HP / Agilent 8116A 50 MHZ PULSE/FUNCTION GENERATOR

The HP/Agilent 8116A is a 50 MHz pulse/function generator that combines waveform synthesis and pulse generation in a single microprocessor-controlled instrument. It delivers sine, triangle, ramp, square, pulse, haversine, havertriangle, and DC outputs across a 1 mHz to 50 MHz frequency range with 3-digit resolution. The unit operates with 10.0 mVpp to 16.0 Vpp amplitude into 50 ohm ±5% impedance, with voltage doubling into high-impedance loads.

Technical Specifications Frequency & Timing:

Range: 1 mHz to 50 MHz (3-digit resolution)

Accuracy (pulse mode, 50% duty cycle): ±3% ±0.3 mHz below 100 kHz; ±5% above 100 kHz

Stability: ±2% over 1 hour; ±5% over 24 hours

Pulse width: 10.0 ns to 999 ms (±5% ±2 ns accuracy)

Jitter: <0.1% + 100 ps (pulse mode, 50% duty cycle)

Edge transitions: <7 ns Output & Amplitude:

Amplitude range: 10.0 mVpp to 16.0 Vpp

Output impedance: 50 ohm ±5%

Offset range: 0.00 V to ±7.95 V (0.00 V to ±795 mV for amplitude < 100 mVpp)

Offset accuracy: 0.5% of setting ±1% of amplitude ±40 mV Duty Cycle:

Range: 10% to 90% (20% to 80% above 1 MHz; 50% above 10 MHz)

Accuracy: ±0.5 digits (±3 digits above 1 MHz) Modulation: Frequency modulation supports ±5% maximum deviation with 1 V/1% sensitivity and DC to 20 kHz modulating frequency. Amplitude modulation provides ±2.5 V for 100% modulation (DC to 1 MHz). Pulse width modulation spans 10 ns to 1 s with 10:1 maximum ratio. VCO operation covers 2 decades within the 1 MHz–50 MHz range (0.1 V to 10 V sensitivity, DC to 1 kHz modulating frequency).

Key Features

Fully programmable with microprocessor control and auto-vernier adjustment

Configurable high/low levels or amplitude/offset programming for device compatibility

Built-in limit feature protects connected devices

Standard modes: Normal, Trigger, Gate, External Width

Optional logarithmic sweep (Option 001) with user-selectable start/stop frequencies and sweep times from 10 ms to 500 seconds per decade

Typical Applications Protocol testing, timing characterization, device validation, and signal injection across telecommunications, digital electronics, and analog circuit design.

Compatibility & Integration The 50 ohm output impedance with high-impedance load doubling accommodates both matched and test configurations. Modulation inputs and external sweep control enable integration with automated test systems and closed-loop measurement setups.