\AAvererc
Maxuel
OpBneroR's
Model FC130A
F'requencyCounter
\i/avETEK is a tademafr ol
WavetekWandel Goltaman, |rc.
(WWGiand is us.d Fluke under a
bnsilional licen* agreemenl.Flule
is ml affiliated with wwc.
\A4srererc
Mnxuel
OpnneroR's
Model FC130A
FrequencyCounter
WaYetek
Corporation
Instruments
Division
9045Balboa
Ave
SanDiego,
CA92123
Distributlon
European andSeruice
Center
Wavetek
Ltd
Hurricane
Way,Norwich,NRO6JB
England
ONEYEARLIMITEDWARRANTY
ModelFC130A Frequency Counters
arewarranted against delectsinparts,material
andworkmanship within
a periodof one(1)yearfollowing
thedateol purchase of theFrequencyCounter bytheoriginalbuyer.This
warrantyis extendedbyWavetek onlyto theoriginal
Corporation userof theinstrument,
buyeror original
who mustpresent proofof purchase
at thetimeof warranty service.
IntheUnitedStatesanyinstrument claimed
tobedefective
duringthewarranty periodshouldbereturned
with
proofof purchase
to Wavetek Corporation
lnstrument
RepairDepartment. Forwarrantyrepairoutsidethe
UnitedStates,
contactyourlocalWavetek whereyourFrequency
dealerordistributor
Corporation Counter
was purchased,or returnit toWavetek Instrument
Corporation RepairDepartment.
ANYIMPLIED WARRANTIESARISING OUTOF THESALEOF AN FC13OA
FREQUENCY COUNTER,
INCLUDINGBUTNOTLIMITEDTO IMPLIEDWARRANTIESOF MERCHANTABILITY
ANDFITNESSFOR
A PARTTCULARPURPOSE,ARELTMTTEDTOTHEABOVESTATEDONE(1)YEARPER|OD. MANUFAC-
TURERSHALLNOTBE LIABLEFORLOSSOF USEOF THE FREOUENCY COUNTER OR OTHER
INCIDENTALOR CONSEOUENTIAL DAMAGES.EXPENSESOR ECONOMICLOSS.
Somestatesdo notallowlimitations on howlongimpliedwarranties lastor the exclusion
or limitation
of
incidental
or consequential
damages, so the abovelimitations
or exclusions maynot applyto you. This
warrantygivesyouspecificlegalrights,andyou mayalsohaveotherrightswhichvaryfromstateto state.
CERTIFICATION
Wavetek certifies
Corporation thatthisinstrument testedandinspected
wasthoroughly andloundto meet
itspublished
specifications
whenshipped fromthefactory.
CONTENTS
Section Page
ONE
TWO
THREE FRONTPANELDESCRIPTION
FOUR OPERATION ......_..9
FIVE
stx
SEVEN
0 -1 B
11 3 0 - 1 0 0 1 O 1993WavetekCorporation Printedin Taiwan
SectionOne
INTRODUCTION
frequency
is a microprocessor-based
Thisinstrument period
frequency,
counter.lt measures
andrateperminute(RPM)overa range
of0.01H2to 120MHzonchannelA,andfrom50MHzto
1.3GHz onchannel include
features
B. Special highresolution
andsensitivity.
SectionTwo
RES
ANDFEATU
SPECIFICATIONS
ChannelA:
Range: Coupling AC DC
FREQ A 30Hz to 120MHz 0 . 0 1 Ht2o 1 2 0 M H z
PER A 8ns to 30ms 8nsto 100s
RPM 1800RPM 1o7200millionRPM 0.6 RPMto 7200 millionRPM
Sensitivity: 20mVrms TYP.50mVrms sinewaveMAXto 1OkHz.
l0mVrmsTYP.3OmVrms sinewaveMAXto BOMHz.
30mVrms TYP.40mVrms sinewaveMAXto 110MHz'
figuresarefor 4 stabledigitsof readingfollowing
(Sensitivity ol
adjustment
"TRIGLEVEL"control,at 10kHzandbelow.)
Coupling: AC or DC switchable.
Filter: Lowpass,switchable
in or outof channelA.
3dBpointnominally
100kHz.
lmpedance: 1MOnominalshuntedby lessihan40pF.
Attenuator: x1 or x20 nominal.
Triggerlevel: Variable +2.5VDCand-2.5VDC.
between
level: x1: 250Vpp(AC+DC).
Damage
x20:500Vpp(AC+DC).
B:
CHANNEL
Range: 50MHzto 1.3GHz.
Sensitivity: lSmVrmsTYP. 25mVrmsMAXto 80MHz.
l0mVrmsTYP. l5mVrmsMAXto 700MHz.
l5mVrmsTYP. 25mVrmsMAXto 1GHz.
3OmVrmsTYP. 50mVrmsMAXto 1.3GHz.
Coupling: AC.
lmpedance: 50Qnominal.
Max.inputlevel: 3Vrmssinewave.
GENERAL:
Resolution:
At least7 digitslor 1 second,6 digitsfor 100ms,and5 digitsfor 60msgatetimes.
Themaximum
resolution
for frequency is 10nHzfor 1Hzand1Hzfor
measurement
100MHz
inputs.
Maximum for periodmeasurement
resolution is 100nslor 1Hzand 1O{sslor 100MHz
inputs.
Timebase: Frequency: 10MHz.
Agingrate: lppm per month.
Temperature:Sppm,23'Ct5'C.
Linevoltage: t0.005ppmfor 10%variation.
Gatetime: Continuously from60msto 10sor 1 periodof the input,
variable
is greater.
whichever
Display: andoverflowindicators.
B digitswithexponent
Operating
temperature: 0'C to + 40'C,10to 80%RH.
Power
requirement: (factory
1171234V,50/60H2 set).
is 15VA.
Powerconsumption
Weight: 2.0k9 (4.4lb)net
Approximately
Dimensions: 228 (W)x B (H)x 32.9(D)in centimeters
9 (W)x 3.13(H)x 13 (D)in inches
Exclusiveof handle.
Accessories: Instruction
manual
Powercord
leads
2 Coaxialtest
2 Fuses
SectionThree
FRONTPANELDESCRIPTION
the items
Note: Referto figure3-1for details.Numbersin circleson Figure3-1 reference
below.
described
1. PWR
powerto counterwhenpressed.
Supplies
RESET
Resetscounterto zero,thenrestarts
counting.
3 . FREQA
for ChannelA.
modeof operation
Selectsfrequency
4. P E RA
Selectsperiodmodeof operation A.
for Channel
5 . FREQB
frequency
Selects for ChannelB.
modeof operation
RPM
forChannelA.
RPMmodeof operation
Selects
7 . GATETrME(LED)
lhe counter's
Gatelight(whenon),indicales is in
gatecircuitis openanda measurement
progress.
WfV-rrr FcTsoAr-c^EnEt
-nrcurr
UFILER AN (ru
'IoN m rc
FffiO PER FBEO BPM
ryBBESflAABA I*. xl rc
Figure
3.1
o
B. GATET|ME(I(NOB)
Providescontinuouslyvariablemeasurement timefrom,nominally,60msto 10s
(minimum = 1 periodof the inputsignal).Whenpulled,thedisplayed
valuewillholduntilthe
knobis pushedbackin.
9. TRrGLEVEL(LED)
Blinkswhentriggering.
ONor OFFindicates the inputsignalis aboveor belowthetriggerlevelsetting.
10.TRrGLEVEL(KNOB)
Whenpulled,theTriggerLevelcontrolis variableovera t2.5V x ATTsetting.
Whenpushed,theTriggerLevelis automaticallyset.
1 1 .F I L T E R
Insertsa 100kHzlowpassfilterintoChannel
A.
12. ATT
Selectsattenuationfor inputto ChannelA:
x1 position
connects inputsignaldirectly to inputamplifiers.
x20 positionattenuates inputsignalby a factorof 20.
1 3 .C O U P
Selects DCor AC coupling
for ChannelA.
1 4 .C H A N N E L A
InputBNCconectorfor ChannelA.
7
1 5 .C H A N N EBL
for ChannelB.
InputBNCconnector
1 6 .S E C )
datais in seconds.
showsthatthe displayed
Secondsindicator
I
1 7 .H z
Hertzindicatorshowsthatthe displayeddatais in hertz'
Note: WhenbothSECandHz LEDareOFFin the RPMmode,unitsof cycles/minute
aredisplayed.
18. EXPONENT
thevalueof theexponent
Displays of the measurement.
Forexample,when6 is displayed, 106.
it represents
19. DISPLAY
8-digitredLEDdisPlay. I
20.OVER
Over(Overflow) digits
indicatorshowsthatone or moreof the mostsignilicant
are notdisplayed.
SectionFour
OPERATION
1. DisplayCheckFeature
the FC130Aself{estsall displaylunctionsin sequence'
when the poweris lirstapplied,
l Table4-1 on thefollowingpageshowswhatappearsin thedisplayduringsell-test'upon
is readyto makemeasurements'
completionof theteststhe instrument
I
2. SignalMeasurements
UsechannelA for measuring in the 0'01H2to 120MHzrange'
frequencies
. presstheFREQA button, theinputsignaltotheoHANNEL
thenconnect A inputconnector'
Forlowf requency signaLmeasurementin the0.01H2 to 30Hzrange,selectDCcoupling
bYPressing in the COUPbutton'
EitherAC or DCcouplingmaybe selected lor frequenciesabove30Hz'
. Adjustthe GATETIMEcontrolfor the desiredsampling.rate resolution,
and thenreadthe
frequency valuefromthe display,addingthe exponent value to it.
I Forexample,areadingof3.5Tg55+6indicates3.57955MHz,orareadingOl10'000'0+3
10,000.0kH2.
indicates
I theATTswitchis
Note: lf the signallevelis too lowto triggerthecounter,makecertain
for X1 attenuation. For-iranualtriggerleveladiustment, pullouttheTRIG
released
LEVELknobandadjustit untilthereis a reiOing in the or
display, untiltheLED
indicator abovetheknobblinks.Maximum trigger occurs
sensitivity whentheTRIG
LEVELknobis setto the 12 o'clock position'
DISPLAY
CHECKCYCLE
ALL DISPLAYS OVFL Hz s *dP, 'dpz *dps
frofrao]fra-D o o
I I I I I I I I -t a o
PPPPEEPP_P o o
33333333 -3 o o
L] LlLl\LlLl\\ -\ a o
5555555s -5 o o
55555555 -5 o
1 11 1 1 1 11 -1 o
EBBEEABB- E o
1q11q11ct -1 o
nnn
tJ.tJ tJ
n X X o
,J
* dp = decimal
point
Table4-1
10
UseChannelB for measuring frequenciesin the50MHzto 1.3GHzrange.
. PresstheFREQB button,andconnect theinputsignaltotheCHANNEL B inputconnector.
. AdjusttheGATETIMEcontrolforthe desiredsampling thenreadthe
rateandresolution,
frequencyvaluefromthe display,addingtheexponentvalueto it.
a readingof 450.960+6
Forexample, 450.960MH2.
indicates
Note: ChannelB doesnotusethe LP FILTER, ATT,andCOUPbuttons.Alsothe
TRIGLEVELknobandLEDindicator are on ChannelB.
inoperative
NOTICE
The ChannelB inputcircuitryis verysensitive and maygenerate
apparently randomreadings with no signalpresenton the CHAN-
NELB inputconnector. Thisis normalandis notan indication ol a
lailurewithinthe instrument. Uponapplication of a suitablesignal,
the randomreadings willbe replaced withthe correctreading'
Periodmeasurements maybe madewithChannelA.
. pressthe PERA buttonandconnectthe signaltobe measured to theCHANNEL A
inputconnector.
. AdjusttheGATETIMEcontrolas requiredto givethedesiredsamplingrateandresolution
thenreadthe valuefromthe LEDdisplay.
11
periods
Note: Whenmeasuring inthe0.01H2to 30Hzrange,pushinthe LP
of frequencies
FILTERandCOUPbuttons.Thisoftengivesmorestablereadings.
RPMis measured on theChannelA input.
. Pressthe RPMA buttonandconnect the signalto be measured
to the CHANNEL A
inputconnector.
. AdjusttheGATETIMEcontrolas requiredto givethedesiredsamplingrateandresolution,
thenreadthevaluefromthedisplay.
3. GateTimeSettings
TheFC130A featurescontinuously adjustable gatetimeselection,from60msto 10 seconds
or oneperiodol input,whicheveris longer.Adjustment of theGATETIMEcontrolaffectsthe
samplingrateandtherefore the resolution of the reading.
. Turnthe knobcounterclockwise for more
for fasterreadingupdates,or turn it clockwise
(numberof digitsdisplayed).
resolution
. Pulling
outtheGATETIMEknobfreezes sothatit canbewritten
reading,
thelastdisplayed
down. Pushingthe knoblN returns
the counterto normaloperation.
abovetheGATETIMEknoblightsto indicate
TheLEDindicator thattheinstrument
is making
a measurement. it willblinkat a ratedependent
In normaloperation uponthesettingof the
GATETIMEKNob.
12
4. TriggerLevelAdiustment
to low-level
Greatersensitivity signalsmaybe obtained by pullingouttheTRIGLEVELknob
andadjustingit untilthe countertriggerson the signal.
Maximum sensitivityis obtainedwhenthe knobis pointingin the 12 o'clockposition.
Notethatthe LEDindicator abovetheknobblinksrapidlywhenthecountertriggerson the
signal.
5. LP Filter
Noiseon lowfrequency signalsmeasuredon ChannelA oftencausesunstablereadings.
TheLp Filterminimizes noise,permitting
highfrequency onlythe
the counterto measure
desiredlowfrequency component.
pushingin the LP FILTERbuttoninsertsa 100kHzlowpassfilterintothe ChannelAinput
lor morestablereadings.
circuitry
6. Attenuator
An attenuator is provided in the ChannelA inputcircuitfor measuring largesignalsandfor
providingadditional overloadprotection.
pushingin the ATTbuttonreduces the inputsignalby 20 times. lt is recommended when
measuring signalsof unknown amplitude thatthisbuttonshouldbe pushed in lor protection.
lf the amplitudeis too low,the buttonmaybe released lor greatersensitivity'
la
SectionFive
CALIBRATION
pagefor details.
Note: Referto Figure5-1on thefollowing
1. Connecta DMM(3 1/2digits)to TP2andadjustSVR104for +5VDCt0.05V.
2" Connecta DMMto TP3andadjustSVR103for -5.2VDC
+ 0.05V.
3. InputOflsetVoltageadjustment
. Connecta 10MHzsinewaveto channelA inputBNC.
. SettheTriggerLevelknobto autowiththe controlfullyclockwise.
. AdjustSVR102anddecrease amplitudeof 10MHzsinewaveto theminimum allowableto
maintaindisplay.SVR102is underthe metalshieldingat thefront,righthandsideof the
PCboard.lt canbe reached throughthe holeclosestto the edgeof the board.
4" TimeBaseAmplitude Adjustment
. Connectan oscilloscope(20MHzor greater) to TP4.
. AdjustSVR101lor 50 - 50 dutycycleof the oscilloscope
display.
5. Standard Adjustment
Oscillator
. Connecta standard frequency
reference (10MHz, temperature . lppm)
stability
to A
channel input.
. AdjustthegatetimecontrolforB digitdisplay.
. AdjustSVC101for the mostaccurate lrequency.
displayof the reference
Note: The unitshouldbe on at least30 minutesbeforeperforming
anycalibration.
14
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5.1
Figure
15
SectionSix
LINEVOLTAGE
CHANGE
TheModelFC130AFrequency Counterhasan internal linevoltageselector.Thisselector
mustbe changedonlyif operation
on a different
AC linevoltageis anticipated.
Usethefollow-
ingprocedure
to changethelinevoltagerequiremenls of the instrument:
thepowercordfromtherearpanelconnector.
A. Disconnect
DANGER! Neverattempt to open the instrumentor change the line voltage selector
when the AC power ts present.
B. Usea Phillips to removethefourscrewsfromthe case. Removethetopcase
screwdriver
half,exposing
thecircuitry.
C. Thelinevoltageselector thepowertransformer
is locatedbetween andthe sideof the
case.
D. Thetwojumperwires,labeledCOMl andCOM2areconnected:
. For117V:COM1 to whiteandCOM2to red.
. For234Y:COM1 to blueandCOM2 to yellow.
E. Determine the newAC linevoltageandchangethejumperwireto thepin markedwiththe
closestvoltagevalue(117Vor 234V).
WARNING!Makeceftain the proper iumper wire is selected. Using the "117Vconnection
and powering the instrument trom a 234Vline will cause extensivedamage.
to
pryit outwitha screwdriver
Carefully
F . Thefuseis in the rearcornerof the instrument. and
replaceit witha fusewiththe propervalue:
. For117V:0.3A, 3AGfuse
. F o r 2 3 4 V : 0 . 2 A3 ,A G f u s e .
thetophalfcaseandthe Phillips
G . Replace screws.
H . Placea paperlabelovertherearpanellabelso thatit coversthe previous
AC linevoltage
Writethe newvoltageon the label.
requirement.
theAC powercordor changetheplugon thepresentoneso thatit willconnectto
t . Replace
yourACpoweroutlet.
thepowerandturnon the instrument.
Connect
a-,
SectionSeven
SERVICE INFORMATION
FactorySeruice
requesting
locatedatthefrontof thismanualbelore
Readthewarranty repairs.
or non-warranty
warranty
ShlpplngInstructlons
Forin-andoutof-wananty repairsintheUnitedStates, werecommend shipping yolr Frequency Counterto the
tactory center
for repair.Ourfactoryservice ledures Z4-lpurtumaroundtimeunder normal circumstances,with a
maximum of48 hoursguaranteed. Combined andtastturnaround
withlowtlatratecharges time,thefactoryservbe
centerprovides yourbestoverallservice A Frequerrcy
altemative. retumed
Counter, for or repair,shouldbe
calibration
shipped withthefollowing: yourcompany your
name(ifapplbable), nare, address, telephone nunber, proofof
purchase (forwananty andanytestleds usedwlththemeter.
repairs),
makesureto Includea wrlttendescrlptlonot the ploblemencountered
ln addition, or servlcerequlred.For
mlnlmumturn-around tlmeon out-of.warranty repalrsplease phoneInaclvance for sellcecharge rates.shlp
the Frequency Counterln orlglnalpadraglngor a sturdyboxto thefollowlngaddressandmarkedAttentlon:
lnstrumentReplr/*rule:
ForU.S.A.: For U.K.: other:
Wavetek Corp. WavetekLtd ContacteitherFac{ory
Service
9045BalboaAve. HurricaneWay Centerforthenameof a local
SanDiego,CA92123 Nonrich,NR66JB,U.K. authorized center.
service
Tel: (619)279-2200,
ext.670 Tel: 011-44-60,3-404€,24
Fax:(619)495-3296 Fax:011-44-603-,43670
Counter
TheFrequency willberelurned chargepaidbyWavetek
withtheshipping Corp.
Forquestions
in America,
North the
contact Repair
Instrument & Service ext.670.
at (619)279-2200,
Depadment
18
U.S.Distribution & ServiceCenrer EuropcanDistribution & ScrviccCcnrcr
WavetekCorporation Wavetek Ltd.
9045 BalboaAve. 52 Hurricane Way
SanDiego,CA 92123 USA Nonvich, NR6 6JB, England
