Frequency Counters
Precision Test Systems
manufacture and supplies many types of frequency
counters. These counters cover the 0 to 40 GHz frequency
range.
PTS2600
Microwave Frequency Counter
General
Description
The PTS2600 is a low cost microwave frequency counter. It will
measure frequencies over the 40 Hz to 20 GHz range in four bands
with good sensitivity. Operation to 26 GHz and beyond is
possible at reduced sensitivity. Although not having all the
features of the top models, it never the less, gives good
performance for under half the price of competitive models.
Options to extend the frequency to 65 GHz will be available in
the future.
12-Digit
Display
The PTS2600 has a 12-digit LCD graphic frequency display. The
display shows the frequency measurement result, gate times
(resolution), menu functions as well as the power meter
display. All these displays are shown simultaneously.
Multi-Gate
Times
Gate times from 1 ms to 10 s can be selected, giving frequency
resolutions from 0.1 Hz to 10 kHz, even when measuring a 20 GHz
frequency! Also the display update can be changed from 0
seconds to infinite (hold) in four settings. The infinite
setting effectively freezes the display.
Null Function
When the null button is pressed, the current frequency reading is
used as a reference, and all subsequent readings show the
difference between the new frequency measurement and this stored
reference. The stored reference value is also shown on the LCD
display.
Various
Timebase Options including Rubidium Oscillator Timebase
Various timebase options allow the PTS2600 to be configured to your
exact requirements. The basic timebase gives ± 2 ppm accuracy.
Option 02, the OXCO timebase gives 0.05 ppm accuracy and Option
03 adds an internal Rubidium oscillator. The Rubidium
oscillator has an initial accuracy of
± 5 x10-11 and a drift rate of less than 5 x 10-11
per month. Alternatively the PTS2600 has an external timebase
input enabling the PTS2600 to be synchronized to an external
time base such as a caesium oscillator or GPS frequency
standard. An example of an ideal GPS frequency standard is the
GPS10R, also available from Precision Test Systems.
Power Meter
Indicator supplied as standard
The power meter will display the power input on band three (350 MHz
to 20 GHz). Power over the range -5 dBm to -20 dBm can be
measured to ± 10 dB accuracy and 0.1 dB resolution.
High Quality of
Construction and Low Price
Don't be fooled by the price. The PTS2600 is made to the highest
standards. All RF circuits are housed in aluminium encloses
which have been milled out of solid pieces of aluminium. These
modules sit on a steel base plate. The PTS2600 is then housed
in a purpose built aluminium case with solid front and rear
aluminium panels.
Specifications
|
Specification Parameter |
Special
Condition |
Specification |
Comments |
|
Frequency |
|
Frequency
Range |
Band One A
|
40 Hz to
70 MHz |
Usable
from 20 Hz |
|
|
Band One B
|
70 MHz to
300 MHz |
|
|
|
Band Two |
30 MHz to
350 MHz |
Usable to
> 400 MHz |
|
|
Band Three
|
350 MHz to
20 GHz |
Usable to
over 26 GHz |
|
Frequency
Resolution |
|
0.1 Hz to
10 kHz |
Settable
on front panel |
|
Inputs |
|
Input
Impedance |
Band One
|
1 M Ω
nominal |
|
|
|
Band Two
and Three |
50 Ω
nominal |
|
|
Connectors |
Band One
and ,Two |
BNC socket |
|
|
|
Band Three |
N type
socket |
|
|
Input
Sensitivity |
Band One
|
50 mV rms
|
Typically
<30 mV rms |
|
|
Band Two |
-25 dBm (
12mV rms) |
Typically
< -30 dBm |
|
|
Band Three |
Better
than -18 dBm from 0.35GHz to 20 GHz |
Typically
better than:
-35 dBm
1-8 GHz
-30 dBm
8-11 GHz
-25 dBm
11-17 GHz
-23 dBm
17-18.6 GHz |
|
Maximum
Input |
Band One
|
10 V rms
and 50 VDC |
|
|
|
Band Two
|
+13 dBm
and 50 VDC |
|
|
|
Band Three |
+13 dBm
and 0 VDC |
Damage
Level 3V rms |
|
Miscellaneous |
|
Acquisition Time |
Band Three |
1 to 4
seconds |
Can be
improved to < 0.3 s using manual acquire mode |
|
AM
Tolerance |
Band Three
|
< 85%
|
At a 1 kHz
rate |
|
FM
Tolerance |
Band Four |
< 1 MHz
p-p |
At a 1 kHz
rate |
|
Timebase
Accuracy |
0 to +40
°C |
± 2 ppm |
High
Stability Options available |
|
External
Reference (10 MHz) |
Rear Panel
BNC socket |
0 dBm
nominal |
Settable
via front panel |
|
Display |
LCD
graphic display |
130 mm x
37 mm |
With back
light |
|
Frequency
Display |
|
12 digit
LCD |
10 mm
high digits |
|
Display
Time |
All bands |
0.5 sec, 2
sec, infinite and minimum (0 sec) |
|
|
Power
Meter |
|
Power
Meter Range |
Operates
on Band Three only |
-5 dBm to
-20 dBm |
Can be
used as low as -40 dBm at some frequencies |
|
Display |
|
3 digit
LCD display |
|
|
Resolution |
|
0.1 dB
|
|
|
Accuracy |
|
± 10 dB
|
Typically
< 7 dB error at most frequencies |
|
Option
02 OXCO Timebase |
|
Accuracy |
0 to +40
°C |
± 0.05 ppm |
|
|
Option
03 Rubidium Timebase |
|
Temperature Coefficient |
0 to +40
°C |
± 5 x 10-11 |
|
|
Accuracy
at shipment |
|
± 5 x 10-11 |
|
|
Aging |
|
< 5 x 10-11
per month |
After 30
days operation |
|
Option
04, RS232 Interface and Option 05, 65 GHz Frequency
Extender |
|
These
options will be available in the future |
|
General |
|
Operating
Temperature |
|
0 ºC to 40
ºC |
|
|
AC Power
Input |
|
115 and
230 VAC
±
10% |
Settable
on rear panel |
|
AC Mains
Fuse |
115 VAC |
1 A slow
blow (2A opt 03) |
250 V type |
|
|
230 VAC |
500 mA
slow blow (1A opt 03) |
250 V type
|
|
Dimensions |
depth x
width x height (mm) |
370 x 300
x 85 |
|
|
Weight |
|
8 kg's |
|
|
Accessories Furnished |
|
Operating
Manual, Power Cord |
|
Protek Universal
Counter
This model covers the 0.01 Hz to 3 GHz frequency range. It
can measure frequency, period, time interval, Totalize etc. |
