HP 53131A, 53132A Operating Manual

HP 53131A/132A 22 5 MHz

Operating
Guide

Universal Counter

Operating Guide

This guide describes how to use the HP 53131A/132A 225 MHz Universal
Counter. The information in this guide applies to instruments having the

number prefix listed below, unless accompanied by a “Manual Updating
Changes” package indicating otherwise.

SERIAL PREFIX NUMBER: 3313A to 3736A (HP 53131A)

3352A to 3736A (HP 53132A)

HP 53131A/132A 225 MHz
Universal Counter



Copyright Hewlet t- P acka r d

Company 1999
All Rights Reserved.

Reproduction, adaptation, or
translations without prior
written permissi on is
prohibited, except as allowed
under the copyright laws.

Printed: May 1999
Printed in USA

Manual part number
53131-90055

Certification
and Warranty

Certification

Hewlett-Packard Company
certifies that this product met
its published specification at the
time of shipment from the
factory. Hewlett-Packard
further certifies that its
calibration measurements are
traceable to the United States
National Institute of Standards
and Technology (formerly
National Bureau of Standards),
to the extent allowed by the

Institute’s calibration facility,
and to the calibration facilities
of other International
Standards Organization
members.

Warranty

HP warrants HP hardware,
accessories and supplies against
defects in materials and
workmanship for a period of
three years from date of
shipment. If HP receives notice
of such defects during the
warranty period, HP will, at its
option, either repair or replace
products which prove to be
defective. Replacement products
may be either new or like-new.

HP warrants that HP software
will not fail to execute its
programming instructions, for
the period specified above, due
to defects in material and
workmanship when properly
installed and used. If HP
receives notice of such defects
during the warranty period, HP
will replace software media
which does not execute its
programming instructions due
to such defects.

For detailed warranty
information, see back matter.

Safety Considerations
General

This product and related
documentation must be
reviewed for familiariz ation
with this safety markings and
instructions before operation.

Before Cleaning

Disconnect the product from
operating power before
cleaning.

Warning Symbols That M ay
Be Used In This Book

Instruction manual symbol; the
product will be marked with
this symbol when it is necessary
for the user to refer to the
instruction manual.

Indicates hazardous voltages.

Indicates earth (ground)
terminal.

or

Indicates terminal is connected
to chassis when such connection
is not apparent.

Indicates Alternating current.

Indicates Direct current.

Safety Considerations
(contd)

WARNING

BODILY INJURY OR DEATH
MAY RESULT FROM
FAILURE TO HEED A
WARNING. DO NOT
PROCEED BEYOND A
WARNING UNTIL THE
INDICATED CONDITIONS
ARE FULLY UNDERSTOOD
AND MET.

CAUTION

Damage to equipment, or
incorrect measurement data,
may result from failure to
heed a caution. Do not
proceed beyond a CAUTION
until the indicated conditions
are fully understood and met.

Safety Earth Ground

An uninterruptible sa fety earth
ground must be maintained
from the mains power source to
the product’s ground circuitry.

WARNING

WHEN MEASURING POWER
LINE SIGNALS, BE
EXTREMELY CAREFUL AND
ALWAYS USE A
STEP-DOWN ISOLATION
TRANSFORMER WHICH
OUTPUT IS COMPATIBLE
WITH THE INPUT
MEASUREMENT
CAPABILITIES OF THIS

PRODUCT. THIS PRODUCT’S
FRONT AND REAR PANELS
ARE TYPCIALLY AT EARTH
GROUND.

THUS, NEVER TRY
TO MEASURE AC POWER
LINE SIGNALS WITHOUT AN
ISOLATION TRANSFORMER.

For additio n al safety and
acoustic noise information, see
back matter.

Hewlett-Packard Company 7.NC.NL.A.11.03.97.R1.P.CW6FC
Santa Clara Division
5301 Stevens Creek Boulevard
Santa Clara, California 95052-8059

Contents

In This Guide

Contents and Organization xii
Related Documents xiii
Types of Service Available if Your Instr ument Fails xiv

Standard Repair Services (Worldwide) xiv
Express Repair/Performance Calibration Service

(USA Only) xiv
Assembly-Level Service Guide xiv

Repackaging for Shipment xv
Description of the 225 MHz Universal Counter xvi
Options xviii

Hardware xviii
Support xviii

Accessories Supplied and Available xix

Accessories Supplied xix
Accessories Available xix
Supplied Manuals xix

Differences Between Prior and Current Revisions of the
HP 53131A/132A xx

HP 53131A Containing Firmware Revisions (3317, 3335, or

3402) xx
Calibrations xxi

Measurements xxi
Statistics xxii
HP-IB Co mmands xxii

HP 53132A Time Interval Delay Arming xxii

Operating Guide iii

Contents

HP 53131A/132A Quick Reference Guide xxiii

1 Getting Started

The Front Panel at a Glance 1-2
The Front Panel Indicators at a Glance 1-3
The Front Panel Indicators at a Glance (Cont.) 1-4
The Front Panel Menus at a Glance 1-5
The Front Panel Menus at a Glance (Cont.) 1-6
The Front Panel Menus at a Glance (Cont.) 1-7
The Front Panel Menus at a Glance (Cont.) 1-8
The Display Annunciators at a Glance 1-9
The Display Special Character at a Glance 1-10
The Limit Test Graph Characters at a Glance 1-10
The Rear Panel at a Glance 1-11
Making Measurements 1-12

To Measure Frequency 1-13
To Select Input Coupling and Impedance 1-15

Selecting Input Coupling 1-15
Selecting Input Impedance 1-16

To Set Input Channel Trigger Level/Sensitivity 1-17

Changing Trigger Mode 1-17
Modifying Input Trigger Level 1-17
Selecting Input Trigger Slo pe 1-18
Selecting Input Sensitivity 1-19
Starting the Measurement 1-19

To Select Scale and Offset 1-19

Entering the Scale Value 1-20
Entering the Offset Value 1-21
Displaying the Math Results 1-22
Disabling Math 1-22

To Set Limits of Measurements 1-23

Setting the Upper Limit 1-24
Setting the Lower Limit 1-26

iv Operating Guide

Contents

Setting the Counter to Flag and Stop Measuring On
Out-of-Limit Measurements 1-28

Setting the Counter to Flag On Limits But Continue
Measuring 1-29

Disabling Limit Testing 1-30
Disabling Math 1-30

To Perform Statistics on Measurements 1-31

Selecting the Type of Statistics (Stats) 1-31
Computing Stats on Filtered Data Only 1-32
Displaying Stats After Filtering Data of Input

Signal 1-34
Disabling Stats and Math 1-35

To Control Measurement 1-36

2 Operating Your Universal Counter

Introduction 2-2

Chapter Summary 2-2
Where to Find Some Key Working Examples 2-3

How this Counter Wo r k s fo r You 2-4
Using the Measurement Control Keys (Run and Stop/

Single) 2-5

Overview of the Measurement Control Keys 2-5
To Use the Measurement Control Keys 2-6

Using Entry/Select (Arrow) Keys 2-8

To Use During Numeric Entry 2-8
To Use When Sequencing Through the Measurement

Function Menus (Freq & Ratio, Time & Period, Ot her Meas)
and the Recall Menu 2-8

To Use During State Changing (ON/OFF, LO/MED/HI,
etc.) 2-9

To Use on Prompted Event Messages (SET OFFSET ?, CAL:
OFFS n ?, TEST: ALL?, etc.) 2-9

To Use on Prompted Help Messages (MATH HELP ?,
PRINT HELP ?) 2-9

Operating Guide v

Contents

Using the MEASURE Menu Keys 2-10

Overview of the MEASURE Menus 2-10
To Measure Frequency 2-11
To Measure Frequency Ratio 2-12
To Measure Time Interval 2-13
To Measure Period 2-13
To Measure Rise/Fall Times 2-13
To Measure Positive/Negative Pulse Widths 2-14
To Measure Duty Cycle 2-14
To Make Totalize Measurements 2-14
To Make Phase Measurements 2-15
To Measure Positive/Negative Voltage Peaks 2-15

Using the Gate & External Arm Menu Key 2-16

Overview of Gate/External Arming Functions 2-16
Gate/External Arming Capabilities 2-16

AUTO Arming 2-16
EXTERNAL Arming 2-17
TIME Arming 2-17
DIGITS Arming 2-17
HP 53131A (and HP 53132A With S/N Prefix Below

3646) Time Interval DELAY Arming 2-17
HP 53132A (With S/N Prefix 3646 and Above) Time

Interval DELAY Arming 2-20

To Use the Gate and External Arm 2-24

Example Procedure for Gate and External Arm 2-24
Example Procedure for Changing the Number of
Digits of Resolution Displayed for More

Precise Measurements 2-25

Using the MATH Menu Keys 2-27

Overview of Scale/Offset Math Menu 2-27
To Use the Scale/Offset Math Menu 2-28

Example Procedure for Scale Function 2-28
Example Procedure for Offset Function 2-29

vi Operating Guide

Contents

Example Procedure for Turning Off Math Mode 2-30
Example Procedure for Setting the Offset From

the Last Measurement Value 2-31

Overview of Statistics (Stats) Menu 2-32
To Use the Stats Menu for Automatic and Continuous

Statistical Analysis 2-33

Example Procedure for Computing Stats 2-33
Example Procedure for Easy Viewing of Stats 2-34
Example Procedure for Filtering Data (Using Limits)

During Stats 2-35
Example Procedure for Configuring SINGLE to Initiate
N Measurements 2-36
Example Procedure for Turning Off Stats Mode 2-36

Using the LIMITS Menu Keys 2-37

Overview of Limits Menus 2-37
To Set and Use Automatic Limit Testing 2-38

Limits Testing Example 1—Flag and Stop Measuring
On Limits 2-38

Limits Testing Example 2—Flag On Limits but
Continue Measuring 2-40

Limits Testing Example 3—Use Analog Graph
Display While Adjusting Input Signal 2-40

Limits Testing Example 4—Selecting Filtering
Conditions of Stats Computation 2-42

Limits Testing Example 5—Sending the Limit-Detect
Output to the RS-232 Serial Port 2-43

Using CHANNEL 1 and CHANNEL 2 Input
Conditioning Keys 2-44

Overview of Trigger/Sensitivity Menu 2-44
To Use the Trigger/Sensitivity Keys to Adjust Counter’s

Triggering Level 2-48

Example Procedure for Setting Trigger Voltage and
Sensitivity Levels 2-48

Operating Guide vii

Contents

Example Procedure for Using Common 1 to Make Time
Interval (TI) Measurements on a Single Signal 2-51

Overview of Input Conditioning Toggle Keys 2-51

Using the Save and Recall Menus 2-52

Overview of Save and Recall Functions 2-52
To Use the Save Function 2-53
To Use the Recall Function 2-54
To Unsave a Measurement Setup 2-55

Using the Print Menu 2-56

Overview of the Print Menu 2-56
To Use the Print Menu 2-56

Using the Utility Menu 2-57

Overview of the Utility Menu 2-57
To Set the HP-IB Address 2-58

Selecting Operating Mode (Talk/Listen, Talk­Only) 2 -58

Setting the HP-IB Address 2-58

To Choose the Timebase Source 2-59
To Run the Self-Test Routines 2-59

Overview of the Self-Test Routines 2-59
Example Procedure for Running the Self Test 2-61

To Configure the RS-232 Serial Port for Printing 2-61

Setting the Hardware Pacing 2-62
Setting the Baud Rate 2-62
Setting the Parity 2-63
Setting the Software Pace 2-63

To Configure the RS-232 Serial Port for Sending
Limit-Detect Output 2-64

To Select the Numerical Convention for the Display 2-65
To Connect the Counter to a Serial Printer via the RS-232

Port 2-65
To Connect the Counter to a Printer via HP-IB 2-66
To Select the HP-IB Talk-Only Mode for Printing 2-66

viii Operating Guide

Contents

Using the Calibration Menu 2-67

Overview of the Calibration Menu 2-67
To View the Calibration Menu and Security Status 2-68
To Unsecure for Calibration 2-68
To Initiate the Calibration Routines 2-69
To Secure Against Calibration 2-71
To Change to a New Security Code 2-72
To View the Calibration Count 2-72
To Get Help With the Calibration Menu 2-72

Front Panel Display Messages 2-73

Measurement Result Displays 2-73
Power-Up/Self Test Messages 2-74
Menu Messages 2-75
HP-IB Messages 2-77

Preset Values After Power-Up and *RST 2-78

HP 53131A (and HP 53132A With S/N Prefix Below 3646)
Preset Values for Functions Accessible Via Front Panel or
HP-IB 2-79

HP 53132A (With S/N Pref ix 3646 and Above) Preset Values
for Functions Accessible Via Front Panel or HP-IB 2-85

Preset Values for Functions Accessible Via HP-IB
Only 2-91

Summary of the Measurement Sequence 2-93
Common Questions 2-94

Why is Stats result not available yet? 2-94

Why won’t printer work? 2-94
Why did Counter stop measuring? 2-94
Why did Counter go to its default state after I set up my

RS-232 port? 2-94
Counter’s numeric display does not follow the numerical

convention for my country. 2-94
How do I display the 13th digit in my numerical

result? 2-94

Operating Guide ix

Contents

3 Specifications

Introduction 3-2

Instrument Inputs 3-2
Instrument Inputs (Continued) 3-3
Time Base 3-4
Measurement Specifications 3-5
Measurement Specifications (Continued) 3-6
Measurement Definitions 3-12
Measurement Definitions (Continued) 3-13
Measurement Arming and Processing 3-14
Measurement Arming and Processing (Continued) 3-15
General Information 3-16

Index

x Operating Guide

In This Guide

This book is the operating guide for the HP 53131A and HP 53132A
225 MHz Universal Counters. It consists of a table of contents,
this preface, a quick reference guide, three chapters, and an index.

This preface contains the following information:

• Contents and Organization page xii

• Related Documents page xiii

• Types of Service Available if Your Instrument Fails page xiv

• Repackaging for Shipment page xv

• Description of the 225 MHz Universal Counter page xvi

• Options page xviii

• Accessories Supplied and Available page xix
– Supplied Manuals page xix

• Differences Between Prior and Current Revisions of the
HP 53131A/132A

Operating Guide xi

page xx

In This Guide

Contents and Organization

Table of Contents

The Quick Reference Guide consists of a Menu Tree (cu t-out sheet) that
serves as a device to trigger your memory or get you quickly reacquainted
with the instrument, and Menu Roadmaps that illustrate how to navigate
through the menus. It is located after this preface.

Chapter 1, “Getting Started,” is a quick start guide that gives you a brief

overview of the Counter’s keys, indicators, menus, display, and
connectors. Last, a graphical procedure for performing a complete
measurement is provided.

Chapter 2, “Operating Your Universal Counter,” is an operator’s
reference. You are given an overview of each group of front-panel keys,
operating functions, and menus followed by a series of exercises that guide
you through the operation of the Counter.

Chapter 3, “Specifications,” lists the specifications and characteristics of
the Counter.

Index

xii Operating Guide

In This Guide

Related Documents

For more information on universal counters refer to the following
Series 200 Appl icat ion Notes :

• Fundamentals of Electronic Frequency Counters
Application Note 200—HP part number 02-5952-7506.

• Fundamentals of Time Interval Measurements
Application Note 200-3—HP part number 02-5952-7561.

• Understanding Frequency Counter Specifications
Application Note 200-4—HP part number 02-5952-7522.

Operating Guide xiii

In This Guide

Types of Service Available if Your Instrument
Fails

If your HP 53131A/132A fails within three years of original purchase,
HP will repair it free of charge. If your instrument fails after your 3-year
warranty expires HP will repair it, or you can repair it yourself by
ordering the service guide.

There are three types of repair services:

• Standard repair service—if downtime is not critical.

• Express Repair/Performance Calibration Service—if downtime is
critical.

• Order the Assembly-Level Service Guide and repair unit yourself.

Standard Repair Services (Worldwide)

Contact your nearest HP Service Center. They will arrange to have your
HP 53131A/132A Universal Counter repaired.

Express Repair/Performance Calibration Service
(USA Only)

If downtime is critical, you can receive your repaired HP 53131A/132A via
overnight shipment. Just call 1-800-403-0801 and ask for Express
Repair/Performance Calibration Service. When your Counter is repaired,
it will be returned via overnight shipment.

Assembly-Level Service Guide

If your HP 53131A/132A 3-year warranty has expired and you choose to
repair the instrument yourself or would like more details on self test and
calibration, refer to the HP 53131A/132A Assembly-Level Service Guide,
HP part number 53131-90023.

xiv Operating Guide

In This Guide

Repackaging for Shipment

For the Express Repair/Performance Calibration Service described above,
return your failed HP 53131A/132A to the designated HP Service Center,
using the shipping carton of the instrument. HP will notify you when your
failed instrument has been received.

If the instrument is to be shipped to HP for service or repair, be sure you
do the following:

• Attach a tag to the instrument identifying the owner and indicating
the required service or repair. Include the instrument model number
and full serial number.

• Place the instrument in its original container with appropriate
packaging material.

• Secure the container with strong tape or metal bands.

If the original shipping container is not available, place your unit in a
container which will ensure at least 4 inches of compressible packaging
material around all sides of the unit. Use static free packaging materials
to avoid additional damage to your unit.

HP suggests that you always insure shipments.

Operating Guide xv

In This Guide

Description of the 225 MHz Universal
Counter

The HP 53131A and HP 53132A are universal counters capable of
measuring frequencies to 225 MHz on Channels 1 and 2. With an optional
Channel 3 Option 030, Option 050, or Option 124, this capability is
extended to 3.0, 5.0, or 12.4 GHz, respectively.

For the HP 53131A, frequency and time inter val resolutions are 10 digits
in one second and 500 picoseconds, respectively. The HP 53131A provides
users with a HP-IB measuring speed of up to 200 measurements
per second, and is suitable for bench-top operation and lower-volume ATE
operation. The frequency and time interval resolutions for the HP 53132A
are up to 12 digits in one second and 150 picoseconds, respectively.
The HP 53132A provides users with exceptional resolution, and is ideal
for ATE systems operation.

The HP 53131A/132A basic measurement functions include Frequency,
Period, Pulse Width, Duty Cycle, Rise/Fall Time, Time Interval,
Frequency Ratio, Totalize, Phase, and Peak Voltage.
The HP 53131A/132A Counter has four arming modes: auto, external,
digits and time. However, the HP 53132A with serial number prefix 3646
and above has expanded arming capabilities for Time Interval
measurements.

xvi Operating Guide

In This Guide

The HP 53131A/132A include additional measurement functions and
features that are designed specifically for manufacturing and service
applications:

• 1, 5, 10 MHz external reference capability—to match customer’s house
standard (however, the HP 53132A’s external reference capability is
10 MHz only),

• optional ultra high, high, or medium stability oven oscillators for high
accuracy needs and lengthened calibration cycles,

• external gating,

• statistics,

• automatic limit testing,

• SCPI programming capability, and

• analog display mode limit testing

Programmable control is performed via an HP-IB. The HP-IB and a
talk-only RS-232C serial port are standard for the HP 53131A and
HP 53132A. The serial port is for printing measured and analyzed data on
serial printers, or for outputting an out-of-limit signal.

Operating Guide xvii

In This Guide

Options

The options available for the HP 53131A/132A 225 MHz Universal
Counter are listed following this paragraph. Specifications for the options

are listed in Chapter 3, “Specifications.” If you’ve purchased an option
with the initial order, it will be installed at the factory and ready for
operation at delivery. Refer to the “Retrofitting Options” chapter in the
Assembly-Level Service Guide for instructions on field installation of the
options.

NOTE

The “0’s” and “1’s” in the following option numbers are numeric characters
(that is, they are not letters).

Hardware

• Medium Stability Oven Timebase, Option 001

• DC Power Input, Option 002

• High Stability Oven Timebase, Option 010

• Ultra-High Stability Oven Timebase, Option 012 (HP 53132A only)

• 3.0 GHz RF Input Channel (Channel 3), Option 030

• 5.0 GHz RF Input Channel (Channel 3), Option 050

• 12.4 GHz RF Input Channel (Channel 3), Option 124

1

• Rear Terminals

, Option 060

• Rack Mount Kit, Option 1CM. Also available under HP part
number 5062-3972.

• Lock-Link Kit (side-by-side) available under HP part
number 5061-9694. Also requires Flange Kit, part number 5062-3974.

Support

• 5-year Return to HP for Repair, Option W50

• 5-year Return to HP for Calibration, Option W52

1

The two standard input channels (1 and 2) will have both front and rear terminals. Option 030 Channel 3 will
have a rear terminal only. Option 050 and Option 124 Channel 3 will have a front terminal only.

xviii Operating Guide

In This Guide

Accessories Supplied and Available

Accessories Supplied

• Power cord, 2.3 meters

Accessories Available

• HP 34161A Accessory Pouch

• HP 34131A Transit Case

• Printer RS-232 Interface cables, HP 24542G or HP 24542H

• HP-IB cables, HP 10833A/B/C/D

Supplied Manuals

• HP 53131A/132A Operating Guide—this guide
(HP P/N 53131-90055)

• HP 53131A/132A Programming Guide
(HP P/N 53131-90044)

• HP 53131A/132A Assembly-Level Service Guide
(HP P/N 53131-90023)

Operating Guide xix

In This Guide

Differences Between Prior and Current
Revisions of the HP 53131A/132A

If you have an HP 53131A containing one of the prior firmware revisions

(3317, 3335, or 3402), read the subsection below titled “HP 53131A
Containing Firmware Revisions (3317, 3335, or 3402)” to get an overview
of the differences between the earlier firmware revisions and current
firmware revision.

If you have an HP 53132A with a serial number prefix below 3646,
read the subsection titled “HP 53132A Time Interval Delay Arming”
on page xxii.

NOTE

Note that throughout the guide, differences between the earlier and
current firmware revisions are noted where applicable.

HP 53131A Containing Firmware Revisions (3317, 3335,
or 3402)

There are four main areas that differ:

• Calibrations

•Measurements

•Statistics

• HP-IB Commands

xx Operating Guide

In This Guide

Calibrations

If your Counter contains other than the current firmware revision,
the following calibration features are different:

• The calibration functions are in the Utility menu instead of the
Calibration menu, which is accessed by pressing and holding the
front-panel Utility key and then cycling POWER key.

• Calibrations are not protected by a security code.

• A calibration count does not exist to aid in monitoring the number of
calibrations performed.

• A more accurate Time Interval calibration (FINE TI) is not available.

See the section titled “Using the Calibration Menu” in Chapter 2 of the
HP 53131A/132A Operating Guide for details.

Measurements

If your Counter contains other than the current firmware revision,
the following measurement capabilities are different:

• Ratio channel selections Ratio 2 to 1 and Ratio 3 to 1 (for those
counters equipped with Channel 3) are not available.

• Ratio “AUTO-armed” does not automatically extends gate to capture
sufficient edges.

If Channel 1 input frequency is less than approximately 10 Hz,
the Ratio gate time is not extended to capture sufficient Channel 1
edges to produce a valid measurement. Default gate time is 100 msec,
which is not long enough to capture two edges on a low-frequency
signal. The user is required to extend the gate by switching to TIME
arming, and selecting a gate time appropriately long.

• Sensitivity for firmware revision below does not have adjusted
controls to LO and MED sensitivity.

In some Counters that contained firmware revision 3317,
LO sensitivity fails to correctly count very high frequency signals.

Operating Guide xxi

In This Guide

Statistics

If your Counter contains other than the current firmware revisions,
single-shot statistics are not available using the ON SINGLE: menu item
found in the Statistics menu (use Stats key).

HP-IB Commands

[:SENSe]:EVENt[1|2}:HYSTeresis:RELative

If your Counter contains firmware revisions 3402 and below, the input
hysteresis command and query does not operate in the conventional way.
That is, [:SENSe]:EVENt[1|2]:HYSTeresis:RELative sets high sensitivity
when the parameter is MINimum or 0 percent, and sets low sensitivity
when the parameter is MAXimum or 100 percent.

In the prior firmware revisions (3317, 3335, or 3402), MINimum or
0 percent corresponded to low sensitivity, and MAXimum or 100 percent
corresponded to high sensitivity.

:CONFigure:TOTalize:TIMed
:CONFigure:TOTalize:CONTinuous
:MEASure:TOTalize:TIMed?

If your Counter contains firmware revisions 3402 and below, the Totalize
Measurement Instruction commands (shown above) are not available to
disable auto-trigger.

In the firmware revisions 3402 and below, these commands enabled
auto-trigger at the 50% level.

HP 53132A Time Interval Delay Arming

HP 53131A and HP 53132A Counters with a serial number prefix below
3646 are identical in their TI arming modes. Both only offer Time Interval
Delay, where the STOP trigger of a time interval measurement can be
delayed by a user-specified time.

xxii Operating Guide

HP 53131A/132A Quick Reference Guide

The Quick Reference Guide is des igned for experienced users of th e
HP 53131A/132A Universal Counter. It is intended to be used as a tool to
trigger your memory. If you are using the HP 53131A/132A for the first
time, HP recommends that you at least read Chapter 1 , “Get ting Start ed ,”

in the Operating Guide first.
The Quick Reference Guide follows this page, and consists of the following

items:

• Menu Trees which may be torn out of the guide for external use
(pages 1, 2, 3a, and 3b).

• Menu Roadmaps which illustrate via key-press sequences how to
navigate through the menus under the menu keys (pages 4
through 11). Key-press sequences are provided for the following
menu keys:

– Freq & Ratio
– Time & Period
–Other Meas
– Gate & ExtArm
– Uppr & Lower
– Limit Modes
– Scale & Offset
–Stats
– Trigger/Sensitivity

Operating Guide xxiii

xxiv Operating Guide

HP 53131A/132A

Universal Counter

Freq &
Ratio

FREQUENCY 1
FREQUENCY 2
FREQUENCY 3
RATI O 1 TO 2
RATI O 1 TO 3
RATI O 2 TO 1
RATI O 3 TO 1

Uppr &
Lower

UPPR: 0.000000
LOWR: 0.000000

Time &
Period

T I 1 TO 2
PERIOD 1
RISETIME 1
FALLTIME 1
POS WIDTH 1
NEG WIDTH 1

Limit
Modes

LIM TEST: OFF

LIM TEST: ON

ON FAIL:GO ON

ON FAIL: STOP

SHOW: NUMBER

SHOW: GRAPH

Scale &
Offset

SCALE:1.000000
OFFS: 0.000000
SET OFFSET ?
MATH: OFF

MATH: ON

MATH HELP?

Other
Meas

T O T A L I Z E 1
PHASE 1 TO 2
DUTYCYCLE 1
VOLT PEAKS 1
VOLT PEAKS 2

Stats

SHOW: MEAS

SHOW: STD DEV
SHOW: MEAN
SHOW: MAX
SHOW: MIN

N: 100
STATS: OFF

STATS: ON

USE: ALL MEAS

USE: IN LIMIT

ON SINGLE: 1

ON SINGLE: N

(HP 53131A and HP 53132A)

1

HP 53131A/132A

Universal Counter

Recall

NO REGISTERS
RECALL 0
RECALL 1
RECALL 2
RECALL 3
RECALL 4
RECALL 5

RECALL 20

50Ω
1MΩ

CH 1: 50 OHM

CH 1: 1M OHM

Save &
Print

SAVE:
UNSAVE:
PRINT: OFF

PRINT: ON

PRINT HELP?

DC
AC

CH 1: DC

CH 1: AC

Trigger
Sensitivity

AUTO TRG: ON AUTO TRG: OFF
LEVEL: 50 PCT
SLOPE: POS

SLOPE: NEG

SENSTVTY: HI

SENSTVTY: LO
SENSTVTY:MED

COMMON 1: OFF

COMMON 1: ON

X10
Attenuate

CH 1: X10 ATT

CH 1: X1 ATT

LEVEL: 0.000V

SLOPE: POS

SLOPE: NEG

SENSTVTY: HI

SENSTVTY: LO
SENSTVTY:MED

COMMON 1: OFF

COMMON 1: ON

100kHz
Filter

CH 1: LP FILT

CH 1: NO FILT

(HP 53131A and HP 53132A)

2

HP 53131A and

HP 53132A

(Serial Number Prefix below 3646)

Universal Counter

Gate &
ExtArm

Time &
Period

T I 1 TO 2

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Gate &
ExtArm

ARM: AUTO
DELAY : NONE

DELAY : TIME

T IME : .01000

GATE: TIME

TIME: .100 s

ARM : EXTERNL

SLOPE : POS

DELAY: NONE

GATE: AUTO

SLOPE : NEG
DELAY: TIME

TIME : .01000

START: POS

START: NEG

STOP: AUTO

STOP: NEG
STOP: POS
STOP: TIME

TIME: .100 s

GATE: DIGITSGATE: EXTERNL

DIGITS: 4

(HP 53131A and HP 53132A S/N below 3646)

3a

HP 53132A

(Serial Number Prefix 3646 and above)

Universal Counter

Gate &
ExtArm

Time &
Period

T I 1 TO 2

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Gate &
ExtArm

START: AUTO
DELAY : NONE

DELAY :TIME

T : .1 E : 1

DELAY : EVENT

GATE: TIME

TIME: .100 s

DELAY: NONE

STOP : AUTO

GATE: AUTO

SLOPE : POS

GATE: DIGITSGATE: EXTERNL

START: POS

START: NEG

STOP: AUTO

STOP: NEG
STOP: POS
STOP: TIME

TIME: .100 s

START: EXT

SLOPE : NEG

DELAY: TIME

T : .1 E : 1

STOP : EXT

SLOPE : POS

DIGITS: 4

DELAY: EVENT

SLOPE : NEG

DELAY : NONE

DELAY : TIME

T : .1 E : 1

(HP 53132A S/N 3646 and above)

3b

DELAY : EVENT