Keysight 53210A User manual

Keysight 53210A 350 MHz
RF Counter
User’s Guide

2 Keysight 53210A User’s Guide
Notices
Copyright Notice
© Keysight Technologies 2011 - 2017
No part of this manual may be repro-
duced in any form or by any means
(including electronic storage and
retrieval or translation into a foreign
language) without prior agreement and
written consent from Keysight Technol-
ogies as governed by United States and
international copyright laws.
Manual Part Number
53210-90001
Edition
Edition 3, September 1, 2017
Printed in:
Printed in Malaysia
Published by:
Keysight Technologies
Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone,
11900 Penang, Malaysia
Technology Licenses
The hardware and/or software
described in this document are fur-
nished under a license and may be
used or copied only in accordance with
the terms of such license.
Declaration of Conformity
Declarations of Conformity for this
product and for other Keysight prod-
ucts may be downloaded from the
Web. Go to http://www.keysight.com/
go/conformity. You can then search by
product number to find the latest Dec-
laration of Conformity.
U.S. Government Rights
The Software is “commercial computer
software,” as defined by Federal Acqui-
sition Regulation (“FAR”) 2.101. Pursu-
ant to FAR 12.212 and 27.405-3 and
Department of Defense FAR Supple-
ment (“DFARS”) 227.7202, the U.S.
government acquires commercial com-
puter software under the same terms
by which the software is customarily
provided to the public. Accordingly,
Keysight provides the Software to U.S.
government customers under its stan-
dard commercial license, which is
embodied in its End User License
Agreement (EULA), a copy of which can
be found at http://www.keysight.com/
find/sweula. The license set forth in the
EULA represents the exclusive authority
by which the U.S. government may use,
modify, distribute, or disclose the Soft-
ware. The EULA and the license set
forth therein, does not require or per-
mit, among other things, that Keysight:
(1) Furnish technical information
related to commercial computer soft-
ware or commercial computer software
documentation that is not customarily
provided to the public; or (2) Relinquish
to, or otherwise provide, the govern-
ment rights in excess of these rights
customarily provided to the public to
use, modify, reproduce, release, per-
form, display, or disclose commercial
computer software or commercial com-
puter software documentation. No
additional government requirements
beyond those set forth in the EULA
shall apply, except to the extent that
those terms, rights, or licenses are
explicitly required from all providers of
commercial computer software pursu-
ant to the FAR and the DFARS and are
set forth specifically in writing else-
where in the EULA. Keysight shall be
under no obligation to update, revise or
otherwise modify the Software. With
respect to any technical data as
defined by FAR 2.101, pursuant to FAR
12.211 and 27.404.2 and DFARS
227.7102, the U.S. government
acquires no greater than Limited Rights
as defined in FAR 27.401 or DFAR
227.7103-5 (c), as applicable in any
technical data.
Warranty
THE MATERIAL CONTAINED IN THIS
DOCUMENT IS PROVIDED “AS IS,”
AND IS SUBJECT TO BEING
CHANGED, WITHOUT NOTICE, IN
FUTURE EDITIONS. FURTHER, TO THE
MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY
APPLICABLE LAW, KEYSIGHT DIS-
CLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, WITH REGARD
TO THIS MANUAL AND ANY INFORMA-
TION CONTAINED HEREIN, INCLUD-
ING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MER-
CHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE. KEYSIGHT
SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ERRORS
OR FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSE-
QUENTIAL DAMAGES IN CONNECTION
WITH THE FURNISHING, USE, OR
PERFORMANCE OF THIS DOCUMENT
OR OF ANY INFORMATION CON-
TAINED HEREIN. SHOULD KEYSIGHT
AND THE USER HAVE A SEPARATE
WRITTEN AGREEMENT WITH WAR-
RANTY TERMS COVERING THE MATE-
RIAL IN THIS DOCUMENT THAT
CONFLICT WITH THESE TERMS, THE
WARRANTY TERMS IN THE SEPARATE
AGREEMENT SHALL CONTROL.
Safety Information
CAUTION
A CAUTION notice denotes a hazard. It
calls attention to an operating proce-
dure, practice, or the like that, if not
correctly performed or adhered to,
could result in damage to the product
or loss of important data. Do not pro-
ceed beyond a CAUTION notice until
the indicated conditions are fully
understood and met.
WARNING
A WARNING notice denotes a hazard. It
calls attention to an operating proce-
dure, practice, or the like that, if not
correctly performed or adhered to,
could result in personal injury or death.
Do not proceed beyond a WARNING
notice until the indicated conditions are
fully understood and met.

Keysight 53210A User’s Guide 3
Software Updates / Licenses
Periodically, Keysight releases software updates to fix known defects and
incorporate product enhancements. To search for software updates and the latest
documentation for your product, go to the product page at:
www.keysight.com/find/53210A
A portion of the software in this product is licensed under terms of the General
Public License Version 2 (“GPLv2”). The text of the license and source code can be
found at:
www.keysight.com/find/GPLV2
This product utilizes Microsoft Windows CE. Keysight highly recommends that all
Windows-based computers connected to Windows CE instruments utilize current
anti-virus software. For more information, go to the product page at:
www.keysight.com/find/53210A
Assistance
This product comes with the standard product warranty. Warranty options,
extended support contacts, product maintenance agreements and customer
assistance agreements are also available. Contact your nearest Keysight
Technologies Sales and Service office for further information on Keysight
Technologies' full line of Support Programs.
Certification
Keysight Technologies certifies that this product met its published specifications
at time of shipment from the factory. Keysight Technologies further certifies that
its calibration measurements are traceable to the United States National Institute
of Standards and Technology, to the extent allowed by the Institute's calibration
facility, and to the calibration facilities of other International Standards
Organization members.

4 Keysight 53210A User’s Guide
Exclusive Remedies
THE REMEDIES PROVIDED HEREIN ARE THE CUSTOMER'S SOLE AND
EXCLUSIVE REMEDIES. KEYSIGHT TECHNOLOGIES SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR
ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES,
WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY.
Restricted Rights Legend
U.S. Government Restricted Rights. Software and technical data rights granted to
the federal government include only those rights customarily provided to end user
customers. Keysight provides this customary commercial license in Software and
technical data pursuant to FAR 12.211 (Technical Data) and 12.212 (Computer
Software) and, for the Department of Defense, DFARS 252.227-7015 (Technical
Data - Commercial Items) and DFARS 227.7202-3 (Rights in Commercial
Computer Software or Computer Software Documentation).
Trademarks
Microsoft and Windows are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Keysight 53210A User’s Guide 5
Safety Symbols
The following symbols on the instrument and in the documentation indicate
precautions which must be taken to maintain safe operation of the instrument.
Caution, risk of danger (refer to this
manual for specific Warning or Caution
information)
Frame or chassis (ground) terminal
Standby Power. Unit is not completely
disconnected from AC mains when
power switch is in standby position.
IEC Measurement Category I.
Do NOT connect inputs to AC mains or
to circuits derived from AC mains.
CAT I

6 Keysight 53210A User’s Guide
Safety Considerations
Read the information below before using this instrument.
The following general safety precautions must be observed during all phases of
operation, service, and repair of this instrument. Failure to comply with these
precautions or with specific warnings elsewhere in this manual violates safety
standards for design, manufacture, and intended use of the instrument. Keysight
Technologies assumes no liability for the customer’s failure to comply with these
requirements.
General
Do not use this product in any manner not specified by the manufacturer. The
protective features of this product may be impaired if it is used in a manner not
specified in the operation instructions.
Before Applying Power
Verify that all safety precautions are taken. Note the instrument's external
markings described under “Safety Symbols”.
Ground the Instrument
The 53210A is provided with a grounding-type power plug. The instrument
chassis and cover must be connected to an electrical ground to minimize shock
hazard. The ground pin must be firmly connected to an electrical ground (safety
ground) terminal at the power outlet. Any interruption of the protective
(grounding) conductor or disconnection of the protective earth terminal will cause
a potential shock hazard that could result in personal injury.
Fuses
The 53210A is provided with an internal line fuse appropriate for the line voltages
listed on the instrument. This fuse is not user accessible.

Keysight 53210A User’s Guide 7
Do Not Operate in an Explosive Atmosphere
Do not operate the instrument in the presence of flammable gases or fumes.
Do Not Operate Near Flammable Liquids
Do not operate the instrument in the presence of flammable liquids or near
containers of such liquids.
Do Not Remove the Instrument Cover
Only qualified, service-trained personnel who are aware of the hazards involved
should remove instrument covers. Always disconnect the power cable and any
external circuits before removing the instrument cover.
Do Not Modify the Instrument
Do not install substitute parts or perform any unauthorized modification to the
product. Return the product to an Keysight Sales and Service Office for service
and repair to ensure that safety features are maintained.
In Case of Damage
Instruments that appear damaged or defective should be made inoperative and
secured against unintended operation until they can be repaired by qualified
service personnel.
Cleaning the Instrument
Clean the outside of the instrument with a soft, lint-free, slightly-dampened cloth.
Do not use detergents or chemical solvents.

8 Keysight 53210A User’s Guide
Protection Limits
The Keysight 53210A 350 MHz RF Counter provides protection circuitry to prevent
damage to the instrument and to protect against the danger of electric shock,
provided the Protection Limits are not exceeded and the instrument is properly
grounded. To ensure safe operation of the instrument, do not exceed the
Protection Limits defined on the front panel:
WARNING
Do not connect the input channels of the 53210A to AC line-voltage mains
or to circuits derived from AC mains. The instrument must be used in CAT I
(isolated from mains) applications only. Do not use in other IEC
Measurement Category (CAT II, CAT III, or CAT IV) applications. Failure to
observe these precautions may result in electric shock and serious personal
injury.
WARNING
The BNC shells of the input terminals are connected to the instrument
chassis. Verify signal polarity before making any connections to the input
terminals.
1 Watt Max into 50W
!
Channel / Setup
WARNING
During battery operation, the maximum measured signal supplied by the
user is + 42V.
WARNING
Product Options 201/202 add a parallel Channel 1 input to the rear panel of
the instrument. Signals on the center conductor of either panel’s channel
BNCs are also present on the corresponding center conductor of the BNC on
the opposite panel.

Keysight 53210A User’s Guide 9
Installing the Instrument
The Keysight 53210A operates in the following line-voltage ranges:
100 - 240V, 50-60 Hz
100 - 127V, 440 Hz
90 VA Max
Instrument ventilation is through the sides and rear. Do not obstruct the
ventilation holes in any of these locations.
Battery Operation
When operating the 53210A under battery power (Option 300), failure to observe
the following warnings may result in damage to the instrument, electric shock,
and serious personal injury:
WARNING
Connect the instrument chassis to earth ground during battery operation to
minimize shock hazard. Any interruption or disconnection of the protective
earth terminal will cause a potential shock hazard that could result in
personal injury.
WARNING
Under battery power, the instrument chassis may float to the potential of the
measured signal supplied by the user.

10 Keysight 53210A User’s Guide
Lithium Battery Recycling
The 53210A counter contains a 3V “coin cell” lithium battery. Keysight
recommends that this battery be replaced every year at the instrument’s 1-year
calibration interval. Replacement procedures are provided in the 53210A/53220A/
53230A Service Guide.
Option 300 provides battery operation of the 53210A using a 12 lithium battery.
Performance of this battery will degrade over time as a function of the number of
battery charge/discharge cycles.
Refer to local, state, or Federal regulations when disposing of, or recycling either
battery.

Keysight 53210A User’s Guide 11
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive
This instrument complies with the WEEE Directive marking requirement. This
affixed product label indicates that you must not discard this electrical or
electronic product in domestic household waste.
Product category:
With reference to the equipment types in the WEEE directive Annex 1, this
instrument is classified as a “Monitoring and Control Instrument” product.
The affixed product label is as shown below.
Do not dispose in domestic household waste.
To return this unwanted instrument, contact your nearest Keysight Service Center,
or visit http://about.keysight.com/en/companyinfo/environment/takeback.shtml
for more information.
Sales and Technical Support
To contact Keysight for sales and technical support, refer to the support links on
the following Keysight websites:
–www.keysight.com/find/53210A
(product-specific information and support, software and
documentation updates)
–www.keysight.com/find/assist
(worldwide contact information for repair and service)

12 Keysight 53210A User’s Guide
THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK.

Keysight 53210A User’s Guide 13
Table of Contents
Software Updates / Licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Certification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Exclusive Remedies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Restricted Rights Legend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Trademarks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Safety Symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Safety Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Before Applying Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Ground the Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Do Not Operate in an Explosive Atmosphere . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Do Not Operate Near Flammable Liquids . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Do Not Remove the Instrument Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Do Not Modify the Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
In Case of Damage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Cleaning the Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Protection Limits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Installing the Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Battery Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Lithium Battery Recycling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive . . . . . . .11
Product category: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Sales and Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
List of Figures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
List of Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
1 Preparation for Use
Front and Rear Panel Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25

14 Keysight 53210A User’s Guide
Front Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Rear Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
About the Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Materials Included . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Operating and Storage Environments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Electrical Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Applying Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Power-On LED Status . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Standby Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Battery Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Battery Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Using Built-In Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Utility Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Display Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
User Interaction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Reference Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
How the User’s Guide is Organized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
2 53210A Software Installation and Interface Configuration
Software Requirements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Using the Counter Web-Enabled Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Connecting the Counter and Viewing its Home Page . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Web Interface Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Installing the Keysight IO Libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
Installing Instrument Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Adding Instruments to the PC Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Configuring the LAN Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Configuring the USB Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Configuring the GPIB Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Using Interactive IO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Firmware and Driver Updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Disabling Calibration Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
SCPI Language Emulation Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

Keysight 53210A User’s Guide 15
Downloading and Installing the Update Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
Downloading the Firmware Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
Installing the Firmware Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
Downloading IVI-COM Driver Updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
3 53210A Measurements
Counter Measurement Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80
Reference Oscillator Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
Reference Oscillator Source . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81
Standby Power to the Reference Oscillator (Option 010) . . . . . . . . .84
Setting the Measurement Time Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86
SCPI Syntax Conventions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87
The MEASure and CONFigure Commands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90
Using MEASure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
Using CONFigure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92
Frequency Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94
Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94
Frequency Ratio Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .96
Period Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
4 53210A Input Signal Conditioning
Channel Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .102
Signal Conditioning Path . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103
Input Impedance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105
Input Range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107
Input Coupling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109
Bandwidth Limiting (Low-Pass) Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .110
Threshold Level and Sensitivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .112
Noise Rejection (Hysteresis) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .118
Threshold Slope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .119
Measuring Input Signal Levels and Signal Strength . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121
5 Triggering and Gating
Settings Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .124

16 Keysight 53210A User’s Guide
Trigger and Gate Time Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Trigger and Gate Cycle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
System Trigger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Wait-For-Trigger and Triggered States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Measurement Gate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Gate Set Up . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136
Frequency Measurements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Enabling Gate Signals on the ‘Gate In/Out’ BNC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144
6 53210A Math, Graphing, and Data Logging
Math Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146
Enabling the CALCulate1 Subsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Smoothing Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Scaling Functions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Statistics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Limit Checking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Histograms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Viewing Histograms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Histogram Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Trend Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178
Viewing Trend Charts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
Data Logging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Graphics Functions and Reading Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
7 Formats and Data Flow
Reading Formats and Data Flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Specifying a Format . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Setting the Block Transfer Byte Order . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Data Flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Counter File System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Creating Folders and Files in Flash Memory and on the USB
Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
User-Defined Power-On States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212

Keysight 53210A User’s Guide 17
Managing Folders and Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215
8 Instrument Status
Keysight 53210A Status System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .223
Questionable Data Register Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .223
Standard Operation Register Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224
Standard Event Register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .226
Status Byte Register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227
A 53210A Error Messages
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241

18 Keysight 53210A User’s Guide
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Keysight 53210A User’s Guide 19
List of Figures
Figure 1-1 The 53210A Universal Frequency Counter/Timer. . . .24
Figure 1-2 The 53210A Display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Figure 1-3 53210A User’s Guide Organization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Figure 2-1 The 53210A Web-Enabled Interface
‘Welcome Page’. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Figure 2-2 The Web UI SCPI Command Interface. . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Figure 2-3 Starting Keysight Connection Expert. . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Figure 2-4 Keysight Connection Expert Interface Window. . . . . .61
Figure 2-5 Adding a Sockets Connection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Figure 2-6 Setting a VISA Alias for the USB Address String. . . . .66
Figure 2-7 Selecting the GPIB Address. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Figure 2-8 Starting Interactive IO for a Selected Interface. . . . . .70
Figure 2-9 Selecting the Update File Path. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
Figure 2-10 Specifying the Address or Host Name. . . . . . . . . . . . .76
Figure 3-1 Standard Frequency Measurement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94
Figure 3-2 Ratio of Two Input Signal Measurements. . . . . . . . . . .96
Figure 3-3 Standard Period Measurement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
Figure 4-1 53210A Input Signal Conditioning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103
Figure 4-2 Using AC Coupling to Reach Trigger Points. . . . . . . .110
Figure 4-3 Measureable Frequency Range with Bandwidth Filter
Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111
Figure 4-4 Input Signal Threshold Level and Sensitivity. . . . . . .112
Figure 4-5 Input Coupling and Relative Threshold Levels. . . . . .116
Figure 5-1 Triggering and Gating Time Line. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .125
Figure 5-2 Trigger and Gate Cycle - Triggering. . . . . . . . . . . . . .127
Figure 5-3 Trigger and Gate Cycle - Gating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .128
Figure 5-4 The Counter ‘Wait-for-trigger’ State. . . . . . . . . . . . .134
Figure 5-5 Gate Source Sequence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137
Figure 6-1 Enabling the Math Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147
Figure 6-2 53210A Display with Scaling Functions Enabled. . . .150
Figure 6-3 Counter Display with Limit Testing and Statistics
Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157
Figure 6-4 53210A Limit Checking. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162
Figure 6-5 53210A Histogram Structure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165

20 Keysight 53210A User’s Guide
Figure 6-6 Histogram Display Format. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Figure 6-7 15-Bin (Point) Histogram. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 168
Figure 6-8 Trend Chart Display Format (without decimation). . . 178
Figure 6-9 Trend Chart Configuration and Control. . . . . . . . . . . 180
Figure 6-10 Trend Chart Display Format (with Decimation). . . . . 183
Figure 6-11 Starting the Counter Data Logger. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Figure 6-12 Trend Chart Display During Data Logging. . . . . . . . . 189
Figure 6-13 Reading Memory and Resetting/Clearing Graphics. 190
Figure 7-1 Data Flow within the 53210A Counter. . . . . . . . . . . . 194
Figure 7-2 Folders and Files within Internal Memory and USB
Storage. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Figure 8-1 The 53210A Status System. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222