HP / Agilent 5359A Time Synthesizer

The HP/Agilent 5359A Time Synthesizer generates precision time delays and pulse widths with exceptional stability and low jitter for time-domain metrology, calibration, and synchronization applications. This instrument produces two independently selectable outputs

Td (delay) and Tw (pulse width) - with 50 ps resolution across ranges up to 160 ms, making it suitable for demanding scientific and engineering measurement tasks requiring nanosecond-level accuracy.

Technical Specifications

• Time Delay (Td) Range: 0 ns to 160 ms


• Pulse Width (Tw) Range: 5 ns to 160 ms


• Step Size: 50 ps increments


• Combined Limit: Td + Tw ≤ 160 ms


• Jitter: Typically 100 ps RMS; maximum 200 ps RMS for delays to 10 ms


• Insertion Delay: Fixed <150 ns; selectable 100 ns


• Repetition Rate: 10 MHz maximum


• Accuracy: ±1 ns ± time base error; ±100 ps ± time base error after external calibration


• Output Amplitude: 0.5 V to 5 V into 50 Ω


• Transition Time: <5 ns


• Sync Output: 1 V into 50 Ω; 5 V into 1 MΩ

Time Base

• Oscillator: 10 MHz High Stability Oven Oscillator


• Aging Rate: <5 × 10⁻¹⁰/day


• Temperature Coefficient: <4.5 × 10⁻⁹ (0° to 50° C)


• Line Voltage Coefficient: <1 × 10⁻¹⁰ (±10% nominal)

Operating Modes

• Internal Trigger Mode: Period or frequency selection with programmable pulse width


• External Trigger Mode: Delay and width control from sync output


• Events Mode: External input substitution up to 100 MHz; delay and width specified in event counts


• Triggering Frequency Mode: Burst output synchronized to external trigger


• Calibration Mode: Internal correction for delay differences

Connectivity

• HP-IB (IEEE-488): Programmable control of all functions except trigger levels


• External Trigger Input: -2 V to +2 V, slope selectable


• Output Options: Positive or negative polarity; offset -1 V to 1 V or OFF; logic true/complement modes

Physical

• Dimensions: 426 mm W × 133 mm H × 521 mm D


• Weight: 13.5 kg