Description
Overviews
Features & Benefits
Key Performance Specifications
- 300 MHz, 3 GHz, 20 GHz Models
- 300-400 MHz in Manual Trigger Mode
- Up to 3 Input Channels
- 50 ps (FCA3100 Series) or 100 ps (FCA3000 Series) Single-shot Time Resolution
- 12 Digit/s Frequency Resolution
- 0.001° Phase Resolution
- 3 mV or better Voltage Resolution
- Optional 5×10–8 High-stability Oven Time Base
Measurement Throughput
- 250k Sample/s Data Transfer Rate to Internal Memory(Up to 3.75M samples stored)
- Up to 15k Sample/s Data Transfer Rate over USB/GPIB Bus(Block mode)
- Up to 650 Individually Triggered Measurements/s
Available Functions and Features
- Automated Measurements: Frequency, Period, Ratio, Time Interval, Time Interval Error, Pulse Width, Rise/Fall Time, Phase Angle, Duty Cycle, Maximum Voltage, Minimum Voltage, Peak-to-Peak Voltage
- Totalize Measurement (FCA3100 Series)
- Multi-parameter Display
- Trend Plot Mode
- Measurement Statistics Mode
- Histogram Mode
- Allan Deviation
- Zero Dead-time Frequency/Period Measurements
- Continuous Data Streaming over USB/GPIB Bus during Measurement (FCA3100 Series)
- Programmable Pulse Output from 0.5 Hz to 50 MHz
Connectivity
- Optional Rear-panel Inputs
- USB Device and GPIB Ports on Rear Panel for Quick PC Connectivity
- GPIB Interface Supports Full SCPI-compatible Programmability and offers an Emulation Mode for Plug-and-Play Replacement in Existing ATE Systems
- External Arming Input
- 10 MHz Reference Oscillator Output
- Includes National Instrument’s LabVIEW SignalExpress™ TE Limited Edition Software for Connecting Your Bench
- Optional TimeView™ Software Available for Modulation Domain Analysis
3-year Warranty
Feature-rich Tools for Precision Measurements
The FCA3000 and FCA3100 Timer/Counter/Analyzer Series pack many different functions into one feature-rich instrument. With industry-leading frequency and time resolution, the FCA Series comes standard with deep internal memory and a fast data transfer rate of 250k Samples/s to internal memory. In addition, the multi-parameter display shows auxiliary measurements alongside your main measurement to provide you with the results you need at a glance. With the industry’s most comprehensive analysis modes, including measurement statistics, histograms, and trend plots, you have the tools you need to quickly and accurately analyze your signal.
Industry-leading Performance for Demanding Designs
High-resolution is critical for R&D and production testing on today’s demanding designs. The FCA Series delivers 12-digit/s frequency resolution and for time measurements, single-shot resolution of 50 ps (FCA3100 Series) or 100 ps (FCA3000 Series) is available with measurement values displayed up to 14 digits. With industry-leading performance, the FCA Series provides you with fast, precise measurements.
Unique Features for Accurate Measurements
To ensure correct measurements of Allan Deviation, the FCA3100 Series offers a zero dead-time measurement technique and continuous time stamping of trigger events. This feature is vital for mechanical and medical measurements where every single cycle must be measured. The FCA3000 Series offers this functionality through the USB/GPIB interfaces with a raw time-stamping function.
For correct calculation of statistical parameters, the FCA Series comes standard with limit-qualifying capability. By setting limits, you can isolate one cluster in your calculation. This is important for applications such as verifying the jitter of digital pulses that appear in discrete clusters in CD players or in HDB3-coded data.
Also available is hysteresis compensation for time interval measurements. By adding hysteresis, you can reduce trigger-level error from the typical 15-20 mV found in most counters on the market today, down to a typical 2.5 mV. This means 6-8 times improved trigger precision in critical time interval measurements.
Fast Throughput Reduces Test Time
The FCA Timer/Counter/Analyzer Series offers industry-best throughput, saving you up to 90% on your testing time compared to other timer/counters on the market. Up to 250,000 measurement results per second can be stored in the internal memory. Alternatively, you can transfer up to 15,000 measurement results per second in Block mode through the GPIB or USB interface. For added flexibility, the FCA3100 Series offers a zero dead-time counter feature to continuously stream measurement data over the GPIB/USB bus during, not after, measurement. This creates a dynamic measurement and analysis system.
Analyze Your Device with the Industry’s Only Graphical Display
With the unique display of the FCA Series, you can measure multiple parameters of the same signal from one test connection. To reveal signal quality issues like drift, intermittent transients, and stability, you can view the data as a real-time trend plot or a histogram with the FCA Series graphical display mode, or you can use measurement statistics to track how signal parameters are changing over time. A single-button Analyze mode gives you fast insight into the behavior of your device right on the timer/counter’s display.
Multi-parameter Display
Multi-parameter Display.
With the multi-parameter display, you can read important auxiliary measurement values (such as Vmax, Vmin, Vp-p, and more) displayed with your main frequency, time, period, or phase measurements. With one glance, you can see the information you need to quickly assess your device’s performance.
Phase Relationship Measurement.
With up to 3 input channels, you can measure the relationship between different signals. For example, you can measure the phase relationship between the input and output signals of your device. You can read other critical parameters simultaneously, such as the test frequency of the signal and the voltage ratio (in dB), in one glance with the multi-parameter display.
Measurement Trend Plots
Trend Plot Analysis.
Depending on your test case, your signal parameters may change from instant to instant. With the Trend Plot Analysis mode, you can graphically plot the trend of a measured value over time.
Measurement Statistics
Measurement Statistics.
With integrated statistics processing, you can calculate the average, standard, and Allan deviation of a measurement, as well as track the minimum and maximum measured values, all with the push of a button.
Histogram Plots
Histogram Plot.
To graphically see the average and standard deviation of a set of measurements, you can use the histogram function to see the distribution of measurement results.
Optional Modulation Domain Analysis
Tektronix TimeView™ Software.
With the optional Tektronix TimeView™ software (TVA3000), the FCA Timer/Counter/Analyzer Series can become a high-performance modulation domain analyzer. With high measurement speeds (up to 250k measurement/s) and large memory depth (up to 3.75M points), fast frequency changes can be captured in real time and then analyzed with TimeView. This comprehensive software tool allows for remote instrument control, and the analysis and display of measurement results in a choice of graphs. For example, results can be displayed as raw data, statistical histogram, waveform graph (as if you were using an oscilloscope), or as an FFT spectrum graph. TimeView further allows analysis of modulation parameters like modulation depth or frequency modulation index.
Designed to Make Your Work Easier
The FCA Timer/Counter/Analyzer Series are designed with the ease of use and familiar operation you have come to expect from Tektronix.
Intuitive Operation
Menu-oriented settings reduce the risk of mistakes. With dedicated and menu-driven front-panel buttons, you will have fast access to frequently used functions and parameters, reducing setup time. For example, a single-touch Analyze key toggles you between Statistics, Trend Plot, and Histogram modes.
Autoset Function
Similar to Tektronix oscilloscopes, the front-panel Autoset button will automatically set optimum trigger levels and hysteresis adapted to the actual signal applied.
Easy PC Connectivity
Connect to your PC with the rear-panel GPIB or USB device ports. The GPIB interface operates in SCPI/GPIB for plug-and-play replacement in existing ATE systems or easy integration into larger test systems. If desired, an emulation mode for existing timer/counters is available.
Connect Your Bench for Intelligent Debug
Easily capture, save, and analyze measurement results from your FCA Series timer/counter/analyzer with the special Tektronix Edition of National Instruments LabVIEW SignalExpress™ software. Every FCA Series timer/counter/analyzer ships with a free copy of the Limited Edition version of SignalExpress for basic instrument control, data logging, and analysis. The optional Professional Edition offers over 200 built-in functions that provide additional signal processing, advanced analysis, sweeping, limit testing, and user-defined step capabilities.
SignalExpress supports the range of Tektronix bench instruments*1 enabling you to connect your entire test bench. You can then access the feature-rich tools packed into each instrument from one intuitive software interface. This allows you to automate complex measurements requiring multiple instruments, log data for an extended period of time, time-correlate data from multiple instruments, and easily capture and analyze your results, all from your PC. Only Tektronix offers a connected test bench of intelligent instruments to simplify and speed debug of your complex design.
Performance You Can Count On
In addition to industry-leading service and support, every FCA Series timer/counter/analyzer comes backed with a three-year standard warranty.
Select the Performance/Features to Meet Your Needs
| Feature | FCA3100 Series | FCA3000 Series |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency Resolution | 12 digit/s | 12 digit/s |
| Time Resolution | 50 ps | 100 ps |
| Voltage Resolution | 1 mV | 3 mV |
| Meas. Speed to Internal Memory | 250k measurement/s
3.5M results |
250k measurement/s
750k results |
| Talker-only Output (GPIB/USB) | 4k measurement/s | No |
| Individually Triggered Measurements | 650/s | 500/s |
| Block Transfer Speed | 15k measurement/s | 5k measurement/s |
| Frequency/Period, Time, Phase, Volt, Duty Cycle, Pulse, Rise Time | Yes | Yes |
| Graphic Display of Trend, Histogram, Modulation Domain | Yes | Yes |
| Totalize, TIE | Yes | No |
| Programmable Pulse Output | Yes | No |
| Continuous Measurements | Yes | No |
Specifications
Characteristics
Measuring Functions
All measurements are displayed with a large main parameter value and smaller auxiliary parameter values (with less resolution). Some measurements are only available as auxiliary parameters.
Frequency A, B, C
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Mode | Normal, Back-to-Back (FCA3100 Series) |
| Range | |
| Input A, B | 0.001 Hz to 300 MHz
300-400 MHz in Manual Trigger mode |
| Input C | 100 MHz to 3 GHz or 300 MHz to 20 GHz |
| Resolution | 12 digits in 1 s measuring time (normal)
11 digits in 1 s measuring time (back-to-back) |
| Aux Parameters | Vmax, Vmin, Vp-p |
Frequency Burst A, B, C(FCA3020 and FCA3120 – 20 GHz Only)
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Frequency and PRF of repetitive burst signals can be measured without an external control signal and with selectable-start arming delay. | |
| Functions | Frequency in burst (in Hz) PRF (in Hz) |
| Range | Input A, B, C: See Frequency spec. |
| Minimum Burst Duration | Down to 40 ns |
| Minimum Pulses in Burst | |
| Input A, B | 3 (6 above 160 MHz) |
| Input C | 3 × prescaler factor |
| PRF Range | 0.5 Hz to 1 MHz |
| Start Delay | 10 ns to 2 s, 10 ns resolution |
| Aux Parameters | PRF |
Period A, B, C
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Mode | Single, Average, Back-to-Back (FCA3100 Series) |
| Range | |
| Input A, B | 3.3 ns to 1000 s (single, average)
4.0 µs to 1000 s (back-to-back) |
| Input C | 10 ns down to 50 ps |
| Resolution | 100 ps (single); 12 digit/s avg. (FCA3000 Series)
50 ps (single); 12 digit/s avg. (FCA3100 Series) |
| Aux Parameters | Vmax, Vmin, Vp-p |
Ratio A/B, B/A, C/A, C/B
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Range | (10–9) to 1011 |
| Input Frequency | |
| Input A, B | 0.1 Hz to 300 MHz
300-400 MHz in Manual Trigger mode |
| Input C | 3 or 20 GHz |
| Aux Parameters | Freq 1, Freq 2 |
Time Interval A to B, B to A, A to A, B to B
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Range | Normal calculation: 0 ns to +106 s
Smart calculation: –106 s to +106 s |
| Resolution | 100 ps single (FCA3000 Series)
50 ps single (FCA3100 Series) |
| Min Pulse Width | 1.6 ns |
| Smart Calculation | Smart Time Interval to determine sign (A before B or A after B) |
Positive and Negative Pulse Width A, B
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Range | 2.3 ns to 106 s |
| Min Pulse Width | 2.3 ns |
| Aux Parameters | Vmax, Vmin, Vp-p |
Rise and Fall Time A, B
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Range | 1.5 ns to 106 s |
| Trigger Levels | 10% and 90% of signal amplitude |
| Min Pulse Width | 1.6 ns |
| Aux Parameters | Slew rate, Vmax, Vmin |
Time Interval Error (TIE) A, B
| Normalized period back-to-back measurements, calculated as TIE(k) = k * TREF – ∑TI, when TI = Individual Period Back-to-Back and TREF = Reference Period Value. |
Positive and Negative Duty Factor A, B
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Range | 0.000001 to 0.999999 |
| Frequency Range | 0.1 Hz to 300 MHz |
| Aux Parameters | Period, pulse width |
Phase A Relative B, B Relative A
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Range | –180° to +360° |
| Resolution | Single cycle: 0.001° to 10 kHz, decreasing to 1° >10 MHz. Resolution can be improved by averaging (statistics) |
| Frequency Range | Up to 160 MHz |
| Aux Parameters | Freq (A), Va/Vb (in dB) |
Totalize A, B (FCA3100 Series)
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Mode | Tot A, Tot B, Tot A+B, Tot A–B, Tot A/B |
| Range | 1 to 1010 counts |
| Frequency Range | Up to 160 MHz |
| Start Control | Manual, start arming |
| Stop Control | Manual, stop arming, timed |
| Aux Parameters | Other Totalize functions |
Vmax, Vmin, Vp-p A, B
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Range | –50 V to +50 V, –5 V to +5 V
Range is limited by the specification for max input voltage without damage (see input A, B) |
| Frequency Range | DC, 1 Hz to 300 MHz |
| Mode | Vmax, Vmin, Vp-p |
| Resolution | 3 mV (FCA3000 Series)
1 mV (FCA3100 Series) |
| Uncertainty (5 V range, typical) | |
| DC, 1 Hz to 1 kHz | 1% + 15 mV |
| 1 kHz to 20 MHz | 3% + 15 mV |
| 20 to 100 MHz | 10% + 15 mV |
| 100 to 300 MHz | 30% + 15 mV |
| Aux Parameters | Vmin, Vmax, Vp-p |
Time Stamping A, B, C
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Raw time-stamp data together with pulse counts on inputs A, B, or C, accessible through GPIB or USB only. | |
| Max Sample Speed | See GPIB specifications |
| Max Frequency | 160 MHz |
| Time-stamp Resolution | 100 ps (FCA3000 Series)
50 ps (FCA3100 Series) |
Input and Output Specifications
Inputs A and B
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | DC Coupled: DC to 300 MHz
AC Coupled: 10 Hz to 300 MHz 300-400 MHz in Manual Trigger mode for both AC and DC |
| Impedance | 1 MΩ / 20 pF or 50 Ω (VSWR ≤ 2:1) |
| Trigger Slope | Positive or negative |
| Max Channel Timing Difference | 500 ps |
| Sensitivity | 15 mVRMS (DC-200 MHz)
25 mVRMS (200-400 MHz) |
| Attenuation | X1, X10 |
| Dynamic Range (X1) | 30 mVp-p to 10 Vp-p within ±5 V window |
| Trigger Level | Readout on display |
| Resolution | FCA3000 Series: 3 mV
FCA3100 Series: 1 mV |
| Uncertainty (X1) | ±(15 mV + 1% of trigger level) |
| AUTO trigger level | Trigger level is automatically set to 50% point of input signal (10% and 90% for rise/fall time) |
| Auto Hysteresis | |
| Time | Min hysteresis window (hysteresis compensation) |
| Frequency | One-third of input signal amplitude |
| Frequency Range | 1 Hz to 300 MHz |
| Analog LP Filter | Nominal 100 kHz, RC type |
| Digital LP Filter | 1 Hz to 50 MHz cutoff frequency |
| Max Voltage without Damage | |
| 1 MΩ | 350 V (DC + AC peak) to 440 Hz, falling to 12 VRMS (X1) at 1 MHz |
| 50 Ω | 12 VRMS (Unprotected Input) |
| Connector | BNC |
Input C – 3 GHz (FCA3003 and FCA3103 Products)
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Operating Input Voltage Range | |
| 100 to 300 MHz | 20 mVRMS to 12 VRMS |
| 0.3 to 2.5 GHz | 10 mVRMS to 12 VRMS |
| 2.5 to 2.7 GHz | 20 mVRMS to 12 VRMS |
| 2.7 to 3.0 GHz | 40 mVRMS to 12 VRMS |
| Prescaler Factor | 16 |
| Impedance | 50 Ω nominal, VSWR < 2.5:1 |
| Max Voltage without Damage | 12 VRMS, pin-diode protected |
| Connector | Type-N Female |
Input C – 20 GHz (FCA3020 and FCA3120 Products)
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Frequency Range | 0.25 to 20 GHz |
| Operating Input Voltage Range | |
| 250 to 500 MHz | –21 to +27 dBm |
| 0.5 to 14 GHz | –27 to +27 dBm |
| 14 to 18 GHz | –27 to +27 dBm |
| 18 to 20 GHz | –21 to +27 dBm |
| Prescaler Factor | 128 |
| Impedance | 50 Ω nominal, VSWR < 2.0:1 |
| AM Tolerance | >90% within sensitivity range |
| Max Voltage without Damage | +27 dBm |
| Connector | Type Precision-N Female |
Rear Panel Inputs and Outputs
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Reference Input | 1, 5, or 10 MHz; 0.1 to 5 VRMS sine; impedance ≥1 kΩ |
| Reference Output | 10 MHz; >1 VRMS sine into 50 Ω |
| Arming Input | Arming of all measuring functions |
| Impedance | Approx. 1 kΩ |
| Frequency range | DC to 80 MHz |
| Pulse Output
(FCA3100 Series) |
Programmable through front GPIB/USB |
| Mode | Pulse Out, Gate Open, Alarm Out |
| Period | 20 ns – 2 s, in 10 ns increments |
| Pulse width | 10 ns – 2 s, in 10 ns increments |
| Output | TTL levels in 50 Ω, rise time 2 ns |
| Rear-panel Measurement Inputs | A, B, C (Option RP only) |
| Impedance | 1 MΩ / 50 pF or 50 Ω (VSWR ≤ 2:1) |
| Connectors | SMA female for rear input C
BNC for all other inputs/outputs |
Auxiliary Functions
Trigger Holdoff
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Time Delay Range | 20 ns to 2 s, 10 ns resolution |
External Start and Stop Arming
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Modes | Start, Stop, Start and Stop Arming |
| Input Channels | A, B, or (rear panel) E |
| Max Rep. Rate for Arming Signal | |
| Channel A, B | 160 MHz |
| Channel E | 80 MHz |
| Start-time Delay Range | 20 ns to 2 s, 10 ns resolution |
Statistics
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Functions | Maximum, Minimum, Mean, ΔMax-Min, Standard Deviation, and Allan Deviation |
| Display | Numeric, histograms, or trend plots |
| Sample Size | 2 to 2 × 109 samples |
| Limit Qualifier | Off, or capture values above, below, inside, or outside limits |
| Measurement Pacing | Pacing Time Range: 4 µs to 500 s |
Mathematics
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Functions | (K*X+L)/M and (K/X+L)/M. X is current reading and K, L, and M are constants; set using the keyboard or as frozen reference value (X0) |
Other Functions
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Measuring Time | 20 ns to 1000 s for frequency, burst, and period average. Single cycle for other measuring functions |
| Time-base Reference | Internal, external, or automatic |
| Display Hold | Freezes the result, until a new measurement is initiated through a restart |
| Limit Alarm | Graphical indication on front panel and/or SRQ through GPIB, plus pulse output connector (FCA3100 Series) |
| Limit Values | Lower limit, upper limit |
| Settings | Off, or alarm if value is above, below, inside, or outside limits |
| On Alarm | Stop or Continue |
| Display | Numeric + Graphic |
| Stored Instrument Setups | 20. Instrument setups can be saved/recalled from internal nonvolatile memory. 10 can be user protected |
| Display | Backlit LCD graphics screen for menu control, numerical readout, and status information |
| Number of digits | 14 digits in Numerical mode |
| Resolution | 320 × 97 pixels |
GPIB Interface
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Compatibility | IEEE 488.2-1987, SCPI 199953131A Compatibility mode |
| Interface Functions | SH1, AH1, T6, L4, SR1, RL1, DC1, DT1, E2 |
| Max Measurement Rate | |
| GPIB | 15k/5k readings/s (Block mode)
4k/- readings/s (Talker Only mode) 650/500 readings/s (individual GET triggered) |
| To internal memory | 250k readings/s |
| Internal Memory Size | 750k readings (FCA3000 Series)
3.75M readings (FCA3100 Series) |
USB Interface
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| USB Version | 2.0 full speed (11 Mb/s) |
Calibration
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Mode | Closed case, menu controlled |
| Calibration Frequencies | 0.1, 1, 5, 10, 1.544, and 2.048 MHz |
General Specifications
Environmental Data
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Class | MIL-PRF-28800F, Class 3 |
| Operating Temp | 0 °C to +50 °C |
| Storage Temp | –40 °C to +71 °C |
| Humidity | 5-95% (10-30 °C)
5-75% (30-40 °C) 5-45% (40-50 °C) |
| Altitude | Operating: 2,000 m
Storage: 12,000 m |
| Safety | Directive 2006/95/EC, EN61010-1, UL61010-1, CAN/CSA C22.2 No. 61010-1 |
| EMC | EU Directive 2004/108/EC, EN61326-1, EN61326-2-1, Class A |
Power Requirements
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Basic Version | 90 to 265 VRMS, 45 to 440 Hz, <40 W |
Time-base Options
| Characteristic | Standard | Medium Stability (MS) | High Stability (HS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time-base Type | TCXO | OCXO | OCXO |
| Uncertainty Due to – | |||
| Aging | |||
| Per 24h | NA | <5×10–9*1 | <5×10–10*1 |
| Per month | <5×10–7 | <6×10–8 | <1×10–8 |
| Per year | <5×10–6 | <2×10–7 | <5×10–8 |
| Temperature variation (typ. values) | |||
| 0-50 °C | <1×10–5 | <5×10–8 | <5×10–9 |
| 20-26 °C | <3×10–6 | <2×10–8 | <1×10–9 |
| Short-term Stability: t = 1 s | Not specified | <1×10–10 | <1×10–11 |
| Root Allan Variance: t = 10 s | Not specified | <1×10–10 | <1×10–11 |
| Power-on Stability | NA | <1×10–7 | <1×10–8 |
| Deviation versus final value after 24h ON time, after a warm-up time of: | 30 min | 30 min | 10 min |
| Total Uncertainty, for Operating Temperature 20 °C to 26 °C, at 2σ (95%) Confidence Interval | |||
| 1 year after calibration | <7×10–6 | <2.4×10–7 | <0.6×10–7 |
| 2 years after calibration | <1.2×10–5 | <4.6×10–7 | <1.2×10–7 |
*1 After 1 month of continuous operation.
Physical
| Dimension | mm | in. |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 90 | 3.6 |
| Width | 210 | 8.25 |
| Depth | 395 | 15.6 |
| Weight | kg | lb. |
| Net | 2.7 | 5.8 |
| Shipping | 3.5 | 7.5 |
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