The Tektronix TG501 is a time-mark generator plug-in for the TM500 system.

Tektronix TG501
time-mark generator
Tektronix TG501

Produced from 1974 to 1990

Manuals

TG501

(All manuals in PDF format unless noted otherwise)

It was replaced by the TG501A in 1990.

Note the output must be terminated into 50 Ω or there may be no signal at all.

Key Specifications

Interval 1 ns to 5 s in 1−2−5 sequence
Timing accuracy Stability 1×10-5, long-term drift 1×10-5 per month (with Option 1, 5×10-7 / 1×10-7 per month)
Error Readout Accuracy 1 digit (±0.1% points), Range to ±7.5%
Amplitude ≥1 V peak on 5 s through 10 ns; ≥750 mVp-p on 5 ns and 2 ns; ≥200 mVp-p on 1 ns (separate output) (all into 50 Ω)
Trigger Output Slaved to marker output from 5 s through 100 ns. Remains at 100 ns for all faster markers
External Reference Input 1 MHz, 5 MHz or 10 MHz; TTL compatible (internally hard wired so output frequencies counted down to 1 MHz)
  • Option 01 adds a 5 MHz tempature-compensated crystal oscillator (Y50), and a TTL decade counter (U50) for a stable, precise internal clock.

Links

Documents Referencing TG501

Document Class Title Authors Year Links
070-2088-00.pdf Book TM500 Series Rear Interface Data Book 1975
070-2088-01.pdf Book TM500 Series Rear Interface Data Book 1976
Tekscope 1976 V8 N1.pdf Article Troubleshooting Phase Lock Loops John Mulvey 1976
070-2088-04.pdf Book TM500 Series Rear Interface Data Book 1985

Patents that may apply to TG501

Page Title Inventors Filing date Grant date Links
Patent US 3562464A Cam actuated switch having movable and fixed contacts on circuit board Howard Vollum Willem H Verhoef Tony Sprando 1968-10-07 1971-02-09

Rear Interface

Connector Pin Description
Signal Return
28A 27A Marker Out (requires front BNC disconnection)
27B 28B Trigger Out (requires front BNC disconnection)
25A 26A Internal 1 MHz Clock Out (TTL)
24B 25B External Clock Input
26B 22B Data Good (High when BCD data valid)
17A..20A 22B bit 4..1 BCD Display data, MSD
21A..24A 22B bit 4..1 BCD Display data, LSD
16A 22B Fast=Low, Slow=High

Internals

The TG501 internally produces a 1 MHz reference clock, either from an internal crystal oscillator, or from an externally supplied frequency.

A 100 MHz VCO is phase-locked to this reference frequency (in fixed-frequency mode) or to the output of a variable 1 MHz astable multivibrator (in variable frequency mode). When the variable oscillator is in use, its frequency is digitally compared to the fixed 1 MHz reference and displayed as a deviation in percent with a pair of LEDs indicating the sign (fast or slow).

A chain of dividers running off the 100 MHz clock provide the selectable output markers.

The 1 ns output uses a step recovery diode (HP 5082-8872, part 152-0503-00).

Prices

Year 1975
Catalog Price $745
In 2023 Dollars $4,300

Pictures

TG501

Parts

Some Parts Used in the TG501

Part Part Number(s) Class Description Used in
152-0503-00 152-0503-00 Discrete component 500 ps step recovery diode 1503C TG501 TG501A
Signetics N8T06B 156-0379-00 Monolithic integrated circuit 7-segment driver TG501