The Keysight (Agilent HP) 8112A is a highly versatile, fully programmable 50 MHz pulse generator renowned for its precise timing, variable transition capabilities, and comprehensive analog modulation features. Offering output levels up to 32 V p-p into an open circuit (16 V p-p into 50 Ohms), it provides variable delay, double pulse spacing, and linear transitions down to 6.5 ns (with fixed transitions at 5 ns or less). The instrument is designed for automated testing via HP-IB (GPIB) and features unique external modulation inputs that allow control of period, delay, width, and high level through analog voltages.
Specifications
General
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Interfaces | HP-IB (GPIB) |
| Display | 7-segment LED with parameter and status indicators |
| Warm-Up Time | 30 minutes |
Physical
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Supply | 100 / 120 / 220 / 240 V AC (+5% / -10%), 48 - 66 Hz, 120 VA max |
| Operating Temperature | 0 °C to 55 °C |
| Dimensions (W×H×D) | 426 mm × 89 mm × 391 mm |
| Weight | 5.9 kg |
Pulse Timing & Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Period Range | 20.0 ns to 950 ms |
| Period Resolution | 3 digits |
| Period Accuracy | ±5% of programmed value ± 2 ns |
| Pulse Width Range | 10.0 ns to 950 ms |
| Pulse Width Resolution | 3 digits |
| Pulse Delay Range | 75.0 ns to 950 ms |
| Pulse Delay Resolution | 3 digits |
| Double Pulse Delay Range | 20.0 ns to 950 ms |
| Double Pulse Delay Resolution | 3 digits |
Transition & Waveform Quality
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Transition Time Range (Linear) | 6.5 ns to 95.0 ms |
| Transition Time Resolution | 3 digits |
| Fixed Transition Time | ≤ 4.5 ns |
Output & Level Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of Channels | 1 |
| Output Impedance | 50 Ohm |
| Amplitude Range (into 50 Ohms) | 10.0 mV to 16.0 V |
| Amplitude Range (into Open Circuit) | 20.0 mV to 32.0 V |
| Amplitude Resolution | 3 digits |
| High Level Limit (into 50 Ohms) | -7.90 V to +8.00 V |
| Low Level Limit (into 50 Ohms) | -8.00 V to +7.90 V |
| High Level Limit (into Open Circuit) | -15.8 V to +16.0 V |
| Low Level Limit (into Open Circuit) | -16.0 V to +15.8 V |
| Output Polarity | Normal / Complement (selectable) |
Triggering & Operating Modes
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Operating Modes | Normal (NORM), Triggered (TRIG), Gated (GATE), External Width (E.WID), External Burst (E.BUR) |
| Trigger Source | Internal, External, Manual |
| External Trigger Input Frequency Range | DC to 50 MHz |
| External Trigger Threshold Level Range | -10 V to +10 V |
| External Trigger Input Impedance | 50 Ohm or 10 kOhm (selectable) |
| Burst Count Range | 1 to 1999 |
Modulation & External Control
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Modulated Parameters | Period (PER CTRL), Delay (DEL CTRL), Width (WID CTRL), High Level (HIL CTRL) |
| Control Voltage Range | -10 V to +10 V |
| Control Input Impedance | 10 kOhm |
System Interfaces & Programming
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Remote Interfaces | HP-IB (GPIB) |
| Store/Recall Registers | 9 memory locations |
| Interface Function Subsets | SH1, AH1, T6, L4, SR1, RL1, PP0, DC1, DT1, C0 |
Power Requirements
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Line Voltage AC Range | 100 / 120 / 220 / 240 V AC (+5% / -10%) |
| Line Frequency Range | 48 to 66 Hz |
| Power Consumption | 120 VA max |
Physical & Environmental
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Storage Temperature Range | -40 °C to +75 °C |
| Maximum Relative Humidity | 95% R.H. at 40 °C |
Accuracy
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Pulse Width Accuracy | ±5% of set value ±2 ns (for transition times <= 20% of width) |
| Pulse Delay Accuracy | ±5% of set value ±2 ns |
| Double Pulse Delay Accuracy | ±5% of set value ±2 ns |
| Transition Time Accuracy | ±10% of set value ±2 ns (for transition times >= 10 ns) |
Output Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Overshoot and Ringing | < 5% of amplitude ±10 mV (for transition times >= 10 ns) |
| Preshoot | < 5% of amplitude |
| Transition Linearity | < 3% deviation (for transition times > 100 ns) |
| Pulse Complement | Selectable normal or complement pulse output |
Trigger & Sync Outputs
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Strobe Output Level | >= 1 V into 50 ohms |
| Strobe Output Impedance | 50 ohms nominal |
| Strobe Output Pulse Width | 15 ns nominal |
Input Characteristics
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum External Trigger Input Voltage | ±20 V |
| Maximum Control Input Voltage | ±20 V |
Output
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Output Disable Switch | Yes (relay-controlled on/off state) |
Time Base / Jitter
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Period Jitter | < 0.1% + 50 ps |
| Delay Jitter | < 0.1% + 50 ps |
| Width Jitter | < 0.1% + 50 ps |
Propagation Delay
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| External Input to ST/TR OUT Propagation Delay | 47 ns (typical) |
| ST/TR OUT to Pulse Output Propagation Delay | 23 ns (typical, minimum delay setting) |
External Input
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Trigger Slope Selection | Positive or negative going edge |
| Gate Active Level Selection | High or low level |
Analog Control
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Period Analog Control Range | 1:10 |
| Delay Analog Control Range | 1:10 |
| Width Analog Control Range | 1:10 |
| Amplitude/High Level Analog Control Range | 1:10 |
Output Protection
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Level Limit Protection Function | Restricts maximum high and minimum low levels to protect DUT |
Environmental
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Operating Altitude | 4600 m (15000 ft) |
| Maximum Non-Operating Altitude | 15000 m (50000 ft) |
Technology
Analog and digital programmable pulse generation
Applications
Automated digital testing, device characterization, semiconductor clock emulation, and signal modulation prototyping
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