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The 1A4 is a 1-series vertical plug-in with four input channels and 50MHz bandwidth. The four channels are grouped into two groups of two channels.  The 1A4 has a special "trace slaving" mode which, when used in a 547 mainframe, allows channels 1 and 2 to be displayed using the A time base, and channels 3 and 4 to be displayed with the B time base.  This allows high-speed and low-speed signals to be displayed together, similar to what a dual-beam scope can do, but without some of the cost and complexity.
{{Plugin Sidebar
|manufacturer=Tektronix
|series=500-series scopes
|type=1A4
|summary=50 MHz quad input amplifier plugin
|image=Tek_1A4_Front_–_Tight.jpg
|caption=Tektronix 1A4 front
|introduced=1967
|discontinued=1974
|designers=Al Allworth
|manuals=
* [[Media:070-0545-00.pdf|Tektronix 1A4 Manual]] (PDF) / [https://w140.com/mmm/tek-1a4.pdf Alternate]
* [[Media:Tek 1a4 fcp jan 1967.pdf‎|Tektronix 1A4 Factory Calibration Procedure, January 1967]]
* [[Media:Tek 1a4 mods.pdf|Tektronix 1A4 Product Modification Index]]
}}
The '''Tektronix Type 1A4''' is a 1-series vertical plug-in for [[500-series scopes]].
It has four input channels and 50 MHz bandwidth.  


The signal path of each channel of the 1A4 is as followsFirst the signal passes through the attenuators.  Then it is clamped by two diodes and applied the the gate of a JFET source follower.  The source of the source follower is the trigger pickoff point.  From there the vertical signal path goes through an NPN emitter follower followed by an NPN differential amplifier, at which point the signal becomes differential.  Next, the signal passes through an analog multiplexer made with 1N4152 silicon switching diodes.  After the multiplexer network, the signal passes through a common base amplifier followed by 6DJ8 tube operating in common grid configuration.
Type 1A4 was [[introduced in 1967]] and lasted until the end of the [[500-series scopes]] line.
 
The four channels are grouped into two groups of two channels. 
Type 1A4 has a special "trace slaving" mode which, when used in a [[547]] mainframe, allows channels 1 and 2 to be displayed using the A time base,
and channels 3 and 4 to be displayed with the B time base.  This allows high-speed and low-speed signals to be displayed together,
similar to what a dual-beam scope can do, but without some of the cost and complexity. 
 
Like the Type [[1A2]] and unlike the Type [[1A1]], the Type 1A4 has a Trigger Output selector that controls which channel provides triggering when the mainframe trigger is in Plug-In mode,
for scopes having this feature ([[544]], [[546]], [[547]], [[549]], [[556]], late [[555]]).
 
{{BeginSpecs}}
{{Spec | Plug-in Bandwidth | DC to 50 MHz }}
{{Spec | Maximum Input Sensitivity  | 10 mV/div }}
{{Spec | Rise time | 7 ns }}
{{Spec | Input Impedance | 1 MΩ  // 20 pF }}
{{Spec | Maximum Input Voltage | 600 V combined DC and peak AC }}
{{Spec | Signal Output Impedence | 50 Ω}}
{{EndSpecs}}
 
Cascaded operation using the Signal Out jack can achieve a sensitivity of approximately 200 μV/div AC with about 20 Hz - 1 MHz bandwidth.  
   
==Internals==
The signal path of each channel begins with the signal passing through the attenuators.   
Then it is clamped by two diodes and applied to the gate of a JFET source follower.   
The source of the source follower is the trigger pickoff point.   
From there the vertical signal path goes through an NPN emitter follower, then an NPN differential amplifier, at which point the signal becomes differential.   
Next, the signal passes through an analog multiplexer made with [[1N4152]] silicon switching diodes.   
 
After the multiplexer network, the signal passes through a common base amplifier followed by [[6DJ8]] tube operating in common grid configuration.
 
There is an "identify" switch for each channel, which when pressed shifts the trace up by ~3 mm, to aid identification of the corresponding signal/channel.
This is achieved by offsetting position control circuitry with a small resistance to shift position.
 
The 12.1 V and −15 V power for the plug-in is generated onboard using a step-up transformer, whose primary is connected to the 6.3 V heater supply from the mainframe and the two secondaries drive the onboard series regulators.
 
==Pictures==
<gallery>
Tek_1A4_Front.jpeg | Front
Tek 1A4_RHS.jpeg | RHS
Tek_1A4_LHS.jpeg | LHS
Tek_1A4_Top.jpeg | Top
Tek_1A4_Bottom.jpeg | Bottom
Tek 1A4_Iso.jpeg | Front/Side
Tek 1a4 front n1.jpg
Tek 1a4 left n1.jpg
Tek 1a4 top n1.jpg
Tek 1a4 right n1.jpg
Tek 1a4 bottom n1.jpg
Tek 1a4 rear n1.jpg
Tek 1a4 frontclose n1.jpg
1a4 front.jpg
1a4 right2.jpg
1a4 top.jpg
1a4 bottom.jpg
</gallery>
 
[[Category:500 series plugins]]

Revision as of 11:15, 23 May 2023

Tektronix 1A4
50 MHz quad input amplifier plugin
Tektronix 1A4 front

Compatible with 500-series scopes

Produced from 1967 to 1974

Manuals
Manuals – Specifications – Links – Pictures

The Tektronix Type 1A4 is a 1-series vertical plug-in for 500-series scopes. It has four input channels and 50 MHz bandwidth.

Type 1A4 was introduced in 1967 and lasted until the end of the 500-series scopes line.

The four channels are grouped into two groups of two channels. Type 1A4 has a special "trace slaving" mode which, when used in a 547 mainframe, allows channels 1 and 2 to be displayed using the A time base, and channels 3 and 4 to be displayed with the B time base. This allows high-speed and low-speed signals to be displayed together, similar to what a dual-beam scope can do, but without some of the cost and complexity.

Like the Type 1A2 and unlike the Type 1A1, the Type 1A4 has a Trigger Output selector that controls which channel provides triggering when the mainframe trigger is in Plug-In mode, for scopes having this feature (544, 546, 547, 549, 556, late 555).

Key Specifications

Plug-in Bandwidth DC to 50 MHz
Maximum Input Sensitivity 10 mV/div
Rise time 7 ns
Input Impedance 1 MΩ // 20 pF
Maximum Input Voltage 600 V combined DC and peak AC
Signal Output Impedence 50 Ω

Cascaded operation using the Signal Out jack can achieve a sensitivity of approximately 200 μV/div AC with about 20 Hz - 1 MHz bandwidth.

Internals

The signal path of each channel begins with the signal passing through the attenuators. Then it is clamped by two diodes and applied to the gate of a JFET source follower. The source of the source follower is the trigger pickoff point. From there the vertical signal path goes through an NPN emitter follower, then an NPN differential amplifier, at which point the signal becomes differential. Next, the signal passes through an analog multiplexer made with 1N4152 silicon switching diodes.

After the multiplexer network, the signal passes through a common base amplifier followed by 6DJ8 tube operating in common grid configuration.

There is an "identify" switch for each channel, which when pressed shifts the trace up by ~3 mm, to aid identification of the corresponding signal/channel. This is achieved by offsetting position control circuitry with a small resistance to shift position.

The 12.1 V and −15 V power for the plug-in is generated onboard using a step-up transformer, whose primary is connected to the 6.3 V heater supply from the mainframe and the two secondaries drive the onboard series regulators.

Pictures