4/26/2006 -- Test & Measurement World -- Keithley Instruments has expanded its offerings beyond the DC and RF measurement markets with the Models 3401 and 3402 pulse/pattern generators (Model 3402 pictured). The single-channel 3401 and dual-channel 3402 produce pulses at speeds up to 165 MHz with pulse widths down to 3 ns.
Designed for testing materials, semiconductors, logic gates, and nanoscale devices, the Models 3401 and 3402 let you adjust several parameters of your pulses. For example, you can adjust rise and fall times from 2.5 ns to 200 ms. You can also adjust amplitude up to 20 V with a 1-k-ohm load or 10 V with a 50-ohm load. The instruments let you adjust time delay and offset of a pulse.
Both Models 3401 and 3402 operate in four modes. In pulse mode, you get one pulse per internal or external trigger condition. Burst mode lets you initiate a series of pulses with a single trigger. In pattern mode, the instruments can produce PRBS patterns in return-to-zero or non-return-to-zero formats with pattern lengths from 25–1 to 214–1 bits. In external-width mode, you can combine two or more instruments with a single external trigger where each instrument's output transitions (high-low or low-high) will follow transitions of the trigger signal.
With the Model 3402, you can combine the signals on both channels by adding their amplitudes. This lets you add the amplitude of both channels and produce a series of two-level pulses.
Models 3401 and 3402 are available with rear-mounted BNC connectors for rack-mounted applications or with front-panel connectors for bench applications. You must specify the connector location at the time of ordering. Prices: Model 3401—$12,500; Model 3402—$17,500. Keithley Instruments, www.keithley.com/pr/031.
