Agilent Technologies 81104A User manual

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Agilent 81110A 165/330 MHz
Agilent 81104A 80 MHz Pulse/Pattern Generators
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Quick Start Guide
Agilent 81110A 165/330 MHz,
Agilent 81104A 80 MHz
Pulse/Pattern Generators
Part No. 81110-91020
Printed in Germany April 2000
Edition 1.1, E0400

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Notice
Copyright
Agilent Technologies 1998, 2000
Herrenberger Str. 110140
71034 Boeblingen
Germany
All rights reserved. Reproduction, adaptation or translation without prior
written permission is prohibited, except as allowed under the copyright
laws.
Warranty
This Agilent product has a warranty against defects in material and
workmanship for a period of three years from date of shipment. During
the warranty period, Agilent Technologies will, at its option, either repair
or replace products that prove to be defective. For warranty service or
repair, this product must be returned to a service facility designated by
Agilent Technologies. The Buyer shall pay Agilents round-trip travel
expenses. For products returned to Agilent Technologies for warranty
service, the Buyer shall prepay shipping charges to Agilent and Agilent
shall pay shipping charges to return the product to the Buyer. However,
the Buyer shall pay all shipping charges, duties and taxes for products
returned to Agilent Technologies from another country. Agilent
Technologies warrants that its software and firmware designated by
Agilent for use with an instrument will execute its programming
instructions when properly installed on that instrument. Agilent does not
warrant that the operation of the instrument software, or firmware, will
be uninterrupted or error free.

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Limitation of Warranty
The foregoing warranty shall not apply to defects resulting from
improper or inadequate maintenance by the Buyer, Buyer-supplied
software or interfacing, unauthorized modification or misuse, operation
outside of the environmental specifications for the product, or improper
site preparation or maintenance.
No other warranty is expressed or implied. Agilent Technologies
specifically disclaims the implied warranties of merchantability and
fitness for a particular purpose.
Exclusive Remedies
The remedies supplied are the Buyers sole and exclusive remedies.
Agilent Technologies shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, special,
incidental, or consequential damages, whether based on contract, tort or
any other legal theory.
Assistance
Product maintenance agreements and other customer assistance
agreements are available for Agilent products. For any assistance,
contact your nearest Agilent Sales Office.
Certification
Agilent Technologies Company certifies that this product met its
published specifications at the time of shipment. Agilent further certifies
that its calibration measurements are traceable to the United States
Institute of Standards and Technology, to the extent allowed by the
Institute's calibrating facility, and to the calibration facilities of other
International Standards Organization members.

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About this Book
This quick start guide helps you to quickly get familiar with the features
and the user interface of the Agilent 81110A Pulse Generator.
The information is valid for Agilent 81104A and Agilent 81110A. Where
required the differences are explicitly mentioned. Possible
configurations are:
Output Modules for 81104A Mainframe
Output Modules for 81110A Mainframe
As standard the instruments are equipped with one output channel.
Therefore, some of the described features will not be available on all
instruments.
Module Description Max Quantity
81105A 10V/ max.80 MHz Output Channel 2
Module Description Max Quantity
81111A 10V/ max. 165 MHz Output Channel 2
81112A 3.8V/ max. 330 MHz Output Channel 2

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Chapter 1 Introducing the 81110A/81104A Pulse and Pattern
Generators on page 15 gives a general overview of the Agilent 81110A,
its features, the user interface, and the steps required for operating the
instrument.
Chapter 2 Getting Started on page 31 gives the setup information for
some real-world signal examples, which can easily be used by varying
only some parameter values.
Chapter 3 Using the 81110A/81104A on page 59 provides complete
information on the user interface screens.
Installation and maintenance are described in Appendix A Installation
& Maintenance on page 111.
For specifications and information on operating the instrument by means
of remote control, please refer to the Reference Guide, p/n 81110-91021.
Conventions Used in this Book
This book uses certain conventions to indicate elements of the
Agilent 81110As user interface. The following table shows some
examples:
Softkeys Press the MODE/TRG softkey to access the Mode/
Trigger screen.
Hardkeys Press the MORE key to switch to the alternative
softkey layout.
Alternate Keys Press SHIFT + 0 (ON/OFF1) to switch on output 1.
The alternate key labelwhich is selected by
pressing the SHIFT keyis given in parentheses.
Screen Quotes Move the entry focus down to PULSE-PERIOD and
turn the knob to select INTERNAL PLL.
Entry Focus The highlight field, that can be moved with the
cursor keys, to change modes, parameters, or
parameter formats.

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Safety Information
Safety
This is a Safety Class 1 instrument (provided with terminal for protective
earthing). Before applying power, verify that the correct safety
precautions are taken (see the following warnings). In addition, note the
external markings on the instrument that are described under Safety
Symbols. Do not operate the instrument with its covers removed.
Replace fuse only with specified type.
Warning
Before turning on the instrument, you must connect the protective earth
terminal of the instrument to the protective earth conductor of the
(mains) power cord. The mains plug must only be inserted in a socket
outlet with a protective earth contact. Do not negate the protective
action by using an extension power cord without a protective grounding
conductor. Grounding one conductor of a two-conductor outlet is not
sufficient protection.
Service instructions are for trained service personnel. To avoid
dangerous electric shock, do not perform any service unless qualified to
do so. Do not attempt internal service or adjustment unless another
person, capable of rendering first aid and resuscitation, is present.
If you energize this instrument using an auto-transformer (for voltage
reduction), make sure that the common terminal is connected to the
earth terminal of the power source.
Whenever it is likely that the ground protection is impaired, you must
make the instrument inoperative and secure it against any unintended
operation.
Do not operate the instrument in the presence of flammable gases or
fumes. Operation of any electrical instrument in such an environment
constitutes a definite safety hazard.
Do not install substitute parts or perform any unauthorized modification
to the instrument.

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Capacitors inside the instrument may retain a charge even if the
instrument is disconnected from its source of supply.
Safety Symbols
Instruction Manual symbol: The instrument is marked with this symbol
when it is necessary for you to refer to the instruction manual in order to
protect against damage to the instrument.
Protected conductor symbol.
In the manuals:
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GWarnings call attention to a procedure, practice, or the like,
which, if not correctly performed or adhered to, could result in
personal injury or loss of life. Do not proceed beyond a Warning
until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.
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NCautions call attention to a procedure, practice, or the like, which, if not
correctly performed or adhered to, could result in damage to or
destruction of part or all of the equipment. Do not proceed beyond a
Caution until the indicated conditions are fully understood and met.

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Notice ......................................................................................... 4
About this Book ......................................................................... 6
Output Modules for 81104A Mainframe ............................................... 6
Output Modules for 81110A Mainframe ............................................... 6
Safety Information .................................................................... 8
Chapter 1 Introducing the 81110A/81104A Pulse and Pattern
Generators
What you can do with the 81110A/81104A ............................ 16
The Front Panel ....................................................................... 18
Operating the 81110A/81104A ................................................ 20
Switching On the Instrument .............................................................. 20
The Basic Screens ................................................................................. 21
Adjusting Parameters ........................................................................... 24
Switching the Outputs On and Off ...................................................... 27
Using the Special Function Keys ........................................................ 28
Help is Available ...................................................................... 29
The Rear Panel ........................................................................ 30
Chapter 2 Getting Started
Setting Up a Clock Signal ....................................................... 32
Setting Up a Pulse Signal ........................................................ 37
Setting Up a Serial Data Stream Signal ................................. 41
Setting Up an Edge-Displacement Signal .............................. 45

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Setting Up a Dual Clock Signals ............................................ 50
Setting Up a Burst Signal ....................................................... 55
Chapter 3 Using the 81110A/81104A
The Mode/Trigger Screen ....................................................... 60
Overview ................................................................................................. 60
Continuous Pulses Mode ...................................................................... 63
Continuous Burst Mode ........................................................................ 64
Continuous Pattern Mode .................................................................... 65
Triggered Pulses Mode ........................................................................ 66
Triggered Burst Mode ........................................................................... 68
Triggered Pattern Mode ........................................................................ 70
Gated Pulses Mode ................................................................................ 72
Gated Burst Mode ................................................................................. 74
Gated Pattern Mode .............................................................................. 75
External Width Mode ............................................................................ 76
The Timing Screen .................................................................. 77
The Levels Screen ................................................................... 83
The Pattern Screen ................................................................. 88
Hints on Editing Pattern Data .............................................................. 94
The Limits Screen ................................................................... 95
The Trigger-Level Screen ....................................................... 96
The Memory Card Screen ....................................................... 98
The Configuration Screen .................................................... 103
The Output Screens .............................................................. 106

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Warnings and Errors ............................................................. 107
Warning and Error Reporting Example ........................................... 108
Appendix A Installation & Maintenance
Initial Inspection ................................................................... 112
Standard Deliverables ........................................................................ 113
Options and Accessories: ................................................................... 114
Power Requirements ............................................................. 116
Power Cable ........................................................................... 118
Ventilation Requirements ..................................................... 119
Thermal Protection ............................................................................. 119
Battery ................................................................................... 120
Battery Replacement .......................................................................... 121
Operating Environment ........................................................ 122
Cleaning Recommendation ................................................... 123
Acoustic Noise Emission ....................................................... 124

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15
1
1Introducing the
81110A/81104A Pulse and
Pattern Generators
The purpose of the introduction chapter is to give a general overview of
the 81110A/81104A.
The main features and use models are described in What you can do
with the 81110A/81104A on page 16.
Operating the instrument via the front panel user interface is described in
The Front Panel on page 18 and Operating the 81110A/81104A on
page 20.
Help is Available on page 29 shortly introduces the 81110A/81104As
on-line help system.
Finally, The Rear Panel on page 30 takes a look at the back of the
81110A/81104A.

16
Introducing the 81110A/81104A Pulse and Pattern Generators
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What you can do with the
81110A/81104A
This section introduces the basic features and use models of the
81110A/81104A Pulse and Pattern Generators.
Basic Features
The Pulse and Pattern Generators generate all standard pulses, digital
patterns and multi-level waveforms needed to test all current logic
technologies (such as TTL, CMOS, ECL, PECL, LVDS, GTL) and other
digital designs up to 330 MHz.
The instruments provide a reliable and wide range of signals, which can
be used in even more applications than its predecessor, the
Agilent 8110A. This is due to enhancements made in the feature set and
specifications of the Agilent 8110A. The glitch and drop out free varying
of any timing parameter and the timing calibration feature of the Agilent
81110A/81104A contribute to more accurate and confident
characterizations of the DUTs.
Benchtop Testing
The 81110A/81104A feature a graphic display showing all pulse
parameters at a glance. The cursor keys and the modify knob allow fast
and simple operation.
The user interface is designed to minimize the time invested in getting
familiar with the instrument. After familiarization, the instrument
supports quick setups of signals. This leaves you free to concentrate on
the measurement task and testing of the DUT.

17
Introducing the 81110A/81104A Pulse and Pattern Generators
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Automated Testing
The 81110A/81104A has the same SCPI conform command structure for
the feature sets identical to the Agilent 8110A. As with the Agilent 8110A,
the new product can be easily integrated into all phases of test system
development such as planning rack integration and test program
generation. These benefits along with the low cost of ownership make
the 81110A/81104A an invaluable instrument in a wide range of technical
applications. Programs designed for the Agilent 81104A can be used
without any changes for the Agilent 81110A with Agilent 81111A
10V/165 MHz outputs.
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number 81110-91021.
The Agilent 81110A compared to the Agilent 81104A has better accuracy,
up to 330 MHz clock rate, 800 ps typical edges at up to 3.8 V, and a timing
auto calibration.
Upgrade Capability
It is possible to upgrade the instruments with a second channel if only
one channel was originally ordered. There are two output channels
available for the Agilent 81110A. The second channel that is installed
must be the same as channel one.
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Mainframe Module Description
Agilent 81104A Agilent 81105A 10V/ max. 80 MHz Output
Channel
Agilent 81110A Agilent 81111A
Agilent 81112A
10V/ max. 165 MHz Output
Channel
3.8V/ max. 330 MHz Output
Channel

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Introducing the 81110A/81104A Pulse and Pattern Generators
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The Front Panel
When used for benchtop testing, the instrument is mainly operated from
the front panel.
The front panel switch is used to switch on and off the instrument.
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The instrument is disconnected from the AC line power only by
disconnecting the power cord.
The four keys below the display are the softkeys (software-controlled
keys). The current function of each softkey is indicated in the
corresponding box on the display.
Pressing the MORE key changes the softkey layout.
The other keys (special function keys, data entry keys, cursor keys)
and the rotary knob are used to select and modify parameters when
operating the instrument (see Operating the 81110A/81104A on
page 20).
Special Function
Keys
Data Entry
Keys
Cursor
Keys
Rotary
Knob
Front Panel
Switch
Softkeys MORE Key Inputs and Outputs

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Introducing the 81110A/81104A Pulse and Pattern Generators
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The major inputs and outputs of the instrument are available at the front
panel:
 The external input (EXT INPUT) can be used to connect an external
arming source (started or gated modes). For details, please refer to
The Mode/Trigger Screen on page 60.
 The trigger signal (TRIGGER OUT) marks the start of the pulse
period or of parts of a pattern (see The Mode/Trigger Screen on
page 60). You can set the output levels according to the used
technology (TTL, ECL, PECL) or enter test-specific values (see The
Trigger-Level Screen on page 96).
 The strobe signal (STROBE OUT) marks beginning and end of a burst
in Burst mode. In Pattern mode, this signal is programmable per bit.
 The OUTPUT connectors provide the signal output (normal and
inverted), the indicators show the current state of the output (on or
off).
N
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TETE
TE For information on the use of the memory card slot, refer to The
Memory Card Screen on page 98.