Agilent 81100 Family of
Pulse/Pattern Generators
The Agilent Technologies 81101A
pulse generator belongs to the 81100
family. All members have the same
programming and user interfaces
that are compatible with the well-
established Agilent 8110A. Migration
is therefore easy and cost effective.
Signals for testing digital designs
and components
The 81101A generates all of the
standard pulses needed to test
current logic technologies (CMOS,
TTL, ECL, etc.);
• Variable pulse parameters.
• Can be triggered in syncrony.
Glitch-free timing changes
Now you can sweep your timing values
without the danger of spurious pulses
or dropouts that could cause measure-
ment errors (applies to continuous
mode, values < 100 ms, consecutive
values between 0.5 and twice the
previous value).
Reliable measurements
The 81101A provides clean, accurate
pulses with excellent repeatability,
thus contributing to measurement
integrity.
Easy to use
Features such as the clear graphical
display, autoset, help, store/recall,
preset TTL/ECL levels, selectable
units (such as current/voltage, width/
duty-cycle), and load compensation
ensure a high level of convenience.
Smooth integration into automated
test systems
The 81101A can be integrated easily
into all phases of test system develop-
ment, such as planning, rack integra-
tion, and test program generation.
Test programs are 100% upwardly
compatible to the 81104A and 81110A,
ensuring that growth with future
needs is just as easy as exchanging
the instruments themselves. This
results in low integration costs, in
addition to low costs of ownership,
through proven hardware reliability.
Agilent 81101A
50 MHz One-Channel Pulse Generator
Data Sheet
Key Features
• Agilent 8110A user interface.
• Variable transitions.
• Up to10 Vpp (20 Vpp) into 50 Ω.
• 3.5 digits timing resolution, best
case 5 ps.
• 0.01% frequency accuracy.
• Fully SCPI programmable.
• Broad range of trigger and syn-
chronization capabilities.
• Dropout and glitch free change
of any timing parameters.
• 8.9 cm height, full rack width.
• Graphical display.
2
Burst Count: 2 to 65536 (single or
double pulses).
Delay: Delay, phase, or % of period.
Double pulse delay: Double pulse and
delay are mutually exclusive.
Duty cycle: Set between 0.1% and 95%
(subject to width limits; 99.9% with
overprogramming).
Transition times: These can be entered
as leading/trailing edge or % of width.
Leading and trailing edges are inde-
pendent within one of the following
overlapping segments (1:20 ratio):
5 ns - 20 ns, 10 ns - 200 ns,
100 ns - 2 µs, 1µs - 20 µs,
10 µs - 200 µs, 100 µs - 2 ms,
1 ms - 20 ms, 10 ms - 200 ms.
Output timing fidelity: Period, delay, and
width are continuously variable with-
out any output glitches or dropouts.
Repeatability: Is typically four times
better than accuracy.
Mainframe Agilent 81101A
Frequency range 1 mHz to 50 MHz
Timing resolution 3.5 digits, 5 ps best case
RMS jitter (period, width, delay)
With PLL ± 0.001% ± 15 ps
With VCO[1] ± 0.01% ± 15 ps
Period range 20 ns to 999.5 s
Accuracy with PLL ± 0.01% (± 5%) [1]
Width range 10.0 ns to (period - 10.0 ns)
Accuracy ± 5% ± 250 ps[2]
Additional variable delay range 0 ns to (period - 20 ns)
Accuracy [3] ± 5% ± 1 ns
Double pulse delay range (width + 10.0 ns) to
(period - width - 10.0 ns)
Accuracy ± 5% ± 500 ps
Transition time range (10/90) 5 ns to 200 ms variable
Accuracy ± 10 % ± 200 ps
Linearity 3% typ. for transitions > 100 ns
[1] If the startable oscillator (VCO) is used (PLL not active).
[2] Changing of amplitude may add 0.5 ns.
[3] Width accuracy specification is valid up to 5.5 Vpp amplitude. Above this amplitude, the width will typically
increase up to 300ps.
Specifications
Specifications describe the instrument’s warranted performance. Non-
warranted values are described as typical. All specifications apply after a
30-minute warm-up phase with 50 Ωsource/load resistance and separate
channels. All specifications are valid from 0°C to 55°C ambient temperature.
Timing Characteristics
Measured at 50% amplitude at fastest transitions, in continuous mode,
and 50 Ωsource impedance.
3
Level parameters:
Can be entered as voltage or current,
as high and low level, or as offset and
amplitude.
Load compensation:
The actual load value can be entered
(for loads ≠50 Ω) to display actual
output values.
On/off:
Relays connect/disconnect output
(HiZ).
Normal/complement:
Selectable
Limit:
Programmable high and low levels
can be limited to protect the device-
under-test.
Trigger Modes
Continuous:
Continuous pulses, double pulses,
or bursts (single or double pulses).
External triggered:
Each active input transition (rising,
falling or both) generates a single or
double pulse or burst.
External gated:
The active input level (high or low)
enables pulses, double pulses, or
bursts. The last single/double pulse
or burst is always completed.
External width:
The pulse shape can be recovered,
while period and width of an external
input signal are maintained. Levels
and transitions can be set.
Manual:
Simulates an external input signal.
Internal triggered:
Internal PLL replaces an external
trigger source.
Inputs and Outputs
Clock input/PLL reference and external
input: One input (BNC connector at
rear panel) is used for clock input or
alternatively for the PLL.
PLL Reference: The internal PLL is
locked to an external 5 MHz or 10 MHz
reference frequency.
Clock input: The output period is deter-
mined by the signal at CLK input
Ext. input: Used for trigger, gate, or
external width.
Input impedance: 50 Ω/10 kΩselectable
Threshold: -10 V to +10 V
Max. input voltage: ±15 Vpp
Sensitivity: ≤300 mVpp typical
Input transitions: <100 ns
Frequency: Dc to 50 MHz
Minimum pulsewidth: 10 ns
Level/Pulse Performance Characteristics
Level specifications are valid after a 30 ns typical settling time.
Agilent 81101A
Amplitude 50 Ωinto 50 Ω100 mVpp to 10.0 Vpp
1 kΩinto 50 Ω200 mVpp to 20.0 Vpp
Level window 50 Ωinto 50 Ω-10.0 V to +10.0 V
1 kΩinto 50 Ω-20.0 V to +20.0 V
Accuracy 50 Ωinto 50 Ω± (3% + 75 mV)
1 kΩinto 50 Ω± (3% + 150 mV) [1]
Resolution 50 Ωinto 50 Ω10 mV
1 kΩinto 50 Ω20 mV
Output connectors BNC single-ended
Source Impedance Selectable 50 Ωor 1 kΩ
Accuracy Typ. ± 1%
Max. external voltage ± 24 V
Short circuit current ±400 mA max.
Base line noise 10 mV RMS typ.
Overshoot/preshoot/ringing ± 5% of amplitude ± 20 mV
[1] In ±19 V level window.
Strobe output and trigger output
Strobe: Marks the beginning of each
burst
Trigger format: One pulse per period
with 50% duty cycle typical
External mode: 9 ns typical
Level: TTL or ECL selectable
Output impedance: 50 Ωtypical
Max. external voltage: -2 V/+7 V
Transition times: 1.0 ns typical for TTL,
600 ps typical for ECL
User Interface
Overprogramming: Values can be
entered, exceeding the specified
range, to fully exploit the hardware
limits.
Setting check: Warning messages
indicate potentially conflicting param-
eters due to inaccuracy. Error mes-
sages indicate conflicting parameters.
Help key: Displays a context sensitive
message.
Autoset key: Resolves all timing
conflicts.
Non-volatile memory: The current
setting is saved on power-down. Up
to nine user settings and one fixed
default setting are stored in the
instrument.
Memory card: 99 settings can be stored
on a 1 MB PCMCIA card (MS-DOS).
Remote Control: Operates according to
IEEE standard 488.2, 1987 and SCPI
1992.0
Function Code: SH1,AH1,T6,L4,SR1,
RL1,PP0,DC1,DT1,C0
Programming times: All checks and
display off
Typical delay times Agilent 81101A
Instrument mode From To Typical value
External width EXT. INPUT STROBE/TRIGGER OUT 8.5 ns
OUTPUT 1/OUTPUT 2 22.5 ns
All other modes EXT. INPUT/CLK INPUT STROBE/TRIGGER OUT 12.0 ns
OUTPUT 1/OUTPUT 2 29 ns
STROBE/TRIGGER OUT OUTPUT 1/OUTPUT 2 17 ns
ASCII command Typical exec. time
One parameter or mode 30 ms typical
Recall setting 250 ms typical
4
5
General
Operating temperature: 0°C to +55°C
Storage temperature: -40°C to +70°C
Humidity: 95% r.h. up to 40°C ambient
temperature
EMC: Conforms to EN50082-1, EN
55011, Class B
Noise emission: 5.7 bel typical
Battery: Lithium CR2477-N
Safety: IEC1010, CSA1010
Power requirements:
100-240 Volts ac, ± 10%, 50-60 Hz
100-120 Volts ac, ± 10%, 400 Hz
Power consumption: 300 VA max.
Max. dimensions (H x W x D):
89 mm x426 mm x521 mm
Weight: 9.2 kg net, 13.8 kg shipping
Recalibration period: One year
recommended
Warranty: Three years standard
6
Ordering Information
Each Agilent 81101A includes just one output channel
(in comparison to the other models of the 81100A family).
The English Quick Start Guide (81101-91010) and Reference Guide
(81101-91011) are supplied with each instrument for all configurations.
A memory card is not included.
81101A 50 MHz one-channel Pulse Generator, 10V
Accessories
Opt UN2 Rear Panel Connectors (instead of front panel)
Opt 1CP Rack Mount and Handle Kit (5063-9219)
Opt 1CN Handle Kit (5063-9226)
Opt 1CM Rack Mount Kit (5063-9212)
Opt 1CR Rack Slide Kit (1494-0059)
Opt UFJ 1 MB SRAM Memory Card (0950-3380)
15104A Pulse Adder/Splitter
Quick Start Guide language options
Opt ABF French Guide (81101-91210)
Opt ABJ Japanese Guide (81101-91510)
Opt AB0 Taiwan Chinese Guide (81101-91610)
Opt AB1 Korean Guide (81101-91710)
Opt AB2 Chinese Guide (81101-91810)
Additional documentation options
Opt 0BW Service Manual (81101-91021)
81101-91031 Service Documentation (Component Level)
Support Options
Opt 1BP MIL Std. 45662A Calibration with Test Data
Opt UK6 Commercial cal. certificate
Opt W32 3 Year Customer Return Calibration Coverage
Opt W34 3 Year MIL Calibration Service
Opt W50 5 Year Customer Return Repair Coverage
Opt W52 5 Year Customer Return Calibration Coverage
Opt W54 5 Year Customer Return Calibration Coverage
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Product specifications and descriptions in this
document subject to change without notice.
Copyright © 1998, 2000 Agilent Technologies
Printed in U.S.A. 5/00
5967-6274E
Related Literature Pub. Number
Agilent Family of Pulse/Pattern Generators, brochure 5980-0489E
Agilent 81100 Family of Pulse/Pattern Generators, 5980-1215E
data sheet
Agilent 8110A Pulse/Pattern Generator, data sheet 5980-1212E
Agilent 8114A 100V/2A Programmable Pulse Generator, 5980-1213E
data sheet
Agilent 8133A 3 GHz Pulse Generator, data sheet 5980-1214E
Radar Distance Test to Airbourne Planes, product note 5968-5843E
The Dual Clock Gbit Chip Test, product note 5968-5844E
Magneto-Optical Disk Drive Research, product note 5968-5845E
Simulation of Jittering Synchronization Signals 5968-5846E
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Electronic Functional Test of the Consolidated Automated 5968-5998E
Support System (CASS), case study
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