Agilent 53131A Specifications Sheet

• 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

4

Time Interval (53131A, 53132A)

Measurement is specified over the full signal
ranges6of Channels 1 and 2.

Results Range -1 ns to 105s

LSD 500 ps (53131)/

150 ps (53132)

Phase (53131A, 53132A)

Measurement is specified over the full signal
range of Channels 1 and 2.

Results Range -180° to +360°

Duty Cycle (53131A, 53132A)

Measurement is specified over the full signal
range of Channel 1. However, both the positive
and negative pulse widths must be greater than
4 ns.

Results Range 0 to 1 (e.g. 50% duty cycle

would be displayed as .5)

6. See Specifications for Pulse Width and Rise/Fall
Time measurements for additional restrictions on sig­nal timing characteristics

Rise/Fall Time (53131A, 53132A)

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.

Edge Selection Positive or Negative

Trigger Default setting is Auto

Trigger at 10% and 90%

Results Range 5 ns to 105s

LSD 500 ps (53131)/150 ps

(53132)

Pulse Width (53131A, 53132A)

Measurement is specified over the full signal
range of Channel 1. The width of the opposing
pulse must be greater than 4 ns.

Pulse Selection Positive or Negative

Trigger Default setting is Auto

Trigger at 50%

Results Range 5 ns to 105s

LSD 500 ps (53131)/150 ps

(53132)

Totalize (53131A, 53132A)

Measurement is specified over the full signal
range of Channel 1.

Results Range 0 to 10

15

Resolution ± 1 count

Peak Volts (53131A, 53132A, 53181A)

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.

Results Range -5.1 V to +5.1 V

Resolution 10 mV

Peak Volts 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 measurements using Ch3, substitute Ch3 for Ch2 in these equa­tions. To minimize relative phase measurement error, connect the
higher frequency signal to channel 1.

Time Interval, Pulse Width, Rise/Fall Time (53131 and 53132 only):

RMS Resolution:

) 2 1 Start Trigger Error 2 1 Stop Trigger Error

(t

res

2

Systematic Uncertainty:

±

(Time Base Error 3 Measurement) ± Trigger Level Timing Error ± 1.5 ns Differential Channel Error (53131A)

±

(Time Base Error 3 Measurement) ± Trigger Level Timing Error ± 900 ps Differential Channel Error (53132A)

where t

= 750 ps for the 53131A, 300 ps for the 53132A

res

Frequency Ratio:

LSD: Ratio :

Ch1
Ch2

1
2

Ch2 Freq

RMS Resolution:

Systematic Uncertainty:

Ch1

,

Ch3

3

Ratio :

Ratio :

Ch2

Ch3

,

,

(53131A and 53132A) (53181A)

Ch1

Ch1

1

Gate Time

2 3 1 1 (Ch1 Freq 3 Ch2 Trigger Error)

1
2

2 3 Ch2 Freq

2
1

±

2x resolution

2

Ratio :

1

Ch2 Freq 3 Gate Time

3 1 1

(Ch1 Freq) 2 3 Gate Time

Ch1

Ch2

,

Ch2

Ch1

Ch2 Freq

(Ch1 Freq)

(Ch1 Freq 3 Ch2 Trigger Error)

2

3 Gate Time

2

Phase (53131 and 53132)

2

RMS Resolution:

2

s

t

d

s

res

1

s2 3 Trigger Error

2

d

d

Phase

1

1

3

360

3

Frequency

°

Systematic Uncertainty:

( ± Trigger Level Timing Error ± 1.5 ns Differential Channel Error) 3 Frequency 3 360 ° (53131)
(

±

Trigger Level Timing Error ± 900 ps Differential Channel Error) 3 Frequency 3 360 ° (53132)

Duty Cycle (53131 and 53132)

(T

RMS Resolution:

53131A

t

res

750 ps

53132A

) 2 1 (2 x Trigger Error 2)) 1 ( 1 1 Duty Cycle 2) 3Frequency

(

res

300 ps

2

3

360

°

5

Gate Time

Auto Mode, or 1 ms to
1000 s

Measurement Throughput

GPIB ASCII 200 measurements/s

(maximum)

Measurement Arming

Start Measurement Free Run, Manual, or

External

Stop Measurement Continuous, Single,

External, or Timed

Time Interval 100 µs to 10 s (53131A)
Delayed Arming 100 ns to 10 s (53132A)

Arming Modes

(Note that not all arming modes are available for
every measurement function.)

Auto Arming: Measurements are initiated imme­diately and acquired as fast as possible, using a
minimum number of signal edges.

Timed Arming: The duration of the measurement
is internally timed to a user-specified value (also
known as the “gate time”).

Digits Arming: Measurements are performed
to the requested resolution (number of digits)
through automatic selection of the acquisition
time.

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.

Time Interval Delayed Arming: For Time Interval
measurements, the Stop Trigger condition is
inhibited for a user-specified time following the
Start Trigger. The 53132A offers advanced time
interval arming capabilities including use of user
specified time or Channel 2 events to delay both
Start and Stop Triggers.

Measurement Limits

Limit Checking: The measurement value is

checked against user-specified limits at the end
of each measurement.

Display Modes: The measurement result may be
displayed as either the traditional numeric value
or graphically as an asterisk moving between two
vertical bars.

Out-of-Limits Indications:

• 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 RS­232 connector will go low for the duration of
the out-of-limit condition.

• If the Analog Display mode is enabled, the
asterisk appears outside the vertical bars,
which define the upper and lower limits.

Fractional Time Base Error (see graph 3)

Time base error is the maximum fractional frequency variation of the time base due to aging or fluctuations in ambient temperature or line voltage:

∆f ∆f ∆f

Time Base Error

= (-------

aging rate+-------

temperature+------

line voltage

)

f f f

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 counters exhibit negligible sensitivity to line voltage; consequently the line voltage term may be ignored.

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:

where

E

input

= RMS noise of the input amplifier: 1 mVrms (350µVrms Typical). Note that the internal measurement algorithms significantly reduce the contribution

of this term.

E

signal

= 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 substan-

tially degrade the signal’s slew rate at the input of the trigger comparator.

For two-trigger-point measurements (e.g. Rise Time, Pulse Width), the Trigger Errors will be referred to independently as Start Trigger Error and Stop Trigger
Error.

Trigger Level Timing Error (see graph 6)

Trigger level timing error results from a deviation of the actual trigger level from the specified level. The magnitude of this error depends on resolution and
accuracy of the trigger level circuit, input amplifier fidelity, input signal slew rate, and width of the input hysteresis band.

The following equations should be summed together to obtain the overall Trigger Level Timing Error. At the "High" sensitivity input setting, the hysteresis
band can be assumed to be the sensitivity of the counter input (see page 2). Reduction of input sensitivity or use of the attenuator will increase the size of
this band.

Input Hysteresis Error: –

Trigger Level Setting Error: ± ±

Differential Channel Error

The differential channel error term stated in several Systematic Uncertainty equations accounts for channel-to-channel mismatch and internal noise. This
error can be substantially reduced by performing a TI calibration (accessible via the Utility Menu) in the temperature environment in which future measure­ments will be made.

T

0.5 x Hysteresis Band

Input Signal Slew Rate at Start Trigger Point

15 mV±(1% x Start Trigger Level Setting)

Input Signal Slew Rate at Start Trigger Point

15 mV±(1% x Stop Trigger Level Setting)

Input Signal Slew Rate at Stop Trigger Point

0.5 x Hysteresis Band

Input Signal Slew Rate at Stop Trigger Point

1

s

E

d2s

rigger Error 5

Input Signal Slew Rate at Trigger Point

input

2

E

d

signal

sin secondsd

6

1E + 02

1E + 00

1E – 02

1E – 04

1E – 06

1E – 08

1E – 10

10 1000 1E + 05 1E + 07 1E + 09

100 10000 1E + 06 1E + 08 1E + 10

Input Frequency (Hz)

Graph 1:
Agilent 53131A/181A–Worst Case RMS
Resolution

7

(Automatic or External Arming)

The graphs may also be used to compute errors
for Period Measurements. To find the Period error
(DP), calculate the frequency of the input signal
(F = 1/P) and find the frequency error (DF) from
the chart.

Then calculate the period error as:

Graph 2:
Agilent 53131A/181A–Worst Case RMS
Resolution

7

(Time or Digits Arming)

Graph 3:
Timebase Error

Frequency Error (Hz)

Auto Armed

1 ms

10 ms

Gate
Time

100 ms

1 s

10s

10 Hz 1 kHz 100 kHz 10 MHz 1 GHz

1 Hz 100 Hz 10 kHz 1 MHz 100 MHz

10 ns 1 µs 100 µs 10 ms 1 sec

1 ns 100 ns 10 µs 1 ms 100 ms

Input Signal Frequency or Time

10 kHz

1 kHz

100 Hz

10 Hz

1 Hz

100 mHz

10 mHz

1 mHz

100 µHz

10µHz

1 µHz

100 nHz

10 nHz

10 µs
1 µs
100 ns
10 ns
1 ns
100 ps
10 ps
1 ps
100 fs
10 fs
1 fs
100 as
10 as

Frequency Error

Time Error

Time or Digit Arming

Gate Time 3 Number of Samples

4

3 2 3

Trigger Error

3

Frequency

or

Period

Frequency Error +

Automatic or External Arming

Gate Time

2

3

Trigger Error

3

Frequency

or

Period

Standard T.B.
1 month after cal

Medium T.B.
1 month after cal

High Stability T.B.
10 years after cal

Standard T.B.
1 year after cal

Medium T.B.
1 year after cal

High Stability T.B.
1 year after cal

Ultra Stability T.B.
1 year after cal

High Stability T.B.
1 month after cal

∆

∆

F

P

3

P

F

=

7. Graphs 1, 2, 4 and 5 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:

E + 02

1E + 00

1E – 02

1E – 04

1E – 06

1E – 08

1E – 10

10 1000 1E + 05 1E + 07 1E + 09

100 10000 1E + 06 1E + 08 1E + 10

Input Frequency (Hz)

Frequency Error (Hz)

1 ms

10 ms

100 ms

1 s

10 s

Gate
Time

7

10 1000 1E + 05 1E + 07 1E + 09

100 10000 1E + 06 1E + 08 1E + 10

Input Frequency (Hz)

10 1000 1E + 05 1E + 07 1E + 09

100 10000 1E + 06 1E + 08 1E + 10

Input Frequency (Hz)

1E + 02

1E + 00

1E – 02

1E – 04

1E – 06

1E – 08

1E – 10

E + 02

1E + 00

1E – 02

1E – 04

1E – 06

1E – 08

1E – 10

Graph 4: Agilent 53132A–Worst Case RMS Resolution

7

(Automatic or External Arming)

Graph 5: Agilent 53132A–Worst Case RMS Resolution

7

(Time or Digits Arming)

Auto Armed

1 ms

10 ms

100 ms

1 s

10s

Frequency Error (Hz) Frequency Error (Hz)

1V/ms 100mV/µs 10mV/ns 1V/ns

10mV/µs 1V/µs 100mV/ns 10mV/ps

Input Signal Slew Rate at Trigger Point

100 µs

10 µs

1 µs

100 ns

10 ns

1 ns

100 ps

10 ps

Graph 6: Trigger Level Timing Error
(Level Setting Error and Input Hysteresis)

Trigger Error per Trigger Point

1 ms

10 ms

100 ms

1 s

10 s

200 to 225 MHz Rep. Rate

100 to 200 MHz Rep. Rate

dc to 100 MHz Rep. Rate

Pulse and T.I. at 5V trigger point

Pulse and T.I. at 2.5V trigger point

Pulse and T.I. at 0V trigger point

Gate
Time

Gate
Time

Measurement Statistics

Available Statistics Mean, Minimum,

Maximum, Standard
Deviation

Number of 2 to 1,000,000.
Measurements 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 Peak Volts and
Totalize.

General Information

Save and Recall

Up to 20 complete instrument setups may be
saved and recalled later. These setups are
retained when power is removed from the counter.

Rack Dimensions 88.5 mm x 212.6 mm x
(HxWxD) 348.3 mm

Weight 3.5 kg maximum

Warranty 3 years

Power Supply 100 to 120 VAC ± 10% -50,

60 or 400 Hz ± 10% 220
to 240 VAC ± 10% -50
or 60 Hz ± 10%

ac Line Selection Automatic

Power Requirements 170 VA maximum

(30 W typical)

Environment 0° C to 55° C operating

–40° C to 71° C storage

Remote Interface GPIB (IEEE 488.1-1987,

IEEE 488.2-1987)

Remote SCPI-1992.0
Programming (Standard Commands
Language for Programmable

Instruments)

Safety Designed in compliance

with IEC-1010, UL-3111-1
(draft), CAN/CSA 1010.1

EMC CISPR-11, EN50082-1,

IEC 801-2, -3, -4

Radiated Immunity When the product is
Testing 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.

Ordering Information

53131A 10 digit/s, 500 ps Universal Counter
53132A 12 digit/s, 150 ps Universal Counter
53181A 10-digit/s RF Counter

Accessories Included

Each counter comes with standard timebase, power cord, operating, programming and service manuals.

Manual Options (please specify one when ordering)

ABA US English
ABD German
ABE Spanish
ABF French
ABJ Japanese
ABZ Italian
ABO Taiwan Chinese
AB1 Korean
AB2 Chinese

Other Options

Opt. 001 Medium-stability timebase
Opt. 010 High-stability timebase
Opt. 012 Ultra-High stability timebase (53132A only)
Opt. 015 1.5 GHz RF input Ch 2 for 53181A only
Opt. 030 3 GHz RF input Ch 3 (Ch 2 on 53181A )
Opt. 050 5 GHz RF input with type N connector Ch 3 (Ch 2 on 53181A)
Opt. 124 12.4 GHz RF input with type N connector Ch 3 (Ch 2 on 53181A)
Opt. 060 Rear-panel connectors*
Opt. 0B0 Delete Manual Set
Opt. 1BP MIL-STD-45662A Calibration with test data
Opt. 1CM Rack Mount Kit (P/N 5063-9240)**
Opt. W50 Additional 2-year warranty (5-year total)***

* Opt 060 Configuration Table

53131/132 53181

Ch1 & Ch2 front & rear (in parallel) Ch1 front & rear (in parallel)

Ch3 Opt. 030 Ch2 Opt. 015/030

rear only, front plugged rear only, front plugged

Ch3 Opt. 050/124 Ch2 Opt. 050/124

front only front only

** For racking two side-by-side, order both Lock-link Kit (P/N 5061-9694) and Flange Kit (P/N 5063-9212)
*** Call Agilent for more information on Opt. W50 prices.

Accessories

34131A Hard Carrying case
34161A Accessory pouch
34812A BenchLink Meter software

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Support, Services, and Assistance

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Every instrument and system we sell has
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“Our Promise” and “Your Advantage.”

Our Promise

“Our Promise” means your Agilent test
and measurement equipment will meet its
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When you are choosing new equipment,
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that it works properly, help with product
operation, and provide basic measurement
assistance for the use of specified capabil­ities, at no extra cost upon request. Many
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“Your Advantage” means that Agilent
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Get assistance with all your
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Product specifications and descriptions in
this document subject to change without notice.

Copyright © 1998, 2000 Agilent Technologies
Printed in U.S.A. 7/00
5967-6039EN

103.6 mm

254.4 mm

374.0 mm

212.6 mm

88.5 mm

348.3 mm