The Tektronix 5S14N is a 1 GHz dual-trace delayed sweep sampler plug-in. It is almost identical to the 7S14 plugin (from the 7000 series) except for the omission of read-out circuits.

Tektronix 5S14N
1 GHz dual-trace, delayed-sweep sampler
5S14N front (catalog picture)

Compatible with 5000-series scopes

Produced from 1974 to 1986

Manuals
(All manuals in PDF format unless noted otherwise)

It is a complete sampling system unlike, for example, the 7S11, which requires a separate sampling timebase plug-in to provide triggering and sampling pulse generation.

Key Specifications

Rise time 350 ps (1 GHz bandwidth)
Trigger bandwidth 100 MHz (Norm/Auto trigger), 1 GHz (HF sync)
Vertical deflection 2 mV/Div to 0.5 V/Div in 1–2–5 sequence
Sweep rate 100 µs/Div to 100 ps/Div in 1–2–5 sequence
Input impedance 50 Ω
Maximum input voltage 5 V peak
Features
  • Dual channel, CH1 / CH2 / Dual / Add / X—Y modes
  • Delayed timebase
  • DC Offset controls

Internals

The 5S14N contains two samplers, trigger and sweep circuitry, and circuitry to interface it with the 5000-series mainframe in which it operates. The mainframe provides the 5S14N with power. As a combined horizontal/vertical plug-in the 5S14N sends the mainframe both horizontal and vertical signals.

There are two 1.35 V mercury button cells, BT1 and BT2, in the sampler circuit. They act as floating bias sources, so if a 5S14N stops working it may be not defective apart from the dead batteries.

The sampler used by the 5S14N is a two-diode design. Each of the two input channels has its own sampler.

Most boards in the 7S14 and 5S14N are common. However, since 5000-series plug-ins are shorter than 7000 series and the mainframe interface is different, the 7S14 contains two 7000-specific interface boards (horizontal/vertical) that plug into the 7000 series mainframe. The common main horizontal board has the 5000-series interface connector fingers at the rear, which remain hidden within the 7S14 (see photo).

Prices

  • 1975: $1,850 (~$9,800 in 2022 Dollars)
  • 1979: $2,470 (~$9,700 in 2022 Dollars)

According to an internal memo, in 1979 annual sales were estimated at 25(!) units.

Links

Pictures

Components

Some Parts Used in the 5S14N

Part Part Number(s) Class Description Used in
152-0177-00 152-0177-00 152-0177-01 152-0177-02 Discrete component 10 mA germanium tunnel diode 7S14 5S14N 7T11A
155-0028-00 155-0028-00 155-0028-01 155-0042-00 155-0042-01 155-0042-02 155-0042-03 Monolithic integrated circuit Miller integrator and delay pickoff 5030 R5030 5031 R5031 1401 1401A 1480 1481 1482 1485 26G1 26G2 26G3 314 335 432 434 4701 5B10N 5B12N 5B31 5B40 5B42 5S14N 7B52 7B53A 7B53N 7L12 7L13 7L14 7L18 7S14 AN/USM-281C RG501 Telequipment D63 Telequipment DM63
155-0056-00 155-0056-00 155-0056-01 Monolithic integrated circuit sweep control 26G1 26G2 26G3 314 4701 5B10N 5B12N 5S14N 7L5 7L12 7L13 7L14 7L18 7S14 5S14N RG501 Telequipment D63 Telequipment DM63
155-0109-00 155-0109-00 155-0109-01 Monolithic integrated circuit trigger 5B25N 5B31 5B40 5B42 5B44 5S14N 7B50A 7B53A 7B80 7B85 7B87 7B81P 7B90P 7S14 7612D SC502 SC503 SC504
SMTD994 152-0177-01 Discrete component 10 mA, 2 pF tunnel diode 067-0587-01 067-0580-00 3T5 3T6 485 5S14N 7D14 7T11 7T11A S-53
STD962 152-0169-00 Discrete component 1 mA, 10 pF tunnel diode L140 Pentrix L20 Pentrix L30 067-0518-00 067-0594-00 1L60 1S2 1503 3B5 3T7 4054 4054A 4902 5S14N 7S14 7T11