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The Tektronix 517 is a 50MHz scope [[introduced in 1950]] or [[introduced in 1951|1951]]. The power supply is an external box, like the [[507]], [[551]] and [[555]].
{{Oscilloscope Sidebar |
The 517 does not take plug-ins. There is also a 517A.   
title=Tektronix 517 |
summary=50 MHz scope |
image=Tek 517 front.jpg|
caption= Tektronix 517 front view |
introduced=1951 |
discontinued=1965 |
manuals=
* [http://w140.com/tek_517_calibration.pdf Tektronix 517 Calibration Guide]
* [http://w140.com/tek_517_early.pdf Early 517 Manual (PDF)]
* [http://w140.com/tek_517_early_OCR.pdf Early 517 Manual (PDF, OCR)]
* [http://w140.com/tek_517_517a_v2.pdf Later Manual Covering the 517 and 517A (PDF)]
* [http://w140.com/tek_517_517a_OCR.pdf Later Manual Covering the 517 and 517A (PDF, OCR)]
 
* [[Media:tek_517_calibration_guide.pdf|Tektronix 517 Calibration Guide (PDF, OCR)]]
}}
The '''Tektronix 517''' is a 50 MHz scope [[introduced in 1950]] or [[introduced in 1951|1951]].
The power supply is an external box, like the [[507]], [[551]] and [[555]].
The 517 does not take plug-ins.
There is also a 517A (1955-1965).
 
==Specifications==
The power consumption of a 517 is 1250 watts.
The indicator unit weighs 76 pounds and the external
power supply weighs 72 pounds.   
 
=== Historic Context ===
The 517 closely resembles a scope that Tektronix developed under a contract  
The 517 closely resembles a scope that Tektronix developed under a contract  
for the US military during 1949 and 1950.  (See link below.)
for the US military during 1949 and 1950.  (See link below.)


Tektronix engineer Frank Hood recollects:
Tektronix engineer [[Frank Hood]] recollects:
<blockquote>
<blockquote>
"A lot of progress was made in 1949 and 1950. Work was well underway by Logan Belleville, Dick Rhiger and Howard on the high speed scope, the 517. This used some brand new circuitry, distributed (or chain) amplifiers, using 16 to 20 tubes in each stage to get the power needed to handle the high frequencies. Our best prediction at that time was that there were only about 30 to 50 people in the whole world who had need of a scope with 60 to 100 megacycle bandwidth. As it turned out, when we brought out a higher speed scope, people were able to design equipment of greater bandwidth and needed even faster measuring instruments. The cycle was regenerative. Having faster, more accurate measuring tools created a demand for even more measuring tools. We eventually sold several thousand of this instrument."
"A lot of progress was made in 1949 and 1950.  
Work was well underway by [[Logan Belleville]], [[Dick Rhiger]] and [[Howard Vollum|Howard]]
on the high speed scope, the 517.
This used some brand new circuitry, [[distributed amplifier|distributed (or chain) amplifiers]],
using 16 to 20 tubes in each stage to get the power needed to handle the high frequencies.
Our best prediction at that time was that there were only about 30 to 50 people in the whole world
who had need of a scope with 60 to 100 megacycle bandwidth.
As it turned out, when we brought out a higher speed scope,
people were able to design equipment of greater bandwidth and needed even faster measuring instruments.
The cycle was regenerative.
Having faster, more accurate measuring tools created a demand for even more measuring tools.
We eventually sold several thousand of this instrument."
</blockquote>
</blockquote>


==Internals==
=== External Power Supply ===
The external power supply and oscilloscope are connected by a removable cable
The external power supply and oscilloscope are connected by a removable cable
with a Jones plug on one end and a Jones socket on the other end.   
with a Jones plug on one end and a Jones socket on the other end.   
Units with serial numbers from 101 through 1739 use 12-pin Jones 2412 connectors;  
Units with serial numbers from 101 through 1739 use 12-pin Jones 2412 connectors;  
after that it is a 16-pin Jones connector. The voltages on the 12-pin connector are:
after that it is a 16-pin Jones connector.  
''(Was a 16-pin Jones connector used or did they go directory from the 12-pin Jones connector
to the 16-pin Amphenol power connector used by the [[555]]?)''
 
The voltages on the 12-pin connector are:


* Pin 1: +750V, regulated
* Pin 1: +750 V, regulated
* Pin 2: +475V, regulated
* Pin 2: +475 V, regulated
* Pin 3: +350V, unregulated
* Pin 3: +350 V, unregulated
* Pin 4: +225V, regulated
* Pin 4: +225 V, regulated
* Pin 5: +150V, regulated
* Pin 5: +150 V, regulated
* Pin 6: Ground
* Pin 6: Ground
* Pin 7: -250V, regulated
* Pin 7: −250 V, regulated
* Pin 8: +180V, unregulated
* Pin 8: +180 V, unregulated


Later 517A units uses the same cable as the [[551]] and [[555]].
Later 517A units uses the same cable as the [[551]] and [[555]].
Although they use the same cable, they are completely incompatible.
The voltages are different.  The 517's external power supply
provides +750 V to the indicator unit.  The highest voltage provided by
the 555 and 551 power supplies is +500V.  Also, for example, the 517A
has +180 V on pin 8 of the 16-pin connector while the 555 and 551 have
-150 V on pin 8. 


=== Distributed Amplifiers ===
The 517 makes extensive use of the [[distributed amplifier]] concept.   
The 517 makes extensive use of the [[distributed amplifier]] concept.   
Originally the 5XP CRT was used,  
Originally the [[5XP]] CRT was used,  
which has 38V/cm vertical deflection sensitivity when operated with 24kV acceleration voltage.  
which has 38 V/cm vertical deflection sensitivity when operated with 24 kV acceleration voltage.  
Since the vertical sensitivity at the input connector is 0.1V/cm, we can calculate that  
''(Is this correct?  It doesn't agree with the 5XP datasheet.)''
 
Since the vertical sensitivity at the input connector is 0.1 V/cm, we can calculate that  
the voltage gain from the input connector to the vertical deflection plates is 380.  
the voltage gain from the input connector to the vertical deflection plates is 380.  
For 4cm deflection, a 152-volt differential output swing is required.  There are DC blocking  
For 4 cm deflection, a 152 V differential output swing is required.  There are DC blocking  
capacitors at various places in the signal path.  The slowest sweep is 20 us/cm.  The 517 is  
capacitors at various places in the signal path.  The slowest sweep is 20 μs/cm.  The 517 is  
not designed for low-frequency use.  
not designed for low-frequency use.  
The vertical signal path is as follows:
The vertical signal path is as follows:


* Optional [[B170-V]] external input attenuator
* Gain Stage 1: single-ended, six sections, distributed, [[6AK5]] pentodes
* Gain Stage 1: single-ended, six sections, distributed, [[6AK5]] pentodes
* Gain Stage 2: single-ended, six sections, distributed, [[6AK5]] pentodes
* Gain Stage 2: single-ended, six sections, distributed, [[6AK5]] pentodes
* Gain Stage 3: single-ended, seven sections, distributed, [[6AK5]] pentodes  
* Gain Stage 3: single-ended, seven sections, distributed, [[6AK5]] pentodes  
* Trig Pickoff: one common-cathode [[6CB6]] pentode
* Trig Pickoff: one common-cathode [[6CB6]] pentode
* Signal Delay: 51 feet of RG63U 125-ohm coaxial cable
* Signal Delay: 51 feet of RG63U 125-ohm coaxial cable (65ns)
* Phase Splitter: single-ended in, differential out, three sections, distributed, [[6CB6]] pentode
* Phase Splitter: single-ended in, differential out, three sections, distributed, [[6CB6]] pentode
* Gain Stage 4: differential, six sections, distributed, [[6CB6]] pentodes
* Gain Stage 4: differential, six sections, distributed, [[6CB6]] pentodes
Line 45: Line 98:


There is a trigger amplifier in the 517 which can take its input from  
There is a trigger amplifier in the 517 which can take its input from  
an external source, or  
an external source, or from the trigger pickoff in the vertical pre-amp, or  
from the trigger pickoff in the vertical pre-amp, or  
from the internal rate generator circuit.  The trigger amplifier circuit has
from the internal rate generator circuit.   
The trigger amplifier circuit has
five stages:
five stages:


Line 57: Line 108:
* Gain Stage 4: single-ended, common-cathode, [[6AG7]] pentode
* Gain Stage 4: single-ended, common-cathode, [[6AG7]] pentode


The 517 uses 24kV total acceleration voltage on the CRT.  This is generated by the Type 420 High Voltage
=== High Voltage Power Supply ===
Power Supply subsystem in the 517.  It uses a 1.8kHz oscillator to produce the high voltage, unlike
The 517 uses 24 kV total acceleration voltage on the CRT.   
other Tek scopes which use HV oscillators in the ultrasonic range.
This is generated by the [[420|Type 420]] High Voltage Power Supply subsystem in the 517.   
It uses a 1.8 kHz oscillator to produce the high voltage,
The power consumption of a 517 is 1250 watts.  The indicator unit weighs 76 pounds and the external
unlike other Tek scopes which use HV oscillators in the ultrasonic range.
power supply weighs 72 pounds. 
 
517 units with serial numbers 101 through 925 use the DuMont 5XP CRT. 
Later units use a Tek-made CRT, the T517PxH/T54PxH, where "x" designates
the [[phosphor]] type: 1, 2, 7, 11, or 16.  The 5XP has three anode connections:
6.6kV, 13.3kV, and 20kV.  The Tek-made CRT has just one anode connection, 20kV,
and has 15 V/cm sensitivity at 24kV total acceleration voltage.


The 517 has a switch on the front panel that selects between normal vertical sensitivity,
The 517 has a switch on the front panel that selects between normal vertical sensitivity,
which uses the full 24kV acceleration voltage, and "X2" mode, which drops the acceleration
which uses the full 24 kV acceleration voltage,  
voltage to 12kV for a doubling of the vertical sensitivity.  The control works by  
and "X2" mode, which drops the acceleration voltage to 12 kV for a doubling of the vertical sensitivity.   
switching the the voltage division ratio of the feedback to the error amplifier in the HV supply.
The control works by switching the voltage division ratio of the feedback to the error amplifier in the HV supply.
 
== CRTs Used in the 517 ==
517 units with serial numbers 101 through 925 use the [[5XP|DuMont 5XP CRT]]. 
Later units use a Tek-made CRT, the [[T517|T517PxH/T54PxH]], where "x" designates
the [[phosphor]] type: 1, 2, 7, 11, or 16.  The 5XP used [[multi-band acceleration]]
and has three anode connections, at 6.6 kV, 13.3 kV, and 20 kV. 
The Tek-made CRT has just one anode connection, 20 kV,
and has 15 V/cm sensitivity at 24 kV total acceleration voltage.


The 517 might be the only Tektronix instrument to have a part made of wood.
The 517 might be the only Tektronix instrument to have a part made of wood.
Line 79: Line 131:
the probe power.
the probe power.


In 1965, following the introduction of the 50MHz [[547]], the
== Comparison of 517 with 547 ==
517 was discontinued. The 547 uses a non-distributed solid-state vertical
In 1965, following the introduction of the 50 MHz [[547]], the 517 was discontinued.
amplifier, [[tunnel diodes|tunnel diode]] triggering, and a 6.5 V/cm CRT,  
The 547 uses a non-distributed solid-state vertical amplifier,
[[tunnel diodes|tunnel diode]] triggering, and a 6.5 V/cm CRT,  
thereby achieving good performance with
thereby achieving good performance with
lower cost, size, weight, complexity, and power consumption than the 517.
lower cost, size, weight, complexity, and power consumption than the 517.


 
{| border="1" class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
{| border="1" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Comparison of 517A with 547
|+ Comparison of 517A with 547
! scope="col" |
! scope="col" |
! scope="col" | 517A
! scope="col" width="33%" | 517A
! scope="col" | 547 with 1A1
! scope="col" width="33%" | 547 with 1A1
|-
|-
! scope="col" | Bandwidth
! scope="col" | Bandwidth
| 50MHz
| 50 MHz
| 50MHz
| 50 MHz
|-
|-
! scope="col" | Sensitivity
! scope="col" | Sensitivity
Line 108: Line 160:
|-
|-
! scope="row" | Weight
! scope="row" | Weight
| 148 pounds
| 148 lb / 67 kg
| 71 pounds
| 71 lb / 32 kg
|-
|-
! scope="row" | Complexity
! scope="row" | Complexity
Line 116: Line 168:
|-
|-
! scope="row" | Power Consumption
! scope="row" | Power Consumption
| 1250 watts
| 1250 W
| 510 watts
| 510 W
|}
|}


Line 125: Line 177:
since a fast scope requires a fast pulse generator to test it.
since a fast scope requires a fast pulse generator to test it.


The [[P170CF]] cathode-follower probe was designed for use with the 517.
== Links==
* [http://w140.com/tektronix_milspec_high_speed_scope_OCR.pdf Final Report on Tektronix MILSPEC High Speed Scope (PDF, cleaned up and OCR)]
* [http://w140.com/tektronix_milspec_high_speed_scope_OCR.pdf Final Report on Tektronix MILSPEC High Speed Scope (PDF, cleaned up and OCR)]
* [http://w140.com/tektronix_milspec_high_speed_scope.pdf Final Report on Tektronix MILSPEC High Speed Scope (5MB, PDF, cleaned up)]  
* [http://w140.com/tektronix_milspec_high_speed_scope.pdf Final Report on Tektronix MILSPEC High Speed Scope (5MB, PDF, cleaned up)]  
* [http://w140.com/MILSPEC_High_Speed_Scope.pdf Final Report on Tektronix MILSPEC High Speed Scope (220MB, PDF, original)]
* [http://w140.com/MILSPEC_High_Speed_Scope.pdf Final Report on Tektronix MILSPEC High Speed Scope (220MB, PDF, original)]
* [http://w140.com/tek_517_calibration.pdf Tektronix 517 Calibration Guide]
* [http://w140.com/tek_517_early.pdf Early 517 Manual (PDF)]
* [http://w140.com/tek_517_early_OCR.pdf Early 517 Manual (PDF, OCR)]
* [http://w140.com/tek_517_517a.pdf Later Manual Covering the 517 and 517A (PDF)]
* [http://w140.com/tek_517_517a_OCR.pdf Later Manual Covering the 517 and 517A (PDF, OCR)]
* [http://w140.com/flynn_johnson_fast_gray_wedge.pdf Flynn and Johnson "Fast Grey Wedge Analyzer for High Input Rates"]
* [http://w140.com/flynn_johnson_fast_gray_wedge.pdf Flynn and Johnson "Fast Grey Wedge Analyzer for High Input Rates"]
* [http://w140.com/thomas_and_hearst-measurement_of_exploding_wire_energy.pdf Thomas and Hearst, "An Electronic Scheme for Measurement of Exploding Wire Energy"]
* [http://w140.com/thomas_and_hearst-measurement_of_exploding_wire_energy.pdf Thomas and Hearst, "An Electronic Scheme for Measurement of Exploding Wire Energy"]


==Pictures of 517 ==
<gallery>
517_cat_whole.jpg|front
517_cat_int_left.jpg|bottom internal
517_cat_int_right.jpg|right internal
517_cat_int_top.jpg|top internal
517_cat_ps_int.jpg|power supply internal
517 power connector.jpg|12-pin Jones socket on power supply
Jones 12pin male.jpg|12-pin Jones plug
Tek 517 jones plug.jpg|Original Tek 517 cable with Jones plug
Jones 12m inside.jpg|12-pin Jones plug inside
Tek 517 420 hv.jpg|High voltage supply
Tek 517 front.jpg|Front view
Tek 517 indicator jones.jpg|12-pin Jones connector on indicator unit
Tek 517 left.jpg|Left internal view
Tek 517 vert output.jpg|Distributed vertical output amplifier
Tek 517 wood cap support.jpg|Wooden support for capacitor C826
Tek crt table.png|Tek CRT Reference Chart
517 trig amp underside.jpg
517 vert stages one through three.jpg
517 4th vert stage.jpg
517 right internals.jpg
517 timing switch 2.jpg
517 timing switch 1.jpg
517 power test point.jpg
517 hv osc.jpg
Tek 517a vert pre.png | Vertical pre-amplifier circuit
Tek 517a vert amp.png | Vertical amplifier circuit
Tek 517a trigger amp.png | Trigger amplifier circuit
Tek 517 late sweep.png |
Tek 517a crt circuit.png | CRT circuit
Tek 517a trigger rate gen.png |
Tek 517 hvps2.png | High-voltage power supply circuit
517 ps fan.jpg
517 ps bottom left.jpg
517 ps bottom right.jpg
517 ps front left int.jpg
517 ps right rear bottom.jpg
517 ps bottom.jpg
517 ps right int.jpg
517 assembly2.jpg
B170_A.JPG| [[B170-V|B170-V 170 Ω attenuator]]
Tek 517 ad.jpg
517a rear vert interface.jpg|Direct CRT access mod
517a single sweep controls.jpg|Single-sweep mod
Tek 517 735 on cart.jpg
Tek 517 735 left.jpg
Tek 517 735 front.jpg
Tek 517 735 front upper.jpg
Tek 517 735 front lower.jpg
Tek517 Scope01.jpg
Tek517 Scope02.jpg
Tek517 Scope03.jpg
Tek517 Scope04.jpg
Tek517 Scope05.jpg
Tek 517 lvps internal.jpg
517 PowerSupply01.jpg
517 Cable PS-Scope.jpg
517 Cable Conn.jpg
517 Cable Conn2.jpg
Tek 517 with 5xp crt.jpg|517 with [[5XP]] CRT
Tek 517 right internal 5xp.jpg|517 with [[5XP]] CRT
Tek 517 early rear chassis.jpg
Tek 517 early bottom.jpg
Tek 517 early bottom rear.jpg
Tek 517 early bottom front.jpg
Tek 517 crt gun connections.jpg
</gallery>
==Pictures of 517A ==
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:517_cat_whole.jpg|front
517A_1.JPG |517A Front
Image:517_cat_int_left.jpg|bottom internal
517A_2.JPG |517A Power Supply
Image:517_cat_int_right.jpg|right internal
6_57.JPG |517A with cart
Image:517_cat_int_top.jpg|top internal
Image:517_cat_ps_int.jpg|power supply internal
Image:517 power connector.jpg|12-pin Jones socket on power supply
Image:Jones 12pin male.jpg|12-pin Jones plug
Image:Jones 12m inside.jpg|12-pin Jones plug inside
Image:Tek 517 420 hv.jpg|High voltage supply
Image:Tek 517 front.jpg|Front view
Image:Tek 517 indicator jones.jpg|12-pin Jones connector on indicator unit
Image:Tek 517 left.jpg|Left internal view
Image:Tek 517 vert output.jpg|Distributed vertical output amplifier
Image:Tek 517 wood cap support.jpg|Wooden support for capacitor C826
Image:Tek crt table.png|Tek CRT Reference Chart
Image:517 trig amp underside.jpg
Image:517 vert stages one through three.jpg
Image:517 4th vert stage.jpg
Image:517 right internals.jpg
Image:517 timing switch 2.jpg
Image:517 timing switch 1.jpg
Image:517 power test point.jpg
Image:517 hv osc.jpg
Image:Tek 517a vert pre.png
Image:Tek 517a vert amp.png
Image:Tek 517a trigger amp.png
Image:Tek 517 late sweep.png
Image:Tek 517a crt circuit.png
Image:Tek 517a trigger rate gen.png
Image:517 ps fan.jpg
Image:517 ps bottom left.jpg
Image:517 ps bottom right.jpg
Image:517 ps front left int.jpg
Image:517 ps right rear bottom.jpg
Image:517 ps bottom.jpg
Image:517 ps right int.jpg
Image:517 assembly2.jpg
</gallery>
</gallery>
[[Category:Monolithic tube scopes]]
[[Category:Introduced in 1950]]