Agilent 81111A Data Sheet

5

5Agilent 81110A/’11A

Performance Test

1

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

Introduction

Use the tests in this chapter if you want to check that the Agilent
81110A Pulse Generator Frame with the Agilent 81111A 165
MHz Output Channel(s) is working correctly. Before starting any
testing allow all test equipment to warm up for at least 30 minutes.

Conventions Used

When referring to actions that you perform during the tests, the
following conventions are used:

FUNCTION This indicates that a labelled button must be pressed

[MODE/TRG] This shows that a soft-key must be pressed. A soft­key is an unlabelled button whose label is shown on the display,
and which can vary according to the job that the button is doing

CONTINUOUS PULSES This is an option shown on the dis­play, and is selected by use of the vernier keys. It is shown in
upper or lower case to match the case displayed.

Test Results Tables

Tables for entering the results of the tests are included at the end
of this chapter. The tests are numbered and reference numbers for
each Test Result (TR) are given in a small table at the end of each
test. The reference number shows you where the actual results
should be entered in the Test Results Tables.

The Test Results tables at the end of the chapter should be photo­copied, and the Test Results entered on the copies. Then, if the
tests need to be repeated, the tables can be copied again.

2 Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

If Channel 2 has been fitted to your instrument, make an extra
copy of the Test Results tables for entry of the results of tests on
that channel. In this case, however, it is not necessary to repeat the
Period tests, as these are common to both channels.

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test 3

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

Recommended Test Equipment and Accessories

The following tables list the recommended test equipment you
need to perform all the tests in this chapter. You can use alterna­tive instruments if they meet the critical specifications given. The
test set-ups and procedures assume you are using the recom­mended equipment.

Test Equipment Model Critical Specifications

Oscilloscope
or

Oscilloscope Agilent 54750A +

Counter

or

Counter Agilent 53132A

Digital Voltmeter Agilent 3458A DCV up to 20 V

Pulse Generator Agilent 8110A up to 150 MHz

Delay line Agilent 54008A 22 ns

Digitizing Oscilloscopes Accessories
Attenuators

Power Splitter
SMA/SMA (m-m)Adapter
SMA/BNC Adapter
SMA Cable

Agilent 54121T 20 GHz, 10 bit vertical resolution, Histogram

Agilent 54751A

Agilent 5334B
#010, 030

#001/010, 030

Accessories Model Critical Specifications

20 GHz, 15 bit vertical resolution, Histogram

Period and Time Interval measurements
Oven Osci, 1.3 GHz C-Channel

Frequency measurements > 150 MHz
High-Stability Timebase, 3 GHz Channel

33340C#020
33340C#006
11667B
1250-1159
1250-1700
8120-4948

20 dB
6 dB

4 Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

Accessories Model Critical Specifications

50 Ω Feedthrough Termination 10100C

See Figure

Adapter 1251-2277 BNC to Banana

Cable Assemblies, BNC 8120-1839

Torque Wrench 8710-1582 5/16 in, 5 lb-in (56 Ncm)

2 W,1%
10 W,0.1%

NOTE: When you connect the test equipment for the first time, and

whenever you change the setup during the course of these tests,
use the 8710 - 1582 torque wrench to tighten and loosen SMA
connectors. This will ensure that the connectors are at the correct
tightness and give the best signal transfer.

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test 5

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

50 Ohm, 0.1%, 10 W Feedthrough Termination

The following figure provides a schematic and a parts list except
for the case. The case must provide shielding and maintain
grounding integrity.

50 Ohm, 0.1%, 10 W Feedthrough Termination

The following parts are required:

1. R1 = 53.6Ω, 1%, 10 W; Part Number: 0699-0146.

2. R2 = 200 Ω, 10%, 0.5 W, Variable trimmer; Part Number:
2100-3350.

3. R3 = 681 Ω;, 1%, 0.5 W; Part Number: 0757-0816.

4. BNC (M): Part Number: 1250-0045.

5. BNC (F): Part Number: 1250-0083.

6 Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

Getting Started

The Agilent 81110A is controlled by selecting options in a series
of pages that are displayed on the instrument's screen. These
options vary with the boards that are fitted in the instrument.
When the Agilent 81110A is being tested, therefore, different situ­ations can arise, depending on whether you have a standard instru­ment or one that has had additional boards fitted. The following
examples illustrate this

Typical Examples of Displayed Screens

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

Per 1.000µs Normal

OFF

1

Delay
Width
LeadE
TraiE

The OUTPUT Screen in a Standard Agilent 81110A

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test 7

0ps

100.0ns

2.00ns
=LeadE

OUTPUT PATTERNLIMITSMODE/TRG

Offset
Amplit
50Ω into 50.0

+0.0mV

1.00V

*OFF
ON

Ω

MODIFY

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

OFF 1.000µs OFF

1

Delay
Width
LeadE
TraiE

The TIMING Screen in an Agilent 81110A with qty 2 of Agilent
81111A

ON Normal Normal ON
Seperate Outputs

High
Low

50Ω into 50.0

Per

0ps

100.0ns

2.00ns
=LeadE

TIMING PATTERNLEVELSMODE/TRG

+2.50V
+0.0mV

Ω

2

Delay 0ps
Width
LeadE
TraiE

100.0ns

2.00ns
=LeadE

21

High +2.50V
Low +0.0mV
50Ω into 50.0

Ω

MODIFY

*Period
Frequency

MODIFY

Set TTL
*High-Low
Offs-Ampl
Set ECL

TIMING PATTERNLEVELSMODE/TRG

The LEVELS Screen in an Agilent 81110A with qty 2 of Agilent
81111A

8 Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

Instrument Serial Numbers

You will need to write the serial numbers of the instrument at the
top of the Test Reports. These can be found as follows:

Press HELP, [SERIAL #]

The Agilent 81110A display lists the instrument's products and
serial number.

The display on your instrument should look similar to this:

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

FRAME :
Serial No :

81110A 165 MHz
DE38700135

OUTPUTS
Ch1-Bd. :
Ch2-Bd. :

81111A
81111A

The serial number given for the FRAME applies to the Mainframe,
the Power Supply, the Microprocessor Board, and the Timing
Board. The number(s) available of the Output Channel(s) applies
to the installed numbers of outputs and Model Number.

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test 9

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

Initial Setup of the Agilent 81110A

In the majority of these tests the initial setting up of the instrument
is identical. Therefore, it is described once here, and then referred­to where appropriate. In cases where the initial setup differs, an
illustration of the settings is shown.

Set up the Agilent 81110A as follows:

1. Select [MODE/TRG]

• CONTINUOUS PULSES

• Single-Pulses at Out 1 (plus Single-Pulses at Out 2, if

second channel is installed

• Pulse-Period:internal Osc

2. If a second output channel is installed, select MORE [CONFIG]
screen and set up as follows:

GPIB Address: 10
Perform: Timing Calibration

Group Params by: OUTPUT 1 / 2

PLL-Ref : Internal

TRG-LEV CONFIGMEMCARDLIMITS

CONFIG Screen, Parameters grouped by OUTPUT

10 Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

MODIFY

Tim/Lev
*Out 1/2

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

NOTE: Set-ups are given in all the tests for [OUTPUT 1] and [OUTPUT 2].

If you are testing a single channel instrument set up the [OUTPUT]
screen with the settings given for [OUTPUT 1].

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test 11

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

Test 1: Period (PLL not active)

Test Specifications

Range 6.06 ns to 999.5 s
Resolution 3.5 digits, best case 5 ps

Accuracy +3%
typical +0.5% after selfcal

Equipment Needed

Counter
Cable, 50 Ω, coaxial, BNC

Procedure

1. Connect the Agilent 81110A to the Counter as shown:

81110A UNDER TEST

81110A

165/330 MHz

S

Agilent

PULSE-/ PATTERN GENERATOR

TRIG OUT

5334B Counter

Connecting the Agilent 81110A to the Counter

2. Set up the Agilent 81110A as described in "Initial Setup of the
Agilent 81110A"

12 Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

INPUT A C

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

On the Agilent 81110A press MORE and set up [OUTPUT 1] and
[OUTPUT 2] pages as shown in the following illustrations:

Per Normal ON

Delay
DtyCyc
LeadE
TraiE

Configuring Output 1

Per Normal OFF

Delay2 0ps
DtyCyc
LeadE
TraiE

6.060ns

0ps

50.00%

2.00ns
=LeadE

OUTPUT 1 PATTERNOUTPUT 2MODE/TRG

6.060ns

50.00%

2.00ns
=LeadE

OUTPUT 1 PATTERNOUTPUT 2MODE/TRG

Offset
Amplit
50Ω into 50.0

Offset
Amplit
50Ω into 50.0
Separate Out2

1

+0.0mV

1.00V

Ω

+0.0mV

1.00V

Ω

MODIFY

6.060

ns

MODIFY

6.060

ns

Configuring Output 2

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test 13

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

NOTE: When you are testing instruments with 2 output channels it is

necessary to:

a. Configure both channels.
b. For the Period test you can switch OFF the channels that are not
being tested.

3. Set the Counter to:

FUNCTION Period A / Freq C
INPUT A

SENSE

50 Ω
Οn

4. Check the Agilent 81110A period at the following settings:

Period Acceptable Range TR entry

6.060 ns

9.990 ns

10.00 ns

50.00 ns

99.90 ns

100 ns
500 ns
1 µs
500 µs
500 ms

without selfcal!

5.878 ns to 6.242 ns

9.690 ns to 10.290 ns

9.7 ns to 10.3 ns

48.5 ns to 51.5 ns

96.903 ns to 102.897 ns

97 ns to 103 ns
485 ns to 515 ns
970 ns to 1030 ns
485µs to 515 µs
485 ms to 515 ms

1 - 1
1 - 2
1 - 3
1 - 4
1 - 5

1 - 6
1 - 7
1 - 8
1 - 9
1 - 10

14 Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

5. To perform the Timing Calibration (shown as selfcal) set up
[CONFIG] page as shown in the following illustration:

HP-IB Address: 10

Perform: Timing Calibration

Group Params by: OUTPUT 1 / 2
PLL-Ref : Internal

TRG-LEV CONFIGMEMCARDLIMITS

Selftest
*Calibrate

6. Press ENTER and wait till the display shows
TIMING CALIBRATION PASSED
and gets back to the above shown display .

Test 2: PLL Period

NOTE: This test is only performed if PLL is switched on.

Test Specifications

Range 6.06 ns to 999.5 s
Resolution 4 digits, best case 1 ps

Accuracy + 0.01%

MODIFY

Equipment Needed

Counter Agilent 53132A

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test 15

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

Cable, 50 Ω, coaxial, BNC

NOTE: The Agilent 53132A counter is used in frequency mode to meet

the MIL CAL A uncertainty requirements for TAR (Test
Accuracy Ratio) > 4:1.

Procedure

Connect the Agilent 81110A to the counter as follows:

81110A UNDER TEST

165/330 MHz

81110A

S

Agilent

PULSE-/ PATTERN GENERATOR

TRIG OUT

53132A Counter

3

CHANNEL 1 2

Connecting Agilent 81110A to the Counter

7. Set up the Agilent 81110A as described in "Initial Setup of the
Agilent 81110A"

8. Select the [MODE/TRG] screen on the Agilent 81110A and set
up as follows:

16 Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

CONTINUOUS PULSES

MODIFY

Single-Pulses at Out1
Single-Pulses at Out2

Pulse-Period: internal PLL

int. OSC
*int. PLL
CLK-IN

TIMING PATTERNLEVELSMODE/TRG

The MODE/TRG Screen Setup

9. On the Agilent 81110A set up [OUTPUT 1] and [OUTPUT 2]
pages as shown in the test before!

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test 17

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

NOTE: When you are testing instruments with 2 output channels it is

necessary to:

a. Configure both channels.
b. For the Period test you can switch OFF the channels that are not
being tested.

10. Set the Counter to measure the frequency at the choosen input
1 / 3

11. Check the Agilent 81110A PLL pulse period at the following
settings:

Period Frequency Acceptable Range TR Entry

6.061 ns

10.00 ns

50.00 ns
100 ns
500 ns
1 µs
50 µs
5 ms
500 ms
5 s

165.000MHz
100 MHz
20 MHz
10 MHz
2 MHz
1 MHz
20 kHz
200 Hz
2 Hz

0.2 Hz

164.9835 MHz to 165.0165 MHz

99.990 MHz to 100.010 MHz

19.9980 MHz to 20.0020 MHz

9.9990 MHz to 10.0010 MHz

1.9998 MHz to 2.0002 MHz

999.9 kHz to 1.0001 MHz

9.998 kHz to 20.002 kHz

199.980 Hz to 200.020 Hz

1.9998 Hz to 2.0002 Hz

0.19998 Hz to 0.20002 Hz

18 Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

2 - 1
2 - 2
2 - 3
2 - 4
2 - 5
2 - 6
2 - 7
2 - 8
2 - 9
2 - 10

Test 3: Width

Test Specifications

Range 3.03 ns to (period - 3.03 ns)
Resolution 3.5 digits, best case 5 ps

Accuracy + 3% + 250 ps
typical + 0.5% + 250 ps after selfcal

Equipment Needed

Digitizing Oscilloscope with Accessories
Counter
Cable, 50 Ω, coaxial, BNC

Procedure

1. Connect Agilent 81110A to the Scope as shown:

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

81110A UNDER TEST

81110A

165/330 MHz

S

Agilent

PULSE-/ PATTERN GENERATOR

TRIG OUT

OUT 1

54121T Frontend

INPUT 1 2 3 4 TRIG

6 dB

Attenuator

with SMA/BNC

Adapter

20 dB

Connecting Agilent 81110A to the Scope

2. Set up the Agilent 81110A as described in "Initial Setup of the
Agilent 81110A"

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test 19

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

3. On the Agilent 81110A press MORE and set up [OUTPUT 1]
and [OUTPUT 2] pages as shown in the following illustrations:

Per 200 ns Normal ON

Delay

LeadE
TraiE

Configuring Output Screen 1

Per 200 ns Normal OFF

Delay
Width
LeadE
TraiE

0ps

100.0nsWidth

2.00ns
=LeadE

OUTPUT 1 PATTERNOUTPUT 2MODE/TRG

0ps

3.030ns

2.00ns
=LeadE

OUTPUT 1 PATTERNOUTPUT 2MODE/TRG

Offset
Amplit
50Ω into 50.0

Offset
Amplit
50Ω into 50.0
Separate Out2

1

+0.0mV

1.00V

Ω

2

+0.0mV

1.00V

Ω

MODIFY

100.0

ns

MODIFY

3.030

ns

Configuring Output Screen 2

20 Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

NOTE: When you are testing instruments with 2 output channels it is

necessary to:

a. Configure both channels.
b. Switch OFF the channel that is not being tested.

If you then test the other channel:

c. Switch ON the channel your are testing, and switch OFF the
other channel.

4. Set the Digitizing Oscilloscope Agilent 54121T:

• Press AUTOSCALE

• Select the Display menu and set the Number of Averages to 32

• Select the delta V menu and turn the voltage markers On

• Set the preset levels to 50% -50% and press AUTO LEVEL SET

• Select the delta t menu and turn the time markers ON

• Set START ON EDGE = POS 1 and STOP ON EDGE = NEG1

5. Change the oscilloscope timebase to 1 ns/div

6. Change the Agilent 81110A Ch-1 Width to 3.03 ns

7. Center the pulse in the Scope display

8. Press the PRECISE EDGE FIND key for each new Width set­ting

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test 21

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

9. Check the Agilent 81110A pulse width at the following set­tings:

Oscilloscope

Timebase

1 ns/div
1 ns/div
2 ns/div
10 ns/div
20 ns/
100 ns

Period Width Acceptable Range TR Entry

without selfcal!

200 ns
200 ns
200 ns
200 ns
1 µs
1 µs

3.030 ns

6.060 ns

10.00 ns

50.00 ns

100.0 ns

500.0 ns

2.689 ns to 3.371 ns

5.528 ns to 6.492 ns

9.450 ns to 10.55 ns

48.25 ns to 51.75 ns

96.75 ns to 103.25 ns

484.75 ns to 515.25 ns

10. Connect the Agilent 81110A to the Counter as shown:

81110A UNDER TEST

81110A

165/330 MHz

S

Agilent

PULSE-/ PATTERN GENERATOR

OUT 1

5334B Counter

INPUT A

3 - 1
3 - 2
3 - 3
3 - 4
3 - 5
3 - 6

Connecting Agilent 81110A to the Counter

11. Set the Counter to:

22 Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

FUNCTION
SENSE
INPUT A
COM A
INPUT B

TI A→ B
On
50 Ω
On
50 Ω, negative slope

12. Check the Agilent 81110A width at the following settings:

Period Width Acceptable Range TR Entry

100 µs
10 ms
999 ms

NOTE: Repeat the entire test for the second channel, if it is installed

50 µs
5 ms
500ms

48.5 µs to 51.5 µs

4.85 ms to 515ms
485 ms to 515 ms

3 - 7
3 - 8
3 - 9

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test 23

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

Test 4: Delay

Test Specifications

Range Fixed typical Delay of

EXT INPUT to TRIGGER OUT 12 ns
TRIGGER OUT to OUTPUT 1/2 14 ns
Variable Delay:
0 ns to period - 3.03ns

Resolution
Accuracy

Equipment Needed

Digitzing Oscilloscope with Accessories
Pulse Generator
Counter
Cable, 50 Ω, coaxial, BNC

Procedure

Connect Agilent 81110A to the Scope as shown:

3.5 digits, best case 5 ps
±3% ±0.5 ns
typical ±0.5% ±0.5 ns after selfcal

24 Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

81110A UNDER TEST

165/330 MHz

81110A

S

Agilent

PULSE-/ PATTERN GENERATOR

8110A Pulse Generator

TRIG

OUT 1

OUT

EXT.

TRIG

OUT 1

OUT

IN

54121T Frontend

INPUT 1 2 3 4 TRIG

Attenuator

3 x 20 dB

with SMA/BNC

Adaptor

Connecting Agilent 81110A to the Scope

13. Set up the Agilent 81110A as described in "Initial Setup of the
Agilent 81110A"

14. Set the Pulse Generator to:

Period
Width
Amplitude
Offset
Output

1 µs
100 ns
1 V
+1.0 V
Enable

15. Select the [MODE/TRG] screen on the Agilent 81110A and set
up as follows:

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test 25

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

PULSES

TRIGGERED

Single-Pulses at Out1
Single-Pulses at Out2

Trg'd by: EXT-IN

The TRG MODE Screen Setup

16. On the Agilent 81110A press MORE and set up [TRIG-LEV]
page as shown:

MODIFY

Continous
*Triggered
Gated
Ext-Width

TIMING PATTERNLEVELSMODE/TRG

+1.0V 50

EXT-IN: Threshold

CLK-IN: Threshold +1.0V 50

TRIGGER-OUT: TTL
STROBE-OUT : TTL

TRG-LEV CONFIGMEMCARDLIMITS

The TRG-LEV Screen Setup

26 Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

Ω
Ω

Set TTL
Set ECL
*Voltage

MODIFY

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

17. On the Agilent 81110A set up [OUTPUT 1] and [OUTPUT 2]
pages as shown in the following illustrations:

Per -------- Normal ON

Delay
Width
LeadE
TraiE

Configuring Output Screen 1

Per -------- Normal OFF

Delay
Width
LeadE
TraiE

0ps

100ns

2.00ns
=LeadE

0ps

100ns

2.00ns
=LeadE

Offset
Amplit
50Ω into 50.0

OUTPUT 1 PATTERNOUTPUT 2MODE/TRG

Offset
Amplit
50Ω into 50.0
Separate Out2

1

+0.0mV

1.00V

Ω

2

+0.0mV

1.00V

Ω

MODIFY

0

ps

MODIFY

0

ps

OUTPUT 1 PATTERNOUTPUT 2MODE/TRG

Configuring Output Screen 2

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test 27

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

NOTE: When you are testing instruments with 2 output channels it is

necessary to:

a. Configure both channels.
b. Switch OFF the channel that is not being tested.

If you then test the other channel:

c. Switch ON the channel your are testing, and switch OFF the
other channel.

Set the Digitizing Oscilloscope Agilent 54121T:

• Press AUTOSCALE

• Set timebase to TIME/DIV = 10 ns/div

• Center the positive-going edges of the two signals

• Select the Display menu and set the screen function to single; set the
number of averages to 32

• Select the Delta V menu and turn the voltage markers ON and assign
marker 1 to channel 3 and marker 2 to channel 4

• Set Preset levels to 50% - 50% and press AUTO LEVEL SET

• Select the Delta t menu and turn the time markers ON

• Set START ON EDGE= POS1 and STOP ON EDGE= POS 1

• Press the PRECISE EDGE FIND key

18. Check the Agilent 81110A delay at the following settings:

28 Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

NOTE: Record the value of the fixed delay and subtract it from the other

readings.

Oscilloscope Timebase Delay Acceptable Range TR Entry

10 ns/div

10 ns/div
20 ns/div
20 ns/div
50 ns/div
200 ns/div

0 ps

without selfcal!

5.000 ns

10.00 ns

50.00 ns

100.0 ns

500.0 ns

fixed Delay of TRIG OUT to OUT 1/2:
14 ns typ.

4.35 ns to 5.65 ns

9.200 ns to 10.80 ns

48.00 ns to 52.00 ns

96.50 ns to 103.50 ns

484.50 ns to 515.50 ns

4 - 1

4 - 2
4 - 3
4 - 4
4 - 5
4 - 6

19. Connect the Agilent 81110A to the Counter as follows:

81110A UNDER TEST

165/330 MHz

81110A

S

Agilent

PULSE-/ PATTERN GENERATOR

TRIG OUT

OUT 1

5334B Counter

INPUT A INPUT B

Connecting Agilent 81110A to the Counter

20. Set Agilent 81110A to Continuous-Pulses on the
MODE/TRG screen

21. Set the Counter to:

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test 29

Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test

FUNCTION TI
SENSE
INPUT A
INPUT B

A → B
On
50 Ω
50 Ω

22. Check the Agilent 81110A delay at the following settings:

NOTE: Subtract the fixed delay from the other readings

Period Delay Acceptable Range TR Entry

100 µs
10 ms
999 ms

NOTE: Repeat the entire test for the second channel, if it is installed.

50 µs
5 ms
500ms

48.5 µs to 51.5 µs

4.85 ms to 515ms
485 ms to 515 ms

4 - 7
4 - 8
4 - 9

30 Agilent 81110A/’11A Performance Test