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title=Tektronix 517 |
title=Tektronix 517 |
summary=50 MHz scope |
summary=50 MHz scope |
image=Tek 517 front.jpg|
image=Tek 517 vt.jpg|
caption= Tektronix 517 front view |
caption= Tektronix 517 at VintageTek Museum |
introduced=1951 |
introduced=1951 |
discontinued=1965 |
discontinued=1965 |
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* [http://w140.com/tek_517_517a_v2.pdf Later Manual Covering the 517 and 517A (PDF)]
* [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)]
* [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]]. [[Category:Introduced in 1950]]
The '''Tektronix 517''' is a 50 MHz scope [[introduced in 1950]] or [[introduced in 1951|1951]].
The 517 does not take plug-ins. There is also a 517A (1955-1965).
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==
==Specifications==
The power consumption of a 517 is 1250 watts. The indicator unit weighs 76 pounds and the external
The power consumption of a 517 is 1250 watts.
The indicator unit weighs 76 pounds and the external
power supply weighs 72 pounds.   
power supply weighs 72 pounds.   


Line 26: Line 31:
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 Vollum|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>


Line 35: Line 51:
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.  
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]]?)''
''(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:
The voltages on the 12-pin connector are:
Line 45: Line 62:
* Pin 5: +150 V, regulated
* Pin 5: +150 V, regulated
* Pin 6: Ground
* Pin 6: Ground
* Pin 7: -250 V, regulated
* Pin 7: −250 V, regulated
* Pin 8: +180 V, unregulated
* Pin 8: +180 V, unregulated


Line 94: Line 111:
The 517 uses 24 kV total acceleration voltage on the CRT.   
The 517 uses 24 kV total acceleration voltage on the CRT.   
This is generated by the [[420|Type 420]] High Voltage Power Supply subsystem in the 517.   
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,  
It uses a 1.8 kHz oscillator to produce the high voltage,
unlike other Tek scopes which use HV oscillators in the ultrasonic range.
unlike other Tek scopes which use HV oscillators in the ultrasonic range.


The 517 has a switch on the front panel that selects between  
The 517 has a switch on the front panel that selects between normal vertical sensitivity,
normal vertical sensitivity, which uses the full 24 kV acceleration voltage,  
which uses the full 24 kV acceleration voltage,  
and "X2" mode, which drops the acceleration voltage to 12 kV  
and "X2" mode, which drops the acceleration voltage to 12 kV for a doubling of the vertical sensitivity.   
for a doubling of the vertical sensitivity.   
The control works by switching the voltage division ratio of the feedback to the error amplifier in the HV supply.
The control works by switching the the voltage division ratio  
of the feedback to the error amplifier in the HV supply.


== CRTs Used in the 517 ==
== CRTs Used in the 517 ==
517 units with serial numbers 101 through 925 use the DuMont 5XP CRT.   
517 units with serial numbers 101 through 925 use the [[5XP|DuMont 5XP CRT]].   
Later units use a Tek-made CRT, the T517PxH/T54PxH, where "x" designates
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 has three anode connections:
the [[phosphor]] type: 1, 2, 7, 11, or 16.  The 5XP used [[multi-band acceleration]]
6.6 kV, 13.3 kV, and 20 kV.  The Tek-made CRT has just one anode connection, 20 kV,
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.
and has 15 V/cm sensitivity at 24 kV total acceleration voltage.


Line 116: Line 132:


== Comparison of 517 with 547 ==
== Comparison of 517 with 547 ==
In 1965, following the introduction of the 50 MHz [[547]], the
In 1965, following the introduction of the 50 MHz [[547]], the 517 was discontinued.
517 was discontinued. The 547 uses a non-distributed solid-state vertical
The 547 uses a non-distributed solid-state vertical amplifier,
amplifier, [[tunnel diodes|tunnel diode]] triggering, and a 6.5 V/cm CRT,  
[[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 145: 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 153: Line 168:
|-
|-
! scope="row" | Power Consumption
! scope="row" | Power Consumption
| 1250 watts
| 1250 W
| 510 watts
| 510 W
|}
|}


Line 173: Line 188:
==Pictures of 517 ==
==Pictures of 517 ==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:517_cat_whole.jpg|front
517_cat_whole.jpg|front
File:517_cat_int_left.jpg|bottom internal
517_cat_int_left.jpg|bottom internal
File:517_cat_int_right.jpg|right internal
517_cat_int_right.jpg|right internal
File:517_cat_int_top.jpg|top internal
517_cat_int_top.jpg|top internal
File:517_cat_ps_int.jpg|power supply internal
517_cat_ps_int.jpg|power supply internal
File:517 power connector.jpg|12-pin Jones socket on power supply
517 power connector.jpg|12-pin Jones socket on power supply
File:Jones 12pin male.jpg|12-pin Jones plug
Jones 12pin male.jpg|12-pin Jones plug
File:Jones 12m inside.jpg|12-pin Jones plug inside
Tek 517 jones plug.jpg|Original Tek 517 cable with Jones plug
File:Tek 517 420 hv.jpg|High voltage supply
Jones 12m inside.jpg|12-pin Jones plug inside
File:Tek 517 front.jpg|Front view
Tek 517 420 hv.jpg|High voltage supply
File:Tek 517 indicator jones.jpg|12-pin Jones connector on indicator unit
Tek 517 front.jpg|Front view
File:Tek 517 left.jpg|Left internal view
Tek 517 indicator jones.jpg|12-pin Jones connector on indicator unit
File:Tek 517 vert output.jpg|Distributed vertical output amplifier
Tek 517 left.jpg|Left internal view
File:Tek 517 wood cap support.jpg|Wooden support for capacitor C826
Tek 517 vert output.jpg|Distributed vertical output amplifier
File:Tek crt table.png|Tek CRT Reference Chart
Tek 517 wood cap support.jpg|Wooden support for capacitor C826
File:517 trig amp underside.jpg
Tek crt table.png|Tek CRT Reference Chart
File:517 vert stages one through three.jpg
517 trig amp underside.jpg
File:517 4th vert stage.jpg
517 vert stages one through three.jpg
File:517 right internals.jpg
517 4th vert stage.jpg
File:517 timing switch 2.jpg
517 right internals.jpg
File:517 timing switch 1.jpg
517 timing switch 2.jpg
File:517 power test point.jpg
517 timing switch 1.jpg
File:517 hv osc.jpg
517 power test point.jpg
File:Tek 517a vert pre.png | Vertical pre-amplifier circuit
517 hv osc.jpg
File:Tek 517a vert amp.png | Vertical amplifier circuit
Tek 517a vert pre.png | Vertical pre-amplifier circuit
File:Tek 517a trigger amp.png | Trigger amplifier circuit
Tek 517a vert amp.png | Vertical amplifier circuit
File:Tek 517 late sweep.png |
Tek 517a trigger amp.png | Trigger amplifier circuit
File:Tek 517a crt circuit.png | CRT circuit  
Tek 517 late sweep.png |
File:Tek 517a trigger rate gen.png |  
Tek 517a crt circuit.png | CRT circuit  
File:Tek 517 hvps2.png | High-voltage power supply circuit  
Tek 517a trigger rate gen.png |  
File:517 ps fan.jpg
Tek 517 hvps2.png | High-voltage power supply circuit  
File:517 ps bottom left.jpg
517 ps fan.jpg
File:517 ps bottom right.jpg
517 ps bottom left.jpg
File:517 ps front left int.jpg
517 ps bottom right.jpg
File:517 ps right rear bottom.jpg
517 ps front left int.jpg
File:517 ps bottom.jpg
517 ps right rear bottom.jpg
File:517 ps right int.jpg
517 ps bottom.jpg
File:517 assembly2.jpg
517 ps right int.jpg
File:B170_A.JPG| 170 ohms Attenuator
517 assembly2.jpg
File:Tek 517 ad.jpg
B170_A.JPG| [[B170-V|B170-V 170 Ω attenuator]]
File:517a rear vert interface.jpg|Direct CRT access mod
Tek 517 ad.jpg
File:517a single sweep controls.jpg|Single-sweep mod
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 on cart.jpg
Tek 517 735 left.jpg
Tek 517 735 left.jpg
Line 220: Line 236:
Tek 517 735 front upper.jpg
Tek 517 735 front upper.jpg
Tek 517 735 front lower.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>
</gallery>


==Pictures of 517A ==
==Pictures of 517A ==
<gallery>
<gallery>
Image:517A_1.JPG |517A Front
517A_1.JPG |517A Front
Image:517A_2.JPG |517A Power Supply
517A_2.JPG |517A Power Supply
Image:6_57.JPG |517A with cart
6_57.JPG |517A with cart
</gallery>
</gallery>
[[Category:Monolithic tube scopes]]
[[Category:Monolithic tube scopes]]
[[Category:Introduced in 1950]]

Revision as of 21:33, 19 June 2021

{{{manufacturer}}} 
50 MHz scope
Tektronix 517 at VintageTek Museum

Produced from 1951 to 1965

Manuals
Manuals – Specifications – Links – Pictures

The Tektronix 517 is a 50 MHz scope introduced in 1950 or 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 for the US military during 1949 and 1950. (See link below.)

Tektronix engineer Frank Hood recollects:

"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."

Internals

External Power Supply

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. Units with serial numbers from 101 through 1739 use 12-pin Jones 2412 connectors; 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: +750 V, regulated
  • Pin 2: +475 V, regulated
  • Pin 3: +350 V, unregulated
  • Pin 4: +225 V, regulated
  • Pin 5: +150 V, regulated
  • Pin 6: Ground
  • Pin 7: −250 V, regulated
  • Pin 8: +180 V, unregulated

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. Originally the 5XP CRT was used, which has 38 V/cm vertical deflection sensitivity when operated with 24 kV acceleration voltage. (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. 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 μs/cm. The 517 is not designed for low-frequency use.

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 2: single-ended, six sections, distributed, 6AK5 pentodes
  • Gain Stage 3: single-ended, seven sections, distributed, 6AK5 pentodes
  • Trig Pickoff: one common-cathode 6CB6 pentode
  • Signal Delay: 51 feet of RG63U 125-ohm coaxial cable (65ns)
  • Phase Splitter: single-ended in, differential out, three sections, distributed, 6CB6 pentode
  • Gain Stage 4: differential, six sections, distributed, 6CB6 pentodes
  • Gain Stage 5: differential, twelve sections, distributed, 6CB6 pentodes

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

  • Phase Splitter: 6J6 dual-triode connected as a differential amplifier
  • Gain Stage 1: single-ended, three sections, distributed, 6AK5 pentodes
  • Gain Stage 2: single-ended, three sections, distributed, 6AK5 pentodes
  • Gain Stage 3: single-ended, common-cathode, 6AG7 pentode
  • Gain Stage 4: single-ended, common-cathode, 6AG7 pentode

High Voltage Power Supply

The 517 uses 24 kV total acceleration voltage on the CRT. This is generated by the Type 420 High Voltage Power Supply subsystem in the 517. It uses a 1.8 kHz oscillator to produce the high voltage, unlike other Tek scopes which use HV oscillators in the ultrasonic range.

The 517 has a switch on the front panel that selects between normal vertical sensitivity, which uses the full 24 kV acceleration voltage, and "X2" mode, which drops the acceleration voltage to 12 kV for a doubling of the vertical sensitivity. 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 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 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. There is a wood support for a large electrolytic capacitor, C826, which filters the probe power.

Comparison of 517 with 547

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

Comparison of 517A with 547
517A 547 with 1A1
Bandwidth 50 MHz 50 MHz
Sensitivity 50 mV/cm 50 mV/cm
Cost in 1964 $3500 $2475
Size scope + power supply all in one
Weight 148 lb / 67 kg 71 lb / 32 kg
Complexity 130 tubes 45 tubes
Power Consumption 1250 W 510 W

Some 517 modification kits are listed on page 181 of the 1959 catalog.

Tek sold the 108 pulse generator as a tool for maintaining the 517, 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

Pictures of 517

Pictures of 517A