TF930 - Measuring equipment Aim TTi - Free user manual and instructions

Product type	Frequency meter / Universal counter
Brand	Aim TTi
Model	TF930
Category	Measuring equipment
Frequency range (Input A)	0,001 Hz to >125 MHz
Frequency range (Input B)	80 MHz to >3 GHz
Input impedance (Input A)	1 MΩ // 25 pF or 50 Ω
Input impedance (Input B)	50 Ω
Max input voltage (Input A)	1 VRMS (attenuation 1:1) or 4 VRMS (5:1)
Max input voltage (Input B)	1 VRMS
Max voltage to earth	30 VDC or 30 VRMS
Power supply	Rechargeable NiMH battery 2500 mAh, mains adapter 100-240 VAC, USB
Battery life	Approximately 24 hours in normal use
Display	LCD
Remote control interface	USB (virtual COM port)
Measurement functions	Frequency, Period, Width, Counting, Ratio (H:L, B:A), Duty cycle
Time base accuracy	±0.2 ppm (TCXO) after warm-up at 21°C
External reference	10 MHz TTL, CMOS or sinusoidal
Maintenance	Clean with a damp cloth (water or mild detergent). Annual calibration recommended.
Safety	Safety class III per IEC. Indoor use, pollution degree 2, 5-40°C, 20-80% RH.
Supplied accessories	Mains adapter, USB cable, CD with drivers

Frequently Asked Questions - TF930 Aim TTi

How to power on the device?

Press the OPERATE key to turn the instrument on or off. In battery mode, you can also press a function key (FREQUENCY, PERIOD, WIDTH) to turn on the device and activate that function. The device automatically turns off after about 15 seconds of inactivity in battery mode.

How to select input A or B?

Use the INPUT SELECT key to switch between input A (0.001 Hz to >125 MHz) and input B (80 MHz to >3 GHz). The active input is shown on the display.

What is the maximum allowed input voltage?

On input A, the maximum voltage is 1 VRMS (attenuation 1:1) or 4 VRMS (attenuation 5:1) for 1 MΩ. For input B, the limit is 1 VRMS. The maximum voltage to earth is 30 VDC or 30 VRMS.

How to clean the instrument?

Use a soft cloth slightly dampened with water or a mild detergent. Never allow liquid to penetrate inside and do not use solvents. Disconnect all power sources before cleaning.

What is the battery life?

The internal 2500 mAh NiMH battery provides about 24 hours of use in normal operation. The battery is recharged via the supplied mains adapter.

How to use the counting function?

Select input A, then press and hold the WIDTH key to enter COUNT mode. The count is displayed (maximum 9999999999) and can be frozen with HOLD or reset to zero with RESET (second function of HOLD).

How to connect an external reference?

Connect a 10 MHz signal (TTL, CMOS 5 Vpp or sinusoidal 2 VRMS) to the EXT REF input on the front panel. Detection is automatic and the Ext Ref indicator appears on the display. The external reference locks the internal oscillator for better accuracy.

How to reset the device to factory settings?

Send the remote command *RST via USB. This resets the instrument to default values (input A, frequency, AC coupling, etc.) and clears queues and errors.

Can I use the device on mains power while charging the battery?

Yes, the mains adapter powers the instrument and recharges the battery simultaneously. The CHARGING indicator lights yellow during charging. It is recommended to unplug the adapter if the device is not used for a long time.

What are the available remote commands?

The instrument supports a set of commands via USB (COM port). The main ones are: F0 to F9 for functions, M1 to M4 for measurement time, E? for continuous interrogation, *IDN? for identification, etc. The complete manual is available on the manufacturer's website.

USER MANUAL TF930 Aim TTi

AIM & THURLBY THANDAR INSTRUMENTS

TF930

3GHz Universal Counter

INSTRUCTIONS EN FRANCAIS

Aim-TTi

Table of Contents

Specification 2

Sécurité 5

Connexions 6

Input Specifications

Input A

Configurable options

Input coupling: AC or DC

Input impedance: 1MΩ or 50Ω

Attenuation: 1:1 or 5:1

Active edge: Rising or falling, or width high or low

Low pass filter: Filter In (\~50kHz cut-off) or Out

Trigger threshold: Variable threshold for both DC and AC coupling

Input Impedance: 1MΩ//25pF (DC or AC coupled)

or 50Ω nominal (AC coupled only).

Frequency Range: < 0.001Hz to >125MHz (1MΩ, DC coupled).

< 30Hz to >125MHz (1MΩ, AC coupled).

< 500kHz to > 125MHz (50Ω, AC coupled).

Trigger Threshold:

DC coupled: 0 to 2V (1:1 attenuation) or 0 to 10V (5:1 attenuation).

AC coupled: Average ± 50mV (1:1 attenuation) or ± 250mV (5:1 attenuation).

Input Signal Range:

1MΩ, DC coupled: 0 to 3.3V max (1:1 attenuation) or 1 to 12V max (5:1 attenuation).

1MΩ, AC coupled: 1Vrms or 3Vpp max (1:1 attenuation) or 4Vrms or 12Vpp max (5:1 attenuation).

50Ω, AC coupled: 1Vrms above 300kHz.

Sensitivity: Sinewave - 15mVrms 30Hz to 100MHz, 25mV to 125MHz at optimum threshold adjustment.

Input B

Input Impedance: 50Ω nominal (AC coupled).

Frequency Range: < 80MHz to >3GHz.

Sensitivity: Sinewave - 12mV rms 80MHz to 2GHz,

25mVrms to 2.5GHz, 50mVrms to 3GHz.

Input Signal range: < 0dBm recommended, +13dBm (1Vrms) maximum.

External Reference Input

Input Impedance: >100kΩ, AC coupled.

Frequency: 10MHz.

Signal Level: TTL, 3V_pp to 5V_pp CMOS or 1 to 2Vrms sinewave.

Maximum Input Voltage

Inputs A and B and

External Reference:

30VDC; 30Vrms 50/60Hz with respect to earth ground

Note that the inputs will not be damaged if subjected to an accidental short-term connection to a 50/60Hz line voltage not exceeding 250Vrms, or 250V DC.

Timebase

Measurement Clock: 50MHz.

Internal Reference oscillator: 10MHz TCXO with electronic calibration adjustment.

Oscillator Temperature Stability: Better than ± 1ppm over rated temperature range.

Initial Oscillator Adjustment Error: <±0.2ppm at 21^ .

Oscillator Ageing Rate: < ± 1ppm first year.

Calibration adjustment range: > ± 8ppm .

Measurement Functions

Frequency (Input A or Input B)

A Input Frequency Range: < 0.001Hz (DC coupled) to >125MHz

B input Frequency Range: 80MHz to >3000MHz.

Resolution: up to 10 digits (see below) or 0.001Hz

Period (Input A or Input B)

A Input Period Range: 8ns to 1000s (DC coupled)

B input Period Range: 333ps to 12.5ns

Resolution: up to 10 digits (see below)

Pulse Width Modes (Input A only)

Functions: Width high, width low, ratio H:L (high time to low time) and duty cycle.

Pulse Width Range: 40ns to 1000s

Averaging: Automatic within measurement time selected, up to 50 pulses.

Resolution: 20ns for one pulse; up to 1ns or 10 digits with multiple pulse averaging. 0.01% for Ratio H:L and Duty Cycle.

Total Count (Input A only)

Count range: 1 to 9 999 999 999

Minimum pulse width: 8ns

Frequency Ratio B:A

Resolution: Equal to the resolution of the two frequency measurements. If the ratio exceeds ten digits, six digits and the exponent are displayed.

Measurement Time

Selectable as 100s, 10s, 1s or 0.3s. The instrument displays the average value of the input signal over the measurement time selected, updated every 2s, 1s, 0.5s or 0.3s respectively. The hardware captures the count values and continues measuring without any dead time.

Resolution

The displayed resolution depends upon measurement time and input frequency. The basic resolution of period is 8 digits for every 2 seconds of measurement time. Frequency resolution is the reciprocal of period resolution. Usable resolution can be reduced by noise at low frequencies.

Accuracy

Measurement accuracy is timebase accuracy + measurement resolution + 2 counts.

Operating Facilities

Noise Filter

The Filter key controls a low pass filter, with a cut-off frequency of about 50kHz, to assist in obtaining stable readings at low frequencies.

Hold

Pressing the Hold key will hold the current measured value in the display, with the Hold indicator on, until the Hold key is pressed again. The measurement continues in the background when Hold is on. A long press on the Hold key clears old data and restarts the measurement.

Intelligent Power Switching

The unit automatically selects the best available power source of AC adaptor, USB or battery. Intelligent switching avoids discharging the battery overnight when operated from externally switched AC power.

A press-to-measure facility allows a quick measurement to be made by pressing a function select key which will power the instrument up in the corresponding function. The instrument will automatically switch off 15 seconds after the last key-press.

Remote Control

All capabilities can be controlled remotely and measurements read through a USB port. The instrument can be powered (but the battery cannot be charged) by the USB host.

Interface: Serial port emulation over USB.

Current consumption: < 95mA (<5mA if AC adaptor power is present)

Command set: Instrument specific. TF830 compatible.

Power Requirements

The instrument has fixed internal rechargeable piles and is supplied with a universal voltage external mains adaptor with interchangeable UK, Euro, Australian and US power connectors.

Battery Type: Three 2500mAh NiMH cells.

Battery Operating Life: Typically 24 hours

Low Battery Indicator: 'Lo Bat' shows in display when approximately 10% of battery life remains.

Recharge Time: < 4 hours

Adaptor Supply range: 85 to 240V, 50 or 60 Hz,

Power consumption: 5W max at DC input to unit; 15VA max at AC adaptor input (charging).

General

Display: 10 digit LCD, 12.5mm high (0.5"). Annunciators show input configuration, operating mode, measurement units and gate time.

Operating Range: +5°C to +40°C, 20% to 80% RH

Storage Range: -20^ to +60^

Environmental: Indoor use at altitudes up to 2000m, Pollution Degree 2

Size: 260mm(W) × 88mm(H) × 235mm(D)

Weight: 950 gms (plus 170 gms AC adaptor)

Safety & EMC: Complies with EN60950-1 & EN61326-1. For details, request the EU Declaration of Conformity for this instrument via http://www.aimtti.com/support(serial no. needed).

Compteur universel

courant continu (c.c.)

Thurlby Thandar Instruments Ltd.

Glebe Road • Huntingdon • Cambridgeshire • PE29 7DR • England (United Kingdom)

Telephone: [phone] • Fax: [phone]

International web site: www.aimtti.com • UK web site: www.aimtti.co.uk

Email: [e-mail]