Agilent E1420B Data Sheet

High-Performance VXI
Universal Counter

Agilent E1420B

Data Sheet

•

1-Slot, C-size, message based

•

200 MHz frequency range, optional 2.5 GHz channel

•

9-digit resolution in 1 second gate time

•

2 ns time interval resolution (200 ps with averaging)

•

Shared memory option configuration

•

Phase measurement and measurement timeout

Description

The Agilent Technologies E1420B High-Performance
Universal Counter is a C-size, 1-slot, message-based VXI
module. It provides the full set of traditional universal
counter measurements (frequency, period, time interval,
totalize, and ratio), plus the automatic measurements of
rise/fall time, pulse width, phase, and ac/dc voltages.
Additionally, this module provides x10 attenuation, allowing
measurements of higher-powered signals.

Agilent E1420B

The E1420B is ideal for today’s ATE applications requiring
high speed in all phases of a measurement — setup, measure,
and output. It can make up to 60 measurements per second
of the same function. It can also sequence through a series
of different functions at up to 40 measurements per second.
For even faster measurements, the optional shared memory
capability yields up to 160 measurements per second. This
shared RAM option allows the E1420B to send measurement
data to a VXI device with shared RAM. Data may be
accessed by the controller, thus eliminating data formatting
time and providing higher measurement throughput.

The E1420B features the industry standard SCPI interface
language. SCPI will let you develop code that can easily be
leveraged, increase the life of test software, and decrease
the time spent learning new instrument languages.

Refer to the Agilent Technologies Website for instrument
driver availability and downloading instructions, as well as
for recent product updates, if applicable.

Outstanding Resolution and Range

The E1420B offers a 200 MHz frequency range (2.5 GHz with
option 030) and 2 ns time interval resolution (200 ps with
averaging). Rise and fall times can be measured
automatically down to 15 ns.

Improve the System Clock Without Sacrificing Mainframe
Space

An optional highly stable TCXO time-base is available for
the E1420B. By externally driving the VXI system clock
(CLK10) with this TCXO, you can substantially reduce
system clock errors without losing valuable mainframe
slots. This option improves measurement repeatability and
accuracy.

Measurement Timing Control

For synchronizing your measurement to an external event,
such as an RF burst, VXIbus and external triggering are
available.

Programmable measurement time-outs help you optimize
system performance even if the input signal is absent.

Single Measurement Auto-Trigger Speeds Measurements

Repetitive auto-trigger measurements are faster than ever
with the E1420B’s single measurement auto-trigger. This
feature analyzes the input signal only once, setting the
trigger levels, and speeding through the rest of the
measurements.

Adjustable Sensitivity

Measuring low-level signals isn’t a problem: the
Agilent E1420B features 35 mV rms sensitivity to 200 MHz.
When noise is a problem, this sensitivity can be decreased to
100 mV rms by using hysteresis control.

Optional 2.5 GHz Channel (Input 3)

Increase your frequency range to 2.5 GHz for
communications and navigation applications.

Save on Software Costs with SCPI

The E1420B features the industry standard SCPI interface
language. SCPI will let you develop code that can easily be
leveraged, increase the life of test software, and decrease
the time spent learning new instrument languages. SCPI
also simplifies the use of the counter; for example, you can
set a trigger level using a percentage of signal amplitude.

Option 100

Option 100 is a mandatory no-cost option that must be
ordered with the E1420B. Option 100 reduces the maximum
TI Delay range from 99.999 seconds to 1 second.

Product Specifications

Functions

Period: Yes

Time interval: Yes

Totalize: Yes

Gated totalize: Yes

Ratio: Yes

Pulse width: Yes

Rise/fall time: Yes

Phase: Yes

Vdc: Yes

Vac: Yes

Up/down counter: No

Measurements

Frequency: 200 MHz (standard) 2.5 GHz (with

Frequency 1, 2, 3:

Range: 0.001 Hz to 200 MHz, input 1;

Resolution: 9 digits/s of measurement time +

Period 1, 2, 3:

Range: 5 ns to 1,000 s, input 1;

Resolution: Same as Frequency

Time interval (TI) 1 to 2:

Range: 1 ns to 1,000 s

Resolution: 2 ns + trigger error, single-shot;

Rise/fall time 1:*

Range: 15 ns to 400 µsec

Resolution: Same as TI

Pulse width 1, 2:*

Range: 5 ns to 1 ms
Resolution: Same as TI

Phase 1 relative 2:*

Range: 0.1° to 360°
Resolution: TI resolution x frequency x 360°

Ratio 1/2, 2/1, 3/1:

Range (1/2, 2/1): 0.001 Hz to 100 MHz
Range (3/1): 90 MHz to 2.5 GHz (Optional)

Totalize 1, 1 by 2, 2 by 1:

Range: 0 to (1 x 1.0E12 - 1) events

Min/max, ac voltage 1, 2:*

Range: 200 mVp-p to 5 Vp-p
Resolution: 30 mV

Min/max, dc voltage 1:

Range: 30 mV to ±10 V
Resolution: 30 mV

*Frequency range 1 kHz to 20 MHz.

option)

0.001 Hz to 100 MHz, input 2;
90 MHz to 2.5 GHz, input 3 (Optional)

trigger error + system jitter

(Frequency resolution is directly
proportional to gate time. For
example, resolution is 9 digits for a
1-second gate time and 8 digits for a

0.1-second gate time.)

10 ns to 1000 s, input 2;
400 ps to 10 ns, input 3 (Optional)

1 ns to 10 s

average)

200 ps + trigger error, averaging

sec

(manual)

(single-shot);

(averaging) (100-gate

(automatic)

(x Atten.)

(x Atten.)

(x Atten.)

; to 800

(x Atten.)

2

Input Characteristics for Channels 1, 2

Sinewave sensitivity: 35 mV rms

Pulse sensitivity: 100 mVp-p

(with minimum pulse

width of 5 ns)

Dynamic range: 200 mVp-p to 5 Vp-p

Attenuator: x1

Signal operating range: ± 10 V

(default)

(x Atten.) (1 MΩ)

or x10

(x Atten.)

; ± 5 V

(50

Ohm)

Trigger level range: ± 10.2 V with step size of 2.5 mV

(Specified by V or % of signal)

Trigger level accuracy: ± 30 mV

Coupling: ac/dc

Impedance: 50 Ω/1 MΩ (default programmable)

Slopes: Positive or Negative

Input: Separate or Common

General Characteristics

Gate time: 1 ms to 99.99s in 1 ms steps

External arm: via front-panel BNC or VXI TTL TRIG

Auto trigger:

Range: 1 kHz to 20 MHz (Single or Repetitive

Minimum amplitude: 200 mVp-p

TI delay (inserts delay after start
event before allowing stop event to
occur):

Range (Option 100*): 1 ms to 1 s in 1 ms step
Measurement timeout: 0.1 s to 1,500 s
Gate output: VXI TTLTRIP Lines

Measurement throughput rate
(measured using Radisys EPC-2):

Free-run: Up to 60 Measurements/s
Switching: Up to 40 Measurements/s
Shared memory (option 040): Up to 160 Measurements/s
Memory states: 10 setups can be stored and recalled

*Note: Option 100 is a mandatory no-cost option that must be ordered with the E1420B.
Option 100 reduces the maximum TI Delay range from 99.999 seconds to 1 second.

Time Base

Standard: VXI CLK10

Option 010 TCXO time base:

Frequency: 10 MHz
Aging: <0.1 ppm/month
Temperature: ± 1 ppm, 0 to 40° C

UHF Channel (Input 3)
(Option 030)

Frequency range: 90 MHz to 2.5 GHz

Sensitivity (sinewave):

90 MHz-1 GHz: –25 dBm
1 GHz-1.8 GHz: –20 dBm

1.8 GHz-2.5 GHz: –12 dBm

level

lines

Range)

(Volatile)

(x Atten.)

(x Attn.)

± 1% of trigger

(1 routed to 2)

Shared Memory
(Option 040)

Shared memory throughput rate:

Up to 160 Measurements/s

General Specifications

VXI Characteristics

VXI device type: Message based

Size: C

Slots: 1

Connectors: P1/2

Shared memory: Yes

VXI buses: TTL Trigger Bus

Instrument Drivers - See the Agilent Technologies Website

(http://www.agilent.com/find/inst_drivers) for driver availability and
downloading.

Command module firmware: n/a

Command module firmware rev: n/a

I-SCPI Win 3.1: n/a

I-SCPI Series 700: n/a

C-SCPI LynxOS: n/a

C-SCPI Series 700: n/a

Panel Drivers: Yes

VXI

plug&play

VXI

plug&play

VXI

plug&play

Module Current

+5 V: 2 0.15
+12 V: 0.25 0.01
–12 V: 0.15 0.02
+24 V: 00
–24 V: 00
–5.2 V 0.8 0.03
–2 V: 00

Cooling/Slot

Watts/slot: 15.50

∆P mm H

Air Flow liter/s: 1.00

Win Framework: Yes

Win 95/NT Framework: Yes

HP-UX Framework: No

O: 0.15

2

I

PM

I

DM

Ordering Information

Description Product No.

High-Performance VXI Universal Counter E1420B*
TCXO Time Base E1420B 010
UHF Input Channel E1420B 030
High Throughput/Shared RAM E1420B 040
Reduced TI Delay Spec E1420B 100
Operation Manual E1420B 0B2
Service Manual E1420B 0B3

*Note: You must order Option 100.

3

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(fax) [phone]

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Product specifications and descriptions in this document subject to change
without notice.

© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2002
Printed in USA January 1, 2002

5965-5548E