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The Tektronix Type A is a single-channel preamp [[introduced in 1959]] for [[500-series scopes]].
The Tektronix Type A is a single-channel preamp [[introduced in 1959]] for [[500-series scopes]].
A [[545]] with a Type A has a system risetime of 18 nanoseconds.  The plug-in uses a [[12AU6]]
A [[545]] with a Type A has a system risetime of 18 nanoseconds and a bandwidth of 20MHz.  The plug-in uses a [[12AU6]]
in the front end as a cathode follower.  This input stage drives the second stage, a
in the front end as a cathode follower.  This input stage drives the second stage, a
differential amplifier made of two 12AU6 tubes.  The second stage drives the output stage,
differential amplifier made of two more 12AU6 tubes.  The second stage drives the output stage,
a pair of cathode followers made of both halves of at [[12AT7]] tube.  The plate of each output tube
a pair of cathode followers made of both halves of a [[12AT7]] tube.  The plate of each output tube
is connected to the cathode of the other output tube by a 0.005 microfarad capacitor.  This  
is connected to the cathode of the other output tube by a 0.005 microfarad capacitor.  This  
is intended to improve high-frequency balance.
"cross-coupling" extends the high-frequency response.
 
Although 1959 was the first year one could find a "Type A" in the catalog, the same
instrument with earlier "Type 53/54A" nomenclature was in the August 1956
Short Form catalog, and its slower Type 53A ancestor was in the August 1954
catalog which introduced the first 500-series scopes, the [[531]] and the [[535]].
Type 53A has only three tubes, and a bandwidth of 10MHz in the 530 mainframes.
Tek never documented its performance in the 540 mainframes.


* http://bama.edebris.com/manuals/tek/a/
* http://bama.edebris.com/manuals/tek/a/
* http://w140.com/tek_fcp/tek_type_a_factory_cal_proc.pdf
* http://w140.com/tek_fcp/tek_type_a_factory_cal_proc.pdf

Revision as of 13:50, 17 September 2010

The Tektronix Type A is a single-channel preamp introduced in 1959 for 500-series scopes. A 545 with a Type A has a system risetime of 18 nanoseconds and a bandwidth of 20MHz. The plug-in uses a 12AU6 in the front end as a cathode follower. This input stage drives the second stage, a differential amplifier made of two more 12AU6 tubes. The second stage drives the output stage, a pair of cathode followers made of both halves of a 12AT7 tube. The plate of each output tube is connected to the cathode of the other output tube by a 0.005 microfarad capacitor. This "cross-coupling" extends the high-frequency response.

Although 1959 was the first year one could find a "Type A" in the catalog, the same instrument with earlier "Type 53/54A" nomenclature was in the August 1956 Short Form catalog, and its slower Type 53A ancestor was in the August 1954 catalog which introduced the first 500-series scopes, the 531 and the 535. Type 53A has only three tubes, and a bandwidth of 10MHz in the 530 mainframes. Tek never documented its performance in the 540 mainframes.