HP / Agilent 8011A 20MHz PULSE GENERATOR

The HP/Agilent 8011A is a 20 MHz pulse generator engineered for digital system development, circuit characterization, and general-purpose pulse generation. It delivers independently adjustable pulse width, repetition rate, delay, and amplitude with multiple output formats including positive, negative, TTL, and complementary signals. Manual and external triggering support frequencies from DC to 20 MHz, while synchronous and asynchronous gating options provide flexible control over pulse train generation. Low jitter performance and stable transition times make this instrument suitable for timing-critical applications and signal integrity testing.

Technical Specifications Pulse Generation

Maximum repetition rate: 20 MHz

Repetition rate range: 0.1 Hz to 20 MHz (5 ranges with continuous vernier adjustment)

Square wave frequency: 0.05 Hz to 10 MHz or 0.15 Hz to 10 MHz

Pulse width: 25 ns to 100 ms (four ranges with continuous vernier)

Pulse width jitter: <0.1% + 50 ps of setting

Fixed transition times: <10 ns or down to 3.5 ns

Variable transition times: 5 ns to 0.5 s or 10 ns to 2 s

Overshoot, ringing, preshoot: <±5% of pulse amplitude

Pulse delay: <100 ns to 3 s or 35 ns to 1 s

Pulse delay jitter: 80% (0.3 Hz – 1 MHz); >50% (1–20 MHz) Output Characteristics

Output amplitude: 0.25 V to 16 V (three ranges with vernier)

Output impedance: 50 ohms or selectable high impedance

TTL output: +4.6 V (50 ohm impedance)

Simultaneous outputs: Positive, negative, and TTL

Maximum external voltage: ±10 V Triggering and Gating

Trigger source: Manual pushbutton or external signal (DC to 20 MHz)

External trigger impedance: 50 ohms ±10% or 1 k ohms, dc coupled

External trigger sensitivity: 1 V

Maximum external trigger input: ±5 V or ±10 V

Trigger output: Decoupled 50 ohm, >+2 V amplitude across 50 ohms

Gate input impedance: 1 k ohms, dc coupled

Key Features

Five repetition rate ranges with continuous adjustment for precision timing

Four pulse width ranges spanning 25 ns to 100 ms

Low jitter performance <0.1% + 50 ps on both width and delay

Fast transition times as low as 3.5 ns for edge-sensitive testing

Independent control of pulse delay up to 3 s

Multiple simultaneous output formats for flexible circuit interfacing

Switchable 50 ohm and high-impedance output configurations

Synchronous and asynchronous gating for pulse train control

Typical Applications

Digital logic circuit development and validation

Timing and synchronization testing

Signal integrity measurements

Component characterization requiring precise pulse timing

Test automation with external triggering

Compatibility & Integration External triggering supports frequencies from DC to 20 MHz with 1 V sensitivity. TTL-compatible output integrates directly with digital systems. Switchable output impedance accommodates both 50 ohm and high-impedance loads. Trigger output delivers standardized levels for system synchronization.