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RF and Universal Frequency Counter Comparison Guide–TE

Technical Overviews

Introduction

The Keysight Technologies, Inc. 53131A, 53132A, 53181A (531xxA) RF and universal frequency counters have long established the industry standard for best in class frequency and time

measurements. The 53210A, 53220A and 53230A (53200 Series) counters offer a replacement for the 531xxA family, offering even more capabilities in the speed and accuracy that only frequency counters can provide, along with new and advanced capabilities for a broader variety of

applications. This document compares the key capabilities and highlights those areas where there are key differences and advancements to note.

Time interval resolution and accuracy

One of the key advances the 53200 Series provides is the industry leading timing specifications. The single-shot resolution for the 53230A is 20 picoseconds while on the previous 531xxA generation, the fastest single-shot timing available was 150 ps (53132A). Single-shot timing

represents how well the counter can resolve an event in time. It is most often associated with time interval

measurements, but every counter measurement is a result of timing and accurate placement of the edge. So, the

better the single-shot timing of a frequency counter, the better overall measurement performance of the counter.

Memory and measurement reading speed

There are several ways to consider the measurement speed on frequency counters:

Single measurement reading throughput: the time to take a single measurement and transfer from volatile reading memory over the I/O bus.

Block reading throughput: the time to take blocks of measurements into memory and when complete, transfer from volatile reading memory over the I/O bus.

Typically, single measurement throughput is slower than block measurement throughput due to I/O processing/transfer overhead. The 531xxA frequency counters are single reading counters with no internal memory. In most applications, up to 200 readings per second is the typical single measurement reading speed on 531xxA counters. Depending on the I/O interface chosen (USB, LAN or GPIB), the single measurement throughput on the 53200 Series counters can have optimized throughput of approximately 400 readings per second.

The reading throughput potential is substantially different when block reading capabilities are considered. With the built-in memory of 1 million readings on the 53200 Series counters, speeds increase to tens of thousands of readings per second. Again, the I/O interface chosen impacts the amount of overhead on the overall throughput capabilities. The 53200 Series data sheet outlines typical reading speeds by model (part number 5990-6283EN).

Connectivity, interfaces and programming compatibility

The standard I/O connectivity on the 531xxA counters was GPIB. RS-232 was also available as a talk-only interface for printer support and could also be set as a hardware limit out indicator to flag when a measurement drifts out of limits.

The 53200 Series offers 10/100/1000 LAN/LXI-C (Sockets and VXI-11 protocol), USB 2.0, and GPIB connectivity. RS-232 output and hardware limit out capability will need to be replicated via software control.The new 53200 Series counters have a built-in emulation mode that enables the Keysight 531xxA Standard Commands for Programmable Instruments (SCPI) command set to be used with a 53200 Series counter. With 531xxA Series compatibility mode selected, all programming is through the counter’s remote interface (LAN, USB, GPIB). The counter display responds according to the remote commands received. When in emulation mode, you get 53200 Series precision and measurement accuracy. The emulation mode is a SCPI language substitution (commands and syntax operation) to enable you to utilize existing programs. NOTE: Pressing any front panel key while in 531xxA compatibility mode returns the counter to 53200 Series mode.

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