Tektronix has introduced the FCA3000 and FCA3100 series of timer/ counter/analysers and the MCA3000 series of microwave counter/analysers. Instruments such as the FCA and MCA Series are used for measurement and analysis of frequency, time or phase signal parameters in design, production, calibration labs or in field applications such as radar equipment monitoring and test.
The new instruments allow design engineers to make over 13 different frequency, period, time, pulse or phase measurements with high resolution. Analysis modes include measurement statistics, histograms and trend plots. Dedicated buttons and on-display menus provide fast access to frequently used functions. USB and GPIB device ports support remote control and fast measurement transfer speeds.
For manufacturing applications that require fast test times, the instruments provide 250 000 samples/second data transfer rate to internal memory, up to 15 000 samples/second data transfer rate over USB/GPIB (block mode), and up to 650 individually triggered measurements per second. The FCA3100 series’ counter features continuous data streaming of measurements over GPIB/USB, with zero dead-time, creating a dynamic measurement analysis system. This feature is vital for mechanical and medical measurements where every single cycle must be measured.
The FCA3000 and FCA3100 series offer a wide frequency range up to 20 GHz. This includes two standard inputs at 300 MHz, and the option of a third channel input in either 3 or 20 GHz models. These instruments deliver 12-digit/second frequency resolution and single-shot resolution of 50 ps (FCA3100) or 100 ps (FCA3000) for time.
The MCA3000 series comes standard with two 300 MHz input channels and the choice of a 27 GHz or 40 GHz high-frequency input channel. The instruments provide 12-digit/sec frequency resolution and 100 ps single-shot time resolution. With an integrated power meter, the MCA series provides measurement of frequency and power with a single connection at any supported frequency level.
To simplify complex tasks, customers can use the included Tektronix edition of LabVIEW SignalExpress software from National Instruments to remotely control supported Tektronix instruments from a Windows-based personal computer. This offers the ability to automate measurements, analyse data across multiple instruments, capture and save results, and create reports. The optional TimeView modulation domain analysis software for a Windows-based computer provides deeper analysis of signal characteristics, enabling analysis of frequency changes over time when used with the FCA and MCA series.
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