• 225 MHz bandwidth
(optional 1.5, 3, 5,
or 12.4 GHz)
• 10- or 12-digit resolution
with 1 s gate time
• GPIB interface and
IntuiLink connectivity
software standard
• Data transfer rate of up
to 200 fully formatted
measurements/second
A family of universal and
RF counters to meet your needs
Agilent Technologies 53131A/
132A/181A high-performance
counters give you fast, precise
frequency measurements at
an affordable price. These
counters feature an intuitive
user interface
and one-button
access to frequently
used functions so you can make accurate
measurements quickly and easily.
Agilent 53131A/132A/181A Counters
High-performance, low-cost counters simplify and
speed systems and bench frequency measurements
Data Sheet
Agilent Technologies
2
Real-time digital signal processing
technology is used to analyze data
while simultaneously taking new
readings, speeding measurement
throughput. The technology,
developed for Agilent’s high-end
line of modulation domain
analyzers, allows the counters
to gather more data for each
measurement, so you get higherresolution measurements in
a fraction of the time it takes
other counters.
The 53131A/132A/181A counters
offer built-in statistics and math
functions so you can scale measurements and simultaneously
measure and track average,
min/max and standard deviation.
Automated limit testing lets you
set upper and lower limits for
any measurement. An analog
display mode lets you see at a
glance whether a measurement
is within pass/fail limits. The
counters flag out-of-limit conditions and can generate an output
signal to trigger external devices
when a limit is exceeded. For
quick access to frequently used
tests, a single keystroke recalls
up to 20 different stored frontpanel set-ups.
For computer-controlled systems
applications, each counter includes
a standard GPIB interface with
full SCPI-compatible programmability and a data transfer rate
of up to 200 fully formatted
measurements per second. The
standard RS-232 talk-only interface provides printer support
or data transfer to a computer
through a terminal-emulation
program.
Agilent 53131A Universal Counter
The two-channel 53131A counter
offers 10 digits per second of
frequency/period resolution and
a bandwidth of 225 MHz. Time
interval resolution is specified
at 500 ps. An optional third
channel provides frequency
measurements up to 3 GHz, 5 GHz,
or 12.4 GHz. Standard measurements include frequency, period,
ratio, time interval, pulse width,
rise/fall time, phase angle, duty
cycle, totalize, and peak voltage.
Agilent 53132A Universal Counter
For applications requiring higher
resolution, the 53132A offers the
same features and functions as
the 53131A, with up to 12 digits/
sec frequency/period resolution
and 150 ps time interval resolution. In addition, the 53132A
offers advanced arming modes
for time interval measurements.
Agilent 53181A RF Counter
Optimized for RF applications,
the single-channel 10 digit/s
53181A measures frequency,
period and peak voltage. A digitblanking function lets you easily
eliminate unnecessary digits when
you want to read measurements
quickly. For higher-frequency
measurements, choose an optional
second channel that provides
measurements up to 1.5 GHz,
3 GHz, 5 GHz, or 12.4 GHz. A
self-guided shallow menu makes
this counter exceptionally
easy to use.
3
Agilent IntuiLink provides easy access
to the counter’s data from your PC
The Agilent 53131A/132A/181A
counters, capture precise frequency
and time measurements.
IntuiLink software allows that
data to be put to work easily. You
work in a familiar environment
at all times, using PC applications
such as Microsoft Excel® or Word®
to analyze, interpret, display,
print, and document the data
you get from the counter.
It gives you the flexibility to
configure and run tests from
your PC making data gathering
more convenient.
Agilent IntuiLink lets you:
• configure tests, including
measurement type, number
of readings, measurement
speed, and more.
• choose display modes
from real-time strip chart,
histogram, readout, and
table mode.
• scale measurements data.
• copy captured data to
other programs.
Optional timebases offer
increased stability
Optional timebases are available
for 53131A/132A/181A counters
to increase measurement accuracy.
Option 010 provides a high stability oven timebase with aging
of less than 5 x 10
-10
per day.
1-year warranty
Each counter comes with operating, programming and service
manuals, IntuiLink software,
a power cord and a full 1-year
warranty.
Time Base
Internal Time Base Stability (see graph 3 for timebase contribution of measurement error)
Standard Medium Oven High Oven Ultra High Oven
(0° to 50°C) (Option 001) (Option 010) (Option 012 for 53132A only)
Temperature Stability (referenced to 25°C) < 5 x 10
-6
< 2 x 10
-7
< 2.5 x 10
-9
< 2.5 x 10
-9
Aging Rate Per Day: < 4 x 10
-8
< 5 x 10
-10
< 1 x 10
-10
(after 30 days) Per Month: < 3 x 10
-7
< 2 x 10
-7
< 1.5 x 10
-8
< 3 x 10
-9
Per Year: < 2 x 10
-8
Turn-on stability vs. time
(in 30 minutes) < 2 x 10
-7
< 5 x 10
-9
< 5 x 10
-9
referenced to 2 h referenced to 24 h referenced to 24 h
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
when in standby to maintain long-term measurement reliability.
Input Specifications
Channel 1 & 2 (53131A, 53132A)
1
Channel 1 (53181A)
Frequency Range
dc Coupled dc to 225 MHz
ac Coupled 1 MHz to 225 MHz (50 Ω)
30 Hz to 225 MHz (1 MΩ)
FM Tolerance 25%
Voltage Range and Sensitivity (Sinusoid)
2
dc to 100 MHz 20 mVrms to ±5 V ac + dc
100 MHz 30 mVrms to ±5 V ac + dc
to 200 MHz
200 MHz 40 mVrms to ±5 V ac + dc
to 225 MHz (all specified at 75 mVrms
with opt. rear connectors)
3
Voltage Range and Sensitivity
(Single-Shot Pulse)
2
4.5 ns to 10 ns 100 mVpp to 10 Vpp
Pulse Width (150 mVpp with optional
rear connectors)
3
>10 ns 50 mVpp to 10 Vpp
Pulse Width (100 mVpp with optional
rear connectors)
3
Trigger Level
2
Range ± 5.125 V
Accuracy ± (15 mV + 1% of trigger level)
Resolution 5 mV
Damage Level
50 Ω 5 Vrms
0 to 3.5 kHz, 350 Vdc + ac pk
1 MΩ
3.5 kHz to 350 Vdc + ac pk linearly
100 kHz, 1 MΩ
derated to 5 Vrms
>100 kHz, 5 Vrms
1 MΩ
Input Characteristics
Channel 1 & 2 (53131A, 53132A)
1
Channel 1 (53181A)
Impedance 1 MΩ or 50 Ω
1 MΩ 30 pF
Capacitance
Coupling ac or dc
Low-Pass Filter
100 kHz, switchable
-20 dB at > 1 MHz
Input Selectable between Low,
Sensitivity Medium, or High (default).
Low is approximately 2x
High Sensitivity.
Trigger Slope Positive or Negative
Auto Trigger Level
Range 0 to 100% in 10% steps
Frequency > 100 Hz
Input Amplitude
> 100 mVpp
(No amplitude modulation)
Attenuator
Voltage Range x10
Trigger Range x10
Input Specifications
4
Channel 3 (53131A, 53132A)
Channel 2 (53181A)
Frequency Range
Option 015 100 MHz to 1.5 GHz
(for 53181A (see Opt. 030 for
only) additional specs)
Option 030 100 MHz to 3 GHz
Option 050 200 MHz to 5 GHz
Option 124 200 MHz to 12.4 GHz
Power Range and Sensitivity (Sinusoid)
Option 030 100 MHz to 2.7 GHz:
-27 dBm to +19 dBm
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 030 5 Vrms
Option 050 +25 dBm
Option 124 +25 dBm
Characteristics
Impedance 50 Ω
Coupling AC
VSWR <2.5:1
External Arm Input Specifications
5
Signal Input Range
TTL Compatible
Timing Restrictions
Pulse Width > 50 ns
Transition Time < 250 ns
Start-to-Stop Time
> 50 ns
Damage Level 10 Vrms
External Arm Input Characteristics
5
Impedance 1 kΩ
Input Capacitance
17 pF
Start/Stop Slope Positive or Negative
External Time Base Input Specifications
Voltage Range 200 mVrms to 10 Vrms
Damage Level 10 Vrms
Frequency 1 MHz, 5 MHz, and 10 MHz
(53132A 10 MHz only)
Time Base Output Specifications
Output Frequency
10 MHz
Voltage > 1 Vpp into 50 Ω
(centered around 0 V)
1. Specifications and Characteristics for Channels
1 and 2 are identical for both common and
separate configurations.
2. Values shown are for X1 attenuator setting.
Multiply all values by 10 (nominal) when using
the X10 attenuator setting.
3. When the 53131A or 53132A are ordered with
the optional rear terminals (Opt. 060), the channel
1 and 2 inputs are active on both front and rear
of the counter. When the 53181A is ordered with
the optional rear terminal, the channel 1 input is
active on both front and rear of the counter. For
this condition, specifications indicated for the rear
connections also apply to the front connections.
4. When optional additional channels are ordered
with Opt. 060, refer to configuration table for
Opt. 060 under ordering info on page 8. There is
no degradation in specifications for this input,
as applicable.
5. Available for all measurements except Peak Volts.
External Arm is referred to as External Gate for
some measurements.
4
Instrument Inputs
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