Atec Agilent-53132A, Agilent-53131A, Agilent-53181A User Manual

Agilent 53131A/132A/181A Counters

High-performance, low-cost counters simplify and
speed systems and bench frequency measurements

Data Sheet

Recommended replacement products:
53200 Series RF & universal frequency counter/timers

(Data sheet publication number: 5990-6283EN)

• 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
frequently
make accurate measurements quickly
and easily.

and one-button access to

used functions so you can

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 higher-resolution
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 terminal­emulation 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.

2

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

Agilent IntuiLink lets you:

• Configure tests, including measure­ment type, number of readings,
measurement speed, and more.

• Choose display modes from real­time strip chart, histogram, readout,
and table mode.

applications such as Microsoft Excel®
or Word® to analyze, interpret, display,

• Scale measurements data.

print, and document the data you get
from the counter.

• Copy captured data to other
programs.

It gives you the flexibility to configure
and run tests from your PC making
data gathering more convenient.

Time Base

Internal time base stability (see graph 3 for timebase contribution of measurement error)

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

-10

5 x 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.

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

Aging rate Per Day: < 4 x 10-8 < 5 x 10

(after 30 days) Per Month: < 3 x 10
Per Year: < 2 x 10

Turn-on stability vs. time

(in 30 minutes) < 2 x 10

Calibration Manual adjust Electronic Electronic Electronic

-7

< 2 x 10-7 < 1.5 x 10-8 < 3 x 10

-7

< 5 x 10-9 < 5 x 10

referenced to 2 h referenced to 24 h referenced to 24 h

-10

< 1 x 10

-9

-10

-9

-8

-9

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.

3

Instrument Inputs

Input specifications

Channel 1 & 2 (53131A, 53132A)
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)

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)

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)

>10 ns 50 mVpp to 10 Vpp
pulse width (100 mVpp with optional
rear connectors)

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

1

2

3

3

3

Input characteristics

Channel 1 & 2 (53131A, 53132A)
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

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

1

4

4

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

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.

10 MHz

For automatic or external arming:
(and signals < 100 Hz using timed arming)

LSD displayed:

RMS resolution:

typical
see graphs for worst case resolution performance

For automatic arming:

Systematic uncertainty:

Typical
Worst case

Trigger: Default setting is auto trigger at 50%

For time or digits arming:

LSD displayed:

RMS resolution
(see graph 2):

Typical
See graphs for worst case resolution performance

×

(2 +

× Trigger error)

Gate time

53132A t

200 ps

Gate time

Frequency

or

period

res

=

Frequency

2

×

53181A t

650 ps

N

53131A t

650 ps

t

res

Gate time

2

t

res

res

where N = 1 for standard channel frequency < 1 MHz
4 for standard channel frequency > 1 MHz
128 for optional channel

t

acc

Gate time

53181A t

350 ps

1.25 ns

res

53131A t

350 ps

1.25 ns

± Time base error ±

53132A t

acc

100 ps

500 ps

2 2

× t

acc

Gate time × Number of samples

2

4 × t

+ (2 ×Trigger error 2)

res

Gate time × Number of samples

53131A/181A 53132A

t

res

500 ps

t

jitter

50 ps

t

res

225 ps

t

3 ps

Frequency

or

period

res

acc

+

Gate time

+

Gate time

jitter

×

t

jitter

t

jitter

Frequency

or

period

×

×

Frequency

or

period

Frequency

or

period

Number of samples = Gate time

Gate time × 200,000

Systematic uncertainty:

53131A/181A

t

acc

Typical

Worst case

100 ps

300 ps

× Frequency (Frequency < 200 kHz)

± Time base error ±

53132A

10 ps

100 ps

Trigger: Default setting is auto trigger at 50%

(Frequency > 200 kHz)

t

acc

Gate time

t

acc

5

Frequency

×

or

period

Measurement Specifications

Frequency (53131A, 53132A, 53181A)

Channel 1 and 2 (53131A, 53132A)
Channel 1 (53181A)

Range 0.1 Hz to 225 MHz

Channel 3 (53131A, 53132A)
Channel 2 (53181A)

Option 015 100 MHz to 1.5 GHz
(53181 A only)

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 (53131A, 53132A, 53181A)

Channel 1 and 2 (53131A, 53132A)
Channel 1 (53181A)

Range 4.44 ns to 10 s

Channel 3 (53131A, 53132A)
Channel 2 (53181A)

Option 015 0.66 ns to 10 ns
(53181A only)

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 (53131A, 53132A, 53181A)

Measurement is specified over the full signal
range of each input.

Results range 10

“Auto” gate time

-10

to 10

100 ms

11

Time interval (53131A, 53132A)

Measurement is specified over the full signal
ranges6 of Channels 1 and 2.

Results range -1 ns to 105 s

LSD 500 ps (53131A)/150 ps

(53132A)

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)

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

Results range 5 ns to 105 s

LSD 500 ps (53131A)/150 ps

at 10% and 90%

(53132A)

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

Trigger Default setting is auto trigger

Results range 5 ns to 105 s

LSD 500 ps (53131A)/150 ps

Positive or negative

at 50%

(53132A)

Totalize (53131A, 53132A)

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

Results range 0 to 1015

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.

Gate time

Auto mode, or 1 ms to 1000 s

Measurement throughput

GPIB ASCII 200 measurements/s (maximum)

Measurement arming

Start Free run, manual, or external
measurement

Stop Continuous, single, external,
measurement

Time interval 100 µs to 10 s (53131A)

Delayed 100 ns to 10 s (53132A)
arming

Arming modes

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

5. Available for all measurements except peak volts.

External arm is referred to as external gate for some
measurements.

6. See specifications for pulse width and rise/fall time

measurements for additional restrictions on signal
timing characteristics.

or timed

6

Time interval, pulse width, rise/fall time (53131A and 53132A only):

)

RMS resolution:

) 2 + Start trigger error 2 + Stop trigger error

(t

res

2

Systematic uncertainty:

± (Time base error × Measurement) Trigger level timing error ± 1.5 ns Differential channel error (53131A)
± (Time base error × Measurement) Trigger level timing error ± 900 ps Differential channel error (53132A
where t

Frequency ratio:

LSD: Ratio :

RMS Resolution:

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

res

Ch1

Ch1

Ch2

,

Ch2

Ch3

1
2

Ch2 Freq × Gate time

Ratio :

Ratio :

Ch3

,

,

(53131A and 53132A) (53181A)

Ch1

Ch1

1

2 × 1 + (Ch1 Freq × Ch2 Trigger error)

1
2

2

2 × Ch2 Freq × 1 + (Ch1 Freq × Ch2 Trigger error)

1

2

Ratio :

1

(Ch1 Freq)

Ch2 Freq × Gate time

(Ch1 Freq) 2 × Gate time

Ch1

Ch2

,

Ch2

Ch1

Ch2 Freq

2

× Gate time

For measurements using Ch3,

2

2

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

Systematic uncertainty:

± 2x resolution

Phase (53131A and 53132A)

2

RMS resolution:

(T

)2 + (2 x Trigger error 2)

(

res

)

Phase

1 +

×

360°

× Frequency × 360°

Systematic uncertainty:

( ± Trigger level timing error ± 1.5 ns Differential channel error) × Frequency × 360° (53131A)
( ± Trigger level timing error ± 900 ps Differential channel error) × Frequency × 360° (53132A)

Duty cycle (53131A and 53132A)

RMS resolution:

53131A

t

res

750 ps

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”).

(T

)2 (2 × Trigger error 2)) × (1 + Duty cycle 2) × Frequency

+

(

res

53132A

300 ps

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.

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.

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

RS-232 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.

7

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

f f f

+ —

Temperature

+ —

Line voltage

)

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:

Trigger error

2

+

(E )

=

Input signal slew rate at trigger point

input

(E )

signal

2

(in seconds)

where

E

= RMS noise of the input amplifier: 1 mVrms (350 µVrms typical). Note that the internal

input

measurement algorithms significantly reduce the contribution of this term.

E

= RMS noise of the input signal over a 225 MHz bandwidth (100 kHz bandwidth when the

signal

low-pass filter is enabled). Note that the filter may substantially 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: –

0.5 x hysteresis band

Input signal slew rate at start trigger point

Trigger level setting error: ± ±

15 mV ± (1% x start trigger level setting)

Input signal slew rate at start trigger point

Input signal slew rate at stop trigger point

0.5 x hysteresis band

15 mV ± (1% x stop trigger level setting)

Input signal slew rate at stop trigger point

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.

8

Graph 1:

y

F

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:

∆

F

=

∆

P

×

P

F

1E + 02

1E + 00

1E – 02

1E – 04

1E – 06

Frequency error (Hz)

1E – 08

1E – 10

10 100 1000 10000 1E + 05 1E + 06 1E + 07 1E + 08 1E + 09 1E + 10

Input frequency (Hz)

Auto armed

10 s

1 s

100 ms

10 ms

1 ms

Gate
time

Graph 2:
Agilent 53131A/181A–Worst case
RMS resolution

7

(Time or digits arming)

Graph 3:
Timebase error

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:

Time or digit arming

Frequency error +

Automatic or external arming

requency error +

4 × 2 × Trigger error

Gate time Number of samples

×

2

×

Gate time

Trigger error

×

Frequenc

or

period

Frequency

×

or

period

E + 02

1E + 00

1E – 02

1E – 04

1E – 06

Frequency error (Hz)

1E – 08

1E – 10

10 100 1000 10000 1E + 05 1E + 06 1E + 07 1E + 08 1E + 09 1E + 10

Input frequency (Hz)

10 kHz

1 kHz

100 Hz

10 Hz

1 Hz

100 mHz

10 mHz

1 mHz

Frequency error

100 µHz

10 µHz

1 µHz

100 nHz

10 nHz

1 Hz 10 Hz 100 Hz 1 kHz 10 kHz 100 kHz 1 MHz 10 MHz 100 MHz 1 GHz
1 ns 10 ns 100 ns 1 µs 10 µs 100 µs 1 ms 10 ms 100 ms 1 sec

High stability T.B.
10 years after cal

9

Medium T.B.
1 year after cal

High stability T.B.
1 month after cal

Input signal frequency or time

10 s

Standard T.B.
1 year after cal

100 ms

1 s

High stability T.B.
1 year after cal

Ultra stability T.B.
1 year after cal

10 ms

Standard T.B.
1 month after cal

Medium T.B.
1 month after cal

1 ms

Gate
time

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

Time error

Graph 4:

y

F

Agilent 53132A–Worst case
RMS resolution

7

(Automatic or external arming)

1E + 02

1E + 00

1E – 02

1E – 04

Frequency error (Hz)

1E – 06

1E – 08

1E – 10

10 100 1000 10000 1E + 05 1E + 06 1E + 07 1E + 08 1E + 09 1E + 10

Input frequency (Hz)

Auto armed

1 s

10 s

100 ms

10 ms

1 ms

Gate
time

Graph 5:
Agilent 53132A–Worst case
RMS resolution

7

(Time or digits arming)

Graph 6:
Trigger level timing error

(Level setting error and
input hysteresis)

E + 02

1E + 00

1E – 02

1E – 04

1E – 06

Frequency Error (Hz)

1E – 08

1E – 10

10 100 1000 10000 1E + 05 1E + 06 1E + 07 1E + 08 1E + 09 1E + 10

Input frequency (Hz)

100 µs

10 µs

1 µs

100 ns

1 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

10 ms

Gate
time

10 ns

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:

Time or digit arming

Frequency error +

Automatic or external arming

requency error +

4 × 2 × Trigger error

Gate time Number of samples

×

2

×

Gate time

Trigger error

Frequenc

×

or

period

Frequency

×

or

period

1 ns

Trigger error per trigger point

100 ps

10 ps

1 V/ms 10 mV/µs 100 mV/µs 1 V/µs 10 mV/ns 100 mV/ns 1 V/ns 10 mV/ps

Input signal slew rate at trigger point

Pulse and T.I. at 5 V trigger point

Pulse and T.I. at 2.5 V trigger point

Pulse and T.I. at 0 V trigger point

10

Measurement
Statistics

General
Information

Available statistics

Mean, Minimum, Maximum, Standard Deviation

Number of measurements 2 to 1,000,000.

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.

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 (HxWxD)

88.5 mm x 212.6 mm x 348.3 mm

Weight

3.5 kg maximum

Warranty

1 year

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 programming language

SCPI-1992.0 (Standard Commands
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 testing

When the product is 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.

11

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 IntuiLink software,
standard timebase, and power cord. CD with
the following: IntuiLink software, Operating,
Programming, Service and Getting Started
Guides, a data sheet, and application notes.

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. A6J ANSI Z540 compliant calibration

*Opt 060 configuration table

53131A/132A

Ch1 & Ch2 front & rear (in parallel)

Ch3 Opt. 030 rear only, front plugged

Ch3 Opt. 050/124 front only

Ch2 Opt. 050/124 front only

53181

Ch1 front & rear (in parallel)

Ch2 Opt. 015/030 rear only, front plugged

Ch2 Opt. 050/124 front only

Accessories

34131A Hard carrying case
34161A Accessory pouch
34190A Rackmount kit: designed for use

with only one instrument, mounted
on either the left or the right side of
the rack.

34191A 2U dual flange kit: secures the

instrument to the front of the
rack. This kit can be used with the
34194A dual lock link kit to mount
two half-width, 2U height instru­ments side-by side.

34194A Dual lock link kit: recommended

for side-by-side combinations and
includes links for instruments of dif­ferent depths. This kit can be used
with the 34191A 2U dual flange kit
to mount two half-width, 2U height
instruments side-by-side.

254.4 mm

103.6 mm

374.0 mm

212.6 mm

88.5 mm

348.3 mm

12

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Revised: June 8, 2011

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

© Agilent Technologies, Inc. 2006, 2011
Published in USA, November 8, 2011
5967-6039EN