7B53A
The Tektronix 7B53A is a 100 MHz dual time base plug-in for 7000-series scopes that was introduced in 1973 and produced until the discontinuation of the 7000 series in 1992.
It succeeded the short-lived 7B52, with sweep mode selection integrated into the time/Div switch, and the older combined trigger level/polarity control replaced with separate, concentric knobs.
The 7B53AN is identical to the 7B53A but omits the circuits needed to drive the alphanumeric readout system provided in 7000-series mainframes.
The TD-1085/U is a military designation for the 7B53AN11 which was used in the AN/USM-281C military version of the 7603 scope.
The TD-1159/U is another military version of the standard 7B53A with readout support.
The 7B53N appears to be a 7B52 with just the readout circuit omitted. Internal circuits are nearly identical, except for the missing readout circuits.
There does not appear to have been a product sold called simply "7B53". There is a 7B53N, a 7B53A, and a 7B53AN.
Key Specifications
| Sweep rates | 50 ns/Div to 5 s/Div in 1−2−5 sequence (5 ns with ×10 magnification) |
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| Deflection | 10 mV/Div, 100 mV/Div or 1 V/Div, up to 2 MHz |
| Sensitivity | 0.3 Div or 100 mV up to 10 MHz, 1.5 Div or 500 mV up to 100 MHz |
| Coupling | DC, AC (> 30 Hz), AC LF REJ (> 30 kHz), AC HF REJ (30 Hz — 150 kHz) |
| Input impedance | 1 MΩ // 20 pF |
| Jitter | < 1 ns at 75 MHz |
| Features |
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| Options |
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Links
Documents Referencing 7B53A
| Document | Class | Title | Authors | Year | Links |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7000 series brochure March 1973.pdf | Brochure | 7000 series brochure, March 1973 | 1973 | 7A11 • 7A12 • 7A13 • 7A14 • 7A15A • 7A16A • 7A17 • 7A18 • 7A19 • 7A21N • 7A22 • 7B50 • 7B53A • 7B70 • 7B71 • 7B92 • 7CT1N • 7D11 • 7D13 • 7D14 • 7D15 • 7M11 • 7L12 • 7S11 • 7S12 • 7T11 • 7704A • R7704 • 7904 • R7903 • 7603 • R7603 • 7403N • R7403N • 7313 • R7313 • 7613 • R7613 • 7623 • R7623 • P7001 | |
| Tekscope 1975 V7 N5.pdf | Article | Delayed Gate Aids Oscilloscope Digital Measurements | Dave McCullough | 1975 | 7D12 • 7D14 • 7D15 • 7B53A |
| Tekscope 1977 V9 N1.pdf | Article | Counter and Oscilloscope Combination Makes Difficult Measurements | Emory Harry | 1977 | DC505A • 7B53A • 7A18 • 7603 |
Patents that may apply to 7B53A
Operation
Delayed Sweep Gate output
When the delayed timebase trigger source switch is set to INT (pushed in) and the internal connector P613 is in the active position, the DLY'D TRIG IN connector becomes a Delayed Sweep Gate output. This is useful e.g. to connect to a 7D15's arming inputs, or a 7D12/M2's external trigger input. See the 1975 TekScope article linked below.
Variable control
Through an internal jumper, the front-panel variable control (red knob) can be selected to vary either the main sweep, the delayed sweep or the main sweep hold-off. See the 1975 TekScope article linked below.
Use as Delayed Timebase
The 7B53A only works in "triggered after delay" mode when used as a delayed timebase, unlike e.g. the 7B92.
X-Y operation
The 7B53 supports X-Y mode by selecting the "Ampl" position on the Time/Div switch. The X signal can be picked up from a vertical plug-in via the internal trigger path, or applied via the "Main Trig In or Amp In" input, as determined by the Trigger Source switch setting. Sensitivity on the external input is 100 mV/Div, which can be increased to 10 mV/Div by selecting the ×10 magnifier, or decreased to 1 V/Div by pushing the EXT÷10 button.
Links
Prices
| Year | 1973 | 1976 | 1980 | 1984 | 1990 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Catalog price | $850 | $925 | $1,135 | $1,515 | $2,500 |
| In 2023 Dollars | $5,800 | $4,900 | $4,200 | $4,400 | $5,800 |
Pictures
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left side
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right side
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3/4 profile
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7B53AN
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7B53AN
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7B53A
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TD-1085/U, military version of 7B53AN
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7B53A Option 5
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7B53N
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Right internal of 7B53N
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Left internal of 7B53N
Components
Some Parts Used in the 7B53N