• 225 MHz bandwidth (optional
1.5, 3, 5, or 12.4 GHz)
• 10- or 12-digit resolution with
1s gate time
• GPIB interface 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.
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 front-panel 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 digit-blanking 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.
Agilent 53131A/132A/181A Counters
High-performance, low-cost counters
simplify and speed systems and bench
frequency measurements
Data Sheet
2
HP BenchLink Meter turns your
counter into a single-channel data
acquisition system
Used in conjunction with an Agilent
53131A/132A/181A counter, HP
BenchLink Meter software gives you
the flexibility to configure and run
tests from your PC, making data gathering more convenient. HP BenchLink
Meter also lets you get more information from your data by providing a
variety of basic display modes and
analysis tools so you can see your
data the way you need it.
HP BenchLink Meter lets you:
• completely configure tests using
the 53131A/132A/181A counters,
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 and
make it look the way you want it.
• easily copy captured data to other
programs for more complex analysis.
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.
3-year warranty
Each 53131A/132A/181A counter
comes with operating, programming
and service manuals, a power cord
and a full 3-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 Hr referenced to 24 Hr referenced to 24 Hr
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.
Instrument Inputs
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 to 200 MHz 30 mVrms to ±5 V ac + dc
200 MHz to 225 MHz 40 mVrms to ±5 V ac + dc
(all specified at 75 mVrms
with opt. rear connectors)
3
Voltage Range and Sensitivity
(Single-Shot Pulse)
2
4.5 ns to 10 ns
Pulse Width 100 mVpp to 10 Vpp
(150 mVpp with optional
rear connectors)
3
>10 ns Pulse Width 50 mVpp to 10 Vpp
(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, 1 MΩ 350 Vdc + ac pk
3.5 kHz to 100 kHz,
1 MΩ 350 Vdc + ac pk linearly
derated to 5 Vrms
>100 kHz, 1 MΩ 5 Vrms
Input Characteristics
Channel 1 & 2 (53131A, 53132A)
1
Channel 1 (53181A)
Impedance 1MΩ or 50Ω
1 MΩ Capacitance 30 pF
Coupling ac or dc
Low-Pass Filter 100 kHz, switchable
-20 dB at > 1 MHz
Input Sensitivity Selectable between Low,
Medium, or High (default).
Low is approximately 2x
High Sensitivity.
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.
3
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 only) (see Opt. 030 for addi-
tional 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
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.
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)
Measurement Specifications
Frequency (53131A, 53132A, 53181A)
Channel 1 and 2 (53131, 53132); Channel 1 (53181)
Range 0.1 Hz to 225 MHz
Channel 3 (53131A, 53132A) Channel 2 (53181A)
Option 015 (53181only) 100 MHz to 1.5 GHz
Option 030 100 MHz to 3 GHz
Option 050 200 MHz to 5 GHz
Option 124 200 MHz to 12.4 GHz
(Period 2 or 3 selectable via GPIB only)
Period (53131, 53132, 53181)
Channel 1 and 2 (53131, 53132); Channel 1 (53181)
Range 4.44 ns to 10 s
Channel 3 (53131A, 53132A); Channel 2 (53181A)
Option 015 (53181 only) 0.66 ns to 10 ns
Option 030 0.33 ns to 10 ns
Option 050 0.2 ns to 5 ns
Option 124 80 ps to 5 ns
Frequency Ratio (53131, 53132, 53181)
Measurement is specified over the full signal
range of each input.
Results Range 10
-10
to 10
11
“Auto” Gate Time 100 ms
5. Available for all measurements except Peak Volts.
External Arm is referred to as External Gate for some
measurements.
Gate Time
t
acc
3
Frequency
or
Period
±
Time Base Error
±
Gate Time =
Frequency
N
Gate Time
t
2
res
1
2 3 Trigger Error
2
d
3
Frequency
or
Period
Gate Time
t
res
3
Frequency
or
Period
LSD Displayed:
RMS Resolution:
Systematic Uncertainty:
Trigger: Default setting is Auto Trigger at 50%
53131A t
res
650 ps
typical
see graphs for worst case resolution performance
53132A t
res
200 ps
53181A t
res
650 ps
53131A t
acc
350 ps
1.25 ns
typical
worst case
53132A t
acc
100 ps
500 ps
53181A t
acc
350 ps
1.25 ns
For Automatic Arming:
where N = 1 for standard channel Frequency < 1 MHz
4 for standard channel Frequency > 1 MHz
128 for optional channel
For Automatic or External Arming:
(and signals < 100 Hz using Timed Arming)
For Time or Digits Arming:
LSD Displayed:
RMS Resolution
(see graph 2):
typical
500 ps
3
t
2 2
res
Gate Time 3 Number of Samples
2
4
3
t
1
(2 3Trigger Error2)
res
Gate Time 3 Number of Samples
53131A/181A 53132A
t
res
t
jitter
50 ps
t
res
225 ps
1
t
jitter
3 ps
1
t
jitter
Gate Time
t
jitter
Gate Time
see graphs for worst case resolution performance
Number of Samples = Gate Time x Frequency (Frequency < 200 kHz)
Systematic Uncertainty:
typical
worst case
Gate Time x 200,000
±
Time Base Error
53131A/181A
t
acc
100 ps
300 ps
(Frequency > 200 kHz)
t
acc
±
Gate Time
53132A
t
acc
10 ps
100 ps
3
Trigger: Default setting is Auto Trigger at 50%
3
3
Frequency
or
Period
Frequency
or
Period
Frequency
or
Period
Loading...