Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Your experience with function generators
The frequency stability of my HP3312A function generator is poor, very
annoying for many practical use. I am trying to determine whether that behavior is fairly normal for function generators, or my particular unit has got a problem. What is your experience on function generators frequency stability? Thanks & 73 Tony I0JX Rome, Italy |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Your experience with function generators
In article , Antonio I0JX
wrote: The frequency stability of my HP3312A function generator is poor, very annoying for many practical use. I am trying to determine whether that behavior is fairly normal for function generators, or my particular unit has got a problem. What is your experience on function generators frequency stability? Thanks & 73 Tony I0JX Rome, Italy Any of the VCO-based function generators, such as the 3312A, are going to be wobbly in terms of not only stability but ability to generate a specific frequency or range of frequencies. You need to move to a synthesized source to get better results. One candidate would be the HP 3314A, which is a synthesized generator, and covers up to 20 MHz. I have one of these; it's very flexible, and stable. It doesn't have the ability to lock to an external standard, but it is crystal controlled. With a synthesized device, you have digital control over frequency, sweep parameters, and with something like the 3314A, you also have digital control over amplitude and offset. eBay offers some inexpensive function generator boards as well. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Your experience with function generators
On 03/19/2012 08:56 PM, artie wrote:
The frequency stability of my HP3312A function generator is poor, very annoying for many practical use. I am trying to determine whether that behavior is fairly normal for function generators, or my particular unit has got a problem. What is your experience on function generators frequency stability? Any of the VCO-based function generators, such as the 3312A, are going to be wobbly in terms of not only stability but ability to generate a specific frequency or range of frequencies. You need to move to a synthesized source to get better results. One candidate would be the HP 3314A, which is a synthesized generator, and covers up to 20 MHz. I have one of these; it's very flexible, and stable. It doesn't have the ability to lock to an external standard, but it is crystal controlled. With a synthesized device, you have digital control over frequency, sweep parameters, and with something like the 3314A, you also have digital control over amplitude and offset. eBay offers some inexpensive function generator boards as well. I concur. I use an HP 3325A. It's pretty solid, a synthesized unit, and it can be used with an external reference. They're old enough to be cheap on the used market, yet new enough to be as featureful as we expect these days. That said, the OP's 3312A shouldn't be THAT bad. Is it possible the main oscillator's performance is being spoiled by aging components, like dried-out electrolytic capacitors and such? -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|