BK Precision 3010 User Manual

TEST INSTRUMENT SAFETY

WARNING

Normal use of test equipment exposes you to a certain amount of danger from electrical shock
because testing must often be performed where exposed voltage is present. An electrical shock
causing 10 miliamps of current to pass through the heart will stop most human heartbeats. Voltage
as low as 35 volts dc or ac rms should be considered dangerous and hazardous since it can produce

a lethal current under certain conditions. Higher voltages pose an even greater threat because such
voltage can more easily produce a lethal current. Your normal work habitis should include all ac­cepted practices that will prevent contact with exposed high voltage. and that will steer current
away from your heart is case of accidental contact with a high voltage. You will significantly
reduce the risk factor is you know and observe the following safety precautions:

Don't expose high voltage needlessly. Remove housings and covers only when necessary.
Turn off equipment while making test connections in high-voltage circuits. Discharge high-

voltage capacitors after removing power.
Use an insulated floor material or a large, insulated floor mat to stand on, and an insulated

work surface on which to place equipment; and make certain- such surfaces are not damp or

wet. Where insulated floor surface is not available, wear heavy gloves.

3. Use the time-proven "one hand in the pocket" technique while handling an instrument
probe. Be particularly careful to avoid contacting a nearby metal object that could provide a
good ground return path.

Always use an isolation transformer to power transformerless "hot chassis" equipment,
where one side of the ac power line is connected directly to the chassis. This includes most re­cent television sets and audio equipment. Without an isolation transformer, the chassis of
such equipment may be floating at line voltage (120 V AC, 60 Hz in USA), depending upon
which way the 2-wire ac power plug is inserted. Not only does this present a dangerous shock
hazard if the chassis is touched, but damage to test instruments or the equipment under test
may result from connecting the ground lead of some test instruments to a "hot" chassis. The

ground lead of this function generator and most other test instruments with 3-wire power
plugs is at earth ground.

S. On test instruments or any equipment with a 3-wire ac power plug, use only a 3-wire outlet.

This is a safety feature to keep the housing or other exposed elements at earth ground.

6. If possible, familiarize yourself with the equipment being tested and the location of its high
votage points. However, remember that high voltage may appear at unexpected points in
defective equipment.

Also remember that ac line voltage is present on some power input current points such as on.
off switches, fuses, power transformers, etc., even when the equipment is turned off.

8. Never work alone. Someone should be nearby to render aid if necessary. Training on CPR

(cardo-pulmonary resuscitation) first aid is highly recommended.

2.

7.

FOR

.' .6460 W. Cortland Street

Chicago, Illinois 60635

INTRODUCTION SPECIFICATIONS. PANEL CONTROLS AND FEATURES. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PAGE

3
3

5

A. Frequency and Waveform Selection, Manual Operation

B. DC Output. C. Voltage-Controlled Operation. D.TTLOutput APPliCATIONS

A. Amplifier Frequency Response. B. Tone Control Test. .C. Amplifier Overload Characteristic. D. Amplifier Performance Evaluation Using Square Waves

E.SpeakerSystemTesting F.AMReceiverAlignment G. Using the 3010 As A Bias and Signal Source. H. Preset Frequency Selection. I. Digital Frequency Selection. J. Communications Receiver Alignment. K.AdditionalApplications THEORY OF OPERATION

GeneralCircuitDescription Detailed Circuit Description. MAINTENANCE AND CALIBRATION

Removal of Rear Case Calibration Procedure LineVoltageConversion WARRANTY SERVICE INSTRUCTIONS. ONE-YEAR liMITED WARRANTY.

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INTRODUCTION

The B & K-PRECISION Model 3010 Function Generator is a versatile signal

source that can be used in a variety of engineering, industrial, educational and

hobbyist applications. The wide frequency range (.1 Hz to 1 MHz) for all functions

(sine, square, triangle and TTL output) encompassessubaudible, audio, ultrasonic
and RF applications. The continuously variable DC offset control and provision for
external VCO control further enhance the versatility of this instrument. The
human-engineered case lends itself to bench use as well as easy portability.

SPECIFICA nONS

GENERAL

Basic Outputs

Square, sine, triangle, DC and TTL Square Wave

(separate output jack).

Frequency Range

OJ Hz to 1 MHz in six ranges.

External Frequency

Control

Maximum Input

Input Impedance

SPECIFICAnONS (AU specifications apply with dial scale between 1 and 10)

Dial Accuracy

Dial Range

VCO; greater than 100: 1 on any frequency range
(linear). With FREQUENCY dial set at .1, a
0-to-5.5 V ramp input will produce a 100:1 fre-

quency change. Frequency increases with positive

voltage.

:!:20 V peak.

1000 ohms, nominal.

5% of full scale to 500 kHz, 8% of full scale from
500 kHz to 1 MHz (includes dial scale accuracy and
range-to-range accuracy). Unit calibrated at full scale.

Greater than 100: 1,

Output Impedance
Output Amplitude

Amplitude Control

600.Q, :1:5%.

20 V pop open circuit;
10 V pop into 600il.

Continuously variable, greater than 30 dB range.

3

DC Offset Continuously variable, :tIO V, open circuit; :tS V,

into 600Q.

V AC + Voc offset without clipping, :1:10 V

open circuit; :1:5 V into 600il.

Sine Wave

Distortion

Square Wave

Non-Symmetry

Triangle Wave

Non-linearity

Square Wave

Rise/Fall Time

Sine Wave Amplitude

flatness

TTL Square Wave

Response

Less than 1%, 1 Hz to 100 kHz; hannonics more

than 30 dB down from fundamental, 100 KHz to
1 MHz.

Less than 1 %, to 100KHz.

Less than 1%, to 100 KHz.

less than 100 nSEC at maximum output amplitude.

:1:.3 dB to 1 MHz at maximum output amplitude.

Less than 25 nSEC rise/fall time. Fixed TTL level:
LO less than .4 V; III greater than 2.4 V. Will drive
20 TTL loads.

Short-Term

Stability

Power Requirements

Dimensions (HWD)

Weight

Handle

4

Max.

.05%

105 to 130 V AC, 60 Hz. 8 watts max.
(105-130/210-260 VAC, 50/60 Hz export version

available)

3.2 x 11.3 x 7.7
(8.13x28.70x 19.56 cm.)

21bs.,9 oz. (1.16 Kg.) without line cord.
21bs., 14 oz. (1.31 Kg.) with line cord.

Four positions: integral part of case.

"

PANEL CONTROLS AND FEATURES

(See Fig. 1)

1. POWER on-off switch. Depressing this button turns the 3010 on. To turn off,
push again and release.

RANGE selectors. Decade frequency type. Multiplying the range selected times
the FREQUENCY dial (6) indication gives the output frequency, which applies

for all functions. For example, if the 100 K RANGE button is depressed and

the FREQUENCY dial is at 10, the output frequency is 1 MHz.
FUNCTION selectors. Select square (IUU), sine ("",,), or triangle ("""")

output waveform which appears at 600n OUTPUT jack (9).

AMPliTUDE control. Controls the amplitude of the output signal, which

appears at 600n jack (9). This control does not apply to the DC OFFSET

voltage or to the TTL output.

S. DC OFFSET control. Adds positive or negative DC component to the signal

appearing at 600n OUTPUT jack (9). Continuously variable for :!:S V

(600 ohms) or :!:10 V (open circuit). The DC component added by this control
is dependent of the adjustment of AMPLITUDE control (4).

FREQUENCY dial. Multiplying the setting of this dial times the frequency of
the RANGE switch (2) selected gives the output frequency of the waveforms at
the 600n OUTPUT jack (9) and TTL jack (7).

7. TI'L jack. A TI'L square wave is available at this jack. The frequency is
determined by the RANGE selected and the setting of the FREQUENCY dial.

This output is independent of the AMPliTUDE and DC OFFSET controls.

8. -=b(Ground) jack. Common reference for the 1TL and 600n OUTPUT signals.

9. 600Q OUTPUT jack. Waveforms selected by FUNCTION switches as well as

the superimposed DC OFFSET voltage are available at this jack.

10. HANDLE. Multiple-position design permits use as a tilt stand or carrying
handle.

2.

3.

4.

6.

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11. VCO INPUT jack (rear panel). An external voltage input will vary the output

frequency. The change in frequency is directly proportional to input voltage;

therefore, the rate of change of frequency is proportional to that of the input

voltage.

12. LINE CORD RECEPTACLE (rear panel). This receptacle accepts the

detachable line cord. (Fixed power cord on 105-130/210-260 V AC, 50/60

Hz export version.)

11

Fig. 2. Rear panel.

12

7

OPERATINGINSTRucnONS

FREQUENCY AND WAVEFORM SELECTION, MANUAL OPERA nON

With the unit plugged into a power source, depress the POWER button (1).

2. Select the frequency range desired by depressing the appropriate RANGE
switch. The frequency range obtained as the FREQUENCY dial (6) is
varied will be from one-tenth the indicated RANGE value to 10 times this

value. For example, select the 10 K range. When the FREQUENCY dial is

at .1, the output frequency is 1 KHz; when at 1, it is 10KHz and when at
10 the frequency is 100 KHz. The frequency obtained applies to the signal

at the lTL jack as well as the 60012 OUTPUT jack.

3.

Select the waveform desired by depressing the appropriate FUNCTION
button. The phase relationships of the waveforms available are shown in
Fig. 3.

4. The amplitude of the selected output signal at the 6001"2 OUTPUT jack is

adjusted by AMPLITUDE control (4). The TTL output is not affected by

the AMPLITUDE control.

5,

A DC component can be added to the signal at the 600n OUTPUT jack by

use of the DC OFFSET control. The DC component introduced is

independent of the AMPLITUDE control and does not apply to the TTL

output. The level of DC can be varied :tIO volts open circuited or :tS volts
across 600 ohms.

Fig. 3. Output waveform and phase relationships.

8

A.

A. ZERO DC OFFSET

WITH MAXIMUM
SIGNAL.

B. OFFSET LIMITS

WITHOUT CLIPPING

C. EXCESSIVE OFFSET,

-5V

DC OFFSET

POSITIVE

.--

NEGATIVE

DC OFFSET

Fig. 4. Use of DC OFFSET control.

6.

Remember that the output signal swing of the generator is limited to :1:10
volts (open circuit) or :1:5 volts into 600 ohms. This applies to the
combined signal and DC offset. Clipping occurs slightly above these levels.

Fig. 4 illustrates the various operating conditions encountered, when using
the DC offset. If the desired output signal is large or if a large DC offset is

used, an oscilloscope should be used to make sure that the desired

combination is obtained without undesirable clipping.

When using the higher output frequencies and when using the square wave

and TTL outputs, terminate the cable in 600 ohms to minimize ringing.

Keep the cables as short as possible.

B.

DC OUTPUT

The DC OFFSET feature can be used to convert the Model 3010 to a bipolar
DC power supply with an internal impedance of about 600 ohms.

Depress the FUNCTION switches slightly so that all switches are released

(all buttons out). This removes all signal components from the output.

2.

The output now consists of a DC voltage which can be varied continuously

from -10 volts to + 1 0 volts (open circuit) by use of the DC OFFSET

control.

7.

9

A decoupling capacitor (20 mfd or more) can be connected across the

60012 OUTPUT and ground (-=:!::-) terminals to reduce the AC impedance
of the output. Always observe polarity when using polarized capacitors.

c.

VOLTAGE-CONTROLLED OPERAnON
The 3010 can be operated as a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) by using an

external control voltage applied to the VCO IN jack at the rear of the unit. A
male phono plug is provided for this purpose. The externally applied voltage
will vary the frequency which is preselected by the RANGE switches and the
FREQUENCY dial. A positive-going voltage will increase the frequency and a
negative-going voltage will decrease the frequency. Please note that the

frequency does not change without limit as the input control voltage is
increased. The upper dial frequency can be exceeded by about 10 per cent. If
the control voltage reduces the lowest frequency available below the frequency
corresponding to the low end of the frequency dial (.1), erratic operation

results.

The desired frequency, output waveforms, DC offset, and the output
amplitud& adjustment are selected as for manual operation. The maximum

voltage-controlled sweep is over a 100:1 range.

SWEEP FREQUENCY OPERAnON

10

a.

Select frequency range and function.

b.

Set DC offset, if required.

c.

Set amplitude to desired level.

To obtain maximum sweep, set the FREQUENCY dial to either

d.

extreme. For this example, set at low end (.1 on FREQUENCY dial).

e.

Connect a positive-going voltage to the VCO IN jack. A 0 to +5.5 volt
ramp will provide a frequency increase corresponding to a FRE­QUENCY dial setting of 10. This is a 100:1 ratio. The frequency

varies in direct proportion to the applied input voltage.

FREQUENCY MODULATION

If an alternating voltage with no DC component is applied to the VCO IN

jack, the preset frequency will vary above and b~low the frequency that

was preset by the RANGE switch and FREQUENCY dial. The DC
component of such an input signal can be removed by transformer or

capacitive coupling.

2.

a.

Select frequency and function.

b. Set DC offset, if required.

Set amplitude to desired level.c.

d.

Adjust the VCO IN voltage to provide the desired frequency

modulation.

e.

The approximate frequency deviation obtained for a given VCOsignal

can be determined as follows:

(1) .055 volt will produce a change in frequency equal to one per

cent of the highest frequency obtainable on a given range. For
example, if the 1 K RANGE is selected and the FREQUENCY

dial is at 10, the output frequency is 10 KHz. One per cent of

10 KHz is 100 Hz. Therefore, for each .055 volt change in the
VCO voltage, a 100 Hz change in frequency is produced with the
1 K RANGE selected, regardless of FREQUENCY dial setting.

(2) As an example, assume the RANGE switch and FREQUENCY

dial are set for 5 KHz output. If an alternating signal having an
amplitude of :t.55 volt is is applied to the VCO IN jack, a

frequency swing of :t (:ih) 100 = :tl KHz is obtained. The table
below indicates the frequency change per .055 volt input to the

VCO IN jack for each range.

Range,

Hz

1

10

100

1:

10

K

100

K

Min.

Max.

K

KKKKKM

Frequency, Hz

(Dial at .1)

.1

1

10

100

1

10

Frequency, Hz

(Dial at 10)

10

100

1

10

100

1

1% Frequency Change,

Hz (For .055 V input)

10

100

lK

lOK