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2461Type C User Manual

Racal Instruments



1998

General 1-1

Chapter 1

GENERAL

Introduction

The type C card is a high performance universal counter designed
to be used with the innovative RACAL Instruments 2460 Series,
VXI Modules.

The Counter card offers eleven automatic measurement functions,
including phase, pulse, peak, rise/fall time, time interval and ratio
measurement, all with extremely high resolution.

To perform high performance measurement, the Counter card
includes one filter per channel and a selectable hysteresis.

The Cd card does not include an oscillator. The Ce has a TCXO
oscillator and the Cf card a high performance OCXO oscillator.

Figure 1-1, Universal Counter Timer

2461 Type C Function Card

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Summary of Contents for 2461

Page 1: ...derutilized and idle equipment along with credit for buybacks and trade ins Custom engineering so your equipment works exactly as you specify Critical and expedited services Leasing Rentals Demos In s...

Page 2: ...BH21 7PF United Kingdom Tel 44 0 1202 872800 Fax 44 0 1202 870810 Via Milazzo 25 20092 Cinisello B Milan Italy Tel 39 0 2 6123 901 Fax 39 0 2 6129 3606 Technologie Park Friedrich Ebert Strasse 51429 B...

Page 3: ...anty also does not apply to fuses software non rechargeable batteries damage from battery leakage or problems arising from normal wear such as mechanical relay life or failure to follow instructions T...

Page 4: ...luation and incorporation into technical specifications and other documents which specify procurement of products from Racal Instruments DISCLAIMER Buyer acknowledges and agrees that it is responsible...

Page 5: ...is will defeat the protective feature of the third conductor in the power cord Maintenance and calibration procedures sometimes call for operation of the unit with power applied and protective covers...

Page 6: ...Artisan Technology Group Quality Instrumentation Guaranteed 888 88 SOURCE www artisantg com...

Page 7: ...Artisan Technology Group Quality Instrumentation Guaranteed 888 88 SOURCE www artisantg com...

Page 8: ...ement 1 4 Powerful Arming Capability 1 5 High Stability Time Base 1 5 Special Configurations 1 5 Measurement Block 1 5 Measurement Principles 1 6 Chapter 2 2 1 INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 2 1 Unpacking...

Page 9: ...e Subsystem 4 27 READ Subsystem 4 38 INPut Subsystem 4 39 OUTPut Subsystem 4 50 SENSE SUBSYSTEM 4 51 SOURCE SUBSYSTEM 4 61 TEST SUBSYSTEM 4 62 TRIGGER SUBSYSTEM 4 68 2461 TYPE C Specific Error Message...

Page 10: ...st 6 8 Totalize 1 by 2 Test 6 10 Ratio 1 2 Test 6 11 Trigger Level Accuracy Test 6 12 Functional Checks 6 14 Input 1 Filter Check 6 14 Input 2 Filter Check 6 15 Input 1 Attenuator Check 6 17 Input 2 A...

Page 11: ...re 5 1 2461 C Front Panel 5 2 Figure 5 2 Configure Arming secondary panel 5 5 Figure 5 3 Configure Input secondary panel 5 6 Figure 5 4 Select Reference 5 8 Figure 5 5 Configure Math Function secondar...

Page 12: ...6 2 Table 6 2 Input 1 Sensitivity high Frequency Performance Limits 6 3 Table 6 3 Input 2 Sensitivity Low Frequency Tests 6 5 Table 6 4 Input 2 Sensitivity High Frequency Tests 6 5 Table 6 5 Time Int...

Page 13: ...2461Type C User Manual vi This page was left intentionally blank Artisan Technology Group Quality Instrumentation Guaranteed 888 88 SOURCE www artisantg com...

Page 14: ...g phase pulse peak rise fall time time interval and ratio measurement all with extremely high resolution To perform high performance measurement the Counter card includes one filter per channel and a...

Page 15: ...ing Resolution The 2461 Type C card offers 200 MHz frequency range measurements with a resolution going up to 10 digits per second In time interval the resolution is 1 ns in single shot and 100 ps in...

Page 16: ...frequency range of DC and 50 Hz to 200 MHz Figure 1 3 High Performance Trigger Voltage Measurements Automatic triggering is used to establish the peak DC voltages for setting trigger points This featu...

Page 17: ...lications requiring measurement of signals in noisy configurations Figure 1 4 Selectable Sensitivity Pulse Characterization The 2461 Type C board provides automatic pulse characterization including Ri...

Page 18: ...ock is mainly implemented with an Altera Erasable Programmable logic Device EPLD The Timing Error Correction TEC circuit is external to this Referring to the block diagram Figure 1 7 the measurement b...

Page 19: ...cription there are two points at which resolution is limited by the 10 MHz reference the opening of the gate and the closing To overcome this limitation the time between the signal opening the gate an...

Page 20: ...Counting Chain BUFFER To Microcontroller Data Bus Timing Error Correction Circuit TEC Start Correction Stop Correction Start Counting chain Stop Counting Chain Reference CLOCK10 INTERNAL EXTERNAL Exte...

Page 21: ...2461Type C User Manual General 1 8 Racal Instruments 1998 This page was left intentionally blank Artisan Technology Group Quality Instrumentation Guaranteed 888 88 SOURCE www artisantg com...

Page 22: ...for safety before use NOTE Proper ESD handling procedures must always be used when packing unpacking or installing any function card Failure to do so may cause damage to the unit Reshipment Instructi...

Page 23: ...bus module from the chassis mainframe and then remove the right side cover from the module Remove the four screws near the front one screw in the center about 4 inches from the rear and one screw in t...

Page 24: ...oving the Screws from the Module Additionally the front panel must be removed There are eight screws that must be removed Four for each of the small front panels Figure 2 3 Removing the Front Panel Ar...

Page 25: ...his connector on the function card with that inside the 2460 Note if only one function card is to be installed it must be placed in position slot 1 see Figure 2 2 Secure it by screwing it down There a...

Page 26: ...be the responsibility of the user To update the configuration label on the 2461 the users should mark any changes in performance due to upgrades e g peak and dynamic currents etc on the label found o...

Page 27: ...anual Installation Instructions 2 6 Racal Instruments 1998 NOTE Refer to Chapter 6 for the Performance Verification Procedure Artisan Technology Group Quality Instrumentation Guaranteed 888 88 SOURCE...

Page 28: ...he user to choose between SEPARATE and COMMON modes of operation In SEPARATE mode the signal on Input 1 is fed to the channel 1 active circuits and the signal on Input 2 is fed to the channel 2 active...

Page 29: ...feeds it to the measurement system A block diagram of Channel 3 is shown below To Measurement System Ch 3 Signal Detected Signal Gate To Microprocessor System To Measurement System Low Signal Latch 6...

Page 30: ...at the beginning of each gate period and is set if the detector output falls below the threshold level The microprocessor samples the latch output throughout the gate period If the measured signal fa...

Page 31: ...ELS 50 1M AC DC COUPLING FROM MICROPROCESSOR SYSTEM FROM MICROPROCESSOR SYSTEM INPUT 1 INPUT 2 50 1M AC DC COUPLING RELAY CONTROL SIGNALS FROM MICROPROCESSOR SYSTEM FROM MICROPROCESSOR SYSTEM OFFSET C...

Page 32: ...nchronized to the signal which together with the Timing Error Correction TEC circuit allows higher resolution equivalent to a 1GHz reference In this system the first edge of the incoming frequency to...

Page 33: ...ate by a separate TEC and counting circuit the stop counting chain After the measurement results have been read out of all counters calibrated pulses derived from the reference are fed to the TEC circ...

Page 34: ...ce Input 2 Counting Chain BUFFER To Microcontroller Data Bus Timing Error Correction Circuit TEC Start Correction Stop Correction Start Counting chain Stop Counting Chain Reference CLOCK10 INTERNAL Ex...

Page 35: ...er I O is performed in the EPLD along with the measurement system After power up the microcontroller reads calibration data from the serial EEPROM and the 8X8 bit DAC are initialized The measurement s...

Page 36: ...t conforms to VXIbus System Specification Revision 1 4 The standard unit uses the VXI CLOCK10 as its reference However the user can choose between two optional internal reference standards a TCXO and...

Page 37: ...nal noise e g contact bounce from a switch generating the START event Time Interval Input 2 to Input 1 Measures the time interval between an event at Input 2 START and an event at Input 1 STOP It is p...

Page 38: ...ver successive periods until the count is cleared by means of either a SCPI command or a button on the soft front panel of the VXIplug play install disk Manual Totalize Input 2 Displays the sum total...

Page 39: ...put 1 Measures the 10 to 90 risetime of the waveform at Input 1 Falltime Input 1 Measures the 90 to 10 falltime of the waveform at Input 1 Positive pulse width Input 1 Measures the width of positive g...

Page 40: ...o Input 2 Time Interval Input 2 to Input 1 AUTOMATIC MANUAL TRIGGERING The trigger level can be set automatically or manually Automatic In automatic mode the system measures the positive and negative...

Page 41: ...coupling 1M or 50 nom input impedance X1 or X10 input attenuation 50kHz nom input filter Positive or negative slope triggering Manual or automatic setting of trigger levels In addition to independent...

Page 42: ...modes that use INT ARM the STOP arming hold off time is adjustable for time interval measurements Correct use of the arming facilities can be used for example to prevent premature triggering of the ST...

Page 43: ...ally fitted reference oscillator GATE OUTPUT The measurement gate pulse can be made available user selectable at any one of the VXI trigger lines TTL0 7 INTERNAL FREQUENCY REFERENCE ADJUSTER The optio...

Page 44: ...ll the 2461 Type C functions The Chapter includes Specific Commands Specific Error Messages Examples of Use Default Conditions The 2461 TYPE C Default Conditions form the default configuration that th...

Page 45: ...RESET CALCULATE SUBSYSTEM CALCulate MATH STATe OFF INPUT SUBSYSTEM INPut 1 2 ATTenuation COUPling IMPedance ROUTe FILTer LPASs STATe COMParator LEVel ABSolute HYSTeresis RELative SLOPe SETup AUTO FREQ...

Page 46: ...Se 1 2 3 FUNCtion APERture AVERage STATe TINTerval DELay TIME STATe TOTalize GATE STATe POLarity INTermediate MANual RESolution FREQ1 SCALar 100ms OFF MIN OFF OFF NORM OFF OFF 8 SOURCE SUBSYSTEM SOURc...

Page 47: ...procedure verifies that the 2461 TYPE C can accept process and transmit device dependent messages over the VXIbus VXIBUS Communication Check Perform the following procedure 1 Power on the VXI Chassis...

Page 48: ...od PWIDth NWIDth TINTerval TOTalize PHASe CHECk Configures the instrument for Trigger level negative peak measurement Trigger level positive peak measurement Trigger level voltage measurement Frequenc...

Page 49: ...ON MEASure 1 2 3 SCALar ARRay VOLTage MINimum MAXimum MIDDle FREQuency FREQuency RATio FTIMe FALL TIME RTIMe RISE TIME PERiod PWIDth NWIDth TINTerval TOTalize PHASe CHECk Performs Trigger level negati...

Page 50: ...input impedance Separates or commons input channel 1 and 2 Enables or disables low pass filter Selects relative trigger voltage level Selects absolute trigger voltage level Enables or disables hyster...

Page 51: ...on Selects measurement function PERiod FREQuency FREQuency RATio TINTerval RTIMe RISE TIME FTIMe FALL TIME PWIDth NWIDth PHASe CHECk TOTalize VOLTage MAXimum VOLTage MINium VOLTage MIDDle Selects the...

Page 52: ...E C relays Test short period TEC Test long period TEC Test ramp trigger DAC s TRIGger command summary COMMAND DESCRIPTION INITiate CONTinuous IMMediate ABORt ARMing SEQuence1 STARt LAYer SLOPe SOURce...

Page 53: ...d specifies which expression is used by the CALCulate block The parameters are the offset and the scale factors respectively MEASure refers to the previous measurement value1 and value2 are the offset...

Page 54: ...tructs the 2461 TYPE C to use the previous measurement as a scale factor INTERROGATIVE FORM CALCulate MATH EXPRession offset value scale value Returns the offset and scale values currently selected CA...

Page 55: ...ize parameter The limit for this parameter is 16384 The input settings are not changed by these commands These must be set using the commands in the INPut subsystem The reconfiguration of the measurem...

Page 56: ...dth measurement Time interval measurement Totalize measurement Phase difference between waveforms measurement Functional tests CONFigure 1 2 SCALar VOLTage MINimum expected value resolution CONFigure...

Page 57: ...esolution 8 Array size 1 EXAMPLE CONFigure1 VOLTage MAXimum Configures the 2461 TYPE C to measure the maximum positive peak trigger level on channel 1 single measurement NO INTERROGATIVE FORM CONFigur...

Page 58: ...the signal on input channel 2 The ARRay command programs the counter for multiple frequency ratio measurements as specified by the array size parameter The optional expected value and resolution param...

Page 59: ...10 of its peak value The rise time is the period the signal takes to go from 10 to 90 of its peak value The ARRay command programs the counter for multiple rise or fall time measurements as specified...

Page 60: ...ltiple period measurements as specified by the array size parameter The optional expected value and resolution parameters are used to derive the required number of digits of resolution Their units are...

Page 61: ...pulse width measurement and auto trigger is selected The forced settings exist only while this function is selected when the instrument is set to a basic function then the previous values of these set...

Page 62: ...t by the operator This prevents the measurement interval being stopped prematurely by spurious pulses such as those caused by contact bounce Refer to the SENSe TINTerval DELAy TIME and SENSe TINTerval...

Page 63: ...arming of the stop circuit can be delayed for a time set by the operator This prevents the measurement interval being stopped prematurely by spurious pulses such as those caused by contact bounce Refe...

Page 64: ...d to the channel 2 input and that applied to the channel 1 input Phase 2 relative to 1 Note The phase measurement is aborted and an error is generated if the frequencies of the signals applied to chan...

Page 65: ...e that this function can return the error 300 Basic self check failure in place of the 10MHz result to indicate certain hardware failures Note This function must be selected to perform functional test...

Page 66: ...n strings returned are FREQ FREQ RAT VOLT MAX VOLT MIN VOLT MIDD PWID NWID PER RTIM FTIM TINT TOT PHAS CHEC EXAMPLE CONFigure This query would return the string FREQ1 5 if the function selected is FRE...

Page 67: ...ue start Then every step values after start are returned The maximum number of measurement samples that can be retrieved by the FETCh command is 700 If more measurements have been taken the FETCh comm...

Page 68: ...erval Totalize Phase difference Functional tests FETCh count start step Description Returns the result of the previous measurement Parameters The default value of count is the number of measurements f...

Page 69: ...FETCh TOTalize count start step FETCh PHASe count start step FETCh CHECk count start step Description These commands return the results of the previous measurement s taken The function and the parame...

Page 70: ...ize parameter The limit for this parameter is 16384 If the MEASure command is sent while the 2461 TYPE C is initiated then measurement in progress is aborted before the reconfiguration takes place The...

Page 71: ...e width measurement Time interval measurement Totalize measurement Phase difference between waveforms measurement Functional tests MEASure 1 2 SCALar VOLTage MINimum expected value resolution MEASure...

Page 72: ...ALIZATION RST Resolution 8 Array size 1 EXAMPLE MEASure2 VOLTage MAXimum Instructs the 2461 TYPE C to measure the maximum positive peak trigger level on channel 2 single measurement MEASure 1 2 3 SCAL...

Page 73: ...arameter The optional expected value and resolution parameters are used to derive the required number of digits of resolution They have no units The actual resolution derived by the 2461 TYPE C is det...

Page 74: ...by the array size parameter The execution of these commands forces the following settings channels 1 and 2 are commoned the slope selection for each channel is set to positive for rise time measureme...

Page 75: ...o channel 1 MEASure 1 SCALar PWIDth expected value resolution MEASure 1 ARRay PWIDth array size expected value resolution MEASure 1 SCALar NWIDth expected value resolution MEASure 1 ARRay NWIDth array...

Page 76: ...d to channel 1 10 measurements MEASure 1 2 SCALar TINTerval expected value resolution MEASure 1 2 ARRay TINTerval array size expected value resolution DESCRIPTION These commands set the 2461 TYPE C to...

Page 77: ...pected value resolution DESCRIPTION These commands set the 2461 TYPE C to totalize events occurring at channel 1 or 2 The counting interval is controlled by electrical start and stop signals applied t...

Page 78: ...expected value resolution MEASure 1 2 ARRay PHASe array size expected value resolution DESCRIPTION These commands set the 2461 TYPE C to measure the phase difference between the waveform applied to t...

Page 79: ...expected value and resolution parameters are used to derive the required number of digits of resolution Their units are Hertz INITIALIZATION RST Resolution 8 Array size 1 EXAMPLE MEASure CHECk Instruc...

Page 80: ...LIZATION RST Resolution 8 Array size 1 EXAMPLE MEASure 1000000 10 Initiates a new measurement cycle on the currently selected function The expected value and resolution parameters specify 6 digits of...

Page 81: ...FUNCtion SENSe FUNCtion or MEASure FUNCtion commands The number of measurements taken and returned depend on the array size parameter specified in the last CONFigure ARRay or MEASure ARRay commands O...

Page 82: ...Enables or disables the low pass filter Selects relative trigger voltage level Selects absolute trigger voltage level Enables or disables hysteresis Selects comparator slope Enables continuously or si...

Page 83: ...gger is set for channel 1 If channel 2 is selected and SEParate is specified then manual trigger is set for channel 2 PARAMETERS 0 value 10E6 MIN 1 MAX 10 DEFault 1 x1 attenuation INITIALISATION RST 1...

Page 84: ...rminating impedance for the specified channel If value is less than 60 the impedance is set to 50 If value is greater than 60 the impedance is set to 1M PARAMETERS 0 value 10E6 MIN 50 MAX 1E6 DEFault...

Page 85: ...ALL TIME PWIDTH and NWIDTH are active then the error 240 is generated Function Error PARAMETERS DEFault SEP INITIALIZATION RST SEP INTERROGATIVE FORM INPut 1 2 ROUTe SEParate COMMon Returns the curren...

Page 86: ...s generated Function Error If this command is received while the functions FREQuency PERiod TINTerval TOTalize FREQuency RATio and CHECk are active then in addition to the setting of the attenuation l...

Page 87: ...e specified channel INPut 1 2 COMParator LEVel ABSolute value MINimum MAXimum DEFault DESCRIPTION Selects the comparator threshold level voltage of the channel selected The unit for value is Volt Auto...

Page 88: ...r 240 is generated Function Error If this command is received while the functions VOLT MAX VOLT MIN and VOLT MIDD are active and the channel specified is the same as the channel currently configured f...

Page 89: ...e channel and comparator selected The slope may be either positive or negative If NEGative is specified while the function RISE TIME is active then the error 240 is generated Function Error If POSitiv...

Page 90: ...he query returns POS if channel 2 is specified or NEG if channel 1 is specified INPut 1 2 COMParator SETup AUTO ON OFF ONC DEFault DESCRIPTION Enables either continuously or singly or disables the aut...

Page 91: ...IDD are active then the query returns ON if the channel specified is the same as the channel currently configured for the measurement function INPut 1 2 COMParator SETup AUTO FREQuency MINimum MAXimum...

Page 92: ...Racal Instruments 1998 Programming The Type C Function Card 4 49 Returns the current minimum frequency setting for the auto trigger Artisan Technology Group Quality Instrumentation Guaranteed 888 88 S...

Page 93: ...At any time only one TTLTrg line can be active The command generates the error 221 Setting conflict if a line is selected while another one is already active If the TTLTrg line specified is already be...

Page 94: ...ture PWIDth APERture NWIDth APERture PHASe APERture TOTalize APERture CHECk APERture AVERAGE STATE TINTerval DELay TIME STATe TOTalize GATe STATe POLarity INTermediate STATe MANual RESolution Selects...

Page 95: ...ion NWIDth SENSe 1 FUNCtion PHASe SENSe FUNCtion CHECk Description The SENSe FUNCtion command selects a function and input channel without changing most of the settings of the counter Initialization R...

Page 96: ...ault value SENSe PWIDth APERture MINimum MAXimum DEFault value SENSe NWIDth APERture MINimum MAXimum DEFault value SENSe PHASe APERture MINimum MAXimum DEFault value SENSe TOTalize APERture MINimum MA...

Page 97: ...FF Description Enables or disables the averaging of measurement results When the average function is enabled the 2461 TYPE C takes 100 measurements and derives the average value Note that the resoluti...

Page 98: ...prevents the measurement interval from being stopped prematurely by spurious pulses If value is specified for the time delay interval then this will be rounded up or down to the nearest 16 microsecon...

Page 99: ...e state of the time interval delay selection SENSe TOTalize GATE STATe ON OFF Description Enables Automatic Totalize Totalize 1 by 2 or Totalize 2 by 1 or Manual Totalize When ON Automatic Totalize is...

Page 100: ...surement function is selected generates the error 240 Function not allowed Initialization RST NORM both channel 1 and 2 Example CONF1 TOT SENSe2 TOTalize GATE POLarity INV Selects a negative polarity...

Page 101: ...g of events on either channel 1 or 2 The counting is started with the SENSe TOTalize MANual ON command and it is stopped with the SENSe TOTalize MANual OFF command The counting of the manual totalize...

Page 102: ...ON OFF Returns the current state of the Manual Totalize function SENSe RESolution value MINimum maximum DEFault Description Selects the number of digits of resolution This is in the range of 3 to 10 I...

Page 103: ...nts 1998 Example SENSe RESolution 6 Selects 6 as the number of digits of resolution Interrogative form SENSe RESolution Number of digits Returns the current number of digits of resolution Artisan Tech...

Page 104: ...2461 TYPE C 10 MHz reference oscillator Valid sources are the on board 10 MHz reference INTernal the VXIbus backplane 10 MHz signal CLOCk10 and an external source EXTernal Parameter DEF CLOCk10 Initia...

Page 105: ...tion is selected Use of this command requires an external connection between channel 1 or 2 and the standard output socket on the front panel using a 50 coax cable The test returns one of the followin...

Page 106: ...ion of this command the 2461 TYPE C checks the operation of the TEC circuit continuously until the state is turned off another state is turned on or the CHECk function is de selected The number of tes...

Page 107: ...is turned on or the CHECk function is de selected The number of test results stored in the main buffer depends on the array_size parameter specified by the last CONFigure ARRay CHECk or MEASure ARRay...

Page 108: ...the main buffer depends on the array_size parameter specified by the last CONFigure ARRay CHECk or MEASure ARRay CHECk command sent only one test result is stored if the last CONFigure or MEASure comm...

Page 109: ...ay_size parameter specified by the last CONFigure ARRay CHECk or MEASure ARRay CHECk command sent only one test result is stored if the last CONFigure or MEASure command sent was of SCALar type Note t...

Page 110: ...channel number is irrelevant On reception of this command the 2461 TYPE C checks the operation of the DACs continuously until the state is turned off another state is turned on or the CHECk function i...

Page 111: ...rvient sequences defined in the SCPI Command reference Changing any of the ARMing settings invalidates the previously acquired data Below is the diagram for the 2461 TYPE C trigger subsystem SEQUENCE1...

Page 112: ...surement now moves the SEQUENCE2 or STOP sequence through the initiated state and straight to the arm state and either proceed straight to the trigger layer if the command ARM STOP SOUR IMM default ha...

Page 113: ...he arming signal for start Slope of the arming signal for stop Source of the arming signal for stop INITiate IMMediate Description The INITiate IMMediate command causes the trigger system to initiate...

Page 114: ...hat when INITiate CONTinuous is set to OFF the current trigger cycle is completed before entering the Idle state If the device is not in the Idle state the command has no effect on the trigger system...

Page 115: ...tart arming is IMMediate then this command has no immediate effect If the device is not in the Idle state this command has no effect on the trigger system and an error 221 is generated Setting conflic...

Page 116: ...output signal of one of the 2461 TYPE C boards in the system refer to the OUTPut subsystem then the error 221 is generated Setting conflict If the device is not in the Idle state this command has no...

Page 117: ...EQuence2 STOP LAYer SOURce CTR_EXTARM TTLTrg 0 7 IMMediate Description Selects the start arming source to be used when the 2461 TYPE C is initiated When CTR_EXTARM is specified then if the current sou...

Page 118: ...ber 311 Memory related error An error has occurred in one of the memory areas of the module The problem may arise when programming the Non volatile memory or when transferring samples in DMA mode 340...

Page 119: ...the second field is present but a null value then the lower position is unoccupied Note that the default setting is function card 1 Preparation For Measurement In general the user will prepare the 24...

Page 120: ...L noisy signal and the 1M input using the clock10 reference the following command should be sent RST This command should be used if the state of the instrument is unknown This will return all settings...

Page 121: ...for the operator to read back the result The next command is the READ command which triggers the 2461 and when the measurement is complete places the result in the output buffer as before The READ co...

Page 122: ...ly if the expected value and measurement resolution are supplied This is done using the CONF command If it is desired to measure 150MHz to 1Hz resolution then the command CONF FREQ 150E6 1 will ensure...

Page 123: ...C User Manual Programming The Type C Function Card 4 80 Racal Instruments 1998 This page was left intentionally blank Artisan Technology Group Quality Instrumentation Guaranteed 888 88 SOURCE www arti...

Page 124: ...rements are also returned as numeric arrays Returned string data is also converted to numerical data for easy manipulation in the user program Using The Soft Front Panel The soft front panel allows th...

Page 125: ...t 1 Frequency Input 2 Frequency Input 3 Period Input 1 Period Input 2 Time interval Input 1 to Input 2 Time interval Input 2 to Input 1 Total Input 1 by Input 2 Total Input 2 by Input 1 Manual Total I...

Page 126: ...reset the Totalize count The Single Shot and Continuous buttons control the actual measurement process Pressing the Single Shot button initiates a 2461 Type C measurement and acquires the result Pres...

Page 127: ...2461 Type C The associated secondary panel shown in figure 5 5 allows the user to enable or disable the math processing and specify Scale and Offset values The About button shown in figure 5 6 contain...

Page 128: ...al Negative Slope Figure 5 2 Configure Arming secondary panel The External Arm Input control specifies the source of the external arming and has the following entries TTLTRG0 TTLTRG1 TTLTRG2 TTLTRG3 T...

Page 129: ...Impedance control sets the terminating impedance 50 or 1M The Attenuation control sets the input block signal attenuator x1 or x10 The Filter control enables or disables the input low pass filter The...

Page 130: ...channels The Minimum Frequency control sets the minimum frequency of the auto trigger algorithm This can be 50Hz or 1000Hz The Apply command button invokes the changes to the settings The Default comm...

Page 131: ...her an optional Internal Standard or an External reference Note that if no internal standard is installed this will not be offered as a choice The Apply command button invokes the change to the freque...

Page 132: ...in the input box Note that the last measurement cannot be used as offset and scale parameter at the same time The Apply command button invokes the changes to the settings The Default command button in...

Page 133: ...anel shows the Software Revisions both Soft Front Panel and Instrument Install Disk and details of the instrument such as name SCPI version firmware revision and the module serial number Figure 5 6 Ab...

Page 134: ...gnificant digit of resolution between successive readings Note that these procedures check the measurement circuitry of the UCT but not the absolute accuracy Absolute accuracies must be calculated fro...

Page 135: ...rce to accept the 10MHz reference from the UCT Connect the Function Generator to the UCT as shown in Figure 6 1 Figure 6 1 Input 1 Low Frequency Sensitivity Test Configuration Apply the frequencies am...

Page 136: ...encies given to the UCT input 1 Check that the UCT gives a stable reading within the tolerances given at less than the signal levels given Table 6 2 Input 1 Sensitivity high Frequency Performance Limi...

Page 137: ...to the external signal source 10MHz Input Configure the external signal source to accept the 10MHz reference from the UCT Connect the Function Generator to the UCT as shown in Figure 6 2 Figure 6 2 In...

Page 138: ...iven in the following table and apply the Frequencies given to the UCT input 2 Check that the UCT gives a stable reading within the tolerances given at less than the signal levels given Table 6 4 Inpu...

Page 139: ...erefore be run with a 2461 that is not fitted with this hardware 6 If there is more than one 2461 in system select the required 2461 otherwise selection is automatic 7 If the 9087 is connected via the...

Page 140: ...AL STAT OFF This will have set the Channel 3 Fitted flag in the non vol memory of the UCT 3 Start the 2461 soft front panel application program Racal Instruments Limited p n 60 0084 and 60 0087 and se...

Page 141: ...time Interval 1 2 If the UCT is fitted with a TCXO or OCXO oscillator option connect the UCT internal reference output to the external signal source 10MHz Input Configure the external signal source t...

Page 142: ...Syntax Results Tolerance INP1 COMP SLOP POS INP2 COMP SLOP POS 0ns 2ns INP1 COMP SLOP NEG INP2 COMP SLOP POS 50ns 2ns INP1 COMP SLOP NEG INP2 COMP SLOP NEG 0ns 2ns INP1 COMP SLOP POS INP2 COMP SLOP N...

Page 143: ...rnal reference output to the external signal source 10MHz Input Configure the external signal source to accept the 10MHz reference from the UCT Connect the UCT to the signal generator as shown in Figu...

Page 144: ...s 50 impedance for Input 1 INP2 COUP DC selects DC coupling for Input 2 Connect the signal generator s RF and LF outputs to the UCT s Inputs 1 and 2 as shown in Figure 6 5 Set the signal generator to...

Page 145: ...o 1 000 volts Next change the DC standard output to 4 000 volts this insures counter in x1 mode Figure 6 6 Input 1 Trigger Level Test Configuration Connect the DC Standard to Input 1 of the UCT Use fo...

Page 146: ...t the trigger level is 8 000V 380mV Command Syntax MEAS1 VOLT MIN measures negative peak Verity that the reading is 8 000V 1 3mV Disconnect the DC Standard from Input 1 and connect to Input 2 Configur...

Page 147: ...ck that the UCT is measuring 50kHz and the peak to peak signal level is Command Syntax Notes MEAS1 FREQ Confirm 50kHz MEAS1 VOLT MAX VP1 MEAS1 VOLT MIN VN1 Switch in the input filter for channel 1 and...

Page 148: ...Set the generator to 50kHz 1Vrms Check that the UCT is measuring 50kHz and the peak to peak signal level is Command Syntax Notes MEAS2 FREQ Confirm 50kHz MEAS2 VOLT MAX VP1 MEAS2 VOLT MIN VN1 Switch i...

Page 149: ...T LPAS STAT ON turn on LPF for channel 2 MEAS2 FREQ Confirm 50kHz MEAS2 VOLT MAX VP2 MEAS2 VOLT MIN VN2 Use the equation or to verify compliance 0 2 log 20 2 2 1 P1 N P N V V V V 25 1 2 2 1 1 N P N P...

Page 150: ...nal generator to 1MHz 10mV Increase the signal generator output level until the UCT gives a stable reading Note the signal generator output level Enable the UCT Input 1 attenuator and check that the U...

Page 151: ...gnal generator to 1MHz 10mV Increase the signal generator output level until the UCT gives a stable reading Note the signal generator output level Enable the UCT Input 2 attenuator and check that the...

Page 152: ...1 COMP HYST REL MAX enables hysteresis MEAS1 FREQ takes a measurement Disconnect the test equipment Hysteresis Check for Input 2 Set the UCT to its default state Select 50 impedance for Input 2 Equipm...

Page 153: ...Cf Frequency Counter Figure 6 11 External Standard Output 3 Program the 2461 Cf Frequency Counter as follows using the Soft Front Panel or SCPI commands using a program like VIC or VISAIC a Frequency...

Page 154: ...erformance Verification and Adjustments 6 21 5 Allow the reading to stabilize for 5 minutes and re adjust to the following tolerances TCXO 1 Hz OCXO 0 1 Hz Artisan Technology Group Quality Instrumenta...

Page 155: ...User Manual Performance Verification and Adjustments 6 22 Racal Instruments 1998 This page was left intentionally blank Artisan Technology Group Quality Instrumentation Guaranteed 888 88 SOURCE www ar...

Page 156: ...rument in for repair complete the form in the back of this manual For worldwide support and the office closes to your facility refer to the Support Offices section on the following page Reshipment Ins...

Page 157: ...rope European Headquarters and Service Center 18 Avenue Dutartre 78150 LeChesnay France Tel 33 0 1 39 23 22 22 Fax 33 0 1 39 23 22 25 29 31 Cobham Road Wimborne Dorset BH21 7PF United Kingdom Tel 44 0...

Page 158: ...urchasing Contact Phone Number 1 Describe in detail the problem and symptoms you are having Please include all set up details such as input output levels frequencies waveform details etc 2 If problem...

Page 159: ...2461Type C User Manual Product Support 7 4 Racal Instruments 1998 This page was left intentionally blank Artisan Technology Group Quality Instrumentation Guaranteed 888 88 SOURCE www artisantg com...

Page 160: ...erated independently SEPARATE mode or with Channel 2 buffer amplifier input commoned with Channel 1 buffer amplifier input Frequency Range Channel 1 DC to 200MHz Channel 2 DC to 100MHz Signal Routing...

Page 161: ...e adjusted The above Sensitivity figures are with the hysteresis in its most sensitive position but the sensitivity will be reduced by a factor of 2 nominal upon selecting the other setting Dynamic Ra...

Page 162: ...MS 1M 10 DC f 20kHz 260V DC AC RMS 20kHz f 100kHz f 10 5 6 V RMS f 100kHz 50V RMS 50 1 10 DC f 200MHz 5V DC AC RMS where f is the input frequency in Hz WARNING To ensure protection against electrical...

Page 163: ...Trigger Level Range 5 1V to 5 1VDC 2 Trigger Level Resolution x1 attenuation 2 5mV nominal x10 attenuation 25mV nominal 3 Trigger Level Accuracy Relative to the trigger point as queried with INP 1 2...

Page 164: ...o 50Hz or 1kHz in order to minimize auto trigger acquisition times Selectable Auto Trigger Minimum Frequency The auto trigger algorithm is optimised for the lowest AC frequency to be acquired In gener...

Page 165: ...Trigger Minimum Amplitude 150mV pk pk Auto Trigger Level Accuracy Relative to true trigger point 1 30mV 1 of trigger level reading 10 300mV 1 of trigger level reading Frequency 1 or 2 Range Channel 1...

Page 166: ...own are for 9 digits selected i e nominal gate time 1s with sinewave input Table 1 1 Frequency 1 Best Case Resolution Hz Input Frequency Input Level 50mV RMS 100mV RMS 500mV RMS 1V RMS 10Hz 0 0005 0 0...

Page 167: ...igits selected P Period rounded up to next decade Resolution 3 to 5 Digits Resolution LSD 14 x TriggerError x Period GateTime subject to Notes i and ii 6 to 10 Digits Resolution 2 x LSD 14 x TriggerEr...

Page 168: ...unded to nearest decade Subject to Notes i and ii For 3 5 digits selected As above or Ratio X 10 D 2 where D Number of digits selected whichever gives the lesser value Resolution Ratio x GateTime Erro...

Page 169: ...T on Input 1 STOP on Input 2 or START on Input 2 STOP on Input 1 Trigger Slopes Start Positive or Negative Stop Positive or Negative LSD 1ns Resolution LSD 1ns RMS START TRIGGER ERROR ii STOP TRIGGER...

Page 170: ...inimum Pulse Height 150mV pk pk Trigger Slopes Positive Pulse START Positive STOP Negative Negative Pulse START Positive STOP Negative Trigger Point START 50 of measured pk pk STOP 50 of measured pk p...

Page 171: ...i 2ns DIFFERENTIAL CHANNEL DELAY ERROR iv where Wp measured pulse width Rise Fall Time Measurement Range 20ns to 20ms Input Channel INPUT 1 commoned with INPUT 2 Minimum Pulse Height 500mV pk pk Minim...

Page 172: ...TIMEBASE ERROR x Tf TRIGGER LEVEL TIMING ERROR iii E10 x SRST iii E90 x SRSP iii 2ns DIFFERENTIAL CHANNEL DELAY ERROR iv where Tr measured Rise Time Tf measured Fall Time E10 Error in measuring the 1...

Page 173: ...e Note a To avoid unnecessary shifting of digits the MSD is allowed to exceed the resolution by 1 digit for a 10 over range b Measurement of FREQUENCY PERIOD RATIO and CHECK are averaged when these nu...

Page 174: ...tting typically 40mV for low sensitivity setting all figures at 23 C SRST Slew Rate of input signal at START SRSTP Slew Rate of input signal at STOP Note iv Differential Channel Delay Error This is an...

Page 175: ...E NEGATIVE Accuracy 1 count Manual Start Stop 1 By means of a SCPI command or a button on the soft front panel of the VXIplug play driver Racal Instruments Part No 60 0087 Totalizing 2 By 1 Input Chan...

Page 176: ...t front panel of the VXIplug play driver RIL Part No 60 0087 Phase 1 Relative to 2 To make this relative phase measurement the UCT first makes a series of measurements in different modes 1 Ratio 1 2 t...

Page 177: ...measurement will nominally take 160ms at 100MHz and 4s at 1Hz Phase 2 Relative to 1 To make this relative phase measurement the UCT first makes a series of measurements in different modes 1 Ratio 2 1...

Page 178: ...rement will nominally take 160ms at 100MHz and 4s at 1Hz DVM Function The instrument is able to measure the positive peak the negative peak or the DC voltage of signals applied to IN1 or IN2 To do thi...

Page 179: ...eturns a value equal to the mean perceived peak values If AC content is below 150mV pk pk then the perceived DC voltage is returned Measurement Range 51V to 51V x1 or 10 attenuation automatically sele...

Page 180: ...conditions Resolution 6 digits continuous trigger auto trigger OFF both channels input freq 10kHz Time Interval Measurements 43 readings per second max under the following conditions Resolution 6 dig...

Page 181: ...l 0 1ns Math Function The following algorithm can be invoked scale offset result Permitted ranges of values for offset and scale 0 10 x 10 9 to 10 x 10 9 1 x 10 9 to 10 x 10 9 Permitted number of sign...

Page 182: ...Frequency 10MHz Output Configuration LSTTL with 47 Series resistor Drive Level VOH 2 6V min at 400 A VOL 0 6V max at 8mA The output is also capable of driving 1Vpk pk min into 50 Maximum Reverse Inpu...

Page 183: ...T ARM input front panel VXI TTLTrig0 7 user selectable EXT ARM Input Input Impedance 1 k nominal Coupling DC Input Levels Vil maximum 0 4V Vih minimum 2 4V Maximum Input Level 10V RMS or 15V or 15V pe...

Page 184: ...g No of Meaningful Digits Returned Tg 100 s 4 Tg 1ms 5 Tg 10ms 6 Tg 100ms 7 Tg 1s 8 Tg 10s 9 Tg 11s 10 maximum available Gate Output The measurement gate pulse can be made available user selectable on...

Page 185: ...LED lights when there is a word serial command access Fail LED This red LED if permanently on indicates a unit failure Connectors LABEL FUNCTION TYPE IN 1 Channel 1 input BNC Female IN 2 Channel 2 in...

Page 186: ...ion card VXI Interface Environmental Conditions 1 Operating external ambient inlet temperature range when installed in host VXI module With or without TCXO or OCXO 0 C to 50 C 2 Non operating ambient...

Page 187: ...e Front panel electrical trim 5 10 6 minimum 3 Aging 1 10 6 max per year 4 Temperature Stability 1 10 6 maximum with respect to the frequency at 25 C over the op range of the module Ovenized Oscillato...

Page 188: ...rix card internal connections are provided installed in parallel with the following inputs INPUT 1 INPUT 2 EXT ARM Option Map The following table maps the installment of option variable components aga...

Page 189: ...User Manual 2461 Type C A 30 This page was left intentionally blank Artisan Technology Group Quality Instrumentation Guaranteed 888 88 SOURCE www artisantg com...

Page 190: ...ettings and they are reflected into other settings as necessary The Automatic Function Commands The device dependent commands and their functions which automatically adopt the default settings are as...

Page 191: ...easurement between the signals on Channel 1 and 2 scaled by the period on the reference channel and normalized for degrees Figure 5 1 Positive Negative Pulse Figure 5 2 Rise Fall Time Artisan Technolo...

Page 192: ...1 Type C function cards is always 18 characters long The number is in engineering notation with a two digit exponent The mantissa is right justified with leading zeros inserted to indicate resolution...

Page 193: ...Auto trigger state on 1 P1 INPUT1 2 COMP LEVEL Attempt to set a trigger level INPUT1 ATTEN Attempt to change the attenuator INPUT1 ROUT SEP Attempt to change to separate inputs Rise Fall Time In addit...

Page 194: ...SETUP AUTO OFF ONCE Attempt to change Auto trigger state on INPUT1 INPUT1 2 COMP LEVEL Attempt to set a trigger level on INPUT 1 2 INPUT1 ATTEN Attempt to change attenuator state INPUT1 ROUT SEP Atte...

Page 195: ...easurements are made on square waves or pulses and the user would probably DC couple the input to avoid slowing down the signal and so changing its characteristics prior to measurement Therefore in Pu...

Page 196: ...uipment Have surplus equipment taking up shelf space We ll give it a new home Learn more Visit us at artisantg com for more info on price quotes drivers technical specifications manuals and documentat...

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