Spescom MeasureGraph (SMG) has introduced an oscilloscope calibrator that expands workload coverage to support the calibration requirements of oscilloscopes with bandwidths up to 2,1 GHz.
The Fluke 5820A replaces the popular 5800A, an oscilloscope calibrator designed to verify the performance of digital and analog oscilloscopes up to 600 MHz. In addition to the 2,1 GHz option, the 5820A can be equipped with a five-channel output option that facilitates hands-free automated calibration of multichannel oscilloscopes. Other improvements and features built-in to the new 5820A include:
* 600 MHz levelled sine/ 300 ps edge is standard with the option to extend performance to 2,1 GHz levelled sine/150 ps edge.
* Front panel current loop for calibrating current probes.
* DC voltage measurement to calibrate reference signals.
* Variable pulse width, 1 to 500 ns with 250 ps resolution to perform complex trigger tests like glitch/violation, runt and set-up and hold.
* Skew between channels -10 to +30 ns to check trigger set-up and hold times.
* ±0,33 ppm frequency accuracy standard to cover counter functions and provide better test margins.
* New MET/CAL procedures for Hewlett-Packard's Infinium line of oscilloscopes, as well as the 2 GHz Tektronix TDS 794D. Plus, the dozens of procedures written for the 5800A will run without revisions.
The question is: Why 2,1 GHz?
According to Spescom's Fluke product specialist Morné Maree, it is a matter of providing customers with choices in how they balance workload demands and cost. "Most oscilloscopes - more than 90% according to our data - can be fully calibrated by the standard 5820A. So why build in the performance if it is not needed? The workload is changing. Manufacturers are developing new models of faster oscilloscopes and for many calibration operations they will soon become a bigger part of the day-to-day workload. The 5820A gives users the choice to purchase the required performance up-front or add it later as the workload dictates, keeping costs down while protecting the customer's investment in hardware and procedures."
The 2,1 GHz bandwidth extension may also be fitted to existing 5800A calibrators now in use.
