TM500 system

The Tektronix TM500 is a modular test equipment system offering a variety of plug-in modules that fit a dedicated series of mainframes with one to six module slots. The plugins are not compatible with other Tektronix lines such as oscilloscopes.

The TM5000 series, introduced in 1982, added a GPIB interface on the mainframe to control intelligent plugins. TM500 series modules work in TM5000 series mainframes but not necessarily vice versa (see ref. below).

In addition to the modules that appeared in Tek catalogs over the years, there were probably a hundred or more that Tektronix designed and used in-house on their production lines for test and calibration of their products. These in-house units usually have an 067-xxxx-xx number.

There were also several other companies that made plugins that fit into the TM500/TM5000 mainframes. The most common non-Tek plugins seem to come from Pulse Instruments, Spectracom, General Optronics, Lasertron, Metrotek, Xetron, Ball Efratom, Digital Audio Corporation and Ballantine.

Mainframes and plug-ins

• TM500 and TM5000 mainframes
• TM500 and TM5000 plug-ins

Pinouts

• TM500 Series plug-in interface
• TM5000 Series plug-in interface
• Tektronix TM 500 Series Rear Interface Data Book – 070-2088-00 (1975), 070-2088-01 (1976). Version 070-2088-04 (1985) needed, please add

See also

• TM500 Modular Test and Measurement Instruments Catalog
• Modular Instruments Selection Guide
• TM500/5000 Products @ vintagetek.org
• List of TM500 and TM5000 equipment
• TM500 and TM5000 pass transistors

Links

• Plugin hacking and homebuilt plugins (French)
• TekWeek 1982: Tektronix taking new products to NAB convention in Dallas, TX

Documents Referencing TM500 system

Document	Class	Title	Authors	Year	Links
Tekscope 1972 V4 N3 May 1972.pdf	Article	TM500 series - A New Dimension in Plug-in Instrumentation	Bob Ragsdale	1972	TM500 system • TM501 • TM503 • FG501 • FG502 • RG501 • PG501 • SG502 • DC501 • DC502 • PS501 • PS502 • PS503

Instruments

TM500 Series

Tektronix

Page	Description	Introduced	Discontinued	Designers
015-0267-00	16-channel scanner	(?)	(?)
015-0408-00	peak-to-peak detector amplifier	(?)	(?)
035-5031-00	delay line	1977	(?)
035-5052-00	audio function	(?)	(?)
035-5057-00	optical-to-electrical converter	(?)	(?)
040-0652-03	custom plug-in kit	(?)	(?)
040-0652-90	probe power supply	(?)	(?)
040-0803-00	custom plug-in kit with power supply	(?)	(?)
067-0146-00	character generator	1985	(?)
067-0184-99	input-C characterizer	(?)	(?)
067-0690-00	video test generator	(?)	(?)
067-0699-99	milliohmmeter	1980	(?)
067-0722-00	digital demonstration aid	(?)	(?)
067-0807-00	DVST display exerciser	(?)	(?)
067-0838-99	level adjustment, grayscale, resolution and blanking test fixture	1978	(?)
067-0843-00	digital exerciser	(?)	(?)
067-0845-00	dot generator	(?)	(?)
067-0872-99	logic demonstration aid	(?)	(?)
067-0876-99	SECAM test fixture	(?)	(?)
067-0885-00	microwave comb generator	1979	(?)
067-0916-00	video amplitude calibration fixture	(?)	(?)
067-0918-99	marker frequency calibration fixture	(?)	(?)
067-0938-00	passive notch filter	(?)	(?)
067-1011-00	digital sweep generator	(?)	(?)
067-1037-00	setup/hold time test fixture	(?)	(?)
067-1039-00	pattern generator	(?)	(?)
067-1046-01	high-amplitude line scan signal generator	(?)	(?)
067-1094-99	pulse generator	1983	(?)	Frank Hovanic
067-1137-99	GPIB-to-accessory controller	1984	(?)
067-1155-99	7A42 calibration fixture	1983	(?)
067-1178-99	probe calibrator / input normalizer	(?)	(?)
067-1201-99	power module tester / utility power supply	(?)	(?)
067-1221-00	display test generator	(?)	(?)
1434	video noise generator	1986	(?)
153	calculator interface	1974	(?)
4611/4631 Test Aid	4631 printer test aid	(?)	(?)
7A42 Demo Aid	digital demo aid	1984	(?)
AA501	audio analyzer	1980	(?)	Bruce Hofer • Rush Hood • Richard Cabot • Fred Armentrout
AF501	bandpass filter	1975	1983
AM501	5 MHz operational amplifier	1974	(?)
AM502	differential amplifier	1974	(?)
AM503	current probe amplifier	1976	(?)	Dale Dorando
AM503A	current probe amplifier	1993	(?)	Mike Mende
AM503B	current probe amplifier	1995	(?)	Mike Mende
AM511	CATV pre-amplifier	1976	1980
BM501	IEC bus monitor	(?)	(?)
CG551AP	programmable calibration generator	1980	(?)
CP501	communications patch panel	(?)	(?)
DC501	basic 100 MHz frequency counter	1972	1980	Jim Geddes
DC502	550 MHz frequency counter	1972	1977	Jim Geddes
DC503	100 MHz, 7-digit frequency counter	1972	1981	Roland Crop • Jim Geddes
DC503A	125 MHz, 8-digit frequency counter	1981	1993	Roland Crop • Jim Geddes
DC504	80 MHz, 5-digit frequency counter	1975	1983
DC504A	100 MHz, 6-digit frequency counter	1984	1993
DC505	225 MHz counter/timer	1974	1976
DC505A	225 MHz counter/timer	1976	1981
DC508	1 GHz counter	1978	1980
DC508A	1.3 GHz counter	1980	1983
DC509	135 MHz programmable frequency counter	1981	(?)
DC510	350 MHz frequency counter	1982	1993
DD501	digital delay	1975	1990
Dielectric Analyzer	material tester	(?)	(?)
DL502	digital latch	1978	1984
DM501	4½ digit multimeter	1972	1980
DM501A	4½ digit True RMS multimeter	1980	1984	Bill Mark
DM502	basic 3½ digit digital multimeter	1975	1980
DM502A	3½ digit TRMS digital multimeter	1980	1988
DM504A	4½ digit autoranging digital multimeter	1989	(?)
DM505	basic 3½ digit digital multimeter	1980	(?)
DM511	4½-digit autoranging digital multimeter	1990	(?)
DP100	digital video probe	1988	(?)
DP501	1.3 GHz ÷ 16 prescaler	1984	1993
DS501	digital storage	(?)	(?)
EA501	engine analyzer interface	(?)	(?)
FG501	function generator	1972	1981	Roger Stenbock
FG501A	function generator	1981	1993
FG502	function generator	1974	1993	Steve Stanger
FG503	3 MHz function generator	1974	1993
FG504	40 MHz function generator	1976	1993
FG507	sweep function generator	1980	1989
High Amplitude Pulse Generator	pulse generator	1978	(?)
LA501	logic analyzer	1976	1978
MR501	X−Y CRT monitor	1974	(?)
OIG501	fiberoptic pulse generator	1991	(?)
OIG502	fiberoptic pulse generator	1990	(?)
OR501	optical-to-electrical converter	1986	1990
OR502	optical-to-electrical converter	1986	1990
OT501	electrical-to-optical converter	1986	1990
OT502	electrical-to-optical converter	1986	1990
OT503	electrical-to-optical converter	1986	1990
OT504	electrical-to-optical converter	(?)	(?)
PG501	50 MHz pulse generator	1972	1993	Mark Walker • Mike Reiney
PG502	250 MHz pulse generator	1974	1993
PG503	high speed pulse generator	1990	(?)
PG504	pulse generator	(?)	(?)
PG505	100 kHz, 80 V pulse generator	1974	1983
PG506	1 MHz calibration generator	1974	1989
PG506A	1 MHz calibration generator	1989	1993
PG507	50 MHz dual output pulse generator	1981	(?)
PG508	50 MHz pulse generator	1976	1993	Fred Beckett • Dennis Feucht • Tom Hill • Gary Kersey
PG509	350ps rise-time pulse generator	1989	(?)
PS501	0–20 V, 0.4 A + 5 V, 1 A power supply	1972	1993	Gunther Engert • Roger Stenbock
PS502	dual tracking power supply	1972	(?)	Gunther Engert • Roger Stenbock
PS503	triple power supply	1972	1976	Gunther Engert • Roger Stenbock
PS503A	triple power supply	1976	1995	Gunther Engert • Roger Stenbock
PS505	3.0–5.5 V, 4 A power supply	1975	1977
RG501	ramp generator	1972	1982	Rashmi Pace
SA501	signature analyzer	(?)	(?)
SC501	5 MHz oscilloscope	1975	1993
SC502	15 MHz dual-channel oscilloscope	1976	1993
SC503	10 MHz dual-channel storage oscilloscope	1979	1993
SC504	80 MHz dual-channel oscilloscope	1978	1993
SG502	low-distortion oscillator	1972	1993	Steve Stanger
SG503	250 MHz leveled sinewave generator	1974	1993
SG504	leveled sinewave generator	1974	1993
SG505	ultra-low distortion oscillator	1980	1993	Bruce Hofer
SW503	sweep generator	1976	1978
TG501	time-mark generator	1974	1990
TG501A	time-mark generator	1990	1995
TM500 Audio Amplifier	audio amplifier	(?)	(?)
TM501	single-bay mainframe	1972	1991	Gunther Engert • Roger Stenbock
TM502A	dual-bay mainframe	1988	(?)
TM503	three-bay mainframe	1972	(?)	Gunther Engert • Roger Stenbock
TM504	four-bay mainframe	1975	(?)
TM506	six-bay mainframe	1975	(?)
TM515	five-bay "traveller" mainframe	1975	(?)
TR501	1.8 GHz tracking generator	1976	1980	Fred Telewski • Glenn Bateman • Michael McMahon • David Morton • Phillip Snow
TR502	1.8 GHz tracking generator	1976	1988	Fred Telewski • Glenn Bateman • Michael McMahon • David Morton • Phillip Snow • Carlos Beeck • Jack McCabe • Leighton Whitsett
TR503	tracking generator	1981	1995	Fred Telewski • Glenn Bateman • Michael McMahon • David Morton • Phillip Snow • Carlos Beeck • Jack McCabe • Leighton Whitsett
TVC501	time-voltage converter	1991	(?)	Clark Foley
WR501	16-channel word recognizer	1976	(?)	Pete Janowitz • Milt Klaudt • Dennis Glasby • Mike Lancaster

3rd party

Page	Manufacturer	Description	Introduced	Discontinued
Argo Systems AS210	Argo Systems	Rubidium Time and Frequency Calibration System	(?)	(?)
Automation Engineering AE-106	Automation Engineering	ultrasonic window generator	(?)	(?)
Ball Efratom PTB-100	Ball Efratom	Rubidium frequency reference	(?)	(?)
Bennett 31109	Bennett	test module	(?)	(?)
CCS A-7	CC Systems	panoramic surveillance receiver	(?)	(?)
Digital Audio AMP4T	Digital Audio Corporation	amplifier	(?)	(?)
Digital Audio DAC1024T	Digital Audio Corporation	digital adaptive filter	(?)	(?)
Digital Audio DAC320T	Digital Audio Corporation	laboratory signal processor	(?)	(?)
Digital Audio DAC4096T	Digital Audio Corporation	digital adaptive filter	(?)	(?)
Digital Audio RCW320T	Digital Audio Corporation	laboratory signal processor	(?)	(?)
FI1901	(Unknown mfg)	audio filter	(?)	(?)
Fiberscan	Times Fiber Communications, Inc.	fiber-optic time domain reflectometer	(?)	(?)
Fracture Systems Research PD 501	Fracture Systems Research	dual potential drop amplifier	(?)	(?)
Fracture Systems Research PD 502	Fracture Systems Research	current amplifier	(?)	(?)
General Optronics 13000	General Optronics	electrical-to-optical converter	(?)	(?)
General Optronics RF Converter	General Optronics	RF converter	(?)	(?)
Grass Valley Group TDA 501	Grass Valley Group	TV distortion analyzer	(?)	(?)
Hitachi AT100	Hitachi	ultrasonic transmitter/receiver	(?)	(?)
Honeywell 4870	Honeywell	raster generator	(?)	(?)
Hughes Modulator	Hughes	modulator	(?)	(?)
Hughes Power Regulator	Hughes	power regulator	(?)	(?)
Hughes Signal Generator	Hughes	signal generator	(?)	(?)
Lasertron QLC	Lasertron	master control	(?)	(?)
Lasertron QLP	Lasertron	laser pulse generator	(?)	(?)
Lasertron QLX	Lasertron	laser transmitter	(?)	(?)
Lasertron QLX-1000 Series	Lasertron	lightwave transmitter	(?)	(?)
Lasertron QRX-7000	Lasertron	lightwave receiver	(?)	(?)
Metec 5267	Metec	voltage-tunable filter	1976	(?)
Metrotek M3D 801	Metrotek	isoscan generator	(?)	(?)
Metrotek M3D 802	Metrotek	rotator	(?)	(?)
Metrotek MC805	Metrotek	thickness gate	(?)	(?)
Metrotek MD702	Metrotek	ultrasonic detector	(?)	(?)
Metrotek MG701	Metrotek	gate	(?)	(?)
Metrotek MP203	Metrotek	ultrasonic pulser	(?)	(?)
Metrotek MP215	Metrotek	ultrasonic pulser	(?)	(?)
Metrotek MP217	Metrotek	ultrasonic pulser	(?)	(?)
Metrotek MR101	Metrotek	ultrasonic receiver	(?)	(?)
Metrotek MR106	Metrotek	ultrasonic receiver	(?)	(?)
Mobil 8219	Mobil	resistivity meter	(?)	(?)
Model 1041	(Unknown mfg)	triple amplifier	(?)	(?)
Model 1053	(Unknown mfg)	sample/hold	(?)	(?)
MOSAID SRT1	MOSAID	RAM tester	(?)	(?)
Naval Coastal Systems Laboratory FT-01	Naval Coastal Systems Laboratory	frequency translator	(?)	(?)
Photomultiplier Control	(Unknown mfg)	photomultiplier control	(?)	(?)
Pirelli Ampliphos OP980F	Pirelli	erbium-doped fiber amplifier	(?)	(?)
Pulse Instruments PI-100A	Pulse Instruments	4-channel clock generator	(?)	(?)
Pulse Instruments PI-110	Pulse Instruments	2-channel clock period multiplier	(?)	(?)
Pulse Instruments PI-210	Pulse Instruments	4-channel word generator	(?)	(?)
Pulse Instruments PI-451	Pulse Instruments	MOS/CCD driver	(?)	(?)
Pulse Instruments PI-454	Pulse Instruments	MOS/CCD driver	(?)	(?)
Pulse Instruments PI-458	Pulse Instruments	programmable pulse driver	(?)	(?)
Pulse Instruments PI-702	Pulse Instruments	dual bipolar bias supply	(?)	(?)
Pulse Instruments PI-720	Pulse Instruments	programmable bipolar DC source	(?)	(?)
Scanoptik 1024	Scanoptik	serial test pattern generator	(?)	(?)
SG560	(Unknown mfg)	variable phase generator	(?)	(?)
Sonics and Materials Horn Analyzer	Sonics & Materials	horn analyzer	(?)	(?)
Sonometrics 400	Sonometrics	ophthalmological ultrasound device	(?)	(?)
Spectracom 8150	Spectracom	precision phase comparator	(?)	2000
Spectracom 8163	Spectracom	WWV receiver	(?)	1999
Spectracom 8212	Spectracom	chart recorder	(?)	(?)
TM500 Charge Amplifier	(Unknown mfg)	charge amplifier	(?)	(?)
TM500 Liquid Crystal Driver	(Unknown mfg)	liquid crystal driver	(?)	(?)
Xenotec Ultrascan 500	Xenotec	medical ultrasound imaging instrument	(?)	(?)
Xenotec XP/R-2	Xenotec	ultrasonic receiver	1974	(?)
Xetron TM-1	Xetron	comb notch filter	(?)	(?)
Zetec MIZ-12	Zetec	Eddy current testing system	(?)	(?)
Zetec Model 3	Zetec	vector analyzer	(?)	(?)

TM5000 Series

Tektronix

Page	Description	Introduced	Discontinued	Designers
067-0995-99	TM5000 test load	(?)	(?)
067-1095-99	TM5000 GPIB-controlled attenuator	1983	(?)
AA5001	audio analyzer	1984	1995	Bruce Hofer
AFG5101	programmable arbitrary/function generator	1988	1991
AFG5102	programmable arbitrary/function generator	1993	1994
AM5030	current probe amplifier	1994	(?)
AT5010	50 Ω programmable attenuator	(?)	(?)
AWG5102	20 MS/s arbitrary waveform generator	1992	(?)
AWG5105	programmable arbitrary waveform generator	1993	1995
CG5001	programmable calibration generator	1983	(?)
CG5010	programmable calibration generator	1990	(?)
CG5011	programmable calibration generator	1990	(?)
DC5004	frequency counter	1989	(?)
DC5009	135 MHz programmable frequency counter	1982	1993
DC5010	350 MHz programmable frequency counter	1982	1993
DM5010	programmable 4½-digit multimeter	1982	(?)
DM5110	4½-digit autoranging digital multimeter	1990	(?)
DM5120	programmable 6½-digit multimeter	1989	1991
FG5010	20 MHz function generator	1982	1991	Dennis Hall • Steve Rice • Tom Hill • Bob Beville
FL5010	programmable low-pass filter	(?)	(?)
MI5010	multifunction interface	1982	(?)
OA5002	fiberoptic attenuator	1991	(?)
OA5012	fiberoptic attenuator	1991	(?)
OA5022	fiberoptic attenuator	1991	(?)
OA5032	fiberoptic attenuator	1994	(?)
OCP5002	fiberoptic converter / power meter	1990	(?)
ORS2488	Sonet/SDH reference receiver	1994	(?)
PFG5105	12 MHz pulse/function generator	(?)	(?)
PG5110	dual channel 50 MHz pulse generator	1991	(?)
PS5004	programmable precision power supply	1984	1995
PS5010	programmable triple power supply	1982	1995	Bruce Hofer
SCALCF1	oscilloscope calibration fixture	(?)	(?)
SG5010	audio signal generator	1984	1993	Bruce Hofer • Bob Metzler • Richard Cabot • Bob Wright
SG5030	leveled sinewave generator	1991	(?)
SG5050	leveled sinewave generator	(?)	(?)
SI5010	GPIB-controllable 50 Ω BNC switch matrix	1982	(?)
SI5020	DC to 18 GHz microwave switcher	(?)	(?)