Z

Tektronix Type Z
Comparator preamp plug-in Type Z front view Compatible with 500-series scopes Produced from 1960 to 1969 Manuals Tektronix Type Z Manual (PDF, OCR) Tektronix Type Z Factory Calibration Procedure (PDF) Tektronix Type Z Calibration Outline (PDF, OCR) (All manuals in PDF format unless noted otherwise)

Manuals – Specifications – Links – Pictures

The Tektronix Type Z is a comparator plug-in for 500-series scopes, introduced in 1960 and dropped after 1968.

The Type Z has two inputs, A and B, plus a precision comparison voltage, V_C, that is adjustable from 0 to ±1 V, 10 V, or 100 V via a ten-turn pot.

The following differential amplifier can be configured to display V_A, −V_B, V_A−V_B, V_A−V_C, or V_C−V_B.

This allows DC-coupled measurements of small signals with large DC offsets.

Unlike later comparators, Type Z has separate step attenuators for each input, permitting the user to view the difference between signals of widely differing amplitudes. Unfortunately the divider resistors have no trim, so CMRR is poor except at 50mV/div.

It is also the only comparator that can handle ±100 V common mode at full sensitivity.

With a pair of "Disconnect Signal" buttons, the Type Z was the first movement toward a "GND" position on the input switches.

The Type P6023 probe with R and C compensation, introduced in 1962, was specifically designed for the Type Z but also marketed for the Type G.

Specifications

Maximum sensitivity is 50 mV/div, and common-mode rejection is 40,000:1 "from DC through audio frequencies".

Risetime as a general-purpose amplifier is 27 ns (13 MHz bandwidth). A side effect of Type Z's unprecedented dynamic range is that transient response is a function of signal amplitude: slew rates faster than 1V in 6ns will cause distortion due to grid current.