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The Tektronix Type A is a single-channel preamp [[introduced in 1959]] for [[500-series scopes]].
{{Plugin Sidebar
|manufacturer=Tektronix
|type=Type A
|summary=20 MHz amplifier plug-in
|image=Tek 53 54 a.jpeg
|caption=Tektronix Type 53A
|series=500-series scopes
|introduced=1954
|discontinued=1962
|designers=Bill Polits
|manuals=
* [[Media:070-214.pdf|Tektronix Type A Manual 070-214]]
* [[Media:tek_manuals_type_a.pdf|Tektronix Type A Manual]] (bad-OCR)
* [[Media:tek_type_a_fcp.pdf|Tektronix Type A Factory Calibration Procedure]] (OCR)
* [[Media:Tek 53a cal outline.pdf|Tektronix Type A Calibration Outline]] (OCR)
<small>
'''Alternate copies'''
* [http://bama.edebris.com/manuals/tek/a/ Tektronix Type A Manual] (PDF @ BAMA)
</small>
}}
The '''Tektronix Type A''' is a single-channel preamp [[introduced in 1954]] for [[500-series scopes]].
It provides two inputs and has a switch to select between them.
It provides two inputs and has a switch to select between them.
A [[545]] with a Type A has a system risetime of 18 nanoseconds and a bandwidth of 20MHz.  The plug-in uses a [[12AU6]]
A [[545]] with a Type A has a system risetime of 18 nanoseconds and a bandwidth of 20 MHz.  It was designed by [[Bill Polits]].
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
Although 1959 was the first year one could find a "Type A" in the catalog, the same instrument
instrument with earlier "Type 53/54A" nomenclature was in the August 1956
with earlier "Type 53/54A" nomenclature was in the August 1956 Short Form catalog, and its  
Short Form catalog, and its slower Type 53A ancestor was in the August 1954
Type 53A ancestor was in the August 1954 catalog which introduced the first 500-series scopes,  
catalog which introduced the first 500-series scopes, the [[531]] and the [[535]].
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.


Type A was the first letter-series plug-in to be discontinued, in 1962.
Type A was the first letter-series plug-in to be discontinued, in 1962.
Customers were told to get Type [[B]] instead, although it cost more.
Customers were told to get Type [[B]] instead, although it cost more.


* http://bama.edebris.com/manuals/tek/a/
{{MissingSpecs}}
* http://w140.com/tek_fcp/tek_type_a_factory_cal_proc.pdf
Bandwidth is 10 MHz in the 530 mainframes.
 
Catalogs don't list 53A performance in the 540 mainframes. The Factory Cal Procedure says 20 MHz, but this is wrong. (A Type 53A's measured 3 dB point was around 17 MHz while a Type A made 23 MHz. Furthermore, the front-panel artwork reads ".017 usec" for 53A and .015 for A.)
 
==Internals==
Type 53A has only three tubes, and no [[T-coil peaking|T-coils]].
 
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 5 nF capacitor.  This "cross-bootstrapping" extends the high-frequency response.
 
==Pictures==


<gallery>
<gallery>
53A 1.JPG
53A 1.JPG|53A front
53A 2.JPG
53A 2.JPG|53A chassis
53A 3.JPG
53A 3.JPG|53A chassis bottom
Tek 53-54a front.jpg|53/54A front
Tek 53-54a top.jpg|53/54A top (dirty, missing two tubes)
Tek 53-54a bottom.jpg|53/54A bottom
Tek 53-54a left.jpg|53/54A left
Tek 53-54a rear.jpg|53/54A rear
Tek type a 1.jpg|Type A front
Tek type a schem.png|schematic
</gallery>
</gallery>
==Components==
{{Parts|A}}
[[Category:500 series plugins]]

Latest revision as of 10:43, 1 July 2024

Tektronix Type A
20 MHz amplifier plug-in
Tektronix Type 53A

Compatible with 500-series scopes

Produced from 1954 to 1962

Manuals

Alternate copies

(All manuals in PDF format unless noted otherwise)
Manuals – Specifications – Links – Pictures

The Tektronix Type A is a single-channel preamp introduced in 1954 for 500-series scopes. It provides two inputs and has a switch to select between them. A 545 with a Type A has a system risetime of 18 nanoseconds and a bandwidth of 20 MHz. It was designed by Bill Polits.

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 Type 53A ancestor was in the August 1954 catalog which introduced the first 500-series scopes, the 531 and the 535.

Type A was the first letter-series plug-in to be discontinued, in 1962. Customers were told to get Type B instead, although it cost more.

Key Specifications

  • please add

Bandwidth is 10 MHz in the 530 mainframes.

Catalogs don't list 53A performance in the 540 mainframes. The Factory Cal Procedure says 20 MHz, but this is wrong. (A Type 53A's measured 3 dB point was around 17 MHz while a Type A made 23 MHz. Furthermore, the front-panel artwork reads ".017 usec" for 53A and .015 for A.)

Internals

Type 53A has only three tubes, and no T-coils.

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 5 nF capacitor. This "cross-bootstrapping" extends the high-frequency response.

Pictures

  • 53A front

    53A front

  • 53A chassis

    53A chassis

  • 53A chassis bottom

    53A chassis bottom

  • 53/54A front

    53/54A front

  • 53/54A top (dirty, missing two tubes)

    53/54A top (dirty, missing two tubes)

  • 53/54A bottom

    53/54A bottom

  • 53/54A left

    53/54A left

  • 53/54A rear

    53/54A rear

  • Type A front

    Type A front

  • schematic

    schematic

Components

Some Parts Used in the A

Part Part Number(s) Class Description Used in
12AT7 154-0039-00 Vacuum Tube (Dual Triode) dual high-gain triode 161 • 180 • 310 • 310A • 315 • 316 • 360 • 502 • 502A • 511A • 512 • 513 • 513D • 514 • 514AD • 514D • 516 • 524 • 529 • RM529 • 544 • 546 • 547 • 556 • 565 • 570 • 3A2 • 75 • 3A75 • 1M1 • A • B • C • G • H • K • L • ML • M • N • K • R • S • Z • Keithley 610B
12AU6 154-0040-00 Vacuum Tube (Pentode) RF pentode 81 • 112 • 1L10 • 1L20 • 1L60 • 3L10 • 512 • 556 • 575 • 545 • 547 • 549 • 581 • 585 • A • B • C • G • K • H • L • ML • M • N • O • R • S • Z
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