2 7 using the Print menu 2 52 using the Recall function 2 50 using the Save function 2 40 2 49 using the Scale amp Offset 2 22 using the Scale amp Offset key 2 22 using the Unsave function 2 51 Utility menu 1 7 2 4 2 53 V volt peaks measurements 2 14 X X10 Attenuate key 2 41 2 47 Operating Guide www datatec de datalec
83. if you press the d key once the displayed value will increase to 1 000 volt as shown in the following step Eee d f evel 1 Channel 1 s trigger level is now set to 1 V To set the trigger level to 2V perform the following steps I EIEI LEVEL 2 A eee ee ED A 8 LEVEL 2 A Channel 1 s trigger level is now set to 2V Operating Guide Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements Selecting Input Trigger Slope Trigger t sensitivity JL LII FL J exa SLOPE NED 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 Selecting Input Sensitivity gree 9 Lh Sensitivity lt 21 NETUS TA eo JEN S H a RE SEE ME TI 6 lt 9 SENDER ed 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 sensitivity if needed 1 18 Operating Guide Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements Starting the Measurement 2 Run Al The Run key initiates repetitive measurements and is described in the section titled
84. in cal yes 1700 Utility Menu Parameters Option Timebase cal yes 2048 GPIB address no yes 3 Digit separator radix yes USA STYLE Baud rate RS 232 yes 9600 Parity RS 232 yes OFF Pacing RS 232 yes XON DTR RS 232 yes DTR HIGH Calibration Security Parameters Secure state yes SECURE Security code 2 70 yes 53181 Operating Guide 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 De atPower Memory Description In Save Recall GPIB iud 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 Since the Counter powers up on Run mode with auto trigger ON the auto trigger cycle runs almost immediately The default value is overwritten by a measured result almost immediately At RST the trigger level variable is defaulted The default value is shown in the table Same as for power up the Counter retains this value until the first auto trigger cycle runs However on RST the Counter is set up in Single mode not Run mode with auto trigger ON The auto trigger cycle runs only on initiation of a measurement The default value for the variable persists until overw
85. installed they remain in effect until you overwrite them An example is the trigger calibration setting Calibration values are defaulted until calibration is performed at the factory Another example is the RS 232 BAUD rate BAUD rate is defaulted until you pick a different rate Operating Guide 2 71 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 Description Arming Parameters In Save Recall Value at RST GPIB Reset Value at Power Up In Non Volatile Memory Frequency ext stop arm slope Math Limit Parameters Math limit test recalculate Reset limit test fail count on INITiate Statistics Parameters Statistics type Miscellaneous Measurement Parameters Interpolator calibration on off Monitor external timebase Status Reporting Parameters Event status enable 0 Service request enable 0 OPC disabled disabled OSR enable 0 OSR positive transition filter OSR negative transition filter QSR enable QSR positive transition filter QSR negative transition filter Error queue 2 72 Operating Guide Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Preset Values After Power up and RST Table 2 7 Agilent 53
86. it Detect Output 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 Refer to the appropriate section in this chapter for details on how to use Save and Recall To use the Limit detect output from the serial port perform the following steps a Save your measurement setup that includes your Limit Testing choices by simply pressing the Save amp Print key and the appropriate arrow keys until SAVE 1is displayed then Enter key to save to register 1 b Turn off the Counter Press and hold Recall Utility key then press POWER key d Press Recall Utility key until DTR is displayed e Press any one of the arrow keys until DTR LIMIT is displayed Press Run key Press Recall Utility key until RECALL 1is displayed then wait a few seconds to recall the measurement setup saved in register 1 Since your measurement setup included your settings for upper and lower limits and LIM TEST was set to ON the Counter is now set for limit testing with the Limit detect output If a measurement drifts out of the user entered limits the Limit annunciator in the display will light Also pin 4 on the RS 232 connector will change state to a low voltage RS 232 level to f
87. ization members Warranty Agilent warrants Agilent hardware accessories and supplies against defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from date of shipment If Agilent receives notice of such defects during the warranty period Agilent will at its option either repair or replace products which prove to be defective Replacement products may be either new or like new Agilent warrants that Agilent software will not fail to execute its programming instructions for the period specified above due to defects in material and workmanship when properly installed and used If Agilent receives notice of such defects during the warranty period Agilent will replace software media which does not execute its programming instructions due to such defects Safety Considerations General This product and related documentation must be reviewed for familiarization with this safety markings and instructions before operation Before Cleaning Disconnect the product from operating power before cleaning Warning Symbols That May Be Used In This Book gt Instruction manual symbol the product will be marked with this symbol when it is necessary for the user to refer to the instruction B S 5 Indicates hazardous voltages EE Indicates earth ground terminal T H Indicates terminal is connected to chassis when such connection is not apparent 2 Indicates Alternating curren
88. key 2 6 run mode 2 6 running the self test routines 2 56 S Save function 2 40 2 49 saving measurement setups 2 48 Scale amp Offset key 1 19 scale and offset equation 1 19 Scale and Offset functions 2 21 Selecting Operating Mode Talk Listen Talk Only 2 54 selecting sensitivity 2 46 selecting the type of Statistics Stats 1 29 self test messages 2 64 self test 2 56 sending limit detect output 2 38 sensitivity 1 18 2 42 serial port 2 38 2 58 SET REF 2 25 Setting the Baud Rate 2 59 Setting the Hardware Pacing 2 58 Setting the GPIB Address 2 54 2 62 Setting the Parity 2 59 Setting the Software Pace 2 59 setting upper limit 1 24 sign key 1 17 sign key 2 9 Single key 2 6 single mode 2 6 software pace 2 59 software pacing 2 58 special characters 1 9 specifications 3 2 Agilent 53181A 3 2 frequency range 3 2 power supply voltage 3 17 time base stability 3 4 SRQ indicator LED 1 4 star 1 9 Stats function 2 26 Index 5 dataTec GmbH Ferdinand Lassalle Str 52 72770 Reutlingen stop 2 6 summary of measurement sequence 2 5 SW PACE 2 58 2 59 T talk listen 2 54 talk only 2 54 2 62 TEST 2 56 time arming 2 15 3 16 timebase 2 55 auto 2 55 external 2 55 internal 2 55 timebase source 2 55 trigger band 2 46 trigger level 2 45 trigger slope 2 45 types of service available if your instrument fails xiv U underscore 2 39 underscore place
89. lag each time a measurement drifts out of the limits RS 232 voltage levels swing from 12V 2 60 Operating Guide 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 Note that the integral portion 12 is separated from the fractional portion of the number by a period or decimal point This numerical convention is used in the USA 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 Note that the integral portion 12 is separated from the fractional portion of the number by a comma This numerical convention is used in many other countries Your numerical convention choice for the display is stored in non volatile memory and does not change when power has been off or after a remote interface reset To Connect the Counter to a Serial Printer via the RS 232 Port The RS 232 port on the Counter s rear panel is a 9 pin connector DB 9 male connector You can connect the Counter to any printer with a properly configured DTE connector DB 25 You can use a standard Agilent 24542G or 24542H i
90. ment Repair Instrument Yourself If your Counter 1 year warranty has expired and you choose to repair the instrument yourself or would like more details on self test and calibration use the procedures in the Assembly Level Service Guide xiv Operating Guide In This Guide Repackaging for Shipment For the Express Repair Performance Calibration Service described above return your failed Counter to the designated Agilent Service Center using the shipping carton of the instrument Agilent will notify you when your failed instrument has been received If the instrument is to be shipped to Agilent for service or repair be sure you do the following e Attach a tag to the instrument identifying the owner and indicating the required service or repair Include the instrument model number and full serial number e Place the instrument in its original container if available with appropriate packaging material e Secure the container with strong tape or metal bands 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 XV In This Guide Description of the 225 MHz Frequency Counter The Agilent 53181A is a frequency counter capable of measuring fr
91. nded to eleven digits The Counter uses it as the reference offset value and reverses the sign from to Press Run key 12 u 120 us is displayed for example at the completion of the next measurement This value 0 00012 is the small difference between the signal being measured and the reference value OFFS 10 00000 M obtained in step 5 Using the reference allows you to observe small differences in the 13th 15th digits which would not be observable in the 12 digit display Overview of Statistics Stats Menu The Stats menu allows you to e select which computed statistics you want displayed SHOW STD DEV MEAN MAX or MIN e choose between having the actual measurement or statistical result displayed SHOW MEAS e select the number of measurements you want to make for each computed statistic N enable or disable the Stats mode STATS ON or OFF e enable the Counter to perform statistical computation on only measurements that are within the user entered limits that is filter data USE IN LIMIT or e enable the Counter to perform statistical computation on all measurements whether they fall in or out of the user entered limits USE ALL MEAS configure Stop Single key to initiate a set of N measurements ON SINGLE 1 or N 2 26 Operating Guide Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the MATH Menu Keys To Use the Stats Menu for Automatic and Continuous Statistical Analysis
92. ng the s key will cause the Counter to display the full display of the Offset value as shown in the following step je 1 1 20 Operating Guide 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 21 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 Enter T OU EEEPSES TI AAA 1 BE SURE to press the Enter key to enter the 1 Mega value The Offset is now set to 1 Mega Displaying the Math Results N oo E 38 VETERES The Counter displays the modified measurement results which are based on the scale and offset values that you selected in the previous steps For more details and real applications of the Math Scale and Offset operations refer to the appropriate section in Chapter2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Operating Guide 1 21 Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements Disabling Math LL 2 A d Scale amp p TINI 2 lt 7 Offset LIIN 2 s MAITH FILE 9 9 N
93. nt Yourself xiv Repackaging for Shipment xv Description of the 225 MHz Frequency Counter xvi Options xvii Hardware xvii Support xvii Accessories Supplied and Available xviii Accessories Supplied xviii Accessories Available xviii Agilent 53181A Quick Reference Guide xix 1 Getting Started The Front Panel ata Glance 1 2 The Front Panel Indicators at a Glance 1 3 The Front Panel Indicators at a Glance Cont 1 4 The Front Panel Menus at a Glance 1 5 The Front Panel Menus at a Glance Cont 1 6 The Front Panel Menus at a Glance Cont 1 7 The Display Annunciators at a Glance 1 8 The Display Special Characters at a Glance 1 9 The Underscore Placeholder 1 9 The Asterisk Placeholder 1 9 Operating Guide iii Contents The Limit Test Graph Characters ata Glance 1 10 The Rear Panel ata 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 Modifying Input Trigger Level 1 17 Selecting Input Trigger Slope 1 18 Selecting Input Sensitivity 1 18 Starting the Measurement 1 19 To Select Scale and Offset 1 19 Entering the Scale Value 1 19 Entering the Offset Value 1 20 Displaying the Math Results 1 21 Disabling Math 1 22 To Set Limits of Measurements 1 23 Setting the Upper Limit 1 24 Setting the Lower Limit 1 25 Setting the Counter to Flag
94. nterface cable Connect the Counter to a terminal or printer by simply installing an RS 232 cable such as an AT Printer Cable Agilent P N 24542H cable between the units Operating Guide 2 61 NOTE 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 To Select the GPIB Talk Only Mode for Printing Press and hold Recall Utility key then cycle POWER key Press Recall Utility key until HP IB is displayed To set the GPIB to talk only press the appropriate arrow keys until HP IB TALK is displayed The TALK choice follows 30 and precedes 0 in the set of choices for the GPIB menu item BE SURE to press the Enter key to complete the numeric entry The talk only operating mode is now stored in non volatile memory and does not change when power has been off or after a remote interface reset 2 62 Operating Guide Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Front Panel Display Messages Front Panel Display Messages There are four types of displays e Measurement Result Displays e Power Up Self Test Messages e Menu Messages e GPIB Messages Measurement Result Displays Table 2 3 Measuremen
95. ny setups are saved continuously press the d key while UNSAVE nis displayed and count the number of registers that are present Perform step 2 below to delete a measurement setup Suppose there are two registers 1 and 2 that have setups saved in them To remove these setups perform the following a Atthe UNSAVE 1 display press Enter key UNSAVE 2is displayed indicating that register 1 has been cleared To check if the clearing was done press the d key the 7 display should not exist b Atthe UNSAVE 2display press Enter key All registers are cleared when the UNSAVE menu item is NOT present in the Save amp Print key menu Now suppose in the previous step 2 you wanted to leave register 1 alone but you want to delete register 2 Perform the following steps a Atthe UNSAVE 1 display press d key UNSAVE 2is displayed b Press Enter key to delete register 2 Operating Guide 2 51 Local NOTE Save amp Print Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Print Menu Using the Print Menu Overview of the Print Menu The Print menu allows you to enable or disable printing PRINT OFF or ON e gethelp on how to print PRT HELP NO or YES To Use the Print Menu Press Save amp Print key until PRINT is displayed Press any one of the arrow keys if required until PRINT ON is displayed When PRINT is enabled the Counter displays and prints the results for each m
96. occurs the Remote indicator will flash The indicator will continue flashing until the controller has read or cleared the error queue or until the front panel returns to local mode An unlit Remote indicator indicates that the Counter is in local mode The SRQ indicator indicates that the Counter has requested service from the controller The SRQ indicator will remain lit until the controller has recognized the service request and serial polled the Counter or taken specific action to cancel the request for example CLS command Operating Guide Chapter 1 Getting Started The Front Panel Menus at a Glance The Front Panel Menus at a Glance Freq Other Gate amp Ch 1 Meas ExtArm 4 4 FREQUENCY 1 PERIOD 1 21 GATE TIME GATE AUTO GATE EXTERNL e DIGITS v v 4 1 RATIO 1702 TIME 100 s START POS DIGITS 1 1 RATIO 2101 NEG Ch2 c ac n 1 VOLT PEAKS 1 STOP AUTO 1 FREQUENCY 2 E POS 1 TIME Ss Grau TIME 100 s Uppr amp Limit Scale amp Lower Modes Offset 4 i 4 4 UPPR 0 000000 LIM TEST OFF SCALE 1 000000 SHOW MEAS LOWR 0 000000 ON OFFS 0 000000 STDDEV ONFAIL GO ON NO MEAN STOP VES MAX SHOW NUMBER viv GRAPH MATH OFF N 100 STATS OFF MATH HELP NO Yes USE ALL MEAS IN Limit ON SINGLE 1 1 These menu items appear only if your Counter contains the optional 1 5 GHz 3 0 GHz or 5 0
97. on 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 It also resets the scale value to 1 0 Thus any difference in the offset or now the reference value and the current measurement value is displayed Let s assume you are measuring the frequency of a stable source but you are only interested in the least significant digits of the measurement Use the SET REF YES menu item to configure the appropriate OFFSET value Your task is to measure a stable source to obtain the changes in the least significant digits Cycle POWER key to preset the Counter Change gate time to 15 0 seconds on GATE menu To demonstrate SET REF connect a 10 MHz sine wave signal to channel 1 of the Counter and press Freq Ch 1 key Note that since the gate time is set to 15 seconds it will take about 15 seconds to for the Counter to display the measurement 10 000 000 000 1 MHz is displayed Press Scale amp Offset key until SET REF is displayed Press the any one of the arrow keys to select SET REF YES and press Enter key OFFS 10 00000 M is displayed for example Operating Guide 2 25 Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the MATH Menu Keys Note that this value represents the last measurement of the input signal rou
98. or on the date of installation if installed by Agilent If customer schedules or delays Agilent installation more than 30 days after delivery warranty begins on the 31st day from delivery Warranty does not apply to defects resulting from a improper or inadequate maintenance or calibration b software interfacing parts or supplies not supplied by Agilent c unauthorized modification or misuse d operation outside of the published environmental specifications for the product or e improper site preparation or maintenance TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED BY LOCAL LAW THE ABOVE WARRANTIES ARE EXCLUSIVE AND NO OTHER WARRANTY OR CONDITION WHETHER WRITTEN OR ORAL IS EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED AND AGILENT SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY SATISFACTORY QUALITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE Agilent will be liable for damage to tangible property per incident up to the greater of 300 000 or the actual amount paid for the product that is the subject of the claim and for damages for bodily injury or death to the extent that all such damages are determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have been directly caused by a defective Agilent product TO THE EXTENT ALLOWED BY LOCAL LAW THE REMEDIES IN THIS WARRANTY STATEMENT ARE CUSTOMER S SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES EXCEPT AS INDICATED ABOVE IN NO EVENT WILL AGILENT OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR LOSS OF DATA OR FOR DIR
99. orm the following steps first a Press Gate amp ExtArm key GATE TIME is displayed b Press any one of the arrow keys until AUTO is displayed c Press Enter or Run key 0 100 0 us is displayed Note that fewer digits are displayed In auto arming you produce results quickly The short gate time produces a lower resolution result Operating Guide 2 19 Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Gate amp External Arm Menu Key To change the display to the better measurement resolution using digits arming perform the following steps a Press Gate amp ExtArm key GATE AUTO is displayed Press any one of the arrow keys until DIGITS is displayed Press Gate amp ExtArm or Enter key DIGITS 415 displayed the default number of digits To set the number of digits displayed to 8 press the appropriate arrow keys until DIGITS 815 displayed Press Enter key Press Run key 0 100 000 000 ys is displayed 12345678 Note that 8 digits of resolution are displayed 0 100 000 000 ys For the convenience of the user the leading 1 does not count as a digit when 8 digits are selected thus a result of 0 099 999 999 us can alternate with a result of 0 100 000 000 ys with a stable display and no change of settings is required 2 20 Operating Guide Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the MATH Menu Keys Using the MATH Menu Keys Note that Math and Limits are not available
100. ou get a larger number of digits on the display Time arming is demonstrated in the sub section titled Example Procedure for Gate and External Arm AUTO Arming For frequency period and frequency ratio auto arming means make individual measurements as fast as possible EXTERNAL Arming For frequency period and frequency ratio external arming means you can start a measurement by using an external signal When external arming mode is enabled a signal must be connected to the Counter s rear panel Ext Arm connector Operating Guide 2 15 Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Gate amp 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 Table 2 2 The Gate amp External Arm Key Menus as a Function of the Arming Mode Frequency Period Ratio Time Arming GATE TIME TIME lt time gt Auto Arming GATE AUTO Digits Arming GATE DIGITS DIGITS lt digits gt External Arming Refer to page 2 17 or the Menu Roadmap in the Quick Reference Guide which follows the Preface for more information GATE EXTERNL START POS NEG STOP AUTO NEG POS TIME lt time gt There is no Gate and External Arm men
101. ounter Using the MEASURE Menu Keys Using the MEASURE Menu Keys Overview of the MEASURE Menus The measurement function menus are divided into three categories e Frequency measurements on Channel 1 e Frequency measurements on Channel 2 optional e Other measurements period ratio optional and peak voltage Table 2 1 Menus of the MEASUREment Keys Freq Ch 1 key Freq Ch 2 key Other Meas key FREQUENCY 1 FREQUENCY 2 optional PERIOD 1 RATIO 1 TO 2 optional RATIO 2 TO 1 optional VOLT PEAKS 1 To sequence through the Other Meas menu you simply need to repeatedly press the Other Meas key to cycle through and loop around the items or measurement functions under the key Each press of a Other Meas key will advance the Counter to the next measurement function in the menu The menus under the MEASURE keys will terminate select function and return to measurement result display after a short timeout When measuring power line frequencies be extremely careful and always use a step down isolation transformer of which output voltage is compatible with the input measurement capabilities of this product Since the shell of the BNC input connector is grounded to the chassis of the instrument the hot side of an ac power line could be connected to the BNC shell and create a direct short to ground Therefore NEVER TRY TO MEASURE AC POWER LINE FREQUENCIES WITHOUT AN ISOLATION TRANSFORMER Operating Guide 2 11 Cha
102. pter 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 Note that the Freq and annunciators light Connect an input signal to CHANNEL 1 The Counter should automatically display the measured frequency of the input signal The trigger levels are set to the 50 points of the signal However you may disable auto triggering and change the trigger levels and slopes To set up CHANNEL 1 s coupling impedance and triggering conditions to match the input signal you are trying to measure refer to the procedures To Select Input Coupling and Impedance and To Set Input Channel Trigger Level Sensitivity in Chapter 1 Getting Started or the section titled Using CHANNEL 1 Input Conditioning Keys in this chapter To measure the frequency of a signal applied to the optional CHANNEL 2 input press Freq Ch2 key FREQUENCY 2 will be momentarily displayed and the Freq and Ch2 annunciators will light The Counter will be ready to measure the frequency of a signal applied to CHANNEL 2 input Note that the Frequency 2 menu item is not available in Counters that do not contain the optional Channel 2 2 12 Operating Guide
103. r for instructions on how to change arming by selecting a number of digits Printed output is the same as the display The Display Digits keys operate for all measurements and statistics means maximum etc except for Voltage Peaks and standard deviation Each time the Counter s measurement function i e period frequency etc or arming is changed the Counter s display is reset to display all digits Operating Guide 2 39 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 1 Cycle POWER key to preset the Counter 2 For demonstration purposes connect the Counter s rear panel 10 MHz Out signal to channel 1 of the Counter and press Freq Ch 1 key to measure the frequency of this signal 10 000 000 0 MHz is displayed 3 To blank all digits below 1 kHz press DISPLAY s Fewer Digits key four times 10 000 _ _ _ MHZ is displayed 2 40 Operating Guide Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using CHANNEL 1 Input Conditioning Keys Using CHANNEL 1 Input Conditioning Keys CHANNEL 1 The Trigger Sensitivity keys are menu keys while the other keys in this group that is 50Q IMQ DC AC X10 Attenuate and 100kHz Filter are toggle keys Use the CHANNEL 1 group of keys to set up the
104. r 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Summary of the Measurement Sequence Summary of the Measurement Sequence Use Utility menu to choose the timebase source e configure the GPIB if you intend to operate the Counter remotely e set RS 232 serial port if you intend for the Counter to perform printing and or limit detecting Use MEASURE menu keys to select the measurement function Use CHANNEL 1 keys to set up input conditioning Use Gate amp ExtArm key to e setthe gate time and resolution e set arming Use Scale amp Offset key to set up math operations c se Uppr amp Lower key to set limits Use Limit Modes key to set up limit testing c se Stats key to set up statistics and limit filtering Use Save amp Print key to enable or disable printing Use Run and Stop Single keys to control measurements Operating Guide 2 5 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 general the Run key provides repetitive measurements while the Stop Single key allows you to make single shot measurements The Run key allows you to e the Counter into a continuous measurement loop e exit any measurement after your selection of another measurement function e abo
105. r to a Printer via GPIB 2 62 To Select the GPIB Talk Only Mode for Printing 2 62 Front Panel Display Messages 2 63 Measurement Result Displays 2 63 Power Up Self Test Messages 2 64 Menu Messages 2 65 GPIB Messages 2 67 Preset Values After Power up and 2 68 Preset Values for Functions Accessible Via Front Panel or GPIB 2 68 Preset Values for Functions Accessible Via GPIB Only 2 72 Common Questions 2 74 Why is Stats result not available yet 2 74 Why won t printer work 2 74 Why did Counter stop measuring 2 74 Why did Counter go to its default state after I set up my RS 232 port 2 74 Counter s numeric display does not follow the numerical convention for my country 2 74 3 Specifications viii Introduction 3 2 Instrument Inputs 3 2 Instrument Inputs Continued 3 3 Time Base 3 4 Measurement Specifications 3 5 Measurement Specifications Continued 3 6 Measurement Specifications Continued 3 12 Measurement Definitions 3 15 Operating Guide Index Contents Measurement Arming and Processing General Information 3 17 Operating Guide 3 16 Contents X Operating Guide 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 e Contents and Organization page xii e Related Documents page xiii
106. rature Stability 3 Days x Daily Aging Rate 25x 10 3x 5x 109 40x 10 11 12 2 12 Measurement Error 4 0x 98 42 4x 225x 10 sj 2x 0 3x 107 x 15MHz 15 1sx 4200 000 18 4 0 109 2 2 01 10 10 15MHz 44 0x 109 1 101 x 15MHz 60 2 mHz Which is to say that the Agilent 53132A would display results in the range 15 MHz 60 2 mHz Note however that the dominant error is the Time Base Error If an even higher stability time base is available or if the instrument can be source locked to the 15 MHz signal then this error term can be substantially reduced The measurement resolution under these conditions is 75 uHz 1 sigma which determines the number of digits displayed 3 8 Operating Guide Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction Measurement Specifications Continued Time Interval Measurement is specified over the full signal ranges of Channels 1 and 2 Results Range 1ns to 10 s 53131A 53132A LSD 500 ps 150 ps RMS Resolution J Start Trigger Erro Stop Trigger Error t 53131A 53132A res 750 ps 300 ps Systematic Uncertainty Time Base Error x Trigger Level Timing Error 1 5 ns Differential Channel Error Agilent 531314 900 ps Differential Channel Error Agilent 53132A Time Interval Delay After a Time Interval Measurement has begun by satisfying the trigger conditions on Channel 1 the instrument will wait for the user entered delay time
107. rements are performed to the requested resolution number of digits through automatic selection of the acquisition time This is the most convenient mode when a specific measurement resolution is desired External Arming An edge on the External Arm Input enables the start of each measurement Auto Arming Timed arming modes or another edge on the External Arm Input may be used to complete the measurement Measurement Statistics Available Statistics Mean Minimum Maximum Standard Deviation Number of Measurements 2 to 1 000 000 Statistics may be collected on all measurements or on only those which are between the limit bands When the Limits function is used in conjunction with Statistics N number of measurements refers to the number of in limit measurements In general measurement resolution will improve in proportion to N up to the numerical processing limits of the instrument Measurements Statistics may be collected for all measurements except P eak Volts Measurement Limits Limit Checking Display Modes The measurement value is checked against user specified limits at the end of each measurement The measurement result may be displayed as either the traditional numeric value or graphically as an asterisk moving between two vertical bars These bars define the upper and lower limits and the asterisk represents the current measurement result relative to these limits Out of Limits Indication The out of
108. ribes how to RECALL the measurement setup you ve saved in the previous procedure You cannot save a setup to register 0 RECALL 0 The Counter automatically saves the current setup to register 0 before executing a recall function You can however recall the setup in the register 0 if you need to which is the purpose of this backup storage register Cycle POWER key to preset the Counter Note the Counter is set to measure the frequency of a signal applied to channel as indicated by the Freq and Ch1 annunciators Press Recall key until RECALL 1 is displayed and press Enter key or let the Counter time out Note that the measurement setup has been recalled as indicated by the Period and Chl annunciators and 50Q and DC LEDs 2 50 Operating Guide 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 amp 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 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT UNSAVE If the UNSAVE display DOES NOT show up after the SAVE display then no setups have been saved all registers are empty If UNSAVE display is present in the Save amp Print key menu then at least one setup has been saved To determine how ma
109. ritten by a measured result but it may be a long time before you request a measurement therefore it may be a long time that the default value persists N At power up you can bring up the Counter either in the Utility menu or in the results display The default behavior of the Run Single variable differs according to that choice When the Counter powers up in the result display it powers up in Run mode and begins making measurements immediately The Counter does not make measurements when the Utility menu is selected This is to reduce confusion while the user configures major attributes of the instrument When you power up on the Utility menu the Counter is in Single Upon exit of the Utility menu the Counter transitions to Run automatically At RST and at power up this value is undefined The frequency estimation routine auto frequency routine is enabled When you select auto frequency OFF and provide a value the variable takes on that value A Fundamental instrument settings are stored in non volatile RAM These settings persist even if the Counter is powered down and back up again They persist if the Counter is reset over GPIB with RST You can change these settings and the changed value is stored so that it is unaffected if the Counter is powered down or reset over GPIB with RST The default values for these special features are indicated in the table The default values are used when new EPROMs are
110. rnal Arm 2 17 Example Procedure for Gate and External Arm 2 17 Operating Guide Contents vi 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 Example Procedure for Turning Off Math Mode 2 25 Example Procedure for Set Reference Function Offset From the Last Measurement Value Seeing Digits Not Visible on the 12 Digit Display 2 25 Overview of Statistics Stats Menu 2 26 To Use the Stats Menu for Automatic and Continuous Statistical Analysis 2 27 Example Procedure for Computing Stats 2 27 Example Procedure for Easy Viewing of Stats 2 28 Example Procedure for Filtering Data Using Limits During Stats 2 29 Example Procedure for Configuring SINGLE to Initiate N Measurements 2 30 Example Procedure for Turning Off Stats Mode 2 30 Using the LIMITS Menu Keys 2 31 Overview of Limits Menus 2 31 To Set and Use Automatic Limit Testing 2 32 Limits Testing Example 1 Flag and Stop Measuring On Limits 2 32 Limits Testing Example 2 Flag On Limits but Continue Measuring 2 34 Limits Testing Example 3 Use Analog Graph Display While Adjusting Aligning Input Signal 2 34 Limits Testing Example 4 Selecting Filtering Conditions of Stats Computation 2 36 Operating Guide Contents Limits
111. rs at a Glance The Underscore Placeholder A placeholder that indicates the digit has been blanked using the Display Digits keys The Asterisk Placeholder A placeholder that indicates this digit is not significant because of the measurement resolution The appearance of this asterisk is determined by the Counter thus these cannot be removed by the Display Digits keys Operating Guide 1 9 Chapter 1 Getting Started The Limit Test Graph Characters at a Glance The Limit Test Graph Characters at a Glance Special Character Description The colons represent the lower and upper limits The asterisk represents the last measurement Operating Guide Chapter 1 Getting Started The Rear Panel at a Glance The Rear Panel at a Glance AC LINE ce sva i 01 MS Oven 10 HS Oven 012 Us Oven 7 To Configure N l Hold Recall during turn on f A Osc Adjust 85223 2 0 ca SERIAL PLATE Q A4coz 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 Rear panel input connectors optional 6 10 MHz Output connector 2 Power module Senses incoming voltage 7 GPIB IEEE 488 1 interface connector and automatically selects proper 8 Oscillator Adjust potentiometer setup 9 RS 232 Interface or Limit Output 3 Fan connector 4 External Arm input connector 5 External Reference Input connector NOTE Itis normal operation for the fan in the Counter to continue
112. rt the current measurement by starting a new measurement if already in Run mode or in Single mode with a measurement in progress This also clears any statistics being processed The Stop Single key allows you to e putthe Counter into Single mode if the Counter was in Run mode where measurement is taken with each Stop Single keypress Stats menu item ON SINGLE should be set to 1 e put the Counter into Single mode if the Counter was in Run mode where N measurements are taken with each Stop Single keypress Stats menu item ON SINGLE should be set to N e stop abort the current measurement if the Counter was in Single mode 2 6 Operating Guide 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 The Counter is now ready to measure frequency of a signal applied to CHANNEL 1 input Note that the Freq and Ch1 annunciators light Connect an input signal to CHANNEL 1 The Counter automatically displays the measured frequency of the input signal Note that the Run key indicator is ON Press Stop Single key The Counter is put into Single mode and the current measurement is complete
113. rted Making Measurements Disabling Stats and Math Wf Stats LA V opp xs bb 5 Sp ea a WIN 598 3 7 1 e 14 E Yd Scale amp Offset M I LUIN ros NU H i LI Freq gt 9 B MEM 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 ow P Single x Stop d 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 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 gt M TN The Counter is now making repetitive measurements continuously making live measurements The Counter stopped making measurements The Gate annunciator is not lit Hence pressing the Stop Single key while the Counter is making measurements in Run causes the Counter to stop after the measurement in progress is completed If you press the Stop Single key again while the Counter is stopped the Counter will make a single measurement and then stop the Gate annuncia
114. s Run key to display measurements as numbers Limits Testing Example 4 8Selecting Filtering Conditions of Stats Computation Let s assume you have set the upper and lower limits to reasonable values as in the previous procedure Since the Limit Testing and Stats functions are independent LIM TEST doesn t have to be ON in order to filter measurements for statistics Press Stats key until USE ALL MEAS is displayed Press any one of the arrow keys to display USE IN LIMIT Press Run key to start the measurement The Counter will compute statistics using only measurements that are within the user entered limits Press Stats key until USE IN LIMIT is displayed Press any one of the arrow keys to display USE ALL MEAS The Counter will compute statistics using all measurements whether they fall in or out of the user entered limits 2 36 Operating Guide Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the LIMITS Menu Keys 6 Press Run key to start the measurement 7 To turn off the Limit Testing perform the following steps a 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 When Limit Testing is off the Limit annunciator the stop on limit capability the limit graph and the rear panel RS 232 Limit Output if DTR LIMIT choice was selected as described in the following Example 5 procedure are disabled NOTE Stats will still filter
115. s indicator is now lit 7 Sad NOTE BE SURE to press the Enter key to enter the value of 20 1 30 Operating Guide Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements The Counter is now set to make statistics based on 20 measurements x Run LRL pec A Freq Ch1 TELECOM E e AE ULINO EET PIP TPT I n 0 LILI Gate In this case the displayed standard deviation value is computed on all measurements of the 10 MHz signal since no limits were set Computing Stats on Filtered Data Only A special feature of the Counter allows you to use the upper and lower limits to filter data before statistical processing or computation as shown in Figure 1 4 1 Raw Measurements 2 Limits 3 Filtered data USE IN LIMIT 4 Statistics Figure 1 4 Filtering Data Before Statistical Computation Operating Guide 1 31 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 DN fsass IIE OII ACD PECES NEES TM od TMTT 0 9 OJE Since the Limits were set to 100 Mega 102 Mega values that are based a scale of 10 and offset of 1 Mega
116. s shown above indicating that each press of the d key will increase the displayed value P e iii m nte 5 Sada NOTE BE SURE to press the Enter key to enter the 102 Mega value 1 24 Operating Guide 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 amp FT Ih D 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 HU i e Enter O LUN d NOTE BE SURE to press the Enter key to enter the 100 Mega value Operating Guide 1 25 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 1 Raw Measurements 3 Limits 2 Math 4 Measurements Scale Offset Results within Limits Figure 1 3 Math and Limits Results 1 26 Operating Guide Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements Setting the Counter to
117. se width must be greater than 4 ns Pulse Selection Positive or Negative Trigger Default setting is Auto Trigger at 50 Results Range 5 ns to 10 s 53131 53132 LSD 500 ps 150 ps RMS Resolution Start Trigger Erro Stop Trigger Error t 53131A 53132A Tes 750 ps 300 ps Systematic Uncertainty Time Base Error x Pulse Width Trigger Level Timing Error 1 5 ns Differential Channel Error Agilent 53131A 900 ps Differential Channel Error Agilent 53132A Rise Fall Time Measurement is specified over the full signal ranges of Channel 1 The interval between the end of one edge and start of a similar edge must be greater than 4 ns e g when measuring a rising edge 4 ns must elapse between the 90 point of one rising edge and the 1096 point of the next rising edge Edge Selection Positive or Negative Trigger Default setting is Auto Trigger at 1096 and 9096 Results Range 5 ns to 1055 53131A 53132A D B ps i50ps RMS Resolution 4 Start Trigger Error Stop Trigger Error t 53131A 53132A res 750 ps 300 ps Systematic Uncertainty p 5 Time Base Error x Transition Time Trigger Level Timing Error 1 5 ns Differential Channel Error Agilent 53131A 900 ps Differential Channel Error Agilent 531324 Phase Measurement is specified over the full signal range of Channels 1 and 2 Results Range 180 to 4360 2 RMS Resolution 1 s 2x Trigger
118. signal doing this will help you become familiar with the DC AC 50Q 1MQ and Trigger Sensitivity keys To Select Input Coupling and Impedance Selecting Input Coupling 072 je ms Ac LH i HL Channel 175 input coupling is now set to dc If you want to change the coupling back to the default ac coupling perform the following step i Ni 500 gt 02 Feb nue deg 2 MI L C TI Channel 1 s input impedance is now set to 500 The arrow keys can also be used to toggle the state of toggle keys DC AC 500 1 etc as indicated by the flashing indicator within the arrow keys However for simplicity in this procedure use the corresponding toggle key to change states Operating Guide 1 15 Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements If you want to change the input impedance back to the default MQimpedance perform the following step 2 FL d IM AUM ma LA io Ve OFN FERRARI EERIE oes To Set Input Channel Trigger Level Sensitivity Changing Trigger Mode 7759820 m 4r ERES sh Sensitivity PANE hed 98 MIC RUTO ERE HRF 1 16 Operating Guide Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements Modifying Input Trigger Level rigge O Omer A LE El H The leftmost 0 digit in the LEVEL display is highlighted indicating that
119. ssages page 2 63 e Preset Values After Power up and RST page 2 68 e Common Questions page 2 74 2 2 Operating Guide Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Introduction Where to Find Some Key Working Examples e Example Procedure for Gate and External Arm page 2 17 e Example Procedure for Changing the Number of page 2 19 Digits of Resolution Displayed for More Precise Measurements e Example Procedure for Scale Function page 2 22 e Example Procedure for Offset Function page 2 23 e Example Procedure for Set Reference Function Offset From the page 2 25 Last Measurement Value Seeing Digits Not Visible on the 12 Digit Display e Example Procedure for Computing Stats page 2 27 e Limits Testing Example 1 Flag and Stop Measuring On Limits page 2 32 e Limits Testing Example 2 Flag On Limits but page 2 34 Continue Measuring e Limits Testing Example 3 Use Analog Graph Display While page 2 34 Adjusting Aligning Input Signal e Limits Testing Example 4 Selecting Filtering Conditions of page 2 36 Stats Computation e Limits Testing Example 5 Sending Limit Detect Output to spage 2 38 the RS 232 Serial Port Operating Guide 2 3 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 e Counter presets the menus to default states and values at power up refer to Table 2 6 for
120. stand 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 2 Press key two times and 7 Connect signal 11 Indicator flashing release 8 Disconnect signal 3 Repeated key presses 4 Press and hold Operating Guide 1 13 Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements To Measure Frequency POWER Vi M M NA NA NA NA mi a pz e TA Ra a TO U V IN iM Gate E On Stby Period Freq Ch1 Ch2 LL i Ld Pm 1 Freq Ch1 Connect for demonstration purposes the Counter s rear panel 10 MHz Out signal to CHANNEL 1 input as shown in the illustrated procedure below CHANNEL 1 OMANA ae UI OUOU 5V ns MAX 500 The Counter will automatically display the measured frequency of the input signal 1 14 Operating Guide NOTE 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 demonstrate this Perform these procedures whether or not you want to customize the Counter s input conditions to measure your
121. t Indicates Direct current Safety Considerations contd WARNING BODILY INJURY OR DEATH MAY RESULT FROM FAILURE TO HEED A WARNING DO NOT PROCEED BEYOND A WARNING UNTIL THE INDICATED CONDITIONS ARE FULLY UNDERSTOOD AND MET CAUTION Damage to equipment or incorrect measurement data may result from failure to heed a caution Do not proceed beyond a CAUTION until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met Safety Earth Ground An uninterruptible safety earth ground must be maintained from the mains power source to the product s ground circuitry WARNING WHEN MEASURING POWER LINE SIGNALS BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL AND ALWAYS USE A STEP DOWN ISOLATION TRANSFORMER WHICH OUTPUT IS COMPATIBLE WITH THE INPUT MEASUREMENT CAPABILITIES OF THIS PRODUCT THIS PRODUCT S FRONT AND REAR PANELS ARE TYPCIALLY AT EARTH GROUND THUS NEVER TRY TO MEASURE AC POWER LINE SIGNALS WITHOUT AN ISOLATION TRANSFORMER Warranty contd Agilent does not warrant that the operation of Agilent products will be uninterrupted or error free If Agilent is unable within a reasonable time to repair or replace any product to a condition as warranted customer will be entitled to a refund of the purchase price upon prompt return of the product Agilent products may contain remanufactured parts equivalent to new in performance or may have been subjected to incidental use The warranty period begins on the date of delivery
122. t Result Displays Display Message Probable Cause DOING STATS You have chosen to see a statistics result and the Counter is calculating statistics but does not have valid statistics results yet FAIL Interpolator calibration failed on the last measurement therefore no valid measurement was taken MEAS FAIL A measurement calibration failed on the last measurement NEW TIMEBASE You have selected the auto reference mode TIMEBAS AUTO and the Counter detected that the external reference became invalid during the measurement Therefore the current result is not valid and the Counter switches to using the internal reference NO TIMEBASE You have selected external reference TIMEBAS EXT and there is no external reference applied to the rear panel Ref In connector or the external signal is not an allowed frequency There is no valid measurement available to display The Counter may be stopped between measurements while in Single mode and you need to press the Stop Single key or trigger level or input conditioning may need adjustment If this condition recurs your Counter may need servicing Operating Guide 2 63 NOTE 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 pow
123. tate ON FAIL STOP is displayed The ON FAIL STOP function tells the Counter to stop making measurements when the input signal drifts more than 1 kHz 9 Press Run key to start making measurements with this limits testing choice selected Now if a measurement drifts out of the user entered limits the Limit annunciator in the display will light The Counter will stop making measurements and hold the out of limit measurement in the display Operating Guide 2 33 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 Press any one of the arrow keys to toggle to the next state ON FAIL GO ON displayed Press Run key to start making measurements with this limits testing choice selected Now each time a measurement drifts out of the user entered limits the Limit annunciator in the display will light but the Counter will continue to make measurements The Limit annunciator will go on whenever a result is out of limits As soon as a result is within limits the Limit annunciator will go off Limits Testing Example 3 Use Analog Graph Display While Adjusting Aligning Input Signal For demonstration purposes connect a 10 MHz signal to
124. the numerical convention for my country e Go to the Utility menu and change the numerical convention to be displayed use the SHOW 9 AS menu item 2 74 Operating Guide Specifications 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 Frequency Range DC Coupled AC Coupled FM Tolerance DC to 225 MHz 1 MHz to 225 MHz 509 30 Hz to 225 MHz 1 MQ 25 Voltage Range and Sensitivity Sinusoid DC to 100 MHz 100 MHz to 200 MHz 200 MHz to 225 MHz Voltage Range and Sensitivity Single Shot Pulse 4 5 ns to 10 ns Pulse Width 210 ns Pulse Width Trigger Level Range Accuracy Resolution Damage Level 500 0 to 3 5 kHz 1 MX 3 5 kHz to 100 kHz 1 MQ 2100 kHz 1MQ 350 Vdo acpk M2 5 Vrms 20 mVrms to 5 V ac 4 dc 75 mVrms with optional rear connectors 30 mVrms to 5 V ac 4 dc 75 mVrms with optional rear connectors 40 mVrms to 5 V ac 4 dc 75 mVrms with optional rear connectors 100 mVpp to 10 Vpp 150 mVpp with optional rear connectors 50 mVpp to 10 Vpp 100 mVpp with optional rear connectors 15 125 V 15 mV 1 of trigger level 5 mV 5 Vrms 350 V dc ac pk 350 V dc ac pk linearly derated to 5 Vrms 5 Vrms f T OHz 3 5 KHz T 100 KHz Channel 1 Input Characteristics Impedance
125. to line voltage consequently this term may be ignored Typical Versus Worst Case Specifications Specifications identified as Typical represent performance of the instrument that the majority of users will perceive under a wide variety of conditions and signals The specifications identified as Worst Case should be used when the instrument is under extreme environmental conditions or when the accuracy of the measurement results are critically important Operating Guide 3 15 Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction Measurement Arming and Processing Gate Time Auto Mode or 1 ms to 1000 s Measurement Throughput GPIB ASCII 200 Measurements s maximum See examples in the Programming Guide for ways to optimize measurement throughput Measurement Arming Free Run Manual or External Continuous Single External or Timed Start Measurement Stop Measurement Arming Modes Note auto arming is the only mode available for the Peak Volts function Measurements are initiated immediately and acquired as fast as possible using a minimum number of signal Auto Arming edges Auto arming offers the highest measurement throughput though measurement resolution may be reduced Timed Arming The duration of the measurement is internally timed to a user specified value also known as the gate time This mode should be used when the length of the measurement time must be controlled Digits Arming Measu
126. to run after the Counter is placed in Standby mode Power to the timebase is continuous to maintain long term measurement reliability and the fan helps maintain timebase temperature stability Operating Guide 1 11 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 e First you are shown how to turn on the Counter and measure the frequency of a signal applied to the Counter s input channels e Second you are shown how to use the input coupling impedance and trigger sensitivity keys to set the input conditions of Channel 1 to match the signal being measured e Third you are shown how to scale and offset the measurement result e Fourth you are shown how to set upper and lower limits for measurements e Fifth you are shown how to enable the Counter to compute statistics such as standard deviation and display statistics of measurements e Last you are shown how to use the Run and Stop Single keys to control measurements The order of the procedures in this chapter is the recommended order for making measurements with this Counter 1 12 Operating Guide Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements Study and refer to the following legend as needed to under
127. tor will light one time momentarily If you press the Stop Single key while the Counter is stopped and when the Stats menu item ON SINGLE is set to N the Counter will make N measurements and then stop This enables a set of statistics to be computed While the Counter is still stopped perform the following step xd The Counter is making repetitive measurements again Operating Guide 1 35 Chapter 1 Getting Started Making Measurements 1 36 Operating Guide Operating Your Frequency Counter Operator s Reference 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 e this Counter Works for You page 2 4 e Summary of the Measurement Sequence page 2 5 e Using the Measurement Control Keys Run and Stop Single page 2 6 e Using Entry Select Arrow Keys page 2 9 e Using the MEASURE Menu Keys page 2 11 Using the Gate amp External Arm Menu Key page 2 15 e Using the MATH Menu Keys page 2 21 e Using the LIMITS Menu Keys page 2 31 e Using the DISPLAY Digits Keys page 2 39 e Using CHANNEL Input Conditioning Keys page 2 41 e Using the Save and Recall Menus page 2 48 e Using the Print Menu page 2 52 e Using the Utility Menu page 2 53 e Front Panel Display Me
128. tructions on how to select an GPIB address from the front panel e Talk only In this mode the Counter can send data to a printer It cannot receive commands or setups from the computer To select the talk only operating mode set the Counter s GPIB mode to TALK Refer to the section titled To Select the GPIB Talk Only Mode for Printing for instructions on how to select talk only operating mode Setting the GPIB Address Press and hold Recall Utility key then cycle POWER key REV nis displayed where represents the numeric firmware revision code Press Recall Utility key until HP IB is displayed HP IB 3 is displayed for example To set the address to 15 for example use the appropriate arrow keys to enter the value 15 then press Enter key BE SURE to press the Enter key to complete the numeric entry The address is now stored in non volatile memory and does not change when power has been off or after a remote interface reset 2 54 Operating Guide 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 AUTO allows the Counter to be synchronized to the external reference if present or to the internal 10 MHz oscillator if no external reference is present INT allows the Counter to be synchronize
129. u available for Voltage Peaks measurements 2 16 Operating Guide Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Gate amp 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 You want to make a Frequency measurement on a signal applied to channel 1 Also you want to perform the measurement during an interval of 5 milliseconds as shown in the following figure NOTE As shown in the following figure the Counter is always synchronized to the input signal Arming occurs on the rising edge of external arm ExtArm and the measurement gate is synchronized to the trigger event on CHANNEL 1 enaner 1 See U UO U L Ext _ Arm CR mM Gate p ms meu Perform the following procedure to accomplish this task 1 Turn on the Counter and press Stop Single to put the Counter into the single measurement mode 2 Connect the signal to channel 1 input and press Freq Ch 1 key 3 Connect an external TTL signal to the Counter s rear panel Ext Arm connector 4 Press Gate amp ExtArm key GATE TIME is displayed 5 Press any one of the arrow keys until GATE EXTERNL is displayed 6 Press Gate amp ExtArm or Enter key Operating Guide 2 17 NOTE 10 Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Gate amp External Arm Menu Key START P
130. used to modify or enter data pines The Enter key is used to enter numeric values or po parameters It can also be used to traverse through a menu Pressing the Enter key at the end or bottom of a menu will y Enter cause the Counter to exit the menu and return to the measurement mode fStop When one of these indicators is lit it indicates that the Run Sod Run 201 top or Single function is enabled TAN 7 Single Operating Guide 1 3 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 If the input signal is too low this indicator is OFF SIZE xxl 500 ZOS DC O 1MO AC X10 SO lt 100kHz Attenuc te Filter 295 When one of these indicators is lit it indicates that the adjacent choice that is 500 DC X10 or 100kHz Filter is enabled or active Note that when these indicators are not lit then the other choice that is IMQ AC or no filter is active Remote O Error Flashing NL SRQ 202 A lit Remote indicator indicates that the Counter is in remote mode Note In the remote mode the Save amp Print key becomes the Local key If while in remote an error
131. ve 73 23 EEC and the EMC Directive 89 336 EEC including 93 68 EEC and carries the CE Marking accordingly EMC Standard Limit IEC 61326 1 1997 1 1998 EN 61326 1 1997 A1 1998 CISPR 11 1990 EN 55011 1991 Group 1 Class IEC 61000 4 2 1995 A1 1998 EN 61000 4 2 1995 4kV CD 8kV AD IEC 61000 4 3 1995 EN 61000 4 3 1995 3 V m 80 1000 MHz IEC 61000 4 4 1995 EN 61000 4 4 1995 0 5kV signal lines 1kV power lines IEC 61000 4 5 1995 EN 61000 4 5 1995 0 5 kV line line 1 kV line ground IEC 61000 4 6 1996 EN 61000 4 6 1996 3V 0 15 80 MHz I cycle 100 IEC 61000 4 11 1994 EN 61000 4 11 1994 Canada ICES 001 1998 Australia New Zealand AS NZS 20064 1 Safety 61010 1 1990 A1 1992 A2 1995 EN 61010 1 1993 A2 1995 Canada CSA C22 2 No 1010 1 1992 Supplemental Information 11 The product was tested in a typical configuration with Agilent Technologies test systems July 31 2001 Cac Ia 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 StraBe 130 D 71034 B blingen Germany Contents In This Guide Contents and Organization xii Related Documents xiii Types of Service Available if Your Instrument Fails xiv Standard Repair Services Worldwide xiv Express Repair Performance Calibration Service USA Only xiv Repair Instrume

Agilent 53181A - 225 MHz Frequency Counter

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