SG503: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 14:56, 4 December 2023

Tektronix SG503
250 MHz leveled sinewave generator Tektronix SG503 Produced from 1974 to 1993 Manuals SG503 Instruction Manual 070-1622-01 Early type SG503 Manual 070-1622-01 s/n: B010100 through B089999 SG503 Manual 070-6770-00 s/n: B090000 and up SG503 Modifications from Wizards Workshop (All manuals in PDF format unless noted otherwise)

Manuals – Specifications – Links – Pictures

The Tektronix SG503 is a 250 MHz leveled sinewave generator plug-in for the TM500 system.

Nine overlapping ranges cover the frequency band from 250 kHz to 250 MHz, with an additional range reserved for a 50 kHz reference frequency.

It was primarily intended to be used as an oscilloscope calibration device for measuring bandwidths up to 250 MHz. Unlike later instruments like the SG504, it does not use a leveling head but was designed and calibrated with high quality coaxial cable (P/N 012-0482-00) to operate as a closely matched system when terminated into a 50 Ω load.

The SG503 shows the selected frequency on a 3-digit LED counter.

Key Specifications

Frequency	50 kHz, 250 kHz to 250 MHz in nine ranges
Frequency accuracy	Within ±0.7 of one count of the least significant displayed digit for the indicated frequency
Amplitude	5 mV_p-p to 5.5 V_p-p in three decade ranges (terminated into a 50 Ω load)
Harmonics	2^nd harmonic ≥35 dB down from fundamental, 3^rd and higher harmonics ≥40 dB down

Rear interface

The sine output, remote amplitude control input, and a 12-bit non-multiplexed BCD version of the counter value are available via the rear connector.

Internals

The SG503 uses two LC Hartley oscillators, one for 100 MHz and above with an air-core inductor, the other for the lower ranges using switched ferrite-core inductors. Tuning is accomplished via a traditional three-section variable capacitor. After filtering, a regulated power amplifier stage (caution: beryllium oxide in transistor cases!) is followed by a peak-to-peak detector for the amplitude control loop, and switchable output attenuators.

The frequency counter circuit starts with a ÷8 prescaler (SP1670 and 10131 ECL flip-flops) followed by 7490 TTL BCD counters and 7-segment decoders (display not multiplexed).

Notes

The Tek 012-0482-00 cable is made from RG-223 50 Ω double-braid shielded coaxial cable (or equivalent), and is exactly 36" from end-to-end.

Links

SG503 @ amplifier.cd (German) including measurements of cable influence (1 m Belden H-155 as replacement for original cable)
SG503 Peak-to-Peak detector substitute by John K. Bennett AE0AM
SG503 Lab Check In and Calibration by Zenwizard Studios @ YouTube
Tektronix SG503 Refresh and Alignments by Zenwizard Studios @ YouTube

Documents Referencing SG503

Document	Class	Title	Year	Links
070-2088-00.pdf	Book	TM500 Series Rear Interface Data Book	1975	AF501 • AM501 • AM502 • DC501 • DC502 • DC503 • DC504 • DC505 • DC505A • DM501 • DM502 • FG501 • FG502 • FG503 • MR501 • PG501 • PG502 • PG505 • PG506 • PG508 • PS501 • PS502 • PS503 • PS503A • PS505 • RG501 • SC501 • SC502 • SG502 • SG503 • TG501
070-2088-01.pdf	Book	TM500 Series Rear Interface Data Book	1976	AF501 • AM501 • AM502 • AM511 • DC501 • DC502 • DC503 • DC504 • DC505 • DC505A • DD501 • DM501 • DM502 • FG501 • FG502 • FG503 • FG504 • LA501 • MR501 • PG501 • PG502 • PG505 • PG506 • PG508 • PS501 • PS502 • PS503 • PS503A • PS505 • RG501 • SC501 • SC502 • SG502 • SG503 • SG504 • SW503 • TG501 • TR501 • TR502
070-2088-04.pdf	Book	TM500 Series Rear Interface Data Book	1985	AA501 • AF501 • AM501 • AM502 • AM503 • AM511 • DC501 • DC502 • DC503 • DC503A • DC504 • DC505 • DC505A • DC508 • DC508A • DC509 • DC510 • DC5009 • DC5010 • DD501 • DL502 • DM501 • DM501A • DM502 • DM502A • DM505 • DM5010 • FG501 • FG501A • FG502 • FG503 • FG504 • FG507 • FG5010 • LA501 • LA501W • WR501 • MR501 • PG501 • PG502 • PG505 • PG506 • PG507 • PG508 • PS501 • PS502 • PS503 • PS503A • PS505 • PS5010 • RG501 • SC501 • SC502 • SC503 • SC504 • SG502 • SG503 • SG504 • SG505 • SW503 • TG501 • TR501 • TR502 • MI5010 • MX5010 • SI5010

Prices

Year	1979	1980
Catalog Price	$1,325	$1,375
In 2023 Dollars	$5,600	$5,100

According to an internal memo, annual sales were estimated at 1200 units in 1979.

Pictures

Early model

Left Internal
Right Internal
Attenuator Board Part
Attenuator Board Top
Attenuator Board Bottom

Late model

Left Internal
Right Internal

Components

Some Parts Used in the SG503

Part	Part Number(s)	Class	Description	Used in
151-0614-00	151-0614-00	Discrete component	Tek-made RF power transistor	SG503
155-0107-00	155-0107-00	Hybrid integrated circuit	leveller	SG503

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{TM500 | mfg=Tektronix | type=SG503 | function=250 MHz leveled sinewave generator | class=signal generator | image=sg503.jpg | introduced=1974 | discontinued=1993 |
+{{TM500 | mfg=Tektronix | type=SG503 | function=250 MHz leveled sinewave generator | class=signal generator | image=SG503 Front Early.jpg | introduced=1974 | discontinued=1993 |
 designers= |manuals=
-* [[Media:070-1622-01.pdf|Tektronix SG503 Manual]] (PDF, OCR)
+* [[Media:070-1622-01-1974.pdf|SG503 Instruction Manual 070-1622-01 <br> Early type]]
+* [[Media:070-1622-01.pdf|SG503 Manual 070-1622-01 <br> s/n: B010100 through B089999]]
+* [[Media:070-6770-00.pdf|SG503 Manual 070-6770-00 <br> s/n: B090000 and up]]
+* [[Media:Tek SG503 Wizard Workshop mods.pdf|SG503 Modifications from Wizards Workshop]]
 }}
-It was primarily intended to be used as an oscilloscope calibration device for measuring bandwidths up to 250 MHz.  Unlike later instruments like the [[SG504]], it does not use a leveling head but was designed and calibrated with high quality coaxial cable (P/N 012-0482-00) to operate as a closely matched system when terminated into a 50 Ω load.
+Nine overlapping ranges cover the frequency band from 250 kHz to 250 MHz, with an additional range reserved for a 50 kHz reference frequency.
-Nine overlapping ranges cover the frequency band from 250 kHz to 250 MHz, with an additional range reserved for a 50 kHz reference frequency.
+It was primarily intended to be used as an oscilloscope calibration device for measuring bandwidths up to 250 MHz.  Unlike later instruments like the [[SG504]], it does not use a leveling head but was designed and calibrated with high quality coaxial cable (P/N [[012-0482-00]]) to operate as a closely matched system when terminated into a 50 Ω load.
 The SG503 shows the selected frequency on a 3-digit LED counter.
@@ Line 11: / Line 14: @@
 {{BeginSpecs}}
 {{Spec | Frequency | 50 kHz, 250 kHz to 250 MHz in nine ranges   }}
-{{Spec | Frequency accuracy |  Within ±0.7% of one count of the least significant displayed digit for the indicated frequency }}
+{{Spec | Frequency accuracy |  Within ±0.7 of one count of the least significant displayed digit for the indicated frequency }}
 {{Spec | Amplitude |  5 mV<sub>p-p</sub> to 5.5 V<sub>p-p</sub> in three decade ranges (terminated into a 50 Ω load)  }}
 {{Spec | Harmonics | 2<sup>nd</sup> harmonic ≥35 dB down from fundamental, 3<sup>rd</sup> and higher harmonics ≥40 dB down }}
@@ Line 20: / Line 23: @@
 ==Internals==
-The SG503 uses two LC Hartley oscillators, one for 100 MHz and above with an air-core inductor, the other for the lower ranges using switched ferrite-core inductors.  Tuning is accomplished via a traditional three-section variable capacitor. After filtering, a regulated power amplifier stage (caution: beryllium oxide in transistor cases!) is followed by a peak-to-peak detector for the amplitude control loop, and switchable output attenuators.
+The SG503 uses two LC Hartley oscillators, one for 100 MHz and above with an air-core inductor, the other for the lower ranges using switched ferrite-core inductors.  Tuning is accomplished via a traditional three-section variable capacitor. After filtering, a regulated power amplifier stage (caution: [[beryllium oxide]] in transistor cases!) is followed by a peak-to-peak detector for the amplitude control loop, and switchable output attenuators.
-The frequency counter is built from a 10131 ECL prescaler followed by 7490 TTL BCD counters and 7-segment decoders (display not multiplexed).
+The frequency counter circuit starts with a ÷8 prescaler (SP1670 and 10131 ECL flip-flops) followed by 7490 TTL BCD counters and 7-segment decoders (display not multiplexed).
 ==Notes==
-The Tek 012-0482-00 cable is made from RG-223 50 Ω double-braid shielded coaxial cable (or equivalent), and is exactly 36" from end-to-end.
+The Tek [[012-0482-00]] cable is made from RG-223 50 Ω double-braid shielded coaxial cable (or equivalent), and is exactly 36" from end-to-end.
 ==Links==
-* [http://www.amplifier.cd/Test_Equipment/Tektronix/Tektronix_500/SG503.htm SG503 @ amplifier.cd] (German) including measurements of cable influence (1 m Belden H-155 as replacement for original cable)
+* [https://www.amplifier.cd/Test_Equipment/Tektronix/Tektronix_500/SG503.htm SG503 @ amplifier.cd] (German) including measurements of cable influence (1 m Belden H-155 as replacement for original cable)
-* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRUtsDIOA40 Zenwizard Studios - SG503 Lab Check In and Calibration]
+* [[Media:SG503_P2P_Substitute_REVISED.pdf|SG503 Peak-to-Peak detector substitute]] by John K. Bennett AE0AM
+* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRUtsDIOA40 SG503 Lab Check In and Calibration] by Zenwizard Studios @ YouTube
+* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0E6QeX82LY Tektronix SG503 Refresh and Alignments] by Zenwizard Studios @ YouTube
+{{Documents|Link=SG503}}
+==Prices==
+{| class="wikitable sortable"
+|-
+! Year
+! 1979
+! 1980
+|-
+! Catalog Price
+| align="right" | $1,325
+| align="right" | $1,375
+|-
+! In 2023 Dollars
+| align="right" | $5,600
+| align="right" | $5,100
+|}
+According to an [[Media:Tek Schottky Diodes Memo rot.pdf|internal memo]], annual sales were estimated at 1200 units in 1979.
 ==Pictures==
+'''Early model'''
 <gallery>
-Sg503.jpg | Early SG503
+Tek SG503 early front.jpg               |
-Tek sg503 late.jpg | Late SG503
+SG503_Front_Early.jpg                   |
+Tek SG503 early left.jpg                | Left Internal
+Tek SG503 early right.jpg               | Right Internal
+Tek SG503 Attenuator Board.jpg          | Attenuator Board Part
+Tek SG503 Attenuator Board Top.jpg      | Attenuator Board Top
+Early SG503 Attenuator Board Bottom.jpg | Attenuator Board Bottom
+</gallery>
+'''Late model'''
+<gallery>
+SG503_Front_Late.jpg
+Tek sg503 late.jpg
+SG503_Left_Late.jpg                     | Left Internal
+SG503_Right_Late.jpg                    | Right Internal
 Tek sg503 left internal.jpg
 Tek sg503 rear internal.jpg
 Tek sg503 front left internal.jpg
 </gallery>
+==Components==
+{{Parts|SG503}}