PicoSource PG900 Series

USB differential picosecond pulse generators

Differential picosecond pulse generators

PG911 and PG914

Integral 50 Ω SMA(f) Step Recovery Diode outputs
< 60 ps transition time
Dual 2.5 to 6 V variable amplitude outputs
±1 ns in 1 ps steps timing deskew
200 ns to 4 μs pulse width
1 μs to 1 s internal clock period
< 3 ps RMS jitter relative to external trigger
–20 dB 10 GHz SMA(m-f) attenuator included with Step Recovery Diode outputs

PG912 and PG914

External 50 Ω N(m) positive and negative Tunnel Diode pulse heads
< 40 ps transition time
Dual > 200 mV fixed amplitude outputs
±200 ps in 1 ps steps timing deskew
Inter-series N(f) – SMA(m) adapter included with Tunnel Diode pulse heads

The fast-transition pulse can stimulate a transmission path, device or network with a broad spectrum signal in a single instant. Such a pulse is very useful for many of the high-speed broadband measurements that we need to make; for instance in time-domain reflectometry, semiconductor test, gigabit interconnect and port test and in radar.

Differential high-speed data in particular dominates the measurement challenge in our digital, computing, interconnect and telecommunications systems. Surprisingly, cost-effective fast-transition differential pulse generators have been very hard to find … until now!

Typical applications include:

TDR/TDT network and match analysis
Spectral and flatness measurements
Timing, jitter and crosstalk determinations

The PG900 Pulse Generators can partner the PicoScope 9300 20 GHz Sampling Oscilloscope in many of these applications.

PicoSource PG911 and PG914

Integrated step recovery diode pulse outputs
Pulse outputs	Positive-going (fast rise) and negative-going (fast fall) outputs returning to 0 V. Adjustable amplitude and timing parameters. Fast transition on leading edge.
Output impedance	50 Ω
Output connector	SMA(f)
Output amplitude	Adjustable 2.5 V to 6 V in 10 mV steps
Output accuracy	±10%
Output amplitude limit	2.5 V to 6 V, adjustable in 100 mV increments
Duty cycle limit	50% maximum (for 2.5 V to 4 V amplitude) 20% maximum (up to 6 V amplitude)
Differential deskew range	Adjustable in 1 ps steps over 2 ns range
	Positive or negative-going, smooth mode:	Negative-going, fast mode:
Pulse transition time	< 60 ps (10% to 90%) (smooth mode)	< 50 ps (10% to 90%)
Pulse aberrations	< +20%, –10% for first 2 ns < ±7% to 10 ns < ±2% to pulse width –50 ns	< (+40%, –10%)
Trailing edge transition time	< 8 ns (10% to 90%)

PicoSource PG912 and PG914

Drive outputs with tunnel diode pulse heads
PS9040 Positive tunnel diode pulse head	Positive-going (fast rise) output on < 70 mV pedestal. Fixed amplitude and adjustable timing parameters. Fast transition on leading edge.
PS9041 Negative tunnel diode pulse head	Negative going (fast fall) output on < –70 mV pedestal. Fixed amplitude and adjustable variable timing parameters. Fast transition on leading edge.
Output impedance	50 Ω, ±2 Ω
Output connector	N(m)
Output amplitude	Fixed 200 mV
Output accuracy	±25%
Differential deskew range	Adjustable in 1 ps steps over 200 ps minimum, 300 ps typical
Pulse transition time	< 40 ps (10 % to 90%)
Pulse aberrations	< ±20%, for first 2 ns < ±7% to 15 ns < ±2% to (pulse width – 50 ns)
Trailing edge transition time	< 8 ns (10% to 90%)
Dimensions (each pulse head)	80 mm x 28 mm x 25 mm
Weight (each pulse head)	125 g

All models and outputs

Pulse timing
Pulse trigger source	External input, manual single shot event or internal clock
Jitter relative to leading edge	3.0 ps RMS typical. 3.5 ps RMS maximum.
Post-trigger delay to pulse leading edge	Fixed 42 ns ±2 ns Allows leading-edge capture on sampling oscilloscopes
Pulse width and accuracy	200 ns to 4 µs ± 10% ± 50 ns, user adjustable in steps of 25 ns
Pulse width jitter	< 150 ppm of width RMS
External trigger hold-off	Adjustable 1 μs to 1.3 ms in steps of 200 ns, to maximum of 345 ms in steps of < 15 ppm

Internal clock specification
Period and accuracy	Adjustable 1 µs to 1 s, ±100 ppm ±10 ns in steps of 200 ns

External trigger input specification
Impedance	50 Ω ±1%
Connector	SMA(f)
Maximum input level	+16 dBm, or ±2 V DC or AC pk
Bandwidth	1 GHz, DC coupled
Trigger polarity	Selectable rising or falling edge
Trigger level	Selectable –1 V to +1 V in steps of 1 mV
Sensitivity	< 50 mV pk-pk DC to 100 MHz, rising linearly to 100 mV pk-pk at 1 GHz
Minimum pulse width	500 ps at 100 mV pk-pk

External trigger output specification
Trigger output pulse	Fixed amplitude and timing parameters, positive edge polarity, trigger is leading edge
Impedance	50 Ω, ±0.5 Ω
Connector	SMA(f)
Amplitude and offset	> 700 mV fixed, on logic low of 0 V ± < 100 mV
Pulse width	500 ns, ±100 ns
Trigger to trigger output delay	4 ns, ±1 ns
Trigger to trigger output jitter	2.5 ps rms typical. 3 ps rms maximum.
Transition time	< 400 ps (10% to 90%)

General specifications
AC to DC adaptor	5 V ±5% at 1.6 A, 8 W, universal plug (adaptor included)
PC connection	USB 2.0 (USB 1.1 and USB 3.0 compatible), 1.8 m USB 2.0 lead included
PC requirements	Windows XP SP3 to Windows 8
Operating temperature range	+5 °C to +35 °C
Storage temperature range	–20 °C to +50 °C
Temperature range for stated specifications	+15 °C to +25 °C or T_CAL (temperature of calibration) ±5 °C
Operating humidity range	< 85% RH (non-condensing) at +25 °C
Storage humidity range	< 95% RH (non-condensing)
Dimensions (instrument)	190 mm W x 180 mm D x 40 mm H
Weight (instrument)	560 g
Warranty	5 years

Specifications describe guaranteed performance over the stated temperature range and apply after the instrument’s temperature has been stabilized in 1 hour of continuous operation. All specifications are subject to change without notice.

Factory calibration cycle. For optimum performance, the instrument should have a complete verification of specifications once every 12 months.