Re: [time-nuts] Tektronix FCA3103 ADEV measurement tau setting problem
Hi Any time I have tied a 53132 into TimeLab, I’ve used the serial port. That does a fine job of “talk only” data dump. Bob > On May 30, 2018, at 12:18 PM, Richard (Rick) Karlquist > wrote: > > > > On 5/28/2018 1:44 PM, Bob kb8tq wrote: >> Hi >> TimeLab will work with some counters and it will do most of the common >> plots. It is indeed free ….. >> Bob > > The TimeLab manual says it will support any counter that can > dump data in Talk Only mode. The Tek manual doesn't mention > Talk Only mode. The TimeLab manual also (vaguely) says it > will support the HP53132, but doesn't specify if this is > simply referring to Talk Only mode, or a more complete interface. > The Tek manual says that it has a 53132 compatibility mode > available over GPIB using SCPI commands. If the TimeLab > interface uses SCPI as well, I might be in business. Does > anyone know about that? > > Rick N6RK ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Tektronix FCA3103 ADEV measurement tau setting problem
On 5/28/2018 1:44 PM, Bob kb8tq wrote: Hi TimeLab will work with some counters and it will do most of the common plots. It is indeed free ….. Bob The TimeLab manual says it will support any counter that can dump data in Talk Only mode. The Tek manual doesn't mention Talk Only mode. The TimeLab manual also (vaguely) says it will support the HP53132, but doesn't specify if this is simply referring to Talk Only mode, or a more complete interface. The Tek manual says that it has a 53132 compatibility mode available over GPIB using SCPI commands. If the TimeLab interface uses SCPI as well, I might be in business. Does anyone know about that? Rick N6RK ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Tektronix FCA3103 ADEV measurement tau setting problem
Actually the CNT-91 and FCA31-3 are the same, the 300 and 400MHz are just claims, both are not very useful above 300MHz but de-rated can measure 400MHz. Cheers; Thomas Knox From: time-nuts on behalf of Björn Sent: Tuesday, May 29, 2018 2:03 PM To: gandal...@aol.com; Discussion of precise time and frequency measurement Subject: Re: [time-nuts] Tektronix FCA3103 ADEV measurement tau setting problem If this is a badged CNT-91... This is from the current spec. ”The CNT-91 features a frequency range of 0.001Hz to 400 MHz standard with options to 3, 8, 14 and 20 GHz. ” The counter was designed while Pendulum still did R in Stockholm - not very far from Magnus domains. Magnus certainly knows how to do proper ADEV with that counter. — Björn Sent from my iPhone > On 29 May 2018, at 20:58, gandalfg8--- via time-nuts > wrote: > > > I have a Tek FCA3103 300 MHz counter that measures ADEV > > as a built in function. When I bring up the settings > menu for the measurement, it has an entry window for > "tau" (the averaging time, IE "sigma sub y of tau"). > It defaults to 200 ms. I can enter larger values and > ADEV gives reasonably results. However, if I enter > smaller values, even 199 ms, I don't get any error > on the display, but I get clearly erroneous > results for ADEV. I read the manual and cannot find > anything to the effect that the instrument doesn't work > for less than 200 ms. > > BTW, I asked Tek "customer no support" about it and > they were clueless. > --- > > > > Hi Rick, > > > The Tek FCA3100 is a rebadged Pendulum CNT91 and Pendulum became part of > Spectracom. > Unless I'm missing something, the FCA3103 is the FCA3100 with 3GHz input C > fitted. > > > I've also found that Tektronix tech support seemed to know very little about > these but, in the past anyway, found Spectracom in the UK to be very helpful. > I'm not sure about the current status as Spectracom now seems to redirect to > Pendulum as a separate company again. > > > > Unfortunately, I can't help with your enquiry, and am also somewhat confused, > as I don't recall seeing a settings entry window for "tau" as a settings > option for the built in ADEV function. I take it you do mean the built in > option as in displaying results on the built in screen, or are you also using > some external software? > > > If you are just usin the built in display I'd be interested to hear what > firmware version your FCA3103 is showing in the "About" screen > > > > My FCA3100 is showing the firmware version as 1.28s of 25 Aug 2010, which > seems to match the latest available Tektronix download but I'm wondering now > if there are unlisted updates. > > > > Nigel, GM8PZR > > > > > > > > > > > > ___ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts time-nuts Info Page - American Febo Enterprises<https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts> www.febo.com time-nuts is a low volume, high SNR list for the discussion of precise time and frequency measurement and related topics. To see the collection of prior postings to the list, visit the time-nuts Archives. > and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Tektronix FCA3103 ADEV measurement tau setting problem
On 5/29/2018 11:58 AM, gandalfg8--- via time-nuts wrote: Unfortunately, I can't help with your enquiry, and am also somewhat confused, as I don't recall seeing a settings entry window for "tau" as a settings option for the built in ADEV function. I take it you do mean the built in option as in displaying results on the built in screen, or are you also using some external software? Nigel, GM8PZR I didn't explain this right. The Tek counter allows me to set "gate time" or something like that. I am assuming that this is the same as tau when measuring ADEV. You'll never see the word "tau" on the screen. In any event, gate times less than 200 ms (even 199 ms) don't appear to work for ADEV. Rick, N6RK ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Tektronix FCA3103 ADEV measurement tau setting problem
Hej Björn, On 05/29/2018 10:03 PM, Björn wrote: > If this is a badged CNT-91... > > This is from the current spec. > > ”The CNT-91 features a frequency range of 0.001Hz to 400 MHz standard with > options to 3, 8, 14 and 20 GHz. ” > > The counter was designed while Pendulum still did R in Stockholm - not very > far from Magnus domains. Magnus certainly knows how to do proper ADEV with > that counter. Yeah, I know the designers. They borrowed some of my counters at one time for one research project. Anyway, I have a CNT-90 (++, it's modified in several ways). I have not really worked with the CNT-91, but don't think it is very much different than the CNT-90. I have only seen the FCA-3000/3100 at fairs. So, given that, it should be simple enough to set it up in time-interval mode, let the start-channel set the pace of the measurement as usual and then record into TimeLab. I have not seen any built-in ADEV, that used to be done in a separate software they had, and see, TimeView is available from Tektronix too as TVA3000. TvB has a CNT-91, he can let you know if there is any specifics for that model to care about. Cheers, Magnus > — > > Björn > > Sent from my iPhone > >> On 29 May 2018, at 20:58, gandalfg8--- via time-nuts >> wrote: >> >> >> I have a Tek FCA3103 300 MHz counter that measures ADEV >> >> as a built in function. When I bring up the settings >> menu for the measurement, it has an entry window for >> "tau" (the averaging time, IE "sigma sub y of tau"). >> It defaults to 200 ms. I can enter larger values and >> ADEV gives reasonably results. However, if I enter >> smaller values, even 199 ms, I don't get any error >> on the display, but I get clearly erroneous >> results for ADEV. I read the manual and cannot find >> anything to the effect that the instrument doesn't work >> for less than 200 ms. >> >> BTW, I asked Tek "customer no support" about it and >> they were clueless. >> --- >> >> >> >> Hi Rick, >> >> >> The Tek FCA3100 is a rebadged Pendulum CNT91 and Pendulum became part of >> Spectracom. >> Unless I'm missing something, the FCA3103 is the FCA3100 with 3GHz input C >> fitted. >> >> >> I've also found that Tektronix tech support seemed to know very little about >> these but, in the past anyway, found Spectracom in the UK to be very >> helpful. I'm not sure about the current status as Spectracom now seems to >> redirect to Pendulum as a separate company again. >> >> >> >> Unfortunately, I can't help with your enquiry, and am also somewhat >> confused, as I don't recall seeing a settings entry window for "tau" as a >> settings option for the built in ADEV function. I take it you do mean the >> built in option as in displaying results on the built in screen, or are you >> also using some external software? >> >> >> If you are just usin the built in display I'd be interested to hear what >> firmware version your FCA3103 is showing in the "About" screen >> >> >> >> My FCA3100 is showing the firmware version as 1.28s of 25 Aug 2010, which >> seems to match the latest available Tektronix download but I'm wondering now >> if there are unlisted updates. >> >> >> >> Nigel, GM8PZR >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> ___ >> time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com >> To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts >> and follow the instructions there. > > ___ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts > and follow the instructions there. > ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Tektronix FCA3103 ADEV measurement tau setting problem
If this is a badged CNT-91... This is from the current spec. ”The CNT-91 features a frequency range of 0.001Hz to 400 MHz standard with options to 3, 8, 14 and 20 GHz. ” The counter was designed while Pendulum still did R in Stockholm - not very far from Magnus domains. Magnus certainly knows how to do proper ADEV with that counter. — Björn Sent from my iPhone > On 29 May 2018, at 20:58, gandalfg8--- via time-nuts > wrote: > > > I have a Tek FCA3103 300 MHz counter that measures ADEV > > as a built in function. When I bring up the settings > menu for the measurement, it has an entry window for > "tau" (the averaging time, IE "sigma sub y of tau"). > It defaults to 200 ms. I can enter larger values and > ADEV gives reasonably results. However, if I enter > smaller values, even 199 ms, I don't get any error > on the display, but I get clearly erroneous > results for ADEV. I read the manual and cannot find > anything to the effect that the instrument doesn't work > for less than 200 ms. > > BTW, I asked Tek "customer no support" about it and > they were clueless. > --- > > > > Hi Rick, > > > The Tek FCA3100 is a rebadged Pendulum CNT91 and Pendulum became part of > Spectracom. > Unless I'm missing something, the FCA3103 is the FCA3100 with 3GHz input C > fitted. > > > I've also found that Tektronix tech support seemed to know very little about > these but, in the past anyway, found Spectracom in the UK to be very helpful. > I'm not sure about the current status as Spectracom now seems to redirect to > Pendulum as a separate company again. > > > > Unfortunately, I can't help with your enquiry, and am also somewhat confused, > as I don't recall seeing a settings entry window for "tau" as a settings > option for the built in ADEV function. I take it you do mean the built in > option as in displaying results on the built in screen, or are you also using > some external software? > > > If you are just usin the built in display I'd be interested to hear what > firmware version your FCA3103 is showing in the "About" screen > > > > My FCA3100 is showing the firmware version as 1.28s of 25 Aug 2010, which > seems to match the latest available Tektronix download but I'm wondering now > if there are unlisted updates. > > > > Nigel, GM8PZR > > > > > > > > > > > > ___ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts > and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
[time-nuts] Tektronix FCA3103 ADEV measurement tau setting problem
I have a Tek FCA3103 300 MHz counter that measures ADEV as a built in function. When I bring up the settings menu for the measurement, it has an entry window for "tau" (the averaging time, IE "sigma sub y of tau"). It defaults to 200 ms. I can enter larger values and ADEV gives reasonably results. However, if I enter smaller values, even 199 ms, I don't get any error on the display, but I get clearly erroneous results for ADEV. I read the manual and cannot find anything to the effect that the instrument doesn't work for less than 200 ms. BTW, I asked Tek "customer no support" about it and they were clueless. --- Hi Rick, The Tek FCA3100 is a rebadged Pendulum CNT91 and Pendulum became part of Spectracom. Unless I'm missing something, the FCA3103 is the FCA3100 with 3GHz input C fitted. I've also found that Tektronix tech support seemed to know very little about these but, in the past anyway, found Spectracom in the UK to be very helpful. I'm not sure about the current status as Spectracom now seems to redirect to Pendulum as a separate company again. Unfortunately, I can't help with your enquiry, and am also somewhat confused, as I don't recall seeing a settings entry window for "tau" as a settings option for the built in ADEV function. I take it you do mean the built in option as in displaying results on the built in screen, or are you also using some external software? If you are just usin the built in display I'd be interested to hear what firmware version your FCA3103 is showing in the "About" screen My FCA3100 is showing the firmware version as 1.28s of 25 Aug 2010, which seems to match the latest available Tektronix download but I'm wondering now if there are unlisted updates. Nigel, GM8PZR ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Tektronix FCA3103 ADEV measurement tau setting problem
The now freely available Stable32 has Hadamard, overlap Hadamard, Hadamard total. On Mon, May 28, 2018 at 9:17 PM, Richard (Rick) Karlquist wrote: > I have a Tek FCA3103 300 MHz counter that measures ADEV > as a built in function. When I bring up the settings > menu for the measurement, it has an entry window for > "tau" (the averaging time, IE "sigma sub y of tau"). > It defaults to 200 ms. I can enter larger values and > ADEV gives reasonably results. However, if I enter > smaller values, even 199 ms, I don't get any error > on the display, but I get clearly erroneous > results for ADEV. I read the manual and cannot find > anything to the effect that the instrument doesn't work > for less than 200 ms. > > BTW, I asked Tek "customer no support" about it and > they were clueless. > > 1. Is this pilot error? Can anyone tell me the trick? > > 2. Can anyone recommend a 300 MHz counter that measures > ADEV, correctly :-)? Bonus question: a counter that > measures Hadamard variance? > > 3. Can anyone recommend a 300 MHz counter that can > measure ADEV and Hadamard using off the shelf software > that runs on a PC? I don't write software :-) > Bonus question: software to make these measurements > that works with the FCA3103 that I already have? > > I have an NI GPIB-USB-HS to interface the counter > to the PC running the software if that helps. > > > > Thanks > > Rick N6RK > ___ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to > https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts > and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
Re: [time-nuts] Tektronix FCA3103 ADEV measurement tau setting problem
Hi TimeLab will work with some counters and it will do most of the common plots. It is indeed free ….. Bob > On May 28, 2018, at 3:17 PM, Richard (Rick) Karlquist > wrote: > > I have a Tek FCA3103 300 MHz counter that measures ADEV > as a built in function. When I bring up the settings > menu for the measurement, it has an entry window for > "tau" (the averaging time, IE "sigma sub y of tau"). > It defaults to 200 ms. I can enter larger values and > ADEV gives reasonably results. However, if I enter > smaller values, even 199 ms, I don't get any error > on the display, but I get clearly erroneous > results for ADEV. I read the manual and cannot find > anything to the effect that the instrument doesn't work > for less than 200 ms. > > BTW, I asked Tek "customer no support" about it and > they were clueless. > > 1. Is this pilot error? Can anyone tell me the trick? > > 2. Can anyone recommend a 300 MHz counter that measures > ADEV, correctly :-)? Bonus question: a counter that > measures Hadamard variance? > > 3. Can anyone recommend a 300 MHz counter that can > measure ADEV and Hadamard using off the shelf software > that runs on a PC? I don't write software :-) > Bonus question: software to make these measurements > that works with the FCA3103 that I already have? > > I have an NI GPIB-USB-HS to interface the counter > to the PC running the software if that helps. > > > > Thanks > > Rick N6RK > ___ > time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com > To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts > and follow the instructions there. ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
[time-nuts] Tektronix FCA3103 ADEV measurement tau setting problem
I have a Tek FCA3103 300 MHz counter that measures ADEV as a built in function. When I bring up the settings menu for the measurement, it has an entry window for "tau" (the averaging time, IE "sigma sub y of tau"). It defaults to 200 ms. I can enter larger values and ADEV gives reasonably results. However, if I enter smaller values, even 199 ms, I don't get any error on the display, but I get clearly erroneous results for ADEV. I read the manual and cannot find anything to the effect that the instrument doesn't work for less than 200 ms. BTW, I asked Tek "customer no support" about it and they were clueless. 1. Is this pilot error? Can anyone tell me the trick? 2. Can anyone recommend a 300 MHz counter that measures ADEV, correctly :-)? Bonus question: a counter that measures Hadamard variance? 3. Can anyone recommend a 300 MHz counter that can measure ADEV and Hadamard using off the shelf software that runs on a PC? I don't write software :-) Bonus question: software to make these measurements that works with the FCA3103 that I already have? I have an NI GPIB-USB-HS to interface the counter to the PC running the software if that helps. Thanks Rick N6RK ___ time-nuts mailing list -- time-nuts@febo.com To unsubscribe, go to https://www.febo.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/time-nuts and follow the instructions there.
