Model Sr620: Universal Time Interval Counter

MODEL SR620
Universal Time Interval Counter
1290-D Reamwood Avenue

Sunnyvale, California 94089
Phone: (408) 744-9040 • Fax: (408) 744-9049
email: info@thinkSRS.com • www.thinkSRS.com
Copyright © 1989 by SRS, Inc.

All Rights Reserved.
Revision 2.7 (2/2006)

SR620 Universal Time Interval Counter
Table of Contents i
Table of Contents
Condensed Information Width Arming 13

WIDTH:+TIME 13
Safety and Use v WIDTH:+TIME, EXT 13
SRS Symbols vi WIDTH:+TIME, EXT with HLDF 13
Specifications vii
Abridged Command List xi Rise and Fall Time Arming 13
RISE/FALL: +TIME 13
Operation RISE/FALL: EXT 13
Quick Start Instructions 1 Frequency Arming 14

Instrument Overview 2 Frequency Ratio 14
Front Panel Operation 3 Period Arming 14

Period Ratio 14
Choosing the Measurement 3
Setting the Mode 3 Phase Arming 14
Setting the Source 3
Setting the Arming Mode 3 Count Arming 15
Setting the Number of Samples 3 Count Ratio 15
Starting Measurements 3
Arming Mode Summary 4 Delayed Arming Modes 15
Choosing the Output Display 5 Configuration Menus 17

Setting the Front Panel Display 5
Graphics Outputs 6 CONTROL Menu 17
Graph Types 6 GPIB Parameters 17
Scaling Graphs 6 RS232 Parameters 17
Graphics Cursor 6
Graphics Zoom 6 CALIBRATION Menu 17
Hardcopy Output 7 AutoCal 18
Chart Outputs 7 Clock Source 18
Setting the Inputs 9 OUTPUT Menu 18

Setting Trigger Levels 9 Graphics Enable 18
Setting Trigger Slopes 9 Printer/Plotter Control 18
Input Termination 9 Jitter Type Selection 19
UHF Prescalers 9 Gate Scale Multiplier 19
Input Coupling 10 Trigger Knob Range 19
Reference Output 10
Timebase Input and Output 10 SCAN Menu 19
DVM Inputs 10 Enabling Scans 19
Setting D/A outputs 20
Sample Arming 11 Scanning the D/A's 20
External Trigger Delays 20
TIME Mode 11 Scan Examples 20
Time Interval Arming 11 Specification Guide 23

+TIME 11
+TIME, EXT 12 Definition of Terms 23
+TIME, EXT with HOLDOFF 12 Least Significant Digit 23
+/-TIME 12 Resolution 23
+/-TIME, EXT 12 Error 23
Differential Non-linearity 23

ii Table of Contents
Timebase Specifications 24 Scope Display Problems 58

Short-Term Stability 24 Printer and Plotter Problems 58
Long-Term Stability 24 GPIB Interface Problems 58
External Timebases 25 RS-232 Interface Problems 59
Trigger Input Specifications 25 Performance Tests 61
Measurement Accuracy 26 Necessary Equipment 61
Functional Tests 61
Programming Front Panel Test 61
Self-Test 61
Programming the SR620 29 Trigger Input Tests 61
Counter Channel Tests 62
Communications 29 Rear Panel Tests 62
GPIB Communication 29
RS-232 Communication 29 Performance Tests 63
Data Window 29 Timebase Frequency 63
Accuracy 63
Command Syntax 29 Time Interval 63
Trigger Sensitivity 63
Detailed Command List 30 Trigger Accuracy 64
Trigger Commands 30 D/A Output Accuracy 64
Measurement Control 31 DVM Input Accuracy 64
Data Transmission 32
Binary Dump 33 Test Scorecard 67
Scan Control 34
Graphics Control 35 Calibration 69
Front Panel Control 36
Interface Control 37 Overview 69
Status Reporting 39
Calibration Commands 39 Calibration Bytes 69
Serial Poll Status Byte 40
Event Status Byte 41 Simple Calibration 70
TIC Status Byte 41
Error Status Byte 41 Complete Calibration 70
Trigger Input Calibration 70
Programming Examples 43 Clock Oscillator Calibration 71
BASIC and RS-232 44 Insertion Delay Calibration 71
FORTRAN/National Instruments 45 D/A Output Calibration 72
BASIC/GPIB/Binary Dump 46 DVM Input Calibration 73
FORTRAN/GPIB/Binary Dump 48
C/GPIB/Binary Dump 52
SR620 Circuitry
Test and Calibration Circuit Description 75

Processor System 75
Troubleshooting Tips 57 GPIB Interface 75
Printer Interface 75
Troubleshooting 57 RS-232 Interface 76
Power-up Error Messages 57 Scope Display 76
CAL Error Messages 57 Counter Input Ports 76
Common Operational Problems 57 Display Control Ports 76
Error Messages 57 Front-End Status Bits 77
Error Indicators 58 ADC and DAC Control Bits 77
Wrong Value 58 REF OUT 78
Excessive Jitter 58 Delay and Gate Generator 78

Table of Contents iii
Timebase 79
Front-End Inputs 79
Trigger Multiplexers 80
Frequency Gates 80
Event Gating 81
Counting Channels 81
Fast Time Interval Logic 82
Time Interval Arming 82
Time Integrators 83
Analog to Digital Converter 83
Autolevel Circuits 83
Digital to Analog Converter 84
Unregulated Power Supplies 84
Power Supply Regulators 84
Power Supply Bypass 85
Front Panel Display PCB 85
Component Parts List 87
Schematic Circuit Diagrams Sheet No.
Front/Rear Panel Summary

Counter Visual Index
Microprocessor System 1/16
GPIB/RS232/Printer Interfaces 2/16
Scope Graphics Controller 3/16
I/O Ports and LED Drivers 4/16
Analog and ECL I/O 5/16
Slow Counters and REF OUT 6/16
Fast Clocks and Timebase 7/16
Front-End Input Comparators 8/16
ECL Mpx/Freq Gating/Counters 9/16
Fast Time Interval Logic 10/16
Time Interpolators 11/16
A/D, D/A and Threshold pots 12/16
Unregulated Power Supplies 13/16
Power Supply Regulators 14/16
Spares and Decoupling 15/16
Front Panel Display PCB 16/16
Component Placement on PCB

iv Table of Contents

Safety and Preparation for Use v
Safety and Preparation for Use
WARNING: Dangerous voltages, capable of causing death, are present in this instrument.
Use extreme caution whenever the instrument covers are removed.
This instrument may be damaged if operated LINE FUSE

with the LINE VOLTAGE SELECTOR set for the
wrong ac line voltage or if the wrong fuse is Verify that the correct line fuse is installed before
installed. connecting the line cord. For 100V/120V, use a 1
Amp fuse and for 220V/240V, use a 1/2 Amp fuse.
LINE VOLTAGE SELECTION
LINE CORD
The SR620 operates from a 100V, 120V, 220V, or
240V nominal ac power source having a line The SR620 has a detachable, three-wire power
frequency of 50 or 60 Hz. Before connecting the cord for connection to the power source and to a
power cord to a power source, verify that the LINE protective ground. The exposed metal parts of the
VOLTAGE SELECTOR card, located in the rear instrument are connected to the outlet ground to
panel fuse holder, is set so that the correct ac protect against electrical shock. Always use an
input voltage value is visible. outlet which has a properly connected protective
ground.
Conversion to other ac input voltages requires a
change in the fuse holder voltage card position
and fuse value. Disconnect the power cord, open CONNECTION TO OTHER INSTRUMENTS
the fuse holder cover door and rotate the fuse-pull
lever to remove the fuse. Remove the small All front panel BNC shields are connected to the
printed circuit board and select the operating chassis ground and to the power outlet ground via
voltage by orienting the printed circuit board to the power cord. Do not apply any voltage to either
position the desired voltage to be visible when the shields or to the outputs. The outputs are not
pushed firmly into its slot. Rotate the fuse-pull protected against connection to any potential other
lever back into its normal position and insert the than ground.
correct fuse into the fuse holder.

vi Safety and Preparation for Use

Specifications vii
Specifications
Functions Time Interval, Pulse Width, Rise and Fall Times, Frequency, Period, Phase,
and Event Counting.
Measurement statistics (mean, min, max, standard deviation or Allan
variance) and graphics are available in all modes of operation.
Time Interval Time, Width, Rise and Fall Times
Range -1000 to +1000 s in +/- TIME mode; -1 ns to +1000 s in all other modes
Trigger Rate 0 to 100 MHz
Least Significant Digit 4 ps single sample, 1 ps with averaging
Resolution (((25 ps typ [50 ps max] )2+ (0.2 ppb x Interval)2) / N)1/2 rms
(((25 ps typ [50 ps max])2 + (0.05 ppb x Interval)2) / N)1/2 rms (Opt 01)
Error < ±(500ps typ [1 ns max] + Timebase Error x Interval +trigger error)
< ±(50ps typ[100ps max] + Timebase Error x Interval) (REL)
Arming Modes +TIME Stop is armed by Start
+TIME EXT Ext arms Start
+TIME EXT HOFF Leading EXT edge arms Start, trailing EXT edge arms
Stop.
±TIME Armed by Start/Stop pair
±TIME CMPL Armed by Stop/Start pair
±TIME EXT Armed by EXT input edge
EXT arming may be internally delayed or scanned with respect to the EXT
input in variable steps. The step size may be set in a 1,2,5 sequence from 1
µs to 10 ms. The maximum delay is 50,000 steps.
Display 16 digit fixed point with 1 ps LSD

Sample Rate For a sample size of N, the total sample time is N x(800 µs + measured time
interval) + Calculation time.
The calculation time occurs only after N measurements are completed and
varies from zero (N=1, no graphics, binary responses) to 5 ms (N=1, no
graphics) to 10 ms (display mean or std dev) to 60 ms (display histogram).
Frequency
Range 0.001 Hz to 300 MHz via comparator inputs.

40 MHz to 1.3 GHz via internal UHF prescalers.
RATIO A/B range: 10-9 to 103
Error < ± ((100ps typ [350 ps max])/Gate + Timebase Error ) x Frequency
Gates External, 1 period, 1ms to 500s in 1,2,5 sequence. Gates may be externally
triggered with no delay. Gates may be delayed relative to an EXTernal
trigger. The delay from trigger may be set from 1 to 50,000 gate widths.
Display 16 digit fixed point with LSD = Freq x 4ps/Gate. 1 µHz max. resolution (1
nHz with x1000 for frequencies ≤ 1 MHz)
Period
Range 0 to 1000 seconds. RATIO A/B range: 10-9 to 103
Error < ±((100 ps typ [350ps max])/Gate + Timebase Error) x Period
Gates Same as frequency
Display 16 digit fixed point with LSD = 1 ps (1 fs with x1000 for periods ≤ 1 s)
Phase Phase = 360 x (Tb - Ta) / Period A
Range -180 to +180 degrees (0 to 100 MHz frequency)

Resolution (25ps x frequency x 360 + 0.001) degree

viii Specifications
Gate 0.01 seconds (1 period min.) for period measurement and 1 sample for time
interval measurement. Period may also be measured using externally
triggered internal gates as in frequency mode.
Error < ±(1ns x Frequency x 360 + 0.001) degree
Events
Range 1012. RATIO A/B range: 10-9 to 103
Count Rate 0 to 300 MHz
Gates Same as frequency
Display 12 digits
Timebase
Standard Option/01
Frequency 10.000 MHz 10.000 MHz
Type TCVCXO Ovenized VCXO
Aging 1x10-6/yr 5x10-10/day
Allan Variance (1s)(typ.) 3x10 -10 5x10-12
Stability 0-50° C 1 ppm 0.002 ppm
Settability 0.01 ppm 0.001 ppm
External User may supply 5 or 10 MHz timebase. 1 Volt nominal.
Inputs A, B, and EXTernal
Threshold -5.00 to +5.00 VDC with 10 mV resolution

Accuracy 15mV + 0.5% of setting
Sensitivity see graph next page
Autolevel (A&B) Threshold set between peak input excursions. (f>10 Hz, duty cycle >10-6)
Slope Rising or falling edge
Impedance (1 M Ohm + 30 pf) or 50 Ohms. 50 Ohm termination has SWR < 2.5:1 from
0 -1.3GHz
Coupling AC or DC. Ext is always DC coupled.
Input Noise 350mV rms typical
Bandwidth 300 MHz BW provides 1.2 ns risetime
Prescaler (A&B) see graph next page
Protection 100 V. 50 Ohm terminator is released if input exceeds ±5 Vpeak.
REF Output Calibration and Trigger source
Frequency 1.00 KHz (Accuracy same as timebase)

Rise/Fall 2 ns
Amplitude TTL: 0 to 4 VDC (2 VDC into 50 Ohms)
ECL: -1.8 to -0.8 VDC into 50 Ohms
DVM Inputs Two differential rear panel DVM inputs
Full Scale ±1.999 or ±19.99 VDC

Type Sample & hold with successive approximation converter
Impedance 1 M Ohm
Accuracy 0.3% of full scale
Speed Formatted response in approximately 5 ms.
D/A Outputs Two rear panel outputs which may be ramped
Full Scale ±10.00 VDC

Resolution 5 mV
Impedance < 1 Ohm

Specifications ix
Default Voltage proportional to Mean & Deviation

Accuracy 0.3% of full scale
Graphics Live scope displays and hardcopy
Scope Two rear panel outputs to drive x-y scope

Displays Histograms and strip charts of mean & deviation
X-axis -5 to +5 V for 10 division deflection
Y-axis -4 to +4 V for 8 division deflection
Resolution 250 (H) x 200 (V) pixels
Hardcopy Via Centronics port to Epson graphics compatible dot matrix printers.
RS-232, IEEE-488 to HP-GL compatible Digital Plotters.
Interfaces
RS-232C 300 to 19.2 KBaud. All instrument functions may be controlled.

PC compatible serial cable.
GPIB IEEE-488 compatible interface. All instrument functions may be controlled.
Speed Approximately 150 ASCII formatted responses per second.
1400 binary responses per second.
General
Operating 0 to 50° C
Power 100, 120, 220 or 240 VAC +5% -10%. 50/60 Hz. 70 Watts.
Dimensions 14" x 14" x 3.5". Rack mounting hardware included.
Weight 11 lbs

x Specifications

Abridged Command List xi
Abridged Command List
Syntax
Variable i is an integer that selects an input channel for the command:
i Channel
0 External Gate
1 A input
2 B input
Variables i,j,k,l,m, and n are all integers.Variable x is a real number in integer,real, or exponential notation.
Commands which may be queried have a ? in parentheses (?) after the mnemonic. The ( ) are not sent.
Commands that may only be queried have a '?' after the mnemonic. Commands which may not be queried
have no '?'. Optional parameters are enclosed by {}.
Trigger Control Commands
LEVL(?) i,x Set channel i threshold to x volts. Only allowed in remote operation.
MTRG j Same as pushing MAN trigger button. In external gate or holdoff arming
modes n=0= start gate, n=1= stop gate. Otherwise n is ignored.
RLVL(?) j Sets the reference output level to 0 = ecl,1=ttl.
TCPL(?) i{,j} Sets the input ac/dc coupling of chans A and B to 0 = dc, or 1 = ac.
TERM(?) i{,j} Sets the 50 ohm terminator of input, also prescaler n=0= 50 ohm, n=1= 1
meg, n= 2 = prescale. Prescalers can only be used in freq and per modes.
TMOD(?) i{,j} Sets autolevel on/off. 0 = auto off, 1 = auto on.
TSLP(?) i{,j} Set the trigger slope to 0 = positive, 1 = negative.
Measurement Control Commands
*TRG Device trigger, same as pushing start button

ARMM(?) j Sets the arming mode
0 +- time
1 + time
2 1 period
3 0.01 s gate
4 0.1 s gate
5 1.0 s gate
6 ext trig +- time
7 ext trig + time
8 ext gate/trig holdoff
9 ext 1period
10 ext 0.01 s gate
11 ext 0.1 s gate
12 ext 1.0s gate
AUTM(?) j Sets/resets autostart of measurements. 0 = off,1= on

COMP Complements parity in +-time arming
DREL(?) j Sets/clears the display REL. 0 = clear, 1 = set, 2 = clear REL and display, 3=
set rel to position of cursor.
GATE(?) x Sets the value of the frequency, period, of count gate to x. x may bebetween
1ms and 500s in a 1,2,5 sequence. If x < 0 a externally triggered gate of
length x is set.
JTTR(?) j Sets variance type to 0 = std dev, 1= Allan variance.

xii Abridged Command List
MODE(?) j Sets the instrument mode to 0 = time,1 = width, 2=tr/tf, 3 = freq, 4 = period, 5
= phase, 6 = count.
SIZE(?) j Sets the number of samples.
SRCE(?) j Sets the measurement source to 0 = A, 1= B, 2= REF, 3 = ratio.
STRT Same as pushing start button.
STOP Same as pushing stop button.
Data Commands
MEAS? j Startts a measurement and returns the result when it is complete. If j=0 the
mean is returned, j=1 returns the jitter, j=2 returns the max, and j=3 the min.
XALL? Returns mean,rel,jitter,max,min of a measurement.
XAVG? Returns the mean of measurement.
XJIT? Returns the jitter of a measurement.
XMAX? Returns the max of a measurement.
XMIN? Returns the min of a measurement.
XREL(?) x Sets the value of the display rel to x.
XHST? j Returns section j of the histogram display as 4 byte binary integers.j=0 to 9.
HSPT? j Return the value of the point n on the histogram. j=1 to j = 250. Returns
9E20 if graph is blank.
SCAV? j Returns the value of point n (1 - 250) of the mean stripchart or the value of
scan point j. returns 9E20 if the stripchart is blank or the scan has not
reachedpoint j.
SCJT? j Returns the value of point n (1 - 250) of the jitter stripchart or the value of
scan point j. returns 9E20 if the stripchart is blank or the scan has not
reached point j.
BDMP j Binary dumps j points. Sample size = 1.
Scan Commands
ANMD(?) j Sets the DAC output mode of the mean and jitter DAC's to 0 = chart/chart, 1=
DAC/chart, 2= chart/DAC,3 = DAC/DAC.
DBEG(?) j Sets the delay scan start position to 1-50000 step sizes after the external
trigger
DSEN(?) j Enables the internal delay scan . 0 = delay off, 1=delay hold, 2 = delay scan.
DSTP(?) x Sets the delay scan step size to 1,2,5 x 10 -2,-3,-4,-5,-6. 1 x 10 –2 is the
maximum step size.
HOLD(?) x Sets the hold time between scan points from .01s to 1000 s in .01 s steps
SCAN Clears and restarts a scan.
SCEN(?) j Enables scanning. 0 = disabled,1= single scan mode 2 = repeat scan mode
SCLR Clears the scan.
SLOC? Returns the number of the last completed scan point. Returns 0 if no points
are complete.
SCPT(?) j Sets number of scan points to 2,5,10,25,50,125,250.
VBEG(?) j,x Sets the DAC output scan starting voltage. If scans are disabled or the step
size is zero the output is immediately set to the new voltage. Otherwise, the
voltage is updated at the start of the next scan.
VOUT? j Reads the current output voltage of DAC channel j.
VSTP(?) j,x Sets the DAC scan step size to x volts.
Graphics Control Commands
AUTP(?) j Sets the autoprint mode to 0 = off or 1 = on.

AUTS Autoscales the displayed graph.
CURS (?) j Sets the cursor position to j.
DGPH(?) j Sets the displayed graph to 0 = histogram,1= mean,2 = jitter
GCLR Clears the displayed graph.

Abridged Command List xiii
GENA(?) j Turns graphs 0 = off, 1 = on.

GSCL(?) j,x Sets the graph scales. j = 0 = histogram verticalscale,j=1= histo
horizontal,j=2=histo bins,j=3= mean graph scale,j = 4= jitter graph scale. x =
units per division or # bins.
PDEV(?) j Sets output device to 0 = printer, 1= plotter.
PLAD(?) j Sets the plotter GPIB address.
PLPT(?) j Sets the plotter port to 0= RS232 , 1= GPIB.
PLOT Initiates a print/plot
PCLR Clears plots/prints
Front Panel Control
DISP(?) j Sets the display source. 0=MEAN,1=REL,2=JITTER,3=MAX

4 =MIN, 5 = TRIG, 6 = DVM's
EXPD(?) j Set the x1000 expand status in freq and per mode 0 = off, 1 = on
KEYS(?) j Simulates a keypress, or reads the most recently pressed key
Rear Panel Control
CLCK(?) j Sets the clock source. 0 = internal, 1= external.

CLKF(?) j Sets the external clock frequency. 0=10MHz,1= 5MHz.
PORT(?) j Sets/reads the binary I/O port when enabled.
PRTM(?) j Sets the printer port mode. 0 = print, 1 = input,2 =output.
RNGE(?) i{,j} Sets the full scale voltage of DVM input i.
VOLT? j Reads DVM channel 0 or 1.
Interface Control Commands
*RST Clears instrument to default settings.

*IDN? Returns the device identification .
*OPC(?) Operation complete common synchronization command. Either sets a status
bit or returns a value when all operations (scans , prints, measurements) are
complete.
*WAI Wait synchronization command. Holds off further command execution until all
in progress operations (scans, prints,measurements) are complete.
ENDT {j,k,l,m} Sets the RS232 end transmission terminator
LOCL j Sets the RS232 local/remote function. 0 = local, 1=remote, 2 = local lockout
WAIT(?) j Sets the RS232 intercharacter time delay.
Status Reporting Commands
*CLS Clears all status registers.

*ESE(?) j Sets/reads the standard status byte enable register.
*ESR? {j} Reads the standard status register, or just bit j of register.
*PSC(?) j Sets the power on status clear bit. This allows SRQ'son power up if desired.
*SRE(?) j Sets/reads the serial poll enable register.
*STB? {j} Reads the serial poll register, or just bit n of register.
EREN(?) j Sets/reads the error status enable register.
ERRS? {j} Reads the error status register, or just bit n of register.
STAT? {j} Reads the TIC status register, or just bit n of register.
TENA(?) j Sets/reads the TIC status enable register.
STUP? Returns the complete setup in one string.
Calibration Control (NOTE: these commands are not needed during normal operation)
$TAC? j Reads the value of the time-to-amplitude converters.

$PHK? j Sets the printer handshake lines.

xiv Abridged Command List
$POT? j Reads the value of trigger pot j

*CAL? Starts autocal and returns status when done.
*TST? Starts self-test and returns status when done.
BYTE(?) j,k Reads/sets linearization byte values.
WORD(?) j,k Reads/sets cal words.

Quick Start Instructions 1
Quick Start
Use this procedure as a quick orientation to MEAN. The REL LED will turn on and the
the instrument's features and capabilities. If display will show a mean value within a few ps
you encounter problems, read the detailed of zero. An 'r' appears on the display to
discussions on operation or see the indicate a relative value.
troubleshooting section.
6) Press the DISPLAY down-key to show each of
the following:
1) Make sure that the correct line voltage has MEAN 0+-100 ps (The REL is set)
been selected on the rear panel power entry REL 500 us +-100 ps
module. JITTER 5-20 ps
MAX Erratic, but usually <100 ps
2) With the unit's power switch on "STBY", hold MIN Erratic, but usually <100 ps
the "CLR" key in the "DISPLAY" section down TRIG +-5 V per the three level knobs
and turn the unit "ON". This will return all of DVM Within 5 mV of zero.
the instrument settings to their default state.
The message, "SELF TEST PASS" should 7) Configure an oscilloscope for the X-Y display
briefly appear. mode with the horizontal and vertical inputs
set for dc coupling ( not 50 Ohms ) and 1 V/div
Note: The fan will not run until the unit warms sensitivity. If the scope has scale factor
up. The red LED labeled "CLOCK" in the displays, turn them "off", and set the 20 MHz
CONFIG section may stay on for a few bandwidth limit. Center the beam in the middle
minutes. The red LED's labeled "START" and of the screen and attach the inputs to the X-Y
"STOP" may blink if no inputs are applied. display outputs on the rear panel of the
SR620.
3) Press the MODE down key once to select the
WIDTH mode. Press the source key twice to 8) Press the AUTO key in the SCOPE AND
select REF ( the 1 kHz REFerence ) as the CHART section to scale the display. If the
signal source. After 1/2 hour warmup, the DISPLAY REL is set, the HISTOgram of the
display should read 500 us +- 1 ns. If the pulse widths will be displayed with about 20
displayed value is outside this range see ps/div horizontal resolution.
instructions for running the AUTOCAL
procedure. 9) In the SCOPE AND CHART section, press the
display button to change from HIST to MEAN.
4) Press the SAMPLE SIZE up-key five times to Press the AUTO button to scale the display.
select a sample size of 500. This will slow the The scope will now show a 'strip chart' of the
display update rate to 2 Hz, and provide a mean values for each set of measurements.
more consistent MEAN value. Now select JITTER and press AUTO to
display a 'strip-chart' of standard deviations for
5) Press the SET key in the DISPLAY section to the scope display.
set the REL offset to the current value of the

2 Instrument Overview
Introduction Frequency gating modes include fixed gates of

one period, 0.01 s, 0.1 s, 1 s, Externally triggered
The SR620 Time Interval Counter can do a variety fixed gates, External gates, Externally triggered
of time interval and frequency measurements. The adjustable gates from 1 us to 10 ms. Gates which
instrument's high single-shot timing resolution, are externally triggered may be delayed and
low jitter, and reciprocal counting architecture scanned by 1 to 50,000 gate widths to allow
allow rapid, high resolution measurements. transient frequency measurements.
Modes of Operation Statistics
Time Intervals between the A and B inputs may The SR620 will compute and display statistics for
be measured with 4 ps LSD, 25 ps rms resolution, sample sizes of one to one million . The mean,
100 ps relative accuracy, and 1ns absolute standard deviation or Allan variance, minimum
accuracy. Time intervals from -1ns to 1000 s or +- and maximum deviations may be displayed.
1000 s may be measured. Statistics are available for all modes of operation.
Displayed values may be offset by the REL for
Pulse Widths of either input may be measured. measurements relative to a previous mean value.
The start and stop thresholds are set separately.
The resolution, jitter, and accuracy are the same Scope Displays and Hardcopy
as for Time interval measurements.
The SR620 can display histograms and strip
Rise and Fall Times of either input may be charts on any xy scope. Histograms show the
measured. The start and stop thresholds may be distribution of values within a group of
set with 10 mV resolution. The 350 MHz measurements. Strip charts of the previous 250
bandwidth of the inputs allows measurements of mean values or deviations show data trends.
rise and fall times down to 1 ns. Hardcopy of scope displays may be made to
printers or plotters via rear panel Centronics,
Frequencies from 0.001 Hz to 1.3 GHz may be RS232 or GPIB ports.
measured. The SR620 will provide 11 digits of
resolution when a one second gate is used. Reference Output
Frequencies above 300 MHz may be measured on
either input using the UHF prescalers. NanoHertz The front panel REF OUT provides a precision
resolution is available in the x1000 display mode. 1KHZ square wave at TTL or ECL levels. This
source may be used for calibration, and is a
Periods may be measured with femtosecond convienent trigger for many types of
resolution. Period measurements are done the measurements.
same way as frequency measurements, except
the reciprocal of frequency is reported to the DVM's and DAC Outputs
display.
Two rear panel DVM inputs allow dc voltage
The Phase between the signals on the A and B measurements with 0.3% accuracy on 2 or 20 V
input may be measured with 0.001° resolution. full scale ranges. The inputs may be displayed on
The phase shift between signals from 0.001 Hz to the front panel or read via the RS232 or GPIB
100MHz may be measured. interfaces.
The Count mode is used to count input Two DAC outputs default to output voltages
transistions during a gate. Count rates up to 300 proportional to the mean and jitter readings to
MHz will be tallied. drive analog strip chart recorders. The DAC output
voltages may also be set or scanned from the front
Arming and Gating panel of through one of the computer interfaces.
Each of these modes are supported with powerful Computer Interfaces

arming and gating modes. Time arming modes
include: +Time, +Time External, +Time External Both GPIB and RS232 interfaces allow complete
with Stop Holdoff, +-Time, and +-Time External. control of the instrument. A fast binary dump
mode allows up to 1500 measurements per
second to be taken and transfered to a computer.

Front Panel Operation 3
FRONT PANEL OPERATION
The SR620 Universal Time Interval Counter can perform an extremely wide variety of time interval and
frequency measurements. The SR620 is designed so that the values of virtually all of the important
measurement parameters are visible at a glance on the front panel. Setting the SR620 to perform a particular
measurement can be separated into three steps: choosing the measurement, choosing the output display,
and setting the inputs. The SR620 is different than most counters in that a "measurement" consists of from 1
to 1,000,000 "samples" and the SR620 reports statistical information on these samples. The SR620 can
report the mean , jitter, maximum , and minimum values found in a measurement.
CHOOSING THE MEASUREMENT
SETTING THE MODE modes. The various modes relevant to each

particular type of measurement are treated in
Pressing the MODE up and down arrow keys sets detail in the ARMING section of this manual. A
the measurement type. The SR620 can measure summary of the arming modes is given on the next
time intervals, pulse widths, pulse rise and fall page.
times, frequency, period, phase, and can count
events. The ARMING section has detailed SELECTING THE NUMBER OF SAMPLES
explanations of the modes.
The sample size up and down arrow keys select
SETTING THE SOURCE between 1 and 1,000,000 samples for the
measurement.
The source key selects the signal source for a
particular measurement. In time interval mode the STARTING AND STOPPING MEASUREMENTS
source specifies which input will "start" the time
interval. Normally the start source is channel A, The "START" and "RESET" keys start and stop
but channel B, and the 1kHz REF output may also measurements. Press the "START" key to start a
be selected. The other input then "stops" the time single measurement. The "BUSY" LED will remain
interval. In pulse width, frequency, period, and on while the measurement is in progress. When
counts the source may be A, B, or the 1kHz REF. the measurement is finished the SR620 will
Additionally, in frequency, period, and count display the results and stop. Press and hold the
modes if both the A and B LEDs are on the RATIO START key to turn on the "AUTO" LED and
A/B is measured. In rise/fall time mode only A and "automeasure". When automeasure is on the
B may be the source, while in phase mode the SR620 will automatically start a new measurement
phase of B relative to A is always measured. when the present one is complete. Press the
"RESET" key to terminate the present
SETTING THE ARMING MODE measurement. Press and hold the "RESET" key
to turn the "AUTO" LED and automeasure off.
"Arming" controls the conditions under which a
sample is started and stopped. The arming mode
is chosen using the ARMING up and down arrow
keys. The SR620 has a large selection of arming

4 Front Panel Operation
SUMMARY OF ARMING MODES
mode arming mode LED indication
time +TIME +TIME LED on

+TIME EXTERNAL +TIME and EXT LEDs on *
+TIME EXTERNAL STOP HOLDOFF +TIME, EXT, and HLDF LEDs on *
±TIME ± TIME LED on

±TIME COMPLEMENT ±TIME and CMPL LEDs on
±TIME EXTERNAL ±TIME and EXT LED on *
width,rise/fall time +TIME +TIME LED on

+TIME EXTERNAL +TIME and EXT LED on *
+TIME EXTERNAL STOP HOLDOFF + TIME, EXT, and HLDF LEDs on *
frequency,period 1 PERIOD 1 PERIOD LED on

0.01s gate 0.01s LED on **
ext gate EXT LED on *
ext 1 PERIOD EXT and 1 PERIOD LEDs on
ext 0.01s gate EXT and 0.01s LEDs on **
phase +TIME +TIME LED on

EXT EXT LED on *
count 0.01s gate 0.01s LED on **

ext gate EXT LED on *
NOTES:
* arming delay or scanning delay/gate may be used in this mode (see CONFIGURATION MENU and
ARMING sections). The EXT LED will flash if scanning is enabled.
** the gate time LED will flash if gate width multiplier is not equal to 1 (see CONFIGURATION MENU
and ARMING sections).

CHOOSING THE OUTPUT DISPLAY
The SR620 can display statistical information pressing the "CLR" button. Normally the REL is
about the measurement of N samples. The set to the value of the mean when the "SET"
SR620 computes and reports the mean, standard button is pressed. However, the REL may be set
deviation or root Allan variance, minimum, and to an arbitrary value using the ZOOM feature
maximum values seen during the measurement. described in the GRAPHICS ZOOM section below.
The equation for the statistical functions are given Pressing the "CLR" button with the REL off clears
by: the display.
JITTER: displays either the standard deviation

(display prefaced by "d") or Allan variance (
display prefaced by "A"). The statistic that is used
is set in the CONFIGURATION MENU.
MAX: displays the maximum sample found in this

measurement. If the display is prefaced by "r"
then a relative reading is displayed and the value
displayed is the max minus the REL.
MIN: displays the minimum sample found in this

measurement. If the display is prefaced by "r"
then a relative reading is displayed and the value
displayed is the min minus the REL.
TRIG: displays the trigger level set by the EXT, A,

and B trigger knobs (The full scale range of the
knobs may be set in the CONFIGURATION
SETTING THE FRONT PANEL DISPLAY
MENU.).
The DISPLAY up and down arrow keys control
what is displayed on the 16 digit LED display. All DVM: displays the voltage values at the rear panel
of the statistical data is always calculated and may DVM inputs.
be viewed by scrolling through the displays. The
settings are: Pressing both the up and down arrow keys
together toggles the x1000 expand on and off in
MEAN: displays the mean value of the frequency and period mode. In frequency mode
measurement. If the display is prefaced by "r" the x1000 expand moves the decimal point 3
then a relative reading is displayed and the value places to the left and displays frequencies with
displayed is the mean minus the REL. nHz resolution. The maximum frequency
measurable in this mode is 1 MHz. In period
mode the x1000 expand moves the decimal point
REL: displays the value of the REL. The REL is
3 places to the left and displays periods with fs
set by pressing the "SET" button and is cleared by

resolution. The maximum period measurable in that the data fits on the screen. In histogram
this mode is 1 s. mode the actual scaling of the graph does not
occur until the next measurement is complete.
In both period and frequency modes the statistical The scale may also be adjusted manually.
data is displayed with the number of significant Pressing the up and down arrow keys with the
digits allowed by the SR620's resolution. Using normal display on the 16 digit LEDs will adjust the
longer gate times increases the resolution. vertical scale on the displayed graph. In the
histogram mode , incrementing the vertical scale
GRAPHICS OUTPUTS past the largest value (200,000 / div) will change
the vertical scale to a log scale. To view the
In addition to the 16 digit LED display the SR620's scales on the LED display press the "DISP"
scope and chart outputs may be used to give the button. First, the cursor position (discussed
user alternative methods of viewing the data. below) will be displayed. Pressing the button
again will display the vertical graph scales in the
SCOPE OUTPUTS appropriate units. In the histogram mode pressing
the button again will display the horizontal scale
The SR620 may be attached to an oscilloscope and then the number of bins. The scales may be
operating in x-y mode to provide a graphical adjusted using the up and down arrow keys.
presentation of the output data. The oscilloscope When the REL is set the graphs are centered
should be set in x-y mode with sensitivities set to about the REL and, thus, very fine detail may be
1V/div and the SR620's x and y rear panel observed on a large number.
outputs attached.
GRAPHICS CURSOR
GRAPH TYPES
The displayed graphs have a moveable cursor that
The SR620 can then display either a histogram of allows one to read the values of individual points
number of samples vs. measured parameter for on the screen. The cursor is represented on
the samples within a measurement, a stripchart of screen by a dotted line. The cursor is moved by
mean values for successive measurements, or a pressing the "DISP" button to display the cursor
stripchart of jitter values for successive position and using the up and down arrow keys to
measurements. In histogram mode a new graph move it about. The cursor x position is displayed
will be displayed after each measurement of N on the LED display ( in the correct units of s, Hz,
samples is complete, showing the distribution of etc.) for the histogram display and measurement
samples in that measurement. In the stripchart number for the stripcharts. Both the x and y
modes a new point will be added to the graph after positions are displayed on the scope screen.
each measurement indicating the mean and jitter
values for that measurement. The display desired GRAPHICS ZOOM
is chosen by pressing the select button below the
indicator LEDs. The data for all three graphs are The SR620 has a feature which allows one to
saved so that all of the graphs may be viewed by zoom in on any feature in a displayed histogram,
cycling through the three choices. The data, the this feature also allows the REL to be set to any
scale values, and the cursor position are all value desired. First, press the DISP button to
displayed on the scope screen. In the stripchart display the cursor position. Then, move the cursor
modes up to 250 points will be displayed. When until it is at the desired position ( or the cursor
the display fills up new data will start to overwrite value is the desired REL value if setting the REL).
the old starting from the left. The graph may be Push the "SET" button. This will set the REL to
cleared by pressing the CLR button below the the cursor position. Now, adjust the graph
PRINT button. horizontal scale to get the magnification desired.
If setting the REL value, note that the amount that
SCALING GRAPHS the cursor value changes for each press of the
arrow keys is determined by the horizontal
In histogram mode the vertical scale, horizontal histogram scale and that the scale may have to be
scale, and number of bins may be adjusted. In the adjusted to get the REL value desired.
stripchart modes the vertical scales may be
adjusted. The easiest way to scale the graphs is
to press the "AUTO" button to autoscale the graph.
Autoscale will automatically adjust the scales so

HARDCOPY OUTPUT faster than the printer can print them. A print or
plot may be aborted by pressing the "CLR" button
The displayed graph may be copied to either an under the PRINT button. Pressing and holding the
Epson compatible graphics printer or a HP-GL CLR button will turn off autoprint. If the message
compatible plotter by pressing the "PRINT" key. "print error" or "plot error" appears while printing or
The SR620 will continue to take data while the plotting please refer to the TROUBLESHOOTING
hardcopy is being generated. If a second print/plot section.
request is made (by pressing the button or a
programming command) before the current copy is CHART OUTPUTS
finished the SR620 will stop taking data until the
current copy is done. This is to avoid corrupting In addition to the scope outputs the SR620 also
the second copy as the SR620 only has a 1 deep has two rear panel analog outputs designed to go
graphics output queue.The output device (printer to analog chart recorders. One output puts out a
or plotter) is chosen in the CONFIGURATION voltage proportional to the mean of the
menu (see that section for detail). When using a measurement while the other output puts out a
printer the SR620 may be put into autoprint mode voltage proportional the jitter of the measurement.
by pressing and holding the PRINT key until the The output range is 0-8V corresponding to the 8
"AUTO" LED turns on. In autoprint mode the vertical scope divisions. The scale is the same as
SR620 will automatically print every histogram or a the scope scales. In the cases where zero is at
new stripchart each time the stripchart fills up. the center of the scope screen (the REL is set, for
There is no autoprint when using a plotter because example) zero will correspond to 4 volts output.
the paper needs to be changed. In autoprint mode The chart outputs may also be configured as
the speed of the printer may determine the general purpose D/A outputs (see
measurement rate if new graphs are generated CONFIGURATION MENU section).
Sample Histogram. The graph scales are 20ps/div in the horizontal direction and 10 /div
in the vertical. The REL is 500.000023 us and is at the center of the graph. This
measurement has a mean value 6ps greater than the REL and a standard deviation of
9ps. The cursor (dotted line) is at the REL and there are 46 events in that bin.

Sample mean value graph. Each point corresponds to the mean value from one
measurement. The vertical scale is 10 Hz/div. The measurements are relative to a REL
of 10.022176 kHz. The REL is at the center of the graph. The cursor (dotted line) shows
that measurement number 67 was 1.635 kHz below the REL.
Sample jitter stripchart. This graph shows the jitter associated with each measurement
above. The vertical scale is 10 Hz/div. The cursor is at measurement number 165 and
the jitter value there is 32.6 Hz.

SETTING THE INPUTS
SETTING TRIGGER LEVELS SETTING TRIGGER SLOPES
The trigger levels are set by rotating the trigger The A and B inputs can be set to trigger on either
level adjust knobs. These knobs may have a full a rising or falling edge by pressing the "SLOPE"
scale range of ±5.00V, ±2.50V, or ±1.25V. The buttons. The EXT input can be set to rising edge
full scale range is set in the CONFIGURATION or falling edge by pressing the "LOGIC" button. If
menu (see that section of the manual for details). the EXT input is being used to supply a gate pulse
In all cases the trigger level resolution is 10mV the SR620 will use the time above threshold as
and the actual level may be displayed on the front the gate if POSitive logic is selected and the time
panel. The trigger inputs have about 40mV of below threshold as the gate if NEGative logic is
hysteresis and the trigger levels are corrected for selected.
this hysteresis so that the inputs will trigger at the
selected voltage independent of the selected INPUT TERMINATION
trigger slope.
The EXT, A, and B input may all be terminated in
The LED's above the trigger knobs will flash when either 1MOhm or 50 Ohms by pressing the
the input comparator triggers. The A and B inputs "INPUT" or "TERM" buttons. If the inputs are
may also be set to autolevel by rotating the knobs terminated in 50 ohms and the input signal
completely counter-clockwise. The "AUTO" LED exceeds ±6V peak the 50 Ohm terminator will
under the knob will come on and the trigger automatically be removed to prevent damage to
threshold will automatically be set to the midpoint the terminator. When this overload condition
of the signal. Autolevel will work for a signal faster occurs the 50 ohm LED will flash.
than about 10Hz and a duty cycle greater than
about 0.0001%. The autolevel circuit will not UHF PRESCALERS
change the trigger level until the input stops
triggering for more than 1/2 second. Then it will In frequency and period modes the input signal
try to reset the trigger level to a new value. The may be fed to the SR620's UHF prescalers to
red LEDs behind the words "START" and "STOP" measure signals between 40MHz and 1.3GHz. To
will flash each time the autolevel circuit tries to engage the prescalers press the "INPUT" button
adjust the trigger threshold. for the desired channel repeatedly until the UHF
LED comes on. The sensitivity of the prescalers
NOTE: in width and rise/fall time modes, which may be adjusted by adjusting the channel A and B
use only one input, the A trigger knob sets the trigger knobs. Setting the knobs for 0V or to
start trigger voltage and the B trigger knob sets the autolevel will set the sensitivity to maximum.
stop trigger voltage. Setting the knobs to 5V will reduce the sensitivity

to about 200mV rms. Both positive and negative TIMEBASE INPUT AND OUTPUT
settings of the knob have the same effect. The
sensitivity adjustment is useful because at A rear panel BNC outputs the SR620's 10MHz
maximum sensitivity the prescalers will self- clock. This output supplies approximately 1V pk-
oscillate with no signal input. With an input, pk into a 50 ohm load. Another BNC allows the
however, this is not a problem, but by reducing the input of a 5 or 10 MHz external timebase. This
sensitivity slightly these oscillations will disappear. input presents a 1 kOhm load to the signal. The
SR620 can then phase-lock its internal timebase
INPUT COUPLING to this external source. See the
CONFIGURATION MENU chapter for detail on
The A and B inputs may be either AC or DC using an external timebase.
coupled by pressing the AC/DC button. The
coupling is independent of the input termination DVM INPUTS
impedance. The EXT input is always DC coupled.
The SR620 has two rear panel DVM inputs.
REFERENCE OUTPUT These 1 MOhm differential inputs allow the
SR620 to measure DC voltages on either a 2V or
The front panel REF output puts out a 1kHz 50% 20V full scale range. The SR620 can either
duty cycle square wave synchronized to the autorange the inputs (default) or they may be set
SR620's internal 10MHz clock. This output may to a fixed scale. See the CONFIGURATION
provide 4V into high impedance or 2V into 50 MENU chapter for detail on setting the DVM
Ohms, or ECL levels into 50 Ohms. An example scales.
of the use of this output is to set the mode to
measure the time from REF to B. If a cable is then
connected from the REF output to B the cable
delay may be directly measured.

Sample Arming 11
SAMPLE ARMING
The SR620 Time Interval counter has a wide When REF is used as the Start source, the rising
variety of arming modes that allow the user great edge of REF is used when a positive slope is
flexibility in controlling the desired measurement. selected for the A input, and the falling edge is
The various measurement modes and their used when a negative slope is set. In this case,
respective arming modes are discussed in detail the threshold knob above the A input has no effect
below. on operation.
NOTE: references to delayed or scanning gates TIME INTERVAL ARMING

are discussed at the end of this section
There are several arming modes for Time interval
TIME MODE measurements. The arming mode controls when
the instrument will be ready to take a sample. Start
In this mode, the unit measures the time interval and Stop pulses are ignored when the instrument
between a Start and a Stop pulse. The time is not armed. The ARM LED will turn on when the
interval is a positive number if the Start occurs unit is armed. The SR620 remains busy for about
before the Stop and negative if the Stop occurs 800us after receiving a Start/Stop pair and may
before the Start. The SOURCE LED's indicate the not be rearmed during this time.
source of the START pulse.
+TIME MEASUREMENTS (-1ns to 1000s)
Source LED Start Source Stop Source
A A B In +TIME arming the Start input is armed as soon
B B A as the instrument is ready and Stop is armed
REF REF B when a Start is received. In this mode only a
positive or zero time interval may be measured.
(The knobs which are directly above each input
set the voltage threshold for that input when in the
TIME mode.)
Usually, A will be selected as the Start source and

the time interval from A to B will be measured. The
internal 1kHz REF output may be selected in
cases where the front panel REF out will be used
to trigger an event, and the "event" will provide a
Stop pulse to the B input. A simple example of this
would be the measurement of cable lengths. The
length of a cable may be measured by selecting In +TIME EXTERNAL mode the Start input is
REF as the Start source, and connecting the cable enabled by the GATE and Stop is armed by Start.
between the REF output and the B input. A delay from an EXT input may be set or scanned
in the CONFIG menu, otherwise the EXT input will
be the trigger.
Time Arming Mode Function
+TIME Start arms automatically, Stop is armed by Start

+TIME EXTERNAL Start is armed by EXT input, Stop armed by Start
+TIME EXTERNAL STOP HOLDOFF Start is armed by leading edge of EXT input and the Stop is
armed by the trailing edge.
±TIME Starts and Stops are armed by Start/Stop pair

±TIME COMPLEMENT Starts and Stops are armed by Stop/Start pair
±TIME EXTERNAL Starts and Stops are armed by EXT input

12 Sample Arming
and Stop are both 1 KHz square waves, with the

Stop edge following the Start edge by 1 uS, then
the unit will report a Time interval of either +1 us or
-999 us. In the ±TIME and ±TIME COMPLEMENT
modes the start and stop inputs are armed by
parity, that is, the reception of either a Start/Stop
pair or a Stop/Start pair of pulses. By changing
between these two modes one may choose to
measure either the time from Stop to the next Start
or Start to the next Stop. Since the parity of the
input signals is randomly determined at power-up
there is no way to specify which arming mode will
correspond to which measurement. But by
changing between these modes both
TIME EXTERNAL with HOLDOFF is similar measurements may always be obtained.
except that Stops are not enabled until the trailing
edge of the EXT input. A particular Stop pulse
may be selected to end the time interval by using
the EXT input to inhibit, or holdoff, the Stop input.
An example of this might be measuring the time
from the index mark on a hard disk drive to a
particular data bit. By adjusting the holdoff time
one could measure the time to any data bit instead
of just the first one.
The trigger may be delayed or scanned from an

EXT trigger input by setting SCAN parameters in Alternately, one may arm a ±Time measurement
the CONFIG menu. A blinking EXT LED indicates with a signal applied to the Ext input in which case
that the EXT is used as a trigger for the delayed the measurement that is made (Start to Stop or
gate. Stop to Start) is determined only by the
relationship of the Ext input to the Start and Stop
signals.
±TIME MEASUREMENTS (-1000s<t< 1000s) The EXT input requires about 10 ns setup prior to
the Start or Stop inputs.
In all of the ± TIME modes Starts and Stops are
armed simultaneously and so either a positive or Time intervals as a function of delay from an EXT
negative time interval may be measured. There is, trigger may be measured by using the internal
unfortunately, some ambiguity to this method of delay generator. The delay generator is triggered
arming. For periodic inputs there is no way for the by the EXT input. The trigger delay may be set or
instrument to know if the desired time interval scanned via the CONFIG Menu.
should be measured from the Start to the previous
Stop or to the next Stop. For example, if the Start

Sample Arming 13
Time interval samples may also be armed by RISE and FALL TIMES
pressing the MAN key when in the EXT arming
mode. The transition time for an input may be measured
in this mode. Either the A or B input may be
WIDTH selected as the source to be measured. The
selected source is used as the input to both
Pulse widths may be measured in the WIDTH comparators. The threshold knob above the A
mode. The pulse source may be either the A input, input is used to specify the Start voltage threshold,
the B input, or the internal 1 kHz REF source. and the knob above the B input is used to specify
the Stop voltage threshold. The rise time of the
The Start threshold and slope are set by the input is reported if positive slope is selected, and
controls just above the A input. The Stop threshold the fall time is reported if negative slope is
and slope are set by the controls just above the B selected. Either slope key changes both
input. If the Start slope is positive, the Stop slope comparators' slope LED's.
will be negative, and the time from a rising edge to
a falling edge will be measured. These controls For example, to measure the 20-80% rise time of
are not used when measuring the width of the a one volt input, the A threshold would be set to
internal 1 KHz REF. 0.20 VDC, the B threshold would be set to 0.80
VDC, and the slope would be set to positive to
As pulse widths are always positive times, only the measure the rising edge. The 80-20% transition
+TIME arming modes are available. The three time of the falling edge could be measured by
arming modes for WIDTH measurements are setting the slope to negative and adjusting the
shown here. The trigger source may be either the trigger thresholds. Reported times are not
EXT input or the EXT triggered internally corrected for the finite bandwidth of the input of
delayed/scanned gate. the instrument. The inputs have a bandwidth of
about 300 MHz, and so the 10-90% transition time
of an infinitely fast input would be reported as 1.2
ns. When measuring 10-90% transition times, the
actual transition time may be found by:
T actual = sqrt (T measured2 - 1.2 ns2 )
As transition times are always positive numbers,

only +TIME and +TIME_EXT arming modes are
allowed.

14 Sample Arming
FREQUENCY determined by the accuracy of time interval

measurements. For very short gates, the
The frequency of either the A or B inputs may be accuracy is determined by the 200ps time interval
measured in this mode of operation. The SR620 is accuracy, while for long gates the accuracy is
a "reciprocal" frequency counter. That is, it limited by the accuracy of the timebase.
measures frequency by measuring the time
interval for an integer number of cycles of the EXTERNAL gates may be applied to the EXT
input. The frequency is then equal to (number of input and may range from 5ns to 1000s, although
cycles)/(Measured Time). Since there is no the SR620 always measures for at least 1 input
fraction-of-a-cycle error ( as would be seen if the period regardless of the gate time. The setup time
unit merely counted cycles in a fixed gate ) a for an external gate is about 10 ns. Additionally,
frequency measurement can be made to 11 digits the EXT input may be used to trigger any of the
of resolution in one second. For frequencies internal gates (in this mode both the "ext" and the
between 0 and 200MHz the SR620's front end gate time LED will be on). This is useful , for
comparators may be directly used. For example, to synchronize a 0.1s gate to an external
frequencies between 200MHz and 1.3GHz the event. Additionally, gates of 1 us to 10 ms may
Ultra High Frequency (UHF) prescalers must be be scanned using the SR620's scanning facility.
used. These gates must be externally triggered. The
gate may either be fixed in time relative to the EXT
The number of cycles used in the sample is input, or may be automatically scanned at the end
determined by the GATE . The instrument will of a measurement of N samples. If scanned, the
always measure at least 1 period of the input. step size is equal to the gate width and the initial
Gates from 1ms to 500s, or EXTernal gates may delay may be set between 1 and 50000 gates
be selected from the front panel. The actual gate times. This scanning ability allows one to make
time for the internal gates is the gate time set on measurements of frequency as a function of time
the front panel multiplied by the "gate scale" set in from some event, such as the time response of a
the configuration menu. Thus if one desired a 20s VCO to a step change in control voltage.
gate one would set the gate scale to 200 and the
gate time to 0.1s (0.1s x 200 = 20s). If the "gate The RATIO of the frequencies of two inputs will be
scale" is not set to the default of 1 the gate time displayed if both the A & B source LED are on. It
led on the front panel will blink. Due to internal should be noted that the A and B frequencies are
synchronization circuitry, the frequency not measured simultaneously but are measured
measurement starts on the 2nd input edge after on alternate measurement cycles.
the gate opens and ends on the second input
edge after the gate closes. Thus, a frequency PERIOD
measurement always requires at least 2 complete
cycles of the input waveform. Period measurements are done virtually the same
way as frequency measurements, however the
The choice of GATE mode is determined mainly reciprocal of the frequency is reported instead of
by the desired resolution and measurement the frequency. Gating modes are identical to
speed. A longer gate results in a higher resolution those used in the frequency mode.
measurement with 11 digits obtainable in a one
second sample. The SR620 always adjusts the When both the A and B source lights are on, the
number of displayed digits to reflect the ratio of the periods of signals applied to the A and
appropriate resolution depending on gate time. B inputs may be displayed. Period ratios may span
The accuracy of frequency measurements is from 10-9 to 10+3.
PHASE
The phase between the A and B inputs is

measured in this mode of operation. Two
measurements are actually being done: the period
of the A input and the time interval between the A
and B inputs. For example, suppose the A and B
inputs are both 1 KHz square waves (1000us
period) with the rising edge of B coming 250us
after the rising edge of A. The unit would measure

Sample Arming 15
the period of the A input. Then it would make one DELAYED ARMING MODES
measurement of the time interval between A and
B. The result, 360 x (250us/1000us) = +90.0000 In addition to the externally triggered arming
degrees, would be reported to the LED display. modes discussed previously, the SR620 has a
Phase readings are always displayed between - method of delayed external arming in which a user
180 and +180 degrees. adjustable delay is inserted between the EXT input
trigger and the arming circuitry. This delay may be
There are two gating options in phase mode: used in any of the externally triggered arming
INTERNAL and EXTERNAL. In INTERNAL mode modes. This allows one to arm a measurement at
the gate for the period measurement is a time other than when the external trigger arrives.
automatically set to 0.01s and the time interval This would be useful, for example, if one wanted
measurement to +time. In EXTERNAL mode the to measure the frequency of an oscillator as a
gate time is determined by the width of a pulse function of time from a sudden change in
applied to the EXT input. Two pulses must be frequency. The signal that causes the change
applied to the EXT input for each complete would be the external trigger and by adjusting the
measurement: the first arms the time interval delay one could measure the frequency as a
measurement and the second gates the period function of time.
measurement. The external arming pulses must
be separated by at least 15 ms. Additionally, one
may use the EXT input to trigger the 1us to 10ms
scannable gates in order to measure phase as a
function of time for repetitive events.
COUNT
In this mode the unit will display the number of

events at the A or B inputs which occurred during
the gate. The gate choices are the same as for
frequency and period modes. As in the frequency
mode of operation, an internal gate may be
triggered by, or delayed relative to, the EXT input.
An event occurs when the input passes through
threshold with the selected slope. When both the
A and B source LED's are on, the ratio ( A/B ) of
events occurring on the two channels is displayed.

16 Sample Arming
The delay may be adjusted in step sizes ranging

from 1ms to 10ms and the total delay may be set
between 1 and 50000 steps. In modes such as
frequency, period, and +TIME EXTERNAL STOP
HOLDOFF that require an external input of some
width, the delay will be followed by a gate one step
size wide (not the width of the external trigger
pulse!). The SR620 has the ability to automatically
scan the trigger delay after each measurement.
This is discussed in the "SCANNING" section of
the "CONFIGURATION MENU" chapter of this
manual. If the delay feature is enabled the "EXT"
led in the arming section will blink.

Configuration Menus 17
CONFIGURATION MENUS
The SR620 has many control parameters that are with a "dumb" terminal. DO NOT USE THE ECHO
rarely , if ever, adjusted. These parameters are WHEN CONNECTED TO A COMPUTER,
set in the SR620's four configuration menus. The EXCEPT WHEN RUNNING A TERMINAL
configuration menus are accessed by pressing EMULATION PROGRAM!!
either the "SET" or "SEL" keys in the CONFIG
section of the front panel. The submenu selection An RS-232 dwell delay is available to interface to
line then appears and one may choose the slow computers. Each unit of delay corresponds to
submenu of interest by pressing the "SEL" key. about 2 ms of delay between characters. Add
The currently selected submenu name will flash. delay if you experience problems when using the
Pressing the "SET" key will then scroll through the SR620 via the RS-232.
lines of the selected submenu. Pressing the "SEL"
key will return one to the submenu selection Note: The RS-232 characteristics set here will not
line.The parameters displayed in each submenu affect the RS-232 port as used with a plotter. The
line may be adjusted by pressing either the "scale" port will transmit at 9600 baud, 8 data bits and no
or the "sample size" up and down arrow keys. The parity when used with a plotter.
appropriate keys will always be under the
parameter of interest. Pressing any other keys will Control Menu Items
return one to the normal data display. The four
submenus are: Line Default Display Comments
Configuration Menus 1 dAtA 00 00 00 00. ASCII(Hex) of data from

controller.
ctrl Control: GPIB and RS-232 data. 2 AddrESS 16 GPIB Address.
cAL Calibration data, Clock source. 3 rS 232 bAud 9600 RS-232 baud rate.
out Output: graphs, printer/plotter, DVM 4 rS 232 Echo oFF Turn Echo "ON" if used
scales, Jitter,gate scale,trigger scale. with terminal.
Scn Scan menu: #points, dwell, D/A and delay 5 rS 232 bitS 8 Select 7 or 8 data bits
control. per character.
6 rS 232 PAr nonE Parity bit control: select
Note: The default parameter values for all settings even, odd or none.
will be recalled if the RESET button in the 7 rS 232 dLy 0 Dwell time (x2 ms)
SAMPLE SIZE section is held down when the unit between characters.
is turned "ON". This will also recall the factory
calibration values. CALIBRATION MENU (cAL)
CONTROL MENU (ctrl) This menu is used to calibrate the instrument and
to select the source for the timebase.
The control menu allows the communications
interfaces to be configured. The GPIB address Calibration and Clock Source Menu
and RS-232 baud rates are set with this menu.
Line Default Display Comments
The first line of this menu will display the
characters received from the controller in 1 Auto cAL Press "START" key for
ASCII(Hex). The up/down keys in the SCOPE Autocal procedure.
AND CHART section may be used to scroll 2 cLoc SourcE int Select Timebase source
through the last 256 characters received. A period (int/rear).
after the right-most digit indicates the last 3 cLoc Fr -------- Specify Ext timebase
character received by the unit. frequency (5/10 MHz).
4 cALdAt 000 01947 Access to 180
The RS-232 baud rate may be set from 300 to calibration words.
19.2k baud. If the RS-232 echo is enabled, every
character sent to the SR620 will be echoed back The "Autocal" procedure is used to null insertion
to the sender. Use this only when using the SR620 delay differences between the start and stop

18 Configuration Menus
channels, and to reduce the differential non- Output Configuration Menus

linearity of the analog interpolators. It may be done
whenever the instrument is completely warmed Line Default Display Comments
up, and should be done once a year or after 1000
operating hours. It is recommended that the EXT, 1 grAPh on Enable scope displays.
A, and B inputs be disconnected while Autocal is 2 outPut PrintEr Select Printer or Plotter
running. for hardcopy.
3 Plot Port rS232 Specify RS-232 or GPIB
To run Autocal, allow the SR620 to warm up for at for plotter port.
least 1/2 hour, press the START button in the 4 PlottEr Addr 5 Specify plotter’s GPIB
SAMPLE SIZE section. This procedure may not be address.
started until the red CLOCK LED in the CONFIG 5 Pm Port- Print Set printer port mode
section goes off, otherwise a cAL Error 01 will 6 ScALE Auto Auto DVM #1 and DVM #2
result. The autocal procedure takes about two full scale range
minutes to run, and ends with the message "cAL 7 JitEr Std dEv Specify Standard
donE", then returns to taking measurements. (See deviation or Allan
the TROUBLESHOOTING if "cal errors" occur.) Variance.
The Autocal procedure may be stopped by 8 GatE ScAIE 1 sets the gate scale
pressing the "reset" key. None of the SR620's factor
calibration constants are changed until autocal is 9 trig ScAIE 5.00 sets trigger knobs full
complete so stopping in the middle will not affect scale range
the SR620's calibration.
The scope displays may be disabled by turning
The "cloc SourcE"selects the timebase source. graphs "off" in the first line of the output menu.
The up/down buttons may be used to select Turning the graphs off will reduce the dead time at
between the internal (int) or external (rear) the end of a measurement from 60 ms to about 3
timebases. If an external timebase is selected, ms.
then the frequency must be specified as either 5 or
10 MHz. When an external timebase is selected, The next line is used to select the hardcopy
the SR620 will phase-lock its crystal oscillator to device. If a printer is specified as the hardcopy
the external source. If it cannot lock to the external device, then it must be connected to the
source, then the red CLOCK LED will turn on in Centronics compatible printer port. The printer
the CONFIG section. ( This LED is ALWAYS on must be an "Epson compatible" printer, with
for the first few minutes of operation.) Failure to graphics capabilities. Virtually all printers used
phaselock may be due to any to the following: (1) with PC's will suffice. The printer may be
External reference has insufficient amplitude, connected to the SR620 with the same printer
stability, or accuracy, (2) the wrong frequency was cable which is used with a PC.
specified in the "cLoc Fr" menu, (3) the optional
ovenized oscillator needs to be adjusted to be If a plotter is specified, the plotter may be
within lock range of the external source. connected to either the RS-232 port or the GPIB
port. The port which is used for the plotter must be
The "cALdAt" line allows the user to adjust the specified in the next line of the output menu. The
SR620's 180 calibration bytes provided that the plotter should be set for 9600 baud, 8 data bits, no
"cal enable" jumper on the main circuit board is in parity, with hardware handshaking using the RS-
the "enable" position. If the jumper is in the 232 control lines "CTS" and "DTR" (this is the
"disable" position this menu line will not appear. default of most plotters). The RS-232
The meaning of these calibration bytes is characteristics which are set in the control menu
described in the CALIBRATION section of this have no effect on the RS-232 port when used with
manual. a plotter. If the GPIB port is specified for plotter
output, then the plotter's GPIB address must be
OUTPUT MENU (out) set in the next line of the output menu.
The output menu enables scope displays, selects The PRINTER PORT may be used as a general
the hardcopy device, sets the DVM scales, purpose digital I/O port. If a printer is to be used,
chooses a jitter representation, and sets gate and then this port should be setup as a printer port. If
trigger scales. the PRINTER PORT is not configured for a printer,
the message "Print diSAbLEd" will appear when

the PRINT key is pressed. When set as an output, oscillator step response, etc. The SR620 can, at
the port may be used as an 8 bit digital output port the end of each measurement of N points,
which is set by the controlling computer. When set automatically step either or both of its d/a output
as an input port, the controlling computer may voltages, and its external trigger delay (see
read the eight bits asserted at the input port. ARMING section).
Printer Port Pin Assignments The D/A scans allow measurements of timing,
frequency, phase, etc. versus an applied voltage.
Pin Name Function (Example: the frequency of a VCO as a function of
Voltage.) The D/A outputs may also be set to fixed
2 D1 Data bit I/O values in the range of +-10 VDC with 5 mV
3 D2 Data bit I/O resolution.
4 D3 Data bit I/O
5 D4 Data bit I/O Delay scans allow measurements of timing,
6 D5 Data bit I/O frequency, phase, etc. versus delay from an
7 D6 Data bit I/O external trigger. (Example: the frequency of a VCO
8 D7 Data bit I/O as a function of time after a voltage step is
9 D8 Data bit I/O applied.)
16 -INIT Printer initialization
1 -STROBE Byte output strobe Scan Configuration Menu
11 BUSY Printer busy
15 -ERROR Printer error Line Default Display Comments
14 -AUTOFEED +5V via 1 kOhm
17 -25 Chassis ground 1 ScAn EnA oFF Enable/disable delay and
voltage scans.
The "ScALE" line allows the DVM input ranges to 2 ScAn PtS 250 Set the number of point
be fixed to either 2.000 or 20.00 volts full scale. in a scan.
The default condition allows the DVM's to auto- 3 hoLd .01 Sec Set dwell time between
scale. points.
4 dA Src chrt chrt Set D/A function: strip
The "JittEr" line is used to select the chart or D/A .
representation for the jitter values. Either a 5 dA ---.--- ---.--- Set D/A voltage when
standard deviation (root of the mean squared configured as D/A
deviation, ie. rms) or the root Allan variance may 6 SteP ---.--- ---.--- Set D/A step size for
be displayed. voltage scans.
7 dELAy Scan oFF Enable/disable delay
The "gAtE ScAlE" line will appear in frequency, scans.
period, and count modes. The actual gate time for 8 gAtE-StEP 1E-6 Set gate width and step
a sample is equal to the front panel "gate time" size
setting multiplied by the gate scale. For example, 9 StArt 0.000001 Set delayed gate start
with a gate time of 0.01s and a gate scale of 5E-3 position
the actual gate time will be 0.01s x 5E-3 = 50ms.
If the gate scale is set to other than the default of 1 The scan menu is used to set and scan D/A
the gate time LED will blink. Gate scales ranging values, gate widths and gate delays from an EXT
from 1E-4 to 500 allow 1ms to 500s gates. input. The scan menu allows one to compose a
graph on an XY scope of a particular
The "trig ScAle" line allows the setting of the full measurement ( frequency, for example ) vs. time
scale range of the trigger knobs to either 1.25, or voltage.
2.50, or 5.00 volts. This allows small trigger levels
to be set more easily. The resolution is 10mV in The first line of the scan menu is used to enable
all cases. This setting does not affect the trigger scans. Scans may be turned "oFF" or set to
level range over the communications interfaces. "SingLE" or "rEPEAt". In the "single" setting the
the SR620 will take one scan and stop. In the
SCAN MENU (Scn) "repeat" mode the SR620 will automatically reset
the scan parameters at the end of a scan and start
The SR620 has a scanning capability that allows another scan. In either mode pressing the
automatic measurement of VCO tuning curves, "START" button will take a single scan point, while

automeasure will automatically take a whole scan. Line 7 is used to enable delay scans. The
In the single scan mode automeasure will SR620's scanning delay is a programmable delay
automatically be disabled at the end of the single inserted between the EXT input and the sample
scan. Pressing the "RESET " button will reset and arming circuitry. These scans will, of course,
retake a single scan point and turning off require an external trigger and the arming mode to
automeasure will pause the scan. A scan may be be set to EXT. This delay may be adjusted in step
reset by pressing the "CLR" button in the "graph" sizes ranging from 1ms to 10ms with an initial
section of the front panel. When delay scans are delay at the beginning of the scan of between 1
enabled, the function of the EXT gate/arm input and 50000 step sizes. The delay will take one
changes dramatically, and so whenever the unit is step after each scan point (a maximum of 250
first turned on, scans will always be disabled. steps in a scan). For arming modes that require a
gate the delay will be followed by a gate of one
The next line of the scan menu sets the number of step size width (see ARMING section).
points in the scan. The maximum value is 250
points, corresponding to the horizontal resolution The delay enable may be set to "off", "hold", or
of the scope display. Scans with fewer points will, "scan". In the "off" position the delay is disabled
of course, be completed in less time. Each point in and the EXT input functions normally. In the
the scan contains data from the number of points "hold" setting the delay is enabled but does not
specified in the SAMPLE SIZE. step. This allows one to delay the EXT trigger by
a known amount. If one chooses "hold" and
Line 3 allows the dwell time (hoLd) to be set. The selects "repeat" scan the SR620 will function
dwell takes place at the end of every scan point to exactly as normal except for the delay between
allow time for the D/A values and the signal source EXT and arming. The "scan" setting will scan the
time to settle. The default dwell time is 10 ms. delay by one step size after each scan point.
Longer dwells may be set if required by the NOTE: the arming mode must be set to EXT for
system under test. the delay scan to function, otherwise the delay
scan is ignored. If the delay scan is enabled the
The dA Src line sets the source for the rear panel EXT led will blink.
D/A outputs (dA Src). The default setting for these
outputs is "chrt". The default function of the D/A The gate width and delay step size is set in the
outputs is as analog outputs to strip chart (chrt) next line. Gate widths from 1 us to 10 ms may be
recorders. D/A #1 outputs a voltage proportional set in a 1,2,5 sequence.
the the MEAN value of the current measurement,
and D/A #2 outputs a voltage proportional to the The gate start position is set in the last line of the
JITTER. The scale factors for these outputs is the scan menu. The start position may be set from 1
same as those set for the scope displays. The to 50,000 gate widths. The gate delay will be
default function may be overridden by selecting increased by one gate width after each group of
"dAc" instead of "chrt", allowing the D/A voltage to measurements (per the SAMPLE SIZE).
be set and scanned.
EXAMPLE D/A SCAN
The next menu allows the D/A voltages to be set.
The up/down keys may be used to adjust the In this example, the frequency of a VCO will be
voltages from +-10 VDC in 5 mV steps. (If the plotted as a function of applied voltage. The VCO
source has been set to "dAc" and not "chrt".) The range is 1 to 6 VDC, and we want at least 200
D/A will provide a voltage as set, and the set points in the scan. The D/A #2 output will be used
voltage will be the starting point for each D/A scan. to control the VCO.
The step size taken by each D/A may be
programmed in the next line of this menu. The First, set the SR620 to measure FREQuency of
step size may be adjusted to any value from -10 to the A input with a 0.01 s gate. Select a SAMPLE
+10 volts with 5 mV resolution. For D/A scans, this SIZE of 1. Clear the DISPLAY REL and select
is the last menu line which must be set. If the step MEAN for the scope display. The rear panel output
size is set for 0.0V the D/A outputs will always be for D/A #2 is connected to the VCO under test, an
set to the programmed voltage. However, if the the VCO output is connected to the A input.
step size is not zero the D/A voltages will only be
reset when the scan is reset and the actual output In the CONFIG menu, SET lines 1 through 6 as
voltage will be that corresponding to the current follows:
scan point Vout = N*step_size + vstart.

Scan Configuration Menu for D/A Scan voltage on the x-axis, and the measured frequency
Example on the y-axis. Of course, hardcopy of the scope
display ( which shows the linearity curve ) may be
Line Display Function printed or plotted.
1 ScAn EnA rEPEAt Enable repeated D/A EXAMPLE OF A TIME SCAN

scans
2 ScAn PtS 250 Take 250 point in each In this example, the frequency of a VCO is
scan measured as a function of time after the control
3 hoLd 0.01 S Minimum hold time voltage is stepped. The front panel 1 kHz "REF
4 dA Src chrt dAc D/A #2 setup as D/A OUT" serves as the EXT trigger and as a trigger to
5 dA ---.--- 1.000 D/A #2 starts at 1.0 VDC the pulse generator that stepped the voltage to the
6 StEP -.--- 0.020 250*.02V = 5V scan VCO. An internally generated 1 us gate will be
scanned in 1 us increments to record the
Leave the CONFIG menu by pressing the frequency of the VCO as a function of time on
"RESET" key in the SAMPLE SIZE section. Then successive triggers. Clearly, for this sampling
press and hold the "START" key to turn on the technique to work, the frequency of the VCO
AUTO LED to initiate D/A scanning. After a few needs to be reproducible from trigger to trigger.
seconds, press the "AUTO" key in the SCOPE
AND CHART section to scale the scope display. The SR620 should be setup to measure the
frequency of the A input. It is important to select
Note: If the VCO stops running, then the SR620 an EXTernal gate in the GATE/ARM section. The
will stop taking data, and everything stops. Clearly, EXT LED will blink when the Delay Scan is
you should select a VCO voltage ramp so that the enabled in the CONFIG menu. Set the SAMPLE
oscillator never stops oscillating. SIZE to 10, and choose the MEAN for the scope
display. Select TTL for the REF OUT level, and
We chose D/A #2 to control the VCO so that D/A adjust the EXT trigger input threshold to 1 volt,
#1 would still be available for its default function, rising edge. Use autolevel for the A input.
to output a voltage proportional to the mean value
(frequency). This will allow an XY chart recorder to
plot the linearity curve of the VCO, with the applied
The strip chart of the

mean for the D/A scan
is shown here. In this
case, the VCO
frequency decreases as
the control voltage
increases.
The cursor shows a

frequency of 1.9632
MHz at the 104th point
in the scan.

Now use the CONFIG section to setup the scan. Then press the "RESET" key in the SAMPLE SIZE
Press the "SEL" key to select the "Scn" menu. section to exit from the CONFIG menus.The
Press the "SET" key and use the SCOPE AND SR620 will compose a scope display showing the
CHART up/down keys to setup the scan frequency of the VCO as a function of time after
parameters as follows: the rising edge of the REF OUT. If the oscillator
stops, then the scan will stop. The "AUTO" key in
Scan Configuration Menu for Example the SCOPE AND CHART section may be used to
scale the scope display, and the "PRINT" key may
Line Display Function be use to generate hardcopy.
1 ScAn EnA rEPEAt Enable repeated scans

2 ScAn PtS 250 Set 250 points per scan
3 hoLd 0.01 S Set minimum hold time
4 dA Src chrt chrt DefaultbD/A functions
5 dA --.--- --..--- Can’t set D/A voltages
6 Step -.--- -.--- Not stepping D/A’s
7 dELAy ScAn ScAn Enable delay scans
8 gAtE-StEP 1E-6 1 us gate width & step
9 StArt 0.000001 Start scan delay at 1 us
The strip chart of the

mean for the time scan is
shown here.
A pulse of 100 us
duration, delayed by 100
us from the EXT trigger,
was applied to the VCO
input of an RC oscillator.
The scan shows the
transient frequency
response of the oscillator.
The cursor indicates a

frequency of 77.34203
kHz at 210 us after the
EXT trigger input.

Specification Guide 23
SR620 SPECIFICATION GUIDE
This section provides a guide to understanding the SR620's specifications and their effect on the accuracy
and resolution of a measurement. First a little terminology-
TERMINOLOGY
LEAST SIGNIFICANT DIGIT (LSD)
The LSD is the smallest displayed increment in a measurement. The SR620 has a 4ps single-shot LSD and
thus the smallest amount that two single-shot time interval measurements may differ by is 4ps.
RESOLUTION
Resolution is the smallest difference in a measurement that the SR620 can discern. That is, the smallest
statistically significant change which can be measured by the SR620. Resolution is of primary interest in
comparing readings from the same instrument. The instrument resolution is limited by many things including
short-term timebase stability, internal noise, trigger noise,etc. Because these processes are random in
nature, resolution is specified as an rms value rather than a peak value. This rms value is the standard
deviation of the measured value. The SR620's single-shot resolution is typically 25ps rms. This number can
be improved by averaging over many measurements, or in the case of frequency and period measurements,
increasing the gate time. The single-shot LSD is always smaller than the single-shot resolution.
ERROR
Error is defined as the difference between the measured value and actual value of the signal being measured.
The error in a measurement is of primary concern when the absolute value of the parameter being measured
is important. Error consists of the random factors mentioned above and systematic uncertainties in the
measurement. Systematic uncertainties include timebase aging, trigger level error, insertion delay, etc..
Systematic errors may always be measured and subtracted from subsequent measurements to reduce the
error. The SR620's absolute error is typically less than 0.5ns for time interval measurements less than 1ms.
DIFFERENTIAL NON-LINEARITY
Absolute error is of interest in determining how far a value is from the actual value. Often only the relative
accuracy (the difference between two measurements) is important. Differential non-linearity is a
measurement of the relative accuracy of a measurement and is specified as the maximum time error for any
given relative measurement. The SR620's differential non-linearity is typically ±50ps. That means if the time
interval is changed by some amount the SR620 will report that change to within ±50ps of that change.
Graphs 1 and 2 show the SR620's typical differential non-linearity as a function of time interval. Graph 1
shows the non-linearity over the time range of 0 to 11ns. The deviations are due to the residual non-linearity
of the time-to-amplitude converters. This curve repeats every 11.11ns- the period of the time-to-amplitude
converters. Graph 2 shows the non-linearity over the time range of 0 to 11ms. For times greater than 11ms
the non-linearity is dominated by the timebase error.

24 Specification Guide
Graph 1: Differential Non-linearity for time Graph 2: Differential Non-linearity for time
differences of 0 to 11 ns. This shows the differences of 0 to 11ms.
residual non-linearity of the time-to-amplitude
converters.
TIMEBASE SPECIFICATIONS
The specifications of the timebase affect both the resolution and error of measurements made with the
SR620. A timebase may be specified by two parameters: its short-term stability and its long-term stability.
SHORT-TERM STABILITY
The short-term stability of an oscillator is a measure of the changes in the output frequency of the oscillator on
a short time scale- seconds or less. These changes in the frequency are usually random and are due to
internal oscillator noise, output level modulation,etc. These random changes in frequency affect the resolution
of the measurement just as other internal noise does. The short-term stability of an oscillator is usually
characterized by specifying either its Allan variance or its phase noise. The SR620's timebase short-term
stability is specified by its Allan variance. Specified values for 1 second gate times are:
standard oscillator oven oscillator

1.0s gate 3x10-10 5x10-12
The resolution of the SR620 is specified as resolution = ((25ps)2+ (time interval x short-term stability)2)1/2 rms
so for time interval greater than 125ms (standard oscillator) or 500ms (oven oscillator) the short-term stability
of the timebase will dominate the resolution limit of the SR620.
LONG-TERM STABILITY
The long-term stability of an oscillator is a measure of its changes in frequency over long time intervals-
hours, days, months, or years. It is the long term stability of the timebase that will ultimately limit the absolute

accuracy of the SR620 and determines the calibration interval necessary to maintain a desired error limit.
The long-term stability consists of two components: oscillator aging and oscillator temperature response. The
aging of an oscillator is the change in frequency over time due to physical changes in the components
(usually the crystal) and is usually specified as a fractional frequency change over some measurement period.
Temperature response is due to changes in the oscillator characteristics as a function of ambient temperature
and is specified as a fractional frequency change over some temperature range. The timebase for the SR620
is specified as:
standard oscillator oven oscillator

aging 1x10-6/yr 5x10-10/day
temperature response 1x10-6 0 to 50°C 5x10-9 0 to 50°C
So, for example, with the oven oscillator 30 days after calibration the oscillator may have drifted at most 30 x
5x10-10 x 10MHz = 0.15Hz. Also, a worst case temperature variation must be assumed when evaluating the
worst case error. That is, for example, the optional oscillator must be assumed to be at worst 5ppb in error
because the conditions when the SR620 was calibrated are unknown.
EXTERNAL TIMEBASES
The SR620 has a rear panel input that will accept either a 5 or 10Mhz external timebase. The SR620 phase-
locks its internal timebase to this reference. The phase-locked loop has a bandwidth of about 20Hz and thus
the characteristics the the SR620's clock, for measurement times longer than 50ms, become that of the
external source. For shorter measurement times the clock characteristics are unimportant compared to the
internal jitter (25ps rms) of the SR620. Thus, if the signal from a Cesium clock is input into a SR620 with a
standard TCXO oscillator the short-term and long-term stability of the SR620 will become that of the Cesium
clock.
TRIGGER INPUT SPECIFICATIONS

There are two ways that the inputs can affect the resolution and accuracy of a measurement. The first is
called trigger jitter and is due to random noise on the A and B input signals and the trigger input buffers. This
random noise causes the input to trigger at a time different than it otherwise would in the absence of noise.
Because this is a random process this affects the resolution just as the other random noise sources do.
Trigger timing jitter can be minimized by careful grounding and shielding of the input and by maximizing the
input slew rate. Note, however, that the slew rate is limited by the SR620's 1ns input rise time. The trigger
timing jitter can be described by the equation:
+ (Esignal )
2 2
(E internal )
Trigger Timing Jitter =
Input Slew Rate
where
E internal = internal input noise ( 350 µV rms typical )
E input = input signal noise
If the trigger level is set to a value other than the intended value the time interval measured will be in error.
This error, trigger level timing error, is a systematic error that affects only the error of the measurement and
not its resolution. The SR620's trigger thresholds are set to an accuracy of 15mV + 0.5% of value. The effect
this has on the measurement is given by:
15 mV + 0.5% of setting
Trigger Level Timing Error =
Input Slew Rate

Graphs 3 and 4 show the effects of trigger timing jitter and trigger timing level error on resolution and error.
These graphs are applicable to all measurements, not just time intervals.
Graph 3: Effect of input noise on measurement Graph 4: Effect of input slew rate on
resolution. Averaging reduces the effects of measurement error.
noise.
MEASUREMENT ACCURACY
The following equations allow one to calculate the SR620's resolution and error in the various measurement
modes. The SR620's typical specification are used in the following equations. For worst case bounds simply
replace the typical with the worst case numbers.
NOTE: The quantities added to calculate the SR620's resolution are independent rms quantities and must be
added in quadrature:
total = x 12 + x 22 + …
NOTE: "timebase error" refers to the sum of aging and temperature effects.
TIME INTERVAL, WIDTH, RISE/FALL TIME MODES:
In the time measurement modes the measurement resolution and error are given by:
N = number of samples averaged
2 2 2 2
( 25 ps ) + (time interval × short term stability ) + (start trigger jitter ) + (stop trigger jitter )
Resolution = ±
N
Error = ± resolution ± ( timebase error × time interval ) ± start trigger level error ± stop trigger level error ± 0.5 ns

FREQUENCY MODE
In frequency mode the measurement resolution and error are given by:
2 2 2
frequency (25 ps) + (short term stability × gate time ) + 2 × (trigger jitter )
Resolution = ±
gate time N
100 ps
Error = ± resolution ± ( timebase error × frequency ) ± × frequency
gate time
The SR620's typical single-shot frequency resolution as a function of gate time is shown in Graph 5. The
curves are for the standard oscillator, the optional oven oscillator, and an external high stability reference.
The input signal noise is negligible.
Graph 5: Typical frequency resolution as a function

of gate time for the SR620's three oscillator options.
PERIOD MODE
In period mode the measurement resolution and error are given by:
2 2 2
period (25 ps) + (short term stability × gate time) + 2 × (trigger jitter )
Resolution = ±
gate time N
100ps
Error = ± resolution ± ( timebase error × period) ± × period
gate time

PHASE MODE
In phase mode the measurement resolution and error are given by:

note: the gate time is 10ms in internal mode
(25 ps) + (gate time × short term stability ) + 2 × (trigger jitter )   phase × period  
2 2 2 2
Resolution = ± 0. 001° ± 360 1 + 

2
period × N   360 × gate time  
(timebase error × timeinterval ) ± start trigger level error ± stop trigger level error ± 0. 5ns
Error = ± resolution ± −8 × 360°
timebase error × period ± 1 × 10 × period
Graph 6 shows the SR620's single-shot phase resolution as a function of frequency. The resolution may be
increased by averaging.
Graph 6: Single-Shot phase resolution vs.

frequency.
COUNT MODE
The resolution and error for count mode are:
Resolution = ±1 count
Error = ±1 count

Programming Commands 29
PROGRAMMING THE SR620
The SR620 Universal Time Interval Counter may expects and the values that it will return . When
be remotely programmed via either the RS232 or the unit is controlled by a computer, the echo
GPIB (IEEE-488) interfaces. Any computer feature should be turned OFF.
supporting one of these interfaces may be used to
program the SR620. Both interfaces are active at Front Panel LEDs and data window
all times: the SR620 will send responses to the
interface which asked the question. All front and To assist in programming, the SR620 has 3 front
rear panel features (except power) may be panel status LEDs. The ACT LED flashes
controlled. whenever a character is received or sent over
either interface. The ERR LED flashes when an
Communicating with GPIB error has been detected, such as an illegal
command, or parameter out of range. The REM
The SR620 supports the IEEE-488.1 (1978) LED is lit whenever the SR620 is in a remote state
interface standard. It also supports the required (front panel locked out).
common commands of the IEEE-488.2 (1987)
standard. Before attempting to communicate with To help find program errors, the SR620 has an
the SR620 over the GPIB interface, the SR620's input data window which displays the data
device address must be set. The address is set in received over either the GPIB or RS232
the CTRL submenu of the CONFIGuration menu interfaces. This window is the first menu line in the
and may be set between 0 and 30. CTRL submenu and displays the received data in
hexadecimal format.One may scroll back and forth
Communicating with RS232 through the last 256 characters received using the
SCALE up/down arrow keys. A decimal point
The SR620 is configured as a DCE (transmit on indicates the most recently received character.
pin 3, receive on pin 2) and supports CTS/DTR
hardware handshaking. The CTS signal (pin 5) is Command Syntax
an output indicating that the SR620 is ready, while
the DTR signal (pin 20) is an input that is used to Communications with the SR620 use ASCII
control the SR620's transmitting. If desired, the characters. Commands may be in either UPPER
handshake pins may be ignored and a simple 3 or lower case and may contain any number of
wire interface (pins 2,3 and 7) may be used. The embedded space characters. A command to the
RS232 interface baud rate, number of data bits, SR620 consists of a four character command
and parity must be set. These may be set in the mnemonic, arguments if necessary, and a
CTRL submenu of the CONFIGuration menu. The command terminator. The terminator may be
RS232 delay programs the time interval between either a carriage return <cr> or linefeed <lf> on
the SR620's transmitted characters if no RS232, or a linefeed <lf> or EOI on GPIB. No
handshaking is used. The delay is equal to 2ms command processing occurs until a command
times the setting and is usually set to 0 (no delay). terminator is received. All commands function
However, some slower computers may require a identically on GPIB and RS232. Command
delay. The RS232 echo should be set OFF if the mnemonics beginning with an asterisk "*" are
SR620 is connected to a computer. It may be ON IEEE-488.2 (1987) defined common commands.
if connected to a terminal or a terminal emulation These commands also function identically on
program. RS232. Commands may require one or more
parameters. Multiple parameters are separated by
RS232 echo and no echo operation commas ",".
When the RS232 echo mode is ON the SR620 will Multiple commands may be sent on one command
echo all characters sent to it , will send linefeeds in line by separating them by semicolons ";". The
addition to carriage returns, and will return the difference between sending several commands on
prompts -> and ?> to indicate that a command the same line and sending several independent
was either processed correctly or contained errors. commands is that when a command line is parsed
The RS232 echo mode is good way to become and executed the entire line is executed before
familiar with the commands that the SR620 any other device action proceeds. This allow

30 Programming Commands
synchronization to be achieved using the sequence consists of parameters. Multiple

synchronization commands. parameters are separated by commas.
Parameters shown in {} are optional or may be
There is no need to wait between commands. The queried while those not in {} are required.
SR620 has a 256 character input buffer and Commands that may be queried have a question
processes commands in the order received. If the mark? in parentheses (?) after the mnemonic.
buffer fills up the SR620 will hold off handshaking Commands that may ONLY be queried have a ?
on the GPIB and attempt to hold off handshaking after the mnemonic. Commands that MAY NOT
on RS232. If the buffer overflows the buffer will be be queried have no?. Do not send ( ) or { } as part
cleared and an error reported. Similarly, the of the command.
SR620 has a 256 character output buffer to store
output until the host computer is ready to receive Variable i is an integer that selects an input
it. If the output buffer fills up it is cleared and an channel for the command:
error reported. The GPIB output buffer may be
cleared by using the Device Clear universal i Channel
command. 0 External input
1 A input
The present value of a particular parameter may 2 B input
be determined by querying the SR620 for its
value. A query is formed by appending a question The variables j,k,l,m, and n are also integers. The
mark "?" to the command mnemonic and omitting variable x is a real number.
the desired parameter from the command. If
multiple queries are sent on one command line All variables may be expressed in integer, floating
(separated by semicolons, of course) the answers point or exponential formats ( ie., the number five
will be returned in a single response line with the can be either 5, 5.0, or .5E1).
individual responses separated by semicolons.
The default response terminator that the SR620 IMPORTANT NOTE: ALL of the front panel
sends with any answer to a query is carriage settings to the left of the "CONFIG" button, and the
return-linefeed <cr><lf> on RS232 and linefeed JITTER type (Allan variance or standard deviation)
plus EOI on GPIB. The RS232 terminator may be are properties of the present operating mode and
changed using the ENDT command, while the are saved when the mode is changed. Thus, if the
GPIB terminator is fixed. All commands return mode is changed the previous settings of these
integer results except as noted in individual parameters in the new mode will automatically be
command descriptions. set. The programmer MUST be careful to set all
relevant parameters each time the mode is
Examples of Command Formats changed to prevent conflicts between the
presumed and actual states of the instrument.
TERM 1, 1 <lf> Sets the A channel input
impedence to 1 Mohm (2
parameters). Trigger Control Commands
TERM? 1 <lf> Queries the A input
termination (query of 2 LEVL(?) i {,x}
parameter command).
.*IDN? <lf> Queries the device The LEVL command sets, or reads, the trigger
identification (query, no threshold for channel i. If the SR620 is in the
parameters). autolevel mode, this command will turn off the
STRT <lf> Starts a measurement no autolevel mode and set the desired threshold.
parameters). The trigger level set by the LEVL command will
MODE 1 ; MODE? <lf> remain in effect until the front panel knob is
Sets mode to width (1) then rotated. In remote mode the front panel knob is
queries the mode. ignored. If the trigger level is queried (LEVL? i )
the answer returned is a floating point number with
2 digits to the right of the decimal point, for
Detailed Command List example, -1.07.
The four letter mnemonic in each command

sequence specifies the command. The rest of the

MTRG j Measurement Control Commands
The MTRG command is equivalent to pushing the *TRG

manual trigger button and only functions when the
unit is in an external arming mode. In the external The *TRG command is the device trigger common
gate modes the parameter j = 1 starts the gate and command. It functions identically to the STRT
j = 0 stops the gate. Otherwise the value of j is command and to pushing the front panel "START"
ignored. button.
The MTRG command has no effect if a ARMM (?) {j}

measurement has not been started ( a STRT
command, or front panel button push ), or is the The ARMM command selects the SR620's arming
SR620 is in holdoff at the end of a scan point. mode. The parameter j sets the mode according
to the following table. The measurement modes in
RLVL (?) {j} which a particular type of arming is allowed is also
shown
The RLVL command sets the amplitude of the
front panel reference output. The parameter j = 0 j arming mode measurement modes
selects ECL output while j = 1 selects TTL output.
0 ±time time
TCPL (?) i {,j} 1 +time time, width,rise/fall
time, phase
The TCPL command sets the ac/dc coupling of the 2 1 period frequency, period
channel A and B inputs. The parameter j = 0 3 0.01s gate frequency, period,
selects dc while j = 1 selects ac. count
4 0.1s gate frequency, period,
TERM (?) i {,j} count
5 1.0s gate frequency, period,
The TERM command selects the input termination count
of the EXT, A, and B inputs. The parameter j = 0 6 ext trig +- time time
selects 50 Ohm termination while j = 1 selects 1 7 ext trig +time time, width, rise/fall
Mohm termination. Also, in frequency and period time, phase
modes, the value j = 2 selects the UHF prescalers 8 ext gate/+ time/hldf time, width,
( the 50 ohm terminator is automatically selected frequency, period,
with the prescalers). count
9 ext triggered 1 period frequency, period
TMOD (?) i{,j} 10 ext triggered .01s gate frequency, period,
count
The TMOD command selects the trigger mode of 11 ext triggered 0.1s gate frequency, period,
the A and B inputs. The parameter j = 0 selects count
normal mode while j = 1 selects autolevel mode. 12 ext triggered 1.0s gate frequency, period,
Once autolevel is selected it will remain in effect count
until the level is set by the LEVL command, it is
turned off by the TMOD command, or the front Use of the scanning internal gate requires that the
panel knob is rotated. unit be in arming mode 6,7, or 8.
TSLP (?) i{,j} AUTM (?) {j}
The TSLP command selects the trigger slopes of The AUTM command sets the auto measurement
the EXT, A, and B inputs. The parameter j = 0 mode. The parameter j = 1 sets the AUTO mode
selects positive slope while j = 1 selects negative "ON" and the SR620 will automatically start a new
slope. measurement of N samples when the old one is
complete. The parameter j = 0 sets the AUTO
mode "OFF" and requires an individual command
to start each measurement. It is recommended
that auto measurement be OFF if a computer is
being used to take data as this allows

synchronizing of the measurements with the desired values because changing modes may
returned answers. cause them to change.
DREL (?) j SIZE (?) x
The DREL command sets the display rel and is The SIZE command sets the number of samples
equivalent to the front panel "SET REL" button. in a measurement. The parameter x may be
The parameter j = 1 sets the REL, j = 0 clears the between 1 and 10^6 in a 1,2,5 sequence. The
REL, and j = 2 clears the REL and the results of SIZE? query returns a floating point number with
the last measurement, j =3 sets the REL to the one significant digit.
current cursor position.
SRCE (?) j
COMP
The SRCE command sets the source of the
The COMP command changes the arming parity measurement. The parameter j = 0 set the source
in ± time arming mode. This command is the same to A, j = 1 sets the source to B, and j = 2 sets the
as toggling the state of the front panel COMPL source to REF. Additionally, in frequency, period,
LED. and count modes j = 3 sets the source to ratio
(A/B). In phase mode the source is fixed and may
GATE (?) x not be set while in rise/fall time REF may not be
selected as the source.
The GATE command sets the width of the
frequency, period, or count gate to x. The gate STRT
width x may range from 1ms to 500s in a 1,2,5
sequence. If the value x is negative the gate is set The STRT command is equivalent to pushing the
to an externally triggered gate of width x. If the front panel START button.
measurement mode or arming mode do not
support gates an error occurs. STOP
JTTR (?) j The STOP command resets the present

measurement and is the same as pressing the
The JTTR command sets the type of jitter "RESET" button on the front panel.
calculation. The parameter j = 0 sets standard
deviation calculation while j = 1 sets Allan
variance. It should be noted that the jitter type is a Data Transmission Commands
property of the present mode and that if the mode
is changed the jitter type may also change. MEAS? j
MODE (?) j The MEAS? query starts a measurement and

returns the result when the measurement is
The MODE command sets the instrument complete. The parameter j selects which statistic
measurement mode according to the following is to be returned.
table:
j statistic
j mode
0 mean
0 time 1 jitter
1 width 2 max
2 rise/fall time 3 min
3 frequency
4 period This command always returns the value of the
5 phase next complete measurement. Thus, if a
6 count measurement is in progress the command will
return the value of the present measurement when
Note: after setting the SR620's mode the other it is done, not a new measurement. It is
measurement parameters should be set to their recommended that automeasure be off when
using this command to ensure that the result

returned is from the measurement desired. Also, terminator). There is no separator between
no other queries should be sent between sending successive points. If the rs232 interface is being
the MEAS? query and reading its answer. used an 8 bit data word must be chosen to
correctly transmit this data. The data returned is
XALL? binned into 250 bins- not the number set by the
front panel. This command allows one to rapidly
The XALL? query returns the values of the mean, read the entire contents of the histogram display. If
rel, jitterl, max, and min of the last completed the histogram is blank the illegal numbars -0 are
measurement. These numbers are returned as returned.
one string with the individual numbers separated
by commas. The numbers are floating point HSPT? j
values with up to 16 digits of precision.
The HSPT? query returns the value of point j of
XAVG? the current histogram. J has the range 1 to 250. If
the histogram is blank this query returns the illegal
The XAVG? query returns the value of the mean value 9E20.
of the last completed measurement. The number
returned is a floating point value with up to 16 SCAV? j
digits of precision. If the REL is set the number
returned is the REL'D value. The SCAV? query returns the value of point j of
the mean graph or scan point j. J has the range of
XJIT? 1 to 250. This query returns the illegal value 9E20
if the stripchart is blank, has not reached point j, or
The XJIT? query returns the value of the jitter of the scan has not reached point j. One way to read
the last completed measurement. The number back every point of a scan is to continually send
returned is a floating point value with up to 16 the command SCAV? j until a legal value results
digits of precision. and then move on to the next point. The number
returned is a floating point number with up to 16
XMAX? digits of precision.
The XMAX? query returns the value of the SCJT? j

maximum of the last completed measurement.
The number returned is a floating point value with The SCJT? query returns the value of point j of the
up to 16 digits of precision. If the rel is set the jitter graph or scan point j. J has the range of 1 to
number returned is the REL'd value. 250. This query returns the illegal value 9E20 if
the stripchart is blank, or the scan has not reached
point j. One way to read back every point of a
XMIN? scan is to continually send the command SCAV? j
until a legal value results and then move on to the
The XMIN? query returns the value of the next point. The number returned is a floating point
minimum of the last completed measurement. number with up to 15 digits of precision.
The number returned is a floating point value with
up to 16 digits of precision. If the rel is set the BDMP j
number returned is the REL'D value.
The BDMP command puts the SR620 into its high-
XREL(?) x speed binary dump mode. j specifies the number
of points to be dumped and may range from 1 to
The XREL command sets the display REL to the 65535. THIS COMMAND FUNCTIONS ONLY ON
value x. The XREL? query returns the value of the GPIB. At the maximum baud rate RS232 would
REL. offer no speed improvement so this command is
not functional on RS232. On receipt of the BDMP
XHST? j command the SR620 does the following: (1) the
display shows the message "BINARY
The XHST? query returns section j (j=0 to 9) of the OUTPUT",(2) the SR620 automatically enters
histogram display as 4 byte binary integers least automeasure mode with a sample size of one,
significant byte first. Each section consists of the and, (3) disables the keyboard except for the
data for 25 histogram points (100 bytes total plus "RESET" key.

Once in binary dump mode the SR620 will take DBEG (?) j
data and send it to the controller as fast as it can.
Binary dump mode is terminated when: the count The DBEG command sets the start position of the
expires, the front panel reset key is pressed, or internal delay scan. The parameter j is the desired
ANY command is received. Because of the last delay in units of number of gate widths. The
restriction, the BDMP command should always be allowable range is between 1 and 50000.
the last command on a command line. The binary
data taken in this mode is NOT buffered. The DSEN (?) j
SR620 will take a data point, wait until the
controller has read the entire point, take another The DSEN command controls the enable status of
point , etc.. Thus the maximum throughput may the scanning delay. The parameter j = 0 sets the
be limited by the controller. It is recommended that delay OFF. If j =1 the delay is set to HOLD, that is
some form of direct memory access transfer be , active but fixed in position. If j = 2 the delay is
used to maximize the transfer rate. set to SCAN and will step by 1 step at the end of
each group of samples. Note that the SR620
The binary data is return as a 8 byte 2's MUST be in arming mode 6,7, or 8 for the delay
complement binary integer. The least significant scan to be functional and that an external trigger is
byte is always sent first and an EOI is sent with required. (See the SCEN command.)
the most significant byte. To convert this number
to a number with the correct units the following DSTP (?) x
must be done: 1) Convert the 2's complement
number to signed integer form, and 2) multiply by The DSTP command sets the size of the scanning
a mode dependent scaling factor. The scaling delay's step. The range of sizes that may be set is
factors are given below. between 1us and 10ms in a 1,2,5 sequence. The
Examples of the binary dump mode are given in DSTP? query returns a floating point number with
the Programming Examples section of the manual. 1 significant digit.
HOLD (?) x
Scan Control Commands
The HOLD command sets the hold time at each
ANMD (?) j scan point when in scan mode. The hold time
may range between 10ms and 1000s in 10ms
The ANMD command sets the mode of the rear increments. The HOLD? query return the hold
panel DAC outputs. The parameter j =0 sets time as a floating point number.
output #0 to produce a voltage proportional to the
measurement mean value, and DAC output #1 to SCAN
produce a voltage proportional to the jitter of the
measurement. The parameter j = 1 sets output 0 The SCAN command clears the current scan and
to be a programmable voltage source and output 1 starts a new scan. The SCAN command
to be proportional to the jitter. The parameter j = 2 automatically turns on the automeasure mode.
sets output 0 to be proportional to the mean and This command should not be used if one wants to
output 1 to be a programmable voltage source. If j manually control the acquisition of data during a
= 3 both outputs are programmable sources. scan. One should use the SCLR and STRT
commands instead.
Binary Dump Scale Factors
Time (2.712673611111111 E-12)/256 ≈ 1.05963812934 E-14

Width (2.712673611111111 E-12)/256 ≈1.05963812934 E-14
Rise/fall time (2.712673611111111 E-12)/256 ≈ 1.05963812934 E-14
Frequency (1.0 E 12)/(2.71267361111111 * 2^68) ≈ 1.24900090270331 E-9 (x1000 OFF)
Frequency (1.0 E 9)/(2.71267361111111 * 2^68) ≈ 1.24900090270331 E-12 (x1000 ON)
Period (2.712673611111111 E-12/256 ≈1.05963812934 E-14 (x1000 OFF)
Period (2.712673611111111 E-15)/256 ≈ 1.05963812934 E-17 (x1000 ON)
Phase 360.000/2^32 ≈ 8.3819032 E-8
Count 1/256
Ratio 1/2^40 ≈ 9.094947017729282 E-13

SCEN (?) j command has no effect. The new step size

becomes effective at the start of the next scan.
The SCEN command controls the enable status of
the SR620's scanning features. If j = 0 scanning is
disabled. If j = 1 the scan mode is set to SINGLE. Graphics Control Commands
In this mode the unit will automatically stop taking
data when a scan is complete. If j = 2 the scan AUTP (?) j
mode is set to REPEAT and the unit will
automatically restart the scan when the present The AUTP command sets the autoprint mode.
scan is complete. The parameter j = 1 turns autoprint ON while j = 0
turns autoprint OFF. This command returns an
SCLR error if the output device is set to plotter since
autoprinting is not allowed with the plotter ( no
The SCLR command clears but does not start a time to change the paper).
scan.
AUTS
SLOC?
The AUTS command autoscales the current
The SLOC? query returns the number of the last graph. It is the same as pushing the front panel
completed scan point. If no points have been autoscale button. Note that autoscaling of the
taken or scans are not enabled SLOC? return the histogram is not completed until the NEXT
value 0. measurement is completed.
SCPT (?) j CURS (?) j
The SCPT command sets the number of points in The CURS command sets the cursor position to j
a scan. The number may be set to one of 2, 5, 10, ( 1-250 ). If the graph is empty or the stripchart
25, 50, 125, or 250 points. has not yet reached point j an error is returned.
VBEG (?) j{,x} DGPH (?) j
The VBEG command sets the DAC output scan The DGPH command sets the displayed graph. If
start voltage. The parameter j refers to the j = 0 the histogram is displayed, if j = 1 the mean
channel desired ( 0 or 1) and x is a voltage in the stripchart is displayed, and if j = 2 the jitter
range -10.00 to +10.00 volts. If the selected stripchart is displayed.
channel is not enabled to be a general purpose
output this command has no effect. If scans are GCLR
disabled or the selected channel's voltage step
size is set to 0 the output voltage is immediately The GCLR command clears the graphs. If a scan
set to x volts. Otherwise, the voltage is set to x at is in progress GCLR does NOT clear the scan.
the beginning of the next scan. The SCLR command clears both the scan and the
graphs.
VOUT? j
GENA (?) j
The VOUT? query reads the present output
voltage of the select d/a channel. This command The GENA command sets the graph enable
can be used to monitor the stepping of the d/a status. If j = 0 the graphs are turned OFF. If j = 1
outputs during a scan. the graphs are turned ON. Turning the graphs off
can dramatically improve the SR620's
VSTP (?) j{,x} measurement throughput (see details in the
Programming Examples section).
The VSTP command sets the d/a output scan step
size. The parameter j refers to the channel GSCL (?) j{,x}
desired ( 0 or 1) and x is a voltage in the range -
10.00 to +10.00 volts. If the selected channel is The GSCL command sets the scales for the
not enabled to be a general purpose output this graphs. The parameter j selects the scale to be
set according to the following table:

j scale Front Panel Control
0 histogram vertical
1 histogram horizontal KEYS(?) j
2 histogram bins
3 mean vertical The KEYS command simulates the pressing of a
4 jitter vertical front panel key. The KEYS? query returns the
keycode of the most recently pressed key.
The parameter x is the desired units/division Keycodes are assigned as follows:
(example: for 100ns/div x = 100E-9). The scale
values are all positive numbers except that a Key keycode
negative value for the histogram vertical scale will
set the scale to log mode. An error will occur if an mode up 16
attempt is made to set the scale to an illegal value. mode down 17
This can happen, for example, for certain source 18
combinations of histogram horizontal scales and size up 25
bin sizes. size down 27
measurement start 32
PDEV (?) j measurement reset 34
display up 33
The PDEV command sets the hardcopy output display down 35
device. The parameter j = 0 set the device to set rel 40
printer while j = 1 sets it to plotter. clear rel 42
set graph 43
PLAD (?) j autoscale 41
display scales 22
The PLAD command sets the address of the GPIB scale up 20
plotter if a plotter is being used. Any address scale down 23
from 0 to 30 except the current address of the print 21
SR620 may be used. clear print 29
config select 28
PLPT (?) j config set 30
Ext slope 36
The PLPT command sets the plotter output port to Manual Trigger 31
either RS232 or GPIB. The parameter j = 0 set Ext termination 39
the port to RS232 while j = 1 sets the port to GPIB. A slope 37
A ac/dc 38
PLOT A termination 47
B slope 44
The PLOT command starts a plot or print. B ac/dc 46
B termination 45
PCLR ref level 19
set auto measure 50
The PCLR command clears any plots or prints in set autoprint 51
progress. clear automeasure 52
clear autoprint 53

DISP (?) j RNGE (?) j{,k}
The DISP command set the front panel display. The RNGE command sets the input voltage range
The parameter j controls the display as shown in of DVM input j ( j = 0,1). If k = 0 the selected
the following table: channel is set to autorange, if k = 1 the selected
channel is set to ±20V full scale, and if k = 2 the
j Display Codes selected channel is set to ±2V full scale.
0 Mean Value VOLT ? j

1 Rel Value
2 Jitter The VOLT? query reads the value of the selected
3 Maximum Value input channel (0 or 1). Values outside the fullscale
4 Minimum Value range indicate an overload condition.
5 Trigger Threshold
6 DVM inputs
Interface Control Commands
EXPD (?) j
*RST
The EXPD command sets the x1000 expand
mode in frequency and period mode. The The *RST common command resets the SR620 to
parameter j = 1 turns expand ON while j = 0 turns its default configurations. It is the same as holding
expand OFF. down "clr rel" at power on. All modes are set to
their default conditions.
Rear Panel Control *IDN?
CLCK (?) j The *IDN common query returns the SR620's

device configuration. This string is in the format:
The CLCK command sets the source of the StanfordResearchSystems, SR620, serial number,
10MHz clock. The parameter j = 0 sets the clock version number. Where "serial number" is the five
source to internal while j = 1 sets the source to digit serial number of the particular unit, and
external. "version number" is the 3 digit firmware version
number.
CLKF (?) j
*OPC (?)
The CLKF command sets the frequency that the
SR620 expects at the external clock input. The The *OPC (operation complete) common
parameter j = 0 sets a 10MHz external clock while command/query is a synchronization command
j = 1 sets a 5 MHz external clock. designed to simplify the coordination of commands
that take a finite time to complete. The *OPC
PORT (?) {j} common command sets a bit in a status byte when
all in progress measurements/scans/prints are
The PORT command sets or reads the value of complete. The *OPC? common query returns the
the printer port when that port is configured as a value 1 when all in progress
general purpose I/O port. The parameter j measurements/scans/prints are complete. An
(0<j<255) is the value sent to the port (in decimal) example of the use of this command would be to
if it is an output. If the port is configured as an ensure that the present measurement is finished
output, the -strobe line is strobed low for about before the answer is read. The command line
10us every time a valid byte is set. STRT;*OPC would start a measurement and set a
status bit when it was done. Thus, by polling the
PRTM (?) j status bit (or using a GPIB service request) the
host computer would know when the
The PRTM command sets the mode of the printer measurement was done.
port. If j = 0 the port is a printer port, if j = 1 the
port is a general purpose input port, and if j = 2 the
port is a general purpose digital output port.

*WAI ENDT {j,k,l,m}
The *WAI (wait) common command is a The ENDT command sets the RS232 end of
synchronization command that holds off all further transmission terminator. This terminator is
command execution until all in progress appended the the end of each answer and may
measurements/scans/prints are complete. This consist of up to 4 ASCII (decimal) characters. The
command ensures that a particular operation is default terminator is <cr><lf> and is obtained by
finished before continuing. An example of the omitting the parameters. The parameters j,k,l,m
usefulness of this command is ensuring that a are the decimal representations of between 1 and
measurement is complete before reading the 4 termination characters. For example, if it
answer. The command line STRT;*WAI;XAVG? desired that the termination be the characters
will start a measurement, wait until it is done, and carriage return and "E" the command would be
send back the mean value. ENDT 13,69.
STUP?
The STUP? query returns the complete setup of the SR620 as a long string of numbers separated by
commas. All setup information except for trigger levels and d/a starting and step voltages is returned.
The meanings of the returned numbers are as follows: (when bits are packed into a status byte the bit
values correspond to those used by the normal mode setting command. For example, the AUTM
command with parameter j=1 turns on automeasure mode and automeasure bit (setup byte 1, bit 0) is 1 if
automeasure is on)
position meaning parameter format
1 instrument mode same as MODE command

2 source same as SRCE command
3 arming mode same as ARMM command
4 gate multiplier same as front panel control (0= 1E-4, 1= 2E-4, etc.)
5 sample size 0,1,..,18 corresponding to 1,2,5,...,10^6
6 display source same as DISP command
7 graph source same as DGPH command
8 setup byte 1 bits of byte are:0-auto measure on/off, 1 autoprint on/off,2 -rel
on/off, 3- x1000 on/off 4 - arming parity (+-time),5- jitter type
Allan/Std Dev ,6- clock ext/int,7- clock freq10MHz /5 MHz
9 setup byte 2 bits are: 0,1 - A,B autolevel on;2,3- DVM0
gain(auto=0,20V=1,2V=2);4,5 A,B prescaler enabled; 6,7-DVM1
gain
10 setup byte 3 bits are: 0- Ext terminator,1- Ext slope,2- A slope, 3- A ac/dc,4- B
slope,5- B ac/dc
11 setup byte 4bits are:0,1- A terminator; 2,3- B terminator;4,5- print port mode
12 histogram vert scale 0,1,... corresponding to 1,2,5...
13 histogram horiz scale 0,1,... corresponding to 1,2,5 * led display least significant digit
(ps, uHz, etc.)
14 histogram bin number 0,0,... corresponding to 1,2,5,10,...
15 mean graph vert scale same as histogram horiz scale
16 jitter graph vert scale same as histogram horiz scale
17 setup byte 5 bits are: 0-4 plotter address,5- plot/print 6 - plot gpib/rs232
18 setup byte 6 bits are:0-1 d/a output mode (chart/d/a),2 graph on/off,3-6 # scan
points, 7 ref output level
19 rs232 wait same as WAIT command
20 scan setup byte 0-3 - stepsize corresponding to 1E-6, 2E-6, etc.; 4,5 - delay scan
enable
21,22 scan starting delay bytes 1,0 delay = step size*(256*byte1+byte0)
23,24,25 scan holdtime bytes 2,1,0 hold = 65536*byte2+ 256*byte1 +byte0

LOCL j maintain their values at power down. This allows

the production of a service request at power up.
The LOCL command sets the RS232 local/remote
function. If j = 0 the SR620 is local, if j = 1 the *SRE (?) j
SR620 will go remote, and if j = 2 the SR620 will
go into local lockout state. The states duplicate The *SRE common command sets the serial poll
the GPIB local/remote states: in the LOCAL state enable register to the decimal value of the
both command execution and keyboard input are parmeter j.
allowed. In the REMOTE state command
execution is allowed but the keyboard and knobs *STB? {j}
are locked out except for the "LOCAL" key , which
returns the SR620 to the local state. In the The *STB? common query reads the value of the
LOCAL LOCKOUT state all front panel I/O is serial poll byte. If the parameter j is present the
locked out including the "LOCAL" key. value of bit j is returned. Reading this register has
no effect on its value as it is a summary of the
WAIT (?) j other status registers.
The WAIT command sets the RS-232 EREN (?) j

transmission delay between characters. This is
useful for slower computers and terminal The EREN command sets the error status enable
programs. The delay is equal to 2ms times the register to the decimal value j.
parameter j (0 <= j <=25).
ERRS? j
Status Reporting Commands The ERRS? query reads the value of the error
status byte. If the parameter j is present the value
(See tables at the end of the Programming of bit j is returned. Reading this register will clear
section for Status Byte definitions.) it while reading bit j will clear just bit j.
*CLS STAT? j
The *CLS common command clears all status The STAT? query reads the value of the time
registers. This command does not affect the interval counter status byte. If the parameter j is
status enable registers. present the value of bit j is returned. Reading this
register will clear it while reading bit j will clear just
*ESE (?) j bit j.
The *ESE command sets the standard event TENA (?) j

status byte enable register to the decimal value j.
The TENA command sets the time interval counter
status enable register to the decimal value j.
*ESR? {j}
The *ESR common command reads the value of Calibration Commands

the standard event status register. If the
parameter j is present the value of bit j is NOTE: These commands are primarily intended
returned. Reading this register will clear it while for factory calibration use and should never be
reading bit j will clear just bit j. needed during normal operation. Incorrect use
of some of these commands can destroy the
*PSC (?) j calibration of the SR620.
The *PSC common command sets the value of the $TAC? j

power-on status clear bit. If j = 1 the power on
status clear bit is set and all status registers and The $TAC? query reads the value of the time-to-
enable registers are cleared on power up. If j = 0 amplitude converters. The parameter j = 0 refers
the bit is cleared and the status enable registers to the start channel, while j = 1 refers to the stop
channel.

$PHK(?) j BYTE (?) j{,k}
The $PHK command is used to exercise the The BYTE command set the value of linearization
printer port handshaking lines. The value of j (0 or byte j to k. Parameter j may have a value from 0
1) sets the state of the -init and -strobe lines. The to 129, and k may range from 0 to 255. NOTE:
query $PHK? reads the value of the busy line. this command will alter the calibration of the
SR620. However, running autocal will correct the
problem.
$POT? j
WORD (?) j{,k}
The $POT? query reads the dc voltage of the front
panel potentiometers (NOT the trigger level) in The WORD command sets the value of calibration
units of 10mV. word j to k. Parameter j may have a value from 0
to 51, while k may range from 0 to 65535. NOTE:
*CAL? this command will alter the calibration of the the
SR620. To correct the calibration the factory
The *CAL? common query runs the autocal calibration bytes may be recalled (see the
procedure. This query will return the following Calibration section).
status value:
value meaning STATUS BYTE DEFINITIONS
0 no error Status Reporting

1 SR620 not warmed up, can't cal.
2 no trigger error The SR620 reports on its status by means of four
3 can't find edge on start tac status bytes: the serial poll byte, the standard
4 can't find edge on start fine seek status byte, the TIC status byte, and the error
5 start tac calbyte out of range status byte.
6 start tac non-convergence
7 start linearity byte out of range On power on the SR620 may either clear all of its
19-23 stop tac errors same as start value n - 16 status enable registers or maintain them in the
state they were in on power down. The action
*TST? taken is set by the *PSC command and allows
things such as SRQ on power up .
The *TST? common query runs the selt test
procedure. The query will return the following Serial Poll Status Byte:
status value:
bit name usage
value meaning
0 ready No measurements are in
0 no error progress
4 cpu error 1 print ready No prints are in progress
5 system ram error 2 Error An unmasked bit in the error
6 video ram error status register has been
16 count gate error set.
17 chan 2 count ≠ 0 3 TIC An unmasked bit in the TIC
18 chan 1 count error status register has been set.
19 chan 1 count ≠ 0 4 MAV The gpib output queue is
20 chan 2 count error non-empty
32 frequency gate error 5 ESB An unmasked bit in the
33 excessive jitter standard status byte has
34 frequency insertion delay error been set.
35 time interval insertion delay error 6 RQS/MSS SRQ (Service Request)bit.
7 scan ready no scans are in progress
Errors 33-35 can usually be eliminated by running
the autocal procedure. The other errors are The Error, TIC, ESB bit are set whenever any
usually caused by hardware problems. unmasked bit (bit with the corresponding bit in the

byte enable register set) in their respective status 5 A Ovld Set by A input overload
registers is set. They are not cleared until the condition
condition which set the bit is cleared. Thus, these 6 B Ovld Set by B input overload
bits give a constant summary of the enabled condition
status bits. A service request will be generated 7 unused
whenever an unmasked bit in the serial poll
register is set. Note that service requests are only These bits stay set until cleared by reading or by
produced when the bit is first set and thus any the *CLS command.
condition will only produce one service request.
Accordingly, if a service request is desired every Error Status Byte:
time an event occurs the status bit must be
cleared between events. bit name usage
Standard Event Status Byte: 0 print error Set when an error is

detected during
bit name usage printing/plotting
1 no clock Set when the 10 MHz clock
0 OPC Set by OPC command signal is not present
when all operations are 2 A autolevel Set when A channel
complete autolevel looses the trigger
1 unused and tries to find a new
2 Query Error Set on output queue trigger level.
overflow 3 B autolevel Set when B channel
3 unused autolevel looses the trigger
4 Execution err Set by an out of range and tries to find a new
parameter, or non- trigger level.
completion of some 4 test error Set when the self test
command due a condition routine detects an error
like overload. 5 cal error Set when the auto cal
5 Command err Set by a command syntax routine detects an error
error, or unrecognized 6 warmup Set when unit is warmed up
command after power on
6 URQ Set by any key press or 7 ovfl/div0 Set when internal counters
trigger knob rotation overflow or on ratio mode
7 PON Set by power on divide by 0
This status byte is defined by IEEE-488.2 (1987) These bits stay set until cleared by reading or by
and is used primarily to report errors in commands the *CLS command.
received over the communications interfaces. The
bits in this register stay set once set and are
cleared by reading them or by the *CLS command.
TIC Status Byte:
bit name usage
0 Ext Trig Set when the external

trigger comparator switches
1 A trig Set when the A channel
2 B trig Set when the B channel
3 arm Set when the SR620
becomes armed
4 Ext Ovld Set by Ext input overload
condition


Programming Examples 43
PROGRAMMING EXAMPLES
THROUGHPUT
The actual time required to make a measurement of N samples is given by the equation:
T = N x (Tsample+ measured time interval)+ calculation time
The sample time, Tsample, is given in the table below:
TIME, WIDTH, Tr/Tf 750us

FREQ, PERIOD 2600us
GRAPHS "ON" +200us
ASCII RESPONSES +250us
So, when measuring short time intervals with graphs on and not in the binary dump mode, the SR620 has a
throughput of about 1000 samples per second.
There is some additional time required at the end of each group of measurements. This calculation time is
zero ( no graphic displays, binary responses) or 5 ms ( no graphic displays, ASCII responses) or 8 ms (active
chart outputs or scope display of mean or jitter) to 50 ms (scope display of histogram). If the SAMPLE SIZE is
greater than one, then statistics will be calculated, which will add 10-100 ms to the calculation time,
depending on the number of digits in the MEAN value.
The data acquisition rate to a computer will depend on the interface which is used and the speed of the
computer and its interface drivers. About 1400 measurements per second may be transferred to a computer
using a DMA (Direct Memory Access) GPIB controller to measure time intervals in the binary dump mode.

44 Programming Examples
Program Example 1
IBM PC, BASIC, via RS232
In this example, the IBM PC's COM2: serial port is used to communicate with the SR620. The program sets
up the SR620 and then starts measurements and reads the results. Only pins 2,3 and 7 of the PC's port
need to be connected to the SR620.
10 ' Example program to start a measurement and read the result. This
20 ' program uses IBM Basic and communicates via the COM2:RS232 port.
30 '
40 ' set up the SR620 for 9600 baud, 8 bits, no parity
50 OPEN "COM2:9600,N,8,2,CS,DS,CD" AS #1
60 '
70 ' setup COM2: for 9600 baud , no parity, 8 data bits, 2 stop bits
80 ' ignore cts,dsr, and cd
90 '
100 PRINT #1," " ' clear COM2:
105 ' clear TIC ,set to width of ref, 10 samples,automeasure off'
110 PRINT #1,"*RST;MODE1;SRCE2;SIZE10;AUTM0
120 PRINT #1,"STRT;*WAI;XAVG?" ' start measurement, wait until done,read
130 INPUT #1,TIME# ' read double precision answer
140 PRINT "width = ",TIME#
150 GOTO 120 ' loop forever
Tips on Interfacing to PC's using a National Instrument GPIB Card
To succesfully interface the SR620 to a PC via the GPIB , the instrument, interface card, and interface drivers
must all be configured properly. To configure the SR620, you must set the GPIB address in line 2 of the
"Control" CONFIG menu. The default GPIB address is 16: use this address unless a conflict occurs with other
instruments in your system. The SR620 will be set to GPIB address 16 whenever a COLD BOOT is done ( if
the RESET key is held down when the unit is turned "ON".)
Make sure that you follow all the instructions for installing the GPIB card. The National Instruments card
cannot be simply unpacked and put into your computer. To configure the card you must set jumpers and
switches on the card to set the I/O address and interupt levels. You must run the program "IBCONF" to
configure the resident GPIB driver for your GPIB card. Please refer to the National Instruments manual for
additional information.
Once all the hardware and GPIB drivers are configured, use IBIC. This terminal emulation program allows you
to send commands to the SR620 directly from your computer's keyboard. If you cannot talk to the SR620 via
IBIC then your programs will not run.
Use the simple commands provided by National instruments. Use IBWRT and IBRD to write and read from
the SR620. After you are familiar with these simple command you can explore other, more complex,
programming commands.

Program Example 2
IBM PC, Microsoft FORTRAN V4.0, National Instruments GPIB Card
This example demonstartes using the SR620 via the GPIB. Microsoft's FORTRAN (for PC compatibles) is
used to program the time interval counter via National Instrument's GPIB interface card.
C Example program demonstrating programming the SR620 over the GPIB using
C the National Instruments GPIB card. The program sets up the SR620 and
C then starts taking data.
C
C This program is written in Microsoft FORTRAN v4.0. To use the National
C card the National device driver must be installed and the IBCONF program
C must be run to tell the driver where everything is. The program is compiled
C with the command FL /AL /FPa example2.for and the resulting object file is
C linked with the file MFIBL.OBJ (supplied by National )
$storage:2
C this line must be in the source file

common /ibglob/ibsta,iberr,ibcnt
integer*2 sr620
character*80 data
real*8 answer
C initialize gpib card
call ibinit (ibsta)
C get device id for sr620
sr620 = ibfind ('SR620 ')
C setup TIC
call ibwrt (sr620,'*RST;MODE1;SRCE2;SIZE10;AUTM0\n 'c,30)
C start measurement
100
call ibwrt (sr620,'STRT;*WAI;XAVG?\n 'c,16)
C read answer
data = ' '

call ibrd (sr620,data,20)
read (data,1000)answer
1000
format (bn,1D22.16)
write (*,*) answer
C continue forever
goto 100
end

Program Example 3
IBM PC, IBM Basic, CEC GPIB Card
This example takes data in the binary dump mode and converts it into the correct units. This program is
written in IBM BASIC and uses a Capital Equipment Co. GPIB card. The CEC cards DMA input routine is
used to directly put the data into the PC's memory. All of the interface routines to the CEC card reside in
firmware on the card.
10 'program to test TIC binary dump mode- this program will binary dump
20 'samples from the time interval counter and convert the binary values to
30 'numbers in units appropriate to the measurement mode. The program
40 'demonstrates sending and receiving simple commands from the TIC. The
50 'program uses the GPIB interface and a Capital Equipment Co. GPIB interface
60 'card
70 ' This program runs in interpreted IBM PC Basic
80 DIM DAT%(16000),FDATA#(2000),FACTORS#(7),TEMP#(4)
90 DATA 1.05963812934D-14,1.05963812934D-14,1.05963812934D-14
100 DATA 1.24900090270331D-9,1.05963812934D-14,8.3819032D-8,0.00390625D0
110 FOR I =1 TO 7
120 READ FACTORS#(I)
130 NEXT I
140 DEF SEG = &HD000 ' base address of CEC card
150 INIT = 0:TRANSMIT =3:SEND = 9:ENTER = 21:DMA2 = 206 'CEC subroutine offsets
160 ADDR% =21:SYS%=0 'controller address
170 SR620% =16 ' TIC address
180 '
190 ' string definitions
200 IN$ = "IFC UNT UNL REN" ' clear interface
210 BD$ = "BDMP"
220 MD$ = "mode?"
230 TALK$ = "UNT UNL MLA TALK 16"
240 EXPD$ = "expd?"
250 '
260 CALL INIT (ADDR%,SYS%) ' init CEC card
270 '
280 PRINT "Enter number of samples (<cr> to quit)";
290 INPUT "->",S$ ' get number of samples
300 SAMPLES% = VAL (S$)
310 IF SAMPLES% = 0 THEN STOP
320 IF SAMPLES% > 2000 THEN GOTO 280
330 ' setup dma parameters
340 '
350 MODE% = &H2105 ' dma mode
360 COUNT% = 8*SAMPLES%
370 SEGMENT%=-1
380 C$ = BD$ + S$ ' TIC command
390 '
400 ' dma data into PC
410 CALL SEND (SR620%,C$,STATUS%) : GOSUB 890 ; SEND COMMAND
420 CALL TRANSMIT (TALK$,STATUS%) :GOSUB 890 ; MAKE TIC A TALKER
430 OFS%=VARPTR(DAT%(1))
440 CALL DMA2 (SEGMENT%,OFS%,COUNT%,MODE%,STATUS%): GOSUB 890
450 '
460 ' get mode so we'll know which conversion factor to use
470 CALL SEND (SR620%,MD$,STATUS%) : GOSUB 890
480 ANS$ = SPACE$(50)

490 CALL ENTER (ANS$,LENGTH%,SR620%,STATUS%): GOSUB 890 'get answer

500 TMODE% = VAL (ANS$) ' TIC mode
510 CALL SEND (SR620%,EXPD$,STATUS%): GOSUB 890
520 ANS$ = SPACE$(50)
530 CALL ENTER (ANS$,LENGTH%,SR620%,STATUS%): GOSUB 890
540 TEXPD% = VAL(ANS$)
550 '
560 '
570 ' convert data to correct format
580 '
590 ' get 8 bytes (4 * 2bytes) corresponding to one sample
600 FOR I = 1 TO SAMPLES%
610 SIGN = 0
620 FDATA#(I) = 0#
630 FOR J = 1 TO 4
640 TEMP#(J) = DAT%(4*(I-1)+J)
650 IF TEMP#(J) < 0# THEN TEMP#(J) = 65536#+TEMP#(J)
660 NEXT J
670 ' if answer < 0 change sign and get magnitude
680 IF (DAT%(4*(I-1)+4) >= 0) GOTO 740
690 SIGN =1
700 FOR J = 1 TO 4
710 TEMP#(J) = 65535#-TEMP#(J)
720 NEXT J
730 ' convert to floating point
740 FOR J = 1 TO 4
750 FDATA#(I) = FDATA#(I)*65536# + TEMP#(5-J)
760 NEXT J
770 ' if negative increment ( to get 2's complement) and change sign
780 IF SIGN <> 0 THEN FDATA#(I) = -1#*(FDATA#(I)+1#)
790 ' multiply by conversion factor
800 FDATA#(I) = FACTORS#(TMODE%+1)*FDATA#(I)
810 ' change scale if expand is on
820 IF TEXPD% <> 0 THEN FDATA#(I) = FDATA#(I)*.001#
830 NEXT I
840 PRINT "data"
850 FOR I = 1 TO SAMPLES%
860 PRINT FDATA#(I)
870 NEXT I
880 GOTO 280
890 ' check for status error of last GPIB interraction
900 IF STATUS% = 0 THEN RETURN
910 PRINT "gpib error. status = ";STATUS%
920 STOP

Program Example 4
IBM PC, Microsoft Fortran v4.0, CEC GPIB Card
This example illustrates the binary dump mode via the GPIB interface using Microsoft FORTRAN. To use the
CEC card with FORTRAN a file called FORT488.OBJ (supplied by CEC) is linked to the FORTRAN program
C Program to test TIC binary dump mode- this program will binary dump samples
C from the time interval counter and convert the binary values to numbers in
C units appropriate to the measurement mode. The program also demonstrates
C sending and receiving simple commands from the TIC. The program uses the GPIB
C interface using an IBM PC with a Capital Equipment Co. GPIB Interface card.
C The necessary interface routines to this card are supplied by CEC and are
C linked to the program.
C This program is written in Microsoft Fortran version 4.0.

C To compile this program use the command: FL /AL /FPi /Gt40000 /c bindump.for
C ( the Gt option is needed to force the data array into the default data
C segment, this is needed by the CEC software)
C The resulting object file is then linked with FORT488.OBJ (from CEC) and
C the emulation math library. (which doesn't assume a math coprocessor)
program bindump
C the data from each point is stored in 4 consecutive location in the

C array data
integer*2 seg,count,mode,status,samples
integer*2 address,tmode,texpd
integer*2 data(0:19999)
real*8 fdata(0:4999)
character*30 command
character*40 rstring
character dummy
common /data/ fdata
call InitGpib ()
10 write (*,'(A\)') ' Enter number of samples (<cr> to quit)->'

read (*,'(BN,I4)')samples
if ( samples .gt. 5000) goto 10
if (samples .eq. 0)goto 11
C set mode for DMA input

mode = 16#2105
count = 8*samples
address = 16
C set up TIC
command(1:30) =' '
write (command,100)samples
100 format ('BDMP',I4)
call TxGpib (address,command)
call TalkGpib (address)
seg = -1
C read data via dma

call DMA2 (seg,data,count,mode,status)

call StatCheck (address,status)
C get mode so we'll know which conversion factor to use

command (1:30) =' '
command (1:11) = 'MODE?;EXPD?'
callTxGpib (address,command)
call GetGpib (address,rstring)
read (rstring,101)tmode,dummy,texpd
C skip semicolon separator
101 format (I1,A,I1)
C convert data and print both binary and converted form

call Convert (tmode,texpd,samples,data,fdata)
write (*,*)
write (*,*)'data'
do 20 i=0,samples-1
write (*,102)data(4*i+3),data(4*i+2),data(4*i+1),
+ data (4*i),fdata(i)
20 continue
102 format (1X,4Z4,' converted = ',D22.15)
goto 10
11 continue
end
C *******************************************************************
C converts the binary data to real numbers
subroutine Convert (tmode,texpd,samples,data,fdata)
integer*2 tmode,texpd,samples,data(0:19999),sign
integer*4 words(0:4)
real*8 fdata(0:4999)
real*8 factors(0:6)
C conversion factors
data factors/1.05963812934D-14,1.05963812934D-14,
+ 1.05963812934D-14,1.24900090270331D-9,1.05963812934D-14,
+ 8.3819032D-8,.00390625/
do 10 i=0,samples-1
sign = 0
fdata(i) = 0.0D0
C get 8 data bytes
do 11 j=0,3
words(j) = data(4*i +j)
C get unsigned magnitude of word
if (words(j) .lt. 0)words(j) = 65536+words(j)
11 continue
C if answer less than 0 change sign and get magnitude

if (data(4*i+3) .lt. 0) then
sign = 1
do 12 j = 0,3
C take 1's complement of number

words(j) = 65535 - words(j)

12 continue
endif
C convert to floating point

do 13 j=0,3
fdata(i) = fdata(i)*65536.0D0 + words(3-j)
13 continue
C if number is negative add 1 to get 2's complement and change sign

if (sign .eq. 1)fdata(i) = -1.0D0 * (fdata(i) + 1.0D0)
C multiply by conversion factor

fdata(i) = factors(tmode) * fdata(i)
C change scale if expand is on
if (texpd .eq. 1) fdata(i) = fdata(i)*1.0D-3
10 continue
return
end
C *******************************************************************
C initialize the CEC GPIB card as a controller
Subroutine InitGpib ()
integer*2 status
data str/'IFC UNT UNL DCL REN|'/
call INITIALIZE (21,0)

call TRANSMIT ('IFC UNT UNL DCL REN|',status)
return
end
C *********************************************************************
C makes device at address a talker
subroutine TalkGpib (address)
character*25 cmd
integer*2 status,address
write (cmd,100) address

100 format ('UNT UNL MLA TALK',I2,'|')
call TRANSMIT (cmd,status)
call StatCheck(address,status)
return
end
C *********************************************************************
C transmit command to address
subroutine TxGpib (address,command)
character*30 command
character*70 tstring
character*2 temp
integer*2 status,address
tstring (1:19) ='UNT UNL MTA LISTEN '

write (temp,100)address
100 format (I2)
C set up CEC command string
tstring (20:21) = temp

tstring(22:27) = 'DATA '''

tstring (28:58) = command
tstring (59:64 ) =''' END|'
call TRANSMIT (tstring,status)
return
end
C *********************************************************************
C get an answer from a device
subroutine GetGpib (address,rstring)
integer*2 address,status,length
character*40 rstring
character*40 cmd
write (cmd,100)address
100 format ('UNT UNL MLA TALK ',I2,'|')
call TRANSMIT (cmd,status)
rstring(1:40) = ' |'
call RECEIVE (rstring,length,status)
return
end
C ********************************************************************
C checks gpib status and prints error message
subroutine StatCheck (address,status)
integer*2 address,status
if (status .ne. 0) then

write (*,*)'Error at device ',address,' status= ',status
endif
return
end

Program Example 5
IBM PC, Microsoft C v5.1, CEC GPIB Card
This example illustrates binary transfer via the GPIB in C. The file MS-C488.h must be included in the source
file and the program must be linked to the file GPIB-L.OBJ. Both of these files are supplied by CEC.
/* Program to test TIC binary dump mode- this program will binary dump samples
from the time interval counter and convert the binary values to numbers in
units appropriate to the measurement mode. The program also demonstrates
sending and receiving simple commands from the TIC. The program uses the GPIB
interface using an IBM PC with a Capital Equipment Co. GPIB Interface card.
The necessary interface routines to this card are supplied by CEC and are
linked to the program.
This program is written in Microsoft C version 5.1. The header file for the
GPIB interface is ms-c488.h and is supplied by CEC.
To compile this program use the command: CL /AL /FPi /c bindump.c .
The resulting object file is then linked with GPIB-L.OBJ (from CEC) and
the emulation math library. (which doesn't assume a math coprocessor) */
#include <stdio.h>
#include <string.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <math.h>
#include <ms-c488.h>
#include <dos.h>
#define sr620 16 /* TIC address */
void main(void);
void InitGpib (void);
void TxGpib (int,char *); /* function prototypes */
void GetGpib (int);
void StatCheck (int);
void TalkGpib (int);
void Convert (int,int,int);
int status,length,mode,count;
char recv[80];
/* the data from each point is stored in 4 consecutive array locations */
int data[20000]; /* up to 5000 points */
double fdata[5000]; /* data storage for converted data */
void main ()
{
char cmd[40],input[40];
int i,samples,seg,tmode,texpd;
static char *units[] ={"s","s","s","Hz","s","deg","ct"};
InitGpib (); /* initialize controller */
while (1)
{
/* read number of samples */
printf ("Enter number of samples (<cr> to quit) ->");
gets (input);

if ( !strlen (input))break; /* quit if no number */

sscanf (input,"%d",&samples);
if (samples > 5000)continue; /* try again if # too large */
/* set up parameters for dma input */

mode = 0x2105; /* set mode for dma input */
count = 8*samples; /* number of bytes */
/* set up TIC */
sprintf (cmd,"BDMP%d",samples); /* set binary dump mode of n samples */
TxGpib (sr620,cmd); /* send command to TIC */
TalkGpib (sr620); /* make TIC a talker */
dma2 (&status,&mode,&count,data,&seg); /* read data via DMA */

StatCheck (sr620); /* check status */
/* get mode so we'll know which conversion factor to use */

TxGpib (sr620,"MODE?;EXPD?");
GetGpib (sr620); /* read answer */
sscanf (recv,"%d ; %d",&tmode,&texpd); /* skip semicolon separator */
/* convert data and print both binary and converted form */

Convert (tmode,texpd,samples);
printf ("\n data\n");
for (i =0; i <samples ; i++)
printf ("%2x%2x%2x%2x converted = %16.15lE %s\n",data[4*i+3],
data[4*i+2],data[4*i+1],data[4*i],fdata[i],units[tmode]);
}
}
/* ******************************************************************* */
void Convert (int mode,int expd,int samples)
{
int i,j,sign;
unsigned int words[4];
static double factors[] = {1.05963812934E-14,1.05963812934E-14,
1.05963812934E-14,1.24900090270331E-9,1.05963812934E-14,
8.3819032E-8,.00390625}; /* conversion factors */
for ( i = 0 ; i < samples ; i++ )

{
sign = 0;
fdata[i] = 0.0;
/* get 8 data bytes ( 4 *2 bytes each ) */
for ( j = 0 ; j < 4 ; j ++)words[j] = data[ 4*i +j];
if ((int)words[3] < 0) /* if answer < 0 convert to magnitude and sign */

{
sign = 1; /* sign of answer */
for ( j = 0 ; j < 4 ; j++) words[j] = ~words[j]; /* take 1's complement */
}
/* convert to floating point */

for ( j = 0 ; j < 4 ; j++)fdata[i] = fdata[i]*65536.0 + (double)words[3-j];

/* if number is negative add 1 to get 2's complement and change sign */

if (sign)fdata[i] = -1.0 * (fdata[i] + 1.0);
/* now multiply by conversion factor */

fdata[i] = factors[mode] * fdata[i];
if (expd) fdata[i] = fdata[i]*1.0E-3; /* reduce by 1000 if expand is on */
}
}
/* ******************************************************************* */
void InitGpib (void) /* initialize the CEC GPIB card as controller */
{
int my_address, system_controller;
unsigned seg;
/* find cec card address */
for ( seg=0x4000 ; seg < 0xF000 ; seg += 0x400 )

{
if ( (peek (seg,50) == 'C') &&
(peek (seg,51) == 'E') &&
(peek (seg,52) == 'C') )
break;
}
if ( pc488_seg(seg))
{
printf ( " no gpib card installed\n");
exit(0);
}
my_address = 21;
system_controller = 0;
initialize (&system_controller, &my_address);
transmit (&status, "IFC UNT UNL DCL REN");
}
/* ********************************************************************* */
void TalkGpib ( int address) /* makes device at address a talker */
{
char cmd[25];
sprintf (cmd,"UNT UNL MLA TALK %d",address);

transmit (&status,cmd);
StatCheck (address);
}
/* ********************************************************************* */
void TxGpib (address,command) /* transmit command to address */
int address;
char *command;
{
char t_string[150];
int result;
result = sprintf (t_string,"UNT UNL MTA LISTEN %d DATA '%s' END",

address,command);
transmit (&status, t_string);
}

/* ********************************************************************* */
void GetGpib (address) /* get an answer from device at address */
int address;
{
char r_string[40], temp[80];
sprintf (r_string, "UNT UNL MLA TALK %d", address);

transmit (&status, r_string);
strcpy (temp, " ");
receive (&status, &length, temp);
strcpy (recv, temp);
}
/* ******************************************************************** */
void StatCheck (address) /* check the gpib status and exit if error */
int address;
{
if (status != 0)
{
printf ("Error at device %d : status = %d",address,status);
exit (0);
}
}


Troubleshooting Tips 57
TROUBLESHOOTING
To start, make sure that the power entry module Test errors 33 to 35 may be corrected by the
on the rear panel is set for the ac line voltage for "Autocal" procedure. To run this procedure, press
your area, that the correct fuse is installed, and the SEL button in the CONFIG section to select
that the line cord is inserted all the way into the "cAL". Press the SET button once choose "Auto
power entry module. The selected line voltage cAL". Then press the START button in the
may be seen through the clear window, just below SAMPLE SIZE section to begin the autocal
the fuse. procedure. This procedure may not be started until
the red CLOCK LED in the CONFIG section goes
When the unit is plugged in and turned "ON", the off, otherwise a cAL Error 01 will result. The
unit's model number, firmware version number, autocal procedure takes about two minutes to run,
and serial number will be briefly displayed. Then and ends with the message "cAL donE", the
the message, "SELF TEST...PASS" should be SR620 then returns to taking measurements.
briefly displayed.
If the UHF prescaler of channel A is selected when
If the unit displays no sensible message, the "cold the unit is powered off and then on again, the unit
boot" procedure may fix the problem. To do a "cold will display “TEST ERROR 34”. This error may be
boot", turn the unit off. Then, while holding the corrected by deselecting the UHF of channel A. To
"RESET" button in the SAMPLE SIZE section run this procedure, press input button of channel
down, turn the unit "ON". This procedure initializes “A” until UHF is not highlighted. Then turn the
the RAM and recalls all factory calibration values. power off and on again.
The "Autocal" procedure should be run after the
unit warms up. (See below) Other cAL Errors flag hardware problems per the
table below:
If the message "code error" appears it indicates
that the SR620's ROM has an error and the unit Cal Error Problem
should be sent back for repair.
1 Not warmed-up
If a Test Error message appears, you may be able 2 No trigger
to fix the problem with the unit's internal calibration 3-7 Start TAC
routines. 19-23 Stop TAC
Test Error Problem The Start and Stop TAC's (Time to Amplitude
Converters) are the circuits which perform the
3 Lost Memory analog interpolation between the 90 MHz clock
4 Cpu Error ticks. The autocal procedure sets the gain and
5 System RAM error linearizes the transfer function of the TAC's.
6 Video RAM error
16 Count gate error COMMON OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS
17,20 Channel 2 counter
18,19 Channel 1 counter Error Messages
32 Frequency gate
33 Excessive jitter countEr oFL Time interval has exceeded
34 Insertion delay, Freq. 1000 seconds, or frequency
35 Insertion delay, Time exceeds 1.5 GHz, in x1000
mode period > 1s or
Any of these errors may be caused by a hardware frequency >1MHz
failure which will require repair. rAtio oFL Ratio result exceeds 1000
dividE by 0 Denominator = 0 in ratio
Test error 3 is usually "self-healing". The measurement
instrument settings will be returned to their default
values and factory calibration data will be recalled
from ROM. Test Error 3 will recur if the Lithium
battery or RAM is defective.

58 Troubleshooting Tips
Error Indicators SCOPE DISPLAY PROBLEMS
STOP LED No Stop within 20 s of Start Scope display problems are usually due to the set-
(this may not be an error, the up of the X-Y scope. Make certain that the scope
LED is just a warning to is in the XY mode, with 1V/div, terminated into 1M
indicate that the time interval Ohm. (The XY mode is sometimes difficult to
is large).Blink indicates B setup: some scopes have multiple controls which
input autolevel attempt. must be in the correct position to operate in the XY
mode. Please refer to your scope's operation
START LED No Start within 20 s of Stop manual.) A jumping or distorted display will result if
(+-TIME, this may not be an the scope is ac coupled. If the scope has cursor
error, the LED is just a read-outs, turn these read-outs "off" to avoid a
warning to indicate that the blinking display. A poorly compensated scope
time interval is large).Blink input will cause minor distortion of the display.
indicates A input autolevel
attempt. PRINTER and PLOTTER PROBLEMS
CLOCK LED Unit warming up or Ext The printer must be connected to the PRINTER
timebase error. See "cAL" PORT on the back panel. Plotters may be
CONFIG menu for timebase connected to either the RS-232 or the GPIB port.
selection. You must set parameters in the OUTput menu in
the CONFIG section to specify whether you are
WRONG VALUE using the printer or a plotter. If you specify a
plotter, you need to specify the Plot Port as GPIB
Verify the setting of the instrument by reading or RS-232. If you specify GPIB for the Plot Port,
each front panel LED. Is the REL set? Are a very then you need to set the plotter's GPIB address. If
large number of samples specified? Is the AUTO RS-232 is specified, the BAUD rate is fixed at
LED in the SAMPLE SIZE section turned "ON"? 9600. ( For more details, see the section on
Are the inputs terminated correctly? Have the CONFIG.)
slope, threshold, and input coupling been set
correctly? Are there multiple edges on your input GPIB INTERFACE PROBLEMS
due to cable reflections?
For proper operation the GPIB address of SR620
To gain confidence that the instrument is working must be set to match that expected by the
correctly, try measuring the WIDTH, FREQ, and controlling computer. The default GPIB address is
PERIOD of the REF. ( Refer to the Quick-Start 16, and so it is a good idea to use this address
instructions for step-by-step details.) To verify that when writing programs for the SR620. Any
the input section is working, use the 1 kHz REF address from 0 to 30 may be set in the CONFIG
OUT (set to TTL level) to supply a signal to the A menu. To check the GPIB address, press the
or B input and measure WIDTH, tr/tf, FREQuency, "SEL" key in the CONFIG section to select the
and PERiod. Measure the length of a cable in the "ctrl" menu. Then press the "SET" key twice to
+TIME MODE by connecting it between the REF view the GPIB address. The up/down keys in the
OUT and the B input. ( Select REF as the START SCOPE AND CHART section may be used to set
SOURCE, select positive slope for START and the GPIB address.
STOP, and set B's threshold pot for AUTOLEVEL.)
The SR620 will ignore its front panel key pad
EXCESSIVE JITTER when Remote Enable (REN) has been asserted by
the GPIB. This "REMOTE" state is indicated by the
The most common causes of excess jitter are (1) REM LED in the STATUS section. To return to
incorrect trigger thresholds, (2) noise or amplitude LOCAL operation (ie. to enable the front panel)
fluctuations on the input signals, (3) insufficient or press the "SEL" key in the CONFIG section.
excessive amplitude on the inputs, slow input Controlling programs may inhibit the ability to
signal slew rates, (5) improper slope selection return to LOCAL operation by asserting the Local-
(check the MEAN value to be certain that you are Lockout state (LLO).
measuring the correct time interval), (6) improperly
terminated inputs. A linefeed character is sent with and End or
Identify (EOI) to terminate strings from the SR620.

Troubleshooting Tips 59
Be certain that your GPIB controller has been require two carriage returns for an end-of-
configured to accept this sequence. record marker. The "ENDT" command may be
used to set the end-of-record sequence. (The
RS-232 PROBLEMS end-of-record marker is that sequence which
indicates a response is complete. From a
The RS-232 baud rate, number of bits per keyboard, a single carriage return is the end-
character, and parity bit definition must be set in of-record marker.)
the "ctrL" section of the CONFIG menu. The
SR620 always sends two stop bits, and will 5) Answers are coming back from the SR620 to
correctly receive data sent with either one or two fast, overwriting previous responses before
stop bits. the computer can get them. To increase the
dwell time between characters, use the "WAIT
When connecting to a PC, use a standard PC n" command. The dwell time between
serial cable, not a "null-modem" cable. The SR620 characters will be 2n ms.
is a DCE (Data Communications Equipment)
device, and so should be connected with a 6) The RS-232 echo must be "OFF", otherwise
"straight" cable to a DTE device (Data Terminal all characters sent to the SR620 will be
Equipment). The "minimum" cable will pass pins echoed back to the source. (See the section
2,3 and 7. For hardware handshaking, pins 5 and on "Configuration Menus" for details on RS232
20 (CTS and DTR) should be passed. configuration.) The computer will most likely
Occasionally, pins 6 and 8 (DSR and CD) will be confuse echoed commands with the desired
needed: these lines are always asserted by the data.
SR620.
There are several software problems which may

occur when using the RS-232 interface:
1) You have sent the wrong command to ask for

data from the SR620. Your program may wait
forever for a response which will not come.
This may not be your fault: we have seen
Microsoft's Interpreted Basic on an IBM PC
occasionally send a curly bracket (ASCII 253)
when it was suppose to have sent a carriage
return (ASCII 13).
2) Your computer's baud rate was changed by a

previous program and no longer matches the
baud rate set for the SR620. Good
programming practice requires that you set the
computer's baud rate at the start of each
application program.
3) The initial command sent to the SR620 was

invalid due to a garbage character left in the
SR620's command queue from power-up, or,
the first character in your computers RS-232
UART is garbage from when the SR620 was
turned "ON". It is good practice to send a few
carriage returns to the SR620 to flush its
command queue. Also, your program should
read and ignore any characters which may be
left in the computer's UART.
4) The SR620 is not sending the correct 'end-of-

record' marker for your computer. For
example, it appears that some FORTRANs

60 Troubleshooting Tips

Performance Test 61
PERFORMANCE TESTS
INTRODUCTION 2) Use the MODE up arrow key to light each

segment (7 of them) and the decimal point of
The procedures in this section test the the leftmost two digits. Only a single segment
performance of the SR620 and compare it to the should be on at a time. The MODE down
specifications in the front of this manual. The first arrow key will step backward through the
set of tests test the functionality of the SR620 from pattern.
the front panel and verify the functionality of the
circuitry. The second set of tests actually measure 3) Push the up arrow key again and all of the
the SR620's specifications. The results of each segments of all 16 digits should light.
test may be recorded on the test sheet at the end
of this section. 4) Press the up arrow key repeatedly to light
each front panel indicator LED in turn, top to
NECESSARY EQUIPMENT bottom, left to right. At any time only a single
LED should be on.
The following equipment is necessary to complete
the tests. The suggested equipment or its 5) After all of the LED have been lit further
equivalent may be used. pressing of the front panel keys will display the
key code associated with each key. Each key
1) 0 -20 MHz synthesized function generator that should have a different keycode.
can be phase-locked to an external reference
clock. Such as Hewlett-Packard HP3325B. Internal Self-Tests
2) 100MHz - 2 GHz synthesized signal generator The internal self tests test the functionality of the
such as Hewlett-Packard HP8642B. system RAM, the CPU, the video RAM, the two
internal counter channels, and the time interval
2) Precision DC voltmeter such as Fluke 8840A. calibration.
3) 2 equal ( less than ±1/2")length BNC cables. 1) Turn on the SR620. The model number, the
ROM firmware version number, and the serial
4) Epson compatible printer with PC compatible number should be displayed for about 3
cable (DB25 connector to Centronics seconds. Then the message SELF TEST
connector). PASS should appear. If a TEST ERROR
message appears see the TROUBLESHOOT-
5) 100MHZ or faster Oscilloscope. ING section for a description of the errors.
Test errors 33 and 34 indicate loss of
6) 10MHz frequency reference such as a Cesium calibration and may be fixed by running the
clock. Autocal procedure (see CONFIGURATION
MENU section).
FUNCTIONAL TESTS
Trigger Input Tests
These tests verify that the SR620's circuitry is
functional. These tests test the EXT, A, and B trigger inputs
and the REF output.
Front Panel Test
1) Set the SR620 mode to FREQ, source to A/B,
This test verifies the functionality of the front panel arming to EXT, Automeasure off (hold down
digits, LED's, and buttons. RESET button until AUTO LED goes off), and
display to TRIG to display the trigger levels on
1) Turn on the SR620 while holding down the the front panel.
"DISP" button. A single segment of the
leftmost digit should light. 2) Set the REF output to TTL and display the
output on a scope terminated into 1 Mohm.
The scope should display a 1kHz square wave

62 Performance Test
with 50% duty cycle. The signal should go 3) Set the B input to 50 ohms and verify that
from 0V to 4V. triggering now occurs between about 0 and
2V.
3) Set the scope to 50 ohms. The REF
amplitude should now be 2V. 4) Set the REF output to ECL and verify that
triggering occurs between about -1.8 and -
4) Set the REF output to ECL. The signal should 0.8V.
go from -1.8V to -0.8V with a 50 ohm
termination. 5) Set the B input to AC and verify that triggering
occurs between about -0.5 to +0.5 V.
EXT input
Counter Channel Tests
1) Set the REF output to TTL and connect it to
the EXT input. 1) Set the SR620 to TIME mode, A source,
+TIME arming, sample size to to 500,
2) Adjust the EXT trigger knob and verify the Automeasure on (press the START button
triggering starts at about 0V and stops at until the AUTO LED comes on) and display
about 4V. the mean. Tee the 10MHz rear panel output
to the A and B inputs using equal length
3) Set the EXT input to 50 ohms and verify that cables from the tee to the inputs. Set the A
triggering now occurs between about 0 and and B inputs to 50 ohms and the trigger levels
2V. to 0.0V.
4) Set the REF output to ECL and verify that 2) Set the A and B slopes to +. The display
triggering occurs between about -1.8 and - should read less than 1ns.
0.8V.
3) Set the display to jitter. The reading should be
A input less than 50ps.
1) Set the REF output to TTL and connect it to 4) Set the mode to frequency, the arming to 0.1s
the A input. gate, the source to A, sample size to 1. The
display should read 10 MHz ±35mHz.
2) Adjust the A trigger knob and verify the (9999999.965 to 10000000.035 Hz)
triggering starts at about 0V and stops at
about 4V. 5) Set the gate size to 1s. The display should
read 10MHz ±3.5mHz.
3) Set the A input to 50 ohms and verify that
triggering now occurs between about 0 and 6) Set the A input to UHF. The reading should
2V. be 10MHZ ±3.5mHz.
4) Set the REF output to ECL and verify that 7) Set the source to B, and the B input to UHF.
triggering occurs between about -1.8 and - The reading should be 10MHz ±3.5mHz.
0.8V.
Rear Panel Tests
5) Set the A input to AC and verify that triggering
occurs between about -0.5 to +0.5 V. 1) Attach the x and y scope outputs to an
oscilloscope in x-y mode. Set the scope input
B input channel to 1 V/div. Make sure that the
displayed picture is free of major distortion or
1) Set the REF output to TTL and connect it to anomalies. Minor distortion can be caused by
the B input. poorly compensated scope inputs.
2) Adjust the B trigger knob and verify the 2) Attach the printer to the printer port. Press the
triggering starts at about 0V and stops at print button. The printed graph should be the
about 4V. same as the displayed graph.
THIS COMPLETES THE FUNCTIONAL TESTS

Performance Test 63
PERFORMANCE TESTS inputs in 50 ohms and set the trigger levels to

0.00V. Set both A and B slopes to +.
These tests measure the performance of the
SR620 in comparison to its specifications. 4) Display the mean and verify that the reading is
less than ±1ns. Record the reading.
Timebase Frequency
5) Display the jitter and verify that the reading is
This test checks the frequency of the SR620's less than 50ps rms. Record the reading.
10MHz clock. The clock should be recalibrated
whenever the frequency deviates significantly from Trigger Sensitivity
10MHz.
These tests confirm that the A and B inputs and
1) Allow the SR620 to warm up for at least 1/2 UHF prescalers have normal sensitivity.
hour.
1) Attach the function generator's reference clock
2) Set the SR620 mode to frequency, source to input to the SR620's 10MHz output. Set the
A, arming to 1s gate, sample size to 1, A function to square wave and the amplitude to
trigger level to 0.00V, A termination to 50 110mV pk-pk with no offset.
Ohms.
2) Connect the function generator to the SR620's
3) Attach the frequency standard to the A input A input. Terminate the input into 50 ohms, set
and measure its frequency. Record the result. the trigger slope to +, and set the trigger level
to 0.02 Volts (this centers the hysteresis about
Accuracy 0.00V).
This test checks that the SR620 will produce the 3) Set the SR620's mode to Frequency, 1s gate,
correct result given a known input. This test does 1 sample, display to mean.
not check the accuracy of the 10 MHz time base.
4) Set the source to A, the A trigger level to
specification: 10 MHz ± .0035 Hz 0.02V, and measure the frequency at the
following frequencies: 0.1 Hz, 10Hz, 1kHz,
1) Set the SR620 to Frequency Mode,A source, 100kHz, 1MHz, and 10MHz. note: the 0.1 Hz
1s gate, 1 sample. measurement will take at least 40s to stabilize.
The frequencies should read:
2) Attach the rear panel 10MHz output to A,
terminate in 50 Ohms. setting Frequency Reading
0.1 Hz 0.1Hz ±20 µHz
3) Verify that the reading is consistent with the 10 Hz 10 Hz ±1 mHz
above specification. Record the reading. 1 kHz 1 kHz ±1 mHz
100 kHz 100 kHz ±0.01Hz
Time Interval 1 MHz 1 MHz ± 0.1 Hz
10 MHz 10 MHz ± 1.0 Hz
This test tests the accuracy of time interval
measurements. The resolution is also checked. Record the results.
specification: < ±1ns accuracy 5) Set the source to B, the B trigger threshold to
< 50ps rms jitter 0.02V, terminate the B input into 50 Ohms, set
the trigger slope to +, connect the function
1) Set the pulse generator to square wave, 4V generator to the SR620's B input, and
amplitude, frequency to 10 kHz. measure the same group of frequencies.
Record the results.
2) Tee the output of the pulse generator to the A
and B inputs of the SR620 using equal length 6) Attach the rf generator's reference input to the
cables from the tee to the inputs. SR620's 10MHz output.
3) Set the SR620 to time mode, source A, +TIME 7) Attach the generator's rf output to the SR620's
arming, 1000 samples. Terminate the A and B A input. Terminate the A input into 50 ohms.

64 Performance Test
Set the generator to 100 MHz and the output 5) Set the A trigger level to AUTO and the D/A #0
level to -2dBm. Measure the frequency. Set to 1V. Read the trigger level. Record this
the output level to +1dBm and the frequency result. The value should be 1.0V ±50mV.
to 300MHz. Measure the frequency. The
frequencies should read: 6) Repeat steps 2,3, 4, and 5 for channel B and
record the results.
setting Frequency Reading
100MHz 100MHz ± 10 Hz D/A Output Accuracy
300MHz 300MHz ± 30 Hz
These tests verify the accuracy of the rear panel
Record the results. D/A outputs.
8) Set the SR620's A input to UHF. Set the A specification: 0.3% full scale (±30mV)
trigger level to 0.00V.Set the generator to
300MHz with a -22dBm output level. Measure 1) Connect the voltmeter to the D/A 0 output.
the frequency. Set the generator to 1.3GHz at
an output level of +5dBm. Measure the 2) In the Scn submenu of the SR620's
frequency. The frequencies should read: configuration menus set the two D/A outputs
to D/A mode (not chart).
setting Frequency Reading
300MHz 300MHz ± 30 Hz 3) Set D/A 0 to -10.00V. Measure the output
1.3GHz 1.3 GHz ± 130Hz voltage and record the result. Verify that the
reading is -10.00V ±30mV.
Record the results.
4) Set D/A 0 to 0.00V. Measure the output
9) Repeat steps 7 and 8 for channel B. Record voltage and record the result. Verify that the
the results. reading is 0.00V ±30mV.
Trigger Level Accuracy 5) Set D/A 0 to +10.00V. Measure the output

voltage and record the result. Verify that the
These tests confirm the accuracy of the SR620's reading is +10.00V ±30mV.
trigger level calibration.
6) Repeat steps 3, 4, and 5 for D/A output 1.
specification: 15mV + 0.5% of setting Record the results.
1) Attach the SR620 rear panel D/A #0 output to DVM Input Accuracy
the channel A input. Also tee this signal to the
voltmeter (note: noise from the voltmeter can These tests verify the accuracy of the DVM inputs.
produce false triggering of the SR620. A 1-
10uF capacitor across the inputs of the specification: 0.3% full scale
voltmeter solves this problem.).
1) Attach the SR620 D/A #0 output to DVM input
2) Set the SR620 to time mode. Set the A input 0. Attach the voltmeter so that it monitors the
to1 Mohm, + slope, and the A trigger threshold power supply voltage.
to 0.00V.
2) Set the SR620 display to DVM.
3) Set the D/A output to -1.0V and slowly
increase the voltage until the A TRIG LED 3) Set D/A output #0 to 0.00 V. Compare the
flashes. Record this voltmeter reading. The SR620 reading to that of the voltmeter. The
voltage should be 0.00V ±15mV. difference should be < 6mV. Record the
difference.
4) Set the A trigger level to 4V. Slowly increase
the D/A #0 voltage from 0 V until the A TRIG 4) Set D/A output #0 to 1.80 V. Compare the
LED flashes. Record this voltage. The SR620 reading to that of the voltmeter. The
voltage should be 4.0V ±30mV. difference should be < 6mV. Record the
difference.

Performance Test 65
5) Set D/A output #0 to 10.00 V. Compare the

SR620 reading to that of the voltmeter. The
difference should be < 60mV. Record the
difference.
6) Repeat steps 1-5 for DVM input 1. Record the

results.
THIS COMPLETES THE PERFORMANCE

TESTS

66 Performance Test

Performance Test 67
SR620 PERFORMANCE TEST RECORD
Serial Number ___________ Oscillator: _________

Tested By:_______________ Date:________ Temperature:_______
Comments:
Pass Fail
Functional Tests
Display Test ____ ____

Self Test ____ ____
Ext Input ____ ____
A Input ____ ____
B Input ____ ____
Counter Tests ____ ____
Rear Panel Tests ____ ____
Minimum Actual Maximum
Performance Tests
Timebase Frequency _________
Accuracy 9999999.9965 Hz _________ 10000000.0035 Hz
Time Interval
Accuracy -1 ns _________ +1 ns
Jitter 0 _________ 50 ps
Trigger Inputs
A Comparators
0.1Hz 99.980 mHz _________ 100.020 mHz
10Hz 9.999 Hz _________ 10.001 Hz
1 kHz 999.999 Hz _________ 1000.001 Hz
100 kHz 99.99999 kHz _________ 100.00001 kHz
1 MHz 999.9999 kHz _________ 1.0000001 MHz
10 MHz 9.999999 MHz _________ 10.000001 MHz
100 MHz 99.99999 MHz _________ 100.00001 MHz
300 MHz 299.99997 MHz _________ 300.00003 MHz
A UHF
300 MHz 299.99997 MHz _________ 300.00003 MHz
1.3 GHz 1.29999987 GHz _________ 1.30000013 GHz

68 Performance Test
Minimum Actual Maximum
B Comparators
0.1Hz 99.980 mHz _________ 100.020 mHz
10Hz 9.999 Hz _________ 10.001 Hz
1 kHz 999.999 Hz _________ 1000.001 Hz
100 kHz 99.99999 kHz _________ 100.00001 kHz
1 MHz 999.9999 kHz _________ 1.0000001 MHz
10 MHz 9.999999 MHz _________ 10.000001 MHz
100 MHz 99.99999 MHz _________ 100.00001 MHz
300 MHz 299.99997 MHz _________ 300.00003 MHz
B UHF
300 MHz 299.99997 MHz _________ 300.00003 MHz
1.3 GHz 1.29999987 GHz _________ 1.30000013 GHz
Trigger Accuracy
A 0V -0.015 V _________ +0.015 V
A 4V 3.965 V _________ 4.035V
B 0V -0.015 V _________ +0.015 V

B 4V 3.965 V _________ 4.035V
D/A Accuracy
D/A #0 -10.0V -9.97 V _________ -10.03 V
D/A #0 0.0 V -0.03 V _________ 0.03 V
D/A #0 10.0 V 9.97 V _________ 10.03 V
D/A #1 -10.0V -9.97 V _________ -10.03 V

D/A #1 0.0 V -0.03 V _________ 0.03 V
D/A #1 10.0 V 9.97 V _________ 10.035 V
DVM Accuracy
DVM #0 0.0V ∆ = -0.006V _________ ∆ = 0.006V
DVM #0 1.8 V ∆ = -0.006V _________ ∆ = 0.006V
DVM #0 10.0 V ∆ = -0.06V _________ ∆ = 0.06V
DVM #1 0.0V ∆ = -0.006V _________ ∆ = 0.006V

DVM #1 1.8 V ∆ = -0.006V _________ ∆ = 0.006V
DVM #1 10.0 V ∆ = -0.06V _________ ∆ = 0.06V

Calibration Procedure 69
CALIBRATION
The SR620 is calibrated by adjusting calibration Calbyte Function

constants which are stored in the unit's battery-
backed up RAM. The calibration values which 0 Start TAC gain adjust
were determined when the unit was manufactured 1 Start TAC zero offset
are stored in the unit's ROM, and may be recalled 2 Stop TAC gain adjust
at any time. 3 Stop TAC zero offset
The SR620 is mostly self-calibrating. The AutoCal 4 10MHz oscillator adjustment

procedure may be run to adjust most of the
calibration constants to their correct value. An 5,6,7 Ext,A,B comparator gain adjustment
important exception to this is the adjustment of the 8,9,10 Ext,A,B positive slope zero offset
10 MHz timebase. (See calibration procedure for adjust
adjusting timebase frequency.) To run the AutoCal 11,12,13 Ext,A,B negative slope zero offset
procedure, select the "Autocal" line in the CAL adjust
submenu of the CONFIG menu and push the 14,15 A,B autolevel offset adjust
"START" button. The procedure will finish (in
about two minutes) with the message "Cal done". 16 D/A #0 zero offset adjust
(See the troubleshooting section of the manual if a 17 D/A #1 zero offset adjust
error occurs.) Autocal should be run every 1000 18 D/A #0 gain adjust
operating hours, or if the environmental operating 19 D/A #1 gain adjust
conditions change significantly. It may also be run 20 DVM input #0 20V range zero offset
before critical measurements to insure optimum 21 DVM input #1 20V range zero offset
instrument performance. 22 DVM #0 zero offset for 2V range
23 DVM #1 zero offset for 2V range
CALBYTES 24 DVM #0 20V range gain adjust
25 DVM #1 20V range gain adjust
The calbytes adjust for unit-to-unit variations which 26 DVM #0 2V range gain adjust
are very stable. Most of the calibration is 27 DVM #1 2V range gain adjust
automatic; there are only a few manual calibration 28-39 Insertion delay correction (total
procedures. The calbytes may be viewed (and correction = base (byte40)+correction)
adjusted) by putting the "cal enable" jumper for inputs and slopes A+B+,A+B-,A-
(inside the SR620 at the front center of the circuit B+,A-B-,REF+B+,REF+B-,REF-B+,
board) into the "enable" position and then looking REF-B-,B+A+,B-A+,B+A-,B-A-
at the "Caldat" line in the Cal submenu. The 40 Base insertion delay
function of the calbytes are given in the table here: 41-45 Width insertion delay correction ( total
correction = base (byte 40) +
correction) for inputs and slopes A+,A-
,B+,B-,REF
46-49 Tr/tf insertion delay correction (total
correction = base (byte 40) +
correction) for inputs and slopes A+,A-
,B+,B-
50 Freq/period insertion delay
51-115 Start TAC linearization bytes
116-180 Stop TAC linearization bytes

70 Calibration Procedure
Note: The AutoCal procedure automatically Necessary Equipment:

adjusts bytes 0-3,40,45,50-180. That is, it
automatically adjusts the start and stop TACs, the 1) 100MHz or faster oscilloscope.
TAC linearity, the base time interval insertion
delay, the width of REF insertion delay correction, 2) 10 - 20MHz pulse generator with 5ns or less
and the freq/period insertion delay. transition times such as Hewlett-Packard
HP8012.
Calibration Procedure
3) Precision DC voltmeter such as Fluke 8840A.
Note: Allow 1/2 hour warmup before calibrating
the SR620. 4) 0 - 20 V stable dc power supply.
Note: The factory value for a particular calbyte 5) 10MHz frequency standard with better than 5
may be recalled from ROM by displaying the x 10-10 /day aging, such as a Cesium clock.
calbyte and pressing the "CLR REL" button. The
factory value for all of the calbytes may be recalled 6) 180 degree rf power splitter with less than a
by pressing the "CLR" button in the SCOPE and few hundred picoseconds phase shift between
CHART section. the non-inverting and inverting outputs (such
as Mini-Circuits ZSCJ-2-1).
Simple Calibration
7) 2 equal ( less than ±1/2")length BNC cables.
It is rare that the SR620 will need a complete
recalibration. In virtually all cases this simple 8) BNC cable of known time delay. Can be
calibration procedure will suffice. measured with SR620.
Procedure: Trigger Input Calibration
1) Run Autocal. Note: This description refers to channel A.

Channels B and EXT have the same procedure.
2) To calibrate the timebase, attach a precision Wherever a particular value is noted the values for
10MHz source to the A input. Measure its B and EXT will be noted in parentheses (B,EXT).
frequency with a 1s gate. Adjust calbyte 4
until the display reads exactly 10.0MHz. The Input Compensation
allowable range of calbyte 4 is 0 to 4095 all
other numbers are set modulo 4096. If, with 1) Connect the REF output to the A input with a
the oven oscillator, the frequency cannot be coax cable. Select TTL level for the REF OUT
set with the calbyte remaining in range, set the level. Attach a compensated scope probe to
calbyte to midrange and adjust the coarse R413 (R443,R473)
adjustment screw on the oscillator until the
frequency is correct. 2) Adjust C402 (C422,C442) for best pulse
shape on the 10 us/div scope display.
Note: Attach a x-y scope to the SR620 and look at
the histogram display. The mean value can be Input Threshold Offset Calibration
read off of the histogram while the calbyte is
viewed and adjusted on the front panel. 1) With the input open, set the MODE to TIME
and the arming EXT. Turn off automeasure by
Complete Calibration Procedure: pressing the RESET key in the SAMPLE SIZE
section. Select TRIG for the DISPLAY and set
Note: All or any part of this procedure may be the TRIG threshold for 0 V.
done .
2) Set the slope to + and calbyte 9 (10,8) to
2200.
3) Slowly reduce the value of calbyte 9 (10,8)

until the trigger light flashes. This is the
correct value.

4) Set the slope to - and calbyte 12 (13,11) to adjust the coarse adjustment screw on the
1800. oscillator until the frequency is correct.
5) Slowly increase the value of calbyte 12 (13,11) Insertion Delay Calibration

until the trigger light flashes. This is the correct
value. Start this procedure by running AutoCal on a well
warmed-up instrument.
Input Threshold Gain Calibration
Note: If the calbytes calculated below are positive
1) Set the slope to + and the threshold to 4.5V. set the calbyte to that value. If they are negative
Set calbyte 6 (7,5) to 1. Attach a precision dc set them to 65536 - abs(value) . Use the scope
source to input A. Slowly increase the dc histogram display to see measurement values
voltage from 0 until the trigger light flashes. when adjusting the Calbytes.
2) The gain factor is dc voltage/4.5. Time Mode:
3) Calculate the value of calbyte 6 (7,5) as 1) Set the mode to time, arming to +time,source
follows: to A, sample size to 1000, and the triggers to
a) If the gain is less than 1 multiply the gain the midpoint of the input signals.
factor by 65536 and round the answer even.
b) If the gain factor is greater than or equal to 2) Tee the output of the pulse generator to the A
1 multiply the gain factor by 65536 and round and B inputs with equal length cables.
the answer odd. Terminate the inputs with 50 Ohms.
4) Enter the new calbyte value. 3) Set the A and B slopes to + and measure the
time interval. Adjust calbyte 28 until the
Autolevel Offset Calibration (For A and B only) answer reads 0.
1) With the input open, turn the threshold knob to 4) Set the A and B slopes to - and measure the
the autolevel position and read the trigger time interval. Adjust calbyte 31 until the
level. answer reads 0.
2) Divide the trigger level by 0.00488
3) Add this value to the calbyte. 5) Attach the non-inverting output of the power
splitter to A and the inverting output to B.
Clock Oscillator Calibration
6) Set the A slope to + and the B slope to - and
Note: Allow at least 1 hour warmup before measure the time interval. Adjust calbyte 29
adjusting the clock. until the answer reads 0.
1) Attach a scope probe to TP1 ( R305) in the 7) Set the A slope to - and the B slope to + and
right rear of the circuit board. Set the scope to measure the time interval. Adjust calbyte 30
50mV/div and 20ns/div. until the answer reads 0.
2) Adjust L303,L304,L306,L307 for maximum 8) Set the Source to B.

amplitude of the 90MHz clock signal.
9) Set the A and B slopes to + and measure the
3) Run Autocal. time interval. Adjust calbyte 36 until the
answer reads 0.
4) Attach a precision 10MHz source to the A
input and measure its frequency with a 1s 10) Set the A and B slopes to - and measure the
gate. Adjust calbyte 4 until the display reads time interval. Adjust calbyte 39 until the
exactly 10.0MHz. The allowable range of answer reads 0.
calbyte 4 is 0 to 4095 all other numbers are
set modulo 4096. If the frequency of the oven 11) Attach the non-inverting output of the power
oscillator cannot be set with a calbyte in this splitter to A and the inverting output to B.
range, set the calbyte to midrange (2048) and

12) Set the A slope to + and the B slope to - and 2) Set the source to A .
measure the time interval. Adjust calbyte 37
until the answer reads 0. 3) Attach the non-inverting power splitter output
to A. Set the A slope to + and measure the
13) Set the A slope to - and the B slope to + and width. Write this down as W1.
measure the time interval. Adjust calbyte 38
until the answer reads 0. 4) Set the A slope to - and measure the width.
Write this down as W2.
14) Set the source to REF and attach the known
length cable from REF to B. 5) Attach the inverting power splitter output to B.
Set the A slope to + and measure the width.
15) Set the A and B slopes to + and measure the Write this down as W3.
time interval. Adjust calbyte 32 until the
known value of the cable length is shown. 6) Set the A slope to - and measure the width.
Write this down as W4.
16) Set the A and B slopes to - and measure the
time interval. Adjust calbyte 35 until the 7) Measure the period of the A input using a 1s
known value of the cable length is shown. gate. Write this down as T.
17) Set the A slope to + and the B slope to - and 8) Calculate the CHANGE to calbytes 41 and 42
measure the time interval. Adjust calbyte 33 as follows:
until the known length + 500us is shown.
calbyte 41 change = (W1 + W3 -T)/
18) Set the A slope to - and the B slope to + and (2*2.7126736111E-12)
measure the time interval. Adjust calbyte 34 calbyte 42 change= (W2 + W4 - T)/
until the known length + 500us is shown. (2*2.7126736111E-12)
Rise/Fall Time Mode: 9) Repeat steps 1-8 with channel B to get the
changes in calbytes 43 and 44.
1) Set the mode to rise/fall time , arming to +
time. Set both A and B trigger thresholds to Frequency,Period,Phase,and Count mode:
the same value.
1) These modes need no calibration.
2) Set the source to A and attach the pulse
generator to A.
D/A Output Calibration
3) Set the slopes to + and measure the rise time.
Adjust calbyte 46 until the answer reads 0. Offset Calibration:
4) Set the slopes to - and measure the fall time. 1) Attach a precision (better than 0.1% error) dc
adjust calbyte 47 until the answer reads 0. voltmeter to D/A #0. Select the Scn submenu
of the configuration menus. Go to the d/a
5) Set the source to B and attach the pulse mode line and set D/A #0 and D/A #0 to D/A.
generator to B. Set D/A #0 to 0 V.
6) Set the slopes to + and measure the rise time. 2) Adjust calbyte 16 until the meter reads within
Adjust calbyte 48 until the answer reads 0. 5mV of zero.
7) Set the slopes to - and measure the fall time. 3) Attach the voltmeter to D/A # 1. Set D/A #1 to
Adjust calbyte 49 until the answer reads 0. 0 V.
Width Mode: 4) Adjust calbyte 17 until the meter reads within 5

mV of 0.
1) Set the mode to width, arming to +time. Set
both A and B thresholds to the midpoint of the D/A Output Gain Calibration:
input signal.

1) Attach the voltmeter to D/A #0. Set D/A #0 to

10V. Set calbyte 18 to 1.
2) Measure the output voltage. Gain factor =

10.0/V.
3) Calculate calbyte 18 as follows:
a) If the gain is less than 1, multiply the gain

factor by 65536 and round even.
b) If the gain is greater than or equal to 1,
multiply the gain factor by 65536 and
round odd.
4) Repeat 1-3 with output 1 to get calbyte 19.
DVM Input Calibration
1) Attach a stable dc source to DVM input 0 and

to the voltmeter.
2) Set the DVM 0 input range to 20V.
3) Set the dc source to 0.
4) Adjust calbyte 20 until the DVM 0 reading and

the voltmeter reading agree.
5) Set the dc source to about 18 V.

the voltmeter agree.
7) Set the DVM 0 input range to 2V and the dc

source to 0.

9) Set the dc source for about 1.8V.

11) Repeat 1-10 for DVM input 1 to get values for

calbytes 21,25,23, and 27.


Circuit Description 75
SR620 CIRCUIT DESCRIPTION
PROCESSOR SYSTEM P2_6 Ticks_6 To internal counter

(Sheet 1 of 16) P3_2 -Strt_Int Start received
P3_4 -Dropout Power supply dropout
The processor is a Z8800 ( Super-8 ) which P3_6 Cycles_6 To internal counter
integrates a fast 8 bit microprocessor, UART,
counter-timers, and an interrupt controller into one The inputs to the internal 16 bit counters (P2_6
VLSI component. and P3_6) will generate an interrupt on overflow.
These inputs will have a maximum frequency of
The processor is clocked at just above 20 MHz. about 1.5 MHz, and so may generate interrupts at
The crystal, X101, is specified as a series- up to 60 Hz.
resonant 20 MHz crystal, so it will oscillate at a
few kiloHertz above 20 MHz with the parallel 30 The other bits on the Z8800's ports 2 & 3 are used
pF load. This crystal is used only for processor as follows:
timing.
Port Name Function
The processor can address 128K of memory.
There are 16 address bits and one bank select bit. P2_1 -Busrq Requests assess to
The bank select bit, -DM, is low to select "data display RAM
memory" and high to select "program memory". P2_5 -Prnt_Stb Printer strobe
The lower 8 bits of the address bus are latched off P2_7 -Reload Reloads all counters and
the data bus by U102. timers
P3_0 RS232_In Received serial data
The firmware (and the factory calibration bytes ) P3_1 RS232_Out Transmitted serial data
reside in U103, a 64Kx8 200 ns UVEPROM which P3_3 Busy Printer busy
occupies all of "program memory". P3_5 -DM Low for Data Memory
P3_7 -Ttlstopn Stop input enabled
U104 is a 32Kx8 static RAM, whose contents are
preserved on power-down by the lithium battery. GPIB INTERFACE
The chip-select to the RAM is inhibited when the (Sheet 2 of 16)
RESET is asserted by Q101. This prevents
corruption of the RAM contents when the power is The GPIB (IEEE-488) interface is provided by
turned off. This static RAM is mapped into the top U122, a TMS9914A controller. U123 and U124
half of "data memory". buffer data I/O to the GPIB connector. U122 is
programmed to provide an Gpib_Int to the Z8800
Port strobes are generated by U106 and U107. I/O when data is sent to the unit by the user's GPIB
ports are mapped into the bottom 1/4 of "data controller.
memory" while the 8Kx8 display memory is
mapped into the 2/4 of the bank. Various control PRINTER INTERFACE
signals are generated by U108-110. The buffered (Sheet 2 of 16)
data bus (to all of the system's I/O ports) is
enabled only if access to the bottom half of "data The instrument's firmware allows scope displays to
memory" is required. be printed to Epson compatible printers. Output
data is buffered by U128, an LS octal transceiver.
The Z8800 has a prioritizing vector interrupt Output control bits are buffered by the open
controller. Hardware interrupts are assigned as collector driver U127, and input control bits are
follows: discriminated by 1/4 and 2/4 of U125.
Port Name Function The printer port may be used as a general

purpose digital I/O port. Normally, the bit Print/-Init
P2_0 -A/D_Int A/D conversion complete is used to initialize the printer when brought low,
P2_2 -Stop_Int Stop received and configure the octal buffer for output when set
P2_3 -Gpib_Int IEEE-488 interface high. However, with this bit set low, the Z8800 can
P2_4 -RTC 1 kHz real-time clock read data which is present at the printer port.

76 Circuit Description
GPIB & RS232 commands support these Z80 is halted or has relinquished its bus to the
functions. Z8800, the beam is pulled off the screen by
current injected via D127.
RS-232 INTERFACE
(Sheet 2 of 16) COUNTER INPUT PORTS
(Sheet 4 of 16)
The Z8800 UART output is buffered by 1/4 of
U126 to send data from the instrument to a host U201 through U203 are used to read data into the
computer. The RS-232 received data is buffered processor. Read instructions which reference the
by 3/4 of U125 and sent to the Z8800 UART input. "data memory" will generate a port strobe to place
The Z8800 can set the bit -RS232CTS low to tell data on the processor's data bus.
the host computer that is okay to send data. The
RS232 bits DSR and CD are always high. The The seven LSB's from the Tick counter are read
signal from the host computer, DTR (Data by U201. This counter is called the Tick counter
Terminal Ready ), may be used to stop RS232 because it usually counts the clock cycles of the
data output if DTR goes low. 90 MHz timebase. It may also be used to count
events when in the COUNT Mode.
The SR620 is a DCE and may be connected to
PC's using a standard serial cable (not a "null The seven LSB's from the CYCLE counter are
modem" cable). read by U202. This counter is called the CYCLE
counter because it usually counts the number of
SCOPE DISPLAY cycles of an input when the unit is in the
(Sheet 3 of 16) FREQUENCY, PERIOD or PHASE Modes.
Rear panel outputs provide voltages to display Key presses may be detected as part of the LED
histograms and graphs on an XY oscilloscope. display refresh. A key press will connect a strobe
The xy coordinates are stored in a list in the 8Kx8 line to one of the four input bits, Kbrd_(0-3), which
static RAM, U117. This RAM may be written to or may be read at the input port U203. If there are no
read from by the Z8800. Access to the RAM is had key presses, all of the Kbrd lines will be low.
by asserting the -Busrq bit, at which time the Z80H
(U116) releases the data, address, and control The of input bits to U203 are:
lines to the RAM, and sets -Busak low, allowing
the Z8800's address, data, and control line to Print_Err Detects printer error
access the RAM via U114-116. Neg_Time Indicates a Stop before Start
-DTR Low if RS232 device is ready
The Z80, which is clocked at 8 MHz by the crystal Cal_En Jumper high to enable calibration
oscillator X102, is executing a short program
(which is also stored in the RAM) which writes xy
pairs to the two 8 bit D/A's. The program can DISPLAY CONTROL OUTPUT PORTS
refresh 3000 points 60 times a second. This (Sheet 4 of 16)
hardware configuration relies on the fortunate fact
that the Z80 instruction, Out(C),A , places the U204 though U208 are octal latches (74HCT374)
contents of the C register on the lower eight bits of which latch the data bus contents on the rising
the address bus, and the contents of the B register edge of the port strobe. Latched bits perform a
on the top eight bits of the address bus. This variety of control functions within the instrument
allows the Z80 to write 16 bits of data and are used to control the front panel LED
simultaneously to the two D/A converters. displays and lamps, as well as provide strobes to
read key press data.
The Z80 executes a halt instruction after
refreshing the XY display. The halt is ended by a U204 selects two digits and ten LED's for refresh.
Line_Cross interrupt which starts the next refresh Only one of the eight bits is strobed low at a time,
cycle. A wavering display is avoided by saturating one of the transistors in U210 or U211.
synchronizing the refresh to the line frequency. Should the port strobe to U204 become inactive,
the one-shot (2/2 U131) will disable the output
The quad op-amp, U121, provides -10.24 and +5.0 drivers so that no LEDs will be damaged. U206
Vdc references to the two DAC's, and converts and U207's outputs are set low to turn on
their current outputs to voltages. Whenever the particular segments in the even and odd digits. A

high bit from U208 will saturate a transistor in 6 CMP2_B/-A Selects B or A for Comp2
U209, lighting the corresponding lamp on the front 7 CMP3_E/-C Selects Ext or Int_Cal for
panel. Comp3
The front panel displays and keyboard are ADC, DAC, and MISC CONTROL BITS
interface to the main PCB via a 40-pin cable, (Sheet 5 of 16)
J201. Each digit is refreshed for 2 mS. Because
there are large current transients associated with U235 controls the analog-to-digital converter
the multiplexed displays, a separate +5 supply and (ADC) multiplexer, and digital volt meter (DVM)
ground return are provided for the LED's. source and gain. ( See sheet 12 of 16.) The table
below defines each bit:
FRONT-END STATUS BITS
(Sheet 5 of 16) Bit Name Function
U233 allows the processor to read various status 0 Adc_Mpx0 LSB of ADC multiplexer
bits from the front-end inputs. These status bits 1 Adc_Mpx1 Middle bit of ADC multiplexer
are defined as follows: 2 Adc_Mpx2 MSB of ADC multiplexer
3 -Adc_S/H Low to sample DVM input
Bit Name Function 4 -Adc_Gain Low for 2 VFS, high for 20 VFS
5 Adc1 High to select DVM1
0 -Bad_Clk Cold oven or bad Ext timebase 6 -Adc1 Low to select DVM1
1 -Ovld_A Overload to A's 50 Ohm 7 Int_Gaten High for internal gate enable
terminator
2 -Ovld_B Overload to B's 50 Ohm There are eight digitally controlled analog voltages
terminator used in the instrument. These voltages are
3 -Ovld_Ext Overload to Ext 50 Ohm supplied by one 12 bit digital-to-analog converter
terminator (DAC) which refreshes eight sample-and-hold
4 -Armed Ready to make a measurement amplifiers. ( See sheet 12 of 16.) U236 controls
5 Cmp_3ttl Flag for Ext Trig LED the DAC multiplexer and provides four other
6 Trig_2 Flag for B's Trig LED miscellaneous bits. The definitions for these bits is
7 Trig_1 Flag for A's Trig LED given in the table below:
The last four bits in the above table are latched by Bit Name Function
U231 and U232. Three of the bits are converted
from ECL to TTL levels by U230. All of the flags 0 Dac_Mpx0 DAC multiplexer LSB
may be set with very short pulses ( 3 ns ) and the 1 Dac_Mpx1 DAC multiplexer middle bit
flags are cleared after reading when Flagclr is 2 Dac_Mpx2 DAC multiplexer MSB
strobed by the processor. 3 Dac_Inh High to inhibit multiplexer
4 Sel_Cmp3 High to start delay on EXT rise
FRONT-END CONTROL BITS 5 -Int_Clk Low to use internal timebase
(Sheet 5 of 16) 6 Ttl/-Ecl High for TTL REF output
7 Sel_-Cmp3 High to start delay on EXT fall
U234, and the associated emitter followers Q210-
212 and U239, are used to control front-end There are 24 emitter coupled logic (ECL) level
relays. These relays select signal sources for the status bits available from three HC shift registers,
comparators, select ac or dc coupling, and control U237, U238 and U250. The outputs from these
the 50 Ohm terminators. The definitions of these ICs swing between -0.7 vdc and -5.2 vdc. Data
control bits is given in the table here: from the processor's MSB is shifted serially into
these registers by "Eclshf", and transferred to their
Bit Name Function outputs by the port strobe "Rck". The data, clock,
and load bits are level shifted by the resistor
0 -A_50 Low for 50 Ohm on A networks N213 and N214. The -0.7 Vdc supply for
1 -B_50 Low for 50 Ohm on B the shift registers comes from a transistor in U239.
2 -Ext_50 Low for 50 Ohm on Ext
3 -A_dc Low for dc couple on A These ECL level bits allow the processor to control
4 -B_dc Low for dc couple on B the mode of the ECL circuits which do the fast
5 CMP1_A/-B Selects A or B for Comp1 measurements. U237 and the LSB of U238 control

the Frequency, Start and Stop ECL multiplexers levels (-0.8 to -1.8V) to 50 Ohm loads to ground.
(see sheet 9 of 16). These multiplexers select the The rise and fall times for this output are about 2
signal sources to be measured. ns.
U250 is used to enable the portions of the front- An internal calibration signal, "Int_Cal", is also
end which are needed to do a particular driven by the resynchronized 1 kHz ECL signal.
measurement. For example, if the frequency of a This calibration signal is used to linearize and set
slow signal on the A input is to be measured, only the gain of the time-to-amplitude converters. The
comparator #1 will be enabled (Cmp1_En is high); calibration signal provides a linear ramp of about
all other comparators and prescalers will be turned 30 ns duration which is accurately phased to the
off as they are noise sources for this internal 10 MHz timebase. The linear ramp is
measurement. The bits Trig1_Pol and Trig2_Pol generated by discharging C222 with a constant
are set so that the latches in U232 are set by the current source. The constant current source is
selected input signal polarity. (This ensures that turned on by the 1 kHz reference signal. C222 is
the TRIG LED's will blink on the correct edge of passively recharged to +10 vdc by R226 and
the input signal. The edge which is used for R239. The FET source follower, Q228, provides a
measurement is selected by the ECL multiplexers low impedance output.
on sheet 9 of 16.)
DELAY AND GATE GENERATOR
The functions of the status bits provided by U238 (Sheet 6 of 16)
are detailed in the table below:
An internal gate generator is used to provide .01,
Bit Name Function .1 and 1 second gates for FREQuency, PERIOD,
PHASE and COUNT mode measurements. The
B Cnt/-f_ti High for COUNT mode gate generator may also be set for gates from 1 us
C -Int_Arm Low for internal arming to 1 s via the front panel configuration menu or
D -P_Time Low for positive time arming computer interfaces.
E -P/M_Time Low for +/- time arming
F Par/Hoff Parity and hold off control For non-delayed gates (including the front panel
selectable gates of .01, .1 and 1 s) the control line
More detail regarding the operation of these "-Clk_On" is set low which presets both flip-flops in
control lines is provided in the sections which U244 and so releases the clear to U241B. This
describe the ECL arming and counting circuitry. allows U241B to run as a divide-by-two which
provides 5 MHz to the clock input of 2/3 of U222,
1 kHz REFERENCE OUTPUT an 8254 counter/timer. This section of the 8254 is
(Sheet 6 of 16) programmed to divide by 100, clocking the 3/3 of
the 8254 at 50 kHz. ( For gates shorter than 100
A 1.000 KHz calibration signal is generated by us, the 2/3 of the 8254 will be programmed to
dividing the 10 MHz clock by 2 in U241A, and divide by 5. ) The 3/3 of the 8254 is programmed
dividing the 5MHz by 5000 in 1/3 of U222, an 8254 as a software triggered one-shot which sets the
counter/timer. The 1 kHz output from the 8254 is width of the internal gate. The output of the 3/3 of
also used as a real-time interrupt to the Z8800 to the 8254 is resynchronized to the 50 kHz clock by
time certain housekeeping functions, such as U245B, which provides the actual "Gate_Ctrl"
refreshing the front panel LED's. The output of the output.
8254 is a square wave which is re-sync'ed to the 5
MHz clock by U245A, a D-type flip-flop. The output This internally generated gate may be triggered by
of the flip-flop is translated to ECL by U550A and the front panel EXT input. A delay from the EXT
re-sync'ed to the 10 MHz clock by U311A, an ECL trigger to the opening of the gate may be set or
D-type flip-flop. The careful resynchronization is scanned from the front panel configuration menu
required to maintain very low jitter on the or via one of the computer interfaces.
calibration signal.
The dual flip-flop, U244, is used to start the delay
The driver for the reference output may be from EXT input. To understand the circuit
programmed for either ECL or TTL output levels configuration for U244, notice that if either flip-flop
by the bit TTL/-ECL. The driver has a 50 Ohm is clocked high then the Q output of U244A will be
output impedance which supplies 4V to high set high, releasing the clear to the divide-by-two
impedance loads, 2V to 50 Ohm loads, and ECL (U241B). Cmp3 is the comparator output for the

front panel EXT input. The control signals The output of this comparator is the timebase for
Sel_Cmp3 and Sel_-Cmp3 are used to select the all time interval measurements. U312 buffers the
rising or falling edge of the EXT input to start the 90 MHz clock to reduce crosstalk between various
delay. U244A will be clocked high by -Cmp_3 portions of the instrument. The inductors in each
going low if Sel_Cmp3 is set high, and U244B will tank circuit, L307,306,303 and L304 are tuned to
be clocked high by -Cmp_3 going high if Sel_- maximize the amplitude of the 90 MHz signal at
Cmp3 is set high. TP#1.
For delayed gates, the programming of the 8254's The 10 MHz square wave is converted to TTL
is quite different. In this case, the period of the levels by U309A to serve as the timebase for the
output of the 2/3 of the 8254 is set to the gate internal gate generator.
width, and the 3/3 of the 8254 is programmed to
go low for one clock cycle after counting down the The internal 10 MHz crystal oscillator (either U301
delay. Of course, the programmed delay must be or optional U303) may be phase locked to an
some integer number of gate widths. The firmware external 5 or 10 MHz reference. The external
supports gate widths (and delay resolution) from 1 reference is ac coupled and buffered by Q308 to
us to 10 ms in a 1-2-5 sequence. the Schmitt trigger U313A. U313B,C limit the
output to ECL levels, and drive one input to the
TIMEBASE ECL phase comparator, U315, an MC12040.
(Sheet 7 of 16)
The control line "Ext_5MHz" is high to lock to an
The standard timebase is U1A, a 10.00000 MHz, 1 external 5 MHz reference. When high, U314A will
ppm, TCXO with aging characteristics of about 1 divide by two, providing 5 MHz to the other input of
ppm/yr. U1A is powered by U301 which re- the phase comparator, U315. To lock to an
regulates +15 VDC to +5 VDC. U1A provides a 10 external 10 MHz reference, "Ext_5MHz" is low,
MHz sine output. and U314A will behave like a one-shot, providing a
10 MHz pulse train to the phase comparator. The
The optional timebase is U303, an ovenized 10 output of the phase comparator is filtered by the -6
MHz crystal oscillator with 5x10-10/day aging and dB/octave differential active filter (U316 and
2x10-9 stability over 0 to 50 C. This oscillator also associated R's and C's).
provides a sine wave output which is selected by
the jumper, SW301. When the optional oscillator is The filtered output of the phase comparator is
used, U301 regulates +15 VDC to +12 VDC. used to control the frequency of the crystal
oscillator when -Int_Clk is high. Otherwise, a dc
The selected timebase is ac coupled into, and voltage, V_Freq, sets the oscillator frequency.
buffered by, the emitter follower, Q306, which is (V_Freq may be adjusted in the CAL portion of the
coupled to the rear panel output via the 10 MHz configuration menu.) If the filtered output goes
tank, C324 and L305. This output provides a clean above +5 Vdc or below -5 Vdc, then the
10 MHz, 1 Vrms sinewave, into a 50 Ohm load. comparator bit "-Bad_Clk" will go low and the
The emitter follower Q307 buffers the 10 MHz sine processor will light the "Clock" LED on the front
wave into U304, an ECL differential line receiver panel.
configured as a Schmitt trigger.
FRONT END INPUTS
The harmonic generator, U314B, creates a train of (Sheet 8 of 16)
pulses which are 5 ns wide with a pulse repetition
rate of 10 MHz. This pulse train has a frequency The front-end circuitry is used to discriminate the
spectrum which has equal amplitude components A,B and EXT inputs into ECL levels. The inputs
at 10,20,30,..to about 100 MHz. The matching may be ac or dc coupled (except for the EXT input
network, L307 and C328, resonates at 90 MHz to which is always dc coupled), terminated into 1 M
selectively couple the 90 MHz component into the or 50 Ohms, and compared to levels from -5 to +5
emitter of the cascode amplifier Q309. The tuned Vdc with 10 mV resolution. Input overloads are
collector load of Q309 (L306 and C326) provides detected (to protect the 50 Ohm terminators) and
the input to the four pole crystal filter. a UHF prescaler allows frequency measurements
to 1.3 GHz.
The crystal filter provides about 80 dB of
selectivity for the 90 MHz signal, which is
discriminated by U305, a fast ECL comparator.

The three inputs are nearly identical: reference sample and hold amplifier for C409. The
designations for channel A will be used in the comparator provides inverted and non-inverted
description that follows. outputs to the ECL multiplexers on sheet 9 of 16.
The multiplexers chooses one or the other to
The inputs are terminated to 50 Ohms by the trigger on rising or falling edges of the input signal.
processor activating relay U401. Both poles of the
DPDT relay are used to reduce inductance. The TRIGGER MULTIPLEXERS
50 Ohm terminator is a 1/2 watt resistor, so the (Sheet 9 of 16)
average voltage should not exceed 5 Vdc. U407
detects the voltage at the input; if it exceeds - 5 Nine bits (FREQx,STARTx and STOPx) from the
Vdc, or if the RF (buffered by the emitter follower processor control the signal source to be used in
Q404 and detected by D403) exceeds +5 Vdc, time interval and frequency measurements. For
then the -OVLD_A bit is asserted. This bit is polled time interval measurements, U502 and U503 can
by the processor, which opens relay if an overload select either the A or B inputs ( either polarity ) to
is detected. The firmware will then blink the 50 form either the start or stop signal. The 1.000KHz
Ohm LED to inform the user that the termination CAL signal may also be selected. U501 can select
has been removed. from the same signals for frequency
measurements. If a frequency measurement is to
When the input is terminated into 50 Ohms, the be done, U502 and U503 will select Freq_Start
input signal is ac coupled to the prescaler, U403. and Freq_Stop from the frequency gating logic as
The prescaler has a 10 mV rms sensitivity and can the start and stop signals.
provide a divide-by-64 output for inputs up to 1.3
GHz. The input to the prescaler is limited to the FREQUENCY GATES
bias currents in Q404 and D402. Large positive (Sheet 9 of 16)
excursions will reverse bias D402, and large
negative excursions will turn off Q404. The The frequency gating circuitry is used to generate
prescaler is powered by Q405 if -Pre_A_En is low. a start and a stop pulse for time interval
This prevents outputs from the prescaler from measurement. The start pulse (Freq_Start) occurs
interfering in measurements when it is not needed. on the second transition of the selected source
The output from the prescaler is shifted to ECL after the frequency sampling gate is opened; the
levels by the emitter follower on its output. stop pulse (Freq_Stop) occurs on the second
transition of the selected frequency source after
The input signal is attenuated by R403 and R404, the frequency gate is closed. The circuit also
and compensated by C402. C402 is adjusted for generates Freq_Gate so that the number of cycles
good pulse response by viewing a step input at the may be counted. Dividing the number of cycles by
emitter of Q403 on 10 us/div. The attenuated input the time interval gives the frequency.
signal is limited by D404,405 and buffered by
Q401, a fast n-channel JFET, and by the emitter If the signal -Fast_Per is asserted, then the Start
follower Q403. The op amp, U404 adjusts the pulse occurs on the FIRST transition of the
drain current in Q401 so as to maintain dc selected source after the frequency sampling gate
accuracy across the Q401/Q403 pair. is opened; the stop pulse occurs on the FIRST
transition of the selected frequency source after
The buffered outputs of A and B are normally sent the frequency gate is closed. This allows the time
to comparators U408 and U418 respectively by between a single event pair to be measured. This
the relays U405 and U415. The relays are mode is not used.
configured so as to reduce crosstalk between the
A & B inputs. In the case of rise and fall-time There are four modes of gating: a fixed gate of 1
measurements, one input signal is sent to both us to 1s duration, gates which may be delayed or
comparators, which are set for the low and high scanned relative to and external trigger, an
voltage levels for the transition being measured. external gate of arbitrary duration, or gating to time
a single period of the input waveform.
The comparator U408 is operated in a Schmitt
trigger configuration with about 20 mV of For internally generated gates the bit Int_Gaten is
hysteresis. Since the input signal has been set high, and the gate is controlled by the bit
attenuated by 2x, this represents 40 mV of Gate_Ctrl. The Gate_Ctrl bit may provide fixed
hysteresis at the input. The comparator threshold gates or gates which are delayed or scanned
is set by the output of U406A which serves as a relative to and external trigger. The rising edge of

Gate_Ctrl sets U506A: the next rising edge of the and external gating. The event gate is open from
frequency source sets U508A high, and the the time U506A is set until U506B is set. The or-
second rising edge sets U509A, Freq_Start, high. gate, U507C, forms the Event_Gate which
Freq_Start is selected as the start to the time enables the event counters via the multiplexer,
interval counter by U502. The -Q of U509A also U504.
asserts Freq_Gate to allow the cycles of the
frequency source to be counted until Freq_Stop is For internal gates, Int_Gaten is set high and the
asserted. The falling edge of the Gate_Ctrl bit sets gate is controlled by Gate_Ctrl from the 8254
U506B. U508B and U509B are used to generate a counter/timers on sheet 6 of 16. The counter
Freq_Stop bit which is synchronous with the timers may provide fixed gates, or gates which
second rising edge of the frequency source after may be delayed or scanned relative to an external
Gate_Ctrl goes low. Freq_Stop is selected as the trigger.
stop input to the time interval counter by U503,
and is used to turn off the Freq_Gate bit to stop For external gates, the Par_Hoff bit is set high,
the cycle counter for the frequency input. and the the discriminated output of the EXTernal
input is used to clock U506A and U506B. The
To measure a single cycle of the input source, - polarity of the external gate is controlled by the
Int_Arm is asserted so that U506A & B will be Gate_Ctrl bit.
asserted immediately after the LOAD pulse is
removed. The first rising edge of the frequency COUNTING CHANNELS
source will set U508A and remove the reset to the (Sheet 9 of 16)
U508B. The next rising edge will set U509A, the
Freq_Start bit, and remove the reset from U509B. There are two gated counting channels capable of
The third rising edge will set U509B, the 250 MHz operation and a count capacity of 1016.
Freq_Stop bit. The time between Freq_Start and The gate and count inputs to the counters are
Freq_Stop is equal to one cycle of the frequency selected by the multiplexer U504. The selected
input source. input clocks a D-type flip-flop. This flip-flop will
count if the selected gate is high. (To count, the D-
To externally gate, the bit Int_Gaten is set low, input must see the inverted output of the flip-flop.
allowing the discriminated EXT input (Cmp3) to The XOR gate inverts the input to the D input
pass to the XOR gate, U430C. The Gate_Ctrl bit is when the gate is high.) The counter channel
now used to control the polarity of the EXT input continues with another ECL flip-flop, conversion to
which is to arm the unit. The frequency gate starts TTL level, and a 74F74 flip-flop. The output of the
when U506A is set by the rising edge of the non- 74F74 flip-flop is passed to a 74HC191 4-bit
inverted output of U430C, and the gate is counter (sheet 6 of 16) and on to the counter
terminated by the rising edge of the inverted inputs of the central processor.
output of U430C. (The bit Par_Hoff is high.) The
synchronization of the Freq_Start and Freq_Stop When counting events, the top counter counts the
bit works as described above for internal gating. Start_Mpx output, the bottom counter counts the
Regardless of gate width, at least one cycle of the Stop_Mpx output, and both counters are gated by
input will always be measured. the Event_Gate. In all other modes of operation,
the top counter counts the 90MHz_C ticks and is
If -Fast_Per is low, then the first stage of re- gated by the Time_Gate, and the bottom counter
synchronization is skipped, as U506A and U506B counts the output of the frequency source
will be set when the Load pulse is terminated multiplexer, U501, (to count cycles in the
which will cause U508A and U508B to be set. In frequency mode) and is gated by the Freq_Gate.
this case, the first rising edge of the selected
frequency source will set U509A (the Start) and The ECL counters are reset by the "Load" pulse,
the second edge will set U509B (the Stop). This and the CMOS counters are reset by the "-Reload"
mode is not used. pulse.
EVENT GATING Fast transition time TTL outputs which drive long
(Sheet 9 of 16) lines have 82 Ohm series resistors on their
outputs to improve the pulse shape at the end of
There are three modes of generating a gate for the line. A 4 V step at the source will launch a 2 V
event counting: fixed gates from 1 us to 1 s, wave. The line, which has a characteristic
delayed/scanning gates from an external trigger, impedance of about 100 Ohms, will provide a

100% positive reflection at the high impedance The flip-flop, U311B, saves the state of the
termination (into the TTL or HC device which synchronized stop bit prior to the last rising edge
receives the signal.) The reflection is then reverse of the 90 MHz clock. This will set the bit
terminated into the 82 Ohm resistor and the low "Neg_Time" high when the stop pulse proceeds
impedance output of the sending device. The the start pulse.
result is a logic signal with very little distortion at
the far end of the line. TIME INTERVAL ARMING
(Sheets 9 and 10 of 16)
FAST TIME INTERVAL LOGIC
(Sheet 10 of 16) There are several different ways that the start and
stop circuits may be armed. In each case, the
To measure a time interval, the 90 MHz clock is circuits are armed by removing the reset and by
counted for the interval between a start pulse and providing a high ECL level to the D inputs of the
a stop pulse. Each tick of the clock represents start and stop latches. The level at the D inputs is
11.111 ns of time interval. To attain a resolution of always high, except in the ±Time arming mode.
4 ps, the times from the start pulse and stop pulse The reset is set whenever the "Load" is asserted
to subsequent edges of clock are measured with 4 by the processor: the reset may be extended
ps resolution. The time interval is then (11.111.. ns beyond the end of "Load" in several ways.
x #clocks) + (Time from Start to clock)- (Time from
Stop to clock). For +Time and ±Time arming (internal arming), -
Int_Arm is set low. This will cause U506A
ECL flip-flops have the unfortunate problem that (Start_En) to be set when the Load line goes low
the propagation delay from clock to output will be (at the end of the reload cycle for the previous
affected if either the reset or data inputs measurement) removing the reset from the latch
arechanged simultaneously with the clock. In order (U604B) which is holding the start latch (U604A) in
to meet the stringent accuracy and jitter reset. U506B (Stop_En) is also set high when the
specifications for the instrument, it is necessary to load line goes low, and so the line "Start_En"is set.
use two stage resynchronization.
In the +Time mode, -P_Time is low, and so the
A rising edge on the ECL bit Start_Mpx sets the reset to U608B (which holds the stop latch in
start latch, U604A, asserting "Start". To avoid the reset) will not be removed until the start latch goes
possibility that the start pulse comes just as the high: in this way the stop latch is armed by the
reset to the start latch is released, the start pulse start pulse. The Stop_Mpx output is delayed by 15
to the start latch is delayed; the undelayed start ns of coax cable, to allow time for the stop latch's
pulse clocks U604B high, synchronously releasing reset to be removed. This allows time intervals
the reset to the start latch. In this way, the reset to from -1ns to +1000 s to be measured.
the start latch always precedes the clock to the
start latch by about 3 ns. For ±TIME mode arming, the "Load" pulse is
extended if a start or stop pulse was not
Once the start latch is set, the next rising edge of accompanied by a stop or start pulse while the unit
the 90 MHz clock will set U605A, and the second was converting or reloading. In this mode, -
edge of the clock will set U605B. The signal Start- P/M_Time is low, removing the reset from the
Ck is on from the start edge until the second edge latches U612A&B. The flip-flop U610A is a one bit
of the 90 MHz after the start signal. This 12-23 ns counter of start pulses: the U610B is a one bit
wide pulse will be integrated to measure the time counter of stop pulses. The output of the XOR
by which the start pulse preceded the 90 MHz gates, U611A&C will be high if a start was not
clock edge. accompanied by a stop. (The output of U611A is
delayed by a few nanoseconds to handle the case
The same scheme is used to generate a Stop bit that starts and stops are coincident.) The bit
and Stop-Ck pulse. A Time_Gate is also "Par/Hoff" is used to select the parity of the one-bit
generated: this bit is on for the interval between counters which will clock U612A&B to release the
the start and the stop, resynchronized to the 90 LOAD pulse. If either U612A or B is clocked low,
MHz clock. Time_Gate is used to gate the 90 MHz their wire-or'ed -Q output will set the D input to the
clock to a counter to measure the number of 90 start and stop latches high. Changing the Par/Hoff
MHz clock ticks in the time interval. bit will allow the compliment period to be
measured. U612A&B are preset by the "Load"
pulse.

There are three basic modes for external arming: analog switch is turned on for about 7 us by the
EXT ±Time, EXT +Time, and EXT +Time with one-shot, U704A. Another analog switch, U705D
Stop Holdoff. In addition, each of these modes is released just before the signal is sampled: this
may be used with delayed and scanning gates. switch is used to discharge the capacitor of the
The arming criteria which applied in +Time and previous sampled signal. U703D buffers the
±Time also apply in EXTernal arming, except that sampled voltage to the ADC converter. The signal
the Start_En and Stop_En are not set when the to the A/D converter covers 2/3 of its 4096 bit
Load line goes low. If positive logic is selected for range with a Start_Ck range of 11.11 ns, implying
the EXT input, and the EXT +Time with Stop a resolution of 4 ps/bit. To maintain an accuracy
Holdoff is selected, then the rising edges of the and jitter commensurate with this resolution it is
EXT input will set Start-En, and the falling edge of necessary for the processor to perform some
the EXT input will set Stop-En. Note that stop empirical linearity corrections to the Start_Ck and
pulses are inhibited until the falling edge of the the Stop_Ck voltages.
EXT input.
The 7 us strobe to the sample and hold switch,
If stop holdoff is not selected, then the Par/Hoff and the processor interrupt request, Start_Int, is
line is low, and the Stop_En flip-flop (U506B) will generated by U704A, a dual one-shot. The one
be set by U505B when Start_En occurs. In this shot is triggered by the Start pulse, which is
case, stop pulses are not held off by the EXTernal converted to TTL levels by U707A.
input.
ANALOG TO DIGITAL CONVERTER
TIME INTEGRATORS (Sheet 12 of 16)
(Sheet 11 of 16)
U805 is a 12 bit A/D converter. Each conversion
The time interval resolution of 4 ps is attained by takes about 100 us. Referenced to the buffer
measuring the duration of the Start_Ck and amplifier's output (U810A), the A/D has a full scale
Stop_Ck pulses. The descriptions of the two range of +/-5 V. A conversion is initiated when the
integrators are identical: circuit references will be processor writes to the A/D converter. Before
made to the Start_Ck integrator. starting a conversion, the processor selects the
source with the 1 of 8 analog multiplexer, U803.
The integrating capacitor, C701, integrates a Three latched bits, Adc_Mpx, select the source.
constant current source for the duration of the The ADC's voltage reference is 5.00 vdc from
Start_Ck pulse. The change of voltage change on U906, which serves as a voltage reference for the
this capacitor is proportional to the width of the entire unit. The A/D converter can digitize the
START_TO_CK pulse. Start_Ck or Stop_Ck voltages, the front panel
threshold pot positions, a selected rear panel
Before the unit is triggered, U701A, an operational DVM inputs or autolevel circuit voltages.
transconductance amplifier (OTA), precharges the
integrating capacitor to about 7 vdc. When the The isolated BNC's on the rear panel are buffered
Start is asserted, Q702 is turned off, and Q701 is by the differential amplifiers, U801C & D. The
turned on, turning off the OTA. At the same time, output of one of these amplifiers is selected by the
the constant current source (at the common analog multiplexers U802A & B. The selected
emitters of U702A) is switched from N701A to signal is buffered by U801B, which also amplifies
N701B, to discharge the integrating capacitor at a the signal by about 10 if the switch U802D is
constant rate. The discharge is stopped when the closed. The analog switch, U802C, samples the
Start_Ck pulse terminates. amplified output onto C805. The processor closes
the S/H switch for about 20 us prior to conversion.
The constant current source is maintained by Calibration bytes for offset and gain correction for
U703A & B which holds the voltage across R714 both channels are stored in ROM and RAM.
constant. The time to voltage gain coefficient is
calibrated by the dc voltage, Start_Gain. AUTOLEVEL CIRCUITS
(Sheet 12 of 16)
The integrating capacitor's voltage is buffered and
amplified by U703C. The amplified output will There are two autolevel circuits which output a
range from +/-3.33 Vdc (with some offset). This voltage between the peak and minimum levels
voltage is sampled and held by the analog switch, seen at the A and B inputs. The circuit references
U705A, on the polypropylene capacitor, C706. The will be given for the A input.

The comparator, U901B, provides a squarewave

The peak input level is detected by Q801, and to synchronize the scope display refresh to the line
held on C832. The minimum input level is detected frequency.
by Q802 and held by C831. Q801 and Q802 are
biased by the 10 MOhm resistors R834 and R831 POWER SUPPLY REGULATORS
respectively. The detected voltages are averaged (Sheet 14 of 16)
and filtered by R832, R833 and C833 and buffered
by the FET input op amp U809A. The voltage regulators provide outputs at +15, +5,
-2.0, -5.2, and -15 Vdc from the UNREGULATED
DIGITAL TO ANALOG CONVERTER power. The high current regulators (+5, -5.2 and -2
(Sheet 12 of 16) V) are designed to operate with a very low drop-
out voltage. All of the regulated outputs are current
A 12 bit D/A converter, U806, is used to provide limited for short circuit protection.
analog voltages to the system. The D/A converter
is referenced to the 5.00 vdc reference from U906. All three high current regulators are essentially the
The current output is converted to a voltage by the same: circuit references in the following
op amp U807B. The voltage is amplified and offset description refer to the +5.0 Vdc supply.
by U807C to cover the range of +/-5.12 vdc. The
D/A output is used to refresh several S/H The main pass transistor is Q901: the base of this
amplifiers to set input threshold, conversion gain, transistor is controlled so that the emitter will
and control the rear panel chart recorder outputs. provide a low impedance source of 5 Vdc. The
The D/A output is multiplexed to the S/H amps by current gain of Q901 remains large until the
the 1:8 analog multiplexer, U808 which is collector-emitter voltage drops to about 0.4 vdc,
controlled by four latched processor bits Dac_Mpx hence the low drop-out voltage for the regulator.
and Dac_Inh. The outputs from the analog The base of Q901 is driven by the emitter of Q902,
multiplexer are passed through 10 KOhm resistors which is driven by the output of the op amp,
to reduce switching noise. U902A. By comparing the output of the regulator
to the +5.00 vdc reference, the op amp maintains
UNREGULATED POWER SUPPLIES the regulator's output at 5.00 vdc. The current
(Sheet 13 of 16) output from the regulator is measured by R901, a
0.1 Ohm resistor. If the current exceeds about 2.7
CAUTION: Unregulated voltages are present Amps, then the comparator, U901A, turns on,
on the PCB whenever the instrument is pulling the reference input below ground, thereby
attached to an ac power source--whether or turning off the regulator's output.
not the front panel power switch is "on". The
front panel "power" switch is used to enable U909 and U910 are regulators for +/-15 vdc. If the
most of the voltage regulators in the unit. This power switch, SW901, is opened, then the output
approach is used to provide power to the of these regulators drops to about 1.25 volts,
timebase oscillator even when the instrument turning off the instrument. The unregulated power
is not in use. is not turned off so that the regulators U907 and
U908 can provide +/-15 vdc to the timebase.
A power entry module, with RF line filter, is used
Two status bits are also generated: Drop_Out tells
to configure the unit for 100,120,220 or 240 Vac.
the processor that the +5.0 VDC supply has
The line filter reduces noise from the instrument,
dropped below 4.6 vdc, and Reset is asserted if
and reduces the unit's susceptibility to line voltage
the +5 vdc supply is below 4.4 vdc, or has been
noise. A 130 Vac Metal Oxide Varistor (MOV)
below 4.4 Vdc in the previous 1 second.
stunts the line voltage to reduce spikes and to
protect the unit from 220 vac when configured for
The 24 Vdc brushless fan speed is controlled by
110 vac.
the temperature in the box: the warmer the box,
the faster the fan turns. When cool, the 6 mA
Full wave bridge rectifiers are used to provide
drawn by R908 through R907, a 50 Ohm 40° C
unregulated dc at +/- 7V, +/- 9V, +/- 20V and at -
transition thermistor, is not sufficient to turn on
4V. A Schottky diode bridge is used for the high
Q907. As the box warms above 40°C, R907
current +/- 7V supplies in order to reduce rectifier
becomes a high resistance, and some portion of
losses.
the full 6 mA can be drawn from the base of Q907,
which turns on Q908. This proportional

temperature control can provide 0 to 26 Vdc to the FRONT PANEL DISPLAY PCB
fan. (Sheet 16 of 16)
Thermal control of the fan speed has several The front panel display PCB holds 16 seven
advantages, including, quieter operation, longer segment displays (U1-16), 75 LED lamps, and 32
fan life, faster warm-up, and lower overall conductive rubber keys. All of the driver circuits
temperature coefficients for the instrument. are located on the main PCB (sheet 4 of 16).
POWER SUPPLY BYPASS The PCB is a double sided, gold plated, glass-
(Sheet 15 of 16) epoxy board. The gold plating is required for long
term reliability of the rubber keypad.
The 60 bypass capacitors for the +5, -5.2, -2, and
+/-15 Vdc power supplies are shown on this page. All of the LED's are refreshed for 2 ms with a 1:8
These capacitors are distributed around the PCB: duty cycle. One of the strobe lines, Stb0 to Stb7, is
they bypass portions of the power plane to the held high to refresh a pair of seven segment
ground plane (inside PCB layers). displays and a column of 10 LED lamps. The
particular segments and lamps in the strobe
Unused portions of IC's are also shown on this column are turned on by grounding the cathode of
page. the LEDs through a current limiting resistor on the
main PCB. During the refresh time for a particular
strobe column, the state of the four keyboard
switches in the column by be read by the
processor. The pn diodes in the strobe lines
prevent simultaneous key closures in different
columns from affecting the display refresh.


Parts List 87
SR620 Parts List
Front Panel Parts List
REF. SRS PART VALUE DESCRIPTION

D1 3-00012-306 GREEN LED, Rectangular
D 10 3-00004-301 1N4148 Diode
D 11 3-00884-306 RED LED, Rectangular
D 12 3-00012-306 GREEN LED, Rectangular
D 20 3-00004-301 1N4148 Diode
D 30 3-00004-301 1N4148 Diode
D 40 3-00004-301 1N4148 Diode

88 Parts List

D 50 3-00004-301 1N4148 Diode
D 60 3-00004-301 1N4148 Diode
D 70 3-00004-301 1N4148 Diode
D 80 3-00004-301 1N4148 Diode
J 261 1-00073-120 INSL Connector, BNC
P1 4-00445-447 SR620-48 Pot, Single Control
PC1 7-00155-701 SR620-19 Printed Circuit Board
SW901 2-00023-218 DPDT Switch, Panel Mount, Power, Rocker
SW902 0-00443-000 SWITCH Hardware, Misc.
U1 3-00288-340 HDSP-H101 Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)

Parts List 89

U 10 3-00288-340 HDSP-H101 Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)
Z0 0-00051-056 RG174 Cable, Coax & Misc.
Z0 0-00112-053 1-3/4"#24R Wire #24 UL1007 Strip 1/4x1/4 Tin
Z0 0-00132-053 6-1/2" #24 Wire #24 UL1007 Strip 1/4x1/4 Tin
Z0 0-00153-057 GROMMET2 Grommet
Z0 0-00172-027 #4X1/4PPA Screw, Sheet Metal
Z0 0-00183-043 #10 SHOULDER Washer, nylon
Z0 0-00209-021 4-40X3/8PP Screw, Panhead Phillips
Z0 0-00237-016 F1404 Power Button
Z0 0-00267-052 6-1/2" #22 RED Wire #22 UL1007
Z0 0-00268-052 6-1/2" #22 BL Wire #22 UL1007
Z0 0-00269-052 7.75" WHITE Wire #22 UL1007
Z0 0-00270-052 7-3/4" #22 BLUE Wire #22 UL1007
Z0 0-00407-032 SOLDR SLV RG174 Termination
Z0 1-00052-171 40 COND Cable Assembly, Ribbon
Z0 1-00088-130 40 PIN DI Connector, Male
Z0 6-00213-630 2-HOLE Ferrite Beads
Z0 7-00156-740 SR620-28 Keypad, Conductive Rubber
Z0 7-00161-720 SR620-34 Fabricated Part
Main Board Parts List

BT101 6-00001-612 BR-2/3A 2PIN PC Battery
C1 5-00023-529 .1U Cap, Monolythic Ceramic, 50V, 20%, Z5U
C 1A 5-00272-532 39P Capacitor, Ceramic Disc, 50V, 10% NPO
C2 5-00023-529 .1U Cap, Monolythic Ceramic, 50V, 20%, Z5U
C 2A 5-00328-529 3.3P Cap, Monolythic Ceramic, 50V, 20%, Z5U
C3 5-00002-501 100P Capacitor, Ceramic Disc, 50V, 10%, SL
C 3A 5-00272-532 39P Capacitor, Ceramic Disc, 50V, 10% NPO
C4 5-00002-501 100P Capacitor, Ceramic Disc, 50V, 10%, SL
C 4A 5-00023-529 .1U Cap, Monolythic Ceramic, 50V, 20%, Z5U
C 101 5-00008-501 22P Capacitor, Ceramic Disc, 50V, 10%, SL
C 105 5-00052-512 .01U Cap, Stacked Metal Film 50V 5% -40/+85c

90 Parts List

C 119 5-00049-566 .001U Cap, Polyester Film 50V 5% -40/+85c Rad
C 122 5-00127-524 2.2U Capacitor, Tantalum, 50V, 20%, Rad
C 222 5-00182-532 68P Capacitor, Ceramic Disc, 50V, 10% NPO
C 223 5-00023-529 .1U Cap, Monolythic Ceramic, 50V, 20%, Z5U
C 323A 5-00148-545 1000P Capacitor, Monolythic Ceramic, COG, 1%
C 402 5-00104-530 3.5-20P Capacitor, Variable, Misc.
C 406 5-00062-513 .0022U Capacitor, Mylar/Poly, 50V, 5%, Rad

Parts List 91

C 413 5-00141-503 .22U Capacitor, Ceramic Disc, 50V, 20%, Z5U
C 454 5-00092-523 1P Capacitor, Silver Mica, Miniature
C 600 5-00159-501 6.8P Capacitor, Ceramic Disc, 50V, 10%, SL
C 701 5-00134-529 100P Cap, Monolythic Ceramic, 50V, 20%, Z5U

92 Parts List

C 706 5-00136-519 .01U Capacitor, Polystyrene, 50V, 5%, Rad
C 711 5-00134-529 100P Cap, Monolythic Ceramic, 50V, 20%, Z5U
C 827 5-00162-519 2200P Capacitor, Polystyrene, 50V, 5%, Rad
C 828 5-00163-566 3900P Cap, Polyester Film 50V 5% -40/+85c Rad
C 901 5-00098-517 10U Capacitor, Tantalum, 35V, 20%, Rad
C 910 5-00192-542 22U MIN Cap, Mini Electrolytic, 50V, 20% Radial
C 911 5-00192-542 22U MIN Cap, Mini Electrolytic, 50V, 20% Radial

Parts List 93


94 Parts List

C 1001 5-00125-520 12000U Capacitor, Electrolytic, 16V, 20%, Rad
CU130 5-00022-501 .001U Capacitor, Ceramic Disc, 50V, 10%, SL
D 101 3-00004-301 1N4148 Diode
D 102 3-00004-301 1N4148 Diode
D 103 3-00004-301 1N4148 Diode
D 121 3-00198-301 1N5231B Diode
D 122 3-00198-301 1N5231B Diode
D 123 3-00004-301 1N4148 Diode
D 124 3-00004-301 1N4148 Diode
D 125 3-00004-301 1N4148 Diode
D 126 3-00004-301 1N4148 Diode
D 127 3-00004-301 1N4148 Diode
D 201 3-00226-301 1N5822 Diode
D 251 3-00198-301 1N5231B Diode
D 252 3-00203-301 1N5711 Diode
D 302 3-00004-301 1N4148 Diode
D 303 3-00004-301 1N4148 Diode
D 402 3-00203-301 1N5711 Diode
D 403 3-00203-301 1N5711 Diode
D 404 3-00403-301 1N459A Diode
D 405 3-00403-301 1N459A Diode
D 422 3-00203-301 1N5711 Diode
D 423 3-00203-301 1N5711 Diode

Parts List 95

D 424 3-00403-301 1N459A Diode
D 425 3-00403-301 1N459A Diode
D 444 3-00403-301 1N459A Diode
D 445 3-00403-301 1N459A Diode
D 461 3-00203-301 1N5711 Diode
D 801 3-00004-301 1N4148 Diode
D 802 3-00004-301 1N4148 Diode
D 902 3-00004-301 1N4148 Diode
D 1001 3-00226-301 1N5822 Diode
D 1002 3-00226-301 1N5822 Diode
D 1003 3-00226-301 1N5822 Diode
D 1004 3-00226-301 1N5822 Diode
D 1005 3-00062-340 KBP201G/BR-81D Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)
D 1020 4-00541-435 130V/1200A Varistor, Zinc Oxide Nonlinear Resistor
DL301 0-00051-056 RG174 Cable, Coax & Misc.
J 111 1-00003-120 BNC Connector, BNC
J 121 1-00238-161 GPIB SHIELDED Connector, IEEE488, Reverse, R/A, Female
J 122 1-00016-160 RS232 25 PIN D Connector, D-Sub, Right Angle PC, Female
J 123 1-00016-160 RS232 25 PIN D Connector, D-Sub, Right Angle PC, Female
J 201 1-00038-130 40 PIN DIL Connector, Male
L 1A 6-00192-603 8.2UH Inductor, Axial
L 221 6-00030-602 470UH Inductor, Radial
L 303 6-00049-601 .16UH Inductor
L 304 6-00049-601 .16UH Inductor
L 305 6-00048-603 4.7UH Inductor, Axial
L 306 6-00049-601 .16UH Inductor
L 307 6-00049-601 .16UH Inductor
L 308 6-00048-603 4.7UH Inductor, Axial
L 901 6-00028-604 10UH Inductor, Vertical Mount
N 101 4-00334-425 10KX5 Resistor Network SIP 1/4W 2% (Common)
N 121 4-00284-421 1.0KX4 Res. Network, SIP, 1/4W,2% (Isolated)
N 202 4-00419-420 150X8 Resistor Network, DIP, 1/4W,2%,8 Ind
N 214 4-00291-421 10KX3 Res. Network, SIP, 1/4W,2% (Isolated)

96 Parts List

N 250 4-00460-421 33X4 Res. Network, SIP, 1/4W,2% (Isolated)
N 303 4-00262-425 100X7 Resistor Network SIP 1/4W 2% (Common)
N 311A 4-00265-421 100X4 Res. Network, SIP, 1/4W,2% (Isolated)
N 804 4-00220-420 10KX8 Resistor Network, DIP, 1/4W,2%,8 Ind
PC1 7-00700-701 TCXO BOARD Printed Circuit Board
PC101 7-00173-701 SR620 Printed Circuit Board
Q 101 3-00140-325 2N2369A Transistor, TO-92 Package

Parts List 97

Q 201 3-00021-325 2N3904 Transistor, TO-92 Package
Q 221 3-00899-327 NE85632 Transistor, TO-46 Package
Q 222 3-00899-327 NE85632 Transistor, TO-46 Package
Q 228 3-00030-325 J310 Transistor, TO-92 Package
Q 403 3-00018-324 MRF904 Transistor, TO-72 Package
Q 901 3-00257-329 TIP41B Voltage Reg., TO-220 (TAB) Package
Q 903 3-00258-329 TIP42 Voltage Reg., TO-220 (TAB) Package
Q 905 3-00258-329 TIP42 Voltage Reg., TO-220 (TAB) Package
Q 908 3-00257-329 TIP41B Voltage Reg., TO-220 (TAB) Package

98 Parts List

R 1A 4-00555-407 590 Resistor, Metal Film, 1/8W, 1%, 50PPM
R 101 4-00079-401 4.7K Resistor, Carbon Film, 1/4W, 5%
R 103 4-00034-401 10K Resistor, Carbon Film, 1/4W, 5%
R 113 4-00057-401 220 Resistor, Carbon Film, 1/4W, 5%
R 115 4-00140-407 10.2K Resistor, Metal Film, 1/8W, 1%, 50PPM
R 133 4-00022-401 1.0M Resistor, Carbon Film, 1/4W, 5%
R 229 4-00191-407 49.9 Resistor, Metal Film, 1/8W, 1%, 50PPM
R 237 4-00272-407 221 Resistor, Metal Film, 1/8W, 1%, 50PPM
R 325A 4-00086-401 51 Resistor, Carbon Film, 1/4W, 5%

Parts List 99

R 401 4-00427-449 49.9 Resistor, Metal Film 1/2W, 1%, 50ppm
R 403 4-00398-407 499K Resistor, Metal Film, 1/8W, 1%, 50PPM

100 Parts List


Parts List 101

R 816 4-00218-408 10.00K Resistor, Metal Film, 1/8W, 0.1%, 25ppm

102 Parts List

R 831 4-00035-401 10M Resistor, Carbon Film, 1/4W, 5%
R 901 4-00436-409 0.1 Resistor, Wire Wound
R 907 4-00372-431 50-30-25 Thermistor, various

Parts List 103

RU130 4-00021-401 1.0K Resistor, Carbon Film, 1/4W, 5%
SO103 1-00026-150 28 PIN 600 MIL Socket, THRU-HOLE
SW201 1-00045-130 3 PIN STRAIGHT Connector, Male
T 1001 6-00039-610 SR620/FS700 Transformer
U 1A 6-00184-623 10 MHZ 1PPM Temp. Controlled Crystal Osc.
U 101 3-00216-340 Z8800 Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)
U 102 3-00259-340 74HCT373 Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)
U 104 3-00299-341 32KX8-70L STATIC RAM, I.C.
U 105 3-00261-340 74LS245 Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)
U 106 3-00158-340 74HC154N Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)
U 107 3-00037-340 74HC138 Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)
U 117 3-00157-341 8KX8-100 LOW STATIC RAM, I.C.
U 118 3-00298-340 Z84C0008PEC Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)
U 119 3-00058-340 AD7524 Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)
U 121 3-00087-340 LF347 Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)
U 122 3-00645-340 NAT9914BPD Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)
U 123 3-00078-340 DS75160A Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)
U 124 3-00079-340 DS75161A Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)
U 125 3-00110-340 MC1489 Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)
U 127 3-00263-340 DS75451N Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)

104 Parts List

U 209 3-00064-340 CA3081 Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)
U 210 3-00264-340 MPQ3467 Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)
U 222 3-00491-340 UPD71054C Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)
U 231 3-00238-340 74F74 Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)
U 301 3-00117-325 78L12 Transistor, TO-92 Package
U 301A 3-00116-325 78L05 Transistor, TO-92 Package
U 303 6-00051-622 10 MHZ Ovenized Crystal Oscillator
U 304 3-00266-340 MC10H116 Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)
U 315 8-00073-860 SR531 ASSY SRS sub assemblies
U 316 3-00105-340 LM741 Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)
U 318 3-00076-340 DG211 Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)
U 401 3-00196-335 HS-212S-5 Relay
U 402 3-00126-335 1A05 Relay
U 403 3-00554-340 SP4633 Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)
U 404 3-00066-340 CA3140E Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)
U 405 3-00196-335 HS-212S-5 Relay
U 410 3-00196-335 HS-212S-5 Relay
U 412 3-00126-335 1A05 Relay
U 413 3-00554-340 SP4633 Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)

Parts List 105

U 415 3-00196-335 HS-212S-5 Relay
U 421 3-00196-335 HS-212S-5 Relay
U 425 3-00196-335 HS-212S-5 Relay
U 702 3-00065-340 CA3102 Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)
U 805 3-00271-340 AD7578KN Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)
U 806 3-00059-340 7542 Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)

106 Parts List

U 906 3-00319-340 AD586JN Integrated Circuit (Thru-hole Pkg)
U 907 3-00114-329 7815 Voltage Reg., TO-220 (TAB) Package
U 909 3-00149-329 LM317T Voltage Reg., TO-220 (TAB) Package
U 910 3-00141-329 LM337T Voltage Reg., TO-220 (TAB) Package
X 101 6-00046-620 20.000 MHZ Crystal
X 102 6-00047-620 8.000 MHZ Crystal
X 302 6-00040-620 90MHZ CF Crystal
X 303 6-00040-620 90MHZ CF Crystal
Z0 0-00014-002 6J4 Power Entry Hardware
Z0 0-00017-002 TRANSCOVER Power Entry Hardware
Z0 0-00025-005 3/8" Lugs
Z0 0-00042-010 4-40 HEX Nut, Hex
Z0 0-00048-011 6-32 KEP Nut, Kep
Z0 0-00079-031 4-40X3/16 M/F Standoff
Z0 0-00089-033 4" Tie
Z0 0-00096-041 #4 SPLIT Washer, Split
Z0 0-00109-050 1-1/2" #18 Wire #18 UL1007 Stripped 3/8x3/8 No Tin
Z0 0-00113-053 10" #24 Wire #24 UL1007 Strip 1/4x1/4 Tin
Z0 0-00133-052 7-1/2" #22 Wire #22 UL1007
Z0 0-00153-057 GROMMET2 Grommet
Z0 0-00158-070 60MM 24V Fans, & Hardware
Z0 0-00165-003 TO-18 Insulators
Z0 0-00181-020 6-32X1/4PF Screw, Flathead Phillips
Z0 0-00186-021 6-32X1-3/8PP Screw, Panhead Phillips
Z0 0-00211-020 4-40X5/8PF Screw, Flathead Phillips
Z0 0-00231-043 1-32, #4 SHOULD Washer, nylon
Z0 0-00240-026 4-40X3/8PF Screw, Black, All Types
Z0 0-00243-003 TO-220 Insulators
Z0 0-00253-044 SR620 Window
Z0 0-00256-043 #6 SHOULDER Washer, nylon
Z0 0-00263-052 3" #22 Wire #22 UL1007
Z0 0-00264-052 9-1/2" #22 RD Wire #22 UL1007
Z0 0-00265-052 9-1/2" #22 BLK Wire #22 UL1007
Z0 0-00266-052 8-1/2" #22 BLK Wire #22 UL1007
Z0 0-00292-026 6-32X3/16 TRUSS Screw, Black, All Types
Z0 0-00407-032 SOLDR SLV RG174 Termination
Z0 0-00500-000 554808-1 Hardware, Misc.
Z0 0-00514-030 TUBULAR NYLON Spacer
Z0 0-00520-048 18" #18 Wire, #18 UL1015 Strip 3/8 x 3/8 No Tin
Z0 1-00066-112 7 PIN; 24AWG/WH Connector, Amp, MTA-100

Parts List 107

Z0 1-00261-130 1 PIN Connector, Male
Z0 1-00262-130 3 PIN Connector, Male
Z0 5-00262-548 .01U AXIAL Capacitor, Ceramic, 50V,+80/-20% Z5U AX
Z0 6-00004-611 1A 3AG Fuse
Z0 6-00017-630 FB43-301 Ferrite Beads
Z0 6-00213-630 2-HOLE Ferrite Beads
Z0 7-00151-735 SR620-23 Injection Molded Plastic
Z0 7-00157-709 SR620-30...33 Lexan Overlay
Z0 7-00165-720 SR620-43,44,45 Fabricated Part
Z0 7-00722-709 SR620-54 Lexan Overlay
Z0 9-00184-917 SR620 SERIAL Product Labels
Z0 9-00552-924 COPPERFOIL;1" Tape, All types
Miscellaneous Parts List

U 103 3-00345-342 27C512-120 EPROM/PROM, I.C.
Z0 0-00179-000 RIGHT FOOT Hardware, Misc.
Z0 0-00180-000 LEFT FOOT Hardware, Misc.
Z0 0-00204-000 REAR FOOT Hardware, Misc.
Z0 0-00248-026 10-32X3/8TRUSSP Screw, Black, All Types
Z0 0-00251-004 SR620-49 Knobs
Z0 0-00271-000 BUMPER Hardware, Misc.
Z0 0-00283-000 BUMPER1 Hardware, Misc.
Z0 0-00292-026 6-32X3/16 TRUSS Screw, Black, All Types
Z0 0-00315-021 6-32X7/16 PP Screw, Panhead Phillips
Z0 1-00087-131 2 PIN JUMPER Connector, Female

108 Parts List

Model Sr620: Universal Time Interval Counter

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Model Sr620: Universal Time Interval Counter

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MODEL SR620

Universal Time Interval Counter

1290-D Reamwood Avenue

Copyright © 1989 by SRS, Inc.

Revision 2.7 (2/2006)

Condensed Information Width Arming 13

Quick Start Instructions 1 Frequency Arming 14

Front Panel Operation 3 Period Arming 14

Choosing the Output Display 5 Configuration Menus 17

Setting the Inputs 9 OUTPUT Menu 18

Time Interval Arming 11 Specification Guide 23

SR620 Universal Time Interval Counter

Timebase Specifications 24 Scope Display Problems 58

Trigger Input Specifications 25 Performance Tests 61

Measurement Accuracy 26 Necessary Equipment 61

Test and Calibration Circuit Description 75

SR620 Universal Time Interval Counter

Component Parts List 87

Schematic Circuit Diagrams Sheet No.

Front/Rear Panel Summary

SR620 Universal Time Interval Counter

SR620 Universal Time Interval Counter

Safety and Preparation for Use

This instrument may be damaged if operated LINE FUSE

SR620 Universal Time Interval Counter

SR620 Universal Time Interval Counter

Time Interval Time, Width, Rise and Fall Times

Display 16 digit fixed point with 1 ps LSD

Range 0.001 Hz to 300 MHz via comparator inputs.

Phase Phase = 360 x (Tb - Ta) / Period A

Range -180 to +180 degrees (0 to 100 MHz frequency)

SR620 Universal Time Interval Counter

Inputs A, B, and EXTernal

Threshold -5.00 to +5.00 VDC with 10 mV resolution

REF Output Calibration and Trigger source

Frequency 1.00 KHz (Accuracy same as timebase)

DVM Inputs Two differential rear panel DVM inputs

Full Scale ±1.999 or ±19.99 VDC

D/A Outputs Two rear panel outputs which may be ramped

Full Scale ±10.00 VDC

SR620 Universal Time Interval Counter

Default Voltage proportional to Mean & Deviation

Scope Two rear panel outputs to drive x-y scope

RS-232C 300 to 19.2 KBaud. All instrument functions may be controlled.

SR620 Universal Time Interval Counter

SR620 Universal Time Interval Counter

Abridged Command List

Variable i is an integer that selects an input channel for the command:

Trigger Control Commands

Measurement Control Commands

*TRG Device trigger, same as pushing start button

AUTM(?) j Sets/resets autostart of measurements. 0 = off,1= on

SR620 Universal Time Interval Counter

Graphics Control Commands

AUTP(?) j Sets the autoprint mode to 0 = off or 1 = on.

SR620 Universal Time Interval Counter

GENA(?) j Turns graphs 0 = off, 1 = on.

Front Panel Control

DISP(?) j Sets the display source. 0=MEAN,1=REL,2=JITTER,3=MAX