PG501

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The Tektronix PG501 is a 50 MHz pulse generator plug-in for the TM500 system.

Key Specifications

Outputs	simultaneous positive and negative output pulses, fixed 5 ns rise/fall times, independently variable amplitudes from 0.5 V to 5 V into 50 Ω
Pulse period	20 ns to 20 ms calibrated, 1:10 variable to 200 ms, or externally triggered
Pulse duration	10 ns to 10 ms calibrated, 1:10 variable to 100 ms, external duration, or "locked on" to adjust output voltage
Trigger input	≥+1 V High, ≤0.1 V low; max. +5 V DC+peak AC; min. 10 ns on/off; triggers duration generator in Ext Trig mode, controls output in Ext Duration mode
Pre-trigger output	8 ns before main output, 1 V into 50 Ω

Rear Interface

• 27B, 28A (GND 27A, 28B) – pre-trigger output, 10 ns before main output, 1 V from 27 Ω source impedance
• 25A (GND 26A) – averaged amplitude output, internally connected to +out or -out via 27 kΩ/20 nF, or disconnected
• 24B (GND 25B) – available to connect in parallel to front panel Trig/Duration Input (connecting cable to be user-installed)

Internals

The PG501 uses discrete transistors except for a single MC10105L ECL integrated circuit used as a buffer with simultaneous inverting and non-inverting outputs driving the output amplifiers.

Prices

Year	1980	1984
Catalog Price	$525	$735
In 2023 Dollars	$2,000	$2,200

Pictures

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  early PG501

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  later PG501

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Internal

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  Left side, later model (SN B0849xx)

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  Right side, later model (SN B0849xx)

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  Left side, early model (SN B081739)

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  Right side, early model (SN B081739)

Measurements

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  Risetime waveform of PG501 (This specimen achieves 2.1 ns)