Chapter 3: Testing Performance
To test time measurement accuracy
3–16
To test time measurement accuracy
This test uses a precise frequency source to check the accuracy of time measurement functions.
Specification Delta-t accuracy
Equivalent Time: (
≥16 averages)
±[(0.007% × delta-t) + (full scale/(2 × memory depth))+ 30 ps]
Real Time: *
±[(0.007% × delta-t) + (0.2 × sample period)]
* The specification applies to bandwidth limited signals (tr
≥ 1.4 × sample period).
The sample period is defined as 1/(sample rate). The specification also applies to those
automatic measurements computing time intervals on identical slope edges
(like pos-pos, neg-neg).
Equipment Required
The Agilent 8447D RF Amplifier is used as a saturation amplifier to create a very low-jitter
squarewave from the sinewave output of the signal generator. You adjust the signal generator
output level to change the risetime of the squarewave.
Equivalent Time Mode Procedure
This test checks time measurement in equivalent time mode with averaging.
1
Set the Agilent 8664A signal generator for a 40-MHz sine wave (25.0 ns period) at
250 mV
rms
.
2 Connect the output of the signal generator to the INPUT of the Agilent 8447D RF
amplifier.
3 Connect the OUTPUT of the RF amplifier to the channel 1 input of the oscilloscope.
4 Press Default Setup to set the oscilloscope to default conditions.
5 Press Input to select 50 Ω. Press Coupling to select dc.
6 Press Autoscale.
7 Set the vertical scale to 500 mV per division.
Equipment Critical Specifications Recommended Model/Part
Signal Generator 1-100 MHz,
timebase accuracy - 0.25 ppm
Agilent 8664A
RF Amplifier 40 MHz to 1 GHz, 20 dB gain Agilent 8447D
Cable Type-N 24 inch Agilent 11500B
Cable BNC Agilent 10503A
Adapter Type N (f) to BNC (m) Agilent 1250-0077