The Tektronix FCA3100 is a 3-channel frequency counter and analyzer engineered for precise measurement of frequency, period, ratio, time interval, and phase across demanding R&D, manufacturing, and calibration environments. It delivers 12-digit/second frequency resolution, 50 ps single-shot time resolution, and 0.001° phase resolution, with automated measurements spanning frequency, period, duty cycle, rise/fall time, pulse width, and voltage characterization. The instrument captures up to 250,000 samples/second to internal memory (3.75 million sample capacity) and streams continuous data over USB or GPIB at 15,000 samples/second in block mode, enabling up to 650 individually triggered measurements per second.
Technical Specifications
• Frequency Measurement: 300 MHz (Channels A and B); 300–400 MHz in Manual Trigger Mode
• Frequency Resolution: 12 digits/second
• Time Resolution (Single-shot): 50 ps
• Phase Resolution: 0.001°
• Voltage Resolution: 3 mV or better
• Internal Memory: Up to 3.75 million samples at 250,000 samples/second transfer rate
• Bus Data Transfer Rate: Up to 15,000 samples/second (USB/GPIB block mode)
• Measurement Throughput: Up to 650 individually triggered measurements per second
• Programmable Pulse Output: 0.5 Hz to 50 MHz
• Optional High-stability Oven Timebase: 5 × 10⁻⁸
– Key Features
• Zero dead-time measurement technique enables continuous time stamping for precise Allan Deviation analysis
• Multi-parameter display, trend plotting, measurement statistics (mean, min, max, standard deviation, Allan deviation), and histogram modes for signal stability assessment
• Limit-qualifying capability isolates specific measurement clusters
• Hysteresis compensation reduces trigger-level error in time interval measurements
• Totalize measurement available on FCA3100 Series
• Continuous data streaming over USB/GPIB during live measurement
– Connectivity & Integration
• USB Device and GPIB ports on rear panel
• GPIB emulation mode for drop-in replacement in existing ATE systems
• External arming input for measurement synchronization
• Three input channels with optional third input upgrades to 3 GHz or 20 GHz models
