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What is the function of the "10 MHz REF" port on my 6000-series oscilloscope?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Summary

You can use the 10 MHz REF BNC connector on the rear panel as either of the following: •An input for an external 10 MHz reference signal. The external signal will replace the scope’s internal timebase reference. The scope will be synchronized with the external timebase. •An output for the internal 10 MHz reference signal. The scope's internal timebase reference is routed out through the port. You can use the signal to synchronize another device with the scope's internal timebase.

Question

What is the function of the "10 MHz REF" port on my 6000-series oscilloscope?

Answer

You can use the 10 MHz REF BNC connector on the rear panel as either of the following:

  • An input for an external 10 MHz reference signal. The external signal will replace the scope’s internal timebase reference. The scope will be synchronized with the external timebase.
  • An output for the internal 10 MHz reference signal. The scope's internal timebase reference is routed out through the port. You can use the signal to synchronize another device with the scope's internal timebase.

To use the port as an input:

  1. Connect a 10 MHz square or sine wave to the 10 MHz REF port. The amplitude must be between 180 mV and 1V, with an offset of between 0 and 2V. CAUTION: Do not apply more than ±15V to the port or damage to the instrument may occur.
  2. Press the Utility button
  3. Press the Options softkey
  4. Press the Rear Panel softkey
  5. Rotate the Entry knob (circular arrow) to select 10 MHz input under Ref signal. Then press the Ref signal softkey to select 10 MHz input.

The scope is now locked to the external timebase, provided that the 10 MHz signal is within 0.5% (50 kHz) of the scope’s internal 10 MHz reference. Notice that there is a padlock icon in the upper right portion of the display. This indicates the lock status. If the scope unlocks from the external timebase, the icon will turn to a red "unlocked" indicator.

To use the port as an output:

  1. Connect the 10 MHz REF port to the input of the external device via a BNC cable. The signal should be terminated with 50 ohms.
  2. Press the Utility button
  3. Press the Options softkey
  4. Press the Rear Panel softkey
  5. Rotate the Entry knob (circular arrow) to select 10 MHz output under Ref signal. Then press the Ref signal softkey to select 10 MHz output.
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