Keysight 53131A User Manual

Keysight Technologies

RF & Universal Frequency
Counter/Timers Migration,
Comparison, and Differences Guide

53200A Series (53210A, 53220A, 53230A)
531xxA Series (53131A, 53132A, 53181A)

Application Note

Introduction

The Keysight Technologies, Inc. 53131A, 53132A, 53181A (531xxA) RF and universal frequency coun­ters have long established the industry standard for best-in-class frequency and time measurements.

The 53210A, 53220A, and 53230A (53200A Series) counters offer a replacement for the 531xxA
family, providing even more capabilities in the speed and accuracy that only frequency counters can
provide. The 53200A Series also provides new and advanced capabilities for a broader variety of
applications.

This document compares key capabilities, and highlights those areas where there are differences and
advancements of note between the products.

53131A, 53132A, and 53181A to 53200A Series
Product Replacement Guide

Table 1. Product replacement guide

53131A, 53132A, and 53181A counters/timers New 53200A Series counter/timers

If you use these models: Now order this:

53181A 225 MHz RF counter (10 digits/s)
1 channel with optional 2nd microwave channel

53131A 225 MHz universal counter (10 digits/s, 500 ps)
2 channels with optional 3rd microwave channel

53132A 225 MHz universal counter (12 digits/s, 150 ps)
2 channels with optional 3rd microwave channel

Options

If you use this option: Now order this:

001 Medium stability time base N/A - TCXO time base comes standard in base models

010 High stability time base 010 Ultra-high stability OCXO time base

012 Ultra-high stability oven time base (53132A only) 010 Ultra-high stability OCXO time base

015 Add 1.5 GHz channel (BNC) (53181A only) 106 Add 6 GHz CW channel (Type N)

030 Add 3 GHz channel (BNC) 106 Add 6 GHz CW channel (Type N)

050 Add 5 GHz channel (Type N) 106 Add 6 GHz CW channel (Type N)

124 Add 12.4 GHz channel (Type N) 115 Add 15 GHz CW channel (Type N)

060 Baseband rear input in parallel with front input 201 Add rear panel parallel input for baseband channel(s)

061 Baseband rear input in parallel with front input,
microwave input rear only

062 Baseband rear input in parallel with front input,
microwave input front only

53210A 350 MHz RF counter (10 digits/s)
1 channel with optional 2nd microwave channel

53220A 350 MHz universal counter (12 digits/s, 100 ps)
2 channels with optional 3rd microwave channel

53220A 350 MHz universal counter (12 digits/s, 100 ps)
or 53230A 350 MHz universal counter (12 digits/s, 20 ps)
2 channels with optional 3rd microwave channel

201 Add rear panel parallel input for baseband channel(s)
203 Move microwave channel to rear (SMA)

201 Add rear panel parallel input for baseband channel(s)
NOTE: Default for microwave channels (Option 106 and

115) is front.

03 | Keysight | RF & Universal Frequency Counter/Timers Migration, Comparison, and Differences Guide - Application Note

Specification Comparison

There are many factors to consider when looking to replace reliable instruments such as
the 531xxA Series of frequency counters. Table 2 outlines some of the compatible fea­tures shared by the 531xxA Series and the 53200A Series. A complete comparison can
be made using the data sheets for the respective frequency counters. These documents
can be found under the document tab at www.keysight.com/find/frequencycounters

Table 2. Key specification differences

Specification Keysight 531xxA Series

(53181A, 53131A, 53132A)

Frequency bandwidth 225 MHz, 1.5 (53181A only), 3, 5, 12.4 GHz 350 MHz, 6, 15 GHz

Frequency resolution 10 digits/s (53181A, 53131A)

12 digits/s (53132A)

Time interval resolution
(single-shot resolution)

Memory None 1 M reading internal memory

Speed Transactional: 200 readings/s

Timebase XO (standard in all models)

Interfaces GPIB, RS232 (print only) LXI-C/LAN, USB, GPIB

Display and analysis Vacuum florescent display

Rack mount dimensions 212.6 mm (W) x 88.5 mm (H) x 348.3 mm (D)

500 ps (53131A)
150 ps (53132A)

Readings to memory: N/A
Timestamp: N/A

3 OCXO options

Math and limit operations

(2U x ½ width)

Keysight 53200A Series

(53210A, 53220A, 53230A)

10 digits/s (53210A)
12 digits/s (53220A, 53230A)

100 ps (53220A)
20 ps (53230A)

USB flash

Transactional: 350 to 400 readings/s
Readings to memory:

– Frequency: up to 75,000 readings/s
– Time interval: up to 90,000 readings/s

Timestamp: up to 1 M readings/s

TCXO (standard in all models)
1 OCXO option

Color graphical display
Full integrated math, limits, statistics, graphs

212.8 mm (W) x 88.3 mm (H) x 272.3 mm (D)
(2U x ½ width)

04 | Keysight | RF & Universal Frequency Counter/Timers Migration, Comparison, and Differences Guide - Application Note

Compatibility

There are many factors to consider when looking to replace reliable instruments such as
the 531xxA Series of frequency counters. Table 3 outline some of the common features
between the 531xx A Series and the 53200A Series.

Table 3. Compatibility summary

Attribute Details

Functions and ranges 53200A Series is a superset of the 531xxA Series capabilities

Timebase 53200A Series comes standard with a timebase that is of equivalent performance to Option 001 on the

531xxA model counters

Measurement accuracy and resolution 53200A Series’ specifications are equivalent or better with few exceptions

SCPI compatibility We have taken extra care to ensure the 53200A Series works with SCPI programs that were written for

the Keysight 531xxA Series while using the compatibility mode

Mechanical size Height and width dimensions are the same

Accessories Rack mount kits are compatible with both products

Manufacturing Both counters are produced to the same rigorous quality standards and manufacturing process controls

Keysight service and support Our international team is available to help you calibrate your counter or answer any questions about

either instrument

Physical and Measurement Differences

There are also some differences and feature enhancements between the two series of
counters as summarized in Table 4.

Table 4. Key at tribute dif ferences between the 531xxA Series and 53200A Series

Attribute 531xxA Series 53200A Series

Interface ports GPIB and RS-232 printer LAN, GPIB, and USB

Length 348.3 mm 272.3 mm

Connector location Positions are dif ferent

Calibration Uses dif ferent calibration procedures with different

default password

Bandwidth 225 MHz (base channel) 350 MHz

Optional microwave channels 4 channels: 1.5, 3, 5, and 12.5 GHz 2 channels: 6 and 15 GHz

Connectors Optional microwave channel: BNC Optional microwave channel: N-type

Rear option: SMA

Specification calculations Different method used

Specification values 012 timebase option is slightly better than the OCXO

option on the 53200A Series

Limit out capabilities Provided via RS-232 hardware Provided by software

Typically equal to or exceed 531xxA Series

05 | Keysight | RF & Universal Frequency Counter/Timers Migration, Comparison, and Differences Guide - Application Note

Measurement Considerations and Improvements

To augment the data provided in earlier tables, the following sections discuss measure­ment considerations and improvements in greater detail.

Time interval resolution and accuracy

One of the key advances the 53200A Series provides is its industry-leading timing speci­fications. This measurement is often represented through a single shot specification.
Single-shot timing represents how well the counter can resolve an event in time. It is
most of ten associated with time interval measurements, but every counter measurement
is a result of timing and accurate placement of the edge. So, the better the single-shot
timing of a frequency counter, the better overall measurement performance of the
counter. The single shot resolution for the 531xxA Series (53132A) is 150 ps, versus 20 ps
for the 53200A Series (53230A).

Memory and measurement reading speed

There are several ways to consider the measurement speed on frequency counters; two
of which are:

– Single measurement reading throughput: the time to take a single measurement and

transfer from volatile reading memory over the I/O bus

– Block reading throughput: the time to take blocks of measurements into memory and

when complete, transfer from volatile reading memory over the I/O bus

Typically, single measurement throughput is slower than block measurement throughput
due to I/O processing/transfer overhead. The 531xxA frequency counters are single
reading counters with no internal memory. In most applications, up to 200 readings per
second is the typical single measurement reading speed on 531xxA counters. Depending
on the I/O interface chosen (USB, LAN or GPIB), the single measurement throughput
on the 53200A Series counters can have an optimized throughput of approximately 400
readings per second.

The reading throughput potential is substantially different when block reading capabili­ties are considered. With the built-in memory of 1 million readings on the 53200A Series
counters, speeds increases to tens of thousands of readings per second. Again, the I/O
interface chosen impacts the amount of overhead on the overall throughput capabilities.
The 53200A Series data sheet outlines typical reading speeds by model (literature
number 5990-6283EN).

06 | Keysight | RF & Universal Frequency Counter/Timers Migration, Comparison, and Differences Guide - Application Note

Timebase comparisons

Table 5 describes and compares the timebases available with each series of counters.
Typically, most timebases are compared based on their aging specification — either
one month or one year. The 53200A Series comes standard with a timebase that is of
equivalent performance to the Option 001 on the 531xx A model counters. There is one
53200A Series timebase option: Option 010 Ultra-high stability time base. Although both
53200A Series Option 010 and 531xxA Option 012 are ultra-high stability time bases,
Option 012 has the better aging performance of the two.

Table 5. Comparison of timebases

531xxA Series 53200A Series

Timebase Standard XO Option 001

medium oven

Aging

24-hour, TCAL ± 1 °C 40 ppb

(4 x 10-8)

30-day, TCAL ± 5 °C 0.3 ppm

(3 x 10-7)

0.2 ppm
(2 x 10-7)

1-year, TCAL ± 5 °C 20 ppb

Temperature (typical)

0 to 55 °C relative to 25 °C 5 ppm

(5 x 10-6)

0.2 ppm
(2 x 10-7)

TCAL ± 5 °C ± 0.5 ppm

Option 010
high oven

0.5 ppb
(5 x 10

)

-10

15 ppb
(1.5 x 10-8)

2.5 ppb
(2.5 x 10-9)

Op tion 012
(53132A only
ultra-high oven)

0.1 ppb

0.2 (1 x 10

)

-10

3 ppb
(3 x 10-9)

(2 x 10-8)

2.5 ppb
(2.5 x 10-9)

Standard
TCXO

± 0.2 ppm
(2 x 10-7)

± 1 ppm
(1 x 10-6)

± 1 ppm
(1 x 10-6)

(5 x 10-7)

Option 010
ultra-high
stability OCXO

± 0.3 ppb
(3 x 10

)

-10

± 10 ppb
(10 x 10-9)

± 50 ppb
(50 x 10-9)

± 5 ppb
(5 x 10-9)

± 0.5 ppb
(5 x 10

)

-10

53200A Series Option 010 is available on all models and has accuracy between that of
531xxA Options 010 (available on all models) and 012 (only available on the 53132A).

Like the 531xxA counters, the 53200A Series also accepts an external reference (1, 5, or
10 MHz) if higher timebase stability is required. Additionally, the 53200A Series offers an
internal lithium ion battery pack and charger (Option 300) if use requires disconnecting
the counter from power while maintaining timebase stability.

07 | Keysight | RF & Universal Frequency Counter/Timers Migration, Comparison, and Differences Guide - Application Note

Connectivity and interfaces

The standard I/O connectivity on the 531xxA counters is GPIB. RS-232 is also available
as a talk-only interface for printer support and can be set as a hardware limit out
indicator to flag when a measurement drifts out of limits.

The 53200A Series of fers 10/100/1000 L AN/LXI-C (Sockets and VXI-11 protocol), USB

2.0, and GPIB connectivity (Figure 1). If RS-232 output and hardware limit out capability
is desired, it needs to be replicated via software control.

Figure 1. 53200A Series rear panel

Programming Compatibility and Differences

The new 53200A Series counters have a built-in emulation mode that enables the
Keysight 531xxA Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI) command
set to be used with a 53200A Series counter. With 531xxA Series compatibility mode
selected, all programming is through the counter’s remote interface (LAN, USB, GPIB).
The counter display responds according to the remote commands received. When in
emulation mode, you get 53200A Series precision and measurement accuracy. The
emulation mode is a SCPI language substitution (commands and syntax operation) to
enable you to use existing programs. Note: Pressing any front panel key while in 531xxA
compatibility mode returns the counter to 53200A Series mode.

This section lists those areas where 531xxA Series users might find differences in opera­tion when using a 53200A Series counter. These differences are few, but documented in
order to make it easier to verify programs.

Measurement Tip

Enabling compatibility mode

Compatibility mode on the 53210A/53220A/53230A counters is enabled using the
following key sequence or SCPI command:

53210A:

Utility > System Setup > User Settings > SCPI Lang

SYSTem:LANGuage “53181A”

53220A/53230A:

Utility > System Setup > User Settings > SCPI Lang

SYSTem:LANGuage “53132A”

When enabled, the product will return the ID of the counter it is emulating.

08 | Keysight | RF & Universal Frequency Counter/Timers Migration, Comparison, and Differences Guide - Application Note

With 531xxA Series’ compatibility mode selected, all programming is through the
counter’s remote interface (L AN, USB, GPIB). The counter display responds according
to the remote commands received. Pressing any front panel key while in 531xxA Series
compatibility mode returns the counter to 53200A Series mode as prompted. Setting or
changing to either mode requires the instrument to be restarted. Setting the compat­ibility mode programmatically causes an immediate reboot of the instrument.

When the 531xxA compatibility mode has been selected, most SCPI commands should
execute semantically the same as the SCPI commands described in the Keysight 53181A
and 53131A/132A 225 MHz Universal Counter Programming Guides available in the
library section of each the product’s web pages found at

www.keysight.com/find/frequencycounters.

CALCulate subsystem

The 531xxA CALCulate1:IMMediate, CALCulate1: IMMediate:AUTO, CALCulate2: IMMedi­ate, and CALCulate2: IMMediate:AUTO commands, which allowed recalculation of old
measurements, are not supported.

Measurement instructions

The 531xxA READ?, FETCh?, and MEASure? commands returned a variable-length ASCII
string whose number of digits depended on the actual measurement resolution. The
53200A Series will always return 15 digits.

The 531xxA READ:<function>? and FETch:<function>? commands do not allow data con­version from one function to another. <function> must match the currently-configured
measurement function.

SENSe Subsytem—Trigger events

Hysteresis
The 53200A Series hardware has only two input hysteresis levels, compared to three on
the 531xxA counters.

For 53131A /132A:
Sending the 53131A/132A SENSe:EVENt{1|2}:HYSTeresis 50 or 100 com­mand enables noise rejection (INPut{1|2}:NREJect ON) in the 53220A/230A;
SENSe:EVENt{1|2}:HYSTeresis 0 disables noise rejection.

For 53181A:
Sending the 53181A SENSe:EVENt:HYSTeresis 50 or 100 command enables noise
rejection (INPut:NREJect ON) in the 53210A; SENSe:EVENt:HYSTeresis 0 disables noise
rejection.

Reference levels for pulse width and duty cycle

The 53131A/132A allows you to set different reference levels for the rising and falling
edges for pulse width and duty cycle measurements using the SENSe:EVENt{1|2}:LEVel
subsystem commands. The 53220A /230A uses the same reference level for both edges.
If you require different references levels for the two edges, you can accomplish this by
using the time interval measurement function instead of pulse width or duty cycle.

The 53131A/132A models allowed the lower and upper reference values for rise and
fall time measurements to be in different units (percent vs. voltage). The 53220A/230A
models require the same units for both reference values (both must be percent, or both
must be voltage).

09 | Keysight | RF & Universal Frequency Counter/Timers Migration, Comparison, and Differences Guide - Application Note

Gate time resolution

The 53131A/53132A has dif ferent resolutions for long and short gate times and delays
for the following commands:

CONFig u r e:TOTalize:TIMed
MEASure:TOTalize :T I M e d ?
SENSe:FREQuency:ARM:STOP:TIMer
SENSe:TINTerval:ARM:STOP:TIMer
SENSe:TINTerval:ARM:ESTOP:LAYer1:TIMer
SENSe:TOTalize:ARM:STOP:TIMe

The resolution for gate time and delay does not change based on value on the
53220A/230A models.

The 53181A has different resolutions for long and short gate times for the
SENSe:FREQuency:ARM:STOP:TIMer command. The 53210A has the same, or better
resolution regardless of the gate time.

External reference signals

The 53181A and 53131A can automatically adapt to external reference signals of 1 MHz,
5 MHz, or 10 MHz. The 53132A only accepts 10 MHz signals. The SENSe:ROSCillator:
EXTernal:FREQuency? query measures and returns which frequency was present. The
53200A Series accepts 1 MHz, 5 MHz, or 10 MHz, but you need to specify via the SENSe
:ROSCillator:EXTernal:FREQuency command which frequency is present. This command
form is available in 53181A/53131A/53132A compatibility mode; the query form returns
the programmed value, not a measured value.

The 53181A/53131A/53132A SENSe:ROSCillator:EXTernal:CHECk command controls
whether the instrument detects and reports errors if the external reference signal is not
present at the end of a measurement. The 53200A Series will always detect this condi­tion and report errors. The 531xxA command is accepted by the 53200A Series, but has
no effect on the instrument.

SCPI macros

The 531xxA SCPI macro capability is not supported in the 53200A Series, includ­ing the *DMC, *EMC, *EMC?, *GMC?, *LMC?, *PMC, MEMory:DELete:MACRo, and
MEMory:FREE:MACRo? commands.

RS-232 commands

The 53200A Series does not include an RS-232 port, and does not suppor t hard copy
output. The associated HCOPy:CONTinuous and SYStem:COMMunicate:SERial subsys­tem SCPI commands of the 531xxA Series 53131A/132A are accepted by the 53200A
Series, but have no effect on the instrument.

Diagnostics and calibration

Due to significant hardware differences between the 53200A Series and the 531xxA
counters, the calibration procedure and some of the CALibration subsystem commands
are different. The 531xxA DIAGnostic subsystem commands are not supported.

10 | Keysight | RF & Universal Frequency Counter/Timers Migration, Comparison, and Differences Guide - Application Note

Front panel operation

Given the complete redesign of the front panel, the 531xxA SYSTem:KEY and
SYSTem:KEY:LOG? commands, which simulate the pressing of a front-panel key, are not
supported.

Input protection

When 50 Ω input impedance is selected, the 531xxA and the 53200A Series specifica­tions limit the input voltage to 5 Vrms to prevent damage to the input termination
resistor. If higher voltage is present, 53200A Series will automatically switch the input

impedance to 1 MΩ to prevent damage; the 531xxA counters do not have this protection

capability. If the automatic protection is triggered on the 53200A Series, you will need to
send the 53131A/132A INPut{1|2}:IMPedance SCPI command to reset the input imped-

ance to 50 Ω (on 53181A: INPut:IMPedance).

Additional 53200A Series Enhancements

In addition to differences noted previously, there are additional enhancements made to
the 53200A Series that provide capabilities unavailable in Keysight legacy frequency
counters. These attributes enhance the usability and efficiency of the 53200A Series.

User interface

The 53200A Series frequency counters offer an intuitive user interface with a large color
graphical display.

Figure 2. Input set tings such as trigger threshold, input impedance, and input range can be easily
viewed from the front panel

11 | Keysight | RF & Universal Frequency Counter/Timers Migration, Comparison, and Differences Guide - Application Note

Figure 3. Graphics functions compute and display histograms and trend charts of real time
measurement data

Figure 4. Built-in statistics, math, and limit functions are readily available

Figure 5. The front panel datalogging function enables logging and analysis of up to one million
readings. Front panel USB flash memory access makes storing measurement results and analyzing
via your PC fast and simple

12 | Keysight | RF & Universal Frequency Counter/Timers Migration, Comparison, and Differences Guide - Application Note

Additional 53200A Series capabilities

The 53230A model also provides new measurement capabilities:

– Continuous, gap-free measurements for true Allan Deviation computations. In this

mode, all samples are taken within a single gate open/gate close sequence and
computed back-to-back. There is no gap between readings that otherwise occurs
with the per sample gate open/gate close sequence

– Time stamp measurements to record events (edges) as they occur on the counter

input channels. Timestamp measurement speed is up to one million samples per
second

– Microwave burst/pulse measurements are available on optional channel 3 with the

pulse/burst measurement software (Option 150). Measurements include: Burst
carrier frequency, pulse repetition interval (PRI), pulse repetition frequency (PRF),
positive (on) width, and negative (off) width

More Information

For additional specifications on the new 53200A Series Frequency Counter/Timers,
please refer to: Keysight 53200A Series RF/Universal Counter/Timers, Data Sheet,
literature number 5990-6283EN1.

View video demonstrations of the new 53200A Series frequency counter features and
applications: www.keysight.com/find/53200videos

For additional details and product literature on Keysight frequency counters,
please visit: www.keysight.com/find/counters

For additional 53131A, 53132A, 53181A frequency counter migration information,
please visit: www.keysight.com/find/nextgencounters

1. Specifications listed in the 53200A Series datasheet are ISO 17025-compliant. Note that 53131A,
53132A and 53181A specifications are not ISO-17025 compliant.

13 | Keysight | RF & Universal Frequency Counter/Timers Migration, Comparison, and Differences Guide - Application Note

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This information is subject to change without notice.
© Keysight Technologies, 2017
Published in USA, December 1, 2017
5992-0721EN

www.keysight.com