[time-nuts] J06 HP-59992A time interval calibrator for HP-531xx counters

I did a (rather crude - breadboard) experiment of using an analog vs XOR freq doubler driving a flip flop. I did not see much difference between the $0.10 XOR doubler vs the $6 analog doubler. Two $0.10 2P4T PCB mount slide switches would replace the relays. The total parts cost for the

Re: [time-nuts] J06 HP-59992A time interval calibrator for HP-531xx counters

FWIW Re: the relays. I worked through the Omron discontinuation notices for the first relay (I figure the original was a G5Y series, not GSY as in the manual) and it looks like the G6K series, easily available at Mouser and about $4 each would work, though you'd have to use a DPDT. The other two

Re: [time-nuts] J06 HP-59992A time interval calibrator for HP-531xx counters

In message <8fdafefb-3563-94be-e68d-63fe00164...@earthlink.net>, jimlux writes: >On 7/9/17 10:27 AM, Bob kb8tq wrote: >> Hi >> >> People *have* been known to sort MiniCircuits parts and use the “extras” in >> something else. A certain major oscillator manufacturer once bought a bunch >>

Re: [time-nuts] J06 HP-59992A time interval calibrator for HP-531xx counters

In message , Mark Sims writes: >Also coax and RF relays cost a lot. Pretty soon your BOM cost >is over what a 59992A will run... assuming you can find one. The crucial feature of the 59992A was

Re: [time-nuts] J06 HP-59992A time interval calibrator for HP-531xx counters

> I hope the XOR doubler works well. I think the initial comment about using a XOR mentioned a couple of gates for delay. A trick from the old FPGA days. You can guarantee that the pulse is wide enough to clock a FF if you put a FF in the chain. That is replace the gates-for-delay with a

[time-nuts] J06 HP-59992A time interval calibrator for HP-531xx counters

I think it will take some testing to see if using an analog frequency doubler or XOR digital doubler will provide the best performance. My gut says the analog doubler ($6) will work better than the ($0.20) XOR doubler. I hope the XOR doubler works well. It would be even better if the

Re: [time-nuts] J06 HP-59992A time interval calibrator for HP-531xx counters

$38 is for the wideband 100 - 600MHz PSCJ-2-1W - you'd want the PSCJ-2-1+ which is a little less... $29.20 and no price break until you get 10 of them. Looking at the PSCJ-2-1+ datasheet, the "phase imbalance" at the output ports is about 180 degrees. How they achieve that, they don't say. On

Re: [time-nuts] J06 HP-59992A time interval calibrator for HP-531xx counters

On Sun, Jul 9, 2017 at 10:55 AM, jimlux wrote: > On 7/9/17 10:27 AM, Bob kb8tq wrote: > >> Hi >> >> People *have* been known to sort MiniCircuits parts and use the “extras” >> in >> something else. A certain major oscillator manufacturer once bought a >> bunch >> of RPD-1’s

Re: [time-nuts] J06 HP-59992A time interval calibrator for HP-531xx counters

On 7/9/17 10:27 AM, Bob kb8tq wrote: Hi People *have* been known to sort MiniCircuits parts and use the “extras” in something else. A certain major oscillator manufacturer once bought a bunch of RPD-1’s , sorted them for the “one in a hundred” examples, and then returned the rest for credit……

[time-nuts] J06 HP-59992A time interval calibrator for HP-531xx counters

More like $18 for the simple splitter and $38 for the 180 phase shift splitter. Also, does anybody know if the phase shift splitter shifts the phase on both outputs or on only one output. Different HP docs say different things. > The original parts were nothing special!

Re: [time-nuts] J06 HP-59992A time interval calibrator for HP-531xx counters

Hi People *have* been known to sort MiniCircuits parts and use the “extras” in something else. A certain major oscillator manufacturer once bought a bunch of RPD-1’s , sorted them for the “one in a hundred” examples, and then returned the rest for credit…… Somehow I doubt HP didi it quite that

Re: [time-nuts] J06 HP-59992A time interval calibrator for HP-531xx counters

On Sat, Jul 8, 2017 at 5:15 PM, Mark Sims wrote: > I think the way the fine cal works by checking the the intervals between > four different edges that a lot of asymmetries in the signals are nulled > out in the software. > > How good are 1:2 180 degree phase shifters at

Re: [time-nuts] J06 HP-59992A time interval calibrator for HP-531xx counters

Hi > On Jul 9, 2017, at 9:35 AM, Francesco Messineo > wrote: > > On Sun, Jul 9, 2017 at 2:15 AM, Mark Sims wrote: > >> >> So far my design is tending towards: 10MHz ref input -> Minicircuits >> doubler -> Wenzel squarer -> 74AC74 divider

Re: [time-nuts] J06 HP-59992A time interval calibrator for HP-531xx counters

With a sinewave input LF feedback from the 74AC04 output to the shaper inputs could be used to regulate the output duty cycle by adjusting the switching threshold. However ensuring that the input amplitude is sufficiently large to override potential LF oscillation. The LF feedback will also

Re: [time-nuts] J06 HP-59992A time interval calibrator for HP-531xx counters

On Sun, Jul 9, 2017 at 2:15 AM, Mark Sims wrote: > > So far my design is tending towards: 10MHz ref input -> Minicircuits doubler > -> Wenzel squarer -> 74AC74 divider -> 74AC04 buffer -> level shifter. The > doubler/divider might not be needed, but I think it will give

[time-nuts] J06 HP-59992A time interval calibrator for HP-531xx counters

I think the way the fine cal works by checking the the intervals between four different edges that a lot of asymmetries in the signals are nulled out in the software. How good are 1:2 180 degree phase shifters at exactly shifting by 180 degrees? At what cost? Also coax and RF relays cost

Re: [time-nuts] J06 HP-59992A time interval calibrator for HP-531xx counters

-2-mini board I tested the jitter using a >> TimePod (integrated phase noise mode). I'm looking for the web page or >> email now, but I recall it was under 2 ps. This is partly due to the fact >> that the PIC 12F is a fully synchronous MCU; no tricks with double clock >> edges or

Re: [time-nuts] J06 HP-59992A time interval calibrator for HP-531xx counters

tricks with double clock > edges or PLL's. > > > > /tvb > > > > > > - Original Message ----- > > From: "Bruce Griffiths" <bruce.griffi...@xtra.co.nz> > > To: "Mark Sims" <hol...@hotmail.com>; "Discussio

Re: [time-nuts] J06 HP-59992A time interval calibrator for HP-531xx counters

12F is a fully synchronous MCU; no tricks with double clock edges or > PLL's. > > /tvb > > > - Original Message - > From: "Bruce Griffiths" <bruce.griffi...@xtra.co.nz> > To: "Mark Sims" <hol...@hotmail.com>; "Discussion

Re: [time-nuts] J06 HP-59992A time interval calibrator for HP-531xx counters

time and frequency measurement" <time-nuts@febo.com> Sent: Saturday, July 08, 2017 4:48 PM Subject: Re: [time-nuts] J06 HP-59992A time interval calibrator for HP-531xx counters >A run of the mill 2 way power splitter has better than 10ps phase matching at >100MHz there are

Re: [time-nuts] J06 HP-59992A time interval calibrator for HP-531xx counters

A run of the mill 2 way power splitter has better than 10ps phase matching at 100MHz there are few digital devices that offer that degree of matching at best they are usually 10x worse. Bruce > > On 09 July 2017 at 06:58 Mark Sims wrote: > > Yes, they do show

[time-nuts] J06 HP-59992A time interval calibrator for HP-531xx counters

Yes, they do show up... but usually for big-ish bucks. I want to build a small affordable replacement that anybody with a 531xx can have. My design is currently leaning towards a board with the clock generator and a 5V reference for the gain calibration (they spec 5V +/- 1mV). I was

Re: [time-nuts] J06 HP-59992A time interval calibrator for HP-531xx counters

Mark wrote: I need a simple and cheap circuit to level shift the TTL signal to +/- 0.50V It probably needs clean, stable, fast edges and able to drive a 50 ohm load See attached. The resistor values shown assume that the source is a 0-5v rectangular signal able to source +/- 10mA with

Re: [time-nuts] J06 HP-59992A time interval calibrator for HP-531xx counters

Hi This may be “inside” the envelope for something like a PIC. If not it’s a pretty easy task for any of the sub $10 FPGA boards. Given the relatively small audience, tacking an extra connector or three onto something might be the better option. The big unknown (at least to me) is how close

[time-nuts] J06 HP-59992A time interval calibrator for HP-531xx counters

To do a full and proper calibration of the HP-53131/53132/53181 counters you need a J06 HP-59992A time interval calibrator... lots of luck finding one of those. Looking at the manual, it is actually a fairly simple device which can be greatly simplified for the task of calibrating a 531XX