The HP/Agilent 59501A is a single-channel GPIB-interfaced digital-to-analog converter designed to program DC voltage and current in HP power supplies. It converts digital commands into precise analog signals, enabling automated test setups that require voltage or current control without manual adjustment. The unit features 600 Vdc galvanic isolation between HP-IB data lines and output terminals, protecting instrumentation from power supply transients. Operation as a standalone low-level DC signal source is also supported.
Technical Specifications
Output Voltage Ranges
• High Range: 1 V or 10 V, programmable
• Low Range: improved resolution variant
• Unipolar modes: 0–0.999 V or 0–9.99 V (low: 0–0.9999 V)
• Bipolar modes: −1 V to +0.998 V or −10 V to +9.98 V (low: −1 V to +0.998 V)
• Mode selection via rear panel switch
Output Characteristics
• Maximum output current: 10 mA
• Resolution unipolar (high/low): 10 mV / 1 mV
• Resolution bipolar (high/low): 20 mV / 2 mV
• PARD (ripple and noise): 2 mV rms, 10 mV peak-to-peak
• Full-scale voltage settling: ~250 µs from data reception
• Zero adjust: ±250 mV, front panel accessible
• Full-scale adjust: ±5% D/A, coarse/fine potentiometers
Accuracy (at 23 °C ± 5 °C)
• Unipolar high: 0.05% M + 0.25% P
• Unipolar low: 0.01% M + 0.25% P
• Bipolar high: 0.1% M + 0.25% P
• Bipolar low: 0.02% M + 0.25% P
(M = calibrated full-scale; P = programmed output)
Temperature Coefficient
• Unipolar high: 0.005% M/°C + 0.015% P/°C
• Unipolar low: 0.01% M/°C + 0.015% P/°C
• Bipolar high: 0.013/°C + 0.5 mV/°C
• Bipolar low: 0.01/°C + 0.1 mV/°C
– Key Features
• HP-IB listener and acceptor handshake capability
• Single-channel, unidirectional operation; controls voltage or current of one supply per unit
• Multiple units required for dual-supply or dual-parameter (voltage + current) control
• Unique HP-IB address assignment per unit
• Power requirements: 100, 120, 220, or 240 Vac (±6% to −13%), 47–63 Hz, 10 VA
– Typical Applications
Automated test and measurement systems requiring precise DC voltage or current programming of HP power supplies; standalone low-level DC signal sourcing in bench and systems integration environments.
– Compatibility & Integration
HP-IB interface; galvanically isolated output stage protects HP-IB network from power supply faults.
