LeCroy 9210 User Manual

Operator’s Manual

Model 9210

300 MHz

Programmable

Pulse Generator

March

1, 1995

Rev. B

LeCroy

Innovators in Instrumentation

Corporate Headquarters

700 Chestnut Ridge Road
Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977-6499

Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]

European Headquarters

2, chemin-Pre-de-la Fontaine

1217 Meyrin 1
Geneva, Switzerland
Tel.: [phone]

Copyright© March 1, 1995, LeCroy. All fights
reserved. Information in this publication supersedes

all earlier versions. Specifications subject to change

without notice.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

9210 QUICK START ...................................................................................................

Purpose .......................................................................................................................1

Quick Start Instructions ................................................................................................

GE’I-I’ING AROUND THE FRONT PANEL ................................................................. 5

Accessing the Control Displays ..................................................................................... 5

Selection of Parameters .............................................................................................. 6

Adjusting Parameters with the Numeric Keypad .........................................................

Adjusting Parameters with the Rotary Knob ................................................................

Non-Numeric Entries ...................................................................................................

Storing & Recalling Setups .......................................................................................... 8

Executing Action Commands .......................................................................................

Manually Triggering the Generator ............................................................................

Alternate Parameter Formats ....................................................................................

Restoring Local Control ............................................................................................. 11

Module Controls - Enabling or Inverting the Pulse Output .........................................

Power - Turning the Generator On & Off .................................................................. 13

3

CHANNEL A & B CONTROLS ................................................................................. 15

General Information ...................................................................................................15

Controlling Vertical Characteristics ............................................................................

Width - Controlling Horizontal Duration ....................................................................

Delay - Controlling Horizontal Position ...................................................................... 20

Controlling Transition Rates ...................................................................................... 21

Dynamic Range and Transition Rates ....................................................................... 24

Double Pulse Operation ............................................................................................. 25

Controlling Repetition Rate ........................................................................................ 26

Parameter Conflicts ...................................................................................................27

Load Compensation ...................................................................................................

Logic Family Presets .................................................................................................

Limiting the Output Levels ................................................................................... ......32

Module Considerations ..............................................................................................

1
1

7
7

8

9

11
11

12

15

17

30
32

32

4

TRIGGER CONTROLS ............................................................................................. 39

General Information ...................................................................................................39

The Trigger Output ....................................................................................................

The Trigger Input .......................................................................................................

Frequency Counter ....................................................................................................

39
39

40

Table of Contents

’ ........

41
41
42
43
44
46
47
47
47

47
47
48
48
48
49

49
49
50

51
51

53

53
55
56

57

57

58

58

59

59

59

Trigger Modes ...........................................................................................................

Normal Mode .....................................................................................................

Single Mode ..............................................................................................................

Gate Mode ................................................................................................................

Burst Mode ................................................................................................................

External Width Mode .................................................................................................

Double Pulse Interactions .........................................................................................

Normal Mode .............................................................................................................

Single Mode ..............................................................................................................

Gate Mode ................................................................................................................

Burst Mode ................................................................................................................

External Width Mode .................................................................................................

Setting the Trigger Level and Slope ..........................................................................

Setting the Trigger Level Automatically .....................................................................

Parameter Limits and Triggering ...............................................................................

Setting the Internal Trigger Rate ...............................................................................

Using The Manual Trigger Button .............................................................................

Adjusting the Trigger Output Offset ...........................................................................

Selecting the Trigger Input Impedance .....................................................................

Trigger Output Presets ..............................................................................................

5

THE "MORE" MENU - UTILITIES AND FEATURES ...............................................

Invoking Self-Calibration ...........................................................................................

Invoking Selftest ........................................................................................................

Calibration and Selftest Results ................................................................................

Monitoring the GPIB Interface ...................................................................................

Testing the User Interface .........................................................................................

The Configuration Menu ............................................................................................

The Screen Saver .....................................................................................................

Disabling the Touch Screen ......................................................

Display Brightness .....................................................................................................

Temperature Compensation .....................................................................................

: ...............................

6

REMOTE OPERATIONS ..........................................................................................

General Information ..................................................................................................

Terminology ..............................................................................................................

Numeric Representation ...........................................................................................

Header Compounding ...............................................................................................

Coupled Commands .................................................................................................

Responses ................................................................................................................

Status Reporting .......................................................................................................

Common Commands ................................................................................................

61

61

61

61
62
62

62

63
63

Table of Contents

GPIB COMMANDS ...................................................................................................

General Information ...................................................................................................

Commands Which Correspond To Local Controls ....................................................

*CAL ............................................................................................................

*RCL ............................................................................................................

*SAV ............................................................................................................

*TRG ...........................................................................................................

*TST ............................................................................................................

AMP ............................................................................................................

AUTOL ........................................................................................................

BASE ...........................................................................................................

BC ...............................................................................................................

BRI ..............................................................................................................

DBL .............................................................................................................

DEL .............................................................................................................

DISA ............................................................................................................

DISP ............................................................................................................

DUTY ..........................................................................................................

FREQ ..........................................................................................................

INV ..............................................................................................................

LEAD ...........................................................................................................

LIM ......................................................................................

LVH .............................................................................................................

LVL ..............................................................................................................

LOADC ........................................................................................................

MED ............................................................................................................

OUT .............................................................................................................

OUTBar .......................................................................................................

PER .............................................................................................................

PHA .............................................................................................................

SCRNSAVE ................................................................................................

SLEW_L ......................................................................................................

SLEW_T ....................................................................

TEMPC ........................................................................................................

TOUCH .......................................................................................................

TRAIL ..........................................................................................................

TRIM ...........................................................................................................

TRLV ...........................................................................................................

TRMD ..........................................................................................................

TROV ..........................................................................................................

TROV_SET .................................................................................................

TRSL ...........................................................................................................

i .......................75

: .................................

65

65
66
66
67
67
67

68
68
69
69
70
70
71
71

72

72
73
73

74

74
75

76
77
78

79
79
80
80
81
81

82
83
83

84
84
85
85
86

86
87

iii

Table of Contents

VHI ..............................................................................................................

VLO .............................................................................................................88

VSET ..........................................................................................................89

WlD .............................................................................................................

Commands Which Have No Corresponding Local Controls .....................................

*CLS .............................................................................................................

*ESE .............................................................................................................

*ESR ............................................................................................................

*IDN ...............................................................................................................

*LRN .............................................................................................................

*OPC ............................................................................................................

*OPT ............................................................................................................

*RST .............................................................................................................

*SRE ............................................................................................................

*STB .............................................................................................................

*WAI .............................................................................................................

CHDR ...........................................................................................................

CHK ..............................................................................................................

DEGC_CHG .................................................................................................

ERR ..............................................................................................................

MSG .............................................................................................................

TER ...............................................................................................................

APPENDIX A Specifications ................................................................................

LeCroy 9210 300 MHz Programmable Pulse Generator Mainframe ........................

LeCroy 9211 250 MHz, Variable Edge Output Module ...........................................

LeCroy 9212 300 MHz, 300 psec, Variable Edge Output Module ...........................

LeCroy 9213 50 MHz, 16V Amplitude Output Module ............................................

LeCroy 9214 300 MHz, 300 psec, Fixed Edge Output Module ...............................

87

89
90

90
90

91
91
91
92
93
93
94
94
95
95

96
96
97
97

98

99

99
105
109
113
116

APPENDIX B Warranty .......................................................................................

Unpacking and Inspection ......................................................................................

Warranty ..................................................................................................................

Calibration ...............................................................................................................

Documentation Discrepancies .................................................................................

APPENDIX C

iv

Service ...........................................................................................

119
119

119

120

120

121

Table of Contents

APPENDIX D GPIB Documentation ...................................................................

General Information ..................................................................................................

GPIB Interface Function Subsets .............................................................................

Addressing Information .............................................................................................

Restoration of Settings .............................................................................................

Commands and Queries ...........................................................................................

Device Specific Commands ......................................................................................

Data Elements ..........................................................................................................

Query Responses .....................................................................................................

Implemented Commands and Queries .....................................................................

State After Calibration ...............................................................................................

Identification Response ............................................................................................

Reset, Save, Recall and Learn ................................................................. ................

Selftest ......................................................................................................................

Status Data Structure ...............................................................................................

Sequential Processing ..............................................................................................

Operation Complete ........................................................................... : ......................

Additional Notes ........................................................................................................

APPENDIX E

Error Messages ............................................................................. 141

GPIB Error Queue ...................................................................................................

Command Errors ......................................................................................................

Execution Errors .......................................................................................................

Query Errors .............................................................................................................

Device Specific Errors ..............................................................................................

Displayed Error Messages ........................................................................................

123

123
123
124
124
124
126

126

127
127

127
128
128
129
136
139
139
140

~ 141

142
146
147
148
151

APPENDIX F

Ampl ..........................................................................................................................

Base ..........................................................................................................................

Burst Mode ...............................................................................................................

Delay .........................................................................................................................

Double Pulse ............................................................................................................

Duty Cycle ................................................................................................................

External Width Mode ................................................................................................

Frequency .................................................................................................................

Gate Mode ................................................................................................................

Lead ..........................................................................................................................

Load Compensation ..................................................................................................

Glossary ....................

~ ...................................................................

159

159
159

159

161
162
162
163

163
164
164
165

V

Table of Contents

Median ......................................................................................................................

Normal Mode .............................................................................................................

Period ........................................................................................................................

Phase ........................................................................................................................

Single Mode ..............................................................................................................

Slew ..........................................................................................................................

Temperature Compensation .....................................................................................

Trail ...........................................................................................................................

Trigger Level .............................................................................................................

Trigger Slope .............................................................................................................

Trigger Output Level .................................................................................................

Vhigh .........................................................................................................................

Vlow ..........................................................................................................................

Width .........................................................................................................................

Appendix G 9210 Pulse Generator Manual Addenda ......................................................

Important Notice ........................................................................................................

For Mainframe Firmware Versions 2.7 and up ..........................................................

For 9212 users with Module Firmware Versions 1.6 and up ..................................... 172

Firmware Versions 2,8 and up ..................................................................................

Changes and additions to 9112 Output Module Specifications .................................

Additional Feature for the 9212 Output Module ........................................................

Appendix H 9210-50/250 100 MHz Pulse Generator Mainframe Specifications .............

Important Notice ........................................................................................................

Timing Characteristics ............................................................................................... 175

Inputs and Outputs ....................................................................................................

Programmability ........................................................................................................

Triggering Modes ......................................................................................................

Operating Features ...................................................................................................

Additional Capabilities ...............................................................................................

Environmental ...........................................................................................................

Power ........................................................................................................................179

Miscellaneous ............................................................................................................

165

165
166
167
167
168
168
168
169
169
169
169
169
170

171
171
171

172
172

173

175

175
176

177

178

178
179
179

180

Appendix 1 9215 50 MHz, 15V Amplitude Output Module Specifications .......................

Timing Characteristics ...............................................................................................

Pulse Performance ....................................................................................................

vi

181

181
182

Table of Contents

Appendix J 9211MOD100 100 MHz Output Module Specifications ..........................

Timing Characteristics ........................................................................................

Output Characteristics ........................................................................................

Output Levels ......................................................................................................

Pulse Performance .............................................................................................

Module Controls ..................................................................................................

INDEX 189

185

185
185
185

187
188

vii

1 9210 QUICK START

Purpose

Quick Start
Instructions

The intent of this chapter is to familiarize the first-time user
of the LeCroy 9210 Pulse Generator with the instrument’s

uniquely user-friendly control scheme. The information
presented herein is intended to "get you up to speed" in as

short a time as possible. Detailed answers to specific
questions that may arise will be found in other chapters.

1) To install an Output Module into slot A of the 9210

Pulse Generator Mainframe, push open the leftmost of
the two self-closing cover doors on the right side of the
9210 front panel, and make sure that the module is

properly placed in the guide rail. Tilt the module’s front
panel downwards slightly to assure proper alignment.
Firmly push the module back into the mainframe
assembly until it seats properly and the module front
panel is approximately flush with the mainframe front
panel. Do not force modules into position, as doing so
may damage the connectors at the rear of the module or
their mating connectors in the mainframe.

Repeat this installation procedure for module position B if a
second output module is used.

NOTE: Mainframe power should be OFF when inserting and

removing output modules.

Connect the 9210 to a power source that meets the

2)

instrument specification; 115/220 VAC __.20%, 48 Hz to
448 Hz. The 9210 will automatically adjust to the local line
voltage.

3) Make certain that the Main Circuit Breaker/Line switch, on
the rear panel, is in the ON position.

1

9210 Quick Start

I/

Vlow

[ Width I’" 2.00ns
I Delay I’" 2.00ns

I Lead -J’l’" 1.00ns

I Trail "L I-. 1.00ns

12 Pulse I" .....

Main

Period

I

[" 10.00ns

OFF

I No,m°, I sO I

SELECT

DiS

I

t ........

J~[-- ~’~’.),nput ~ output Pu.sE~-~,E,,ro, 9210 J~\

4) Push the front panel [POWER] key. The 9210 will perform
power-up calibration for approximately 30 seconds, then
display the Channel A control menu screen.

DISPLAY GPIB POWER N--l/

5) Most of the pulse parameters and their controls are accessed

by touching the CRTkeys on the TouehCRT. Throughout
this manual, the following symbols will be used to
distinguish soft CRTkeys from actual front panel

pushbuttons:

HI

//

{Width}

[Invert] Front Panel Key

6) Touch {Period}. The key should highlight.

Release the CRTkey and turn the Outer Ring Knob (range).

7)

The Period changes in a 1-2-5 sequence.

CRTkey

9210 Quick Start

1

8) Turn the Center Knob (vernier). The Period will change
smoothly.

9) Try varying the sensitivity of the vernier Knob using the
[<---Digit] and [Digit-->] keys.

10) Change the Period to 1.5 microseconds by pressing
[11, [.1, [51, [u/MHzl.

11) Press [Recall Setup], and touch {Standard} and

{Execute} to recall the factory default setup. The generator
will now be in the NORMAL trigger mode, which is free
running.

12) Connect the OUTPUTof the Module to a vertical input of an

oscilloscope with a 50 ~ cable, terminated at the scope end.

13) Press [Disable] on the Module to enable the Output. Adjust

the scope to see the Pulse stream. Verify that the parameters on
the generator’s CRT match those of the scope trace.

14) Touch {Vhigh}, and turn the vernier knob to vary the Pulse

high level.

15) The pulse parameters are defined below. Vary each and

observe its effect on the scope trace. Note that the highlighted
portion of the pulse icon on the display’s upper right indicates
graphically what has been selected for adjustment.

{Vhigh}

{Vlow}

High level. This is the active level if
Invert is not on.

Low level. This is the quiescent level if
Invert is not on.

1

9210 Quick Start

{Width}

{Delay}

{Lead}

{Trail}

NOTE:

{2 Pulse}
{Period}

Pulse Width is measured from the start
of the leading edge to the start of the
trailing edge.

Delay of the module Pulse output from
the Trigger output, not including a fixed

delay of typically 13 nsec. This also
controls the time between the 2 pulses in

double pulse mode.
Leading edge transition time, 10% to

9O%.

Trailing edge transition time, 10% to

90%.

Transition times ({Lead} and {Trail})
cannot be varied in the 9214 module.

Turns double pulse mode ON or OFF.
Defines the time between Output Pulses

in NORMAL, GATE and BURST
trigger modes.

2 GETTING AROUND THE FRONT PANEL

Accessing the
Control Displays

DISPLAY

Keys

[T.,~Q.. ]

Control Menus are brought to the 9210’s display by

pressing one of the five blue DISPLAY keys on the front
panel. Press [TRIGGER] once to bring up the main

Trigger control menu display. Press [TRIGGER] again

and a second page of less frequently used trigger controls
will be displayed. Repeated presses of the key will toggle

the display between these two menus. The other four
DISPLAY keys operate in a similar manner. See the table

below for details.

Display

Channel Parameter Menu (2 pages)

Ion module)

Trigger Parameter Menu (2 pages)

[ ~,o., ]

[ .E.. ]

Utilities and Features Menu

On-Screen Operating Summary

2

Getting Around the Front Panel

Selection

The selected parameter is the one that is highlighted
(backlit). Parameters are selected by touching their

corresponding CRTkey, or by pressing the
SELECT [1"], [,l,] keys on the front panel until the desired

parameter is highlighted. Note that when making selections
with the CRTkeys, the selection process is not completed
until the key is released.

Channel A Page I

Vhigh

I Vlow

I" "

Width I’"
Delay

J" ¯

[Lead .:r~ol..

¯ Boomv

¯

¯ - OV

2.00ns

0.00ns

1.00ns

Trail ~L~I" ¯

2 Pulse ~ ¯

Main

J Period I"

JNormal ,1" SO I

NOTE:

6

If a 9214 module is installed in one of the
module bays, the {Lead} and {Trail}

CRTkey$ will not be displayed in that

channel’s menu.

1.00ns

---OF
F

10.00ns

DIS I

Getting Around the Front Panel

2

Adjusting

Parameters with

the Numeric

Keypad

Adjusting

Parameters with

the Rotary Knob

A precise value for the selected parameter can be entered
by pressing the numbers on the numeric keypad. Each
number pressed will be displayed in the information

window at the bottom of the CRT. The [Back Space] key
is provided for deleting erroneous key presses. The [ +/- ]

key will toggle the sign of the number being entered, and
may be pressed at any time before terminating entry. After

the sign and numeric portion of the desired value have been
punched in, entry with the appropriate multiplier is

terminated by pressing one of the four unit/entry keys
([n/GHz], [u/MHz], [m/kHz], or [Enter/Hz]) at the right

of the keypad.

Continuous adjustment of the selected parameter can be
accomplished using the concentric Rotary Knob. The
Outer Ring Knob (range select) will set the parameter’s

value in a 1-2-5 Sequence. As a convenience, if the Outer
Knob is rotated by only one position and then turned back,

the original value will be restored, even if that value was
not a 1, 2 or 5. The Center Knob (vernier) will change

the value in a continuous, analog fashion. The sensitivity
of the vernier Knob is controlled by using the Digit select

keys located below the Knob. The [Digit --->] key will
move the selected digit to the right, for finer adjustment,

and the [<--Digit] key will move the selected digit left, for
more coarse adjustment. Note that the [<---Digit] key allows

for the changing of adjustment sensitivity beyond the digits
currently displayed.

2 Getting Around the Front Panel

Non-Numeric
Entries

Storing &
Recalling Setups

Certain of the 9210’ s control parameters are non-numeric in
nature. Examples are the Load Compensation feature,
which can be turned on or off, and the Trigger Mode,

which can assume one of five of states. The state of such
parameters can be set by tuming the Outer Ring Knob or
by pressing either Digit Select Key.

The 9210 system can store up to 16 setups, including all
output pulse and trigger parameters and operating

conditions. To store a setup once all settings have been
established, press [Store Setup]. The display will change,

and a prompt will request a number. Assign a number from
0 to 15 to the setup and enter that number using the
Numeric Keypad and [Enter/l-lz].

To recall a setup, press [Recall Setup]. The display will

change, and a prompt will ask for a setup number. Enter

the number of the desired setup using the Numeric Keypad

and [Enter/Hz]. The factory default settings (see the table

at the end of Chapter 3, "Channel A & B Controls") can

also be recalled from this screen, by touching {Standard}

and {Execute}. Additionally, the {Previous} setup (i.e.,

the state before the last recall) can be recalled from this

screen in a similar manner.

Attempting to recall a setup that has not been previously

stored will generate an error message. If a setup file is

stored with one output module type installed in a given

position, and is later recalled with a different type of

module in that position, an error message is generated and

the parameters will be set as closely as the new module’s

capabilities will allow.

Getting Around the Front Panel

2

Executing Action
Commands

Some CRTkeys invoke actions instead of selecting
parameters, but these actions do not take place immediately

upon releasing the key. A confirmation box will appear on
the screen, and {Execute} must be touched to continue

with the selected action. If the action key was touched in
error, {Cancel} can be touched and the action will not

occur,

{Cal}, at the top of the More menu page is an example of
an action key. The key is used to initiate a self-calibration
cycle. When the key is touched, a box appears at the
bottom of the display containing two new CRTkeys,
{Execute} and {Cancel} (see figure below).

{Execute} is touched, the 9210 will proceed to calibrate

itself. If {Cancel} is touched, no action will occur.

9

2

More Page

Selftest

Ii

Getting Around the Front Panel

I

I

Cal Meg -

New Page

New Page

II Gpib

Config New Page

Ii

New Page

I Test I

Execute

I

I

10

I Cancel

If the TouchCRT has been disabled by the user (see section
entitled "Disabling the Touch Screen" in Chapter 5), action
commands can be executed by using the ~F.CIT~]keys

to highlight the appropriate CRTRey, then pressing
[Enter/l-lz]. This will bring the confirmation box
mentioned above to the screen, with {Execute}
highlighted. Press [Enter/I-Iz] to begin the action, or
SELECT [,1,] to highlight {Cancel}, and [Enter/l-lz] to

cancel the command request.

Getting Around the Front Panel

2

Manually
Triggering the
Generator

Alternate
Parameter

Formats

I

DISPLAY

In Single, Burst, Gate and External Width Trigger
modes, pressing [Manual] will trigger the generator, just as

if a triggering signal had been delivered to the adjacent Ext
Input connector. In Gate and External Width modes,
the output continues for as long as the button is held in.

See Chapter 4 (Trigger Controls) for further details.

Ext

Input

Certain pulse parameters may be controlled in alternate
formats. {Period}, for example, displays and controls the
time interval between pulses. If you press

[CHANGE FORMAT] while {Period} is selected, the
display will change to {Freq}. Now, you can control and

read back the frequency at which pulses are output.
Alternate formats are also available for other parameters,

and these are detailed in Chapter 3. The available formats
for a given parameter may be cycled through by repeated

presses of the[CHANGE FORMAT] key. If no other
formats are available for the selected parameter, a message
will appear to tell you so.

Restoring Local
Control

GPIB

D n n

Listen Talk

SRQ

~A’~ Rernote 0

Front panel control capability can be restored to a 9210 that
is operating under GPIB control, if Local Lockout has not

been invoked by the Bus Controller, by pressing [LOCAL]
under the GPIB heading. The Remote LED will be lit

while the Generator is under bus control, and will go out
when [LOCAL] is pressed. If the Bus Controller has

asserted Local Lockout, pressing [LOCAL] will have no
effect. See Chapters 6, 7, and Appendices D and E for
more GPIB related details.

11

2 Getting Around the Front Panel

Module Controls

- Enabling or
Inverting the

Pulse Output

By factory default settings, the 9210 will initially power up
with the Pulse Outputs from the modules disabled. Since

the generator saves its state when power is turned off, this
may only be true the very first time power is applied.

The output amplifiers of all the 9210’s Output Modules
connect to the outside world via a relay. This allows the

module to protect itself from over-voltage conditions at its
output by opening the relay (i.e., disabling the output) when
such a condition is sensed. The [Disable] key on the
module front panel acts as a toggle controlling the state of
the output relay.

When the module’s Output is disabled (i.e., when the red
LED next to the key is lit), the relay is open and no Output
pulses can be obtained. Also note that the legend DIS is

displayed on the right side of the information window at the
bottom of that module’s control menu. In this case,

pressing [Disable] will turn the LED off, remove the DIS

legend from the display, and close the relay; thus enabling
the Output.

12

The Output inversion function is also controlled by a key
on the module’s front panel. By our definition, when Invert
is OFF, the True Output is more positive in the active state
than in the quiescent state. Pressing [Invert] in this
situation will make the True Output more negative in the
active state than in the quiescent state.

The Invert function will automatically be invoked anytime
a negative amplitude is requested.

Like [Disable], [Invert] acts as a toggle. Accordingly,
pressing [Invert] when Invert is ON will turn it OFF. A
yellow LED next to the key will be lit when Invert is ON.

Getting Around the Front Panel

2

Power - Turning

the Generator On

& Off

POWER

On / Disable

The 9210’s power supply will automatically adjust to local
power line voltages of 115 or 220 VAC, _ 20% and to line
frequencies between 48 Hz and 448 Hz. Just attach the
power cord to the rear panel connector and plug it in. The

Main Circuit Breaker switch on the rear panel should
always be left in the ON position. This is a true’ circuit
breaker, which will trip if the generator draws line current

in excess of 5 Amps. The square, white [On/Disable] key,
under the POWER heading on the front panel acts as a

toggle. Pressing this key will tum the generator on and off.

13

3 CHANNEL A. & B CONTROLS

General
Information

Controlling
Vertical
Characteristics

In most cases, the controls for Channels A and Channel B
operate identically, regardless of which Output Module is

installed in which slot. Considerations specific to the
Model 9211, 9212 9213 and 9214 Output Modules will be

presented at the end of this chapter.

The term Pulse Output, as used in this chapter, refers to the
signal at the Module’s True Output, which is the upper
connector, labeled OUTPUT, on the module’s front panel.
Some modules have a Complementary Output, labeled
OUTPUT. This output will carry a signal of the same
voltage levels as the True Output, but with opposite signal
orientation

The first two lines of the first page of a Channel menu
display control the Output Pulse’s vertical (voltage)
parameters. The default format (shown below), provides

control as follows:

{Vhigh}:

This is the active level of the Output Pulse if

Invert is off, or the quiescent level if Invert
is on.

Vlow

{Vlow}: This is the quiescent level of the Output

’

The signal levels indicated by the Control Menu Display
will be delivered into a 50.00 f~ load, or into any load

connected to the module output within the compensation

i

range if the load compensation feature is enabled. See the
section entitled Load Compensation, later in this chapter,

for further details.

Pulse if Invert is off, or the active level if

Invert is on.

15

3

Channel A & B Controls

Channel A Page1Iif./~_

Vhigh

¯

- ¯ ~O0mV

IVlow J ......

I Width I ""

i Dela~ i’"
i’-°ad ~,’o°i--

~rail~°l--

2 Pulse I ...... OFF

Main

IPeri°d I " lO.OOns

l Normal ZSO I ols I

Channel Menu showing

Default Parameter

Formats.

2.00ns

0.00ns
Z. 00ns

Z.00ns

0V

I

Channel A Page I

Ampl

Base I ...... 0V

I

¯.. L’~nmV

l--

-

I Slew ~ ,’o°1
°

ISle. IZ:

2 Pulse ......

Main

Fre~

I

I Normal .r so I D,S I

Channel Menu showing

Alternate Parameter Formats.

NOTE: In a 3rd vertical format,

the 2nd line is Median.

I "" 100MHz

J~l

~w

20.00%

0.0]>

4005

400~

OFF

16

Pressing [CHANGE FORMAT] with either {Vhigh} or
{Vlow} selected will change the display for both

parameters. The second vertical format controls the Output
Pulse in the following manner:

{Ampl}: This is the Pulse Amplitude, i.e., the

difference between the quiescent and active
levels of the Output Pulse.

{Base}:

This is the quiescent level of the Output
Pulse. Note that this value changes when
the Output Pulse is inverted.

Channel A & B Controls

3

Pressing [CHANGE FORMAT] with either {Vhigh} or
{VIow} selected will change the display for both

parameters. The second vertical format controls the Output

Pulse in the following manner:

Base ,~lnvert On

/

"°" .... .....

l

- Ampl/2

{Ampl}: This is the Pulse Amplitude, i.e., the

difference between the quiescent and active
levels of the Output Pulse.

{Base}:

Pressing [CHANGE FORMAT] with either {Base} or

{Ampl} selected will change the display for the {Base}

parameter to {Median}. In this third vertical format, the

controls function like this:

{Ampl}: Pulse Amplitude (see above).
{Median}:

In this format, changes in Amplitude will occur

symmetrically about the Median.

Note that in all of the vertical formats, any time a negative-

going Output Pulse or a negative Amplitude is requested,
Invert will be turned ON.

This is the quiescent level of the Output
Pulse. Note that this value changes when

the Output Pulse is inverted.

This is the midpoint between the quiescent
and active levels of the Output Pulse.

Width ­Controlling

Horizontal
Duration

The horizontal (time) duration of the Output pulse
controlled by third entry on the first page of the Channel

menu display, whose default format is {Width}. This
format provides control in the following manner:

17

3

Channel A & B Controls

{Width}:

This parameter directly defines the time

interval during which the Output Pulse is
in the active state.

NOTE: By the accepted convention among manufacturers
of programmable pulse generators, pulse width includes the

entire transition time from the quiescent state to the active

state, and excludes the entire transition time from active to

quiescent. This convention allows pulse duration and edge
rates to be independently adjusted, without affecting one

another. However, this definition can differ significantly

from the FWHM (Full Width, Half Max) definition, used

by digital oscilloscopes for measuring pulse width, if the
leading and trailing edge rates are not equal.

Width

"~,

i
i

~’

J

18

Channel A & B Controls

3

Changing Repetition Rate

in the Duration Formats

;~-~

Width 2

Period 2

]

~"

19

Period 2,

Duty Cycle

Output u’se’ I

Format

Pressing [CHANGE FORMAT] while {Width} is
selected changes this parameter’s display to{Duty Cy}.
This changes the mode of control over the duration of the
Output Pulse as follows:

{Duty Cy}: Duty Cycle defines the percentage of the

{Period} (see below) over which the Output
pulse is in the active state.

In {Duty Cy} mode, the Output Pulse duration varies

proportionally with the {Period}, while in {Width} mode

the duration is unaffected by {Period}.

3

Channel A & B Controls

Duty Cycle mode is merely a method the generator uses to
derive pulse {Width} values. In modes where {Period}

has no operational meaning (such as Single trigger mode
see Chapter 4), the {Width} is determined by {Duty Cy}

{Period} X 0.01.

Delay ­Controlling

Horizontal
Position

Control of the Output Pulse’s horizontal (time) position
provided by the fourth line of the first page of the Channel

menu display. This control is effected as follows:

{Delay}:

This parameter defines the time interval
from the Trigger Output to the Output Pulse,

excluding a fixed time offset of
approximately 13 nsec. See Chapter 4

(Trigger Controls) for more details about the

Trigger Output in the various Trigger
Modes.

Trigger

Output

Output

Pulse

U

Delay

+ Offset

(Offset
13 nsec)

20

If [CHANGE FORMAT] is pressed while {Delay} is
selected, The displayed name for this parameter changes to
{Phase}. The mode of parametric control is changed as
follows:

Channel A & B Controls

3

Controlling
Transition Rates

{Phase}:

Resolution in {Phase} format is always 0.1_ (i.e. one part

in 3600). Depending upon the {Period} setting, this may
be more or less resolution than the {Delay} format
provides.

The fifth and sixth lines of the first page of a Channel menu

display control the Output Pulse’s transition time (edge

speed). The default format for these parameters provide

control as follows:

Phase mode provides delay control in a
manner proportional to {Period}, similar to

the way Duty Cycle format controls pulse
duration. In this operating mode, the pulse’s
position is expressed as a phase angle, with
O_ corresponding to the minimum {Delay}
setting (i.e. the offset). This phase angle

maintained as {Period} is varied. When
{Phase} has been set, the Pulse {Delay} =

{Phase}/360 X {Period}.

{Lead}:

{Trail}:

This controls the time required for the

leading edge of the Output Pulse to make the
transition from 10% to 90% of its total
amplitude.

This controls the time required for the
trailing edge of the Output Pulse to.make the
transition from 90% to 10% of its total

amplitude.

21

3

Trigger Output’-’~

Period 1

Output Pulse

Period 1

Channel A & B Controls

Changing Repetition Rate

in the Position Formats

Delay I

+offset

i

i~.dw

Tr’g0er Ou,.u,--I I

Period 2

U

|

|

Output Pulse

Period 2

Delay Format

Trigger Output"~

Period 2

Output Pulse , Delay2

Period 2

Phase Format

Delay I

+ offset

0

0

+offset

Period 2

~ i

I

Period 2

22