Keysight Technologies
53200A Series
RF/Universal Frequency
Counter/Timers
Data Sheet
Imagine Your Counter Doing More!
Introduction
Frequency counters are depended on in R&D and in manufacturing for the fastest, most accurate frequency and time
interval measurements. The 53200 Series of RF and universal frequency counter/timers expands on this expectation to
provide you with the most information, connectivity and new measurement capabilities, while building on the speed and
accuracy you’ve depended on with Keysight Technologies, Inc. time and frequency measurement expertise.
Three available models offer resolution capabilities up to 12 digits/sec frequency resolution on a one second gate. Single-
shot time interval measurements can be resolved down to 20 psec. All models offer new built-in analysis and graphing
capabilities to maximize the insight and information you receive.
More bandwidth
– 350 MHz baseband frequency
– 6 or 15 GHz optional microwave
channels
Measurement by model
Measurements
Model
Standard
350 MHz Input
Channel(s)
Opt MW Inputs
(53210A: Ch 2,
53220A/30A: Ch 3)
More resolution & speed
– 12 digits/sec
– 20 ps single-shot time resolution
– Up to 75,000 and 90,000
readings/sec (frequency and
time interval)
Frequency
53210A,
53220A,
53230A
53210A,
53220A,
53230A
53210A,
53220A,
53230A
53210A,
53220A,
53230A
53210A,
53220A,
53230A
53220A,
53230A
53220A,
53230A
53220A,
53230A
53220A,
53230A
53220A,
53230A
53220A,
53230A
53220A,
53230A
53230A
53230A
53230A
(Option 150)
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Frequency ratio
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Period
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More insight
– Datalog trend plot
– Cumulative histogram
– Built-in math analysis and
statistics
– 1M reading memory and
USB Flash storage
Minimum/maximum/
peak-to-peak input
voltage
RF signal strength
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More connectivity
– LXI-C/Ethernet LAN, USB, GPIB
– Optional battery for unstable
AC power or timebase accuracy
Single period
Time interval A to B, B
to A, A, B
Positive/negative
pulse width
Rise/fall time
Positive/negative duty
Phase A to B,
B to A
Totalize
(continuous or timed)
Continuous/gap-free
Timestamp
Pulse/burst measure-
ment software
1
1.
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More measurement
capability (53230A only)
– Continuous gap-free
measurements
– Basic measurement and
timestamps for modulation
domain analysis (MDA)
– Optional pulse/burst microwave
measurement
Burst carrier frequency, pulse repetition frequency (PRF), pulse repetition interval (PRI),
burst positive width (“on” time), burst negative width (“off” time).
2
Input Channel Characteristics
Input characteristics (nom)
Channels
Standard (DC - 350 MHz)
Ch 1
Ch 2
Ch 1 & Ch 2
Ch 3
53210A
53220A
53230A
Optional (6 or 15 GHz)
Standard inputs (nom)
Frequency range
DC coupled
AC coupled, 50 Ω1 or 1 MΩ
Input
DC (1 mHz) to 350 MHz (2.8 ns to 1000 sec)
10 Hz - 350 MHz
Front panel BNC(f). Option 201 adds parallel rear panel BNC(f) inputs
2
Selectable 1 MΩ ± 1.5% or 50 Ω ± 1.5% || <25 pF
Selectable DC or AC
Selectable 100 kHz cut-off frequency low pass
10 Hz (AC coupling) cut-off frequency high pass filter
Connector
Input impedance (typ)
Input coupling
Input filter
Amplitude range
Input range
Sensitivity
3,4
(typ)
Noise
3
Input event thresholds
±5 V (±50 V) full scale ranges
DC - 100 MHz: 20 mVpk
> 100 MHz: 40 mVpk
500 µVrms (max), 350 µVrms (typ)
±5 V (±50 V) in 2.5 mV (25 mV) steps
Selectable On/ Off
Selectable Positive or Negative
Acquires signal for current measurement channel,
selects range (5 V or 50 V), sets auto-level 50%
Selectable On or Off
On: Sets auto-level (% of Vpp) operation
Occurs once for each INIT or after a timeout.
Measures signal Vpp and sets Trigger level to 50%
Off: Selectable user set level (Volts)
Threshold levels
Noise reject
4
Slope
Auto-scale
Auto-level
Minimum signal frequency for
auto level
Minimum signal for auto level
Maximum input
User selectable (Slow (50 Hz), Fast (10 kHz))
300 mVpp
1W
Will not activate below 7.5 Vpk
50 Ω internal termination auto-protects
by switching to 1 M Ω
DC - 5 kHz: 350 Vpk (AC + DC)
5 kHz - 100 kHz: Derate linearly to 10 Vpk (AC + DC)
>100 kHz: 10 Vpk (AC + DC)
50 Ω damage level
50 Ω protection threshold
1 M Ω damage level
3
Input Channel Characteristics
(continued)
53210A
Optional microwave inputs (nom)
Frequency range
53220A
53230A
Option 106
Option 115
Input
100 MHz - 6 GHz
300 MHz - 15 GHz
Front panel precision Type-N(f)
Option 203 moves the input connector to a rear panel SMA(f)
50 Ω ± 1.5% (SWR < 2.5)
AC
Connector
Input impedance (typ)
Input coupling
Continuous wave
amplitude range
Option 106
Option 115
Sensitivity (typ)
5
Autoranged to +19 dBm max. (2 Vrms)
Autoranged to +13 dBm max. (1.0 Vrms)
6 GHz (Opt 106): -27 dBm (10 mVrms)
15 GHz (Opt 115):
< 3 GHz: -23 dBm
3 – 11 GHz: -27 dBm
> 11 GHz: -21 dBm
Auto-ranged for optimum sensitivity and bandwidth
50% modulation depth
6 GHz (Opt 106): > +27 dBm (5 Vrms)
15 GHz (Opt 115): > +19 dBm (2 Vrms)
Input event thresholds
Level range
AM tolerance
6
Maximum input
Damage level
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
AC coupling occurs after 50 Ω termination.
When ordered with optional rear terminals, the standard/baseband channel inputs are active on both the front and rear of the universal
counter though the specifications provided only apply to the rear terminals. Performance for the front terminals with rear terminals installed
is not specified.
Multiply value(s) by 10 for the 50 V range.
Stated specification assumes Noise Reject OFF. Noise Reject ON doubles the sensitivity minimum voltage levels.
Assumes sine wave.
CW only. Assumes AM Rate > 10/gate. For Option 106, spec applies for input powers > -20 dBm; use a tolerance of 15% modulation depth
for frequencies less than 900 MHz. For Option 115, spec applies for input powers > -10 dBm.
4
Measurement Characteristics
53210A
Measurement range (nom)
Frequency, period (average) measurements
Common
Channels
Digits/s
Maximum display Resolution
1
Measurement technique
Ch 1 or optional Ch 2
10 digits/s
12 digits
Reciprocal
Ch 1, Ch 2 or optional Ch 3
12 digits/s
15 digits
Reciprocal and resolution
enhanced
12 digits/s
15 digits
Reciprocal, resolution-
enhanced or continuous
(gap-free)
CW and pulse/burst
(Option 150)
53220A
53230A
Signal type
Level & slope
Gate
Gate time
2
Advanced gating
3
FM tolerance
Frequency, period
Range
9
Microwave input (optional)
Frequency ratio
4
Range
Timestamp/modulation domain
Sample rate
5
#Edges/timestamp
Acquisition length
Time interval (single-shot) measurements
11
Common
Channels
Single-shot time resolution
Gating
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
Continuous Wave (CW)
Automatically preset or user selectable
Internal or external
1 ms to 1000 s in 10 µs steps
N/A
100 µs to 1000 s in 10 µs steps
1 µs to 1000 s in 1 µs steps
Start delay (time or events) and stop hold-off
(time or events)
± 50%
DC (1 mHz) to 350 MHz (2.8 ns to 1000 s)
Option 106 - 100 MHz to 6 GHz (166 ps to 10 ns)
Option 115 - 300 MHz to 15 GHz ( 66 ps to 3.3 ns)
10
15
Displayable range
N/A
N/A
N/A
1 MSa/s, 800 kSa/s,
100 kSa/s, 10 kSa/s
Auto-acquired per
acquisition
up to 1 MSa or
100,000 s (max)
Ch 1 or 2
100 ps
20 ps
Internal or external gate
Start delay (time or events) and stop hold-off
(time or events)
Independent start, stop slopes
Independent start, stop slopes
100 ps
50 ps
Slope
Level
Channel-to-channel time skew
(typ)
N/A
N/A
N/A
5