Agilent 53151A - Manuals

Contents vi Operating Guide B Messages Overview B-2 Status Messages B-2 Self-Test Messages B-3 Error Messages B-4 C Using the Battery Option Overview C-2 Operating the Counter from the Batteries C-2 Operating the Counter from a DC Power Source C-3 Replacing the Batteries C-4 Removing the Batteries C...

Operating Guide vii In This Guide This book is the operating guide for the Agilent 53150A (20 GHz), 53151A (26.5 GHz), and 53152A (46 GHz) Frequency Counters. It consists of a table of contents, this preface, a quick reference guide, three chapters, three appendices, and an index. This preface conta...

In This Guide viii Operating Guide Contents and Organization The Quick Reference Guide consists of a Menu Tree (tear-out sheet) that serves as a tool to trigger your memory or get you quickly reacquainted with the instrument. Chapter 1 Getting Started is a quick-start guide that gives you a brief ov...

In This Guide Operating Guide ix Related Documents For more information on frequency counters refer to the following Series 200 Application Notes: • Fundamentals of Electronic Frequency Counters , Application Note 200—Agilent part number 02-5952-7506. • Understanding Frequency Counter Specifications...

In This Guide x Operating Guide Types of Service Available if Instrument Fails If your Counter fails within one year of original purchase, Agilent will repair it free of charge. If your instrument fails after your one-year warranty expires, Agilent will repair it, or you can repair it yourself. Ther...

In This Guide Operating Guide xi Repackaging for Shipment For the Express Repair/Performance Calibration Service described above, return your failed Counter to the designated Agilent Service Center, using the instrument’s original shipping carton (if available). Agilent notifies you when your failed...

In This Guide xii Operating Guide Description of the Microwave Frequency Counter The Agilent 53150A, 53151A, and 53152A Microwave Frequency Counters are capable of measuring frequencies from 10 Hz to 125 MHz on Channel 1 and from 50 MHz to 20 GHz (53150A), 26.5 GHz (53151A), and 46 GHz (53152A) on C...

In This Guide Operating Guide xiii Options The options available for the Agilent 53150A/151A/152A are listed below. Specifications for the options are listed in Chapter 3, “Specifications.” Options ordered with the Counter are installed at the factory and are ready for operation on delivery. Refer t...

In This Guide xiv Operating Guide Accessories Supplied and Available Accessories Supplied • Power cord, 2.3 meters (Part number dependent upon destination country) • Fuse (Agilent P/N 2110-0007) Accessories Available • Soft Carrying Case, (Agilent P/N 53150-80016) • Automotive Power Adapter (Agilent...

xv Quic k Ref e rence Agilent 53150A/151A/152AQuick Reference Guide The Quick Reference Guide is designed for experienced users of the Agilent 53150A, 53151A, and 53152A. It is intended to be used as a tool to trigger your memory. If you are using the Counter for the first time, Agilent recommends t...

Chapter 1 Getting Started The Front Panel at a Glance 1-2 Operating Guide 1 The Front Panel at a Glance 1 Standby indicator 2 Power/Standby switch 3 LCD display 4 Channel 1 input connector 5 Channel 2 input connector 6 Display Power / dBm/W key (Channel 2) 7 Offset On/Off / Relative Power key (Chann...

Chapter 1 Getting Started The Front Panel Indicators at a Glance Operating Guide 1-3 1 The Front Panel Indicators at a Glance The front panel includes three LED indicators. These are listed and described in the following table. NOTE It is normal for the fan in the Counter to run when the Counter is ...

Chapter 1 Getting Started The Front Panel Menus at a Glance 1-4 Operating Guide 1 The Front Panel Menus at a Glance Reset/Local Menu Shift Rate RATE FAST RATE MED RATE SLOW Avg AVERAGES 01 AVERAGES 99 Resol RESOL 1 HZ RESOL 10 KHZ RESOL 100 KHZ RESOL 1 MHZ Shift GPIB ADDR 0 GPIB ADDR 30 Resol GPIB &...

Chapter 1 Getting Started The Display Annunciators at a Glance Operating Guide 1-5 1 The Display Annunciators at a Glance Annunciator Description Ch 1 or Ch 2 Indicates which channel is selected to measure an input signal. Freq Indicates that the value displayed is a frequency reading. Rel Freq The ...

Chapter 1 Getting Started The Display Special Characters at a Glance 1-6 Operating Guide 1 The Display Special Characters at a Glance NOTE The first two special characters shown above are intended to help you navigate within the Menu. When the right pointer ( ) is flashing, it indicates the current ...

Chapter 1 Getting Started The Rear Panel at a Glance Operating Guide 1-7 1 The Rear Panel at a Glance 1 AC Input/Power module (Senses incoming voltage and adjusts automatically) 2 External Reference connector (BNC) 1, 2, 5, or 10 MHz Input10 MHz Output 3 Fuse Holder (behind door) 4 Auxiliary connect...

Chapter 1 Getting Started Operating the Counter 1-8 Operating Guide 1 Operating the Counter The procedures in this section are designed to familiarize you with the Frequency Counter’s features and controls. Agilent suggests that you follow the steps for each of these procedures, even if you do not p...

Chapter 1 Getting Started Operating the Counter Operating Guide 1-9 1 The following legend defines the meanings of the icons used throughout this chapter. Legend 1 Press key one time and release 2 Multiple key presses 3 Result 4 Auto operation 5 Connect signal 6 Disconnect signal 7 Indicator off 8 I...

Chapter 1 Getting Started Operating the Counter 1-10 Operating Guide 1 Turning the Counter On To turn on the Counter, turn on the Main ~ Power switch on the rear panel (see page 1-7), and then press and release the POWER button on the front panel. Ch 12 Rel Freq Offset Avg On Rel Pwr Offset dB dBm W...

Chapter 1 Getting Started Operating the Counter Operating Guide 1-11 1 NOTE If a signal was applied to the Channel 2 input connector prior to turning on the Counter, CH2 NO SIGNAL is displayed momentarily. As soon as the Counter acquires the input signal, it displays the signal’s value. NOTE The int...

Chapter 1 Getting Started Operating the Counter 1-12 Operating Guide 1 Using the Menu The Agilent 53150A/151A/152A Counter has one menu that you use to control a number of the Counter’s features and functions. Displaying the Menu To display the Menu, press the Shift key and then the Menu ( Reset/Loc...

Chapter 1 Getting Started Operating the Counter Operating Guide 1-15 1 Setting the Serial Port Baud Rate (Menu Example) Menu Reset/Local Enter Ch 2 Freq Shift Shift Ch 2 Freq

Chapter 1 Getting Started Operating the Counter 1-16 Operating Guide 1 Selecting the Input Channel You can toggle between Channels 1 and 2 by pressing the Chan Select key. ChanSelect Ch 1 Freq Ch 2 Freq ChanSelect

Chapter 1 Getting Started Operating the Counter Operating Guide 1-17 1 Measuring Frequency The following diagram shows the basic sequence to use to make a frequency measurement using Channel 1. This example assumes that the Counter is on and has completed the Self Test. For the purposes of this exam...

Chapter 1 Getting Started Operating the Counter 1-18 Operating Guide 1 NOTES The Counter displays CH2 NO SIGNAL or CH1 NO SIGNAL and shuts down all unnecessary circuits when a signal of insufficient amplitude (or no signal) is applied to the corresponding input. This extends the reliability of the a...

Chapter 1 Getting Started Operating the Counter Operating Guide 1-19 1 Measuring Relative Frequency You can measure the difference in frequency from one measurement to another (drift) using the Relative Frequency function. You do this by pressing the Shift and Rel Freq ( Offset On/Off ) keys as show...

Chapter 1 Getting Started Operating the Counter 1-20 Operating Guide 1 Offsetting a Frequency Measurement You can use the Frequency Offset ( Freq Offset ) function to add or subtract a constant value to/from a frequency measurement. For example, you can use an offset to compensate for a systematic e...

Chapter 1 Getting Started Operating the Counter Operating Guide 1-23 1 Selecting the Unit of Measurement for Power The Counter’s power-measurement function can display values in either of two sets of units of measurement—dB and dBm or W, mW, and µ W (the Counter automatically selects the most approp...

Chapter 1 Getting Started Operating the Counter 1-24 Operating Guide 1 Measuring Relative Power You can measure the difference in power from one measurement to another (drift) using the Relative Power function. You do this by pressing the Shift and Rel Pwr ( Offset On/Off ) keys, as shown in the dia...

Chapter 1 Getting Started Operating the Counter 1-26 Operating Guide 1 Using Power Correction The Power Correction function in the main Menu allows you to set the Counter to automatically compensate for power loss (or gain) that occurs in the test configuration, such as attenuation resulting from ca...

Chapter 1 Getting Started Operating the Counter Operating Guide 1-27 1 NOTE As the graph shows, the Counter never computes power-correction values for loss above the zero axis. Conversely, corrections are never computed for gain below the zero axis. Once the correction value reaches the zero axis, n...

Chapter 1 Getting Started Operating the Counter 1-28 Operating Guide 1 Selecting a Power-Correction Profile The diagram on page 1-29 shows how to turn Power Correction on or off and how to select a power-correction profile. NOTE Pressing the Enter key when the number of a power-correction profile (1...

Chapter 1 Getting Started Operating the Counter Operating Guide 1-31 1 NOTES Pressing the Enter key after entering values exits the Menu and restores the measurement display. To remain in the Power Correction menu so you can enter or change values in another data point in the currently selected, pre...

Chapter 1 Getting Started Operating the Counter 1-32 Operating Guide 1 Setting the Measurement Rate The measurement rate determines how frequently the Counter takes measurements. You can set the measurement rate to FAST , MED (medium), SLOW , or HOLD (single measurement taken each time you press the...

Chapter 1 Getting Started Operating the Counter Operating Guide 1-33 1 Setting the Number of Averages You can set the number of measurements the Counter takes and averages before displaying the result. The default setting is one (no average computations are performed when the number of averages is s...

Chapter 1 Getting Started Operating the Counter 1-34 Operating Guide 1 NOTE For most of the Counter’s settings, when you continue to press either the up-arrow or the down-arrow key when you reach the end of the available settings, the value for the setting “rolls over” to the value at the opposite e...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Introduction 2-2 Operating Guide 2 Introduction This chapter contains information and usage procedures for the front-panel keys, operating functions, and menus of the Agilent 53150A/151A/152A Microwave Frequency Counter. Chapter Summary • How this Counter W...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter How this Counter Works for You Operating Guide 2-3 2 How this Counter Works for You The following is a list of some of the key things the Counter does for you. • Presets the menus to default states and values at power-up • The Counter’s Menu key and other f...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Summary of the Measurement Sequence 2-4 Operating Guide 2 Summary of the Measurement Sequence 1. Turn on the Main ~ Power switch on the back panel, and then press and release the POWER button on the front panel. NOTE The internal Reference Oscillator receiv...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Selection Keys Operating Guide 2-5 2 Using the Selection Keys There are six Selection keys—four “arrow” keys, the Enter key, and the sign ( +/– ) key. The functions of the arrow keys depend on the Counter’s operating mode (i.e., sequencing through...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Selection Keys 2-6 Operating Guide 2 Numeric Entry Several menu functions, and several functions that have dedicated keys on the front panel, require you to enter numeric values. • Press the (left-arrow) and (right-arrow) keys to move left and rig...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Selection Keys Operating Guide 2-7 2 Changing States Several menu functions, and several functions that have dedicated keys on the front panel, require you to choose from a list of available states. These functions and the states you can choose fo...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Selection Keys 2-8 Operating Guide 2 Use the Selection keys as described below to change the state of these functions: • When the annunciator ( ) in the display flashes, press the right-arrow key to move the focus from the displayed menu function ...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Clear and Reset/Local Keys Operating Guide 2-9 2 Using the Clear and Reset/Local Keys The Clear key and the Reset/Local key have similar functions in the Menu and in other front-panel-key function settings, but their effects vary with the Counter’...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Other Function Selection Keys 2-10 Operating Guide 2 Other Function Selection Keys There are several functions that you access directly from front-panel keys (not from within the Menu). These functions are: • Measurement Rate ( Rate key) • Number of Average...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Measuring Frequency 2-12 Operating Guide 2 Measuring Frequency 1 Connect the Counter to a power source, and set the Main ~ Power switch on the back panel to 1 (on). If the Counter is connected to an AC power source, the Main AC Power indicator on the back p...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Measuring Frequency Operating Guide 2-13 2 NOTE When the frequency of a signal applied to the Channel 2 input exceeds the maximum rated frequency for the instrument, the Counter displays CH2 TOO HIGH . 4 To measure the frequency of a signal applied to the C...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Setting the Resolution and Measurement Rate 2-14 Operating Guide 2 Setting the Resolution and Measurement Rate The number of measurements the Counter makes in a given amount of time is affected by the Rate setting, the Resolution setting, and the quality of...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Setting the Resolution and Measurement Rate Operating Guide 2-15 2 Resolution Setting Example For the following example, use the 10 MHz output from the reference timebase as the input to Channel 1. 1 Press the Resol key to enter the resolution-setting mode....

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Setting the Resolution and Measurement Rate 2-16 Operating Guide 2 Setting the Measurement Rate The measurement Rate setting determines how frequently the counter initiates measurements. Since the actual measurement rate is also affected by the resolution s...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Setting the Number of Averages Operating Guide 2-17 2 Setting the Number of Averages You can set the Counter to take a variable number of frequency, power, or voltage measurements and average them mathematically before displaying the result. You can use thi...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Setting the Number of Averages 2-18 Operating Guide 2 NOTE For most of the Counter’s settings, when you continue to press either the up-arrow or the down-arrow key when you reach the end of the available settings, the value for the setting “rolls over” to t...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Measuring Relative Frequency 2-20 Operating Guide 2 Measuring Relative Frequency You can measure the difference in frequency from one measurement to another (frequency drift) or between two separate input signals using the Relative Frequency function. Relat...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Offsetting a Frequency Measurement Operating Guide 2-21 2 Offsetting a Frequency Measurement You can use the Frequency Offset ( Freq Offset ) function to add or subtract a constant value to/from a frequency measurement. For example, you can use an offset to...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Offsetting a Frequency Measurement Operating Guide 2-23 2 6 Press the Offset On/Off key. The Freq Offset annunciator is activated, and the value of the display is adjusted to reflect the value and sign of the offset entered in Steps 2 and 3. The display sho...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Measuring Power 2-24 Operating Guide 2 Measuring Power The Agilent 53150A/53151A/53152A can also measure signal power (in the same frequency ranges as for frequency measurements) on Channel 2. The power measurement, which is shown in a dedicated area of the...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Measuring Relative Power 2-26 Operating Guide 2 Measuring Relative Power You can measure the difference in power from one measurement to another or between two separate input signals using the Relative Power function. Relative Power Example Press the Shift ...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Offsetting a Power Measurement Operating Guide 2-27 2 Offsetting a Power Measurement You can use the Power Offset (Pwr Offset) function to add or subtract a constant value to/from a power measurement. For example, you can use an offset to compensate for a s...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using Power Correction Operating Guide 2-33 2 Power Correction Example: Selecting a Correction Profile 1 Press the Shift key, and then press the Menu ( Reset/Local ) key. 2 Press either the up- or down-arrow key repeatedly until “ PWR CORR > OFF ” is dis...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using Power Correction Operating Guide 2-35 2 Power Correction Example: Editing Data Point Values 1 Select a power-correction profile using the up- and/or down-arrow keys (as shown in steps 1 through 4 in the previous example). For this example, choose prof...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using Power Correction Operating Guide 2-37 2 6 Use the right-arrow key to move to each of the remaining digits in the frequency setting, and use up- and down-arrow keys to adjust their values, if necessary. The currently selected digit flashes to indicate ...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using Power Correction 2-38 Operating Guide 2 10 To add or adjust the values in another data point, press the left-arrow key repeatedly until “ PWR CORR ” is re-displayed, and repeat steps 2 through 10. To edit data points within another power-correction pr...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Menu Operating Guide 2-39 2 Using the Menu The Agilent 53150A/151A/152A Counter’s Menu makes it easy to control a number of the Counter’s features and functions. You use the Selection (arrow) keys to navigate to the setting you want to change and ...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Menu Operating Guide 2-41 2 • SAVE — Saves a copy of the current user settings in non-volatile memory. Nine sets ( 0 – 8 ) can be saved, and set 0 is automatically read on startup. To have the Counter automatically start up with your preferred set...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Menu 2-42 Operating Guide 2 Some of the menu items listed on the previous page provide information only (no settings are required [or possible] for these), such as Battery Voltage, Operation Hours, and information that identifies the Counter (Agil...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Menu Operating Guide 2-43 2 Do Self Test The Counter automatically performs a series of tests on critical components each time you turn it on. If at any time during operation, you want to repeat these tests, you can do so by invoking the Menu, nav...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Menu Operating Guide 2-45 2 Preset When PRESET is displayed, pressing the Enter key loads the default settings for most of the Counter’s functions. These functions and their default settings are listed in the following table: Table 2-1. Factory De...

Chapter 2 Operating Your Frequency Counter Using the Menu 2-46 Operating Guide 2 RS-232 Serial Port Data Rate ( BAUD ) The Baud rate for the RS-232 serial port is configurable at 2400, 4800, 9600, 14,400, and 19,200 bps. The default setting is 9600 bps. Frequency Modulation ( FM ) The Counter can me...

Chapter 3 Specifications Introduction 3-2 Operating Guide 3 Introduction The specifications of the Agilent 53150A, 53151A, and 53152A are provided in this chapter.

Chapter 3 Specifications Operating Guide 3-3 Measurement Specifications and Characteristics All measurement specifications are over the full signal and temperature ranges unless otherwise noted. Input Characteristics Agilent 53150A Agilent 53151A Agilent 53152A Frequency Range Channel 1 (Normal mode...

Chapter 3 Specifications 3-6 Operating Guide 3 Typical* power measurement uncertainty at − 25 dBm input level * Typical means approximately 2/3 of all units will meet these characteristics. Graph 3. − 25 dBm input level at 25°C. Graph 4. − 25 dBm input level from

Appendix A Rack Mounting the Counter Rack Mounting the Counter A-2 Operating Guide A Rack Mounting the Counter You can mount the Counter in a standard 19-inch cabinet using one of two optional kits available from Agilent: • Option 1CM Rack Mount Kit (Agilent 53150-67001 Rack Adapter Kit) for single ...

Appendix A Rack Mounting the Counter Rack Mounting the Counter Operating Guide A-3 A 3 To rack-mount the Counter by itself, perform the steps shown in the following illustration. (Refer to the instructions that are provided with the Rack Adapter Kit for details.) OPTIONS 1 Rack Flange 3 Agilent 5315...

Appendix B Messages Overview B-2 Operating Guide B Overview The Agilent 53150A/151A/152A provides two types of messages that are displayed on the Counter’s front panel and/or sent over the RS-232 serial interface. The first type is status messages, which are displayed during normal operation. The se...

Appendix B Messages Error Messages B-4 Operating Guide B Error Messages Table 3-3 lists and describes messages that are generated by the Counter during Self-Test or during operation to indicate that a problem has been detected. These messages are displayed on the Counter’s front-panel display and ar...

Appendix C Using the Battery Option Overview C-2 Operating Guide C Overview The Battery option (Option 002) allows you to operate the Counter away from a source of AC power using internal rechargeable batteries or the external DC ( EXT DC ) power connector on the rear panel. You can charge the batte...

Appendix C Using the Battery Option Operating the Counter from a DC Power Source Operating Guide C-3 C When all three segments of the battery annunciator are activated, the battery charge level is at 83% or more. When only two segments are activated, the charge level is approximately 50%, and when o...

Appendix C Using the Battery Option Replacing the Batteries C-4 Operating Guide C Figure C-2. External DC Power Socket Replacing the Batteries Counters equipped with the Battery option use sealed lead-acid VHS camcorder batteries. You can obtain additional batteries of this type from Agilent (Agilen...

Appendix C Using the Battery Option Replacing the Batteries Operating Guide C-5 C NOTE The thumbscrews require a considerable amount of turning force, since they pull the battery sled partially out of the Counter and also extract the battery terminals from the battery connector as you turn them. To ...

Appendix C Using the Battery Option Charging the Batteries C-8 Operating Guide C Charging the Batteries The batteries are charged automatically whenever the instrument is connected to an AC power source and is in Standby mode. The amount of time required to fully charge the batteries is dependent on...

Appendix C Using the Battery Option Precautions Operating Guide C-9 C Precautions Observe the following precautions when handling and charging the batteries: • Do not attempt to use or charge the batteries when they are exposed to temperatures below –10º C (15º F) or above 40º C (105º F). (Most batt...

Operating Guide Index-1 Index Index SYMBOLS (Freq Offset) , 1-20 (Resol key) , 2-45 A AC Input/Power module , 1-7 Accessories Available , xiv Supplied , xiv Acknowledging Messages , 2-9 analog , 1-5 analog power display , 2-24 analog representation , 2-24 Annunciators , 1-5 Analog power display , 1-...

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DECLARATION OF CONFORMITY According to ISO/IEC Guide 22 and CEN/CENELEC EN 45014 Manufacturer’s Name: Manufacturer’s Address: Agilent Technologies, Inc. 5301 Stevens Creek BlvdSanta Clara, California 95051U.S.A. Declares, that the product Product Name: CW Microwave Frequency Counter Model Number: 53...