109: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 06:53, 13 January 2015

The Tektronix Type 109 is a pulse generator introduced in 1962. It uses a GR-874 50 Ω output connector and has a specified rise time of 250 ps.

Key Specifications

Rise time	250 ps
Pulse frequency	550 to 720 Hz
Pulse length	0.5 ns to 100 ns with a single charge line between the two charge line connectors, or up to 300 ns at half pulse rate with one open-ended charge line (other connector grounded)
Pulse amplitude	Internal supply: 0 to 50 V variable in three ranges (0.5 V, 5 V, 50 V), positive or negative, or external up to ± 300 V

The 109's operating principle is that of a charged transmission line pulse generator with a mechanical reed switch and external 50 Ω transmission line/lines attached through two GR-874 50 Ω connectors. The length of the external cables determines the impulse width.

The pulse-generating switch in the 109 is a mechanical mercury switch, which limits pulse frequency to about 600 Hz. Moreover, this switch has a relatively short life time (200 hours) — if the operator forgets to shut the 109 down over the weekend and some holidays, the reed switch will need replacement.

The internal voltage source is adjustable from 0 to 50 V in three ranges (0.5 V, 5 V, 50 V), either positive or negative. Using an external voltage source, pulses up to 300 V are possible.

Repair issues

Be aware during servicing that the thermal breaker is on full mains and has no protection cover!

Manuals

Pictures

Front view
Right internal
Left internal
Rear view Connector not original
flying spot caught with 7904, S6, 7T11, 7M11. 2.5 V_pk, T_r=240 ps
schematic

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[File:109 front.jpg|300px|thumb|right]]
+[[File:109 front crop.jpg|250px|thumb|right]]
 The '''Tektronix Type 109''' is a pulse generator [[introduced in 1962]].
 It uses a [[Connectors#GR-874|GR-874]] 50 &Omega; output connector
 and has a specified rise time of 250 ps.
+{{BeginSpecs}}
+{{Spec | Rise time | 250 ps}}
+{{Spec | Pulse frequency | 550 to 720 Hz }}
+{{Spec | Pulse length | 0.5 ns to 100 ns with a single charge line between the two charge line connectors, or up to 300 ns at half pulse rate with one open-ended charge line (other connector grounded)}}
+{{Spec | Pulse amplitude | Internal supply: 0 to 50 V variable in three ranges (0.5 V, 5 V, 50 V), positive or negative, or external up to ± 300 V}}
+{{EndSpecs}}
+[[File:Charge line animation.gif|250px|right]]
 The 109's operating principle is that of a
 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulse_forming_network#Transmission_line_PFNs charged transmission line pulse generator]
 with a mechanical reed switch and external 50 &Omega; transmission line/lines attached through two GR-874 50 &Omega; connectors.
-The length of the external cables determines the impulse width, maximum allowed  is 50 ns.
+The length of the external cables determines the impulse width.
-The internal voltage source is adjustable from 0 to 50 V.
+The pulse-generating switch in the 109 is a mechanical [[mercury switch]], which limits pulse frequency to about 600 Hz.
+Moreover, this switch has a relatively short life time (200 hours) — if the operator forgets to shut the 109 down over the weekend and
+some holidays, the reed switch will need replacement.
+The internal voltage source is adjustable from 0 to 50 V in three ranges (0.5 V, 5 V, 50 V), either positive or negative.
 Using an external voltage source, pulses up to 300 V are possible.
-The special feature of the 109 is that the switching action is made directly by a [[mercury switch]].
-The pulse frequency was therefore low (about 600 Hz) and life time was fairly short (200 hours).
-So, if the operator forgets to shut the 109 down over the weekend and
-some holidays, the reed switch will need replacement.
 ==Repair issues==